John Lynch

Obituary of John Lynch

Early years

• 1752 John Lynch came to Lynchburg when he was 12 years old
• 1757 established Lynch’s Ferry at the age of 17, a ferryboat service for travelers crossing the James River and heading south to New London
• Lynch built a Tavern, which became known as the ferry house sometime after 1757 the house stood at foot of present day Ninth Street
• Lynch took no active role in the revolution, as he was a Quaker and a member of the South River Meeting of the Society of Friends
• After the War ended in 1783 considerable damage had been done to the area around Lynchburg and in November 1784 Lynch petitioned the Virginia General Assembly for a charter for a town on the hill above the ferry
• In October 1786 the Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation entitled “An Act to Establish a Town on the land of John Lynch, in the county of Campbell,”
• The trustees on May 8, 1787 appointed Campbell county land surveyor Richard Stith to lie out a plot of land to establish the town limits, and lots. Lynch purchased lot #’s 12, 14, 20, 22, 24, 28, 32, 34, 35, 37, 39, 42, 44, 45, 47.

Life and Contributions to Lynchburg

• On March 7, 1806 John Lynch donated an acre of land to Reverend Mr. Tompkins to establish a “new burying ground” later to be known as the Methodist or City Cemetery
• 1805 John Lynch deeded a 60-foot lot for a courthouse
• Lynch was an important businessman owning two tobacco warehouses: Lynch’s, which was established on Oct 1785, and Spring warehouse which was established on Oct. 23 1795
• Responsible for the construction of a toll bridge at Ninth Street, which was completed in 1812
• Played a major role in the establishment of the first bank in Lynchburg
• Died on October 31, 1820 at the time the largest landowner in the town

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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.