Allen Robinett of Chester, Pennsylvania

Allen Robinett was not a Quaker but he was allowed to purchase a plot of land in William Penn's Chester community of Quakers. There was a Susanna Robinett of Wiltshire, England who married William Goldinge, but it is not known if there was any family relationship between her and Allen Robinett.

Allan "Quaker" Robinett had a daughter named Susannah who married Robert Ward, but she does not seem to be the same Susannah Robinett of Wiltshire who married William Goldinge

JAMES ROBINETTE

James Robinette was born about 1615 and he died in 1697 in Saffron Walden, Essex, England. His will was probated in Walden, Essex on 10 Feb 1696 and named in the will were James Robinett his son, Dorothy Robinett his daughter and the wife of Thomas Croft of London, his daughter Susannah who was married to a man named Balwell of London, Thomas Croft his grandson and Dorothy Croft his granddaughter. He mentions his house at Waldon. (1) It is not known where he was born. He married Dorothy Dykes (2) on 15 July 1658 in Saffron Walden at the St. Mary the Virgin Church. She was born on 31 May 1618 in Bunbury, Cheshire, England and she died in 1665 in Bunbury. (2) According to the Book Calendar of Wills in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (Will) Collection, James Robinett, Sr. was a draper by occupation. (3)

ALLEN ROBINETTE

Allen Robinette, even though he was one of the First Purchasers of the colony in Pennsylvania by William Penn, was not a Quaker. He was born about 1632 in Cheshire, England and died on 4 September 1694 in Upper Providence County in Chester, Pennsylvania. (4) He left a will and it was probated in Chester County, Pennsylvania. (5)

Allen Robinette married Margaret Symm in St. Mary Virgin church in London, England on 29 September 1653 (6) and she died in 1694 in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Allen and Elizabeth lived in England until 1682 when they boarded a ship for the voyage across the ocean to settle in Pennsylvania. (7) A good resource for finding additional information about Immigrant ships to Pennsylvania are The Real Welcome Passengers by Marion Balderston, pp 1-26 and Pennsylvania’s 1683 Ships.

According to the Passengers and Ships List Prior to 1684, in addition to Allen Robinette, there were two others who were also First Purchasers who may or may not be of interest. (8)

First Purchasers of Pennsylvania

Ralph Ward was a shoemaker of London who purchased 125 acres. Susannah Robinett, the daughter of Allen Robinett and Margaret Symms married Robert Ward, the son of Robert Ward and Rebecca Cox. I don’t know what relationship, if any, there was between Robert Ward and Ralph Ward, one of the First Purchasers.

Francis DOVE of London was a “Tallow Chandler” by trade and he was allowed to purchase 125 acres of land. Some members of the Dove Family were Quakers and they are discussed in another section on Gaulding Origins.

Allen Robinett was allowed 250 acres of land.

Allen Robinett had a mill. He was allowed to purchase land in William Penn's colony, even though he was not a Quaker.

About Penn’s Colony

William Penn's colony, known as the Province of Pennsylvania, was established in 1681 when King Charles II granted Penn a charter for the land. The colony was named in honor of Penn's father, Admiral Sir William Penn. Pennsylvania was founded as a haven for Quakers, who were persecuted in England. Penn called it his "Holy Experiment" and aimed to create a society based on religious freedom and peaceful coexistence. The colony attracted a diverse group of settlers, including English Quakers, Germans, and Scots-Irish frontiersmen.

Philadelphia, the capital of the colony, quickly became a major port and commercial city. It was also a central location for the thinking, writings, and planning that ultimately inspired the American Revolution. The colony's government was established in 1683 with Penn's Frame of Government, which included a Provincial Council and a General Assembly. (9) Pennsylvania's commitment to religious freedom and diversity, along with its fertile land, made it an attractive destination for settlers like Allen Robinett. That he was not actually one of the Quaker Community is proved in several sources. This is found on page 666 of the History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania:

“Above the Peter Taylor tract was a plantation of two hundred and fifty acres taken up by Allen Robinett and her at a later date he erected the Robinett Gristmill, while on this land on Ridley Creek. John Camm, the first stocking weaver in Chester County…. Of ALLEN ROBINETT little is known at this time, which is almost absolute evidence that he was not in membership with Friends." (10)

A man named Joseph Carter was disowned from the Quaker Church for marrying against the council of the group in Providence, Sarah Bond, the daughter of Allen Robinett.

