Lynchburg Campbell County Bedford County Nannette Saunders ASSOCIATE BROKER

Half way up the driveway leading to the Avoca Estate in Altavista stands ancient black walnut tree that ranks as one of Virginia's most misconstrued Revolutionary War landmarks.

Under this tree in 1780, Col. Charles Lynch, a self-appointed magistrate, administered his "rude justice" upon Tory conspirators and patriot turncoats. The corporal punishment consisted of 39 lashes with a whip or until the malefactors cried the patriots' motto, "Liberty," and pledged their fidelity to the Republic.

From these floggings, "Lynch's Law" was added to the legal vernacular.

Much to the consternation of Lynch's descendants, Lynch Law was erroneously linked by some historians to the modern "lynchings," or vigilante justice by hanging.

That error would later cast an unsavory light on the city, 22 miles to the north, named after Lynch's brother, John Lynch.

Lynchburg business men were so concerned about their city's image during the Civil Right era that the Chamber of Commerce commissioned historian Alfred Perry to set the record straight.

Although local historians have offered various account of what happened under the walnut tree in the summer of 1780, they all agree on one point - a noose never hung from its boughs.

The origin of the Lynch Law, 1780 was a response to a Tory conspiracy to bring Virginia under British rule. (Tories were loyal to the crown.)

With Gen. Cornwallis' troops advancing through the Carolinas to Virginia, Tory loyalists hatched a plan designed to dislodge the patriots from the "old Dominion." The insurrection was to include the capture of a large arsenal at New London and the freeing of 4,000 British and German troops imprisoned at Charlottesville.

Col. Lynch, the commander of the Bedford County militia, along with Cols. James Callaway and William Preston and Capt. Bob Adams, imposed martial law after word of the Tory conspiracy leaked out.

The four set up a court to try suspected conspirators and many of the trials were held under the walnut tree at Lynch's Avoca Estate.

The accused were allowed to call witnesses, and some were acquitted. But those who were found guilty were given 39 lashes - "40 save one" in the biblical tradition - or until they cried "Liberty."

Lynch's efforts were encouraged by Thomas Jefferson who wrote a letter to the colonel that the "most vigorous decisive measures, should be continued for seizing every one on who probable proof of guilt shall appear.

Death came early in live for many, in the first years of Lynchburg's history. The cities of the dead in Lynchburg grew just as fast as the town.

Mothers frequently died in childbirth. Infant mortality was very high, and if disease and fever didn't carry away the children, they would often succumb to accidents or infections.

Funerals served to bury the dead, but also a gathering time for friends.

Some had some aspects of a festive event, however decorously conducted. As soon as the ceremony was finished, as a means of consoling themselves in the liveliest fashion, at least temporarily ... eating and drinking was often preceded by furious fusillades of guns.

Although sometimes limited because of the need to preserved ammunition, the expending of gunpowder was insignificant, compared to the consumption of liquor of all kinds.

The unregulated firing of guns as a gesture had to be called to a halt by 1668 because so many accidents were being caused by the firing of pistols by those who had been drinking too much. After that, a magistrate had to be present for the fusillade.

Such unseemly goings on - as well as the costs incurred - made funeral expense a concern to the person who was approaching death. A number of early wills included a proviso limiting expense or asking that little be spent.

Observances of death took a more formal note in the 1700s and 1800s - often periods of mourning were observed and the trappings of woe were worn.

Black signified mourning. The family in which a death occurred put black crepe upon the door, or if the newly dead was a child or an unmarried woman the crepe was white. Those who had lost relatives often wore black armbands as a symbol of their loss.

The first graveyards known in Lynchburg were a small Church of England plot, used from 1765 to about 1802, at 10th and Court Streets, when the church burned, the graveyard at the Quaker Meeting House, was used from the 1790s.

The graveyard at the Quaker Meeting House and that on Court Street were the only ones near the city until March 7, 1806, when John Lynch gave the down an acre of land for the new burying ground.

Many of the remains from the Anglican graveyard at Court Street were removed, later, to the Methodist Cemetery located at the dead end of Madison Street. The cemetery, closed in 1965, is also called City Cemetery and the Confederate Cemetery.

But some of the remains did not get transferred.

There are some residents that remember as children seeing many human bones thrown out when the foundation for a house at 10th and Court Streets were being dug.

The city of the dead grew quickly as Lynchburg's living population grew. In 1854 a ruckus was caused when a piece of ground beyond the city limits on New London Road was obtained for a new graveyard - Spring Hill.

One account said the man who sold it was said to have thought they buyers wanted it for a Seminary, not a cemetery.

Holy Cross Cemetery, located on what is now Bedford Avenue was established in 1874.

