Robertson Families of Virginia

The Robertson families in Virginia are similar to the Lee families; many people researching the surname want to connect to the prominent family of the same name. There are so many speculative connections and so much wishful thinking that any assertion has to be examined closely. In many cases, the wives have been displaced by 100 years or more in order to create a connection.

The goal of this project is to clean up, document, and verify the relationships among the Robertsons, Robersons, and Robinsons in Virginia, and the surrounding states that were settled from Virginia.

Robertson of Muirton Family

Many Virginia Robertsons try to connect with the distinguished Scottish Robertson of Muirton family. Members of this family immigrated to Virginia. Descendants married into the family of Thomas Jefferson and other prominent Virginia families.

The following genealogy is the current working outline of this family. It is subject to correction as new evidence is discovered.

1. WILLIAM ROBERTSON OF MUIRTON, b. 1530, d. 1599, Edinburgh, Sct.; mar. ca 1565?, in Sct., ISABELL PETRIE, b. ca1530, d. unknown. William was 4th Laird of Muirton. Issue:
   1. WILLIAM ROBERTSON (William), b. abt 1571, Gladney, Sct., d. 1629; mar. abt 1592, in Scotland, ANNA MARIA MITCHELL, b. abt 1595, Sct. Issue:
      1. WILLIAM ROBERTSON (William; William) b. ca.1680, Edinburgh, Sct., occupation Minister, died 16 Nov. 1746, Edinburgh, Sct.; mar. 20 Oct 1720, Edinburgh, Sct., ELEANOR PITCAIRN, b. ca 1690, Dreghorn, Sct., (dau. of David Pitcairn) 22 Nov 1746, Edinburgh, Sct. William was licensed by the presbytery of Kirkcaldy on 14 June 1711, and for a time was minister of the church of London Wall in London. After service in other churches, he transferred on 28 July 1736 to Old Greyfriars in Edinburgh. See: Dictionary of National Biography, Vol KVI, Pacock-Robins. Issue:
         1. William Robertson b. ca 1725, d. 1793, Edinburgh, Sct; mar. 21 Aug 1751, Edinburgh, Sctl., Mary Nesbit, b. ca 1730, Sct., (dau.of James Nesbit and Mary Pitcairn), d. unknown. He was Royal Histographer.
         2. Robert Robertson.
         3. Mary Robertson.
         4. Margaret Robertson.
         5. David Robertson.
         6. Elizabeth Robertson.
         7. Patrick Robertson.
         8. Helen Robertson.
      2. Andrew Robertson.
   2. THOMAS ROBERTSON (William) b, 1592, Edinburgh, Sct., d. 1686, Edinburgh, Sct.; mar. ca l620, Edinburqh, Sct., JEAN JEFFREY, b. abt 1625, Edinburgh, Sct., (dau. of John Jeffrey and Margaret Lloyd). Thomas was a Bailie of Edinburgh. Issue:
      1. WILLIAM ROBERTSON (Thomas; William), b. ca 1621-23, Edinburgh, Sct., Minister, d. unknown. Issue:
         1. Jean Robertson b. abt 1656-60.
      2. JOHN ROBERTSON (Thomas; William) b. abt 1625, Struane, Sct., bur. 14 Jan. 1691 mar. ca 1650-55, ELIZABETH SCOTT, b. ca 1625, Edinburqh, Sct.??, bur. 26 Jan, 1692, Edinburgh, Sct.??. John died in Edinburgh, Sct. and bur. in Greyfrairs Churchyard. Records of the Scottish Record Society, identify John as the son of Thomas, Baille of Edinburgh. John was Burgess and Guild Brother, "by riqht of deceased father Baille Thomas Robertson, Merchant. " Elizabeth was the daughter of the French writer, John Scott.- The Scott family are also buried behind Greyfriars Church. Issue (Note: * indicates not proven - use information with caution):
         1. JEFFREY ROBERTSON (John; Thomas; William) b. ca 1654, Edinburgh, Scotland, occupation Planter, mar. ELIZABETH BOWMAN, b. Scotland, (daughter of John Bowman and Elizabeth Elam) d. Chesterfield Co., VA. Jeffrey died 1734, Henrico Co., VA. Issue:
            1. William Robertson b. abt 1700, d. June 1764, Chesterfield Co., VA.
            2. Richard Robertson b. abt 1703, Henrico Co., VA. He may be the same Richard Robertson vho died in Mecklenburg Co., VA about 1775.
            3. Anne Robertson b. abt 1704, d. bef 1786, Chesterfield Co., VA?. Married John Hudson who died abt 1786. (Chesterfield Co. Will Bk 4, pg 14)
            4. Thomas Robertson b. abt 1706, Chesterfield Co., VA.
            5. Jeffrey Robertson, Jr. b. 1709, Henrico Co., VA, mar. 1734, in Henrico Co., VA, Judith (Tanner) Mills, b. 1710, (daughter of Edward Tanner) d. 1785. Jeffrey d. 1784, Chesterfield Co., VA. Year of birth is established in the autobiography of Rev. Norvill Robertson, his grandson.
         2. William Robertson b. abt 1657.*
         3. George Robertson b. abt 1660.*
         4. Nicholas Robertson b. abt 1663,* m. abt 1690, in Henrico Co., VA, b. abt 1670.
         5. Margaret Robertson, bur. 3 May 1672
      3. Jeffrey Robertson, b. 1627, Edinburgh, Sct. died young.

