Captain Francis Robinson

Francis Robinson, the first permanent settler in the Foxton area, was born in 1805, the fourth son of James Robinson of Herrington in Yorkshire. He was described as tall, fair and blue eyed. At an early age he joined the Indian Navy, travelling much and gaining a valuable store of knowledge of men and places. He was Paymaster at Bombay before resigning on account of ill health. India was not kind to the Robinson family during the twenty years that Francis was there – two brothers and two sisters died there as did his brother-in-law, John Best.

He arrived in Wellington in 1841 on the ship “Mandarin”, along with the Kebbell brothers who established a flourmill and sawmill at Paiaka and Magistrate Thompson who later died in the Wairau massacre. He stayed long enough to ascertain his prospects in this country, then moved on to Australia, but soon returned and settled near Foxton, west of the present town across the loop of the river (most early settlers chose Paiaka, several miles up the river). He called his property “Herrington” after the family home in England. He made several journeys in the North Island, to Hawkes Bay and as far as Taupo, not without danger in those early days.

In January, 1846 (at Wellington) he married Ellen Cummerfield, daughter of John Cummerfield of Bolton, Lancashire. Ellen first met Francis when she was fourteen years old when her family arrived on the ship “London”. John Cummerfield too up and farmed 100 acres at Karori.

The Robinsons and their young family had some anxious times during the Maori troubles but never once did they flee to Wellington as other settlers did. There were times when Ellen and the children hid in the bush but Francis always stood his ground. Once Ellen was confronted by Rangihaeata while Francis was away. The Maori chief, well over six feet tall, with wild curly hair and fierce expression was in a violent mood and demanded rum. Ellen refused. T.L. Butcher “Old Manawatu” says “but for the good offices of te Rauparaha, who silenced his noisy relative, it is difficult to say what the result would have been”.

During the 1840s Dr. John Best joined his uncle, Francis Robinson, assisting him and also farming on his own account. He is believed to have been trained as an army surgeon but in those early days was the only medical practitioner between Wellington and Wanganui. He died in 1850 following a mishap crossing a river and is buried in Ihakara Gardens. James Robinson, 7 year old son of Francis and Ellen is buried here also.

Robinson’s allotment of 200 acres of land from the New Zealand Company was later increased to 400 by Governor Grey.

In the 1878 electoral roll he is shown as owning 1356 acres freehold. This would include land at Himatangi acquired about 1873. Early articles refer to Robinson’s “square mile” – this would probably be the property on the Foxton Beach Road, on both sides of the road.

The coastal scows used to pull into the bank near the “Herrington” homestead to unload goods. A derelict two storied barn still stands on the property and one can imagine how goods were hauled to the upper floor by pulley. Two Norfolk pine trees mark the site of the homestead which was pulled down in 1910 because it was in danger of falling into the river due to erosion caused by floods and the wash from coastal boats as they passed up and down the river.

In 1857 Thomas Uppadine Cook, George Nye and Francis Robinson were responsible for the purchase from Ihakara Tukumara of the land for the first school. The purchase price was five pounds. The Foxton Historical Society has a photocopy of the receipt given by Ihakara.

Francis was said to be a “careful, reliable man, totally devoid of any speculative habits”. He resisted all pressure to enter politics, preferring to live quietly with his family. They entertained important overseas visitors and many a weary traveller during the early years when means of transport were difficult and slow, no doubt delighted to hear news of happenings near and far. The family prospered as the Maori troubles passed. Francis became a sympathetic and lenient Justice of the Peace. After his death former Constable John Purcell told “Manawatu Herald” how Francis gave him money to pass on to needy people. Although he refused to become entangled in politics he was an unfailing worker behind the scenes in the development of the district. He became the chairman of the first Roads Board in the district. Thus the road south towards Levin was formed, the ditches at the sides being dug by hand. There was no bridge at Whirokino until 1900 but a ferry operated.

Through his interest in horses he was one of the few Manawatu people to petition Parliament in 1865 for a racecourse. The petition was successful. The Foxton Racecourse Act. 1869, named him one of the original trustees. His sons were keen polo players and his youngest son, Octavius was a member of the polo team which won the Savile Cup in Australia in 1898.

Through his influence with the Maoris, the site for the Anglican Church was purchased. Captain Robinson paid 100 gold sovereigns for it and gave an undertaking that the grave on the section would never be disturbed. The stained glass windows above the Altar in the church were erected in memory of Francis, one on the southern side in memory of Ellen, who lived until 1910.

Of their children, the sons continued farming, all marrying with the exception of Octavius. Daughter Ellen married E.S. Thynne, first mayor of Foxton, Arabella married A.J. Hadfield, nephew of Bishop Octavius Hadfield, Mary married her cousin William Robinson and Emma married E.W. Perkins, solicitor and early mayor of Palmerston North.

Francis died in September 1888, just a few months after Foxton became a borough. He came from a family of 13 children and he was the last survivor. It was the largest funeral Foxton had ever seen. The Maoris placed greenstone in his coffin – a tribute to his rank and Maori women with green garlands in their hair grieved as the cortege passed down Main Street.

Referencing:

When referencing this book please use the following:

Pioneers of Foxton : Book One. pp 12-14. [Foxton, N.Z.] : Foxton Historical Society, 1988.

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