The Robinsons are an old County Tipperary Family, having settled at Knockshegowna (The Hill of the Fairies)during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The immediate ancestor of the Ballynavin branch, was a younger son of Sir Lumley Robinson, of Yorkshire, the ancestor of Lord Rokeby and Richard Robinson, Archbishop of Armagh, 1765. This Robinson was an officer in Comwell's army, coming to Ireland he remained with his relatives. A monument to one of his grandsons is to be seen in Westminster Abbey. Andrew Robinson whilst in Jamaica, married the Comtesse de Lapere, whose family had been exiled from France as Huguenots*, and their Chateau and estate, on the banks of the Loire confiscated. She died at the birth of her first child, John, on the eve of her 21st birthday. Andrew brought his infant son to Ireland, and left him with his grand uncle, General Andrew Robinson at Knockshegowna. When returning to Jamaica he was drowned at sea.General Andrew Robinson's portrait was displayed in Buckingham Palace,and he was equerry to the Princess of Wales, mother of George III. In 1777 he was engaged in a law suit in America concerning a grant of lands made to his relatives at the time of the War of Independence for distinguished services. John entered the army, and married in Canada, Miss Alice Boyton, celebrated for her beautiful eyes, by her he had two sons and three daughters.
When Lt. General Robert Robinson died he left 200,000 pounds to John's eldest son, Robert. Robert,a Captain in the Hussars,when aged 17 years,was married at Portpatrick ,on December 1st, 1801, to Miss Ruth Stoney, daughter of Thomas Stoney, Esq., of Arran Hill(who was offered a baronetcy in 1798, for his vote and influence, which he declined. Bishop Smart, known by his translations of Horace, was her maternal uncle.)
The marriage took place in Scotland , as Robert was underage. After the marriage the couple returned to London , and Robert began squandering his inheritance , and when he came under the notice of the Bailiffs, fled ,and moved his family back to Ireland, where four sons were born.He pleaded with his father in law for more financial assistance , but was refused - Ruth sided with her father and returned to the family home with her children in 1809. Robert was later tried for and found guilty of Bigamy in The Sessions House, Green Street at The Commission of Oyer and Terminer, Before the Hon. Justice Mayne and Fletcher, On Wednesday the 24th of June, 1812 . He had feloniously married Ismena Berry,on 20th Nov,1811. He had convinced a Catholic priest to perform the illegal marriage , and also falsified the brides name as Amelia Barry.Ref:Java Govt. Gazette ,Batavia,April 3, 1813.
Ref:Chronicles of The Kirkpatrick Family,by Alexander deLapere Kirkpatrick. It must be pointed out that the findings in the above details are now thought to be somewhat inaccurate ,according to descendants, citing that Alexander Kirkpatrick did not appear to realise that Lord Rokeby and Archbishop Richard Robinson were one and the same person.Also,the connection with Sir Lumley Robinson is also dubious at best.(With thanks to John Goodwillie for this update) * A persecuted minority in France during most of the period from the early 1500s until 1789, the French Protestants were given the name Huguenots in the time of the Reformation.
(Research):In 1803, Robert purchased the Ballynavin Estate, County Tipperary(the funds likely to have been part of Roberts inheritance that was held in trust by his father in law).
http://www.genealogy.kirkpatrickaustralian.com/archives/getperson.php?personID=I14209&tree=TKA