“At Chester Monthly Meeting 9 mo 28, 1698 Joseph Carter, late of Newton meeting in Cheshire, in old England, produced his certificate to ye satisfaction of the meeting." He may have been a widower at this time. He became a member of Providence particular meeting, a branch of Chester Monthly Meeting and for a time appears to have been in good standing, but on 6 mo 30, 1708 it is recorded that contrary to the advice of Friends, he 'hath actually married to one who doth not any ways profess the truth with us' and is therefore disowned from membership. The marriage was to Sarah, widow of Richard Bond, the daughter of Allen Robinett. He afterward lived in Providence township, and later in Ridley." (11 p. 58)

The same is recorded on page 146 of the Genealogy of the Sharpless Family:

"M.W. Blair also gives the tradition that the first Bond arrived at Philadelphia when but a single cabin stood there, its chimney topped out with a headless barrel, and that his name is said to have been Samuel. Allen Robinett, a purchaser of land in 1681 from William Penn was living, with Margaret his

wife in Upper Providence township early in 1683. A warrant dated 2 mo 28 1701 directs the resurvey of 250 acres in Upper Providence to Samuel Robinett, son of Allen Robinett and Richard Bond, son-in-law of Allen Robinett and it appears that a patent was granted for this land 4 mo 30, 1702 to Samuel Robinett and Sarah Bond for 335 acres... The family may possibly have returned to England for a time, but Samuel Bond appears as a taxable in Upper Providence from 11715 to 1724. Joseph Carter was disowned by Friends of Chester in 1708 because he 'hath married to one who doth not anyways profess the truth with us..". (12 p. 146)

In 1701, Quaker marriages were quite distinct from other religious ceremonies. While Quakers were generally open to outsiders, marrying within the Quaker Church required adherence to their customs and traditions. The couple would need to declare their intention to marry to the meeting, and the meeting would appoint a clearness committee to ensure the couple was ready for marriage. If the committee was satisfied, the meeting would take the wedding "under their care" and help with the necessary arrangements. The actual marriage ceremony was solemnized in either a public or private meeting, with at least 12 Friends present to constitute a legal meeting. (13) Evidently the marriage of Sarah, the daughter of Allen Robinett and Joseph Carter was not acceptable to the clearness committee because neither Allen nor his daughter had ever adhered to the customs and traditions of the Quakers.

Within Penn’s Colony Allen Robinett established himself as a Miller. This is from A History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and its People:

"Allen Robinett, about 1685, established a mill on land owned by him on Ridley Creek, just above Concord road, in a deed dated 7 mo 29, 1687 recorded in Philadelphia, Allen Robinett of Upper Providence and about two acres of land on the southwest side of Ridley Creek and ...At the time of the transaction,

John and Richard Crosby were operators of a grist mill and saw mill a short distance down the stream, which they acquired in 1705. There is no mention of the Robinett mill on any assessment roll now on file in Chester County, therefore it must have been abandoned before 1766." (14 p. 366)

He is recorded in some of the Court Records in Chester County as a somewhat contentious person. The Record of the Courts records the following:

“Allen Robinett his Indicktment: The Jurors for ye Proprietary and Governor by the Kings Authority doe present Alle Robinett Senior of this County for writing Scandelous and abusive Papers against John Bristow one of ye Kings Justices and representatives in Councell...Joseph Richards foreman. Whereupon he is called to ye Barr and putts himself upon ye mercy of ye King and Governor. Judgement is awarded that he shall here in Publicke acknowledge in particular his fault and Crimes for which he stands Indicted and pay all Court Charge.." (15 p. 176)

Allan "Quaker" ROBINETTE and Margaret SYMM had children all born in England, so they all immigrated together.

