Reedy Creek Nature Preserve

The Robinson Rock House was built on the site originally granted to Robert Robison (Robinson) by George Augustus Selwyn in 1767 and King George III in 1769.1 The Selwyn tract of 212 acres and the King’s grant of 200 acres overlapped to the extent of about one-third of each area, and the stone house site was located in this area. On April 14, 1783, Robert Robison, Sr. divided the combined Selwyn tract and the crown grant between his two sons, Robert Robison, Jr.2 and John Robison;3 the latter parcel encompassed the location of the stone house.
Presently the ownership of the land is not known from the acquisition of the site by John Robison in 1783 until the “stone house tract” is willed by a Matthew Wallace to his son Albert Wallace in 1854.4 Since this period covers the likely date of construction of the house, the original date and the builder are unknown. Later deeds refer to the dwelling as the “Robinson Stone House,” but whether this means John Robison or one of his heirs or relatives has yet to be determined.5 It is believed that the date the house was built is carved on a stone now buried in the ruins on the site, which could be discovered by an archeological study.6 Judging by the dates of construction of other stone houses in the area, the Robinson Stone House was probably built between 1780 and 1810. By the time of its ownership by Matthew Wallace in 1850’s, the house was apparently part of a large plantation, and probably was rented to various tenants. Matthew Wallace and his son Albert appeared to have lived in a large, elegant plantation house known and the “White House,” which was located to the southeast of the stone house about two miles. landmarkscommis...