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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Topic started by: Hector99 on Thursday 14 March 24 15:35 GMT (UK)

Title: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: Hector99 on Thursday 14 March 24 15:35 GMT (UK)
I have an ancestor, Henry Robinson, logged in 1841 Census aged 27 in Edinburgh.  His birth place is marked E for England, which does not help much.  He married Margaret Finlay.

My search showed the following, and I wonder whether anyone could help me identify the right one.  Perhaps in your tree?
ROBINSON Henry 1813  Durham Durham baptisms   
ROBINSON Henry 1813  London Docklands Ancestors 
ROBINSON Henry 1814  Derbyshire Elmton, Derbyshire Baptisms   
ROBINSON Henry 1815  Suffolk Suffolk Baptism Index (part 1)   
ROBINSON Henry 1815  Lincolnshire Lincolnshire Parish Bastardy Cases   
ROBINSON Henry Beeston 1815  Yorkshire (West Riding) Pontefract District Baptisms   
ROBINSON Henry Charlesworth 1815  Yorkshire (West Riding) Huddersfield Baptisms   
ROBINSON Henry Edward Raberty 1814  Northumberland Northumberland and Durham Baptisms   
ROBINSON William Henry 1813  Yorkshire (West Riding) Halifax St John Baptisms   
ROBINSON William Henry 1815  London Docklands Ancestors
ROBINSON    Northumberland Northumberland and Durham Baptisms
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: Milliepede on Thursday 14 March 24 15:43 GMT (UK)
Quote
He married Margaret Finlay.

Does the marriage give any more information?

What birthplace does he have on census with his wife?
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: Hector99 on Thursday 14 March 24 16:03 GMT (UK)
I have been unable to find a record of their marriage, neither in Scotland nor England.  I searched registers of all denominations, although all their children were baptised in the Church of Scotland.

The Census shows just
                              Age                            Born in County        E or I if England or Ireland
Henry Robinson        27  Bookseller             blank                        E
Margaret ditto          21                              Y
Frances Wright ditto  1                               Y
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: Little Nell on Thursday 14 March 24 16:06 GMT (UK)
When did Henry die?  And was it in Scotland?

If it was 1855 or later then the death registration should contain his parents' names provided the informant knew them.  Even if the names are there it is possible that they are incorrect.  But one can always hope.

Nell
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: AlanBoyd on Thursday 14 March 24 16:08 GMT (UK)
Not relevant to the question, but I thought that you might be interested in this, if you aren’t already aware.

There are items in The Scotsman and The Witness (Edinburgh) editions of 26th July 1843, concerning a hearing at the High Court of Justiciary on Monday July 24th.

Henry Robinson, bookseller and stationer, Greenside Street, Edinburgh was accused of publishing works "of a profane, impious, and blasphemous character... publishing books of an impure, gross and obscene nature... and with placarding blasphemous and indecent advertisements on the streets of Edinburgh."

The account is a dense discussion of legal aspects of the indictment particularly around the lack of specificity in some of the charges.
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: Little Nell on Thursday 14 March 24 16:15 GMT (UK)
I see Henry died 10 July 1877 aged 63 and that he left a will.  The death registration has his mother's maiden name as Amos.

Henry Robinson confirmation 6 Sep 1877 Edinburgh SC70/4/169
Bookseller and newsagent Greenside Street Edinburgh

Nell
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: Hector99 on Thursday 14 March 24 16:22 GMT (UK)
Hi Little Nell
Excellent!
Death Cert shows his father as George Robinson (Carpenter) and mother as Anne Robinson.  Her maiden name is possibly Amos.

I can start looking for them!
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: Hector99 on Thursday 14 March 24 16:26 GMT (UK)
Hi AlanBoyd

Wow!  Obscene publications!  Well I never!
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: AlanBoyd on Thursday 14 March 24 16:28 GMT (UK)
There is a marriage 16th July 1804, Lambeth, George Robinson and Ann Amos
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: djct59 on Thursday 14 March 24 20:58 GMT (UK)
Mr Robinson was perhaps the last man to be prosecuted for blasphemy in Scotland. The prosecution was unsuccessful - https://www.scottishindexes.com/jcdetail.aspx?jcid=1843513&pid=184351301
   
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: AlanBoyd on Friday 15 March 24 07:52 GMT (UK)
Caledonian Mercury 9th June 1856
Quote
Births
ROBINSON – At 10 Catherine Street, on the 5th inst. the wife of Mr Henry Robinson, bookseller, of a daughter.

