John Lynch (1740–1820) Explained

John Lynch (August 28, 1740 – October 31, 1820) was an American merchant who founded the city of Lynchburg, Virginia.

Early life

Lynch was born on August 28, 1740, in Albemarle County, Virginia. Lynch's father was Charles Lynch Sr., who was born in Galway, Ireland, but immigrated to Virginia in 1720, marrying John's mother, Sarah.^[1] John was one of six siblings, another of whom was Charles Jr., a judge believed to be the namesake of lynching.^[2]

Founding of Lynchburg

The Lynch Ferry across the James River was established by the family in about 1745. In 1757, seventeen-year-old John Lynch took over control of the ferry business. Years later, first in 1784 and again in 1786, Lynch petitioned the General Assembly of Virginia for a charter to establish a town on the bluffs above the ferry upon land Lynch had inherited from an older brother. The 1786 petition was granted, and the town of Lynchburg was founded.

Lynch freed all of his slaves by the mid-1780's,^[3] including the slave who was suspected of killing his son,^[4] and consistently supported the antislavery movement.^[5]

Death

Lynch died October 31st, 1820, and is buried at the South River Friends Meetinghouse.

Sources

• Book: Elson, James M.. Lynchburg, Virginia: The First Two Hundred Years 1786 – 1986. Warwick House Publishing. 2004. 978-1-890306-72-4. Lynchburg, VA. 2004111050.
• Book: Loyd, Richard B.. Lynchburg: A Pictorial History. Mundy. Bernard K.. Donning Company. 1975. 0-915442-06-X. Virginia Beach, VA. 75020230.
• Book: Chambers, S. Allen Jr.. Lynchburg: An Architectural History. University Press of Virginia. 1981. 978-0-8139-0882-3. 81003000.
• Book: Scruggs, Philip Lightfoot. The History of Lynchburg, Virginia 1786–1946. J. P. Bell. 1978. 78184897.

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2020-05-22 . Lynchburg History: John Lynch . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405201156/https://www.lynchburgvirginia.org/lynchburg-history-john-lynch/ . 5 April 2024 . 2024-04-10 . LYH – Lynchburg Tourism . en-US.
2. News: Melli-Huber . Santiago . 5 February 2024 . Breaking down the history behind how the City of Lynchburg was named . https://web.archive.org/web/20240220171535/https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/local-news/lynchburg-central-virginia-news/breaking-down-the-connection-between-lynchburgs-name-and-lynching/ . 20 February 2024 . 9 April 2024 . WFXR.
3. News: Smith . Samantha . 7 May 2021 . ‘We can be proud of what the real story is’: Meet Lynchburg’s namesake and learn how his spirit lives on . https://web.archive.org/web/20210522004835/https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2021/05/07/we-can-be-proud-of-what-the-real-story-is-meet-lynchburgs-namesake-and-learn-how-his-spirit-lives-on/ . 22 May 2021 . 9 April 2024 . WSLS-TV.
4. Langeland . Stephen . Manumission in Virginia: The Anti-Slavery Legacy of John Lynch . . . 2 . 1 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217013856/https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1144&context=jspp . 17 February 2024 . 8 April 2024 . Digital Commons.
5. Web site: John Lynch to Thomas Jefferson, 25 December 1810. May 17, 2017.