Robinson, probably born in
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, was a member of the Philadelphia Ship Masters' Association and served as a
lieutenant on the with
Joshua Barney. He later commanded the 10-gun Continental
sloop-of-war , fitted out by the
Marine Committee shortly after Admiral
Esek Hopkins' fleet sailed for
New Providence in 1776, and captured a six-gun
British letter of marque off the
Virginia Capes. Upon the return voyage in late November, he captured the British 12-gun
sloop-of-war after a two-hour engagement near
Puerto Rico. The following year, Captain Robinson cruised against enemy shipping off
Cape May, but was finally blockaded in the
Delaware River. During the
defense of Philadelphia, and following the destruction of
Fort Mifflin on 15 November 1777, he was forced to burn
Andrew Doria to prevent the vessel from falling into enemy hands. He commanded the 12-gun Pennsylvania
privateer Pomona in 1779 and succeeded in taking several British privateers. The date of his death is unknown, but his will, dated 12 August 1777, was probated in the city of Philadelphia on 25 September 1781. ==Legacy==