American Revolution Archives - Robert Redd Historian & Author

Please see the press release below regarding a Call for Papers on the Origins of Revolution. The 1774 Fairfax Resolves will be a primary focus of this conference to be held at Mount Vernon on July 24-25, 2024.

CFP: The Origins of Revolution July 24-25
Proposals Due January 30

To mark the 250th anniversary of the Fairfax Resolves, a central document in the coming of the American Revolution co-authored by George Mason and George Washington, George Mason’s Gunston Hall, the David Center for the American Revolution, and the George Washington Presidential Library are co-organizing a conference that explores the origins of the American Revolution in a broad perspective with particular attention to the Fairfax Resolves.

The symposium will be held on July 24-25, 2024 at George Washington’s Mount Vernon to coincide with the passage of the Resolves.

Conference organizers seek proposals from scholars in all fields whose perspectives may bear new insight into the origins and causes of the American Revolution and the idea of Independence.

Topics may include but are not limited to:

The political philosophies, religious beliefs, legal and economic considerations that may have influenced the American move for Independence.
Proposals that present new perspectives on the place of the Fairfax Resolves in the initiation or fostering of revolutionary sentiments, its influence on the Age of Atlantic Revolutions or examine the social as well as political implications of the Resolves, including the views about slavery that they express.
The membership, nature, and relationships in the political, economic, and intellectual networks in Virginia that included George Washington and George Mason.
The competing views of the British Empire held by those in North America, in Great Britain, and beyond.
The events that fueled the rise of revolutionary sentiments, both within North America and outside of it.
The role of external factors both within North America and outside it, such as the economy, civil strife, or fear, in motivating individuals to support revolutionary action or aim to suppress it.
Perspectives on the origins of the American Revolution that may also provide a framework for current or future scholars to look afresh at the causes of the American Revolution.

Criteria

Presenters are asked to submit a detailed 500-750-word proposal for their paper along with a CV. We encourage graduate and early career scholars to submit proposals. In support of undergraduate research, we will be convening a panel of undergraduate papers. We encourage undergraduates to submit research papers of 12 – 15 pages exclusive of bibliography.

We especially welcome proposals from scholars investing in the intellectual and social networks of George Mason and George Washington and their impact on the origins of the American Revolution or a focus on the Fairfax Resolves.

Selected presenters will have travel expenses covered. Mount Vernon and/or the David Center may commission a volume after the symposium. Presenters may have an opportunity to publish in it. Conference organizers may compose panels, but they are not accepting panel proposals at this time.

Proposal Deadline

Proposals are due by the end of day on January 30, 2024. To apply, please submit the required information to Interfolio.

Decisions will be made by early 2024. Please direct questions to Brendan McConville at bmcconv@bu.edu.

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Part of the joys of road trips are the unexpected finds a traveler can make. This is the story of just
such a find. We have vacationed in Rabun County, Georgia on several occasions and have found
a wonderful short-term rental property we stay at whenever possible. It is not large but has a
larger fenced yard that our dogs love. The views are tremendous and the house has everything
we need for a few days away from home.

PINSON CEMETERY

On the drive to the house, we have noticed a road sign for Pinson Cemetery. The area is always overgrown and it looks difficult to find. There is no road or easy access point. With this in mind, we have never tried to stop. This past year I decided I had to investigate. My wife dropped me off and parked up the road at a community church while I headed into the brush.

I am glad I made that short hike. Here I found the headstone for Joseph Pinson. According to the headstone, Pinson was born January 30, 1754 and passed away on May 26, 1838. The stone states he was a sergeant in the North Carolina Militia during the Revolutionary War.

The front of the Joseph Pinson headstone

Revolutionary War headstones are not too common in Florida so this was an exciting discovery.

The reverse of the headstone provides some genealogical information. “Erected in memory of Joseph Pinson. Born at Pinson’s Mill on the Haw River in Old Orange County. N.C. Son of Rev. Aaron and Elizabeth Pinson who died in Laurens County, S.C. Husband of Margery Pinson who died in Walker County, GA.

The marker appears to have been installed by the Sons of the American Revolution, possibly in 2011.

SERVICE

According to a pension application filed on July 7, 1834 with the Judges of the Inferior or
County Court of Rabun, Pinson stated that he had served five tours of duty during the
Revolutionary War. Before getting too excited it should be noted that no reference is made to his having served as a sergeant and the total amount of his service time was only eight months and seven days.

Joseph Pinson volunteered for service July 15, 1776 and served under Colonel Isaac Shelby and

Joseph Pinson headstone reverse side — The reverse side of the Joseph Pinson headstone containing valuable genealogical information.

Captain Jacob Womack. During this tour, the only combat Pinson saw was with “a company of the Indians, who had been engaged in massacring the defenseless inhabitants of the Nolichucky River and the frontiers, this Battle was fought on the waters of the River they there killed one Indian the others fled.” Pinson was discharged at Womack’s Fort on the Holston River on October
12, 1776.

Pinson’s second tour began on March 19, 1777 under Captain Joseph Wilson and Colonel John Carter. His role was to help protect the “Frontiers of North Carolina against Indians and Tories. When he was discharged on July 23, 1777, he had seen no battle action.

His third tour was for only eight days but did produce some excitement. Serving under Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, he went on an expedition on the New River where they took one prisoner.
This prisoner was delivered to a Colonel Campbell who had the man executed by hanging.

During Pinson’s fourth tour of duty, he again served under Colonel Cleveland. This time he was
on guard duty, keeping watch over British and Tories captured during the Battle of Kings
Mountain.

Pinson’s fifth and final tour of duty was an uneventful four days served under Captain Benjamin
Herndon.

Joseph Pinson provided an impressive list of character references in his appeal. These included
Senator H. T. Moseley, Representative William Kelby, and Colonel Sam Beck.

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FAMILY INFORMATION

Included in the pension application are later, additional family notices including notice that
Pinson’s widow, Margery, had filed for a widows pension on July 20, 1847. Here it was attested
that she and Joseph had married on September 15, 1775 and that Joseph had passed away on
May 26, 1838.

Further genealogical information included in the file is an 1853 affidavit from Jane Carter stating
she is the daughter of Joseph and Margery Pinson. She continues, stating her parents were
married in Wilkes County, North Carolina in 1773. Margery passed away on August 25, 1852
and that there are four living children from the Pinson marriage: Elizabeth, Mary, Milla, and
Jane.

Reference is made to the appearance in Cass County, Georgia of a Moses Pinson who claimed to
be the younger brother of Joseph.

Joseph Pinson was successful in his pension application. Beginning on March 4, 1831 Pinson
was awarded a yearly pension of $27.44, or roughly $2.30 per month. His widow Margery
received the same amount following her 1847 application.

DIRECTIONS

If you would like to visit the Pinson Cemetery, my first suggestion is to dress appropriately; long
pants and closed toed shoes are necessary. I visited during early winter but I would suggest
insect repellant if you are visiting during the warmer months. From Highway 441 heading north
in Clayton turn left on to John Beck Dockins Road. Travel about a mile and a half and turn left
on Wolffork Road. Follow Wollfolk for just over a mile and you will see the sign on the left
hand side.

You will need to find a place to safely park and the side of the road is not that place.
Return to the church you have just passed and walk back to the sign. Here you will have to make
your way into an overgrown area. Try to keep going straight as you enter the brush. When I
visited there was a bit of a clearing and the headstone was obvious.

Remember, take only photos and leave only footprints.

Sources

Revwarapps.org

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.

Tag: American Revolution