Susannah Robinette born about 1660 in Bunbury, Cheshire, England

Allen Robinette II (1666-1718) - born 19 May 1666 in Bunbury, Cheshire, England

Samuel Robinette (1669-1745) - born 11 May 1669 in Bunbury, Cheshire, England.

Sarah Robinette Carter (1670-1732) – She married Richard Bond and then the widower Joseph Carter, who was banished by the Quakers for marrying her.

Susannah Robinett

SUSANNAH ROBINETT, the daughter of Allen Robinett and Margaret Symm was born about 1656 in Bunbury, Cheshire, England and she died on 6 Feb 1698 in Anne Arundel, Maryland. (16) She married Robert Ward about 1680 in England. (17) He was born in 1659 in Bunbury and died on 8 Sept 1709 in Anne Arundel. Robert Ward was the son of Robert Ward and Rebecca Cox, and they were married in 1680. (17) Robert Ward arrived in America and settled in Maryland in 1663 (18) and Susannah presumably arrived in Pennsylvania in September of 1653, and if the information is correct that they were married in 1680 in England, then they both must have returned there and then come back to America to settle in Anne Arundel.

Their children were named in the will of Robert Ward dated 25 July 1709 and proved 3 November 1709: (19)

Ward, Edward (1694-1760) VA married Mrs. Elizabeth Napier, Landowner (20 p. 63) He is named in his father’s will.

Ward, George (_- 1653) Conn, married ___ in New Haven. Agreement. He is not named in his father’s 1709 will.

Robert Ward – Son

William Ward – Son

Allen Ward – Son

Ann Ward – Daughter

Samuel Ward – Son

Edward Ward – Son

Elizabeth Lake - Daughter.

Allen Robinette, Jr.

ALLEN ROBINETTE JR., the son of Allen Robinett and Margaret Symms (21) was born on 19 May 1666 in Bunbury, Cheshire, England. (22) He died on 25 Dec 1718 in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA. (23) He married Rebecca Williams in 1694 in Pennsylvania, USA. She was born in 1666 and died on 04 Nov 1719 in Conestoga, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA. (24) Allen Robinette, Jr. came with his parents to Pennsylvania in 1682. (25)

The children of Allen Robinette, Jr. and Rebecca Williams were Joseph Robinett, Allen III Robinette and Samuel Robinett. (26)

Samuel Robinett

SAMUEL ROBINETTE, the son of Allen Robinett and Margaret Symms was born on 11 May 1669 in Bunbury, Cheshire, England. He died on 01 May 1745 in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA. The following is from his Find a Grave Record: (27)

“Samuel arrived in America in 1682 with his father, mother and sister Sarah. It has not been proven that the Robinettes came over with the Taylor family on the ship "Friendship", but the Taylors and Robinettes purchased land very near each other in Pennsylvania, so they were, at the least, neighbors. The Robinettes were not however Quakers like the Taylors. Despite the fact that the Quakers tried to talk Mary Taylor out of marrying Samuel Robinette and fortunately for us descendants, the two were married in 1695. Mary was the daughter of Quakers, William Clarke Taylor and Margaret Finsham and her parents had both died in 1693. Samuel Robinette and Mary Taylor were the parents of : Allen m. Lydia Derrick, Margaret m. John Renfrow Jr., Stephen m. Hester Unknown, Mary m. Thomas Kelly, Samuel m. Anna Osborne, Joseph m. Elizabeth Unknown, James m. Ann Catherine Martin, Nathan m. Elizabeth Unknown and George m. Catherine Wilson.

Samuel left a will in which he gave his first son ALLEN, 31 pounds five shillings current money, to each of five sons STEPHEN, SAMUEL, JOSEPH, JAMES, and NATHAN he gave one shilling sterling or value in currency. He also left the same to sons-in-law JOHN RENFROW and THOMAS KELLY. Youngest son GEORGE received the plantation and 175 acres, but wife MARY was allowed to stay there until death. George also received the Bible and Carpenter tools.”

Delaware County, Pennsylvania did not exist in Pennsylvania until 1789 when it was carved from Chester County, Pennsylvania

Works Cited

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