This side-by-side map view reveals that Greenside Street was part of what is now all called Leith Street, and that Catherine Street was just across the road.

https://tinyurl.com/57tvkjwr (https://tinyurl.com/57tvkjwr)
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: AlanBoyd on Friday 15 March 24 07:54 GMT (UK)
I suspect that Henry Robinson was a bit of a radical. We already have the evidence of his indictment in 1843. Here is some further evidence, although it is indirect.

In March 1863 Edward, Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII) married Princess Alexandra of Denmark.  The Caledonian Mercury of March 16th 1863
was a Special Marriage Edition and it includes very detailed descriptions of illuminations and street decorations in Edinburgh. Here we find:

Quote
LEITH STREET AND GREENSIDE
...
Mr Henry Robinson, bookseller, exhibited a large illuminated crown, and two fine engravings, the one representing the declaration of American independence, and the other portraits of the various American Presidents, from General Washington to Lincoln. The shop was gaily decorated with British, Danish, and American flags.


Looking over the rest of the page I see mentions of portraits and transparencies of the couple (and of Queen Victoria), lots of Prince of Wales' feathers, hearts, Chinese lanterns, illuminations based upon gas jets, royal mottoes, coats of arms, flags etc. etc. But no other mention of America. Perhaps he was signalling his republicanism?
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: AlanBoyd on Friday 15 March 24 08:46 GMT (UK)
I realise this is a little long, but I decided to post it all.

9 January 1861: Edinburgh Evening Courant

Quote
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
That a Petition has been presented to the Sheriff of Edinburgh by HENRY ROBINSON, formerly Bookseller at No. 7 Brunswick Place, Glasgow, now at No. 11 Greenside Street, and residing at No. 10 Catherine Street, Edinburgh, and by Mrs MARGARET FINLAY or ROBINSON, his Spouse, and daughter of Thomas Finlay, cabinetmaker in Edinburgh, and formerly residing in Haddington Place there, stating that the Petitioners, on the 3d day of June 1839 appeared before one of her Majesty's Justices of the Peace, and solemnly declared themselves married persons, and that too in presence of the parties therein named and designed, and of certain of the relations of the parties; and that the said Justice of Peace gave the Certificate of Marriage therewith produced: That the marriage was thereupon intimated in the Public Newspapers: That the Petitioners after their said marriage lived together as Husband and Wife, and were owned as such by their friends, neighbours, and acquaintances, and that there had been seven children born of the marriage: That their marriage was omitted to be got registered in the Public Register of Marriages, and that they were anxious yet to get that done, in virtue of the Act to amend two Acts of the 17th and 18th years, and of the 18th year of her Majesty, relating to the Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in Scotland, 6th August 1860, sec. 2d. : And therefore praying his Lordship to cause the application be advertised in the way and manner he might think, to take such further evidence as to his Lordship might deem necessary, and thereafter, on resuming consideration of said Certificate of Marriage by said Justice of the Peace, and of any further evidence that might be adduced, to grant warrant to the Petitioners to get their marriage registered in the manner prescribed by the foresaid statute. • The Sheriff-Substitute, on advising said Petition, was pleased to pronounce the following Interlocutor:—'Edinburgh, 7th January 1801.-The Sheriff-Substitute appoints intimation 'of the foregoing Petition and of this Deliverance to be made by advertisement in the Edinburgh Evening Courant Newspaper not less than fourteen days before the diet after mentioned: Further, appoints the Petitioner, along with any persons whose testimony he proposes to adduce in support of the Petition, to attend within the ordinary Sheriff Court-house here upon the 25th day of January 1861 at Twelve o'clock Noon, at which time and place the Sheriff will consider the Petition, and hear any interested parties who may appear to oppose it.

(Signed) FREDERICK HALLARD.'
WILLIAM POLLOCK, Petitioners' Agent.
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: oldfashionedgirl on Friday 15 March 24 13:37 GMT (UK)
As above his daughter was born on 9.6.1856.
Her name was Margaret Finlay Henrietta Robinson.
Mothers maiden name Finlay.

Unfortunately and unusually, for a Scottish birth registration, It doesn’t say the date of the parents marriage.

If you look the up on later census's they may have had more children and by looking at their births the parents marriage may be recorded.
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: Hector99 on Friday 15 March 24 22:54 GMT (UK)
Hi AlanBoyd
I think you are right about his radicalism.

His children were called
Thomas Paine Carlile                 Very interesting
Matilda Henrietta Ransted (?)    Difficult to read.  Does not mean anything to me
Ann Amos
Mary Ann Eliza
Georgina
Jane Finlay
Arthur Trewelyn           
Margaret H
Henry George
Title: Re: Henry Robinson - Bookseller in Edinburgh
Post by: AlanBoyd on Saturday 16 March 24 07:04 GMT (UK)
Yes, Thomas Paine clinches it I think.