Wells - Campbell Family Tree - John Campbell (Rev) (Immigrant 1717)

John Campbell (Rev) (Immigrant 1717)

M, #128, b. circa 1681, d. 25 May 1761

Charts

Pedigree - Jane's father Leon George Campbell
John Campbell (Rev) (Immigrant 1717)

Reference

5G Grf

Birth*

circa 1681

John Campbell (Rev) (Immigrant 1717) was born circa 1681 at North of Scotland; DNA proves that he was a McIver. DNA experts have provided sufficient explanation that either Rev John's father, or his grandfather, had the surname of McIver; probably his father. They came from the Isle of Skye and previously the Isle of Lewis.
The SNP (BY11186) has not changed since that time. See http://www.ytree.net/DisplayTree.php?blockID=528.

Note*

John possibly has a brother William who married an Elliner, unless there was another Campbell family in Oxford at that time period. In the Oxford MA records there are born to William & Elliner daughters Elizabeth (26 Dec 1738), Aggonis (13 Apr 1741), Lucie (8 Dec 1742), and son William (23 Sep 1744).¹

Education*

He was educated; educated at Edinburgh.²

Immigration*

1717

He immigrated in 1717 That he immigrated in 1717 is per his obituary. That he was a political refugee is from the Records of Oxford which says: All the original branches of Rev. John Campbell's family agree in the following statement, viz. : that Rev. John Campbell came to America to avoid proscription for some political offence. It is said that he was in the Rebellion of 1715, being in favor of the House of Stuart.^2,3

Religion*

1721

In 1721 at Oxford, Worcester Co. (then Suffolk Co.), Massachusetts, John Campbell (Rev) (Immigrant 1717) was ordained as a minister."Records of Oxford" page 289 says that "In September, 1720, Lieut. John Town, Abiel Lamb, Samuel Barton and Joseph Wiley, gentlemen, united in their influence to establish a Church of Christ in Oxford....."
     All references say that John Campbell's church was called the first church of Oxford, MA. The following is from Page 291 of "The Records of Oxford."
------------------------------------------------
"The ordination services of Rev. John Campbell were March 1, 1721, and were as follows:
Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Joseph Dorr, of Mendon.
Sermon, by Rev. John Prentice, Lancaster, Ephs. vi, 18-19.
Prayer before the Charge, by Rev. Josiah Dwight, of Woodstock.
Charge, by Rev. Joseph Baxter, of Medfield.
Prayer after Charge, by Rev. Joseph Breck, Malborough.
Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. John Swift of Framinham..
Benediction, by Rev. John Campbell.
     The first church in Oxford was located on the northwest corner of the south common, the old Charlton road separating it from the burying ground."
     (Then follows lots of words regarding where the church was, its furnishings and who did or didn't buy pews, etc.)
------------------------------------------
     The church in Oxford today is known as the First Congregational Church of Oxford. http://www.socialweb.net/Places/3677.lasso is a web site that shows the church but it must be that the church was first known as the "first church of Oxford, MA."²

Land*

1721

He was land bought 300 acres in North Gore in 1721 at Oxford, Worcester Co. (then Suffolk Co.), Massachusetts.

Marriage*

6 February 1722

He married Esther Fairfield, daughter of Deacon William Fairfield and Esther Gott, on 6 February 1722 at Massachusetts; In record of the publishment of Rev. John Campbell, "Mr John Campbell and Ester Whetly,* that of his marriage John Campbell and Ester Whittle: by Wm. Waldroun, 6 Feb., 1722, Boston, Brick Church.
     Mrs. Rachel Blackman of Charlton, a lineal descendant of Mary a daughter of Rev. John Campbell, narrated that his eldest daughter Mary (Campbell) Towne, stated that Madame Esther Campbell, her mother, before her marriage to Mr. Campbell, was engaged to be married to a gentleman in England (Mr. William Skepper), whose name she gave to one of her sons-all the other names of her children were given by Mr. Campbell to remind him of his friends in Scotland.
     (Footnote*) The name was Wheatly or Whately
     CAUTION: The above has an error regarding Esther's engagement. Connie Fairfield Ganz provided the following information:
     "Mrs. Rachel Blackman's" account about Esther's engagement to a "gentleman in England, Mr. William Skepper" was confused. It was Esther's grandmother, not she, who had a connection to William Skepper/Skipper. Esther's paternal grandmother, Sarah Skipper (1640-1710), married Walter Fairfield. Sarah Skipper was the daughter of the Rev. William Skipper, immigrant from England, who was of Royal descent (see NEHGS/Gary Boyd Robert's and other published documentations of this). It's true there was some natural fascination in the family with their royal ties, and indeed Esther's father, Deacon William Fairfield, named one of his sons Skipper Fairfield (1706-1768), as did a couple other family members. In fact, my lineage is through William's son Skipper, so I'm very familiar with this line.
     As to the second part about "Wheatly or Whatley," that is another interesting and important part of Esther's story. Esther (Fairfield) Campbell (1695-1777) was the daughter of Deacon William Fairfield (1662-1742), esteemed Speaker of the House of Representatives in Massachusetts from Wenham. The portrait of Esther was made in 1717, Freedland says in her book, when Esther was "17 years of age." However, In 1717, Esther was actually about 22 years old. (so conversely, if it really was made when she was 17, it would have been in 1711, so perhaps 1717 was a transcription error??) In 1717, Esther was already married to John Wheatley (on September 28, 1713, in Beverly, Mass.) -- a union her father publicly objected to initially, but later withdrew his objection. The couple had one child together (John Wheatley Jr. on February 6, 1714/15, b. Wenham), only five months after the wedding (which provides possible insight into the father's objection). Sadly, the child died September 15, 1716, at age eighteen months (Wenham VR), and is one of the earlier burials at the Fairfield Burying Ground in Wenham. Esther's first husband, John Wheatley, died in 1716 in Wenham. Esther married the Rev. John Campbell six years later, on February 6, 1722, in Boston. For more on the Fairfields, visit my website at http://fairfieldfamily.com.^4,5

