The second of three highway historical markers nominated by the Chowan Discovery Group will be unveiled on January 16, 2012 at noon in Magnolia, NC. The upcoming dedication program for the Parker David Robbins marker will begin at 9:30am at the Duplin County Events Center in Kenansville. The program is sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Commemoration Committee.
Robbins (1834 – 1917) was one of the most accomplished figures of the Winton Triangle Community. He was born in the last years of Gates County’s Choanoac (Chowanoke) Indian community. His family moved to Colerain in Bertie County. By the end of the Civil War, he had been a farmer, landowner, mechanic and Sgt.-Major of the 2nd Regiment, Cavalry, United States Colored Troops. His regiment was part of the 25th Corps that entered Richmond at the end of the war. When he returned to his home in Bertie County, he was elected to the NC General Assembly and later served as postmaster in Harrellsville, NC. While Robbins was postmaster, he was granted two patents for inventions. In the 1880’s, he moved to Duplin County to take advantage of the growing lumber industry and set up a sawmill, built homes, and constructed a steamboat that he operated on the Cape Fear River.
In preparation for the unveiling, a tintype of Robbins – heretofore unknown to researchers – was donated by Jesse Dowe of Magnolia to the NC History Museum (see earlier post). The Jan. 16 event is part of the annual observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Chowan Discovery Group is partnering with the Duplin Historical Society in this recognition of Parker David Robbins. Civil War re-enactors and students will participate in the program.
For more information, call 202.726.4066 or email info@chowandiscovery.org. This is the second of three markers successfully nominated by the Chowan Discovery Group.
I WAS A SPEARKER AT MR PARKERS CELEBRATION. I TO HAVE ANCESTORS THAT SERVED IN THAT WAR.THEY WERE FROM LANCASTER , PA
SIGNED SGT FRED [ FJ]