Robert Kirshaw, Edenton Carpenter & Joiner
Recent publications have established that a British cabinetmaker named Samuel Black and individuals working for him were responsible for the construction of Edenton’s Cupola House for Francis Corbin, land agent to John Carteret, the 2nd Earl Granville. However, over the years, others have been put forward as its builder including an Edenton carpenter/joiner named Robert Kirshaw. Little information about him has been previously discovered. This article adds greatly to our knowledge about him and shows that he was involved in more than just carpentry. It demonstrates that he was educated and that his dealings with Corbin and others in the Edenton community were more involved than previously thought.