Robinson Genealogy

Nadene Goldfoot                                                                 

Conestoga Wagon handling 6 tons

                                                                   

Abiathar and Julia Ann Robinson went to Canada from Royalton and Tunbridge, Vermont because  their 3rd child, Nellie Elizabeth Robinson born in October of 1857, was born in Upper Canada, which was English.    "The American Revolution attracted British loyalists from America to the region around Sherbrooke, a manufacturing center, who began to covet the land and obtain government grants."                                                 

The distance between Royalton, Vermont and Montreal, Canada is 261.9 km or 162 miles Today it would take us 2 hours and 46 minute on I-89S.   Abiathar and Julia would have traveled by Conestoga Wagon, as pictured above.  It could carry 6 tons of themselves and their possessions.  " In Canada, the Conestoga wagons were used by Pennsylvania German migrants who left the United States for Southern Ontario, Canada.

                                                                             

This truck only handles 2 tons

The Civil War would take place starting on April 12, 1861 with the Confederates attaching Fort Sumpter in South Carolina shortly after President Abe Lincoln's inauguration. Was this the reason that the Robinsons left Vermont for Canada across the way?  Did they suspect it would happen?  Why did they leave Vermont for an even colder climate? 
                                                                   
There was the Underground Railroad.  "It was formed in the late 1700s, and reached its height between 1850 and 1860. One estimate suggests that by 1850, 100,000 slaves had escaped via the "Railroad."
Emma Robinson was then born in August of 1861 while in Canada.
John C. Robinson was born on April 21, 1864 in Montreal, Canada, the English section.
                                                                         
The Civil War was soon over on May 9, 1865, though the last shot was fired a month later on June 22nd.

I found that Julia Robinson was born in 1865 in Vermont, though she wasn't on the 1870 or 1880 census.  I found a death date of 1903 for her.  Was she a part of this family?  I think her name has been added incorrectly.

William S. Robinson was then born in June of 1867 in Wenona, Marshall, Illinois, where Abiathar and Julia Ann remained and where they were buried.

Julia Ann's brother, Albert Clark Tullar b: February, 1843 in Royalton, Vermont, had lived next door to each other on the August 11, 1870 census in Wenona, Illinois.     Albert was a Reverend.  Albert's first son, Byron Monroe Tullar, was born in Canada, the English part on June 21, 1860.  (Albert lived next door to Abiatha Smith Robinson and his sister Julia Ann at age 27 on the 1870 census.  He was a brick mason.
At the time he was married to Martha, and had three children; Fred, Frank and Wesesoror.   He had a 10 year old boy living with him born in Canada that I cannot read the name of.  It looks like Munsos (Munroe) and he was white.  This boy is his first son Byron going by his middle name.)   Albert's 3rd son was born in Wenona, Marshall, Illinois, so the brother in laws were staying pretty close.  Did they go to Canada together?  That 2nd son was born in nearby New York.  People seemed to move around as much as we often do.                                 

