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James Waddel (or Waddell, July 1739 – September 17, 1805) was an Irish American Presbyterian preacher from Virginia noted for his eloquence. He was a founding trustee of Liberty Hall (later Washington and Lee University), when it was made into a college in 1776.〔 Williams, Richard G (2013). Lexington, Virginia and the Civil War. The History Press, 2013. Retrieved online http://books.google.com/books?id=SnlXXMRrD3MC&pg=PA22&dq=%22sampson+mathews%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=a_58VNDGHuHlsAS4_oKQCw&ved=0CDUQ6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=%22sampson%20mathews%22&f=false 〕 ==Biography== James Waddel was born in Newry, Ireland in July 1739. His parents, Thomas and Janetta Waddel, emigrated to the United States later that same year, settling in southeastern Pennsylvania, near the Delaware line.〔Joseph Addison Waddell, "Annals of Augusta County, Virginia", c.1901〕 When James was about twelve years old he suffered an injury to his hand. This incapacitated him to the extent that his father thought it was necessary for him to be educated, so that he could support himself. He was educated at the historic 'Log College' (now West Nottingham Academy) at Nottingham, Pennsylvania and was taught by Rev. Dr. Samuel Finley, DD. He became so proficient in ancient languages that he became a tutor at that school when he was fifteen years old.〔Joseph Waddell, "Home Scenes and Family Sketches", Stoneburner & Prufer, 1900.〕 He became an assistant teacher in Reverend Robert Smith's academy in Pequea, Lancaster County.〔 When nineteen or twenty years old, he moved to Louisa County, Virginia, where he became a tutor. Meriwether Lewis was one of his students. Under the influence of Samuel Davies, Waddel decided to study for the ministry. He studied theology under John Todd and was licensed to preach in 1761, and the next year became pastor of Presbyterian churches in the Northern Neck of Virginia. He started several churches in Northumberland and Lancaster counties, introducing the Presbyterian Church into areas where previously there had only been the Anglican Church.〔 In Lancaster County, James met Mary Gordon, the daughter of Mary Gordon (Harrison) and James Gordon, a wealthy and influential planter. In 1767 James and Mary were married from "Verville", the home of her father, into the "Honeymoon Cottage" at Merry Point, on the Corrotoman River. The couple eventually had ten children,〔Nevin, Encyclopedia of the Presbyterian Church〕 nine of whom survived to adulthood.〔 When the American Revolutionary War began, the Waddel family moved to the Tinkling Spring church in Augusta County and also preached in Staunton.〔 He purchased a large farm called "Springhill" on the South River by Waynesboro. During the war he made many addresses to soldiers encouraging them to fight; one stirring sermon in particular was having been given to the forces of Campbell, McDowell, and Moffett, while assembled at Midway in preparation to meet the army of Charles Cornwallis in North Carolina.〔 He served as a founding trustee of Liberty Hall, formerly the Augusta Academy, when in 1776 it was renamed in a burst of revolutionary fervor and relocated to Lexington, Virginia.〔 Other founding trustees along with Waddell were prominent men including Andrew Lewis, Thomas Lewis, Samuel McDowell, Sampson Mathews, George Moffett, and William Preston. 〔 Williams, Richard G (2013). Lexington, Virginia and the Civil War. The History Press, 2013. Retrieved online http://books.google.com/books?id=SnlXXMRrD3MC&pg=PA22&dq=%22sampson+mathews%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=a_58VNDGHuHlsAS4_oKQCw&ved=0CDUQ6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=%22sampson%20mathews%22&f=false 〕 Finally chartered in 1782, Liberty Hall was again renamed, to Washington College and finally Washington and Lee University. It is the ninth oldest institution of higher education in the country.〔〔Waddell, Joseph A (1902) "Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, from 1726 to 1871 (Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, from 1726 to 1871 ), Retrieved October 20, 2012〕 In 1785 he settled on an estate in Louisa County, where he supplied vacant pulpits and was principal of a classical school.〔 He visited George Washington the next year.〔Eubank, H. Ragland. Historic Northern Neck of Virginia. Richmond, Northern Neck Association (Colonial Beach) (1934)., pg. 95.〕 He became blind about 1787 due to cataracts, but continued his labors without interruption, writing as well as preaching with great industry, and was known as "the blind preacher."〔(Church of the Blind Preacher ), Historical Marker Database〕 Dickinson College gave him the degree of D.D. in 1792. He died at "Hopewell", his Louisa County estate near Gordonsville, Virginia, in 1805.〔 His last words were recorded as "Let me die, take the pillow from beneath my head. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「James Waddel」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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