>From the book "History of Washington and Kent Counties, Rhode Island" by J.R. Cole, published 1889, New York, W.W. Preston & Company. Beginning on page 512. [xxx] respresents either notes or the page number. SYLVESTER ROBINSON was born in South Kingstown, R.I., July 16th, 1798. He was great-grandson of Governor William Robinson, grandson of John, and son of Benjamin Robinson. His mother was daughter of Governor George Brown. In the Newport Herald, March 19th, 1791, published by Peter Edes, in Thames street, Vol. V., No. 211, is found this quaint notice of the marriage of his father: "At South Kingstown, Mr. Benjamin Robinson to Miss Elizabeth Brown, eldest daughter of Mr. George Brown, – a young lady of singular merit, and highly adorned with every social and domestic virtue." Modest and unpretentious, she was yet a woman of fine intellect and integrity of character, softened and blended with a large charity. In her gentle ministrations to the sick or poor neighbor, shame even did not restrain the kind hand from helping. Her example and influence in the early training of her sons was so potent and long-abiding, that it would be difficult to find four men in one family who throughout life exhibited finer moral characters; their names were synonyms for honesty and truthfulness. Sylvester, the third son, received a common school education only. He was, however, ambitious from a boy, of an inquiring mind, that seized every opportunity for improvement. A good reader, he became well informed upon the topics of the day, and [513] in advancing years was the trusted friend and adviser of may of his townspeople, with whom he had seen the town, with its few scattered houses, rise into flourishing villages. At the age of fourteen he entered the store of his uncle, Rowse Babcock, of Westerly, and there was carefully trained in the routine of business. To this training he owed the success that he afterward obtained. In 1821 he returned to his native town and bought of Christopher Congdon a small property in Wakefield, where he opened a store, the second in the place. Being content with a small store and comparatively small profits, his motto being "make haste slowly," his success was uninterrupted from the first, and in 1846 he erected the large building, where he continued the business until his death, and where his son and grandson succeeded him. The homestead, with its large and somewhat quaint arrangement of rooms, was built in 1831. In 1841-2 he became interested in the temperance movement, known as the "Washingtonian," first started in Baltimore, Md. In this he worked with the zeal and ardor that characterized any enterprise in which he took part. This work was so thorough that soon there was a marked change in the town; the drunken father became a respected citizen, the children decently clothed and sent to school. For a number of years it was impossible for a man to obtain an intoxicating drink nearer than the next town of Charlestown. In 1841 he was chosen president of the Wakefield Bank, a place made vacant by the retirement of William A. Robinson. He held this position until his death, in 1867. How well he performed the duties of the place can be best shown by an extract from a set of resolutions adopted by the board of directors: "Resolved, That this Association has sustained a very great loss in the death of our much esteemed and lamented president and friend, Hon. Sylvester Robinson, who for nearly twenty-four years, has filled that office with faithfulness and ability, and although his wisdom and fidelity in the administration of its affairs have ever been appreciated by this Board, were never so fully realized as now, when we are forever bereft of his presence and counsel." Mr. Daniel M.C. Stedman, cashier of the Wakefield National Bank, and treasurer of the Savings Bank for many years, in speaking of Sylvester Robinson, says: "He was a man of positive convictions. Whatever he undertook was with his whole heart. I well [514] remember the persistency and anxiety with which he labored to extricate the banks from the embarrassments they suffered in 1857. We worked almost day and night to save them from utter failure; and I now look back over those years of incessant toil and anxiety with the greatest satisfaction. There was never any misunderstanding or unkind word between us in all that time. It is a pleasant thought to me that he lived to see the desire of his life accomplished – the banks and the church free from embarrassment, with bright prospects for the future." He represented his town several times in the general assembly, being sent as senator. Although often urged to accept of this position, when a nomination was equivalent to an election, his party being in power, it was rarely he could be persuaded. Quoting again from Mr. D.M.C. Stedman, and old friend and co-laborer, who knew and loved him well: "Although he was not early connected with the abolition cause, yet we all remember with what enthusiasm he entered the republican party, and raised a flag for John C. Fremont. From that time, and during all the dark days of the war, no man was more hopeful and confident of its final success. He had no soft word for ‘copperheads,' but was always true and loyal to his country. Such a man and such a life, is worthy to be kept in remembrance by any community." He united with the Baptist church in December, 1838, and from that time until his death was an honored member. "No one loved the old church better than he, always trying to do something for its prosperity. Some of its best social meetings were held in his own home, nearly always attending the noon-day prayer meetings that were held in the room over what is now Mr. Robert Rodman's counting room, and also the west room of the bank. He paid at one time nearly $4,000 to free the church from an old and oppressive debt." He filled a large place in the growth, and advancement of his town, early identifying himself with all its interests. He was exceeding liberal in his views; a man of ready sympathy and charitable to the poor; his friendships firm and lasting. Undeniably there was in his tastes and manner a trace of the patrician, inseparable possibly from his birth, training and precedents. The native refinement and courtliness was an outgrowth of he holiness and purity of his life. He was a kind and considerate husband, a tender and indulgent father. He married October 9th, 1822, Eliza, daughter of Joseph Noyes and granddaughter of Colonel Joseph Noyes, an officer in the army during the war of 1776. They had three children: Benjamin F., born January 9th, 1824; Eliza Anne, born 1826; and Hannah Babcock, born 1833. Benjamin F. Robinson alone survives his father, after whose death he was made president of the Wakefield National Bank, a position he has held ever since. At twenty-one years of age he entered his father's store as a partner. Like his father he has always been greatly interested in the advancement of his town and the best good of his townspeople. He has a persistent energy of character that works in a quiet way, working for results and not for honor for himself. There has been small place for the "Ego" in his labors or character. He could say with Abou Ben Adim, "Write me as one who loves his fellow men." Indirect results of his persistent working upon the intelligence of the people can be seen in our Riverside Cemetery, our Narragansett Pier Railroad, stone roads and many other important works. He married in 1854, Caroline, daughter of Hon. Samuel Rodman, and has three sons: Benjamin F. Robinson, Jr., in business with his father in Wakefield; Samuel Rodman Robinson, a cattle man in Colorado, and Rowland Rodman Robinson, M.D., a graduate of Harvard University.