the Teets Web site managed by John Teets.
James brought his family to WV from VA between July 16, 1870 and August 16, 1870 because
he is found in the VA (Rockbridge Co.) census on July 16, 1870 and in the WV (Upshur County)
census on August 16, 1870 WV (Upshur Co) census on August 16, 1870.
Deed of Trust Rockbridge County, VA
This deed made the eleventh day of Apr 1854 (April 11, 1854) between James M. Robinson of the one part and Isaac Potter of the other part; that the said James M. Robinson doth grant unto the said Isaac Potter the following property viz twenty one acres & half of land lying on the waters of Buffalo Creek adjoining the land of Hezekiah Chittum, Hugh J. & Thos Wilson, Granville Campbell & Wm Drain, & being a part of a tract of land purchased of Wm B. Wilson by Sd Robinson & Chittum , one dark brown horse & 1 red cow, Eight head of hogs, 1 clock, two bed steads & bedding, 1 cupboard, 1 set drawers, two pots, two awes, 1 Shovel heaugh, a full set of shoe makers tools & lastz, one hand saw, one auger, one set gear for plough, a lot of old irons & farming utensils, five chains, 1 square table & two falling leaf tables & table furniture, 1 vinegar Bbl.
The serving of seven bushel of wheat on the land specified above. The wages of John Robinson, son of sd James M. Robinson which will be done from Robert Montgomery on the twenty fifth day of December 1854 to the amount of seventy Dollars being a balance after ten being paid out Jno’s hire, also the hire of Monroe Robinson son of sd James M. Robinson due on the 5th of Dec 1854 from Jno Montgomery for the sum of fifty Dollars in trust to secure the payment of a note due to S.D. Nelson & Co. on the 29th Dec 1853 for the amount of thirty nine Dollars & fifty three cents also a not due S.D. & W. P Nelson on the 29th Dec 1854 for the amount fo three Dollars & sixty cents, also an amount due Wm. P. Nelson & Co. April 10th 1854 for about the amount of one hundred & twenty five Dollars a note due Wm Rogers Apr 11th 1854 for the amount of eight Dollars 96 cents due Setcher & Curry on discharge of Sd Jas M. Robinson from the the charge of shooting H. Chittum. Fifteen Dollars also due Rob L. Doyle fifteen Dollars in the same way & time. The sd James M. Robinson covenants & agrees that he will warrant gererally the property hereby conveyed to the Sd Isaac Potter trustee the deed of trust will be due on the first day of January Eighteen hundred & fifty five and if the debts specified above and not paid by James M. Robinson on or before 1st January 1855, it will be in the power of any one of the above named persons to require sd trustee to put the sd property to sale after due notice having been given, witnessed the following signature and seals the year & day above written;
Signed: James M. Robinson
Isaac Potter
Trial and Acquittal of
James Moro Robinson
of Rockbridge, Virginia
Charge : Felonious shooting of his brother-in-law, Hezekiah H. Chittum over a property line dispute.
(Thursday 13th April 1854)
At a circuit continued by adjournment and hold for Rockbridge County at the courthouse on Thursday the thirteenth day of April AD eighteen hundred and fifty for and in the 78th year of the commonwealth
Present the same Judge as yesterday.
The Grand jury appeared in court according to their adjournment and having retired, after some time returned in court and presented An Indictment against James Robinson for shooting with intent to kill “A true Bill”
Also an indictment against Anderson West for selling liquor “A true Bill”
and also an indictment against Robert Six for a trespass and assault and robbery: A true Bill”
and then the grand jury having nothing further at present and the attorney for the commonwealth no other matters today before them they were discharged.
