Thomas Robinson: The Oldest Man in Greenwich, Connecticut?

  Thomas Robinson: The Oldest Man in Greenwich, Connecticut?

When Thomas Robinson turned 101 years of age on 17 September 1926, the newspapers celebrated his birthday and proclaimed that he was “hale and hearty and with all his faculties as a man thirty years his junior.” [Ref 1].   When he died a few months later on 27 January 1927 in Greenwich, Connecticut, his obituary stated he was “Greenwich’s oldest male resident." [Ref 2] But was he?

The 1927 newspaper obituary claimed he was born on 17 September 1825, which is consistent with the “oldest male resident” claim. Furthermore, his gravestone in Union Cemetery, Greenwich, marked his birth at 1825, consistent with his claimed age of 101. [Ref 3]

However, the Greenwich Town death certificate [Ref 4]

states that he was born on 17 September 1837 and that his age was 89 years, 4 months and 8 days -  twelve years later than claimed! Which is right?

 

Let’s look at the Census records. Fortunately, Thomas Robinson and his family are well documented in the census records for Greenwich, Connecticut.  In 1870, he was 24 years old. [Ref 5].

I 1880, he was aged 45. [Ref 6] In 1900, he was aged 60. [Ref 7] He is not found in the 1910 census, but in 1920, he is aged 91 and living with his son. [Ref 8]

 

Greenwich kept excellent vital record and his age is recorded for some of his children who were born or died in Greenwich.

His son Henry Robinson was born on 28 December 1869, and Thomas Robinson’s age is given as 34. [Ref 9].

On 20 December 1875, his son Alfred Robinson was born and Thomas’s age is 35. [Ref 10]

 When his son Carroll Robinson was born on 1 October 1880, no age was given. [Ref 11]

On average, the various records suggest he was born about 1833. However, it is only since 1920 that his claimed age rose. When taking the earliest records before 1920, his age averages about 1838.  It would seem that Thomas Robinson was indeed born about 1837 and that as he got older, and perhaps gaining some attention, he began claiming he was much older than he actually was and that his “oldest male resident” claim was likely made up.

 

His place of birth is somewhat questionable also. All of the records document that he was born in England (now we know about 1837, not 1825). But where?

 

His death record says he was born in Lancashire. [Ref 12]. However, his obituary says his was born in Lincolnshire. [Ref 13] And in 1875, when his son, Alfred, was born, his birthplace was recorded as Yorkshire. [Ref 14]

Thomas Robinson is a rather common name in England, and no records have come to light as to identify this particular Thomas Robinson.

 

We can say that Thomas Robinson was born about 17 September 1837 in England, possibly in Lancashire, but could have been Yorkshire or Lincolnshire. He died on 25 Jan 1927 in Greenwich and was buried in Union Cemetery, Greenwich.  

He married Mary Jane Sloan before 1864. She was born on 18 Oct 1848, possibly in Dublin, Ireland. [Ref 15]. She died on 19 Apr 1909 in Greenwich and was also buried Union Cemetery. [Ref 16] Thomas Robinson was a coachman and gardener. He was regarded as an excellent horseman and worked for a number of prominent Greenwich families, where he developed a number of excellent trotting horses. [Ref 17].

Thomas Robinson and Mary Jane Sloan had the following children:

1. GEORGE ROBINSON was born on 14 Mar 1864 in Orange, Essex, New Jersey. [Ref 18]. He died on 26 Feb 1927 in Greenwich. [Ref 19] He married Maria Jane Clune on 12 Jun 1887 in Greenwich. [Ref 20] She was born on 30 May 1867 in Ireland. She died on 13 May 1938 in Greenwich and wasburied St. Mary's RC Cemetery. [Ref 21]
2. WILLIAM JOHN ROBINSON was born about 1867 in Greenwich (calculated from age at death). He died on 10 Feb 1887 in Greenwich of hydrophobia (i.e., rabies) [Ref 22]. His burial location has not been uncovered, but likely Union Cemetery.
3. HENRY ROBINSON was born on 28 Dec 1869 in Greenwich. [Ref 23] He died on 23 Dec 1874 in Greenwich of dropsy. [Ref 24]
4. HORACE ROBINSON was born on 15 Jul 1873 in Greenwich. [Ref 25]. He died on 06 May 1946 in Greenwich and was buried in Union Cemetery. [Ref 26]. He married Katherine Larkin about 1902 in Greenwich. 
5. ALFRED ROBINSON was born on 20 Dec 1875 in Greenwich. [Ref 27] He died on 01 Dec 1940 in Greenwich and was buried in Union Cemetery. He married Frances O’Brien on 04 May 1919 in Greenwich. [Ref 28] She was born in 1887 and  died in 1936 in Greenwich.
6. CARROL ROBINSON was born on 01 Oct 1880 in Greenwich. [Ref 29] He died on 12 Sep 1900 in Greenwich of epilepsy/drowning. [Ref 30]

