First known as Paso Tomas, Thomas' Ford, at the crossing of the San Antonio and La Bahia roads over the Trinity, the ferry was established about 1821 by Joel Leakey. It was named in honor of Nathaniel Robbins, who operated it for many years. About 1852, Elisha Clapp acquired it, and his descendants operated it until 1930, when Clapp's Ferry Bridge was constructed.