Near Appomattox in Appomattox County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Popularizer of the Banjo

Photographed by Craig Swain, April 18, 2010

1. Popularizer of the Banjo Marker

Inscription. Nearby is buried Joel Walker Sweeney (ca. 1810-1860), the musician who redesigned this African instrument into the modern five-string banjo that is known today. Although slaves apparently added the fifth string to what had been a four-strong instrument, Sweeney popularized the new form on the minstrel circuit. He toured with his two brothers, Sam and Dick, in minstrel shows from 1831 until his death in 1860. During the Civil War, Sam Sweeney served as Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's personal banjo picker until Seeney's death in the winter of 1863-1864.

Erected 1997 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number M-68.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.

Location. 37° 22.958′ N, 78° 47.366′ W. Marker is near Appomattox, Virginia, in Appomattox County. It is on Old Courthouse Road (State Highway 24), on the right when traveling west. Located at a highway pull-off in Appomattox Court House National Historic Site, near the bridge over the Appomattox River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Appomattox VA 24522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: African American Banjoists (here, next to this marker); After the Surrender (within shouting distance of this marker); Surrender of the Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Artillery Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Appomattox River (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee's Apple Tree (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Charles Sweeney Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grant and Lee Meeting (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Appomattox.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Appomattox River (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. This marker replaced a marker numbered M-66 and titled “Inventor of the Banjo” near this location. It was renumbered because there was another marker elsewhere in Appomattox with this same M-66 number but titled “Eldon” about another topic. The original marker read “Nearby is buried Joel Walker Sweeney (circa 1810–1860), musician and developer of the five-string banjo. In 1831 Sweeney launched himself and his two brothers, Sam and Dick, on a series of minstrel tours that continued until his death twenty-nine years later.”

Also see . . .

Photographed by Craig Swain, April 18, 2010

2. Popularizer of the Banjo Marker

1. Talented Sweeneys. Article looking at the musical career of the Sweeneys. (Submitted on April 25, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. "Banjo" Sweeney. Photos from the National Park Service showing the Sweeneys. (Submitted on April 25, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Sweeney Graveyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, April 18, 2010

3. Sweeney Graveyard

Seen from the highway, the graveyard is fenced in just north of the highway.

Joel Walker Sweeney image. Click for full size.

From Wikipedia Commons

4. Joel Walker Sweeney

Reconstruction Sweeney Cabin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, April 18, 2010

5. Reconstruction Sweeney Cabin

About a mile further east on the highway is this cabin. The Sweeney family lived along the banks of the Appomattox.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,788 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 25, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.