1  [3] Alonzo Charles Tuller b: October 22, 1809 in St. Albans, Vermont (Franklin County) d: January 29, 1870 in Rockwell, LaSalle, Illinois
.. +Asenith Asinith Durkee b: 1814 in Royalton, Windsor County, Vermont d: 1868 in Royalton, Windsor County, Vermont/Rockwell, Illinois
. 2  Julia Ann Tuller b: December 18, 1834 in Royalton, Windsor, Vermont d: December 02, 1887 in Wenona, Marshall, Illinois
..... +Abiathar Smith Robinson b: December 1829 in New York/  Tunbridge, Orange/ Jamaica, Windham, Vermont d: October 07, 1904 in Wenona, Marshall, Illinois
. 2  Samuel Tullar b: February 1840 in Tunbridge, Vermont d: Aft. 1900 in prob. Worcester City, Worcester County, Massachusetts
..... +Maria Keef b: December 25, 1837 in Shefford, Quebec , Canada d: Aft. 1900 in prob. Worcester City, Worcester County, Massachusetts
. 2  Edwin Tullar b: April 1840 in Royalton, Vermont d: May 04, 1907 in Fort Dodge, Iowa
..... +Jane Ann McLean b: November 1835 in Vermont/Shefford, Quebec, Eastern Canada d: September 09, 1915 in Quimby, Iowa
. 2  Albert Abner Clark Tullar, Reverend b: February 1843 in Royalton, Vermont d: 1895 in Fort Dodge, Webster, Iowa
..... +Martha M. Lathrop b: 1841 in Franklin County, Franklin, New York d: Aft. 1910 in Iowa ?
. 2  Olive Tullar b: 1846 in Royalton, Vermont
..... +Calvin Jones b: Abt. 1846
. 2  [1] Alonzo Julius Tullar b: July 1849 in Royalton, Vermont d: September 30, 1933 in Storm Lake, Buena Vista, Iowa, age 84
..... +Jane Unknown b: Abt. 1849
. *2nd Wife of [1] Alonzo Julius Tullar:
..... +Anna Jane Dignum b: May 1847 in Detroit, Michigan d: May 07, 1932 in Storm Lake, Buena Vista, Iowa
. 2  Meleca Tuller b: 1851 in prob. Vermont, United States
. 2  [2] Charles Clarence Tuller b: January 11, 1858 in Canada d: April 28, 1931 in Waterloo, Black Hawk, Iowa
..... +E Unknown b: 1862 in Illinois d: Aft. 1880 in Fort Dodge, Iowa
. *2nd Wife of [2] Charles Clarence Tuller:
..... +Mary Eileen Ritchie b: May 1862 in Iowa/Cook county, Illinois, d: Bef. 1930
. *3rd Wife of [2] Charles Clarence Tuller:
..... +Anna B. Robeson b: June 26, 1865 in Aledo, Illinois d: July 02, 1942 in Waterloo, Black Hawk, Iowa
. 2  Amanda Tuller b: 1860 in Vermont d: 1960
. 2  [4] Itti Tuller b: 1860 in Canada
*2nd Wife of [3] Alonzo Charles Tuller:
.. +Betty Ann Unknown b: Abt. 1816 in United States
. 2  [4] Itti Tuller b: 1860 in Canada
                                                                       

Street lights shine in the Plains of Abraham, a historic battlefield in Quebec City.

It's quite possible it was a family venture.  Albert's father, Alonzo Tullar b: October 1809 in St. Albans, Franklin, Vermont, was on the 1861 census in Shefford Township, Shefford Co, Quebec.  It's located in Southern Quebec.   He later died in 1870 in Rockwell, LaSalle, Illinois, quite close to Wenona, Illinois.

Today, the native language found in Shefford, Quebec is:

Language	Population	Pct (%)
French only	5,345	90.13%
English only	450	7.59%
Both English and French	55	0.93%
Other languages	80	1.35%

Albert's brother, Samuel Tullar,born February 1840 in Tunbridge, Vermont,  was also on the 1861 and 1881 census in Shefford, Quebec, Canada.

Another brother, Edwin Tullar b: April 1840 in Royalton, Vermont, was on the 1861 census.
Brother Alonzo Julius Tullar b: July 1849 in Royalton, Vemont was on the 1861 census
Young brother Charles Clarence Tullar  was born in Canada in 1858, so the family must have arrived a little sooner, and of course he was also on the Quebec 1861 census with the others.

The 4 girls of the family were not listed.  Girls marry, and are hard to track. I'm at a loss with Olive b: 1846, Meleca b: 1851,  and Amanda and Iti born 1860.   I'm presuming the twins were born in Canada.
                                                                 
There were many places that people could cross the border between Canada and the USA. Royalton was right across from Canada, almost.  Lacolis, Quebec is listed as #31.
                                                                       
The Civil War was over by May 9, 1865.  The family moved back to the States and was found on the 1870 census in Illinois and with the Tullars, in Iowa, but not in Vermont.
                                                                       

Boy of 1865

Julia's parents and siblings went to Canada about the same time she and her husband, Abiathar Smith Robinson, moved to Canada as well.  She became pregnant immediately after marrying in February 1852 in Tunbridge, and then had another child in 1855 in Vermont, so must have had 2 boys, Edward and Edgar with them when they moved to Canada.  I've never found evidence of these boys being in Canada, however.  They must have not been on the 1861 census.  Now, where could the  9 year old and 6 year old be?


