Mary Robinson

Mary Robinson

• Father: Alanson Robinson b. circa 1816, d. 21 May 1870
• Mother: Zillah Townsend b. circa 1818

• Mary Robinson was born circa 1842 in New York.
• Alanson Robinson and Zillah Townsend appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York. Other members of the household included Mary Robinson, Colburn P. Robinson.
• She married Francis Walsingham Tracy, son of Albert Haller Tracy and Harriet Foote Norton, on 25 September 1862.
• Francis Walsingham Tracy and Mary Robinson appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, and three foreign-born female domestic servants.. Other members of the household included Harriett Frances Tracy.
• She and Francis Walsingham Tracy were divorced in 1871.
• Zillah Townsend appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in New York City, New York County, New York, at 49 East 25th Street cousin Haviland H. May, age 20, and two female domestic servants.. Other members of the household included Mary Robinson, Harriett Frances Tracy.
• The following appeared on 15 September 1886 in The New York Times: (Buffalo, Sept. 14) Ex-Lieut.-Gov. Dorsheimer, of New-York, was the principal witness at to-day's hearing in the contest over Millionaire Tracy's will. He appeared on behalf of the estate, and his testimony was of a peculiarly interesting character. He was one of the most intimate friends of Frank Tracy, and knew the whole family intimately. The father, Judge Albert H. Tracy, who was a famous man in his day, and who laid the basis for the fortune the division of which is now contested, Mr. Dorsheimer described as the mentor of his youth. He was extraordinarily gifted and a wonderful conversationalist. . . . "In 1884, at my house in Hyde Park," said Mr. Dorsheimer, "Mr. Tracy told me about the cutting-off provision in his will, and I told him the provision was not safe and there would be a contest. He was very impatient and asked me to come to Buffalo to go over the will with him. He said that no lawyer would be indecent enough to contest the will, and added: 'I mean to make ample provision for my child, but not one dollar of my property shall go into her mother's hands.' Regarding his daughter's coming to him, which I advised, he said: 'After she gets to be 21 and the mistress of her own actions we'll see about it.'"
       Gov. Tilden and the witness called in 1875 at Mr. Tracy's house, and the latter attended a reception in honor of Mr. Tilden by Mr. Dorsheimer at his home, on Delaware-avenue. Frank was vigorous, went to the club, and was an enthusiastic admirer of Mr. Tilden. Frank made his only speech at the time of the campaign of 1876. In the evening Mr. Tracy frequently got "half seas over." When the witness urged the deceased to do something the latter spoke of the futility of ambition and how valueless were the prizes that were contended for. Once Tracy said: "If my daughter cannot obey her father's wish, and seeks to attack my will and defame my memory, she shall not have a dollar of my money."
• She married George G. Stowe circa 1892.
• Mary Robinson died on 25 September 1918 in White Plains, Westchester County, New York.
• She was interred at Raymond Hill Cemetery, Carmel, Putnam County, New York.

• Last Edited: 23 Dec 2011