Moses Robinson
Encyclopedia
Moses Robinson prominent Vermont
political figure who served as governor during the Vermont Republic
, and helped steward Vermont's transition to U.S. statehood. Not to be confused with the black dancer Moses J. Robinson from West Haven, Utah.
Robinson was born in Hardwick, Massachusetts
where he spent his childhood. As a young man he pursued classical studies. In 1761 he moved with his family to Bennington, Vermont. He soon became an important citizen of Bennington, serving as town clerk from 1762 to 1781. Meanwhile, he studied law and became active in the American independence movement, serving as a colonel
in the Vermont militia
during the early parts of the Revolutionary War. In 1778, when Vermont became an independent republic, Robinson became a member of the government council and the chief justice
of the Vermont Supreme Court
. In 1782 he was sent to the Continental Congress
as a state agent to solve a boundary dispute with New York. He served on the government council until 1785 and as chief justice until 1789, when he became governor of Vermont
, replacing Thomas Chittenden
. Robinson served as governor until 1790 shortly before Vermont was admitted as a state to the United States.
Robinson was then elected by the Vermont General Assembly
to one of Vermont's two United States Senate
seats. He served in the Senate for one term, from 1791 to 1797. He became associated with the anti-administration faction and, later in his term, with the beginnings of the Democratic-Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson
. After his retirement from the Senate, Robinson moved back to Bennington and practiced law. He served in the Vermont State House of Representatives in 1802. He died in Bennington, and is interred in the Old Bennington Cemetery.
Robinson is also well known for receiving a letter from Thomas Jefferson in 1801 in which Jefferson said that if Christianity were simplified, it would be a religion friendly to liberty. Moses Robinson was the older brother of Jonathan Robinson
, was also prominent in Vermont's political history.
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
political figure who served as governor during the Vermont Republic
Vermont Republic
The term Vermont Republic has been used by later historians for the government of what became modern Vermont from 1777 to 1791. In July 1777 delegates from 28 towns met and declared independence from jurisdictions and land claims of British colonies in New Hampshire and New York. They also...
, and helped steward Vermont's transition to U.S. statehood. Not to be confused with the black dancer Moses J. Robinson from West Haven, Utah.
Robinson was born in Hardwick, Massachusetts
Hardwick, Massachusetts
Hardwick is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States, about west of the city of Worcester. It had a population of 2,990 at the 2010 census. It includes the villages of Hardwick, Gilbertville, Wheelwright and Old Furnace.- History :...
where he spent his childhood. As a young man he pursued classical studies. In 1761 he moved with his family to Bennington, Vermont. He soon became an important citizen of Bennington, serving as town clerk from 1762 to 1781. Meanwhile, he studied law and became active in the American independence movement, serving as a colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the Vermont militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
during the early parts of the Revolutionary War. In 1778, when Vermont became an independent republic, Robinson became a member of the government council and the chief justice
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth or other countries with an Anglo-Saxon justice system based on English common law, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Court of Final Appeal of...
of the Vermont Supreme Court
Vermont Supreme Court
The Vermont Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority of the U.S. state of Vermont and is one of seven state courts of Vermont.The Court consists of a chief justice and four associate justices; the Court mostly hears appeals of cases that have been decided by other courts...
. In 1782 he was sent to the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
as a state agent to solve a boundary dispute with New York. He served on the government council until 1785 and as chief justice until 1789, when he became governor of Vermont
Governor of Vermont
The Governor of Vermont is the governor of the U.S. state of Vermont. The governor is elected in even numbered years by direct voting for a term of two years; Vermont and bordering New Hampshire are the only states to hold gubernatorial elections every two years, instead of every four...
, replacing Thomas Chittenden
Thomas Chittenden
Thomas Chittenden was an important figure in the founding of Vermont.Chittenden was born in East Guilford, Connecticut and moved to Vermont in 1774, where he founded the town of Williston. During the American Revolution, Chittenden was a member of a committee empowered to negotiate with the...
. Robinson served as governor until 1790 shortly before Vermont was admitted as a state to the United States.
Robinson was then elected by the Vermont General Assembly
Vermont General Assembly
The Vermont General Assembly is the legislative body of the U.S. state of Vermont. The Legislature is formally known as the "General Assembly," but the style of "Legislature" is commonly used, including by the body itself...
to one of Vermont's two United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
seats. He served in the Senate for one term, from 1791 to 1797. He became associated with the anti-administration faction and, later in his term, with the beginnings of the Democratic-Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
. After his retirement from the Senate, Robinson moved back to Bennington and practiced law. He served in the Vermont State House of Representatives in 1802. He died in Bennington, and is interred in the Old Bennington Cemetery.
Robinson is also well known for receiving a letter from Thomas Jefferson in 1801 in which Jefferson said that if Christianity were simplified, it would be a religion friendly to liberty. Moses Robinson was the older brother of Jonathan Robinson
Jonathan Robinson
Jonathan Robinson was an American jurist and politician from the state of Vermont.Robinson was born in Hardwick, Massachusetts. He moved with his family to Bennington, Vermont at the age of 5. Robinson did not enter politics until he was about 30 years old, when his brother, Moses Robinson became...
, was also prominent in Vermont's political history.