Hi Folks: My mother and father were both Robinson's from seperate lines. My mother's side involved the John Robinson Circus. Her family was living in Evansville IN when she was young and said she always got to go to the circus when it was near because her father could get free tickets anytime he wanted them. She knew the circus folks were family but never knew what relationship it was. Her family migration was from NY to PA (before 1858) to OH (before 1885) to IN. (before 1896) None of the known family was involved with the circus. This would have been during the mid 1920' to early 1930's that she was going to the circus.
I can find a zillion references to the John Robinson Circus and to many of the people that worked for it but nothing about the genealogy of the original John Robinson.
I am at a brick wall on her branch at Steven Grant Robinson (supposedly born NY) 9JAN1838 - 23FEB1918 married Isabella Jane Minnick 15APR1841 - 11MAY1926 Their son, my ggrandfather, Francis Marion Robinson was born in York County PA 28OCT1858 - 22JAN1929 buried Martin County IN. Isabella was Amish and she and Steven were disowned by both of their families for marrying.Their burial sites are unknown.
My mother (80) has a vague and undocumented recollection that Steven's father may have been named John. The name John Robinson in NY state is as common as fleas on a scruffy dog... :-)