Thomas Shaftoe Robertson

From a young age, he and his youngest brother James (1771–1831) took part in theatrical productions. Thomas Robertson married, on 8 September 1793, actress Frances Mary Ross later known as Fanny Robertson. Thomas and James had a middle brother, George Fowler Robinson (1774–1843).[2]

An advert in the Stamford Mercury on 31 August 1787 stated

'Theatre, Lincoln. By Mssrs. MILLER and ROBERTSON's COMPANY On Wednesday 12th September Such Things Are; and The Padlock on the 13th He would a soldier be ; with Patrick in Prussia On Friday 14th Gamester ; with Peeping Tom of Coven. Mr. MILLER, impressed with Gratitude for every Favor conferred on him as a Performer, thinks it a duty to return his grateful Acknowledgments, informing his Friends and Public in general, that having Messrs. Green and Whitfield's shares of the Company, has undertaken the Management; assures them, he and the other Proprietor will exert every effort to render the theatrical Amusements worthy their Attention, by procuring. Novelty and bringing a well-regulated Company'.

The partnership with James Edward Miller lasted until 1796 when Robertson bought Miller out and took a new partner Robert Henry Franklin (1770–1802).[3]

The Stamford Mercury newspaper on 11 March 1796 carried this statement" {{quote|'The industrious Circulation of various Reports tending to injure the Character of JAMES EDWARD MILLER, One of the Managers of the Company of Comedians travelling the following Circuit, viz. Lincoln, Newark, Grantham, Boston, Wisbeach, Huntingdon, Peterbro', and Spalding — asserting that Mr. Miller had injured and dishonestly acted towards Mr. ROBERTSON, joint Manager of the said Company. We therefore, the under-signed, think it a Duty incumbent upon us to rescue Mr. M.'s Character, by informing the Public, that in our Presence Mr. ROBERTSON did declare that he had no Accusation whatever to make against Mr. MILLER, and that such Reports never came from him. |E. LAYCOCK M. D. WILLIAM BOUSFIELD CHARLES LOWE, Junr. BOSTON, March 4th, 1796'.[4]

The Stamford Mercury announced on 18 March 1796, the ending of the partnership with Miller and the new partnership with Robert Henry Franklin.[5]

'MR. ROBERTSON, joint Manager with Mr. MILLER., of the THEATRES Lincoln, Boston, Newark, Grantham, Huntingdon, Spalding, Wisbech, and Peterborough , most respectfully begs Leave to acquaint his Friends and the Public, that he has purchased of Mr. MILLER (at a very considerable Expense) all his Property and Right in those Theatres and Circuit; of which Assignment Possession is to take Place on the Second Day of MAY, this present Year 1796. Mr. ROBERTSON having since fully entered into Partnership with Mr. ROBERT HENRY FRANKLIN in the above-mentioned Property, Right, and Management, Messrs. Robertson & Franklin take this Opportunity of soliciting the usual Protection of the Magistrates, and Patronage of generous and candid Public assuring them, that every Exertion On their Part shall be used to merit a Continuance of that liberal Encouragement which the Company has for so many Years experience'.

Franklin a widower died at the age of 32 in Peterborough on 26 June 1802, leaving his shares in trust for a son; one of his executors was Robertson.[6] The following year, Robertson's mother, Ann, died.

The Lincolnshire Circuit in 1803 included theatres in Lincoln, Newark, Grantham, Boston, Spalding, Stamford, Huntingdon, Peterborough, Northampton and the Georgian Wisbech Theatre (now the Angles Theatre) in the Isle of Ely.[7]

Robertson would take any necessary steps to protect his actors as demonstrated by this newspaper report: {{quote|'We are glad to find that the person who threw a glass at Mrs. Robertson from the gallery of the theatre, December last, is made sensible of his offense (see the advertisement in this page) praise is due to Mr. Robertson for the steps which we understand he immediately took to punish this man for his conduct, and we hope they will be an example to the public, to show Mr. Robertson's determination to prevent repetition of offenses, and to preserve uninterrupted the peace of his theatre'.[8]

While he was in Lincoln Castle Gaol for debt in 1816 supporters aided them by putting on amateur productions and benefits, purchasing the theatrical travelling property sold by auction, and appointing him their manager. [9][10] Some landlords even reduced the rents of their theatres, according to a handbill promoting Speed the Plough and Chip of the Old Block, to be performed 7 April 1817 at the theatre, Wisbech.[11]

He died, aged 66, and was buried on 3 September 1831 in Huntingdon.[12] His widow, as Mrs T. Robertson, took over running the company.[13]

• Neil R Wright (2016). Treading the Boards. Society for Lincolnshire History & Archaeology. ISBN 0903582554.
• Petition from Thomas Shaftoe Robertson, manager of a company of comedians, for a licence to perform theatrical representations. 12 November 1822 (Full text via Lincolnshire Archives.)