Pontotoc County MsArchives Biographies.....Pinson, Richard Alexander 1829 - 1873
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 23, 2007, 7:27 pm

Author: J. G. Deupree


COLONEL R. A. PINSON.
BY J. G. DEUPREE.

  Richard Alexander Pinson was the seventh child, the third and youngest son, of
Joel and Elizabeth Dobbins Pinson, born April 26th, 1829, in Lincoln County,
Tenn., near Fayetteville, the county seat. In 1835, the family emigrated and
came to Pontotoc County, Miss. There were then no railroads, and the trip was
made in private conveyances. Richard Alexander, having through life a most
remarkable memory, always insisted that he remembered all the important
incidents of the journey. Reaching their destination, they found a wilderness,
peopled by Indians, with only a few white families dotted here and there. Judge
Pinson erected a residence where the town is located; and near the residence
still many descendants are now living. He opened a real estate office and sold
the first acre of land in the city of "Hanging Grapes", the Indian meaning of
Pontotoc. He was generous to the corporation, and among other donations he gave
the plot to be used as a cemetery; and his own daughter was the first white
person buried therein.

  Richard, or as more familiarly known, Dick, attended a school taught by John
W. Thompson. Being an apt pupil, he early displayed accuracy, thoroughness, and
thoughtfulness, unusual for one of his age. His advancement in books was rapid.
After a few years in this primary school, his father sent him back to his native
heath where in the same neighborhood in which he first saw the light he attended
the Viney Grove Academy, an institution of which Tennesseeans were proud, and
where such men as the illustrious John M. Bright were educated.

  Returning to Pontotoc, he was welcomed by a devoted family and a host of
friends. Deferential and obedient to his parents, affectionate and tender to his
brothers and sisters, it is small wonder that he was so fondly loved and
cherished. Indeed, he was the object of admiration and affection throughout his
entire life. His father wished him to understand and love agriculture, since he
lived in a farming country; and, therefore, gave him a section of land near
Pontotoc. He took great interest in his farm and called it "Primrose." Though so
many years have elapsed and though the farm, still one of the best in the
county, passed into other hands many years ago, it is still known as "Primrose".

  The ebony faces of his slaves would ever shine with joy at the approach of
"Marse Dick", as they fondly called him. He often made his home with his mother,
whose farm "Stony Lonesome", adjoined "Primrose". Horseback riding was a
favorite diversion of his; and, as he was also a great lover of nature, he found
unfailing pleasure in his rides. His appearance was undeniably commanding,
whether on foot or in the saddle, for he was of splendid physique and superb
carriage, measuring six feet and two and a half inches in height and perfectly
proportioned in every way. His smile was so genial, the look he bestowed so
benign, and his hand-clasp so warm and strong, that one remembered it and felt
better long after the greeting. In public and in military life, in politics and
in the quiet atmosphere of home, he was a compelling force,-a man of wonderful
magnetism and influence.

  In the late "Fifties", he ran for the State legislature and was elected on the
Whig ticket because of his personal popularity, despite the fact that the
constituency was overwhelmingly Democratic. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he
enlisted in the Confederate service. A braver, truer soldier never shouldered a
musket nor gave his country more valiant and faithful service. In the autumn of
1861, he was chosen Captain of his company and in the following year was elected
Colonel of his regiment, the First Mississippi Cavalry. He was in many battles
and participated in countless skirmishes and raids. Colonel Pinson, as he must
now be called, was seriously wounded but once, at Davis' Bridge in 1862. He soon
after returned to his post of duty and continued till the last days of the war
in performance of the great trust his office implied. His courage never wavered
for an instant; on the contrary, his brave spirit grew more dauntless as the
days and months fled by.

  Soon after his return from the war, his friends importuned him to become a
candidate for Congress. He was elected by a handsome majority, but was never
permitted to serve because the State had not been reconstructed. This was a
bitter disappointment to his friends who realized what a factor for usefulness
he might have been at this critical time, when the country was in such a state
of upheaval and sorely needed the wisest and most tactful Representatives. Soon
after this, Colonel Pinson entered the cotton business in Memphis. Among the
various honors bestowed upon him by the city of his adoption, none was more
appreciated than his election as President of the Chamber of Commerce. A member
of the Episcopal Church, he was broad and liberal in his religious views, as he
was magnanimous and generous in all other respects. He was, indeed, a Christian
in the true meaning of the word.

  In the spring of 1864, the gallant young Colonel led to hymen's altar Miss
Sina E. Duke, the amiable and accomplished daughter of Colonel William H. and
Mrs. Sina Bankhead Duke. This world has never known a happier marriage, -angels
must have guarded and guided them through the nine perfect years they lived
together. But in the spring of 1873, he was claimed as the first victim of
cholera, which proved to be a long epidemic in the city of Memphis. After but a
short illness, the fearless spirit of this good man took its flight to the God
who gave it, meeting the last enemy as calmly as he always faced the foe on the
field of battle. He was laid to rest in beautiful Elm wood; and it was, indeed,
fitting that he should sleep at last in the land of his birth, -fair, sunny
Tennessee.


Additional Comments:
Volunteer transcription - no family connection

Extracted from:

pages 9-11

PUBLICATIONS OF THE
MISSISSIPPI HISTORICAL SOCIETY

EDITED BY
DUNBAR ROWLAND, LL. D.
Secretary

CENTENARY SERIES VOLUME II


JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY
1918

DEMOCRAT PRINTING COMPANY MADISON, WISCONSIN


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