Charles C. Callaway

A Patriot of the American Revolution for Virginia with the rank of Captain. DAR Ancestor #: A018362

Captain Charles Callaway was a Revolutionary soldier born in what was then Lunenburg Co. Va. He was not one of the "traveling Callaways" and lived his entire life in the same vicinity. That portion of Lunenburg where his father, William Callaway, lived eventually became Bedford Co. in 1754.

Charles married Judith Pate on Dec 14, 1768. She was a young widow who had one son, John, by a previous marriage. Bedford Co. deeds show that William Callaway was generous to Charles. In 1770 he conveyed 195 acres on both sides of Buffalo Creek to Charles and in 1772 a second grant of 723 acres on Elk Creek. Charles prospered and in 1781 he and his brothers John and James granted to Thomas Jefferson, Governor of Va., bond of 30,000 lbs of tobacco to insure that James Callaway would perform the duties of Sheriff.

Charles became a member of the Bedford Militia and was commissioned Lieutenant in 1779 and Captain in 1781. The militia was summonsed into service in 1781 and took part in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and the siege of Yorktown. He was present at the surrender of Cornwallis.

At the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, Charles returned home and turned his attention to his business and farming interest. He became quite wealthy. He appears on the 1810 Tax Rolls along with his son James and on the 1820 Census records with sons John, Francis, Henry and Charles, Jr.

Between 1769 and 1792, Charles and Judith became the parents of eleven children. Family records from a family bible listing the children of Capt, Charles are filed in the Jones Library, Lynchburg, Va.

The two oldest sons, Joel and Achilles are heads of households in the 1810 Census in Bedford Co. In 1814 Capt. Charles gave Joel 118 acres on the south side of Elk Creek and Achilles 110 acres nearby.

Achilles sold his land to his uncle, William Callaway, Jr. in 1817 and moved to Christian Co. Ky. where he appears through the 1840 Census. Achilles had at least eight children. Joel had possibly six children. Records in Giles Co. Tn. are almost non-existent so not much is known about Joel's family.

Judith Callaway died Feb. 22, 1814 and Capt. Charles lived to be 78, dying on Jun. 30, 1827. His will, was dated Jun. 20, 1827 and probated Jul. 26, 1827. He was buried in the family cemetery and a large stone facing west with the initials "C. C." was placed at the head of his grave. This was the customary mark of an early pioneer. It is believed that his grave was covered by the waters of the Smith River when Smith Mountain Dam was built.

An appraisal and inventory of the estate of Capt. Charles was ordered by the court and presented on Sep. 20, 1830 which consisted of five legal sized pages listing household furnishings and plantation tools, indicating considerable wealth. One of his descendants took with him to Missouri a pair of diamond studs and a portrait of Capt. Charles painted in 1815.

Capt. Charles lived a quiet life during a turbulent time in our country's history. Southwest Va. was still a rough, rugged territory. He worked hard for his family and served his country, A record showing that he had been paid a bounty for bringing in wolf heads is testimony to the conditions in this area in the 1770's. __________ Lynchburg Press, Lynchburg, VA, p. 3, Column 3 - July 12, 1827 Text: Callaway, Charles, Sr., died June 30, 1827 at residence in Pittsylvania County, youngest brother of Colonel James, Colonel John and Colonel William, all of whom were officers in the Revolutionary War. Left 9 children.