Robinson Genealogy: Elisha Durkee, Our Direct Connection to THE John Robinson

Saturday, April 29, 2023

Elisha Durkee, Our Direct Connection to THE John Robinson

Nadene Goldfoot

Today I made a discovery about John Robinson. Though I knew he was born on April 12, 1798 in Scipio, Cayuga, New York, the only thing that I considered was that it was New York. Eliza Fowler, his wife, was also from Scipio, Cayuga, New York. I have it that John died in Tunbridge, Orange, Vermont, home of many Durkees, a few Robinsons and it happens to be next door to Royalton, Windsor, Vermont. In fact, Julia Ann Tuller was Abiathar Smith Robinson's wife, and Julia's mother was Asenath Durkee b; 1814 in Royalton, Vermont.

Elisha Durkee, son of Andrew Durkee, was born June 6, 1764 in Windham, Connecticut but died August 21, 1819 in Scipio, Cayuga, New York. He was Asenath's 3rd cousin twice removed. Elisha's wife was Hannah Gore. Maybe she was an ancestor of Al Gore. Hanna, born in Preston, New London, Connecticut, also died in Scipio, Cayuga, New York with her husband. Their first child was Betsy Durkee who was the 1st child born in Scipio on December 9, 1790.

SCIPIO. town in Cayuga County, New York was created on March 5, 1794, so Elisha and Hanna were true pioneers starting the community.

Scipio was one of the original towns, having been formed March 5, 1794. Sempronious was taken off in 1799; a part of Marcellus (Onondaga County) in 1804. Ledyard, Venice and a part of Springport in 1823. It is located on the west shore of Owasco Lake, south of the center of the county and has a rolling surface, the highest summits being five hundred feet above the lake, a steep bluff twenty to fifty feet high extends along the lake and from its summit the land slopes gradually upward for about a mile. The streams are nothing but mere brooks and the soil is a clayey loam.

Scipio Center, contains two churches and about one hundred inhabitants; Scipioville near the west line is about the same size as also is Sherwoods near the southwest corner. The Square in the northwest part, and Bolts Corners, in the south part are hamlets.

In 1790, the first settlements were made, Elisha Durkee, Henry Watkins, Gilbert and Alanson Tracy, Samuel Branch, Ebenezer Witter, and Gideon Allen, being the pioneers. The first child born was Betsy Durkee, December 9, 1790. The first marriage was that of William Allen and Betsy Watkins, June 25, 1793. William Daniels taught the first school in 1798, and Doctor Strong kept the first store in 1808. The first religious services were held by Elder David Irish in 1794 and the first church (Baptist), was formed the same year.

Abiathar's father, John and his father, Edward R Robinson were from Scipio, New York. Edward R. Robinson was married to Eunice Rix and of course, Abiathar and Julia Ann's son was named Edward Rix Robinson, b: 1852. 9 months after they had married.

Elisha Durkee's father was Andrew Durkee who was a private in the Revolutionary War. Born in 1737 in Windham, Connecticut, he died in Hampton, Windham, Connecticut. He had married Mary Benjamin, daughter of Joseph Benjamin and Mary Clark.

Back to his 3rd cousin, Asenath Durkee who was born in 1814 and was born and died in Royalton, Windsor, Vermont. Her father was Heman Durkee, Jr. b: 1789, mother being Rebecca Hatch. His father was Col. Heman Durkee born in Woodbury, Litchfield, Connecticut in 1759 whose wife was .Susanna Rix. We remember that Abiathar Robinson's son's name was Rix Robinson. His father's name was Lieutenant Timothy Lewis Durkee b: 1737 in Woodbury, Litchfield, Connecticut, too but died in Royalton, VT. His father was Captain Nathaniel Durkee, born in 1702 in Ipswich, Massachusetts and died in Woodbury, Litchfield, Connecticut. Wouldn't you know it, but Julia Ann picked a Robinson, Abiathar Smith, who never served in the army.

The Durkees went back to Meath County, Ireland with William Durgy/ Durkee born between 1632-1634. Our Robinson, Ken, tested showing an Irish connection to the Fitzpatrick line with the Big Y test.