Elisha Smith Robinson

Elisha Smith Robinson

Elisha Smith Robinson (1817–1885) was an English businessman and politician

He was the son of a Gloucestershire paper maker Edward Robinson. In 1840 his father threatened to replace him within the family business with a Londoner, so he ventured to Bristol with a small loan. Within 20 years his own printing and packaging business E. S. & A. Robinson was the largest buyer of paper in the British Empire. He was a staunch Baptist

Life and career

Born 1817 in Overbury on the Worcestershire/Gloucestershire boarders where his father Edward lived in Silver Rill House.

Apprenticed to his maternal grandfather Rev. Elisha Smith, grocer and Baptist Minister in Blockley and Chipping Camden

Founded E. S. & A. Robinson in 1844^[1]

1845 First marriage to Elizabeth Ring with whom he had eight children, she died in 1871. Soon after he married Louisa Thomas who died in 1875.^[2]

Mayor of Bristol in 1866.^[3]

Elected as Liberal Member of Parliament for Bristol (UK Parliament constituency) in 1870 but unseated on a technicality.

Stood again as an independent in 1880. He had a belligerent attitude to politics, he published his pledges in his own broadsheet, The Redcliffe Review, and he was satirized in local cartoons.^[4][5]

A Justice of the Peace

Chairman of the Bristol Port Railway and Pier (now Severn Beach Line)

Foundation stone on the front Chipping Campden Baptist Church reads "This stone was laid by Elisha Smith Robinson Esq - of Bristol on the 19th June 1872"^[6]

President of the Grateful Society ^[7] in 1880.

One of the founders and benefactor to Colston Hall where there is a relief^[8]

He died in 1885 at Ivy Towers, Sneyd Park, a house he designed.^[9] Sermon by Reverend Richard Glover published.^[10][11]

Monument at Arnos Vale Cemetery.

His family and cricket

A cricket XI of Robinsons all directly related to Elisha Smith Robinson who lost by 37 runs to an XI of Graces all directly related to W.G.Grace.

Robinson's interest in cricket was inspired by two of his brothers:-

• Philip Robinson ^[12] 1830-1886 founder of Robinson & Co in Singapore and
• John Robinson ^[13] 1820-1886 founder of John Robinsons of Gloucester.

In 1878 Charles Parnell of West Town Cricket Club near Bristol proposed to Alfred Robinson, John’s son, that he assemble a team to play on the August Bank Holiday. Alfred responded with a team made up entirely of Robinsons. From that day until 1964 Robinsons fielded a cricket XI on that bank holiday against various teams including one made up entirely of Graces in 1891.^[14]

Robinson first class cricketers descended from Elisha include:-

• Arthur Robinson,^[15] son of Elisha, 1855-1913 played for Gloucestershire.
• Percy Gotch Robinson, grandson, 1881–1951, played for Gloucestershire.^[16]
• Douglas C Robinson, grandson, 1884–1963, captained Gloucestershire, played for Essex, Marylebone Cricket Club, Gentlemen of England and England in 1924 ^[17]
• Vivian Robinson, grandson, 1897–1979, played for Gloucestershire,^[18] High Sheriff of Bristol 1936 ^[19]
• Foster Robinson, Grandson, 1880–1957, played for London County and Gloucestershire,^[20] Chairman of *E. S. & A. Robinson
• Crescens Robinson (1864-1941) an English first class cricketer, great nephew.
• Theodore Robinson (1866-1959) an English first class cricketer, great nephew.

Other notable descendants include:-

Edward Robinson 1853-1935 was the third son of Elisha Smith Robinson; Lord Mayor of Bristol in 1908. Chairman & managing director E. S. & A. Robinson, Vice chairman of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, President of the Anchor Society in 1887, appointed a magistrate in 1889, Vice chairman of the Bristol South Liberal Association.^[21]

Arnold Wathen Robinson (1888–1955) an English stained-glass artist, grandson.

Thomas Robinson (1827-1897) an English corn merchant and Liberal politician, cousin.

References