Lynchburg in 1816

Samuel Jordan Harrison

Samuel J. Harrison was mayor of Lynchburg in 1808, 1814, and 1817.

One of the “founding fathers” of Lynchburg, Harrison was a leading businessman and politician for this growing town. A native of York County, upon his arrival in Lynchburg, he served many important functions of this town. Harrison was one of the first four aldermen elected in 1805 and served as court recorder in 1807. Harrison was elected mayor on three separate occasions (1808, 1814, 1817).

Harrison began his career in the flour wholesale business and would eventually amass a fortune in the tobacco industry. In 1818, Harrison would build the Franklin Hotel at the corner of Main and 11th. Harrison also became a good friend to Thomas Jefferson who would frequent Lynchburg on his way to and from Poplar Forest.

In Phillip Lightfoot Scruggs book, The History of Lynchburg Virginia 1786-1946, he describes Harrison and his son Jesse Burton as, “individuals in religion, business, professions, culture and service who laid the foundations of Lynchburg and established those connections with the outside world that have continued to typify the city.”

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This information is provided thanks to a partnership
with the Center for the History and Culture of
Central Virginia at Lynchburg College.