David Caldwell Marker, Greensboro
The David Caldwell memorial marker is a simple rectangular bronze tablet attached to a large boulder. A similar memorial to his wife, Rachael Caldwell, placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution stands a few feet away.
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Far-off view of the memorial marker |
Memorial markers to Rachel and Dr. David Caldwell
DAVID CALDWELL / 1725 1824 / PREACHER, TEACHER, PHYSICIAN, PATRIOT, STATESMAN. / ON THIS LAND, DATE OF DEED 1765, ONE-HALF MILE / NORTH OF THIS MARKER, IS THE SITE OF HIS HOME / PLACE AND FAMOUS “LOG COLLEGE” OPENED 1767.
THIS TABLET ERECTED BY THE / NORTH CAROLINA SOCIETY OF COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA / UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE / GUILFORD COUNTY COMMITTEE / 1935
David and Rachel Caldwell Historical Center
March 22, 1935
36.094330 , -79.841090
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“David Caldwell Marker Will Be Unveiled Near Here by Colonial Dames,” Greensboro Record (Greensboro, NC), March 11, 1935
Brooks, Aubrey Lee. “DAVID CALDWELL AND HIS LOG COLLEGE.” The North Carolina Historical Review vol. 28, no. 4, North Carolina Office of Archives and History, 1951, pp. 399–407, (accessed January 5, 2022) Link
Caruthers, Eli Washington. A Sketch of the Life and Character of the Rev. David Caldwell, D. D., (Greensborough, NC: Swaim and Sherwood, 1842), (accessed February 6, 2012) Link
Stoesen, Alexander R. 2006. “Caldwell School,” NCPedia.org, (accessed December) Link
“David Caldwell D.D.,” The Historical Marker Database, HMdb.org, (accessed December 29, 2021) Link
“David Caldwell,” The Historical Marker Database, HMdb.org, (accessed January 5, 2022) Link
“David and Rachel Caldwell Historical Center,” Visit Greensboro NC, visitgreensboronc.com, (accessed December 28, 2021) Link
“David and Rachel Caldwell,” Mvandersommen.com, (accessed December 28, 2021) Link
“Graham Heard at Event Here,” Greensboro Record (Greensboro, NC), March 22, 1935
“Rachel Caldwell,” The Historical Marker Database, HMdb.org, (accessed December 28, 2021) Link
Yes
Bronze, stone
North Carolina Society of Colonial Dames of America
Dr. Frank P. Graham, president of the University of North Carolina, was the featured speaker at the dedication. The unveiling was performed by Mrs. Mary Caldwell Jones, the oldest lineal descendant of Dr. Caldwell still living in North Carolina. The Invocation was given by Rev. A.P. Dickson, pastor of Buffalo Presbyterian Church and the benediction by Rev. J.M. Millard, pastor of Alamance Presbyterian Church, both of which Caldwell had pastored. Attendance was estimated at 200.
Having graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) and receiving his ordination, David Caldwell came to what is now Guilford County as a Presbyterian missionary in 1765 and assumed leadership of Buffalo and Alamance Presbyterian churches. Realizing the lack of medical care available in the “backwoods”, he secured medical books from Philadelphia and taught himself medicine. Likewise, he recognized the need for formal schooling in the area and in 1767 founded the Caldwell School, also known as the “Log College”, where he and his wife Rachel taught for 40 years.
Five state governors, three Alabama, one Tennessee, John Motley Morehead of North Carolina and more than 50 pastors were schooled there.
In 1795 David Caldwell was given the opportunity to become president of the University of North Carolina but declined the invitation. Caldwell was considered an excellent orator and was known to advance the Patriot cause during the American Revolution.
[Additional information from NCpedia editors at the State Library of North Carolina: This person enslaved and owned other people. Many Black and African people, their descendants, and some others were enslaved in the United States until the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in 1865. It was common for wealthy landowners, entrepreneurs, politicians, institutions, and others to enslave people and use enslaved labor during this period. To read more about the enslavement and transportation of African people to North Carolina, visit https://aahc.nc.gov/programs/africa-carolina-0. To read more about slavery and its history in North Carolina, visit https://www.ncpedia.org/slavery. - Government and Heritage Library, 2023.]
The marker is located on the grounds of the David and Rachael Caldwell Historical Center, 3211 W. Cornwallis Dr., Greensboro, NC 27410. The Rachel Caldwell memorial marker is next to it.
The grounds of the historical center are park-like with mature trees, sections of open lawn and walking trails. The Tangier Family Bicentennial Gardens is adjacent to it and shares parking.
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