ROBINSON Crawley 1851/61

[johking]

Could anybody do me a big favour and see if they can identify a family for me? I have a family letter dated 1858 when my gtx3 grandmother was staying with a family called ROBINSON in Manor House Crawley Sussex. She appears to be visiting "Jenny" who I assume is the daughter of the house, and there is mention of a Henry who is visiting - I think the intended of Jenny, or certainly very jealous of her seeing any other man (it is a letter full of intrigue!).

Last I had heard of my gt, gt, gt grandmother before this was in Fife in Scotland so I am interested in what took her down to that part of the world and hope the censuses may offer some clues - particularly interested in occupations. My Jessie Johnston was the daughter of a minister in Fife, but in the letter makes mention of going to Friend's Meeting, which I assume is Quakers.

Many thanks

Jo

[kizmiaz]

Its a very difficult page to read, unfortunately, but the Robinson family was at Manor House in 1851 (HO107/1641 Folio 442 Page 18)

There's no Jenny, but there's a Jane there, and theres a chap who could be Henry or Harry. His surname looks like Rephoff to me but is most likely to be Bishop, and his occupation is very difficult to read, but says something followed by Miller. He was born in Ifield

The head of the house is John Robinson who was a Farmer.

Jane was 23 and Henry/Harry was 17.

The only Henry of a similar age on the 1861 Census born in Ifield was Henry S Bishop. (RG9/439 Folio 27 Page 20)

[johking]

Thank you very much indeed!

My Jessie was 32 in 1858, so the ages would be similar - two spinsters a bit "on the shelf" by then (but Jessie got married the next year and went on to have 5 children).

No clue about Quakers then...

Thanks again

Jo

[forester]

Jo,

According to the June Barnes transcription of the 1851 census: Henry BISHOPP is a servant, unmarried, age 17, Improver in Mill, born Ifield Sussex.

Regards,
Phil

[forester]

Jo,

I've also found this person at the Manor House on the same transcription, which given the religious connection, looks interesting:

Torrance(?) BANKS, visitor, widowed, 27, Christian Philosopher, born Peckham Surrey.

Unfortunately, June was unsure of the first name and the status widowed makes it impossible to tell whether male or female.

Regards,
Phil

[johking]

Very interesting indeed!

Cheers and thanks

Jo

[llij]

Hello Jo,
If you're still looking ... I believe your Robinson folk may well have been Quakers.  There is plenty online about early Quakers in Sussex and much of it includes Thomas Robinson (born Westmorland) who arrived in Lewes, Sussex in 1655.
I am trying to connect him to my 'Lewes' Robinson's, who may well connect to yours.
Jill

[llij]

Jo .... just found a document that I had seen previously. It states that Mrs Sarah Robinson was a patron of the Quakers. She held meetings in the reading room and library of the Manor House.

Source:  British History Online.

Jill