At different times in our countries history the expansion of pioneer families into the wilderness came at a trickle. At other times it seems as if they turned the water on high. In the area of the Southern Piedmont of North Carolina, the Revolutionary War had brought many new arrivals from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and other states north of us. Then the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, and the distribution of other land bounties to the south and west caused an outpouring of families out of North Carolina into Tennesee, Alabama, Georgia, even Illinois and Indiana, and later Arkansas , Mississippi and Texas.
I can not yet determine where the small branch of the Robbins family who arrived in Anson and Montgomery Counties of North Carolina were before they arrived here in the early days of our settlement in the 18th century, but when they left, they seemed to have left altogether, for Tennesee. After several decades, I believe one came back. My DNA is telling me this.
As I dig deeper and deeper into the family trees and the constant moving and resettling of the Robbins family, DNA is steadily leaving a trail of bread crumbs, letting me know I am on the right path. Every few days, sometimes every day, that I search for records on ancestry.com, I will come across a bit of information contributed by a descendant, or someone attached to one of those descendants, who knows more about their particular branch of the Robbins family tree than I do. Alot of times, when I click on the link to check out the information, the individual is no relation. That doesn't surprise me as not everyone on ancestry has taken a dna test, I would dare say most have not. Others have and may be a descendant, but at the distant generations, we might not share any dna, having retained different portions of dna from the same ancestors. Others may be researching and not be a descendant at all. Maybe they are a spouse of a descendant, or, they do like I do, and explore the people around the ancestor, to see if there is any familial connection, especially when the names keep popping up in records together. I've dredged up a lot of information I would have otherwise missed this way. However, I am meeting enough distant cousins that I know I am on the right road, and my dna serves like one of those painted arrows along a hiking path that points you in the right direction. At the risk of blowing up an old predetermined theory on the maiden name of Mrs. Sylvia Honeycutt of Red Cross, Stanly County, I am continuing to follow the path of the Robbins into Tennessee and areas beyond.
While aiming my magnifying glass in the direction of John Robbins, Sr and Jr., I just can't forget about Charles .
The above family tree for Charles Robbins is taken from someone else's Tree off of Ancestry.com. Now, personally, I believe they have hooked their horse to the wrong wagon, as the parents, who would have been John Robbins, Sr. and wife, don't geehaw. It appears to me that Sr. passed away before 1800, and was born more lilely in the 1730's, or 1740's, at the latest. But I could be wrong. I'm new to the Robbins nest, so this information could have come from very viable sources. What interested me the most, was they have an Isham Robbins as the youngest child, born in 1776, which seems viable, and died in 1843, when the Isham Robbins I am reseaching died. Edit: I now know that John Sr. did not die in North Carolina and did not die before 1800. I also know he had at least three sons: John Jr., William and Charles.
This is what I know about Charles.
From what I have been able to surmise, John Robbins,Sr. had three sons, John Jr., William and Charles. If there were others, they were not mentioned in the records of Anson or Montgomery, where he lived. William is not mentioned in the records of North Carolina. The William who does show up with John in the earliest records of Anson County is believed to be his father, William was an older man.
There were two John Robbins in the 1790 census of Anson County.
| Name | John Robbins |
|---|---|
| Home in 1790 (City, County, State) | Anson, North Carolina |
| Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over | 1 John Jr. |
| Free White Persons - Males - Under 16 | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females | 3 Elizabeth, twho unknown |
| Number of Household Members | 5 |
One shows one male over 16, one male under 16, and 3 females in the household. I believe this one to be the home of John Robbins, Jr. I know he was born in 1766. He may have had a son and two daughters by then.
| Name | John Robins |
|---|---|
| Home in 1790 (City, County, State) | Montgomery, North Carolina |
| Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over | 2 John Sr. and Charles |
| Free White Persons - Males - Under 16 | 1 William |
| Free White Persons - Females | 5 Unknown |
| Number of Slaves | 2 |
| Number of Household Members | 10 |
The other had two males over 16, one under 16, 5 females and 2 slaves. The two males over 16 could have been John Sr. and Charles. The younger male could have been William. , The names of any of the females are not known to me at this time, despite some being listed in the above tree. I have not been able to confirm those.
| Charles Robbins | Montgomery | 1797-07-10 | 1794 | 100 | S. W. side of Peedee river | 1036 |
Charles Robbins recieves his first land grant, in Montgomery County, North Carolina, in 1797. It was for 100 acres on Long Creek. It began at a pine on John Robbins corner and ran with John Robbins property line.
