Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-10-22
From the Nat Portrait Gallery Volume
2, published in 1885.
LIFE OF THE HON. JOHN CALD-
WE'LL CALHOUN,
Weld CALHOUN.

y 18th, 1882, in Abbevllle District, South
a Carolina, where his younger brother Pat
rick now resides. His Grandfather, James
Calhoun, cmgraed with his family from
ireland, and settled in Pennsylvania, in
1878.
His father, Patrick Calh oun, was then six
years old. Several years afterwards the
family removed to the western part of Vir
ginia, but upon Braddock's defeat, the set
element was broken up, and they went to
South Carolina, when, 1856, they establish
ed themselves in place which was called,
"Calhoun's settlement" Here the Chero
KEGS, their immediate neighbors, very soon
attacked them. The struggle was violent.
Half the males, and among them, the eId
est brother James Calhoun, who command
Jed on the occasion, fell after the defeat,
their aged mother, with several of the 9TH
Yer females and many of the children, were
butchered by the Savages. Patrick Cal
houn, who displayed daring courage, was
Immediately appointed by the provin"i'l
government to command Il body ofrangers
Tor the defence of the frontier and show
led himself worhy of the station. Upon
The conclusion Of peace, the family, which
had been dispersed reoccupied 'their set
tement"
In l770, Patrick Calhoun was married
r. Martha Caldwell, of Charlotte County,
Virginia, niece of the Rev. james Cald-
well, of New Jersey, Presbyterian Di-
vine, who stood prominent in the revolu
tionary war. The issue of this marriage
were four sons and one daughter, of
whom the subject of this memoir was the
spect TO the memory of his uncle, Major
John Caldwell, jealous wing, who had
been inhuman!y butchered by the tories, he
received the name of John Caldwell Cal
houn.
Both parents were exemplary for piety
and virtue. The father was hardy and
enterprising pioneer; but unlike most of
that class, he placed high value upon ed
ucaton. Though he was entirely self
taught, and lived the greater part of his life
on the frontier, surrounded by danger, he
made himself an excellent English schol-
ar, and an accurate and skilul surveyor,
which profession he long followed. lie
was the first member ever Gle ted to the
provincial Legislature from the interior of
South Carolina. OF this body, and the
State Legislature, after the revolution, he
continued-a member for thirty years with
out intermission, except for a single term,
until his death, in 1856. lie was zeal
gus wing, and dsintcrrs'cd patriot. He
opposed the adoption of the federal consti-
tuition on the ground that it conferred rights
on Congress Incompatible with the sover-
eighty of The States.
Atthrteen years of age. young Calhoun
was placed at the academy of his brother
in-law, the Rev. DR.. Wadlel, since so dis
tingulshed, as teacher, in the Southern
States. The death of the father, however,
Interrupted his studies, and this academy
ceased for 4 time He continued TO reside
with DR.. Waddel, and made ample use of
the circulating library, Of which his brother
10 law was Librarian Illther he resorted
mstnctlvely, AMI without any direction,
passing over lighter, and to persons of his
age, usu lily more alurlng literature, fiyeI
his attention upon history. With such UNI
remlttng industry did he labor, that he is
SAID to have read, in the course of fourteen
weeks, Rollins Ancient History, Robert.
Sons Charles v, and America Voltaire'
Charles XII, the large edition Of Cooks
Voyages, the first volume of Locke on the
l imam Understanding, and several small
works. Under this severe application, If
h'ch his meals and rest were neglected
F1s eyes were injured, his countenancc
''rew pallld, and his whole frame became
Grated. HIS mother alarmed for his
'a'n' took HIM home, where separation
ON books, air aud exercise, very soon re.
mstated him; ami to his love of books, sue.