John Robinson estate scandal
Encyclopedia
The John Robinson estate scandal was a major financial scandal in Colonial Virginia. After the 1766 death of John Robinson
, the prestigious Virginia legislator who served as both Speaker of the House of Burgesses
and colonial treasurer, Robinson's protege Edmund Pendleton
was shocked to discover that Robinson's estate had debts of fifty thousand pounds. Pendelton then placed a notice in the Virginia Gazette that all people in debt to Robinson should "make immediate payment".
Records from the colonial treasury revealed that Robinson had been using the paper money he was supposed to destroy (in his role as treasurer) and lending it to others or using it to pay his personal debts. In December 1766, a staggering report came to the House of Burgesses indicating that Robinson's estate owed the colony over one hundred thousand pounds. After the "Robinson affair", the roles of speaker and treasurer were separated.
John Robinson (Virginia)
John Robinson, Jr. was a politician and landowner in the British colony of Virginia. Robinson served as Speaker of the House of Burgesses from 1738 until his death, the longest tenure in the history of that office.-Career:...
, the prestigious Virginia legislator who served as both Speaker of the House of Burgesses
House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first assembly of elected representatives of English colonists in North America. The House was established by the Virginia Company, who created the body as part of an effort to encourage English craftsmen to settle in North America...
and colonial treasurer, Robinson's protege Edmund Pendleton
Edmund Pendleton
Edmund Pendleton was a Virginia politician, lawyer and judge, active in the American Revolutionary War. -Early years:...
was shocked to discover that Robinson's estate had debts of fifty thousand pounds. Pendelton then placed a notice in the Virginia Gazette that all people in debt to Robinson should "make immediate payment".
Records from the colonial treasury revealed that Robinson had been using the paper money he was supposed to destroy (in his role as treasurer) and lending it to others or using it to pay his personal debts. In December 1766, a staggering report came to the House of Burgesses indicating that Robinson's estate owed the colony over one hundred thousand pounds. After the "Robinson affair", the roles of speaker and treasurer were separated.
Sources
- Mayer, Henry. A Son of Thunder, Patrick Henry and the American Republic. New York: Franklin Watts, 1986.