John Robinson, 1798-1880

John Robinson

Local self-taught architect, son of John Robinson,snr, also a builder (who built Ballabrooie house to design of Thomas Brine); brother of William Robinson, printer. Married first Elenor Charters by whom had 2 daughters and after her early death Elizabeth Maltby (from Leeds) by whom he had 2 sons and 8 daughters.

Two of his daughters became Mormon converts and emigrated to Utah.

Office originally in Athol Street but by 1843 had moved to Victoria Terrace (which he had designed and built), where his widow (+ two youngest daughters) were still living in 1881. Would appear to have usually worked with his brother Henry - the two advertising as J&H Robinson, Builders.

As mentioned in his daughters biography he was strongly linked with Athol Street Chapel.

2 Victoria Terrace (now rather run-down)

1851 Census: 2 Victoria Terrace

John	ROBINSON	Head	52	Architect	Douglas
Elizabeth	ROBINSON	Wife	39		England
Helena	ROBINSON	Daughter	16	Scholar	Douglas
Richard	ROBINSON	Son	15	Scholar	Douglas
Elizth	ROBINSON	Daughter	12	Scholar	Douglas
Emma	ROBINSON	Daughter	9	Scholar	Douglas
Sarah	ROBINSON	Daughter	6	Scholar	Douglas
Martha	ROBINSON	Daughter	3		Douglas
John W C	ROBINSON	Son	2 days		Douglas

From a court case in 1873 (5 May) in which he appeared as witness, we learn that he was by then very deaf as all questions had to be put in writing.

Buried Braddan New (in a prominent position near the chapel though both this grave marker and that of his brother Henry in the next grave are very badly weathered and will not last much longer)

In 1881 census Elizabeth gave age as 66 living with daughters Edith (age 23) and Blanche (age 19) though shortly afterwards they moved to Utah where she died in 1892.

Grave John Roibinson

Designed

Made a major impact on Victorian Douglas - a plaque to commemorate his contribution was placed on the Tynwald walkway at St Johns in 1996.

Windsor Terrace

Many commissions would appear to be linked with his fellow Independent Congregationalist John Stanway Jackson, sometime manager of the Bank of Mona, prize winner in the lottery set up to sell Falcon Cliff, owner of land on which the Esplanade was built.and c.1850 leading light in a scheme to develop the Hills estate.

In May 1839 Robinson was involved in a court case to gain access to the quarries on the Castle Mona estate - possibly for stone for the Oddfellows' hall ?

1837 Derby Castle
1838/9 Falcon Cliff
1841 Oddfellows' Hall (later Douglas Court House)
c.1843 Victoria Terrace
1846 Esplanade, Castle Mona Lawn
c.1846/7 Prospect Terrace (Woodbourne Road)
c.1847 Windsor Terrace
1849 Greeba Castle (later home of Hall Caine)
1849 Adelaide Terrace (now including Rosemount Hotel)
1854 Albert Street (possibly only to plans by J.R.)
1854 Alma Terrace (Bucks Road)
1855 Bank of Mona
1863 Dalrymple Memorial Chapel
1867 Scotch Kirk (St Andrew's Presbyterian- now demolished)
1869 Douglas Head Hotel

References

S. Slack Streets of Douglas - Old and New Manx Experience (ISBN 1-873120-27-3) 1997

The IoM Victorian Society newsletter makes the occasional reference.




Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The Editor © F.Coakley , 2001