General Notes

Emigrated from Londonderry, Ireland to America in 1785

Note: In 1754, at the age of 29, Oliver and his wife Ann Caldwell (a cousin of his) and his mother and two brothers, David and Alexander, came to America. Oliver and his wife settled in Greenbrier Virginia (now West Virginia). They had two sons there, Joseph and John. Some time after 1770, Oliver's wife died. Oliver remarried to a young woman, Isabella Cook; ( her family wasn't happy. Oliver was 50 years old at the time and she was 25.) Oliver and Isabella had 5 children. In 1797, Oliver and family packed up in Campbell County, Virginia and headed for Kentucky. They stopped for a time in Tennessee (according to oral family history). Oliver died (1798) in Tennessee and Isabella and her children continued to Logan County, Kentucky. Oliver's sons became well known in the area. they owned a tannery (Oliver was a tanner by trade), a gunpowder factory and a saddle factory in Russellville. the historical society has recently reopened the saddle shop as a visitor's center and museum.


    Story by Hugh Caldwell
    "This Oliver Caldwell, while in conversation there (Carlisle PA), showed me a copy of this document, which I was also permitted to copy. Besides this document, Mr. Oliver Caldwell showed me a richly engraved silver cup, with historic sketches engraved thereon. This cup had been handed down through fourteen generations from the first settlement in Scotland by the three ancient brothers.
    "First on this cup was seen a man drawing water from a well, representing the famous watering place near Toulon France, where they lived and were reared, the three brothers John, Alexander, and Oliver.
    "Next on the cup was seen three ships on the sea, tossed by high waves, representing the former sailor life of the three brothers while captains on the Mediterranean, and also representing the emigrant ships in which they had previously sailed from Lisbon, Spain to Scotland.
    "Next was engraved a fire burning on a hill signifying a beacon light and signal of danger. It was during one of the cruel persecutions in France that the Huguenots and other Protestants had to flee for their lives from the face of their cruel prosecutors and our fathers had to leave France and go to Scotland to find safety.
    Next was seen twenty men on horseback in armor representing the military service required by King James VI of Scotland, upon their settlement there.
    "On the bottom of the cup was engraved the name of the original owner, 'Alexander Cauldwell, Mt. Aud, France.
    Emigrated from Scotland to Ireland soon after King William's conquest of that place.

    From:"THE OLD FREE STATE" (A Contribution to the History of Lunenburg County and Southside VA) by Landon C. Bell Vol II The William Byrd Press, Inc. Printers, Richmond VA 1927 page 182

    CALDWELL
    This family is a very ancient one. It is said to be descended from Albigenses and Waldenses of the Piedmont section of Italy, who were driven into France by the Roman Catholic persecutions. Some of the Caldwells, who were living at Mount Arid near Toulon, France, earned the enmity of Frances I of France; and after his escape from imprisonment under Charles V of Germany; three Caldwells; brothers; John; Alexander; and Oliver emigrated to Scotland and there with the consent of James I, purchased the estate of a Bishop named Douglas, located on 'Solney Frith E'. It was proved that "the said brothers, John; Alexander; and Oliver, late of Mount Arid, "should have their estate known as Caldwell" on condition that when the King should require they should each send a son with twenty men of sound limb, to aid in the wars of the King.
    (Account of Elsie Chapline Pheby Cross, in Journal of American History).
    There is a cup, preserved as an heirloom, which represents a Chieftan and twenty mounted men, all armed, and a man drawing water from a well, with the words underneath, "Alexander of Cauldwell". It also shows a fire burning on a hill, over the words, "Mount Arid", and also a vessel surrounded by high waves, which the latter was inherited to commemorate the fact that their ancestors were in common in the Mediterranean, in the latter part of the fourteenth Century. (ID. Cross)
    Oliver Cromwell's grandmother was Ann Cauldwell, and Joseph, John, Alexander, Daniel, David and Andrew of Cauldwell, went with Cromwell to Ireland and in various capacities served with interest there, after his accession to the Protectorate. Upon the restoration of Charles II, a member of the family Immigrated to America.

