I hope these aren't too much for the List, but it is frustrating to look and look for
an ancestory (as everyone knows) and they simply don't appear. Some of these notes
are truly priceless. Audrey
31 July 2001
Reference: Sketches of Western North Carolina
CAPT THOMAS CALDWELL
"Capt Thomas CALDWELL, of Irish parentage, was born in the eastern part of
Mecklenburg County (NC), (now Cabarrrs, in 1753. He early espoused the cause of liberty,
and entered the service in 1775, in Capt John SPRINGS' company as a private, and
marched to the protection of the frontier settlements from the murderous and plundering
incursions of the Cherokee Indians.
He again joined the service in Capt Ezekiel POLK's company and marched against the
Tories in South Carolina, near the post of Ninety-Six. In 1776, he volunteered under
Captain William ALEXANDER, Colonels Adam ALEXANDER and Robert IRWIN, General RUTHERFORD
commanding; marched to the Quaker Meadows at the head of the Catawba River, and thence to
the Cherokee country, beyojg the mountains. After severely chastising the Indians,
killing a few, and laying waste their country, causing them to sue for peace, the
expedition returned.
In 1870, he was appointed Captain by General Thomas POLK to assist in opposing the
advance of Lord Cornwallis.
After Cornwallis left Charlotte, in October, 1780, he raised a company, placed himself
under Colonel WILLIAMS, of South Carolina, and fought under him and Colonel LEE, at
PYLES' defeat, on Haw River. He also acted for some time as Quartermaster, at the
Hospital, in Charlotte.
This was Captain CALDWELL's last important service.
The distinguished physician, Dr. Charles CALDWELL, also of Irish parentage, and nearly
related to Captain Thomas CALDWELL, was born in the immediate vicinity of Poplar Tent
Church, in Cabarrus county, on land now owned by Colonel Thomas H. ROBINSON, a worthy son
of Dr. John ROBINSON, D. D., who so long and faithfully proclaimed the gospel of salvation
to this congregation. No vestige of the family mansion now remains, but its site is
easily recognized at the present time by a large fig bush, growing at or near where the
chimney formerly stood, as a lingering memento of the past, and producing annually its
delicious fruit.
Although this eminent physician, in his ardent pursuit of material Philosophy, wandered
for many years 'after strange gods,' until much learning made him mad; yet, it is
pleasing to know, in his maturer age, and under calm reflection, the early gospel precepts
so impressingly instilled into his youthful mind by his pious parents, yielded at length
their happiest results, and that he died at the Medical College of Louisville, in
Kentucky, in 1853, full of years and honors, and in the faith of his fathers, many of whom
sleep in the grave-yard of Poplar Tent Church."