(Tuesday 12th September 1854 )
At a circuit court began and held for Rockbridge county at the courthouse on Tuesday the twelfth day of September eighteen hundred and fifty four and in the 79th year of the commonwealth
Present the Honorable Lucas Thomspon Judge of the eleventh Industrial circuit in Virginia
James M. Robinson who stands indicted of felonious shooting appeared in court in discharge of his recognizance and on the motion of the attorney for the commonwealth and for reasons appearing to the court the trial of the said James M. Robinson is continued until the next tomorrow whereupon the said James M. Robinson with William Leach, Isaac Potter and Samuel D. Nelson his securities here in court acknowledge themselves to be indebted to the commonwealth of Virginia the said James M. Robinson in the sum of one hundred dollars and the said William Leach, Isaac Potter and Samuel d. Nelson jointly and security in the sum of one hundred dollars to be levied of their respective good and chattels lands and tenements and to the said commonwealth rendered – Yet upon the condition that if the said James M. Robinson shall make his personal appearance before the Judge of the court at the courthouse on the first day of April term next to answer an Indictment against him for the felonious shooting and shall not depart thence without the leave of the court then this recognizance shall be void.
(Wednesday 13th September, 1854)
Wednesday 13th, day of September eighteen hundred and fifty four.
James M. Robinson who stands indited of felonious shooting appeared in court in discharge of his recognition and on the motion of the attorney for the commonwealth and for reasons appearing to the court the trial of the said James M. Robinson in continued until the next tome whereupon the said James M. Robinson with William Leach, Isaac Potter and Samuel D. Nelson has securities here in court acknowledged themselves to be indebted to the commonwealth of Virginia the said James M. Robinson
“You shall well and truly to the best of your ability keep this jury and witnesses speak to them yourself nor surfer any other person to speak to them, touching any matter relative to this trial until they return into court tomorrow.
And therefor the said James Robinson alias James M. Robinson with James J. Davidson and William Leach his securities here in court acknowledge themselves to be shall be indebted unto the commonwealth of Virginia the said Robinson in the sum of one hundred dollars and the said Davidson and Leach in the sum of fifty dollars each of their respective goods and chattel lands and tenements to be levied and to the commonwealth rendered-- Yet upon this condition that if the said Robinson shall make his personal appearance before the Judge of this court at the courthouse on tomorrow morning at ten o’clock to answer an indictment against him for felonious shooting and shall not depart thence without the leave of this court then this recognizance shall be void.
Hezekiah Chittum, Lucinda C. Chittum, William Henry Fisher, John Alex Fisher and Hugh J. Wilson came into the court and severally acknowledged themselves to be indebted to the commonwealth of Virginia in the sum of one hundred dollars each of them repective goods and chattels lands and tenements and to the said commonwealth rendered. Yet upon this condition that of the land Hezekial Chittum, Lucinda C. Chittum, William H. Fisher, John A. Fisher and Hugh J. Wilson do and each of them shall make their personal appearance befor the Judge of this court on the first day of April term next at the courthouse, then and there to give evidence on behalf of the commonwealth against James
M. Robinson who stands indicted of felonious shooting and shall not depart thence without the leave of the court them this recognizance to be void otherwise to remain in full force.
(Saturday 14th , 1855)
At a circuit court continued by adjournment and held for Rockbridge county at the courthouse on Saturday the 14th day of April A.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty five and the 79th year of the commonwealth.
(The Honorable Lucas Thomspon Judge of the eleventh Industrial circuit in Virginia)
Present the same Judge as on yesterday.
James Robinson alias James M. Robinson who stands indicted of felonious shooting again appeared in discharge of his cognizance and was set to the bar in custody of this jailor of the county and the jury sworn for his trail were brought into court by the sheriff of this county and upon their oath do say that the said James M. Robinson is not guilty as in the pleading he hath alleged. Therefor it is considered by the court that the said James alias James M. Robinson be acquitted and discharged of said offense and thereof without delay.
This case caused James Moro Robinson to sell all his property and possessions to pay the lawyers representing him in this case. Also two sons indentured themselves to neighboring farms to help pay their father’s debt to the lawyers. It seems the law has not changed in all these years, an individual will go bankrupt just defend themselves and to pay lawyers.