    By Michael R. Caldwell 3598 S. Centennial Rd. Magna Utah 84044
    Following is a historical account of where the Caldwell name might have begun. Full credit is given to the author at the bottom of this account. I have not verified this for accuracy, nor have I connected the Caldwell's in this book to the Caldwell's mentioned below. Please direct any questions or comments to the author. It is kinda neat to read though!
    Before the name Caldwell came into existence, our ancestors were a part of two groups of people living in Italy who called themselves the Albigenses and Waldenses. Both of these groups were Protestant in their beliefs and are mentioned often in historical accounts. At this time (ie. early 1200's), those of Protestant belief were being subjected to heavy persecution by the Roman Catholic Church. Eventually, because of these persecutions, they were forced over the mountainous border that seperates Italy from France and settled in a small village called Toulon, near the foot of Mt. Aud (also called Mt. Arid in some accounts). It was here that three brothers, John, Alexander, and Oliver, were born.
    They spent all of their boyhood days in Toulon, and as they became young men, began what became known as the Cold Well Estate. The estate itself gained its name from a much frequented and well known watering place located within its boundaries. As was customary during this time, the three brothers became known as John, Alexander and Oliver of Cold Well. Later, the "of" was dropped and they were referred to as the Cold Well Brothers.
    But persecution began to mount here in France under the reign of Francis the First, a Catholic sympathizer. Again, they were forced to leave their homes. This time they travelled by way of Lisbon, Spain to an eventual new home in Scotland. It is from this start of the Caldwell name that all Caldwell's, both in Europe and America, appear to be descendant. This portion of their lives is dealt with in more detail later in this sketch.
    The above account seems to suggest that the Caldwell name had its beginning in France. However two independant research firms (Halberts, in Bath Ohio and the Historical Research Center, Inc. headquartered in Deerfield Beach Florida) indicate that the name seems to be original to Scotland. Additionally, if Cold Well had been added as a surname in France, one would reasonably expect that it would have remained in the French form (ie. using French words for cold well, not english). This same account itself, which above seems to suggest a French origin, refers later in this narrative to the beginning of the Caldwell family on an estate in Scotland, not France (see below). Finally, a close reading of the above will show that it does not require the conclusion that the estate was actually in France. I believe the three brothers grew up in France, but established their estate (and thereby gained their surname) in Scotland).
    Next Michael wrote about the story by Hugh Caldwell above.
    The three brothers were originally and apparantly aligned with the Barbarossa brothers, generally considered pirates of much note at that time. The Barbarossa's were of Algerian birth and became the dominent power in the Mediterrranean for 20 or more years after driving the Spanish from Algeria. The name "Barbarossa is a European one meaning "red beard" which the leader of these brothers (Khaii-Din by his Algerian name who died in 1546) apparantly had (The Encyclopedia Britannica). The term Barbary pirates will, no doubt, be familiar to many readers of this story. None-the-less, these pirates were themselves defeated by the Governor of Aran when he made a massive effort to end the dominance of the Barbaross's. John, Alexander, and Oliver escaped without being captured by the Aranian Governor and returned to Toulon for a short time.
    The three brothers, however, soon put their years of experience on the sea to good use and amassed a naval fleet of their own, one rivaling the defeated Barbarossa's in force. Now, however, Spanish Merchants hired John, Alexander and Oliver to do away with the remaining pirates on the Mediterranean. Though hired by the Spanish, King Francis I of France was so pleased with their success, that he rewarded the brothers, as well, to the tune of $20,000 a substantial sum of money in that day.
    They then determined from that time forward to abandon the high seas and return to their home in Mt. Aud, France. But on their return there, they found France now in a state of turmoil as a result of the persecutions suffered by the Huguenots and Piedmonts, as the Protestants in France were called. They, being protestant themselves, returned at once to Spain.
