Charles Muir Campbell
Encyclopedia
Charles Muir Campbell was a Scottish
businessman in early Princeton, New Jersey
, an early pioneer farmer in Illinois, and he spent the remainder of his life in Springfield, Illinois
where he was a Justice of the Peace. While in New Jersey, he was one of the initial subscribers to the American Colonization Society
.
. The Presbyterian roots of Dr Robert Finley
are entwined with Dr. John Witherspoon
, and the confluence of these families in Basking Ridge (at the time Baskingridge) and New Jersey is certainly more than coincidence. There is record of a marriage between a Charles Campbell and an Isobel Muir in the 17th century in Ayr Scotland. There are a handful of other Campbell's with Muir for a middle name - most notably William Muir Campbell, with several patents to his credit in Glasgow Scotland around 1840. There are also some MUIR names found in Jamaica. This reference to the Muir and Campbell descendants includes a reference to a James Campbell - although he pre-dates the "uncle James Campbell" of CMC by 150+ years.
The father of the poet, Thomas Campbell, had two brothers was mostly from the Glasgow area. There are marriages between Campbell and Muir families in Muirkirk
parish, the county of Ayr, Scotland. The identity of CMC's parents would greatly clarify the source of his initial wealth and family ties. Thomas Campbell, the poet, would have been in line to inherit the entail estates of Ascog
, etc. - had his uncle Frederick not returned from Virginia and become a naturalized British Subject by private Act of Parliament. {add ref to published Act on Google Books - } The estate of Ascog in Bute, Scotland, eventually did transfer to the Frederick Stewart Campbell heirs, but was subjected to lengthy lawsuits. More research is needed regarding Dr. Washington Tennant, or Anna Stewart - later Anna Tennant.
While the bulk of the Scottish people were in Jamaica, West Indies, there were also many people present on other Caribbean islands. The "Ceded Territories" and Demerera (British Guiana) may also hold clues as to the fate of Charles Muir Campbell's parents. The years from his birth in 1795 until 1798 (the year he claimed on his application to become a United States citizen), were particularly dangerous in the West Indies. These years included the raids during the "Second Maroon War", and the bloody execution of 50 prisoners following the "Fedon Revolution". See transcript of report of Fedon Revolution If his parents weren't killed in one of these uprisings, they could have just as easily died of disease in their new environments.
Family history says that Charles Muir Campbell's life was in danger as an orphan and heir, so he was smuggled out in a boatload of orphans. The family Bible simply says that he was taken to the United States by his uncle, James Campbell, and put to school in Basking Ridge, NJ.
Following the Fedon Revolution, which included the execution of Governor Homes, a James Campbell became the acting Governor. If this was the same "uncle James Campbell", then he could have arranged transport for his nephew. There are passenger ship records for James Campbell landing in the United States during the appropriate time period. But hard evidence has yet to surface. Years later, Charles Muir Campbell applied for U. S. citizenship and claimed to have entered the country permanently since June 1798. (find exact date)
, Samuel Southard (governor of NJ), Emley Olden, and many others. He was one of the original subscribers to the American Colonization Society
. Schooled at Rev Robert Finley
Classical Academy in Basking Ridge, NJ with these contemporaries, he elected not to attend the College of New Jersey (now Princeton
). He married Agness Schenck from an old Dutch family and began his own family in Penns Neck, NJ. Later they moved to Princeton, NJ and established a large coach and harness making business on at 32 and 34 Mercer Street in Princeton NJ. Pictures of houses including 32 and 34 Mercer Street This "factory" employed upwards of 40 young men and the coaches were sold far and wide, including the stagecoaches used in Mexico on the Vera Cruz stagecoach line. [Samuel Southard] http://diglib.princeton.edu/ead/getEad?eadid=C0250&kw=Campbell had a weakness for fine horses and carriages and had ordered a Campbell Coach.
A business downturn around 1840 in New Jersey found Campbell overextended. He had been acquiring property along the New Jersey Turnpike and was forced to sell most of his holdings. He sold off his coach and harness making shop and home and moved his family to the wilds of Illinois.
