Altavista in Campbell County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Origin of Lynch Law

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 30, 2013

1. Origin of Lynch Law Marker

Inscription. During the Revolutionary War, loyalists in the Virginia backcountry periodically conspired against the Revolutionary authorities. Colonels Charles Lynch, James Callaway, and other militia officers and county justices formed extralegal courts to punish them, which were “not strictly warranted by law.” “Lynch’s Law,” or lynching, as such punishment has been called, did not at first include hanging. According to local tradition, accused loyalists were tied to a large black walnut tree here at Lynch’s home, Green Level, and whipped, not hanged. In contrast with the lynchings that began the next century, legally appointed officials meted out “Lynch’s law” mostly with fines and jail terms. Later, the Virginia General Assembly passed acts protecting Lynch and his associates from prosecution for their activities.

Erected 1997 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number L-30.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list.

Location. 37° 7.75′ N, 79° 16.105′ W. Marker

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is in Altavista, Virginia, in Campbell County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (Business U.S. 29) and Wards Droad (U.S. 29), on the left when traveling south on Main Street. It is about one mile north of downtown Altavista. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Altavista VA 24517, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gen. James Dearing (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tories, Treachery, Treason, and a Tree (about 400 feet away); Colonel Charles Lynch (about 400 feet away); General James Dearing (about 400 feet away); Altavista 9/11 Memorial (about 400 feet away); Civil War Cannon (about 400 feet away); Uses for Avoca's Colonial Herb Garden (about 400 feet away); Herb Garden (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Altavista.

More about this marker. This marker replaced a marker with the same name and number dating from the late 1920s that read “A hundred yards west stands a walnut tree under which Colonel Charles Lynch, William Preston, Robert Adams, Jr., James Callaway and others held an informal court for the trial of tories and criminals, 1780. Punishment usually consisted of whipping. From this rude justice the term ‘Lynch Law’ was evolved.”

Also see . . . William Lynch Wikipedia Entry. “The term

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 30, 2013

2. Origin of Lynch Law Marker

“Lynch’s Law” was used as early as 1782 by a prominent Virginian named Charles Lynch to describe his actions in suppressing a suspected Loyalist uprising in 1780 during the American Revolutionary War. The suspects were given a summary trial at an informal court; sentences handed down included whipping, property seizure, coerced pledges of allegiance, and conscription into the military. Charles Lynch’s extralegal actions were retroactively legitimized by the Virginia General Assembly in 1782.” (Submitted on May 17, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

3. Origin of Lynch Law Marker

The Avoca Museum, located on the site of Col. Lynch's home, can be seen in the background.

Lynch's tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

4. Lynch's tree

The remains of the black walnut tree described on the Marker are on display in the Avoca Museum, across the street from the Marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,185 times since then and 123 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 17, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on May 14, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.