Spouse and Children

Mary(Polly) Elijah N. Pinkston (1830-1880) Lydia Pinkston (1832-1863) Sarah Pinkston (1834-1880) Nancy Pinkston (1835-1900) Mary Ann Pinkston (1838-1900) Emily Elizabeth Pinkston (1842-1921)

Brothers and Sisters

John Pinkston (1817-1900) Stephan Dewitt Pinkston (1821-1895) Emily M. Pinkston (1826-1873)

James fought for the Union during the Civil War. There is no military record of James' service during the Civil War, but the following came out of a lawsuit between James J. Pinkston and John Norwood.

James J. Pinkston joined the Union Army (7th Wisconsin Light Battery) and was captured by General Nathan Bedford Forrest. He was released and ordered to leave Tennessee.

While giving a deposition in a lawsuit between John Norwood and James J. Pinkston, James said "I left the county in August 1862 and went to the Federal Army. I went there for the purpose of seeking protection. I was taken prisoner on 19th December 1862."

Also in that lawsuit, J. E. Noles said about James J. Pinkston "I saw him with soldier's uniform on. I never saw him enlist. I have heard him say he never got any pay. He said he belonged to the 7th Wisconsin Battery."

J. E. Noles was also asked if Pinkston had exercised his right of suffrage and he responded by saying "I heard say he voted for ole Abe in Illinois."³

Sources:

1. Ancestry.com. U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885
2. Ancestry.com. Tennessee, Wills and Probate Records, 1727-2008
3. Depositon from 1871 lawsuit, John Norwood vs. James J. Pinkston