Joseph Robinson (also spelled Robertson in some documents) supported the Tory Cause throughout the Revolutionary War. Joseph was apparently was born in Virginia in about 1748; however, his parents names are unknown. He removed to the South Carolina backcountry about 1769. Whig sources have asserted that in Virginia, Robinson had been studying for the Presbyterian Ministry but became involved in a scandal and was forced to flee to South Carolina.

At the beginning of the Revolution, in 1775, Robinson was a justice of the peace, a deputy surveyor for South Carolina, and held the rank of Major in the Royal SC Militia. He resided on the east bank of Broad River in the Camden District (now Chester County). His main plantation was located near the site of the Revolutionary War Battle of Fish Dam Ford. In fact, Robinson owned the so-called "Fish Dam," which was a stone fishery originally constructed by the Cherokee Indians, located at the point where the modern road SC-72 crosses the Broad River.

In July 1775, at the request of Colonel Thomas Fletchall, he wrote the "Counter Association" - a document setting forth the Loyalists opposition to the "Continental Association" legislation that had recently been adopted by the Whig Provincial Congress in Charleston. Subsequently, Robinson commanded the Loyalist force which successfully besieged and, on 22 November 1775, obtained the surrender of the Whig Militia holding the fort at Ninety-Six; Robinson drafted and was a signatory to the surrender document entitled "Agreement for a Cessation of Arms."

Unfortunately for the Loyalists, the Whigs failed to adhere to the Agreement. In December 1775, after having been reinforced by militia from North Carolina, a large Whig force commanded by Colonel Richard Richardson surprised and defeated a Tory force commanded by Patrick Cunningham at a place called the Great Cane Break. During the month of December, Richardson was able to capture a total of 136 Loyalists including Thomas Fletchall, John Mayfield, and many other Loyalist leaders. Major Robinson, Patrick Cunningham, and a few others were able to elude capture, but many of their homes and plantations, including Robinson's, were plundered and burnt by the Rebels.

Robinson fled to East Florida where he was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the South Carolina Royalist Regiment. He subsequently fought in several battles with the Whigs in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. In December 1782, he and his family were among those Tories evacuated by the British from Charleston, South Carolina. He first went to east Florida and then to Jamaica. In 1786, he and his family removed to New Brunswick, Canada and finally, three years later, removed to St. Johns, now called Prince Edward Island, Canada. Robinson continued to reside in Prince Edward Island until his death in 1807; his wife, Lilley Robinson, died in 1823.

Robinson's real property was seized by the SC State Government and sold at public auction. The following Charleston, South Carolina deed abstracts document these sales:

01 Nov 1786: Isaac DaCosta to Peter Bocquet & James Mitchell, Commissioners of the Treasury of South Carolina, by bond dated 01 Nov 1786 in the penal sum of £51 s6 d10 sterling, mortgage of tract, late the property of Joseph Robertson, 101 acres on a branch of Broad River near Smiths ford, adjacent land of John Moore, Samuel Denton. Isaac DaCosta (LS), Wit: Robert Dewar, Joseph Salvador. Proved by the oath of Robert Dewar, 19 Jan 1787 before Wm Scott, Junior, J.P., Recorded 7 Feb 1787. [See Charleston SC Deed Book T-5, pages 455-457.]

01 Nov 1786: John Vanderhorst to Peter Bocquet & James Mitchell, Commissioners of the Treasury of South Carolina, by bond in the penal sum of £473 s3 d9 sterling, mortgage of tract, late the property of Joseph Robertson in Camden District, 125 acres on Broad River, also tract of 242 acres late the property of Moses Kirkland in Ninety Six District on Turkey and Little Stephens Creek adj. Heters line, Freemans line. John Vanderhorst (LS), Wit: Robert Dewar, David Snetgar. Proved by the oath of Robert Dewar, 8 Feb 1787 before Dl. Mazyck,. J.P., Recorded 16 Feb 1787. [See Charleston SC Deed Book W-5, pages 369-371.]

The above deeds account for about 226 acres of land; however, in his official claim, Robinson indicates that he possessed two tracts of land, one tract of 300 acres in Camden District and one tract of 100 acres in Ninety-Six District, for a total of 400 acres in all.

In 1786, Robinson submitted a claim to the British Government for losses sustained during the Revolution in the amount of £1,618; he was ultimately allowed an amount of £521 on his claim.