Clifford M Robinson, Sr

Clifford Miller Robinson was born in Coatesville, Pa July 7, 1927. The 1930 Pennsylvania census dated April 10th shows him 2 years and 10 months old, living at 830 Coates St.  He said the family had moved from South Carolina to Philadelphia, first, and then on to Coatesville.♥

Daddy aka PaPa is now a great-grandfather as we join Kristina R. and Tim McGary in welcoming a son, Marley Malak McGary on October 23, 2008.

Notes:stay tuned !

Daddy's 80th Birthday

January 16, 1916 – Dec 30, 2007. According to the information provided in the 1930 census of Coatesville, Pa, Nancy, then 14 years old,  was born in Pennsylvania and both her parents were born in South Carolina. She was raised as a sibling with the children of Nan and Pop Robinson, though the census indicates she is a niece of the head of household.  Nancy lived “45 years” in New York City working in the fashion world, creating window displays before settling in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  A bit of a night owl, Aunt Nancy was fun to chat with, sharing memories, particularly of attending the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. where she represented her labor union. I had called Aunt Nancy to tell her about the homegoing of Mother Coretta Scott King and the experience of joining tens of thousands of people standing long hours in drizzling rain to pay our respects. No one had complained about the wait or the rain and no short fuses on that day. That wonderfully unifying spirit of peace and calm had been present back in 1968 when Aunt Nancy had toured Ebenezer BC.  Aunt Nancy arrived in Atlanta and was met by strangers holding signs of welcome, offering assistance with housing for all those who had come for the funeral service and would not be able to secure hotels in the still segregated southern hotels. She recalled the Washington family’s hospitality and wonderful meals and visiting the home of Dr King’s family, meeting Harry Belafonte.

Edward Robinson was born in South Carolina,  according to the 1930 census of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, that lists him as eight years old and living with his parents and siblings at 830 Coates Street. He married Helen Johnson of Philadelphia  and there was a reception at the Elks Home of Coatesville. Aunt Helen said that at the reception, her mother inquired about Eddie’s living arrangements. When it was discovered that Eddie had not prepared a place, Helen’s mom announced that Helen would be returning to Philly with her that night and that the last train left Coatesville at 0105 ! Thus, a very amused wedding party walked the new bride, a cousin and the mother to catch the train. As she recalled, Uncle Walter cried because he was too young to attend the function in the Elks Home. A week later, Eddie claimed his bride and in 1957 they moved to Carver Court. Aunt Helen turned 85 years old on May 17th (1923) 

Meet Marble, The Curious. Madame Curie even. We share that trait. Anyway, y’all bear with me as I continue to dig up info and get the hang of using WordPress.

• Be sure to check out the videos, bottom right corner of the page.
• Happy Birthday to Cliff Robinson Jr of New Orleans, La June 4th.
• Congrats to Keya Stanford, Class of ‘08, of Coatesville, on her acceptance into Howard University.

Rosalie Woodard Long Lewis was born, app. 1910, in Winnsboro, SC; was 88 years old when she died of heart failure in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was buried “in Rolling Green Memorial Park in West Chester.” She retired after working for “more than 30 years in the outpatient clinic of the Veterans Administration at Broad and Cherry Streets” as a licensed practical nurse. “After retiring she dedicated much of her time as a volunteer for the VA and the Red Cross.” “Her husband, Delmar Lewis, died in 1989.”  Aunt Rosa was active in her church  ”St. Matthew AME Church, 57th and Summer Streets.” She was survived by her son, Walter Long, grand children and great grands.  (Quotes in italics are from Philadelphia Daily News (PA) Date: December 29, 1998)  ♥

Aunt Rosa is the eldest sibling. I remember visiting her Victorian styled home on Pine Street in Philadelphia, meeting cousins Rosemary and Billy and “Guvvy.” I think it was “up north” that I got to see my first cellar/basement. A basement would have been out of the question in New Orleans (NOLA) and uncalled for in Natchez, MS where I grew up. ♥