After losing everything in his defense James moved his family to the western part of Virginia and settled in Barbour County. Financially James never recovered from this case, even though he was never held responsible for the shooting in his family.
Name:Polly Robinson
Event Type:Census
Event Date:1850
Event Place:Rockbridge county, part of, Rockbridge, Virginia, United States
Gender:Female
Age:30
Marital Status:
Race (Original): Race: Birthplace:Virginia
Birth Year (Estimated):1820
House Number:177 Family Number:182Line Number:39
Affiliate Publication Number:M432Affiliate Film Number:973GS
Film number:444963 Digital
Folder Number:004206463Image Number:00270 Household
Gender Age Birthplace
James Robinson M 35 Virginia
Polly Robinson F30 Virginia
John RobinsonM14Virginia
Susan RobinsonF12Virginia
James M RobinsonM10Virginia
Malinda RobinsonF9Virginia
William RobinsonM7Virginia
Andrew RobinsonM5Virginia
Alfred RobinsonM3Virginia
Hezekiah RobinsonM1Virginia
Malinda ChillumF62Virginia
Census Rockbridge Co. VA 1850
Robinson,
James M age 35 b. VA
Polly F age 30 b. VA
John M age 14 b. VA
Susan F age 12 b. VA
James M. M age 10 b. VA
Malinda F age 9 b. VA
William M age 7 b. VA
Andrew M age 5 b. VA
Alfred M age 3 b. VA
Hezekiah M age 1 b VA
Malinda Chittum F age 62 b. VA
Census Rockbridge Co. VA 1860
Robinson,
Jas M. age 46 M Shoe Maker
Polly A. age 44 F
Jason A. age 22 M
Malinda age 18 F
Wm age 16 M
Andrew age 14 M
Alford age 12 M
Hezekiah age 10 M
Mary P. age 9 F
Thos F age 7 M
Chas W age 2 M
the Teets Web site managed by John Teets.
James brought his family to WV from VA between July 16, 1870 and August 16, 1870 because
he is found in the VA (Rockbridge Co.) census on July 16, 1870 and in the WV (Upshur County)
census on August 16, 1870 WV (Upshur Co) census on August 16, 1870.
Deed of Trust Rockbridge County, VA
This deed made the eleventh day of Apr 1854 (April 11, 1854) between James M. Robinson of the one part and Isaac Potter of the other part; that the said James M. Robinson doth grant unto the said Isaac Potter the following property viz twenty one acres & half of land lying on the waters of Buffalo Creek adjoining the land of Hezekiah Chittum, Hugh J. & Thos Wilson, Granville Campbell & Wm Drain, & being a part of a tract of land purchased of Wm B. Wilson by Sd Robinson & Chittum , one dark brown horse & 1 red cow, Eight head of hogs, 1 clock, two bed steads & bedding, 1 cupboard, 1 set drawers, two pots, two awes, 1 Shovel heaugh, a full set of shoe makers tools & lastz, one hand saw, one auger, one set gear for plough, a lot of old irons & farming utensils, five chains, 1 square table & two falling leaf tables & table furniture, 1 vinegar Bbl.
