John Lipscomb Robinson
On February 28th, 2025, Thanks to the hard work of the students and teachers at Cumberland Middle School, a Highway Marker was dedicated to honor another Cumberland historical leader.
John Robinson was a member of the Convention of 1867–1868 and of the Senate of Virginia. Born free in Cumberland County Robinson achieved some measure of prosperity 
before and during the American Civil War (1861–1865), but he moved to Amelia County in 1864 after mobs attacked him twice. Involving the courts, he was a party to at least ten lawsuits to safeguard his property. Related to James F. Lipscomb, who served eight years in the House of Delegates, Robinson was elected to represent Cumberland County in the convention called to write a new state constitution. In 1869 he won a seat to the Senate of Virginia, representing Amelia, Cumberland, and Nottoway Counties. He lost reelection in 1873 and later in life operated a tavern called Effingham House.
This is the fifth highway marker dedicated thanks to the hard work of the students and teachers at Cumberland Middle School and the tireless effort of their dedicated teacher Lewis Longenecker, who was recently recognized as one of Virginia Humanities, ‘Humanities Heros’.
This ceremony also brought together two sides of a family that had been separated for generations by the differences that our society had placed on families of mixed heritage. Today our differences are something to discover, explore and embrace. The two sides of the Robinson family stood together at the Highway Marker to honor their shared ancestor, John Robinson.
The community came out to show their support for the hard work and to thank Lewis Longenecker and his students.
