Richard [Nicholls] Harison / Harrison - Onondaga and Oswego ...

in 1792 [editor's note: Robinson died on April 9], aged seventy. Susanna, his wife, died at the same place, in 1822, at the age of
ninety-four.
The Robinson House, which was his residence on the Hudson, and which has become of historical interest, is still standing [Editor's
note: it burned down in 1892]. It is situated within two or three miles of West Point, and on the opposite, or eastern, side of the river.
It is (in 1847) the property of Richard D. Arden. The interior remains much as it was when its original possessors, and Washington,
Arnold, and Andre were its permanent or temporary occupants. The rooms are low; the timbers are large, and many of them are
uncovered; and the fireplaces are ornamented with polished tiles. In the chamber which was used by Mrs. Arnold, nothing has been
changed; and over the mantel and in the wood-work are carved the words, "G. Wallis, Lieut. VI. Mass. Regt." [Read about our visit
to Robinson's House.]
Prince William Henry, who
was afterwards King William the Fourth, also enjoyed Colonel Robinson's
hospitality in New York before the conflict, and the circumstance may have
contributed something to the advancement of the family.
Here is a very rare view of Robinson's house from an 1876 hand-coloured magic
lantern slide. Clicking and viewing the larger image reveals a pretty good view of
the house.
(from the collection of the recreated Loyal American Regiment)
< To the left is one of the few known photos of the Robinson House before it
burned down in 1892.
Colonel Robinson's descendants in New Brunswick possess some relics of the
olden time, not destitute of interest. Among them is a silver tea-urn, of rich and
massive workmanship, and of considerable value, which was the present of an
English gentleman, who was
the Colonel's guest in New
York before the Revolution.
This urn, according to the
family account, was the first
article of the kind in use in
America.
End Notes
Email - 5 Oct 2010
Hi Gary,
McClenachan vol. 2 lists Harrison as a member of Union no. 3, Albany, when he is appointed DGM in 1786 (see scans attached).
Livingston later sends a letter indicating that he has stepped down as DGM [filename mclenachanvol2, which includes an overview
of the dates on Union no. 3]. Mount Vernon no. 3’s history includes a facsimile of the by-laws of Union, which it describes as a
transcription. Member #24 may be Harrison: the name is spelled as what appears to read ‘Hanson,’ but I suspect that is an effect of
the transcription of the old-style script. There is no other close match in the names reading up through the early 19 th century
[filename mtvernon3]. Maybe someone at Mount Vernon has further info?
Hope this helps.
S&F,
Tom
Thomas M. Savini, Director
Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library of Grand Lodge, 71 West 23rd Street, 14th floor, New York, NY 10010
tmsavini@nymasoniclibrary.org
From: Lee Miller [mailto:boazz@twcny.rr.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 03, 2010 5:36 PM
To: Tom Savini
Subject: Richard Harison - DGM
Greetings,
You're correct. Pierre had a real fine presentation at the ALR meeting.
42