Lynah family history

POST REVOLUTION

In 1784, Dr. James Lynah's name was officially taken off the list,(1) thereby restoring to him all of his estate, his rights of citizenship and removing this mark against his name forever.(2)

Thus, we see in Dr. Lynah a man who was unwilling, although banished forever, to leave his country which he had to best of his ability tried to free from the bondage of British tyranny; and, who having been accused falsely of what must have been called treason, was willing to stay behind to defend himself when many left. He would rather submit himself to the indignities of a common jail and rely upon his faith in God and his fellowmen for fair and just treatment than to leave behind a single blot on his name, be it ever so doubtful.

Following this Dr. Lynah, in the first election after the incorporation of Charleston in 1783, was selected Warden from Ward 8 to represent his fellow citizens on their first incorporated board.(3) He wad one of the founders of the S. C. Medical Society begun in 1784 and incorporated in 1789.(4) He was in 1782 Senior Warden of the Fellowship Society.(5) He was also president of the Mount Zion Society.(6) He was twice Grandmaster of his Masonic Lodge and held various other offices in the Lodge during his life time.(7) He was a director of the Bank of South Carolina from 1801 until his death, (8) and Justice of the Peace 1789.(9)

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(1) ibid; page 635.

(2) One can only speculate as to what actually happened. More than likely Dr. Lynah, his services being much in demand by both the British and his fellow citizens was forced by the British to accept some form of commission in order to practice. Regardless of what he was forced to do, it is obvious that if it had any effect at all, it was to elevate Dr. Lynah rather than to lower him in the eyes of his fellow citizens as we can see from what followed.

Some of the others were assessed 12% or more with various restructions ibid; page 634-635.

(3) Vol. 56 S. C. Historical Magazine. Charleston was divided into 13 wards each to elect one warden to serve for one year. Election was in September 1787.

(4) S. C. Medical College Records. See Appendix II.

(5) Royal Gazelle March 20, 1782. See Appendix II. It was interesting to note that notice of his re-election as Senior Warden appeared in the same issue as the notice of his banishment.

(6) City Directory 1807, page 87. Appendix II

(7) City Gazette Jan. 1, 1805, and family records. (8) City Directory 1801. City Gazette 10-28-1809.

(9) Indenture dated March 1789 witnessed by James Lynah one of the Justices assigned to keep the Peace in Charleston District. Univ. N. C. - Lynah records.