Another unnamed child was likely born either before 1864 or between 1864 and 1867.

 References

[1] The New Britain [Connecticut] Herald, “Greenwich Man Hale and Hearty at Age of 101,” 17 September 1926, p. 1, col. 5.

[2]  The Daily Advocate [Stamford, Connecticut], “Thomas Robinson,” 7 January 1927, p.18, col. 2.

[3] Find A Grave, memorial 106960421, Thomas Robinson, Union Cemetery, Greenwich. [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/106960421/thomas-robinson]  

[4] Connecticut State Board of Health, Medical Certificate of Death in Town of Greenwich, No. 201 (1927),Thomas Robinson; Department of Vital Statistics, Connecticut.

[5]  1870 U.S. census, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Greenwich, p. 28, dwelling 183, family 203, line 25, Thomas Robinson household. 

[6]  1880 U.S. census, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Greenwich, p. 41 (474A), dwelling 258, family 288, line 8, ED 160, Thomas Robinson household.

[7]  1900 U.S. census, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Greenwich, p. 7B, dwelling 136, family 147, line 40, ED 69, Thomas Robinson household. 

[8] 1920 U.S. census, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Greenwich, p. 10B, house 199, dwelling 127, family 240, line 93, ED 125, Alfred Robinson household; Thomas Robinson, father, age 91.

[9] Greenwich, Connecticut. Town Hall, Records of Births, Marriages, Deaths 1847-1908, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/729989), Births: Henry Robinson, 28 December 1869, page 132, Image 169/200. [FHL 007731304].  

[10] Greenwich, Connecticut. Town Hall, Records. Births: Alfred Robinson, 20 December 1875, page 134, Image 170/200. [FHL 007731304].  

[11] Greenwich, Connecticut. Town Hall, Records, Births: Carrol Robinson, 1 October 1880, page 136, Image 171/200. [FHL 007731304].  

[12] Medical Certificate of Death in Town of Greenwich, No. 201 (1927),Thomas Robinson.

[13] The Daily Advocate [Stamford, Connecticut], “Thomas Robinson,” 7 January 1927, p.18, col. 2.

[14] Greenwich, Connecticut. Town Hall, Records, Births: Alfred Robinson, 20 December 1875, page 134. 

[15] Connecticut State Board of Health, Medical Certificate of Death in Town of Greenwich, No. 197 (1909), Mary Jane Robinson; Department of Vital Statistics, Connecticut.  

[16] Ibid.

[17] The Daily Advocate [Stamford, Connecticut], “Thomas Robinson,” 7 January 1927, p.18, col. 2.

[18] New Jersey Births and Christenings, 1660-1980, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1675383), George Robinson, 14 Mar 1864, Orange Township, Essex County, New Jersey.  

[19] Connecticut State Board of Health, Medical Certificate of Death in Town of Greenwich, No. 205 (1926), George Robinson; Department of Vital Statistics, Connecticut.

[20] Greenwich, Connecticut. Town Hall, Records, Marriages: Robinson-Clune, 12 June 1887,  page 392, Image 122-123/723 [FHL 434421].  

[21] Connecticut State Board of Health, Medical Certificate of Death in Town of Greenwich, No. 114 (1938), Maria Clune Robinson; Department of Vital Statistics, Connecticut.  

[22] Greenwich, Connecticut. Town Hall, Records, Deaths: William John Robinson, 10 February 1887, page 454, Image 275/723. [FHL 1434421].  

[23] Greenwich, Connecticut. Town Hall, Records, Births: Henry Robinson, 28 December 1869, page 132, Image 169/200. [FHL 007731304].  

[24] Greenwich, Connecticut. Town Hall, Records, Deaths: Henry Robinson 23 December 1874, page 580, Image 269/723. [FHL 1434421].  