, which left from Cumberland, Maryland
and travelled to Illinois. The road ended in Illinois, uncertain as to which way to turn. The Campbell family and friends, (a party of about 15 travellers), settled in Jerseyville, Illinois
. This area was aptly named due to the large number of emigrants from the state of New Jersey, and it sits in Jersey County
.
The family began a new life as farmers in Jerseyville. They apparently continued with their coach and harness making trades (as indicated by census data for occupation). Land records indicate that they began buying and selling land grants that were issued to soldiers. By trading and accumulating property, they managed to piece together three large and adjacent farms just south of Pawnee, IL.
Around 1851 or 1852 they moved much of the family to the Pawnee, IL farms. Much of this was virgin prairie grassland. The creek that runs South of Pawnee is now called "Horse Creek". Family history said that they found a dead horse in that creek when they arrived and it was initially called "Dead Horse Creek". This creek crosses two of the three family farms. Each farm was about 1/2 mile wide (East-West) and 1 mile long (North-South). Three brothers each received a farm and a sum of cash from Charles Muir Campbell.
Charles Muir Campbell's wife, Agness Schenck, died in August 1852, shortly after moving to Pawnee. Charles Muir Campbell lived with his son James on the "middle farm". James was known as "Big Jim" Campbell and had a son, called "Little Jim" Campbell. They were friends and hosts to [Abraham Lincoln] and his son, Robert Todd Lincoln
. (Insert newspaper clipping - "He Knew Abe Lincoln".) Charles Muir Campbell had always had a big family and lots of children, so after the death of his first wife, he eventually married a young widow named Rebecca (Ely?).
Having been well educated in one of the best college prep schools in New Jersey, Charles Muir Campbell was a bit of a scholar as well as businessman turned farmer. He moved to the newly booming capital of Springfield, Illinois
with his second wife, Rebecca and her children from her previous marriage. At the ripe old age of 70 (?), they lived for a year in the American (?) Hotel in downtown Springfield with her schoolage children. Charles Muir Campbell was a Justice of the Peace in Springfield, IL until his death in 1874. His offices were on a corner about a block from the old train station and Capitol building
.
Charles Muir Campbell died 12 October 1874 from kidney stones and is buried at Block 7, Lot 261, of the famous Oak Ridge Cemetery
, not far from his friend, Abraham Lincoln. Test link to music
are available online.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
businessman in early Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
, an early pioneer farmer in Illinois, and he spent the remainder of his life in Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
where he was a Justice of the Peace. While in New Jersey, he was one of the initial subscribers to the American Colonization Society
American Colonization Society
The American Colonization Society , founded in 1816, was the primary vehicle to support the "return" of free African Americans to what was considered greater freedom in Africa. It helped to found the colony of Liberia in 1821–22 as a place for freedmen...
.
Scottish Roots
Little is known about his parents or birthplace in Scotland. His family Bible is dated 1818, so it appears to have been started when he was in his early 20's, probably around the time of his marriage. Inscriptions in the Bible indicate that he was born 1 September 1795 in Scotland. Genealogical research leads to a possible connection to the Campbells of Kirnan. Margaret (?) Campbell was the mother of Thomas Campbell (the well known Scottish poet), and her brother was Daniel Campbell. They had brothers and nephews in the West Indies and Virginia, as well as connections to the Muir family and Dr John WitherspoonJohn Witherspoon
John Witherspoon was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey. As president of the College of New Jersey , he trained many leaders of the early nation and was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration...
. The Presbyterian roots of Dr Robert Finley
Robert Finley
Robert Finley was briefly the president of the University of Georgia. Finley was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and graduated from College of New Jersey at the age of 15.-Early life:Finley was born to James Finley and Ann Angrest, James was born 1737 in Glasgow, Scotland where he...
are entwined with Dr. John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey. As president of the College of New Jersey , he trained many leaders of the early nation and was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration...
