, 1888-12-27
WA, is not clearly known, u. there were

WA, Is not clearly known, ~ there were
no contemporaneous newspaper writer's to
report the trials at which he presided.
In lS44 Howe's "Historicsl Collections of
Virginia made a record of the accepted
legends OF that period, and, soon after,
"Recollec.ions OF Lynchburg" substan-
TALLY gave the same narrative. The ira.
ditions Of the Lynch family and the i'm
these more formal historical references,
but they contain mora details. ~ .-.. .s
These traditions are that Charles Lynch
and two neighbars, Robert Adams and
Thomas Galloway. all men of wealth and
influence, took 1t upon themselves to pro.
tect society and support the revolutionary
government In the region OF the Staunton
river. Charles Lynch had band Of men
10 his especial service, who were sent ont
by him into the various parts Of the coun.
try to overtake the Tories and bring in
for trial anyone accused or suspected of
correspondence with the enemy or of acts
subversive of esocial order. Trials we're
h'ld ut the residence of Colonel Lynch, on
the Staunton river, who, uniformity, pre-
sided as judge, with Captains Adams and
Galloway as his associates and advisers.
The alleged cuIprit was brought face to
face with his accuser. heard the timony
against him, and was permitted to call
witnesses and be heard in his own de-
10. often with apologies and repara-
ti0n. IL convicted. sentence followed
promptly and punishment was summarily
inflicted. there being no higher courts to
interpose the laws delay Stripes on the
bare back or banishment, or both, closed
the scene. However, those found guilty
Of blatant disloyalty to the continental
congress we're whipped and then suspended
by the thumbs until they shouted Lib.
erty forever!" the last penalty indicating
q sentimental ferv0r of patriotism ia the
heart of the Judge. A walnut tree grow.
ing in the center Of Colonel Lynch's yard
was the place OF execution, and many
tory hung by his thumbs to its spreading
hOughs until he recanted his disIoyalty.
The residence which stood about two
miles from Lynch's station, was burned
down few years ago; but the venerable
walnut tree escaped destruction, and yet
lives, the dumb witness of the doom of
MANY TORIES AND OUTLAWS.
Although Lynch law" is associated in
the popular mind with the idea of the
death penalty, yet II Is a curious fact that
In no instance was the culprit condemned
to die by the original Judge Lynch. This
remarkable exemption was clearly the re.
ouib VI tbC VI SuuhtIISul, WuICu uO
worldly association had yet been able to
eradicate. As the war progressed Charles
Lynch so far left behind him the princi-l
Piles of his early life as to raise and com.
mand u regiment of rihemen. He joined
the army of General Greene, himself as
scion of the Quaker stock. then dodginR
Lord Cornwalis through North and South
Carolina. At the battle OF Gnilford Court
House, fought March l5,. 1881, Colonel
Lynch's regiment, reduced to 200 men.
held position on the right flank of Greene's
army and did gallant service. Not long
after the war closed Colonel Lynch died,
leaving large estate and The SAVIOR of
good name to his family. He was buried
in the graveyard on his home stead planta-
ton, and the following inscription is
found on his tombstone:
''ln memory of Colonel Charles Lynch,
Jealous and active patriot-died October
20, 1895, aged 60 years"
The descendents of Charles Lynch's
neighbors, as we'll as his family, recog-
nize him as the Lynch who gave name
to mob law. An old song relating to the
deeds OF Lynch. Adams and Galloway, is
still remembered and repeated in part by
some Of the people of Campbell county.
The refrain was:
"hurrah Colonel Lynch, Captain Bob,
and Galloway!
lhey never turned Tory loose
Until he shouted liberty"
am indebted to Judge Ward Of Lynchs
Station for some OF the traditions
mentioned and for the extract from the
old song He says: at goes without
doubt by nearly everybody in this section
of Campbell county that Colonel Charles
Lynch was the founder of the lynch law.
1t has been so handed down from sire to
son in this part of the country for gener.
ations; and tney all believe in it rs much
as they do the history of George Washing.
ton or any other known character of the
revolution.
One SOD of Colonel Lynch, third of the
name of Charles in this county. became
governor Of the Territory of Mississippi;
but the male line of descent is now ex-
tinct. Thongh the original immigrant
from Galway has innumerable descendants
living, Miss Mary Lynch. of Covineton,
Ry., is the only one of them bearing the
name of Lynch. She is the granddaughter
of the gentle John Lynch, founder of
Lynchburg, whose name has, by some au-
thorities been incorrectly substituted for
that of his brother Charles In connection
with the term Lynch law"
sr RoBERr w. CARROLL.