[25] U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, database, (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901: accessed at 26 June 2023), entry for Harry Robinson.

[26]  The Daily Advocate [Stamford], Connecticut, Obituary for Horace Robinson, 7 May 1946, p.9, col. 7. 

[27] Greenwich, Connecticut. Town Hall, Records, Births: Alfred Robinson, 20 December 1875, page 134, Image 170/200. [FHL 7731304].

[28] Connecticut Marriage Records, 1897-1968. Ancestry. (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70865/). Alfred Robinson-Francis O’Brien. Citing:  Connecticut State Department of Health; Hartford, CT; Connecticut Vital Records — Index of Marriages, 1897-1968.  

[29] Greenwich, Connecticut. Town Hall, Records, Births: Carrol Robinson, 1 October 1880, page 136, Image 171/200. [FHL 007731304].  

[30] Greenwich, Connecticut. Town Hall, Records, Deaths: Carrol Robinson, 12 September 1899, page 38, Image 699/723. [FHL 1434421].  

Was Clarissa Fox the Daughter of Revolutionary War soldier Sgt. Anthony Fox?

 

Was Clarissa Fox the Daughter of Revolutionary War soldier Sgt. Anthony Fox?

The birth of Clarissa (variously Clara, Clariassa, Clarisa, etc.) Fox was recorded as 1790 in the family bible fragment of the “Moore, Wyatt, Lacey, Rogers” families and that she was the wife of Thomas Wyatt. [REF 1]

Clariassa Fox birth record in Moore, Wyatt, Lacey, Rogers Bible fragment

Clarissa Fox was of Ann Arundel County, Maryland and married Thomas Wyatt of Caroline County, Maryland on 19 Feb 1806. [REF 2]  The only evidence of Clarissa Fox’s father comes from the genealogy of the  descendants of Revolutionary War soldier, Anthony Fox (see: https://grmgenes.blogspot.com/2023/01/anthony-fox-meritorious-soldier-of.html), as documentation in an application for membership to the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). [REF 3]

Descendants of Anthony Fox from SAR application #16317

  The source of the information was given as a Margaret Wyatt of Easton, Talbot County, Maryland. She was an unmarried daughter of Thomas Wyatt and Clarissa (and therefore the granddaughter of Anthony Fox), and evidently had documentary evidence that Clarissa was the daughter of Anthony Fox and his wife Sarah Kemp. [REF 4]. Anthony Fox and Sarah Kemp were married on 16 August 1782 in Baltimore Co., Md. [REF 5]

Margaret Wyatt (age 30) appears with her parents and siblings, Thomas and Clarissa, in the 1850 census for Caroline Co., Md [REF 6] By 1910, she is an 80-year old “inmate” in a Home for the Aged on North Street in Easton, Talbot Co., Md. [REF 7] She died before 1920.

No other source has come to light as to whether Clarissa was indeed a daughter of Anthony Fox. The source of the information, a granddaughter, would certainly have first-hand knowledge and may have had a family bible or some other personal source of information.

 

However, lacking a primary source for confirming that Clarissa was a daughter of Anthony Fox, there are other clues.

 

Clue #1. The 1790 and 1800 Census.

Although no names are other than head of household are given in these early census returns, the number and ages of males and females can be a clue.

Anthony Fox appears in the 1790 Federal Census for Baltimore Co., Md [REF 8]. In the household he is listed as one male over the age of 16 and 4 females; one of the females is likely his wife. Anthony Fox next appears in the 1800 Federal Census for Ann Arundel Co., Md. where he is the only male over the age of 45 with four females, 2 under 10 and 2 age 10-15 [REF 9]. These four females appear to be his daughters as they are all under the age of 15 (although other scenarios are possible).

 

Clue #2. The Petition of Anthony Fox for Pension.

However, in 1805 and 1806, Anthony Fox, now of Ann Arundel Co., Md.  petitions the Maryland State House of Delegates to grant him a pension for his service in the Revolutionary War [REF 10].

He had been wounded “when fighting battles of his country.” He was of “advanced age” and apparently because of his wounds, he needed support for his four “helpless daughters.” [REF 11]

The description of his plight and that he had four daughters, matches what is recorded in the 1800 Federal census; that Anthony Fox was a single male with four young females in his household.