During the Civil War, Lynchburg served as the site of a military hospital complex. According to the records of Diuguid Funeral Service, which was founded in 1817, the greatest number of funerals in a year's time occurred during 1862, some 99 deaths from small occurred among wounded Confederate soldiers.

Before the Civil War, almost no embalming was done, nor any use of sanitary chemical preservatives, according to an unpublished History Of Diuguid's donated to Jones Library in 1924.

Although the firm had practiced some embalming techniques before 1890, Virginia was the first state to require it in 1894.

The natural contours of the land give Central Virginians recreational opportunities of which most communities can only dream. If you're not an outdoor lover yet, it's very likely you can be on the Blue Ridge Parkway hiking the trails or enjoying picnicking or camping by a mountain stream. Tow of the most popular trails are Sharp Top and Flat Top at the Peaks of Otter, which provide a view of the surrounding countryside for many miles.

Canoeists and kayakers will find the rivers that cut through the region have enough water to make a trip exciting. There is abundant wildlife in the area's streams, lakes and forests for people who enjoy fishing and hunting.

On hot summer days Central Virginians take to the many lakes and pools in the area. The 20,000 acre Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford County is a favorite. The lake has two marinas, four campgrounds and 500- mile shoreline.

When the weather turns cold, ski buffs know excellent slopes are just an hour away. The nearby resorts offer activities for every season, including skiing, golf, tennis, horseback riding, swimming and hiking.

In the heart of Lynchburg is one of the nicest recreation areas of all, the Blackwater Creek Natural Area. On a leisurely stroll down the six-mile Creekside Trail you will see the animals, plants and trees indigenous to the area. For bicyclists, a four-mile trail runs along the abandoned Norfolk and Western right-of-way.

The 115 acre Ruskin Freer Preserve is located near the center of the Natural Area and is a sanctuary for plants and animals. At one edge is the Blackwater Creek Athletic Area with two lighted ball fields, pavilion and picnic tables.

Parks are only minutes away from every part of Lynchburg. The city and county recreation departments sponsor long lists of activities each year. The conduct a full range of athletic, dance, arts and crafts classes and sponsor sports teams for all ages from pre-school to senior citizens. There are also several private clubs with pools, golf courses and racquetball and tennis courts. Both the YMCA and the YWCA have full schedules of activities.

Special programs are geared for senior citizens. Activities such as recreational and educational projects, arts and crafts, field trips, fashion shows, travelogues and sporting events are conducted by the recreation departments and local clubs.

Lynchburg's community spirit is especially evident during the annual Kaleidoscope Festival each fall. Thousands of people join together for ten days of activities. The days are packed with evens and activities for all ages, including "Day in the Park" festivities, an air fair, high school and collegiate sporting events, exhibits and tours of many local historical sites, churches and industries.

The highlight of the festival is the Virginia Ten-Miler, rapidly becoming recognized as one of the best ten miles footraces in the country. Lynchburg's hilly terrain makes it a challenging course. It is truly a community event for both runners and spectators. You can run the course or join the thousands of people who line the course cheering the participants who include many of the world's best distance runners.

The "Day in the Park" is always a festival favorite. Young and old alike enjoy the booths and exhibits that ring Miller Park. One one side children are being transformed into clowns for a day, with the help of a little makeup, or watching a magic show. From another part of the park comes the sounds of dance and musical productions. Of course, there are bade sales, balloons, model train demonstrations, ham radio operators and dozens of other exhibits. That's just a sketch of the activities.

During the days you can participate in a racquetball, golf or tennis tournament and in the evenings see a play. The Kaleidoscope Festival is an excellent time to tour the Old Court House or Point of Honor and see the guides dressed in period costumes.

The Kaleidoscope Festival is really ten days of activities to remind Central Virginia residents of what a colorful and diverse area they live in.

Welcome to Central Virginia! Whether you are a new resident, or considering moving or contemplating investing, we are glad you are here.

So relax and take a few minutes to learn about Central Virginia. You'll discover the many special aspects that make its residents proud to call it home.

Once of the first things you'll notice in Central Virginia is the friendliness of the people. Like most areas of the South, newcomers don't stay strangers very long. People in our community are anxious to make you feel at home. Fortunately, there are so many ways to get involved and be an active force in making Central Virginia, a better place to live, work and raise a family.

It won't take you long to realize that Central Virginians are proud of their area. It is a very diverse region, with industry peacefully coexisting with residential and commercial areas and vast expanses of farmlands.

Lynchburg, the center of education, cultural activities and manufacturing for Central Virginia, is nestled in the valley of the James River and bordered by the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Over 67,000 people live within its fifty square miles. Citizens enjoy the advantages of a medium sized city and at the same time, many of the opportunities of a large metropolitan area.

Virginia is unique in that cities and counties are separate entities with their own governing bodies and schools systems.

There are so many things to learn about Central Virginia and places to see and people to meet.