Caldwell, Samuel B. T. (Samuel Brooks Tobie), 1790-1866

Samuel Brooks Tobie Caldwell was born 8 Jan. 1792 and lived in Newburyport, Mass., until he was about twenty-four years old. In 1816 he wrote in his diary that he was in Leesburg, Va., where he he began publishing a newspaper called The Genius of Liberty. The first issue of the paper was published on 10 Jan. 1817. Finding the printing business very difficult, Caldwell sold it on 13 Oct. 1819 to B.W. Sower. He continued to sell books and stationery supplies for several years, but found his business very dull and unprofitable. He wrote on 20 July 1820 that he tried to "settle up my business and go to the western country. The times are so hard that it is impossible to close to any advantage at this time." His diary does not indicate how long he continued in that business. From 1831 to 1832 Caldwell represented Loudoun County in the Virginia House of Delegates. While serving in that office, Caldwell met with other prominent Virginians to found the Virginia Historical and Philosophical Society on 29 Dec. 1831. In 1848 he bought a grist mill at Wheatland which he traded in 1859 for the Catoctin Mill on the south fork of Catoctin Creek. In the 1850 Census he is listed as a merchant; in 1860, a miller. Samuel B.T. Caldwell died on 29 Mar. 1866 and is buried in the Leesburg Presbyterian Churchyard.

From the description of Diaries of Samuel B.T. Caldwell, 1811-1820. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71130352

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