The serving of seven bushel of wheat on the land specified above. The wages of John Robinson, son of sd James M. Robinson which will be done from Robert Montgomery on the twenty fifth day of December 1854 to the amount of seventy Dollars being a balance after ten being paid out Jno’s hire, also the hire of Monroe Robinson son of sd James M. Robinson due on the 5th of Dec 1854 from Jno Montgomery for the sum of fifty Dollars in trust to secure the payment of a note due to S.D. Nelson & Co. on the 29th Dec 1853 for the amount of thirty nine Dollars & fifty three cents also a not due S.D. & W. P Nelson on the 29th Dec 1854 for the amount fo three Dollars & sixty cents, also an amount due Wm. P. Nelson & Co. April 10th 1854 for about the amount of one hundred & twenty five Dollars a note due Wm Rogers Apr 11th 1854 for the amount of eight Dollars 96 cents due Setcher & Curry on discharge of Sd Jas M. Robinson from the the charge of shooting H. Chittum. Fifteen Dollars also due Rob L. Doyle fifteen Dollars in the same way & time. The sd James M. Robinson covenants & agrees that he will warrant gererally the property hereby conveyed to the Sd Isaac Potter trustee the deed of trust will be due on the first day of January Eighteen hundred & fifty five and if the debts specified above and not paid by James M. Robinson on or before 1st January 1855, it will be in the power of any one of the above named persons to require sd trustee to put the sd property to sale after due notice having been given, witnessed the following signature and seals the year & day above written;
Signed: James M. Robinson
Isaac Potter
Trial and Acquittal of
James Moro Robinson
of Rockbridge, Virginia
Charge : Felonious shooting of his brother-in-law, Hezekiah H. Chittum over a property line dispute.
(Thursday 13th April 1854)
At a circuit continued by adjournment and hold for Rockbridge County at the courthouse on Thursday the thirteenth day of April AD eighteen hundred and fifty for and in the 78th year of the commonwealth
Present the same Judge as yesterday.
The Grand jury appeared in court according to their adjournment and having retired, after some time returned in court and presented An Indictment against James Robinson for shooting with intent to kill “A true Bill”
Also an indictment against Anderson West for selling liquor “A true Bill”
and also an indictment against Robert Six for a trespass and assault and robbery: A true Bill”
and then the grand jury having nothing further at present and the attorney for the commonwealth no other matters today before them they were discharged.
(Tuesday 12th September 1854 )
At a circuit court began and held for Rockbridge county at the courthouse on Tuesday the twelfth day of September eighteen hundred and fifty four and in the 79th year of the commonwealth
Present the Honorable Lucas Thomspon Judge of the eleventh Industrial circuit in Virginia
James M. Robinson who stands indicted of felonious shooting appeared in court in discharge of his recognizance and on the motion of the attorney for the commonwealth and for reasons appearing to the court the trial of the said James M. Robinson is continued until the next tomorrow whereupon the said James M. Robinson with William Leach, Isaac Potter and Samuel D. Nelson his securities here in court acknowledge themselves to be indebted to the commonwealth of Virginia the said James M. Robinson in the sum of one hundred dollars and the said William Leach, Isaac Potter and Samuel d. Nelson jointly and security in the sum of one hundred dollars to be levied of their respective good and chattels lands and tenements and to the said commonwealth rendered – Yet upon the condition that if the said James M. Robinson shall make his personal appearance before the Judge of the court at the courthouse on the first day of April term next to answer an Indictment against him for the felonious shooting and shall not depart thence without the leave of the court then this recognizance shall be void.
(Wednesday 13th September, 1854)
Wednesday 13th, day of September eighteen hundred and fifty four.
James M. Robinson who stands indited of felonious shooting appeared in court in discharge of his recognition and on the motion of the attorney for the commonwealth and for reasons appearing to the court the trial of the said James M. Robinson in continued until the next tome whereupon the said James M. Robinson with William Leach, Isaac Potter and Samuel D. Nelson has securities here in court acknowledged themselves to be indebted to the commonwealth of Virginia the said James M. Robinson
“You shall well and truly to the best of your ability keep this jury and witnesses speak to them yourself nor surfer any other person to speak to them, touching any matter relative to this trial until they return into court tomorrow.
And therefor the said James Robinson alias James M. Robinson with James J. Davidson and William Leach his securities here in court acknowledge themselves to be shall be indebted unto the commonwealth of Virginia the said Robinson in the sum of one hundred dollars and the said Davidson and Leach in the sum of fifty dollars each of their respective goods and chattel lands and tenements to be levied and to the commonwealth rendered-- Yet upon this condition that if the said Robinson shall make his personal appearance before the Judge of this court at the courthouse on tomorrow morning at ten o’clock to answer an indictment against him for felonious shooting and shall not depart thence without the leave of this court then this recognizance shall be void.