One of these daughters, could have been Clarissa as she did not marry until February 1806. His wife, Sarah, likely died by 1800. No record of his death exists, but Anthony Fox likely died sometime after 1807 when he was awarded his pension and likely before 1810 as he does not appear in that census.

In summary, although there is a lack of primary evidence that Clarissa Fox was the daughter of Anthony Fox, there does appear to be some clues that corroborate that she was indeed his daughter.

 

1.     Margaret Wyatt, a daughter of Thomas Wyatt and Clarissa Fox, and granddaughter of Anthony Fox, is a source of information on a 1907 SAR membership application, documenting that Clarissa Fox was a daughter of Anthony Fox.

2.     A Bible record informs that Clarissa Fox, wife of Thomas Wyatt was born in 1790.

3.     Thomas Wyatt of Caroline Co., Md married Clarissa Fox of Ann Arundel Co., Md in 1806. Anthony Fox was known to be from Ann Arundel Co., Md at least from 1800 on and the marriage record of Clarissa Fox to Thomas Wyatt is recorded in the Ann Arundel marriage records.

4.     Anthony Fox is enumerated in the 1790 Baltimore Co., Census with 4 females. One of which may be his wife and 3 daughters.

5.     Anthony Fox is enumerated in Ann Arundel Co., Md with four females, likely his daughters. He is over the age of 45 and two females are under 10 and two females aged 10-15. One of these is likely Clarissa. All four females were born after 1782, which would be compatible with the date that Anthony Fox and Sarah Kemp were married.

6.     The petition of Anthony Fox to the Maryland House of Delegates documents that, in 1805/1806, he had “four helpless daughters.” That he had four daughters seems to corroborate the four females/daughters enumerated with him in the 1800 Ann Arundel census.

References

1. Gene R. Major, “A Delaware Record: Kent County Families: Moore, Wyatt, Lacey, Rogers," Delaware Genealogical Society Journal 4 (April 1987): 18-20.

2.  Maryland County Marriages, 1658-1940, FamilySearch  (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2523377, accessed 1 December 2022), Marriage of Thomas Wyatt and Clara Fox, 19 February 1806, in Marriage Records, 1777-1896, Arundel, Maryland [Ann Arundel County] [FHL 13243], p. 91.

3.  U.S. Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Membership Applications, 1889-1970, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2204/, accessed 1 December 2022) SAR Application File, #16317, Accepted 28 Oct 1909, Anthony Fox. Anthony Fox was listed as a sergeant on the muster rolls and was in the Maryland Sixth Regiment from 20 April 1777 – January 1780. The Maryland Sixth Regiment fought at the Battle of Brandywine (1777), the Battle of Germantown (1777), and the Battle of Monmouth (1778). The Maryland Sixth did not winter at Valley Forge, but at Wilmington, Delaware (1777-1778). See: Maryland Revolutionary Muster Rolls, 1776-1780, Roll M1017. Musters of Maryland Troops, p. 48. Muster Rolls and Other Records of Service of Maryland Troops in the American Revolution, 1775-1783. Transcribed: Archives of Maryland. Muster Rolls and Other Records of Service of Maryland Troops in the American Revolution, 1775-1783, Volume 18 (Baltimore, Maryland Historical Society, 1900), 206.

4. Queries to the SAR revealed that, at that time of the Application (1909), documentation for SAR applications were not kept.

5.  Maryland Marriages, 1666-1970, Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1675199, accessed 1 December 2022), Marriage of Anthony Fox and Sarah Kemp, 16 August 1782, Baltimore County, p. 157, image 523,  FHL 004254885.

6. 1850 U.S. census, Caroline County, Maryland, p. 82b, dwelling 244, family 244, line 17, Charles T. Wyatt household. The family are all living in the houshold of Charles T. Wyatt, son of Thomas Wyatt and Clarissa.

7. 1910 U.S. census, Talbot County, Maryland, Easton, p. 2A, dwelling 34, family 34, line 40, ED 93, Margaret J. Wyatt, inmate. 

8. 1790 United States Federal Census. Maryland.

U.S. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Census (Washington, DC ; Government Printing Office, 1907). Baltimore County, Maryland, p. 24. Anthony Fox.

9. 1800 U.S. census, Ann Arundel County, Maryland, p. 96, line 3, Anthony Fox. The ages of the four females, likely daughters, indicate they were born after 1782 and after Anthony Fox married Sarah Kemp.