Robertson Family of Bedford County Virginia

This family moved from Scotland to Bedford County, Virginia to Bledsoe County, Tennessee. They are linked to Robertson family of Cumberland County through the marriage of Stephen Fuqua to Temperance Robinson, and that link is made more complicated for researchers by the marriages of their daughters Judith and Nancy Fuqua to Benjamin Roberts.

1. JAMES (MONROE?) ROBERSON, b. ca1737, Scotland; mar. ca 1757, MARY FUQUA, b. ca1637, Henrico Co. VA, d. 3 January 1828, Bledsoe Co, TN (daughter of Ralph and Priscilla (Owen) Fuqua). Some Roberson descendants claim his father was Dr. Andrew Roberson. Research indicates that is not the case, despite the fact that Andrew married a woman with the name of Roysdon, the odd first name of James' and Mary's first son.

Tabular genealogy TBA

Robertson Family of Cumberland County Virginia

This family first appears in Henrico Coumty, Virginia. They are linked to the Robertson family of Cumberland County through the marriage of Temperance Robinson to Stephen Fuqua, and that link is made more complicated for researchers by the marriages of their daughters Judith and Nancy Fuqua to Benjamin Roberts.

1. JOHN ROBINSON, b ca1688; d 5 December 1688 Cumberland Co, VA; marr. ca1715 prob. Henrico Co, VA, Tabitha Jones, b 1698 Henrico Co, VA; d 1768 Cumberland Co, VA.

Tabular genealogy TBA

Robertson Family of Watauga Settlement Tennessee

Speculative Ancestry

1. CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON, born about 1621? in England?; died before 31 Aug 1663 in Henrico,County, Virginia; married about 1643, in Virginia, MARIE

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   , born about 1621?; died after 31 Aug 1663. MARIE

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   married 2nd FRANCIS BURRELL. Christopher Robinson and Marie

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   had four children:
   1. EDWARD ROBINSON, born about 1656 in Virginia; died before 3 Feb 1689/90 in Charles City County, Virginia; married before 19 Oct 1677 ANNE

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      , born about 1656, died after 3 Feb 1689/90. Edward Robinson and Anne

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      purportedly had one child:
      1. NICHOLAS ROBINSON, ancestor of the Robertsons at the Watauga Settlement.
   2. HENRY ROBINSON.
   3. MARIE ROBINSON.
   4. CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON, born about 1660.

