Robinson left the military in 1863 and opened a general store in Macon County.

As president pro tempore, Robinson became (unofficially) acting lieutenant governor in 1879, after Thomas Jordan Jarvis's succession to the governorship.

The most notable events of his administration were two official pardons granted to prisoners, one to a dying Cherokee man, and one to a murderer who Robinson judged acted in self-defense.

Robinson resigned as the lieutenant governor on October 31, 1884 in order to be a candidate for the state house.

The Raleigh News and Observer reported on November 6, 1887 that Robinson was deathly ill and was being treated by a doctor from Asheville.