    From Spain, they took a merchant ship bound for the coast of Scotland. They landed at a place called Solway Firth. And finding the country in peace under the Protestant reign of King James VI (approx. 1543-1566, he then became King James I, King of England 1566-1625), they determined to settle there. After finding a large land holder, he being a welthy bishop of the place, they purchased from him a large estate and sent back to their native land for other relatives and friends and in a few years became numerous and prosperous. But, in order to acquire full title to this land, it was necessary that they should gain the consent and signature of the King to their purchase. This they did. But the King, upon signing their titles, imposed the following condition; That the three brothers should, when the King required it, each send a son with a troop of twenty men to aid in the wars of the King. And these should be men of sound mind and able bodies, fit for service.
    Thus we find our forefathers peacefully settled in Scotland, under the most favorable circumstances in life, both in wealth and in talent. Shortly thereafter, part of the family migrated across the Highlands of Scotland. It was nearly one hundred years to the time of Oliver Cromwell (who will be discussedd later in this report) that they went northward from Solway Firth, through Scotland, mingling with these people as they traveled.
    The people of Scotland were adherents of John Knox, the Scotch reformer and many of them became part of his "Presbyterian" belief. They were among the converters of Scotland and the seceders of Ireland and, through several generations in Scotland they became Scotish Highlanders. Passing over the highlands of Scotland into the north of Ireland, they became Scotch-Irish. They, however, never mingled with the native Irish of Ireland. The Irish were of the Celtic race and had inhabited the island from time immemorial and were converted to the Roman Catholic faith by St. Patrick. But in the north of Ireland were Picts and Scots who were converted Protestants and Presbyterians and the two races were ever at antipathy with each other, socially and religiously. Consequently, they were always a seperate and distinct people and have kept it so.
    Some of these ancestors of ours lived in the North of Ireland, near a lake called Yon. The great-grandfather of the original writer of part of this report (Thomas H. Caldwell) brought with him from that lake, a resin hone made from hickory wood which was formed into stone, by the action of the lake, which petrifies wood into stone in seven years. The lake contains a very fine emery sand which enters into the pores of the wood and petrifies it. This relic he brought to America with him and it was handed down until it came into possession of R. A. Caldwell, brother of Thomas H. Caldwell. But it was lost during the Civil War of 1861. "This Hone was greatly prized and greatly lamented when lost."
    From the north, they migrated to the south of Ireland, through Wales and from thence to America.
    Severel well known historical figures play an important role in our history. Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), Protector of England from 1653 to 1658, was of our family through his grandmother, Ann of Cauldwell. He brought over from Scotland a large host of his kindred of the Cauldwell family and gave them positions of honor and trust during his lease of power at the head of the English nation.
    From the north of Ireland, one of the young men who retained the old family name from which he had descended, Alexander Caldwell, emigrated south in the days of Cromwell and joined the "Friends" under Cromwell with other Caldwell families in their schemes of ambition in attaining places of honor and trust under the government of the Cromwell's.
    But after Cromwell's death and the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II of England (1630-1685), they were banished, and this portion of the family also fled to America, forming colonies, one in Virginia, one in New Jersey, one in New York, and one in Philadelphia. One Family Historian writes:
    Joseph, John, Andrew, and David of Cauldwell, went with Oliver Cromwell to Ireland, of which he was Lord Governor, after he was promoted to the Protectorship of England. They remained in his interest in Ireland, until the restoration of the crown under Charles II, when John, David and Andrew fled to America. Joseph died in Ireland, Daniel continued there; but several of his children emigrated to America and helped form colonies at James River, Rhode Island and Philadelphia.