, and the confluence of these families in Basking Ridge (at the time Baskingridge) and New Jersey is certainly more than coincidence. There is record of a marriage between a Charles Campbell and an Isobel Muir in the 17th century in Ayr Scotland. There are a handful of other Campbell's with Muir for a middle name - most notably William Muir Campbell, with several patents to his credit in Glasgow Scotland around 1840. There are also some MUIR names found in Jamaica. This reference to the Muir and Campbell descendants includes a reference to a James Campbell - although he pre-dates the "uncle James Campbell" of CMC by 150+ years.
The father of the poet, Thomas Campbell, had two brothers was mostly from the Glasgow area. There are marriages between Campbell and Muir families in Muirkirk
Muirkirk
Muirkirk is a small village in East Ayrshire, southwest Scotland. It is located on the north bank of the River Ayr, between Cumnock and Glenbuck on the A70...
parish, the county of Ayr, Scotland. The identity of CMC's parents would greatly clarify the source of his initial wealth and family ties. Thomas Campbell, the poet, would have been in line to inherit the entail estates of Ascog
Ascog
Ascog is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is largely residential and is located on the east coast of the Isle of Bute. It contains Ascog House and the Italianate style Balmory Hall....
, etc. - had his uncle Frederick not returned from Virginia and become a naturalized British Subject by private Act of Parliament. {add ref to published Act on Google Books - } The estate of Ascog in Bute, Scotland, eventually did transfer to the Frederick Stewart Campbell heirs, but was subjected to lengthy lawsuits. More research is needed regarding Dr. Washington Tennant, or Anna Stewart - later Anna Tennant.
West Indies
Again, inscriptions in the family Bible indicate that Charles Muir Campbell was "taken as an infant by his parents to the West Indies". In subsequent census data, he reported his birthplace as Jamaica or West Indies or W.I. There were many Scottish folks present in the West Indies. Some made their fortunes there, others met their death there due to disease or slave revolts. The Scottish system of inheritance typically meant that the oldest son would inherit the family land and titles in Scotland, while the second and subsequent sons would have to find their own way in the world. This often meant travelling to places like the West Indies to try their hand at sugar or coffee production. The idea was that they would make their fortune or die of disease. Some intended to "make their fortune" and return to Scotland. These are well documented in the book Sojourners in the Sun, by Alex Karass.While the bulk of the Scottish people were in Jamaica, West Indies, there were also many people present on other Caribbean islands. The "Ceded Territories" and Demerera (British Guiana) may also hold clues as to the fate of Charles Muir Campbell's parents. The years from his birth in 1795 until 1798 (the year he claimed on his application to become a United States citizen), were particularly dangerous in the West Indies. These years included the raids during the "Second Maroon War", and the bloody execution of 50 prisoners following the "Fedon Revolution". See transcript of report of Fedon Revolution If his parents weren't killed in one of these uprisings, they could have just as easily died of disease in their new environments.
Family history says that Charles Muir Campbell's life was in danger as an orphan and heir, so he was smuggled out in a boatload of orphans. The family Bible simply says that he was taken to the United States by his uncle, James Campbell, and put to school in Basking Ridge, NJ.
Following the Fedon Revolution, which included the execution of Governor Homes, a James Campbell became the acting Governor. If this was the same "uncle James Campbell", then he could have arranged transport for his nephew. There are passenger ship records for James Campbell landing in the United States during the appropriate time period. But hard evidence has yet to surface. Years later, Charles Muir Campbell applied for U. S. citizenship and claimed to have entered the country permanently since June 1798. (find exact date)
New Jersey: 1798 to 1840 or 1841
Connected with many notable names in early New Jersey history, he was friend and contemporary with prominent New Jersey citizens including the REV Robert FinleyRobert Finley
Robert Finley was briefly the president of the University of Georgia. Finley was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and graduated from College of New Jersey at the age of 15.-Early life:Finley was born to James Finley and Ann Angrest, James was born 1737 in Glasgow, Scotland where he...
