Dixon Robinson

Dixon Robinson (1795–1878) was an English lawyer, Gentleman Steward of the Honour of Clitheroe and philanthropist in the Nineteenth Century.

He was born on 17 June 1795 at Chatburn, Lancashire, third son of Josias Robinson^[1] (1749–1827) and Susanna Dixon (1758–1824).

The Lancashire Lawyer

He became a partner in the firm of Carr and Robinson, solicitors, of King Street Blackburn. Following the death of Mr Carr the Mr Robinson became the Gentlemean steward of the Honor of Clitheroe, he moved his office and residence to Clitheroe Castle.^[1] This evolved into Robinson and Sons, with Dixon's children Arthur and Henry. The firm's name continued through further generations, the business being carried on through Arthur's sons Frederick Dixon Robinson and Thomas Chambers Robinson. Colonel Geoffrey Robinson, noted in trade directories in 1951, was presumably a great-grandson of Dixon. The firm continued until at least 1966 but appears no longer to be operating with Robinson connections. Deposits by the firm at Lancashire Record Office include Peart-Robinson estate records, concerning the affairs of Dixon's brother, William Robinson and his wife Jane Peart of Settle.^[2]

Steward of Clitheroe Castle

Dixon was also Gentleman Steward of the Honor of Clitheroe, a position whose residence was Clitheroe Castle.^[3]

Dixon Robinson served as a Colonel in the East Lancashire Volunteers, being first commissioned as a Lieut. in the local militia 17 Dec 1813.^[4]

Family Life

Dixon firstly married Margaret White in Blackburn by whom he had a son Josias, they both died within a year.

Dixon Robinson married secondly Matilda Ingram, sister of the Rev Robert Ingram, on 1 Nov 1828 at Kegworth.

Dixon and Matilda had seven sons and five daughters, seven of whom survived to adulthood:

I Arthur Ingram, born 1832, died 1912, Solicitor and Gentleman Steward of the Honor of Clitheroe

II Frederick Josias, born 1833, died 1892, Architect of Derby

III George born 1835, died 1907, Bank Manager and director of the Craven Bank

IV Henry John, born 1845, died 1913, Solicitor

I Susannah Catharine, born 1839, died 1911, married Dr Musson of Clitheroe

II Matilda Jane (1841–1916) married the brewer Norman Watney (1834–1911) who built Valence School outside Westerham, Kent.

III Margaret Elizabeth, born 1844, died 1897, of The Manor House Clitheroe

Others: Matilda 1829, William Dixon 1831, Robert Acklom 1837, Robert 1847^[5] & Lucy 1849,

Dixon Robinson died on 21 July 1878 at Clitheroe, Lancashire, following a couple of strokes, the first being in February of that year. On Wednesday July 24, the funeral cortége of many carriages, travelled from Clitheroe Castle to Blackburn Parish Church, prior to internment in the cyrpt.

Philanthropy

Christ Church, Chatburn was partly paid for by Messers William & Dixon Robinson and extensions designed by his son Frederick Josias Robinson^[6] The first perpetual curacy was given to his brother in law Rev Robert Ingram. There are many Ingram and Robinson memorials in the church. Dixon Robinson took a keen interest in the Blackburn Gasworks, being an original subscriber and acted as clerk throughout its whole existence.^[1] He was also a promoter of the Bolton Darwen Blackburn and West Riding Railway, the old Blackbrn police force, and the King Street theatre and assembly rooms.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "Death of Dixon Robinson". The Blackburn Standard (2233): 8. 27. 
2. ^ "The late Wm Robinson". The Lancaster Gazette, and General Advertiser for Lancashire, Westmorland, Yorkshire, &c.. February 24, 1872. 
3. ^ http://www.archive.org/stream/remainshistorica74chetuoft/remainshistorica74chetuoft_djvu.txt
4. ^ London Gazette. 
5. ^ Parish records; St Mary Blackburn
6. ^ Hartwell, Clare; Nikolaus Pevsner (2009) [1969]. The Buildings of England. Lancashire: North. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. p. 209. ISBN 978-0-300-12667-9.

Persondata
Name
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Date of birth	1795
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Date of death	1878
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