Background
David Caldwell was born on March 22, 1725 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States; the son of Andrew Caldwell, a Scotchman who emigrated to America and married Ann Stewart in 1718.
David Caldwell was born on March 22, 1725 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States; the son of Andrew Caldwell, a Scotchman who emigrated to America and married Ann Stewart in 1718.
A farmer's son, David followed the occupation of a carpenter in his early life. After graduation at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton)--where he was a friend of Benjamin Rush--in 1761, he studied for the Presbyterian ministry. He was licensed by the New Brunswick (New Jersey) Presbytery in 1763, and ordained at Trenton in 1765.
Becoming a missionary in North Carolina, he was installed pastor of the two churches at Buffalo and Alamance in that province in 1768. Thenceforth for half a century he was foremost in the community.
In 1771 the agitation of the North Carolina Regulators reached its climax in civil war near his home. In an attempt to thwart hostilities, he negotiated both with Gov. Tryon and with the Regulators but was unable to prevent the battle of Alamance. He was prominent in the Revolution, being a member of the state constitutional convention in 1776. A few years later Cornwallis offered a reward of $200 for his capture, and he was obliged to remain in hiding for a while. His home was situated near the battlefield of Guilford Court House, and in that campaign his house was plundered by the enemy, and his library and papers were destroyed. After the battle (Mar. 15, 1781), he aided in caring for the sick and wounded. He was a member of the state convention which met to consider the new Federal Constitution, and like many other delegates he was opposed to ratification. One of the features in the proposed instrument of government to which he objected was the absence of a religious test. Soon after, he declined the presidency of the University of North Carolina on account of his age. He lived, however, many years longer, conducting his school, supporting the War of 1812, and preaching until 1820. He died in North Carolina, having very nearly rounded a century.
He was a member of the state constitutional convention in 1776 and a member of the state convention which met to consider the new Federal Constitution.
He was a man of varied activities, owning a farm, conducting a classical school which had a high reputation, practising medicine, and reaching eminence as a preacher and as a leader in public affairs.
In 1766 he married Rachel Craighead.