Joseph Pearson Caldwell (March 5, 1808 – June 30, 1853) was a Congressional Representative from North Carolina; born near Olin, North Carolina, March 5, 1808; attended Bethany Academy, near Statesville, North Carolina; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Statesville, N.C.; served in the State senate in 1833 and 1834; member of the State house of commons 1838–1844; elected as a Whig to the Thirty-first and Thirty-second Congresses (March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853); was not a candidate for renomination in 1852; died in Statesville, N.C., June 30, 1853; interment in Old Statesville Cemetery.^[1]

His son, Joseph Pearson Caldwell, Jr. (1853–1911, more commonly referred to as J.P. Caldwell), was the editor of the Landmark newspaper in Statesville, North Carolina.^[2]