Rosine in Ohio County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Clarence Wilson Home
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2020
1. Clarence Wilson Home Marker
Two thirds of a mile through the woods is the home of Uncle Pen's dearest friend, Clarence Wilson. Musician, farmer, country lender, Clarence and his wife, Minnie, took care of the legendary Pen after his hip was broken. The accident occurred when Uncle Pen's mule slipped in the mud and pinned him and his fiddle underneath.
Years before, Uncle Pen had lived with the Wilsons helping them on the farm, Uncle Pen and Clarence played square dances often. Sometimes they were joined by other local musicians including Cletis Smith, and virtuoso blues guitarist and fiddler Arnold Shultz. Arnold was from Cromwell, Ky. in southern Ohio County. Bill Monroe credits the African-American Shultz with helping him put the blues in Bluegrass music.
The only known pictures of Uncle Pen were taken by Clarence Wilson's daughter, Flossie Wilson Hines, when she was a teenager.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.
Location. 37° 26.625′ N, 86° 46.317′ W. Marker is in Rosine, Kentucky, in Ohio County. It is on Homeplace Lane 0.2 miles east of U.S. 62, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on grounds of Bill Monroe Homeplace.
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Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-State Region and in the Western Coal Field. It is also in the American Midwest, in the South, and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Home of Charlie and Betty Monroe (a few steps from this marker); Monroe Homeplace (approx. half a mile away); Jerusalem Ridge (approx. half a mile away); Rosine (approx. 1.7 miles away); William Smith Bill Monroe (approx. 1.8 miles away); Rosine Area Veterans Monument (approx. 1.8 miles away); PFC Wesley Phelps / Medal of Honor Winner (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Earp Family / Virgil Earp (1843-1904) (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rosine.
Also see . . .
1. Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys - Uncle Pen (1965) (YouTube). (Submitted on November 4, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Pendleton Vandiver (Wikipedia). James Pendleton Vandiver was a Kentucky fiddler immortalized in the song "Uncle Pen" by his nephew, bluegrass legend Bill Monroe. (Submitted on November 4, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2020
2. Clarence Wilson Home Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 653 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
