Charles Lynch Jr. in the American Revolution

Colonel Charles Lynch Jr. has been remembered in local, as well as, national history as an important patriot of the American Revolution. He was active in the emerging United States from a time that rebellion seemed only a glimmer in the eyes of many. Lynch’s involvement would begin in 1769 when he was elected as a representative from Bedford County to the House of Burgesses. He was placed into the Trade Committee, which allowed him influence when it came to placing boycotts on British wares. Lynch even formed an “Association” with Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington to block the sales of specific British goods until the tax was removed from them. Continuing in the realm of Virginia politics, Lynch received multiple appointments as a Bedford County justice of the peace over his lifetime. In 1774 Lynch and several other patriot leaders signed a protest at the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg. This protest was in response to Lord Dunmore’s dissolving of the Committee of Public Claims. In March 1775 Lynch was a representative of Bedford County to the Virginia Convention. Here Lynch was a witness to the infamous “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech from Patrick Henry. Lynch continued to support the Continental Army by enforcing boycotts on British materials. Aside from this, Lynch also sold mined saltpeter to the Continental Army. In 1778 Lynch was given the rank of Colonel of the Militia after a recommendation from Patrick Henry. Lynch’s most famous act during the American Revolution was in 1780 when he personally tried and convicted Tories who had been plotting against Continental forces. Thomas Jefferson himself wrote to Lynch, commending him for his actions.