[alani2]

My ancestor, Rawley Pinn, and many other persons of Native ancestry, fought in the Revolutionary War. Rawley Pinn was born in Indian Town, Lancaster County, sometime around 1740. His family were part of the Wicomico Indian Tribe in that area. In 1758 Rawley and his brother were in Lancaster County, serving apprenticeships, and by 1770, Rawley was in Lunenburg County. He met his wife Sarah, in Brunswick County, and they married sometime around 1773. Sarah was a Redcross, but she was living with or married to, Benjamin Evans (who was much older than Sarah). When he died he left land to Sarah and his children.

Rawley and Sarah then went to Amherst County Virginia, where he joined the Amherst County Militia. It is not apparent whether the men voluntarily joined or were required to join. After serving as Minute Men, the men then signed on as Soldiers. They began a March from Amherst County on June 21, 1781. The unit was under the command of Col. William Cabell. The men joined with Marquis De Lafayettes unit before camping at a Plantation in the area of Yorktown. They also camped at Williamsburg for a short period, while waiting for Washingtons signal.

The Amherst County Militia and Marquis De Lafayettes unit, were participants in, The Siege of Yorktown. Rawley Pinn, his brother Robert, and nephews Billy, Jim, and John, fought at The Siege of Yorktown. Robert and his sons marched to Yorktown from Lancaster County Virginia. John Pinn left an account of their participation in his pension file, when he was living in Massachusetts (he was a Seamen). Some of the Native Surnames in the Siege of Yorktown were, Pinn, Cooper, Redcross, Evans, Lawless, Hartless, Johns, and Rives.

With the assistance of the Virginia Council on Indians, I submitted a request for a Highway Marker to the Virginia Historical Resources Office. I would like to see a marker honoring the Natives who fought in the Revolutionary War. Because they were identified as black, Mulatto, or even white, Natives have not gotten proper recognition. The contact person at the Virginia Historical Resources Office is, Scott Arnold.

Here is his information:

Scott Arnold

Manager of the Historical Highway Marker Program

Department of Historic Resources

2801 Kensington Avenue

Richmond, VA 23221

804-367-2323, ext. 122

Fax 804-367-2391

scott.arnold@dhr.virginia.gov

I also told them that my family and I would like to participate in any ceremony. I assisted in a ceremony on September 30, 2000, at my own expense. Everyone except me, the person who coordinated the ceremony was compensated. I live in California, and it is expensive for me to pay to travel to Virginia, stay in Hotels etc., and not receive compensation. I am a member of the Monacans and contacted them about the Marker, and they have yet to respond to me. As a member of the tribe, you would think they would be eager to work with me on honoring our ancestors.

If anyone has questions, please feel free to contact me.

Anita

[Author]

Posts