Bill Robinson’s Mansion After the Fire
Source:
Darryl Merchant
Information about this photo:
THE MANSION
This photo is from the 1980s. Built circa 1840, the mansion was located near the front of what is now the Seven Oaks subdivision, across from the pond. This was one of the most important historic homes in the Gooney Valley before it was destroyed by a fire on Christmas Day 1983. The original house was described in an architectural survey as “A fine ante-bellum plantation seat…..an exceptional example of country Greek Revival architecture of the mid nineteenth century, with simple lines enhanced by an elaborate and beautifully executed Doric portico.”
There are believed to have been slave quarters on the lower level.
Apparently, one of many fireplaces was the source of the 1983 fire. Firefighters fought the blaze in terrible weather, and had problems with equipment icing up. Bill Robinson is reputed to have told one of the firemen, “Looks like we need a fire truck on every corner.”
BEFORE THE 1983 FIRE
Dixie Engelhaupt photo (above) given to Tom Lacombe in 2014
BILL ROBINSON
William Vincent (“Bill”) Robinson (1908- 1992) was 41 years old when his father, Vincent Robinson, “Prominent Farmer of Warren County,” died in December, 1949. Vincent Robinson served in the Forty-Third Battalion – Mosby’s brigade – during the civil war.
Bill was “One of a Kind”. Everyone in Browntown had a story to tell about ole Bill. He was well-known farmer and one of the biggest landowners in Browntown. Bill’s cattle roamed wherever and folks were fed up with their yards being torn up, so Bill finally said he’d build a fence. Built in the 1970s, at great expense, it was meant to keep cattle in, while at the same time robbing neighbors across the road of their views of mountains to the west.
Some Memories of Bill Robinson:
Tom Lacombe – In the 1980s he put up this interesting sign along his road: ” $500 for Jailing of Lout who took these rocks. Most Dastardly Trick ever seen. Hanging None Too Good. W.V. Robinson”.
Charles Henry – He would let me hunt on his land, but first I had to clean out a couple of springs so his cattle could drink, I even got to ride in the Buick with hay in the back seat.
Deborah Smedley Dawson – I was shocked when after I graduated from high school he drove over to the house and brought me a key chain that he had purchased at the local jewelry store and had it engraved with my initials. He may have had a rough exterior but he had some kindness hidden in there too.