Rev. James Waddell

A Patriot of the American Revolution for Virginia. DAR Ancestor #: A119638

From Doris Waddell's Family Genealogy:

"When James was about twelve years old, he suffered an injury to his hand. This incapacitated him to the extent that his father thought it was necessary for him to be educated, so that he could support himself. He went to the historic 'Log College' at Nottingham, Pennsylvania and was taught by Rev. Dr. Samuel Finley, DD. He became so proficient in ancient languages that he became a tutor at that school when he was fifteen years old.

"When nineteen or twenty years old, he moved to Louisa County, Virginia, where he became a tutor. Meriwether Lewis was one of his students. He also studied Theology under John Todd and was licensed to preach in the Presbytery, Hanover, Virginia in 1761. He started several churches in Northumberland and Lancaster counties. This was the introduction of the Presbyterian Church where there had been only the Church of England.

"In Lancaster county, he met and married Mary Gordon, the daughter of Mary Hanison and James Gordon, a wealthy and influential planter. They were married from "Verville", the home of her father, and moved into the 'Honeymoon Cottage' at Merry Point, on the Corotoman river. Both of these homes are still standing (1997).

"In Descendants of Rev. James Waddell, D.D he is described as being tall and erect with a fair complexion and blue eyes. He lost his sight at the age of forty-eight due to cataracts, but he continued writing, teaching and preaching until his death.

"His biographers describe him as cheerful, happy and resigned to his physical affliction. When the Revolutionary War started, he moved with his family to Augusta County where he purchased a large farm called 'Springhill', on South River below Waynesboro. While living there he preached at the Tinkling Springs and Staunton Presbyterian Churches.

"During the war he made many addresses to the soldiers, encouraging them to fight for their country and freedom. A specific instance is recorded of the stirring sermons that he preached to the forces of Campbell, McDowell and Moffett while they were assembled at Midway before marching to North Carolina where they were to engage Cornwallis.

"He died and was buried at his home, 'Hopewell' near Gordonsville, Virginia in 1805. In 1871 his body was moved to the yard of the Waddell Memorial Presbyterian Church at Rapidan. Sometime before his death he gave orders that all of his manuscripts and papers be burned and that there be no needless ceremonies at his interment. He stipulated that his body be carried to the grave by his own faithful servants. His last words were, 'Let me die, take the pillow from beneath my head. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit'."

Sources:

• There is a marker in for James Waddell near Gordonsville,VA #23.
• He was a visitor of George Washington 11 February 1786 (from Historic Northern Neck of VA, p.95).
• Waddell, Joseph Addison, Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, (c) 1901.
• Waddell, Joseph, Home Scenes and Family Sketches

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Near Gordonsville in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Church of the Blind Preacher By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008

1. Church of the Blind Preacher Marker

Inscription. Near here was the church of James Waddel, the blind Presbyterian preacher. Waddel, who had been a minister in the Northern Neck and elsewhere, came here about 1785 and died here in 1805. William Wirt, stopping in 1803 to hear a sermon, was impressed by Waddel's eloquence. He made it the subject of a classic essay.

Erected 1929 by Conservation & Development Commission. (Marker Number F 23.)

Location. 38° 8.865′ N, 78° 10.826′ W. Marker is near Gordonsville, Virginia, in Orange County. Marker is on James Madison Highway (U.S. 15), on the right when traveling south. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gordonsville VA 22942, United States of America.

Mary Gordon married James Waddell, the blind preacher and lived in "Merry Point" Lancaster Col. Spring Hill, Augusta Co and then Gorndonville, where he died and was buried - she was buried in Trinity Church Yard Staunton, Va

See the extensive and well-sourced information at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Waddel

The Reverend James Waddell was the first Presbyterian Minister in the Northern neck of Virginia. He was compared to Patrick Henry as an Orator. At his Louisa County, Virginia School he taught Meriwether Lewis of the 1803-04 Lewis and Clark Expedition. He was known as the "blind preacher Waddell" because he had periods of blindness. The Waddell Presbyterian Church near Gordonsville, VA, celebrates his life and ministry and that's where he's buried.