Resource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conestoga_wagon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_Railroad
https://vermonthistory.org/journal/misc/LibertyParty.pdf
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vttttp/windsor/oldfamiliesroyalton.htm
https://archive.org/stream/historyofroyalto02love/historyofroyalto02love_djvu.txt  I checked this book out of the library and used it heavily.  It's a book on reserve, very special.
Update 10/25/17 : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherbrooke

Nadene Goldfoot                                    

Civil War 1861 to 1865

Julia Ann Tuller was born in 1834  and raised in Royalton, Windsor, Vermont where she met and married Abiathar Smith Robinson February 29, 1852 in Tunbridge, Orange, Vermont.  Their first child, Edward Rix Robinson, was born in Vermont by November 1852 as well as their 2nd son, Edgar in 1853, but by October 1857, their daughter, Nellie Elizabeth was born in Upper Canada in the English speaking area.  Then in August of 1861 another daughter, Emma Hattie was born in Canada as well as another son, John C by April 1864 in Montreal, Canada-another English speaking area.
                                                                     

Ontario, Canada

The USA census of 1870 finds that the family had returned to the states and had settled in Wenona, Marshall, Illinois.  Julia Ann and Abiathar are buried in the Wenona Cemetery.

1776    USA born after Revolutionary War-July 4th
1777    Vermont first USA state to prohibit slavery
1829   Abiathar Smith Robinson born-December
1834   Julia Ann Tuller born -December
1834    Slavery abolished in Great Britain
1834    Start of Underground Railroad from South USA to SW Ontario, Canada to escape slavery
1852    Julia Ann and Abiathar marry in Tunbridge, Orange, Vermont, USA, February 29
1852   Edward Rix Robinson born, Vermont USA in November  not on 1870 census
1853   Edgar C Robinson born, Vermont USA  on 1870 census age 17
                                                                     

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

1856 Possible time of move to Canada:  Why?  What was Lure?
Had they been Loyalists?  Quakers?  Land hungry?  Abolitionists?   
1857  Nellie Elizabeth Robinson born Upper Canada (English Speaking) in October on 1870 census age 11in Wenona, Marshall, Illinois
1859  Wenona, Marshall, Illinois incorporated-on RR Line
1861  Emma Hattie Robinson born Canada in August on 1870 census in Wenona age 9
1864 John C Robinson born Montreal,  Quebec, Canada  on April 21 on 1870 census in Wenona age 7
                                                                           

Map of Upper Canada (in orange) with contemporary Canada (in pink) surrounding it

Upper Canada is mentioned.  Where was that?
"The Province of Upper Canada (French: province du Haut-Canada) was a part of British Canada established in 1791 by the United Kingdom, in order to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees of the United States after the American Revolution. The new province remained, for the next fifty years of growth and settlement, the colonial government of the territory.

Events in Canada from 1852 to 1865: Robinson Tree Genealogy
Exploring time spent in Canada:
1852 - The Grand Trunk Railway receives its charter.
June 6, 1854 - Canada and the U.S. sign a Reciprocity Treaty, ensuring reduction of customs duties (June 6).
1855 - Bytown is renamed Ottawa.
1856 - The Grand Trunk Railway opens its Toronto-Montréal line.
November 17, 1856 - Grand Trunk Railway completed
1857 - Palliser Expedition sent to explore Ruperts Land.
1857 - Queen Victoria designates George-Étienne Cartier's choice of Ottawa as capital of the Province of Canada.
1857 - Desjardins Canal railway bridge collapse, Hamilton, Ontario - 60 killed
April 25, 1858 - Start of Fraser River Gold Rush
November 19, 1858 - The Birth of British Columbia
1858 - The Halifax-Truro line begins rail service.
1858 - Chinese immigrants from California arrive in British Columbia, attracted by the Fraser River Gold Rush.
February 2, 1859 - - Ottawa Chosen as the Capital of Canada
November 9, 1859 - Reformers Hold Convention
1859 - James Carnegie, the Earl of Southesk is the first tourist in Western Canada.
September 1, 1860 - Prince of Wales lays cornerstone of the Parliament buildings.
June 27, 1860 - First Queen's Plate Horse Race
1860   End of Underground Railroad Usage
1861, April 12-start of Civil War, USA
November 8, 1861 - Britain Arms Canada During the Trent Crisis
1861 - Joseph Howe becomes Premier of Nova Scotia.
1862 - Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick accepts its first woman student.
1862 - Start of Canada-wide Smallpox Epidemic - 20,000 killed
1862 - Smallpox Epidemic starts to decimate Haida people of Queen Charlotte Islands, BC - 9,400 killed in the next decade, to 1872
September 1, 1864 - Charlottetown Conference takes the first steps toward Confederation; originally designed to discuss Maritime union; (to Sept. 9).
October 19, 1864 - St. Albans Raid - 25 Confederate States of America soldiers using Montréal as a base raid St. Albans, Vermont; they rob three banks of $200,000, torch the town and kill one person.  "On October 19, 1864, St. Albans was the site of the St. Albans Raid, the northernmost Confederate land action of the American Civil War, which was an enemy cavalry raid and bank robbery across the border from Quebec, Canada.. References to "St. Albans" prior to this date generally refer to the town center, which now belongs to the city. The town was incorporated in 1859, and the city in 1902.^]
1865, May 9-end of Civil War, USA
1865 Julia Robinson born listed on 1870 census as born in Wenona, Marshall, Illinois 
October 10, 1865 - Delegates Meet at the Québec Conference to Plan Confederation. They identify the Seventy Two Resolutions that set out the basis for union; to October 27, 1865.
1867, July 1;  Canada divided into Provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
1869  William S Robinson born in Wenona Marshall, Illinois
1870  Frank Hugh Robinson born on June 21 in Wenona  (my grandfather)
1870 USA Census: Abiathar and family are in Wenona, Marshall, Illinois.
1875 Minnie J. Robinson born in Wenona. 
1879  Arthur Roy Robinson born in Wenona.
1883 Coal mine in Wenona which offers jobs.  " The principal mine in this county is located at Wenona, on the Illinois Central railroad, and is operated by the Wenona Coal Company. The mine is comparatively new. It went into operation in the summer of 1883."