Proven Ancestry

1. NICHOLAS ROBERTSON, born 1665/67; died after 12 May 1718; married (1st) about 1691? Sarah? Marks?; married (2nd) after 1701 Jane Tillman. Nicholas Robertson and Sarah? Marks? had children:
   1. JOHN ROBERTSON, born about 1695; died before May 1774, Granville (now Vance) Co., N.C.; married about 1716, Mary (Evans?).
   2. ISRAEL ROBERTSON, born 1698/1700; died before 12 Aug. 1760 Granville (now Warren) Co., N.C.; married about 1719, Prince George (now Dinwiddie) Co., Va., Sarah (Williams?). Israel and Sarah (Williams?) Roberson had children:
      1. MATTHEW ROBERTSON, born 22 Nov. 1720; christened 30 April 1721, Bristol Parish, Prince George (now Dinwiddie) Co., Va.
      2. JOHN ROBERTSON, born 8 May 1723, Bristol Parish, Prince George (now Dinwiddie) Co., Va.; married before 28 June 1742, Mary (Gower?); died before April 1761, Johnston (now Wake) Co., N.C. John and Mary (Gower?) Robertson had children:
         1. JAMES RANDOLPH ROBERTSON, born 28 June 1742; died 1 Sept. 1814, Chickasaw Agency, Chickasaw Nation; married about 1768, Charlotte (Reeves?). James Randolph Robertson was founder of Nashville, Tennessee, called "Father of Tennessee".
         2. JOHN ROBERTSON, born about 1743?; died 1780, near Nashville, Davidson Co., N.C. (now Tenn.); married (Dolly Maclin?).
         3. CHARLES ROBERTSON, born about 1749, Granville (now Warren) Co., N.C.; died before Jan. 1806, Davidson Co., Tenn.; married Susannah (Cunningham?).
         4. ELIJAH ROBERTSON, born about 1752, Brunswick Co., Va.; died 14 April 1797, Davidson Co., Tenn.; married Sarah (Maclin?).
         5. ELIZABETH "ELIZA" ROBERTSON, born about 1752, Brunswick Co., Va.; married (William?) Cash.
         6. MARK ROBERTSON, born about 1755, Granville (now Warren) Co., N.C.; died 11 June 1784?, Davidson Co., N.C. (Now Tenn.); married Mary Bell.
         7. ANN ROBERTSON, born 10 Feb., 1757, probably Granville (now Warren) Co., N.C.; died 15 Oct. 1821, Davidson Co., Tenn.; married (1st) David Johnston, before 25 Aug. 1772; married (2nd) John Cockrill.
         8. STERLING ROBERTSON.
      3. ISRAEL ROBERTSON, born 14 Nov. 1725, Bristol Parish, Prince George (now Dinwiddie) Co., Va.; died before 24 July 1773, Wrightsborough Twp., Ga.
      4. DAVID ROBERTSON, born 19 Aug. 1728, Bristol Parish, Prince George (now Dinwiddie) Co., Va.; died before Oct. 1771, Tryon Co., N.C. (now Cherokee Co., S.C.); married about 1749, Frances (Burchfield?).
         1. (perhaps) JAMES "HORSE SHOE" ROBERTSON, married Sarah Morris Headen, born July 17, 1763 (daughter of William and Jane Beavers Headen, twin sister of the Jane Headen who married his brother David).
         2. (perhaps) DAVID ROBERTSON, married Jane Headen, born July 17, 1763 (daughter of William and Jane Beavers Headen, twin sister of the Sarah Headen who married his brother James).
         3. (perhaps) MATTHEW ROBERTSON.
         4. (perhaps) ISAAC ROBERTSON.
         5. (perhaps) ISRAEL ROBERTSON.
      5. NICHOLAS ROBERTSON, born 21 Sept. 1731, Bristol Parish, Prince George (now Dinwiddie) Co., Va.; christened 7 Nov. 1731.
      6. CHARLES ROBERTSON, born 24 July 1733, Bristol Parish, Prince George (now Dinwiddie) Co., Va.; christened 28 Sept. 1733; died before Nov. 1798, Washington (now Carter) Co., Tenn.; married about 1755, Susanna (Nichols?).
      7. SUSANNAH ROBERTSON, born 1735/36, Prince George (now Dinwiddie) Co., Va.; married about 1755, James Kendrick.
      8. GEORGE ROBERTSON, born 1737/39, Prince George (now Dinwiddie) Co., Va.; died before Nov. 1761, Granville (now Warren) Co., N.C.
   3. EDWARD ROBERTSON, born 1700/02; died after 11 May 1757, possibly Edgecombe (now Halifax) Co., N.C.

References:

• Robertson Genealogy Exchange, "The Nicholas Robertson Family 1665/67-1880".
• Robertson Genealogy Exchange, The Robertsons of Tennessee: Myth and Reality.
• Robertson Genealogy Exchange, "The Robertsons of Tennessee Revisited".
• For the speculative ancestry of Nicholas Robertson, see Robertson Genealogy Exchange, Possible Paternal Antecedents of 1. Nicholas Robertson.
• For the ancestry of James "Horse Shoe" Robertson, see James Robertson and the Book Horse Shoe Robinson, and Robertson Genealogy Exchange, The Search for (1246) Horse-Shoe Robertson.

Unplaced Robertsons

1. James Roberston, from the Watauga Settlement, killed by Indians 1784 near Arthur, Tennessee.

Conventions

• The About Me should specifically identify the original source.
• On Master Profiles, the curator note should include the names of parents and spouses.
• On Scottish profiles, please remember that Scottish women of this period did not typically use their husbands' surnames.

Resources

• Clan Donnachaidh DNA Project
• Robertson Archive
• Robertson Genealogy Exchange, a project established by the late Tom Robertson
• Robinson DNA Project Group