, Samuel Southard (governor of NJ), Emley Olden, and many others. He was one of the original subscribers to the American Colonization Society
American Colonization Society
The American Colonization Society , founded in 1816, was the primary vehicle to support the "return" of free African Americans to what was considered greater freedom in Africa. It helped to found the colony of Liberia in 1821–22 as a place for freedmen...
. Schooled at Rev Robert Finley
Robert Finley
Robert Finley was briefly the president of the University of Georgia. Finley was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and graduated from College of New Jersey at the age of 15.-Early life:Finley was born to James Finley and Ann Angrest, James was born 1737 in Glasgow, Scotland where he...
Classical Academy in Basking Ridge, NJ with these contemporaries, he elected not to attend the College of New Jersey (now Princeton
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
). He married Agness Schenck from an old Dutch family and began his own family in Penns Neck, NJ. Later they moved to Princeton, NJ and established a large coach and harness making business on at 32 and 34 Mercer Street in Princeton NJ. Pictures of houses including 32 and 34 Mercer Street This "factory" employed upwards of 40 young men and the coaches were sold far and wide, including the stagecoaches used in Mexico on the Vera Cruz stagecoach line. [Samuel Southard] http://diglib.princeton.edu/ead/getEad?eadid=C0250&kw=Campbell had a weakness for fine horses and carriages and had ordered a Campbell Coach.
A business downturn around 1840 in New Jersey found Campbell overextended. He had been acquiring property along the New Jersey Turnpike and was forced to sell most of his holdings. He sold off his coach and harness making shop and home and moved his family to the wilds of Illinois.
Illinois: 1840 to his death in 1874 (A new beginning)
The trip to Illinois probably followed the newly completed National RoadNational Road
The National Road or Cumberland Road was the first major improved highway in the United States to be built by the federal government. Construction began heading west in 1811 at Cumberland, Maryland, on the Potomac River. It crossed the Allegheny Mountains and southwestern Pennsylvania, reaching...
, which left from Cumberland, Maryland
Cumberland, Maryland
Cumberland is a city in the far western, Appalachian portion of Maryland, United States. It is the county seat of Allegany County, and the primary city of the Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 20,859, and the metropolitan area had a...
and travelled to Illinois. The road ended in Illinois, uncertain as to which way to turn. The Campbell family and friends, (a party of about 15 travellers), settled in Jerseyville, Illinois
Jerseyville, Illinois
Jerseyville is a city in Jersey County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the city had a total population of 8,465. It is the county seat of Jersey County, and is also the largest city in the county. The city's current mayor is Richard Perdun.Jerseyville is a part of Southern...
. This area was aptly named due to the large number of emigrants from the state of New Jersey, and it sits in Jersey County
Jersey County, Illinois
Jersey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. Jersey County is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 22,985, which is an increase of 6.1% from 21,668 in 2000...
.
The family began a new life as farmers in Jerseyville. They apparently continued with their coach and harness making trades (as indicated by census data for occupation). Land records indicate that they began buying and selling land grants that were issued to soldiers. By trading and accumulating property, they managed to piece together three large and adjacent farms just south of Pawnee, IL.
Around 1851 or 1852 they moved much of the family to the Pawnee, IL farms. Much of this was virgin prairie grassland. The creek that runs South of Pawnee is now called "Horse Creek". Family history said that they found a dead horse in that creek when they arrived and it was initially called "Dead Horse Creek". This creek crosses two of the three family farms. Each farm was about 1/2 mile wide (East-West) and 1 mile long (North-South). Three brothers each received a farm and a sum of cash from Charles Muir Campbell.
Charles Muir Campbell's wife, Agness Schenck, died in August 1852, shortly after moving to Pawnee. Charles Muir Campbell lived with his son James on the "middle farm". James was known as "Big Jim" Campbell and had a son, called "Little Jim" Campbell. They were friends and hosts to [Abraham Lincoln] and his son, Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln was an American lawyer and Secretary of War, and the first son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln...
. (Insert newspaper clipping - "He Knew Abe Lincoln".) Charles Muir Campbell had always had a big family and lots of children, so after the death of his first wife, he eventually married a young widow named Rebecca (Ely?).
