Yes, but what instrument? A fiddle, banjo, and drum were common during that time period, often played by for country dances and often by slaves. However, both modern classical and steel-string guitars weren't developed until the 1850s or so. Their parlor guitar predecessors would seem to be too fragile, quiet, and expensive for rural music. Maybe someone who knows more about music from the period can enlighten us a little more.

Piedmont sounds like two instruments when played on one guitar. I wonder if it might have started off as a way to mimic the sound of melody played on a fiddle or banjo and an alternating rhythm played on some other bass instrument (or maybe a drum).
- Phil