William Henry Pinn is the oldest son of Howison and Patti Pinn (Travis Pinn) He and his younger brothers became outspoken members in their community. The Pinn Family was one that were strong vocally and began to push the Civil Rights movement in Virginia by speaking publicly about politics and founding movements that would benefit future generations.
Howison Pinn jr, the second oldest son of Howison and Patti Pinn (Travis Pinn), challenges Prince William County's Judge Nicol to press the question of men of color serving on juries and serving as school trustees. The judge claims that the positions are given to men fit for the jobs, that it is not based on race. Men of color were barred from serving on juries not by law but by local racial practices. The next year the Federal government would attempt to force states to allow people of color to not have to face discrimination in the wake of reconstruction, but their attempts were futile. The law was declared unconstitutional in 1883, the fourteenth amendment to the constitution grants the Federal Government the power to regulate the behavior of the states but not the individual.
Traverse Pinn was Howison's third eldest son, like his brothers and father he grew up on the family farm and became an advocate in the community. Traverse was involved in local politics like his older brother Howison Pinn Jr., he moved to Alexandria in his late 20's and became a member of the radical faction of the Republicans in the city. They were very vocal and were promoting economic development and fighting against segregation. In 1870 he was elected as magistrate and the next year he became a member of the Alexandria City Council. In 1876 he became a business manager and publisher of the city's first African American newspaper: The People's Advocate who were devoted to serving the African American community in Alexandria. In 1879 he was elected to the position of County Supervisor for the Jefferson District. (Travis Pinn).
His niece Sarah would later become one of the Founders of the Prince William County NAACP chapter (Travis Pinn).
