Samuel Calland facts for kids

Samuel Calland was an important person who lived a long time ago, from 1750 to 1808. He was born in Scotland but moved to Virginia when it was still a group of colonies ruled by Britain. He became a very successful landowner and merchant there. The town of Callands, Virginia is even named after him!

Family Life

Samuel Calland married Elizabeth Smith on December 14, 1776, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Elizabeth's father, John Smith, owned a big farm called "The Pocket" near the Smith River. Samuel and Elizabeth had four children:

• Anna B. Calland Callaway (born 1780, died 1810)
• Captain Samuel C. Calland (born 1787, died 1818)
• Ralph Smith Calland (born 1789, died 1815)
• James Calland (born 1791, died 1817)

Calland's Home

The Calland family lived in a very large house that had 22 rooms! It was located at the bottom of Turkeycock Mountain. Today, only a smaller part of the house remains. It's a six-room building with a basement. You can still see the tall ceilings, wooden walls, a special corner staircase, and a big brick chimney.

His Business

Samuel Calland was a merchant, which means he owned a store. His store sold many things that people living on the frontier (the edge of settled areas) needed. But he also sold fancy and expensive items that wealthy landowners liked. His store was so important that it was also used as the local courthouse and a meeting place for people in early Pittsylvania County.

His Church

Samuel Calland was a very religious man and followed the Presbyterian faith strictly. He helped start the very first Presbyterian church in Pittsylvania County. It was called the "Wet Sleeve" congregation. This church was formed soon after the American Revolution, when people in Virginia gained the freedom to choose their own religion.

The Wet Sleeve Church was built near Callands. Samuel Calland, being from Scotland, was a strong supporter of the church. In 1784, the church officially started, and Reverend David Barr became its first minister.

Public Service

When the American Revolution began, Samuel Calland first supported the King of England. He even got into trouble for drinking tea after the famous Boston Tea Party, which was a protest against British taxes. However, he soon changed his mind and decided to support the new American colonies. In 1778, he took an oath to be loyal to the United States.

After that, Samuel Calland became an important public official. He was first appointed as a justice in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Later, after the American Revolution, he became the High sheriff of Pittsylvania County. The High Sheriff was a very important job, responsible for law and order.

His Passing

Samuel Calland passed away in 1808. His obituary (a notice about his death) said that he was a happy person. It described him as a loving husband, a kind father, a generous boss, and a warm friend. He was also known for being very welcoming to guests.

He is buried in the Callands family cemetery in Callands, Virginia. After he died, his large lands were divided among his children into four big farms: the "Manor Plantation," the "Glebe Plantation," the "Dan River Plantation" (which was along the Dan River), and the "Sandy River Plantation" (along the Sandy River).