The Robinson Family of Narragansett Rowland Robinson, the South County Robinson family patriarch, emigrated to America from England in the late 17th century. During the colonial era he and his family acquired a considerable amount of local land, labored in pastoral agriculture, and became quite socially prominent. William Robinson, the eighth child of Rowland Robinson and Deputy Governor, planned this cemetery as a final resting place for himself, his family, and for his descendents for all time. Govenor William Robinson was likely the first person to be buried here in 1751. In the spirit of community progress the great-grandson of William Robinson moved the Governor's remains to Riverside cemetery in Wakefield. Although this cemetery has long since left Robinson possession and few Robinson family members remain buried here, it endures as a monument to the provident care of Governor William Robinson for his posterity. Rehabilitation of the Robinson Graveyard was done as an Eagle Scout project by Wyatt Messenger in 1999. The cemetery is now maintained by the South County Museum.
"South County Museum visitors are allowed and
encouraged to explore the Robinson Cemetery."
The preceding history is on a sign at the entrance to the Robinson Family Cemetery. This cemetery is one of Rhode Island's many historical cemeteries and contains 12 burials dating from 1775 to 1868. It is located on the southern edge of the Museum property, near the Visitor Center.
In April 2009, part of the stone wall facing the Museum road was removed to facilitate entry by visitors — and to make them aware that the plot is part of the museum and therefore open to them. The work was performed free by contractor Ray Petrucci Inc.
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¶ Place your cursor on the picture to see the numbers of the stones. The numbers refer to entries in the below list of stones. Click on any stone number in this column to get a close-up picture of the stone and the text of its inscription.
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