Having been well educated in one of the best college prep schools in New Jersey, Charles Muir Campbell was a bit of a scholar as well as businessman turned farmer. He moved to the newly booming capital of Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
with his second wife, Rebecca and her children from her previous marriage. At the ripe old age of 70 (?), they lived for a year in the American (?) Hotel in downtown Springfield with her schoolage children. Charles Muir Campbell was a Justice of the Peace in Springfield, IL until his death in 1874. His offices were on a corner about a block from the old train station and Capitol building
Illinois State Capitol
The Illinois State Capitol, located in Springfield, Illinois, is the building that houses the executive and legislative branches of the government of the U.S. state of Illinois. The current building is the sixth capitol of the state since its admission as a state of the United States in 1818. The...
.
Charles Muir Campbell died 12 October 1874 from kidney stones and is buried at Block 7, Lot 261, of the famous Oak Ridge Cemetery
Oak Ridge Cemetery
Oak Ridge Cemetery is a cemetery located in Springfield, Illinois in the United States.Lincoln's Tomb, which serves as the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, his wife and all but one of his children, is located at Oak Ridge...
, not far from his friend, Abraham Lincoln. Test link to music
Ongoing Research
- The Skye Boat SongThe Skye Boat Song"The Skye Boat Song" is a Scottish folk song, which can also be played as a waltz, recalling the escape of Prince Charles Edward Stuart from Uist to the Isle of Skye after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Charles escaped in a small boat, with the aid of Flora MacDonald, disguised as a...
- Campbell surname changes to/from: Stewart Stuart Gordon FraserArchibald Campbell Fraser of LovatColonel the Hon. Archibald Campbell Fraser of Lovat, 20th MacShimidh was the second son of Simon "the Fox" Fraser. Upon the death of his brother, Simon Fraser, in 1782, Archibald assumed the Chiefship of Clan Fraser, using the Gaelic patronym MacShimidh. Archibald died 8 December 1815, at the age...
McLeod - Act of Naturalization for Frederick Stewart Campbell mentioned in this court case. Images of original records
are available online.
- Flora Mure Campbell - variations of MUIR include MURE MOORE MOOR MOR MOIRA etc...
- Variations of Ayr include Ayrshire Ayers Ayars etc...
- Rev. Archibald Campbell, minister in Westmoreland County, Virginia
- Alexander Campbell, merchant in Falmouth, Virginia. Partnered with Daniel Campbell and returned to Scotland 20 years or so prior to the Revolutionary War. He was father to the poet, Thomas Campbell.
- John Campbell, Esq., a lawyer and probably a relative handling legal matters in Virginia regarding inheritance of Ascog estate in Scotland.
- David Wardlaw, Esq. (W.S.?), their lawyer in Scotland who handled the inheritance and advised them on the course of action to take to surmount the restrictive covenants. (See letters at Virginia Historical Society Library archives.)
- Thomas Campbell, the Poet.
- Charles Harrod Campbell, military officer in NY, descended from Campbell of Bredalbane Links: Biography
- Archibald Campbell Fraser of LovatArchibald Campbell Fraser of LovatColonel the Hon. Archibald Campbell Fraser of Lovat, 20th MacShimidh was the second son of Simon "the Fox" Fraser. Upon the death of his brother, Simon Fraser, in 1782, Archibald assumed the Chiefship of Clan Fraser, using the Gaelic patronym MacShimidh. Archibald died 8 December 1815, at the age...
External links
- Ascanius; or, the Young Adventurer
- http://ns1763.ca/hantsco/floramem.html Memorial plaque at Windsor, Nova ScotiaWindsor, Nova ScotiaWindsor is a town located in Hants County, Mainland Nova Scotia at the junction of the Avon and St. Croix Rivers. It is the largest community in western Hants County with a 2001 population of 3,779 and was at one time the shire town of the county. The region encompassing present day Windsor was...
- http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=13692365 Find A Grave
- Books by James Hunter (historian)
- Books by James Hunter (historian)