Hezekiah Chittum, Lucinda C. Chittum, William Henry Fisher, John Alex Fisher and Hugh J. Wilson came into the court and severally acknowledged themselves to be indebted to the commonwealth of Virginia in the sum of one hundred dollars each of them repective goods and chattels lands and tenements and to the said commonwealth rendered. Yet upon this condition that of the land Hezekial Chittum, Lucinda C. Chittum, William H. Fisher, John A. Fisher and Hugh J. Wilson do and each of them shall make their personal appearance befor the Judge of this court on the first day of April term next at the courthouse, then and there to give evidence on behalf of the commonwealth against James
M. Robinson who stands indicted of felonious shooting and shall not depart thence without the leave of the court them this recognizance to be void otherwise to remain in full force.
(Saturday 14th , 1855)
At a circuit court continued by adjournment and held for Rockbridge county at the courthouse on Saturday the 14th day of April A.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty five and the 79th year of the commonwealth.
(The Honorable Lucas Thomspon Judge of the eleventh Industrial circuit in Virginia)
Present the same Judge as on yesterday.
James Robinson alias James M. Robinson who stands indicted of felonious shooting again appeared in discharge of his cognizance and was set to the bar in custody of this jailor of the county and the jury sworn for his trail were brought into court by the sheriff of this county and upon their oath do say that the said James M. Robinson is not guilty as in the pleading he hath alleged. Therefor it is considered by the court that the said James alias James M. Robinson be acquitted and discharged of said offense and thereof without delay.
This case caused James Moro Robinson to sell all his property and possessions to pay the lawyers representing him in this case. Also two sons indentured themselves to neighboring farms to help pay their father’s debt to the lawyers. It seems the law has not changed in all these years, an individual will go bankrupt just defend themselves and to pay lawyers.
After losing everything in his defense James moved his family to the western part of Virginia and settled in Barbour County. Financially James never recovered from this case, even though he was never held responsible for the shooting in his family.
Name:Polly Robinson
Event Type:Census
Event Date:1850
Event Place:Rockbridge county, part of, Rockbridge, Virginia, United States
Gender:Female
Age:30
Marital Status:
Race (Original): Race: Birthplace:Virginia
Birth Year (Estimated):1820
House Number:177 Family Number:182Line Number:39
Affiliate Publication Number:M432Affiliate Film Number:973GS
Film number:444963 Digital
Folder Number:004206463Image Number:00270 Household
Gender Age Birthplace
James Robinson M 35 Virginia
Polly Robinson F30 Virginia
John RobinsonM14Virginia
Susan RobinsonF12Virginia
James M RobinsonM10Virginia
Malinda RobinsonF9Virginia
William RobinsonM7Virginia
Andrew RobinsonM5Virginia
Alfred RobinsonM3Virginia
Hezekiah RobinsonM1Virginia
Malinda ChillumF62Virginia
Census Rockbridge Co. VA 1850
Robinson,
James M age 35 b. VA
Polly F age 30 b. VA
John M age 14 b. VA
Susan F age 12 b. VA
James M. M age 10 b. VA
Malinda F age 9 b. VA
William M age 7 b. VA
Andrew M age 5 b. VA
Alfred M age 3 b. VA
Hezekiah M age 1 b VA
Malinda Chittum F age 62 b. VA
Census Rockbridge Co. VA 1860
Robinson,
Jas M. age 46 M Shoe Maker
Polly A. age 44 F
Jason A. age 22 M
Malinda age 18 F
Wm age 16 M
Andrew age 14 M
Alford age 12 M
Hezekiah age 10 M
Mary P. age 9 F
Thos F age 7 M
Chas W age 2 M