Charles Robbins shows up several times in the Montgomery County land records, as he was a young man at this time, he often served as a Chain Carrier for neighbors.
Grant 1070 Charles Robbins and Thomas Mainord (Maynerd), served as Chain carrier in the 100 acres grant of Hosea Rowland's property, granted by John Crump, and was located on both sides of Turkey Creek, beggining on Buzzard's Branch, in 1794.Grant 1070, Montgomery County, NC Land Warrants and Surveys (1778-1833).
His own grant is mentioned, but in this deed, he references, his father, who was John Robbins.
"Oct 20, 1794 by John Crump to Charles Robbins 100 acres taking in an improvement I had joining my father's line where he lives on waters of Long Creek.... 100 acres surveryed Jan. 1, 1795 by J. Atkins, on SW side of Pee Dee and on waters of Long Creek, border begins at a pine in John Robbins line. Hosea Rowland and Thomas Maynard chain carriers." Grant #1060 Montgomery County, NC Land Warrants and Surveys (1778-1833).
This proves that Charles was a son of John Robbins (Sr).
In 1796, in Warrant No. 2265, John Crump granted 150 acres to a Lewis Baird on the waters of Long Creek that was said to have joined the property of Charles Robbins. It began at a pine in Stokers line, joined Robins, Barnaba Dunn and John Atkins were chain carriers. Just before this Lewis Baird had been granted a 300 acre tract from Crump that was on the waters of Curl Tail Creek and included the Rocky Ford "of said creek". Grant 1509, Montgomery County, NC Land Warrants and Surveys (1778-1833).
The surname Baird came up while I was exploring who lived along a stream named Boston's Branch, where John Robbins Jr. had a grant, and Benjamin Baird and William Baird were among those names.
Sept 30, 1799, Hamblet Underwood recieved a 100 acre grant from John Neal on Bear Creek, that joined Whitmill Harringtons old line, Charles Robbins and Samson Gilbert were the chain carriers. Warrant #5106, Grant #1795, Montgomery County, NC Land Warrants and Surveys (1778-1833)
Lastly, on February 1, 1804, John Gilbert recieved a 50 grant on the North side of Bear Creek that joined his own property and that of Charles Robbins. Richard Wenleby and Needham Smith were chain carriers. Grant 2158, Montgomery County, NC Land Warrants and Surveys (1778-1833).
As I have noted before, there are multiple connections and associations between the Robbins and Gilberts. I believe it to be too much for a coincidence. The Gilberts deserve a closer look.
| Name | Charles Robins |
|---|---|
| Home in 1800 (City, County, State) | Montgomery, North Carolina |
| Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25 | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25 | 1 |
| Number of Household Members | 2 |
Charles first shows up in a census in the 1800 census of Montgomery County. He's a young adult, just starting out on his own, and appears to have taken a wife. Both are between 16 and 25, one male and one female. Among the names listed nearest to him were Thomas Castles, Anton and Mary Rolands, Richard Green and Asa Smith. On the next page over, following Asa Smith, is Andrew Smith, Andrew Bankston, Richard Bankston, Daniel McLester and Jesse Mann. In the 1810 census, examing Phillip Smith, who was the last to recieve a grant on Bostons Branch, we see these same names, at least some of the same surnames. Castles, Smith, Bankston, Mann, Daniel McLester.
| Name | John Robins |
|---|---|
| Home in 1800 (City, County, State) | Fayetteville, Anson, North Carolina |
| Free White Persons - Males - Under 10 | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Males -10 thru 15 | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44 | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - Under 10 | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15 | 2 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44 | 1 |
| Number of Household Members Under 16 | 5 |
| Number of Household Members Over 25 | 2 |
| Number of Household Members | 7 |
There are no other Robbins in Montgomery County, and only one in Anson County, and that is John. This would be John Robbins, the younger. It appears that Charles maintained his father's lands that lie in Montgomery County, and bordered his, and that John Jr. had returned to Anson County and his father's property on Richardson's Creek. John, the older brother, is now over 26, as is his wife. He has three daughters and two sons, one between 10 and 15, and one younger than 10.
Among John's neighbors in Anson are Thomas's, Smiths, Culpeppers and Broadways. He is sandwiched between Benjamin Thomas and Richard Smith.
