emanuel robinson

1876-1968

Life Story

Emanuel Robinson was born in 1876 in Newton County, Mississippi, to Emanuel Robinson, Sr. (1838–1910) and Dicy Hearns Robinson (1845–1930). His parents were among the early African American families in post–Civil War Newton County who built their livelihoods from the land through perseverance, faith, and hard work.

Emanuel received a basic education, completing the third grade of elementary school, which provided him with foundational literacy and numeracy that served him well throughout his life. From an early age, he worked as a farm laborer, learning the rhythms of the fields and the responsibilities of providing for family.

On August 24, 1901, Emanuel married Ada Louise Nichols (1885–1968), daughter of Allen Nichols (1846–1913) and Jervey Nichols (1852–?). Together they established their home in the Altare–Hickory area of Newton County, where they raised eleven children:

Bernice Robinson (1901–?)
Roberta Robinson (1903–?)
Eugene Robinson (1906–1976)
Mattie Mae Robinson (1907–?)
Ethel Robinson (1909–2001)
Hollis Robinson (1911–1973)
Cleo Robinson (1915–1990)
Marvin Robinson (1919–?)
Elbert Robinson (1921–1970)
Sophronia Robinson Clifton (1924–?)
Leo Robinson (1925–?)

Emanuel was widely known for his steady nature and devotion to his work. By 1950, he was employed in garden work for a truck farm industry, working 40 hours a week. His occupation reflected the shift among many Newton County farmers during that era from subsistence agriculture to small-scale commercial farming.

Throughout his life, Emanuel was deeply committed to faith and family. He and Ada were both active members of the Corinth Baptist Church of Newton, where they raised their children to honor community and Christian service. His quiet leadership and reliability earned him respect among neighbors and church members alike.

Emanuel lived through some of the most transformative periods in American and Southern history—from the post-Reconstruction era through World War II and into the Civil Rights era. Through it all, he remained a man of dignity, discipline, and quiet faith.

He passed away in 1968 in Newton County, Mississippi, at approximately 92 years of age, just months before the death of his wife, Ada Louise Nichols Robinson.

He was laid to rest in the Corinth Church Cemetery in Newton County, beside Ada, following a lifetime of shared faith, labor, and devotion to family.

Resting Place

Corinth Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard

Photos/Albums

Sources

1900 Federal Census
1910 Federal Census
1920 Federal Census
1930 Federal Census
1940 Federal Census
1950 Federal Census
Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1805-1967
Ohio, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1774-1993
The Newton Record, Mrs. Ada L. Robinson Obituary, Wed, Nov 27, 1968 ·Page 10
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
U.S., World War I Civilian Draft Registrations, 1917-1918
U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918

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