In a message dated 12/7/2005 4:51:48 AM Mountain Standard Time, monicaeklou@yahoo.fr writes: My name is Monica, I'm an an African (Togo- West Africa) young lady looking for more information about my ancestor John Winfrey Robinson. He was born in 1873 in Bennettsville SC, I don't have his parents names. He was graduated from Tuskegee Institute in 1897. Then, taught in a schooll in Mamie and Ozark, ALA. He finally joined a Tuskegee expedition to the german colony of Togo (1901-1909) where he was to teach cotton growing to the natives... what he did greatly as all the reports I read can attest it. He had my grand'mother , Francisca , with a native woman. He seemed to have been married in America during one of his vacation home (1906). He had a daughter called Elizabeth with his american wife (Danella Foote????). Unfortunately, he drawned while crossing a river (in Togo), in 1909 and his body was never found. Is there anybody who knows more about this John W. Robinson's family or one of his descendants in USA ???? Help me!!! and thank you in advance for all details you can bring.... Monica, In checking the 1880 United States federal census I have found a John Robinson, b 1873, son of John and Grace Robinson, Bennettsville, Marlboro County, South Carolina. (siblings: Chancy, Martha or Marsha, Aaron and William) I can send you the image if you'd like to see it. With such a common name as John Robinson this entry may not be your father but the town raises optimism. Have you written the Tuskeegee Institute to see if records are available there? I entered his name for a Google search (www.Google.com) and there is a narrative concerning him and his trip to Togo. Maybe you've already found that item. It states that he was the son of an Alabama slave. The census entry shows the father and mother as born in South Carolina which makes me wonder if this is the correct family. Fondest regards, Sandy Red Feather Lakes, Colorado