from Sara Robbins Hoffman Morris' Memorial History of Staten Island, New York, Ira K. Morris 1898, Vol. II published West New Brighton Staten Island, NY. Chapter XXXIII "Incidents of the Revolution" pgs. 304, 305. quote Next to the disreputable Hatfields, Nathaniel Robbins was the most despised man on Staten Island. In his depredations he scarcely recognized friend or foe. He resided near Long Neck (now New Springerville) The house which he occupied was demolished many years ago. It stood near the corner of the roads leading to Richmond - Port Richmond fronting the former. Robbins was an Englishman by birth, extremely dissolute in his habits, a terror not only to those who dwelt in his neighborhood but of the whole Island. His wife a native of Staten Island, a daughter of widow Mary Merrill. His depredations were generally committed under some disguise, which he supposed effectually concealed his identity though he was often betrayed by his voice or some other tell-tale circumstances. Robbins' death was hailed with a great deal of relief by the people of Staten Island, for there was a constant fear that life property were in danger. It is said that his grave was several times marked by stones bearing inscriptions relative to the life he lived; but within a few days after each stone was erected it disappeared mysteriously under the cover of darkness. At last all effort to mark the grave was abandoned, probably because of the death of the person who had attempted thus to perpetuate his tainted memory. unquote Footnote on pg.305: "Robbins was very brutal in his nature - several murders committed on Staten Island - even in New Jersey were chargeable to him. There were several members of his gang of which he was the acknowledged leader. The opinion of the widow Merrill, his wife's mother held of him is plainly told by a clause in her Will, which was bequeathed to her daughter Mary Robbins the sum of 40 pounds, so as never to be in the power or at the command of Nathaniel Robbins, her present husband." Source: Raymond Tyson's Historical Sketches of Staten Island, "Lecture on the History of Staten Island; delivered before the Tompkinsville Lyceum" April 12, 1842. Anne Merrill or widow Merrill sold property to Jonathan Robins in 1751 in Hunterdon Co. Does anyone have a copy or any information on the Will of widow Merrill that mentions her daughter Mary Merrill Robbins? I'm curious as to the accuracy of the Morris book in regards to Nathaniel Robbins being an Englishman by birth - the first name of his mother-in-law as Mary. From: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com on behalf of BRIAN ROBBINS [hilo80@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:33 AM To: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM] Re: [Robbinsfamilysouthjersey] Nathaniel Robbins 1770's & crime in Staten Island, NY & NJ Sara, Thanks very much for the information. I think due to this man's despicable existence, I sure hope we can determine that he was an Englishman, and not one of our Scottish line. Although I fear that if the widow Merril has connections to Jonathan as we have already determined much earlier, by the land sale to Jonathan, I don't see how she would otherwise know of Jonathan other than by direct relationship such as her marriage to Nathaniel and therefore was Jonathan a blood relative of Nathaniel. Brian From: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Tamara Stevens [tamara@bearsandhares.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 10:11 AM To: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM] Re: [Robbinsfamilysouthjersey] Nathaniel Robbins 1770's & crime in Staten Island, NY & NJ Sara, I haven't found a will transcription yet but did stumble across a couple of interesting sites with much Merrill data - and interestingly enough - links to Hopewell and then Rowan Co., NC. No Robins or Robbins found but many similar names like Benjamin, William, Richard etc... http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/mckstorymerrell.htm http://thomaspaulmerrill.com/Benweb/Hopewell.htm Tamara From: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com on behalf of july37 [july37@cox.net] Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 3:58 PM To: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM] Re: [Robbinsfamilysouthjersey] Nathaniel Robbins 1770's & crime in Staten Island, NY & NJ Brian, I agree with you & hope Nathaniel Robbins isn't related especially if everything said & written about him was true. Sara From: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com on behalf of jbtaylor21@comcast.net Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 4:14 PM To: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM] Re: [Robbinsfamilysouthjersey] Nathaniel Robbins 1770's & crime in Staten Island, NY & NJ As the story says, Nathaniel was from England. Most of the Robbins on Long Island and NY were from the English Robbins and NOT from the Robinsons from Scotland and therefore not related to our Jersey Robins/Robbins. John From: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com on behalf of july37 [july37@cox.net] Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 4:19 PM To: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM] Re: [SPAM]Re: [Robbinsfamilysouthjersey] Nathaniel Robbins 1770's & crime in Staten Island, NY & NJ Tamara, Excellent links for the Merrill family history. Thank you. One site says two Merrill families left NJ for NC in 1751. This was the same time Anne Merrill sold her land to Jonathan Robins. So far I can't locate a Will for a widow Merrill in NJ or Staten Island as referenced in the Morris book. The book gives no date for the Will & that makes it a little more difficult. Also it's very likely Nathaniel & Mary Merrill Robbins had children which leaves a possiblity for living descendants. What was the 1755 Jersey Settlement in NC? Were there Robins there? Sara Date: Mon, 2 Sep 2024 10:50:12 -0700 From: july37@cox.net To: 'Marshall Lake' Yes, there were lengthy discussions by the old Robbins group on Capt. Nathaniel Robins of Staten Island who married the widow Mary Merrill. We never located his birthplace or parents. I believe he connects. So far nothing has been located to prove it. He had a sister Ann Nancy Robins who married Justus Fitzrandolph.