St. Albans, Franklin, Vermont was about 100 miles or less to Royalton, Windsor, Vermont. It is a major port for immigration to and from Canada.   One would think that this Robinson family would have known about the Underground Railroad's goings on.  After all, I do not know for sure what town Abiathar was born in.  I do know he was living in Tunbridge, Orange County in 1852 when he was 23 years old.   It's even possible that some of the St. Albans' Robinsons could have been their relatives. findagrave.com lists 152 Robinsons in Franklin County.

It may be that Julia Ann was the instigator of moving to Upper Canada, especially to Ontario.  Her mother was Asenith Durkee and they must have had lots of relatives up there.   There were many Durkees living throughout the area.  For example, there was a Sarah Durkee who married on January 2, 1860 in Oxford, Ontario, Canada.  An Ontario death happened to William Durkee at age 76 with parents  Myran Durkee born in Smithville and Elizabeth Meredith.  William's wife was Ellen Durkee.  Gladys Durkee used the St. Albans Vermont Boarder Crossing in 1895 to go to Norwich, Canada.
     I even found a Sarah Fannie Tuller, 5'7" green eyed 34 year old lady crossing from Madoc, Ontario, Canada to Vermont in 1895.  Sarah was heading for Michigan for a permanent stay.   She was Welsh!  Ah ha!  The biggest puzzle I've had is that my grandfather, Frank Hugh Robinson had said that they were from Wales.  DNA shows we have mostly Irish matches.  That  must have come from  Julia Ann Tuller and not Abiathar and the Robinsons.  I've just found her buried in Madoc, Canada.  I thought she would stay in Michigan.  https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=159526489 .  I have found 14 Tullers in Upper Canada on this website and also 139 Durkees.

I have found that  Rowland T. Robinson of Ferrisburgh, Vermont was active in helping with the Underground Railroad.  " Rowland Thomas Robinson (1796-1879)  made abolition the cause of his life 
and sheltered fugitives at Rokeby,his home in Ferrisburgh, Addison, Vermont. Both Thomas, his father,  and Rowland T. Robinson 
managed the family's grist and saw mills and built up one of Addison 
County's largest sheep farms during the early decades of the 19th century. 
Rowland Thomas's son Rowland Evans Robinson (1833-1900) was an artist and 
author; he wrote a series of folktales, published by Houghton Mifflin, that 
were enormously popular in Vermont at the turn of the century as well as 
several Underground Railroad stories. Of his children, Rachel (1878-1919) 
became a successful commercial artist, Mary (1884-1931) worked as a 
botanical artist before becoming a wife and mother, and Rowland Thomas 
(1882-1951) tended the family farm, now converted from sheep to dairy. 
"Rowlie," as he was known, and his wife Elizabeth did not have children, and 
when she died in 1961, she left the site to be operated as a museum.                

Ferrisburgh, Addison, Vermont's Rokeby