On the muster roll for 26 November 1777 he was a listed as a Corporal in Captain William Smith's Company of "foot" in the 11th Virginia Regiment (also known as Morgan's Rifles) under Colonel Daniel Morgan. He was one of only 2 corporals among over 140 enlisted men. (Courtesy Fold3 and The National Archives)
From December 1777 until June 1778 he is listed in a muster roll for the 11th Virginia but now in Brigadier General William Woodford's 3rd Virginia Brigade as part of Washingtons's Elite Life Guard (Also known as the Commander-In-Chief's Guard) in Captain Caleb Gibbs' unit and later under William Colfax.
He is listed as being discharged from the Life Guards at "Headquarters" on December 6, 1779 as having served his term of service.
Additionally, although I have no proof that Shadrach was physically at the following battles/engagements, the 11th Virginia participated in every one of these events: Siege of Boston, Invasion of Canada, New York City, Trenton-Princeton, Northern New Jersey, Defense of Philadelphia, Philadelphia-Monmouth.
He was clearly a soldier in the Life Guard's from May 1, 1777 until December 1779 which would have placed him in every battle around the Philadelphia area, including the major battles of Brandywine, Germantown and White Marsh. He would have been encamped with General Washington at Valley Forge as he is listed on the muster roll for Valley Forge (Soldier #VA29308).
It is worth noting that the Life Guard's were treated very well and often slept in relative luxury in wooden cabins which were very rustic by today's standards but were well above the accommodations of the average foot soldier that slept outdoors in the freezing winter weather. Shadrach was a Corporal while serving with the 11th Virginia but is shown as a Private while serving with the Life Guards so one might presume he was willing to take a step down in rank to become a member of this hand-picked elite unit.
From the book by Carlos Godfrey, "The Commander-in-chief's guard, Revolutionary War":
Pinkstone, Shadrack: Enlisted November 26, 1776, for three years, a corporal, Captain William Smith's Company, Eleventh Virginia Regiment, commanded by Colonel Daniel Morgan; transferred, Morristown, N. J., May 1, 1777 1 to the Commander-in-Chief's Guard, commanded by Captain Caleb Gibbs, and assigned private ; sick-absent, June, 1777; at battle of Brandywine, Del., September 11, 1777; battle of Germantown, Pa., October 4, 1777; sick-absent, June, 1778; discharged, Morristown, N. J., December 16, 1779.
It is worth noting that the 11th Virginia under Colonel Daniel Morgan was already an elite unit. Colonel Daniel Morgan was later made a General and was a key figure in the Revolutionary War and especially the southern front of the war. The Battle of Cowpens was one of his key victories.
Of further interest is the name Pendleton Isbell that can also be found in the Life Guard's unit at the same time that Shadrack Pinkston was there - Pendleton Isbell later became Captain Isbell and lived in Pendleton District, SC where many of my maternal ancestors are from. The family cemetery is now lost under Lake Hartwell but there is a memorial marker (cenotaph) to Captain Pendleton Isbell on the hill behind the northbound I-85 welcome station as one leaves GA and enters SC.
Pendleton Isbell Cenotaph
Located behind the SC Welcome Center at the GA-SC border
(Author photo 2015)
I also read that Captain Caleb Gibb's sword is on display in a museum in Boston, MA.
After the war, he lived in Wilkes County, GA for a short time period where many of his children were born. His son Greenberry Pinkston married Sarah Eidson. The daughter of Greenberry and Sarah was Jane Frances Pinkston who married John Staples. John and Jane had Sarah Elizabeth Staples who married Francis Colley. Francis and Sarah are buried at Rock United Methodist Church in Rayle, GA. I am descended from their daughter, Frances (Fanny) Esther Colley who married William Barnett Jackson of Oglethorpe County, GA. They lived in Atlanta where William is buried. Fanny is buried in Douglasville near her daughter (my grandmother) Zettie Jackson Hollis.
This is only a few of the muster rolls and similar documents available on Fold3, Ancestry.com and The National Archives.
1. Various Record - General George Washington's Life Guards
2. Various Record - General George Washington's Life Guards
3. Various Record - General George Washington's Life Guards
4. Various Record - General George Washington's Life Guards
5. Various Record - General George Washington's Life Guards
6. Various Record - General George Washington's Life Guards
7. Various Record - General George Washington's Life Guards
8. Muster Roll - 11th Virginia
9. Muster Roll - Commander-in-Chief's Guard (Life Guards)
See also:
The Valley Forge Legacy
Captain Caleb Gibbs: US Archives Letter From Washington 1777
Captain Caleb Gibbs: Sons of the American Revolution
Please report any broken links or links that no longer work. Thank you.
This page was updated on 6/25/2023