Colonel Charles Lynch
The Evolution of Liberty: Colonel Charles Lynch
The term “lynching” has become synonymous with mob injustice, often directed towards African Americans. It is a painful reminder of a dark period in American history. But the origins of this word are rooted in a complex history, one that is often overshadowed by its more sinister connotations. This article delves into the life and transformation of Colonel Charles Lynch, whose name became intertwined with the act of lynching, even though his actions later epitomized the struggle for freedom and equality.
Colonel Charles Lynch: A Revolutionary Figure During the Revolutionary War
Colonel Charles Lynch was tasked with a critical mission - arresting white pro-England Tories who were causing unrest in the region. In the tumultuous wartime conditions, Col. Lynch oversaw a tribunal court that, remarkably, maintained a semblance of due process. Accused individuals had the opportunity to present evidence, and if exonerated, they were released with an apology. Those found guilty received 39 lashes while tied to a walnut tree in Col. Lynch’s yard, with the punishment continuing until they proclaimed “Liberty forever.” If even this did not suffice, the guilty party was strung up by their thumbs until they did, after which they would be released with words of admonition. Notably, no evidence exists to support claims that Col. Lynch carried out any hangings, and Governor Thomas Jefferson confirmed that no executions occurred during the war.
The Irony of Lynch’s Name
It is ironic that the name of Charles Lynch, a former Quaker, became associated with the hanging of African Americans. Lynch had been disowned by the Friends for swearing an oath when he became a burgess and again for taking up arms in the revolutionary cause. However, his actions during the war indicated that he was amenable to the concept of manumission. In 1769, Charles was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses and signed the Nonimportation Resolution, which included a prohibition on the importation of slaves.
A Transformation After the War
While Charles Lynch was involved in various capacities as a statesman, soldier, and civil servant during the Revolutionary War, his most profound contribution to freedom occurred after the war had ended. Although the founding laws of the United States did not extend the principle of “all men are created equal” to non-white races, the fact that equal protection under the law was granted to all landowning white males marked a significant step forward.
Lynch’s Perspective on Slavery
Three years after the Treaty of Paris ratified the end of the American Revolution, Charles Lynch was recorded as owning 24 slaves. In 1796, he possessed 13 slaves and might have been contracting labor from neighboring plantations. Despite earlier assertions that his involvement in the slave trade was morally justifiable, Lynch began to see the matter differently as the years passed. It is possible that his brother John influenced him, reminding him of their father’s history as an indentured servant who had been shown kindness and managed to provide a good life for his family.
Manumission: A Transformative Step
In the closing years of the eighteenth century, the Quakers were becoming more vocal in their opposition to slavery, and it is likely that John Lynch played a role in influencing his older brother’s views. Charles Lynch, perhaps due to his brother’s counsel and the changing atmosphere, began to perceive the hypocrisy of fighting for some people’s liberty while denying it to others. On June 10, 1792, Charles Lynch, accompanied by his brother John and another member of the Quaker fellowship, Samuel Mitchell, visited the Clerk’s office of the newly-formed Campbell County to initiate the process of manumitting four men named Robert, Feander, James, and Harry. Although their freedom was not immediate, it marked a significant step in the right direction. By the time of his death in 1796, Lynch had freed all of his remaining slaves, except for two who were above the age of 45.
The Power of Faith
In his later years, Charles Lynch rekindled his Christian faith and cited the “Golden Rule” as his chief motivation for freeing slaves. He believed in treating all men as he wished to be treated. With his faith as the driving force, Charles Lynch became a pioneer in Virginia’s late eighteenth-century manumission activities. One of his manumission documents reads as follows: “We…from a conviction that all men are by nature free and agreeable to the command of our Lord and Savior Christ believe it is our duty to do until all men as we would the should do unto us…”
Legacy and Setbacks
While Charles Lynch’s conviction against slavery remained within the scope of Green Level/Avoca, his ideals were reflected in numerous other former slaveholders who followed his lead. However, his majority heir, Anselm Lynch, quickly reacquired enslaved people after his death, and the legacy of slaveholding at Green Level/Avoca persisted for nearly seventy more years.
Colonel Charles Lynch’s journey, from administering a form of “Lynch Law” during the Revolutionary War to embracing the cause of manumission, serves as a powerful reminder of the evolving perspectives on liberty and justice in America. While his story reflects the complexities of the past, it also highlights the potential for personal growth, change, and a commitment to the principles of freedom and equality. Lynch’s transformation from a figure associated with injustice to one championing liberation exemplifies the power of human conscience and the enduring quest for justice in the face of adversity.
