Origins of the word 'Lynch'

 
1776-82: THIRTEEN COLONIES.

Virginia planter Charles Lynch puts his name into the language when he creates a kangaroo court for the persecution of Loyalists and their forced conversion to the “patriot” cause by torture and terror. Lynch and his vigilantes kidnap Loyalists, subject them to fake trials and then immediately carry out “sentence” which might include up to thirty nine lashes, property seizure and hanging by the thumbs from the walnut tree on Lynch’s property, giving rise to the term “lynching”. Lynch also coerced pledges of allegiance to the rebel cause and forced conscription into the rebel forces. Lynch also facilitated the theft of property belonging to his victims.

In the interests of fairness and justice, in 1782, the General Assembly of Virginia passed a special act naming Lynch and three of his fellow vigilantes, retroactively providing them with immunity for their crimes.