    Before immigrating, however, he (Alexander) confided to a family relative who had come from the old estate of Solway Firth, of the defeat of the Caldwell family and determined to make her his bride. Her name was Mary of Cauldwell, a distinct relative but too distant to form a barrier to a closer union. After a short aquaintance and a shorter courtship, they were married in Wales and the family emigrated to America with one brother of the groom (David) and two brothers of the bride, John and Andrew, both young men. They landed at Philadelphia and formed a colony, but poverty had overtaken the Caldwell family at the time of their emigration to America and instead of the wealth and honor with which they were surrounded in the palmy days of the Cromwell's they had now become exiles and had been hunted throughout England for their lives, which made it necessary for them to go into self-banishment for personal safety. These were dark days for the Caldwell families, and they had to sell themselves to the ship master to gain their passage over to America. The ship master in turn had to hire them out to service in Philadelphia to such as he could find, to pay their passage. This service, however, they accomplished with faithfullness and hearty good will, without a murmur, and when accomplished were glad to call themselves "Free men of America." And this freedom they ever afterwards maintained at the point of the sword and the mouth of the cannon and when kings and tyrants from the "mother country" sent armies to America to again subject them to vassalage, their breasts were bare to the conflict and, like Cromwell, their relative and preceptor, their war cry was "down with the tyrant." They fought through the war of the revolution in the cause of liberty.
    So we learn that the Caldwell families from the old estate in Scotland, known as the Cauldwell Estate, are numerous in America. Not only was Oliver Cromwell and many other members of the Revolution in England (of which he was head and leader) members of our family, but also Queen Elizabeth of England (1558-1603) is of the same family. Thomas H. Caldwell tells us that his mother, Mrs. Elenor Caldwell once had in her possesion a gold chain that belonged to Queen Elizabeth, and had been handed down through many generations but was lost during Mrs. Caldwell's lifetime. She was much grieved over the circumstance, of course. Our ancestors were descendants of Alexander Cauldwell; Oliver Cromwell, a descendant of Oliver, the younger brother; and John Caldwell Calhoun of South Carolina from the eldest brother John.
    Although our friends at the time of landing in Scotland were probably not religious, yet being raised up by Protestant parentage gave them partiality to that form of doctrine and church policy taught by John Knox, the great Scotish reformer. And settling among the Scottish people, a people preeminently religious and of the strictest order of faith, Presbyterianism, they were not long in falling in with the sentiments and religious views of their new neighbors. They no doubt also found their future partners for life among the daughters of that clime, reared and brought up within the pale of the church and deeply imbued with the principles and doctrines of the Presbyterian church. Thus the new generations became so thoroughly Presbyterian that in successive ages they have shown their attachment to the Presbyterian all their settlements, wherever they have gone. And ministers of the gospel, elders, deacons and numerous church members have been among their latest descendants.
    Our forefathers personally were men of stately mien and large physique and possessed of bright, open, and iteeligent countenances; were of dark skin, deep pentrating eyes, high rolling smooth foreheads, were affable and genial in their own manners, friendly and accomodating in their disposition and were disposed to be talkative and generous to a fault. Although naturally dark complexion, in mingling with the "blue-eyed belles of Scotland" through thirteen generations, the younger generations have shown many instances of the fair hair and blue eyes of the mother's family. Thus the blue eyes and the black eyes appear in almost every family.
    NOTE:
    Michael has several differing accounts of this narrative in his possesion and after having completed historical research has combined them forming the most accurate account he could determine in the process.
    The following is a quote from the first redition of this story which came into his possession:
    The information contained in the [above] historical sketch of the Caldwell family is based, in part, upon the memory and records which certains members of the family had many years ago. These records and histories were handed down and eventually came into the hands of John Caldwell Calhoun. He had them in his possession the remainder of his life. Then in 1852, after his death, E. N. Rogers of Franklin, Tennessee (another relative) transmitted these records and documents to the Tennessee Nashville Banner for publication, and for the first time, these records were made public. A copy of the paper found its way to Montgomery City, Montgomery County, Missouri, and to Mr. J. Caldwell of Mongomery City. He in turn loaned them to Newton Gamble Caldwell who loaned a copy to Thomas H. Caldwell. From this paper, Thomas H. Caldwell, wrote an historical sketch of the Caldwell family."
    A somewhat different version of this account is also on microfilm at the Family History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That version is very detailed and includes significant reference to historical events of the same time period. Additional historical research has been conducted by Michel and the three sources combined to form this current narrative.
    Michael R. Caldwell 3598 S. Centennial Rd. Magna, Utah 84044 (801)250-7928