I am very grateful to Keith Young for some of the information on this page.
Theophila Banks was born 2 September 1827 and baptised 24 October 1827 at St Andrew Holborn (Guildford Street, stable keeper), a daughter of William Banks and Mary formerly Woodland/Seymour.
In 1851 she was aged 23 and living with her parents.
Theophila married Thomas Robinson (born 22 February 1828 at West Wratting, Cambs., son of Thomas Robinson and Agnes) in the September quarter of 1852, in the Islington registration district.
In 1841 Thomas Robinson was living in London Road, High Wycombe.
In the 1861 census of 25 Thornhill Square, St Mary's Islington, Theophila Robinson was aged 33, and born in London. Thomas, her husband, was 33, a corn merchant, born at West Wratting, Cambs. Their children were Ellen M. aged 7, Agnes aged 5 and William F. aged 10 months. They were all born in London. With them were two servants.
In 1871 she and Thomas (corn merchant) were living at 65 Richmond Road, Islington
In the 1881 census of 65 Richmond Road, London, Theophila was aged 53 and born in London. Thomas Robinson, her husband, was aged 52, a corn merchant, born at Cambridge, and their children were Emily C. aged 22, born in London, Ada M., aged 18, born in London and William F., aged 20 and born in London. With them was a visitor, Fred L. Banks, aged 7 a scholar born in London, [her nephew, the son of Frederick Seymour Banks] and two servants.
In 1891 she and Thomas (corn merchant, employer) were living at 65 Richmond Road, Islington.
In Kellys directory of Buckinghamshire 1899, T Robinson is stated as living at Oxcroft, London Road, High Wycombe.
In the 1901 census of Oxcroft House, London Road, High Wycombe, she was aged 73 and born in St Pancras. Her husband was Thomas Robinson, aged 73 and a corn merchant (employer), born West Ratting (sic, presumably Wratting), Cambs. With them was their daughter Emily Constance Robinson, single, aged 42, born in Islington. There was also a cook, a housemaid and a groom and his family.
Thomas died 17 May 1901 at Oxcroft House and Theophila died 7 December 1902 also at Oxcroft House. He was aged 73 and she was aged 75.
Thomas' will was dated 4 February 1889 and probate was given in London on 9 July 1901. He owned property both at 65, Richmond Road and at High Wycombe. He refers to a business at a farm and breeding establishment at High Wycombe. His corn merchant's business was operated in partnership with his two sons, William and Alfred Robinson. The residuary estate was to be divided equally amongst his children, William Frederick Robinson, Alfred Robinson, Ellen Mary Low, the wife of Robert Low, Agnes Broad, the wife of Alfred Broad, Emily Constance Robinson and Ada Mary Robinson.
Theophila's will was dated 22 June 1901, a codicil was added dated 18 July 1901 and probate was given in London on 30 January 1903. She was a widow and of Oxcroft, High Wycombe. If Emily Constance Robinson was still a spinster when Theophila died, Emily was to have furniture and household effects to a certain value. There was a bequest to her niece, Edith Marian Thurlow. The rest of her estate was to be divided into as many shares as she had children. A share was to be given to each of William Frederick Robinson, Alfred Robinson, Ellen May Low, the wife of Robert Low, Agnes Broad, the wife of Alfred Broad and Ada Mary Ogden, the wife of Alfred Arthur Ogden. The share of Emily Constance Robinson was to be held in trust until her death and the income to be paid to her for life. After her death the capital was to be divided between her children and if there was no issue then amongst Emily's surviving siblings. Oxcroft, High Wycombe, was to be valued and offered for purchase to each of her children in turn until one of them should purchase it. Otherwise it would be sold. The codicil concerned the provisions to be made for the support of Emily Constance Robinson during her spinsterhood. It allowed her trustees to ensure that the annual income to be paid to Emily did not fall below a certain value. It also contained other directions and also permitted Emily to decline to accept the arrangements in the codicil if she so wished. Theophila's niece, Edith Marian Thurlow, was probably a relative of her husband, Thomas, rather than a blood relative.
Thomas and Theophila's children were:
1.
Ellen Mary (1854 1928), born 19 January 1854 and
baptised 26 February 1854 at St Andrew Holborn .
2.
Agnes, born 19 January 1856 and baptised 17
February 1856 at St Andrew Holborn.
3. Emily Constance (1858 1955), born 29 September 1858 at Islington and baptised 11 November 1858 at St Andrew Holborn. She was living with her parents in 1871, 1881 (aged 22) and 1901 (aged 42). At 18 July 1901 she was unmarried. Her death (as Emily C. Robinson) was very probably registered in the Wycombe district in the September quarter 1955. She was aged 96.
4.
William Frederick, born 30 May 1860 and baptised 5
August 1860 at St Andrew Holborn.
5.
Laura
Gertrude (1861 1862), born 14 November 1861 and baptised 8 December 1861 at
St Andrew Holborn. Her death was
registered in the Islington district in the March quarter 1862.
6.
Ada Mary (1863 1930),
born 11 March 1863 and baptised 14 May 1863 at St Andrew Holborn.
7.
Alfred (1866 1946), born 19 February 1866 in
Islington and baptised 18 March 1866 at St Andrew Holborn.
Posted April 2017