Thomas Pinckney (abt. 1780 - 1842)

Born about 1780 in South Carolina [uncertain]

Ancestors

Died 7 Jul 1842 at about age 62 in France

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Biography

The son of General Thomas Pinckney, Pinckney spent part of his childhood in London while his father was ambassador. The Society of Cincinnati paid him the following tribute: “Inheriting family distinction and wealth, Col. Pinckney was early in life placed in a situation in society which required him to support the station of a Carolina gentleman, and by his courteous manners and generous hospitality, he adorned that elevated and dignified station.” A planter, he was interested in scientific agriculture and was president of the Pendleton, SC, Farmers Society.

1784 – The Motte's daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband Thomas Pinckney received ownership of Fairfield Plantation from the courts after Elizabeth's father died without leaving a will (1, p. 3) (2, p. 727). 1797 – By this year, Thomas Pinckney, Jr. was managing Fairfield for his father, Thomas Pinckney, Sr. Thomas Pinckney, Sr. inherited Eldorado Plantation and had moved there (1, p. 3). 1828 – Thomas Pinckney, Sr. passed away willing Fairfield Plantation to son Thomas Pinckney, Jr. (2, p. 728). 1842 – Thomas Pinckney, Jr. died and his will declared Fairfield was to go into trust. The plantation was to be held in trust until his nephew Thomas Pinckney turned 25, which would be in 1853 (2, p. 730). 1915 – Thomas Pinckney died leaving Fairfield Plantation to son Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (2, p. 730). 1973 – Francis Pinckney Williams and the heirs of M. M. Pinckney were owners of record (1, p. 1). 2001 – Fairfield Plantation has remained in the same family for over 200 years. Direct descendant Thomas Pinckney was the plantation's owner (2, p. 730).

Sources

• Information about this person can be found in "The Thomas Pinckney Family of South Carolina" in volume 39 of The South Carolina Genealogical and Historical Magazine in January 1938 at pages 15 to 35.

Author: Charleston County (S.C.). Coroner. Edition/Format: Archival material : English Summary: This series is a transcript of the proceedings of the coroner's inquest into the mysterious death of Thomas Pinckney, Jr. Information includes name of decedent, cause of death, witnesses, and testimony given. The prominent Pinckney family of Charleston, S.C., hired the Pinkerton Detective Agency to solve the case, and thus, employed a stenographer to make this verbatim transcript. The accusation of one of the suspects in the case that the killer was African American sparked a serious racial incident.