Issac Robinson Sr 1865–1943
Isaac and Ida
June, 1864: Isaac Robinson, the oldest son of freedmen Cornelius and Martha Robinson was born one year after the Emancipation Proclamation in Darlington, SC. At just 9 years old, his father was brutally murdered at the hands of another freedman; leaving him to assist his mother in raising his 4 younger brothers. He worked as a day laborer to help his family. Seeking a better life, Isaac left Darlington in the mid 1880s and settled in Montgomery County, Georgia. There he met and married Ida Calhoun, daughter of Mariah Calhoun - Christmas Day 1887. They welcomed their first child, Gussie in 1889. Later, they were blessed with four sons; Edward, Willie, Elijah, George. Sorrow struck the family when they lost their sweet baby girl, Irene. God continued his blessing with the birth of their son, Isaac Jr.
In 1904, Isaac and Ida, along with their six children moved to Arkansas. There, they joined Isaac's mother Martha “Nana” Robinson, older sister, Alice Chapman (Brownlee), his four brothers - Edmond, George, Tate & Charles; step-brother, Lewis Williams; and stepfather, Richard Lyde. These family members had moved from South Carolina in the mid-1880s seeking land ownership. Most of them had settled in Owens township, Little Maumelle. Isaac and Ida rented a home on 40 acres of his parents 120 acre farm. Their home was just off what is now Hidden Valley Road.
Shortly after moving to Arkansas, the Robinsons worshipped and later joined St Paul Methodist Church. In 1919, they moved their membership to New Hope Baptist Church also located in Little Maumelle.
In their new home, Isaac and Ida were blessed to birth five more children, Robert, Addie, Callis, Maybelle and Beulah. The children attended Bailey school and enjoyed many local relationships with fellow families which included; Norwood, Dyer, Nelson, Miller, Wilkins, Brown, Grimmett and many others.
In 1922, 82 year old family matriarch Martha Tate Robinson Williams Lyde, who was known to all as Nana, passed away. At that time, Isaac and Ida decided to move closer to town to seek higher education opportunities for their children. They purchased land and built a home on the corner of 8th and Grant streets in a neighborhood often referred to as the Hayes Street community (now the area of I-630 and University Avenue). Isaac took a job selling lots to other African
Americans who also relocated to town from outlying agricultural areas of Arkansas. Three of his children: Will, Carlos and Beulah and two of his brothers: George and Charles; and their families also purchased and built their homes on nearby properties. Isaac and Ida welcomed a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren and neighborhood children into their home.
As part of the Hayes Street community, the Robinsons were instrumental in the development of First Baptist Church Cansler's Addition, now known as Greater 3-4 Missionary Baptist Church and remained faithful members until their deaths: Isaac 1943; Ida 1956.
Isaac & Ida Grand Children 1981