Conversation with Daddy: Aunt Rosa was first married to Walter Long, a musician, then to Delmar/(Delbert?) Lewis who had lived on Coates Street in Coatesvilles. Her sons are Walter Long Jr aka “Guvvy,” William and George. Daddy recalled the sad loss of George, who was a passenger in a car wreck, nick named “Hippity-Dip” and who was more like a brother of theirs than a newphew. -6/21/08 ♥

census-1920-james-nancy-robinson1

 On the 1920 census taken in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, James and Nancy Robinson are shown living in the home of James Robinson’s parents, John B Johnson and wife Della and a cousin whose name I am unable to discern. But there they are ! Nancy and James with two children, James Jr and Theodore. After searching for years, finally there they are and I was also able to find James and Nancy were issued a marriage license February 5, 1917 in Richland County. The image is blurry and dark, but if you look for Johnson, John B you can’t miss it ! ♥ 

 In a conversation with Daddy (Clifford M Robinson, Sr.) about my findings, I was able to stir up some memories and confirm the people listed on the 1920 census.

 ”Uncle John” and “Aunt Della” had taken the whole family, James,Nancy, James Jr., Theodore and a cousin “Daught” (sp?) Smith, from South Carolina, first to Philadelphia, and on to Coatesville where they appear on 830 Coates Street in the 1930 Pennsylvania census. “Uncle John” it seems, “raised” or adopted James Robinson and the cousin Daught. Uncle John died when Daddy was small, so small that ” I couldn’t see into the casket, you see. Somebody lifted me up to see” Daddy said of the funeral. 

Daddy recalled that he was home from the service and visiting Winnsboro when his brother, William Starks, nicknamed “Son” took him to visit a maternal uncle, Theodore Madison. ” I think that’s who she named my brother Theodore after” ♥

The present day Winnsboro, SC began as “Winnsborough”, a settlement on what was the land of Richard Winn. It was chartered as a village by Richard Winn, John Winn, Minor Winn and John Vanderhorst about 1785. It became a prosperous town with many stores, a Masonic Hall, two factories, a market house, a blacksmith and a carriage shop.

During the occupation of the British, from October, 1780 to January, 1781,  John Winn and Minor Winn attempted to ambush and kill British Lord Cornwallis, but “were captured and condemned to  the gallows” until Lord Cornwallis pardoned them. Richard Winn attained the rank of Colonel in the state militia during the Revolutionary War.

Fairfield County formed from the ‘Camden district.’ “The origin of the name “Fairfield” is not known, but local legend attributes it to a remark by Lord Cornwallis, ‘how fair the fields’ of the area” (Italics in quotes were contributed by Mary Martin to SC State Library)

In 1832, Winnsboro was incorporated as a town.

“The county was also invaded by General (William Tecumseh) Sherman’s (Union) troops during the Civil War.”  During his “scorched-earth” march through the south, (only two days in Winnsboro) thirty homes and stores and the Episcoapl Church were burned.

First, so far, on the family tree is Sally Starks of Fairfeild County Winnsboro South Carolina. She had at least two daughters Mary Walker and Nancy Madison born app. 1898 in SC.

Grandmother Nancy’s children are as follows.

Rosa(lie) Woodard and William Starks born in SC

Then with her husband James Robinson (born app. 1896 in SC) her children are listed on the 1930 Coatesville Chester County Pennsylvania census as: 

1. James Davis Robinson Jr age 12 born in SC
2. Theodore age11 born in Pa
3. Edward age 8 born in SC
4. John H age 6 born in Pa
5. Clifford Miller age 2yrs, 10 months born in Pa
6. Mary E age 1yr, 8 months born in Pa
7. Walter age 2 months born in Pa
8. Nancy age 14 niece born in Pa, her parents born in SC

Sally Starks’ family attended  Wayman AME Church in Winnsboro, Fairfield County, South Carolina.