This is almost the last in my Nation family-related posts. Joseph Robins and Ann Pack of Woodbridge, New Jersey were the parents of Bethiah Robins who married immigrant John Nation.

Woodbridge does have some surviving records from the colonial era and they help with Joseph’s birthdate, Joseph and Anna’s marriage date and the birth of their daughter, Anna.

Joseph’s will provides the name of his children, but he was just in his late 30s when he died and his children were still at home. In fact, Anna was expecting their 9th child, mentioned in his will.

Joseph Robins was born 12 March 1670/01 in Woodbridge, the son of Daniel Robins and Hope Potter. He married Anna Pack, born possibly in New Haven, Connecticut, the daughter of George Pack and Anna (MNU). Anna was likely a few years older than her husband, Joseph.

They married on 8 June 1692 after publishing their marriage intentions on 22 April of that year.

Joseph died before 6 June 1709 when his will was recorded in Monmouth County Court records.

New Jersey Calendar of Wills, Volume 1:240
Source: Internet Archive

Anna survived Joseph, but it isn’t known whether she made the trek to North Carolina with family members or remained at home and died in New Jersey.

Because New Jersey and North Carolina vital records are lacking, figuring out who the children married is a big job, one that I haven’t taken on, except for tracing Bethiah, my husband’s direct line.

If the Calendar of Wills abstract lists the children in the order born, then Joseph was the eldest son and probably the second child born since Anna’s birth date is only 10 months after her parents married. I am assuming that the other children might be in birth order.

Children:

1. Anna, born 8 February 1692/93, born Woodbridge, New Jersey
2. Joseph, born c1695
3. Frances, born c1697
4. Nathaniel, born c1699; married Sarah (MNU)
5. Bethiah, born c1701; married John Nation, c1720; died after John wrote his will on 15 December 1772 in Guilford County, North Carolina
6. Rachel, born c1703; said to have married Henry Everingham
7. Jacob, born c1705; married Willimity (MNU)
8. Charity, born c1707
9. Child, born c1709 (possibly a son, Richard since a Richard Robins witnessed the will of Joseph Jr.)

As you can see, a lot of help is needed with this family. There are tons of Robins descendants out there! Please leave a comment.