In recognition of the upcoming 250th celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the DAR America 250! Committee of the Botetourt County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is placing a spotlight on members’ Patriot ancestors who helped the country achieve American Independence. Charles Broadwater is the Patriot ancestor of member Lisa Adamo.
Colonel Charles Broadwater (1719-1806) was born in what is now Fairfax County. His father, Commander Charles Broadwater, a merchant mariner, was from Godalming, County Surry, England, and his mother was the twice-widowed Elizabeth, born in Maryland. He had a younger brother, Guy, and five half-siblings by his mother’s first marriage and one half-brother by her second marriage. Charles was considered a gentleman of his time and served in various local civil roles: Vestryman for Truro Parish (1744-65), then Vestryman for the newly formed Fairfax Parish (1765-75, 1787), the Falls Warehouse Inspector (1749), Fairfax County Sheriff (1751, 1755), and appointed a Fairfax County Justice of the Peace (1770-85) by Governor Lord Botetourt.
Broadwater was elected to represent Fairfax County in the Virginia House of Burgesses alongside George Washington in 1774 through 1776, when the House was dissolved by Governor Lord Dunmore. As members of the Fairfax Committee of Safety and signers of the Fairfax Resolves, Broadwater and Washington presented these Resolves to the General Assembly at Williamsburg in August 1774. In 1781, Broadwater was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, the governing body that replaced the House of Burgesses, and he served until 1783.
In his 30s, he served as a Captain in the Virginia Militia during the French and Indian War, and marched with British General Braddock on his failed campaign in 1755. By 1774, he was a Major, and later rose to the rank of Colonel. During the Revolutionary War he opened a recruiting station in The Falls Church for the Fairfax Militia. It is said that the Declaration of Independence was read from the steps of this church.
In 1754, Broadwater finished building his home, Springfield, in what is now the Town of Vienna, and he is noted as the first permanent resident of the area. This home was demolished in June 1985 to make way for the Vienna Woods subdivision. All that remains is the family cemetery and historical plaque at the intersection of Tapawingo Road, SW and Frederick Street, SW.
Charles married Ann Amelia Markham, the daughter of Colonel John Markham and widow of Dr. Thomas Pearson. She had two sons and two daughters by her first husband, and then had one son and four daughters with Broadwater. Ann was 10 years older than Charles and died in 1796. He then married the widow Sarah Ann Harris, the mother of eight grown children from her first marriage.
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non-political organization open to any woman who has lineage to a Patriot who contributed to the success of the American Revolution. Founded over 125 years ago, it is focused on service to the community and fosters Patriotism, Education and Service.
If you are interested or have questions about joining the chapter, contact Membership Chair Emily Talbot-Guillote via email at eptg1019@gmail.com or Registrar JoElla John, jjohnregistrar@gmail.com.
