Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1835-09-28
"JEDGF. LENCii.'

JUDGE LYNCH"
This IRON hearted magistrate has become SO dis
s,uoui,hcd recently by the complete suppression
1 If tho ordinary judicial tribunals wherever his in
frisbie presence five may pcrpctrae an lrl>hlsm)
has been teH, that we are not snrpr.' at the Gu
krosity which is so generally manifested to a>ccr-
k,ain something with regard to the derivation Of the
kau,hory which he promptly exercises when
ever he is called upon TO olciate. We have seen
several attempts to crafty the public on this utter
.,,ing topic one Of them giving birth 10 JUDGE
Lynch in some obscurc English village, another in
PENNSYLVANIA, and Others in various other places.
These mistakes have doubtless arisen from the
spbiqnitv OF the Judge, who, it would seem, can
hold hi, courts, in hundred different places,
"a, the same moment. The universally of his
jurisdiction and action has doubtless coutrbu-
ted mainly to involve his origin in obscuriry-ma-
nv PAGES which have been only casual, visited
iby him, in the way OF business, ,ontendng for the
honor, like the seven cities Of Greece, laying
~aim to the renown BENZ the birth, ,acc of Ia-
.ncr
We have been called on, from several sources,
10 cnigh,cn the public mind on this grave subject !;
and we have only hcsitated to do SO heretofore, in
consequence Of the limited information in onr pos
session, Notwithstanding we reside in the vicinity
Of the spot which unquestionabiy first witnessed
ihs operation OF Lynch law. \ writer in the last
Lexington (Na.) Gazette furnishes the following
sketch, which corresponds in its essential par,icu-
lar I,,,
ling the character and early doings of Judge
Lynch and We copy it, with the hope that some
Of our seniors, who are /" alive and to the manor
born will either confirm them, or give a more au-
sthentic biography of gentleman whose judicial
renown already cclipscs that of Hale, Bacon or
Mansfield
From The LEXINGTON G0.ft1c.
Between some forty and fifty Years ago, |
". somewhat Familiarity acquainted in the counties
Of Bedford and the upper part of Campbell in this
State; and resided some Years in the nciehbor-
hood of New London
Il The first time ever heard the term I.vnch's
i Jaw was in that region Of country. Upon enqui-
sring what ii meant, was told that it meant the in
n'cllon OF summary Justice, as it had been prac-
Used by certain Col. Lynch This Col. Lynch,
aas understood, resided on near the Stanton
over, and was a man of considerable property and
lnllucncc. During the revolutionary war the reg
'plar administration Of justice was, in considcra-
pie degree, suspended. In the region of country
IN which Col. Lynch resided there was considc-
Fable number otlawleSs individuals who commit
ted acts OF aggression against the property, and
sometimes upon the persons of the orderly part Of
ehe community. In such cases OIL Lynch would take
up the case on behalf of the Commonwealth and
O'ng an active, enerprisng man, and having a
number OF associates of the same character with
'"hSeli' II was no easy matter for cnlprt to cs-
cape their active pursuit and when the cuprit
vas o'crtaken, as soon Lynch and his party
were convinced of his guilt, they proceeded forth
~hh to lntct such punishment as they thought the
sa'ure of'he case required. Col. Lynch in his
say was well known in the neighborhood of Lynch
eNrg, as tie land which the town stands be-
Pnged to a near relative of the Co.'s. | think a
e'o'her. Tho place not then called Lynch
p'rg' Tor there was no town there but" Lynch's