James Caldwell (clergyman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Caldwell
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Artist's depiction of Caldwell at the Battle of Springfield
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| Born | April 1734 |
| Died | November 24, 1781 (aged 47) |
| Burial place | First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth |
| Occupation | Clergyman |
| Spouse(s) | Hannah Ogden |
| Children | 9 children |
| Parent(s) | John Caldwell and Margaret Caldwell |
James Caldwell (April 1734 – November 24, 1781) was a Presbyterian minister who played a prominent part in the American Revolution.
Biography
Caldwell was born in Cub Creek in Charlotte County, Province of Virginia, the seventh son of John and Margaret Caldwell, who were Scots-Irish settlers, and traced their ancestry to Huguenots who fled France to Scotland in the 16th century, established Caldwell Castle and later defended the Ulster Plantation and Derry. James Caldwell graduated from the College of New Jersey (later called Princeton University) in 1759 and, although he inherited 500 acres (2.0 km2) in Cub Creek, chose to become pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. He was an active partisan on the side of the Patriots, and was known as the "Fighting Parson". His church and his house were burned by Loyalists in 1780.
While Caldwell was stationed with the army in Morristown, his wife Hannah was shot by a British light infantryman under disputed circumstances during the Battle of Connecticut Farms in what is now Union Township, an act which Union County immortalizes on their county seal to this day.
Caldwell, who fought in the Battle of Springfield, was killed on November 24, 1781, by an American sentry in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, when he refused to have a package inspected. Their nine orphaned children were raised by the family's friends.
Legacy
- A monument to Caldwell in Elizabeth, New Jersey was dedicated in 1846.
- Three towns, known collectively as The Caldwells are named for James Caldwell:
- Caldwell, New Jersey
- North Caldwell, New Jersey
- West Caldwell, New Jersey
- Caldwell Township, New Jersey
Schools
- James Caldwell High School in West Caldwell
- James Caldwell Elementary School in Springfield, New Jersey.
- Hannah Caldwell Elementary School in Union, New Jersey, which carries his wife's name.
- Caldwell University (formerly Caldwell College) located in Caldwell, NJ also carries his name.