Neither John nor Charles Robbins is found in the 1810 census of North Carolina. I am exploring John, idependantly and more thoroughly, at the moment and he will be explored further in another post. Charles has followed the calling West, to Tennessee.
He is found in the 1811 Tax Record of Steward County, Tennessee. Charles Robbins appears to have been in good company. Alot of very familiar sounding, Anson and Montgomery County names, are in this list. Just in this little snippet is a Hardy Howell, a John Palmer, Stephen Howell, Caleb Aldridge and Clement Aldridge. Those last two I know, were my ancestors. Caleb Jr., son of Caleb Senior, stayed in Stanly County, NC. On the other side of the page are the names of John and Henry Arrington, Elijah Carter, Nathaniel Castles, James Whitley, James Harris, Thomas Almond...wait, am I sure this isn't a record for Stanly? Montgomery County, NC? Check again, yes, it is Stewart County, Tennesee.
| Name | Charles Robbins |
|---|---|
| Home in 1820 (City, County, State) | Wayne, Tennessee |
| Enumeration Date | August 7, 1820 |
| Free White Persons - Males - Under 10 | 2 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15 | 2 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25 | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - Under 10 | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44 | 1 |
| Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture | 4 |
| Free White Persons - Under 16 | 5 |
| Free White Persons - Over 25 | 2 |
| Total Free White Persons | 8 |
| Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other | 8 |
In 1820, Charles and his family are enumerated in Wayne County, Tennesee. This time he is among neighbors from various parts of the country. Not a familiar name on the page, save Charles. Sometimes the different location reflected an actual physical move, in other cases, it simply invovled divisions. Counties were being carved off larger county blocks in Tennessee faster than Dollar Generals popping up.
By now, Charles is about 45, and his wife, under 44. They appear to have had 5 sons, one over 16, two between 10 and 16 and two under ten. There's only one little girl in the home, under 10.
In 1820, Charles has a land entry of 134 3/4 acres on Bear Creek in Wayne County, Tennesee, R 10, Section 2, Civil District No 2. Wayne County Deed Abstracts.
Also, in 1820, Charles entered No 1368 for 73 acres on Bear Creek, R 10, section 2, Civil District No 7, Wayne County Deed Abstacts PP 259.
In 1825, Charles applied for a Grant in Wayne County.
Charles Robbins supposedly died in Henry County, Tennesee. I disagree. I believe it's much more likely he died in Wayne County. There is a Charles Robbins in Henry County in 1830, but he's in his 30's and Charles was much older than that. I believe that's the Charles who was in Benton County, TN in 1840. He's another story, and I have since discovered, a nephew of Charles's.
Some family trees include the following statement concerning his death:
1830 • Buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Milan, Gibson Co.,Tennessee. Plot 487, USA
I can neither confirm not deny this.
Charles Robbins, born about 1770 in Anson County, NC, supposedly married a lady named Leticia or Letia, according to descendants of this couple.
| Name | Charles Robbins |
|---|---|
| Home in 1820 (City, County, State) | Wayne, Tennessee |
| Enumeration Date | August 7, 1820 |
| Free White Persons - Males - Under 10 | 2 Alexander, John |
| Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15 | 2 William R., Gilbert P. |
| Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25 | 1 Green D. |
| Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over | 1 Charles |
| Free White Persons - Females - Under 10 | 1 Araminta |
| Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44 | 1 Leticia |
| Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture | 4 |
| Free White Persons - Under 16 | 5 |
| Free White Persons - Over 25 | 2 |
| Total Free White Persons | 8 |
| Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other | 8 |
There are 6 recorded children of Charles and Letitia, and one daughter unknown; Green Deberry Robbins, William R. Robbins, Gilbert Pete Robbins, Alexander Robbins, John Robbins and Araminta Margaret Robbins.
The sons of Charles Robbins, along with his brothers William and John Jr and some of the sons of John Jr, end up migrating to Tishomingo Mississippi, at it's very inception. They are mentioned in the early History of Tishomingo helping build roads and supporting bonds for a new county government. It is also very possible that Charles was with them and that's why they were there, and passed away soon after their migration to yet another state.
I have decided to explore each of the children of Charles Robbins a little more in depth, due to the interesting twists, turns and coincidences I have encountered. They desevere their own stories.
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