“Vol played a joke off on old Robin, a notable character of ” old times” in Brownsville. Robin was familiarly known as “Old Herring Bones,” an appellation he inherited from his native State, North Carolina. His early raising was near the herring shoals of the old North State. He indignantly resented the slam upon his nativity. Known and respected for his age and fidelity to his owners, he became a sort of free man about town and a privileged character. The old negro swore like a trooper; and when provoked his tongue knew no bounds. Robin always walked with a long staff— sometimes it would be a corn-stalk. “When the boys about town would find Robin with his cornstalk, they would poke fun at him by calling him “Old Herring Bones;” when he would lose his self-command, and chase them to the school-room, or some safe place of retreat. Robin claimed revolutionary honors—that he served, with his old master, Macon, in the Revolutionary War. He was brought to Haywood by George Jordan, stepson of Colonel Nixon, and last belonged to Colonel Mansfield Ware, who, venerating his age and past faithful services, allowed him great latitude about town.”

Reference Data:

Old Times in West Tennessee, by Joseph S. Williams,1873, page 262