Deed*

10 January 1727

John Campbell (Rev) (Immigrant 1717) was deed deeds to do with Oxford - copied - earlier entries have to do with Boston, and probably a different John Campbell since dates are before Rev John arrived
deed bk 40-41 493947 - 1727 Jan 10 John - Province of Mass Bay 41-2660 Bet Towns of Oxford, Lecisester & Brookfield ... 300 acres
deed bk 40-41 493947 - 1727 Jan 10 John (of Oxford) - Abiel Lamb 41-266(a) Oxford, Country Hg... 3 acres
deed bk 40-41 493947 - 1727 Jan 10 John (of Sutton) - James Watson & wife 41-266(b) in Sutton Assanamisco's line 100 acres
deed bk 40-41 493947 - 1727 Jan 10 John (Minister of Oxford) - Benony Twitchell 41-267 Oxford Village near the Great Plain pt 60 acres Div on or near Brook 3 acres
deed bk 42-43 493948 - 1728 May 30 (Reverend Mr) John (of Oxford) - Benony Twitchell 42-140 Oxford Village Cedar Swamp Meadow) Great River 37 acres, sd river 5 /12 acres
Not copied, but made note of these entries in index 580662:
1751 Jul 1 Alexander - Joseph Mills 80-11 (15?)
1775 Mar 10 Alexander - John Walker 126-267 on 10 January 1727 at Oxford, Worcester Co. (then Suffolk Co.), Massachusetts.

Event-Misc

1741

He had the following event: in 1741 was the author of a work. The following is from the title-page :
''"A Treatise on Conversion, Truth, aud Justification, etc; being Extracts from Sundry Discourses delivered at Oxford, in the latter end of the year 1741, and beginning of 1742."
The volume is a 12mo, of 300 pages, printed at Boston, 1743, "dedicated to my well beloved congregation, aud much desired in our Lord Jesus Christ."*
(footnote*) A volume is still preserved as a relic by M. de W. Freeland, a lineal descendant.⁵

Letter*

28 September 1757

He and Gen. John Campbell (4th Earl of Loudoun) were New Tag To The Right Honourable John Earl of Loudon Lt General & Commander in Chief of his Majesties Land forces in North America.
May it please your Lordship
Being much advanced in age and the declining state of my health do at this time prevent my waiting on your Lordship in person: but your celebrated goodness benevolence to mankind ___ me that you will vouchsafe a smiling reception to my address preformed by my 2 sons Duncan Campbell Esqr and Alexr Campbell physician, in which my humble and importunate Request is, that it would please your Lordship, according to your usual compassion and kindness, to recommend my said two sons to the favourable regard of his excellency Govornour Pownal, that it would please his excellency to remember them in the distribution and bestowment of commissions in the county of Worcester in the province of the Massachusetts Bay in N.E. particularly to grant to my son Duncan Campbell to principall sheriff in said county. And to my son Alexr Campbell the first commission in the militia at Oxford; or otherwise to regard them as his excellency thinks fit agreeable to your Lordships recommendation. But if any or all of these should fail, I am sure Your Lordship can not only recommend but commend that one or both my sons be favored with the privilege of buying and driving cattle to one commissary or other of some division of his Majesties Land _ws encamped in or near N.E. which I presume might be some help to them. I humbly hope your Lordship will be pleased to think of this, and order it to be done. The motive which make me believe that your Lordship will be pleased to admit my sons unto your presence and take some notice of them are these following viz.
1 Your uncommon affableness to all ranks of men, which is ___ by goodman a very flourishing branch of your noble virtures.
2 I am your lordship’s countryman & namesake. The motto of many of the name has been courteous & kind & constant of mind.
Again permit me Sr in a most humble manner to absense [?] That your most humble petitioner hath remained in the said county of Worcester, for almost 40 years, but yet none of his family (tho perhaps as deserving as some others) have been favored with any place of profit in said county even unto this day: but all attempts for that and have been industriously defeated by the Sc___ of Restless opposors: altho the elder has been a Representative in the General Assembly of the Province for give years; and the other was in his Majesties Service in the late Expedition to Nova Scotia for the space of eighteen months: and twelve of said ___ (sqire?) was chyrurgion in Col. Seals Battalion for which he never received one farthing: altho his conduct and behavious was very generally approved and well spoken of. Add to that your Lordships petitioner hath to provide forand help his childrens comferteble and decent settlement and subsistence in the world: and particularly one of his daughters a widow with eight children, their father dying in the camp at Lake George, about two years since; and his youngest son Archibald Campbell to maintain at Cambridge College. All which much straitens him: and therefore heartly wishes and prays your Lordship would be pleased to put a favourable meaning upon his incorrect address, and freedom used therein which will lay the highest obligations of gratitude upon Your Lordships Most humber petitioner sincere friend & servant John Campbell. Oxford N:E: September 28th 1757
     The transcription of this letter is used with permission. We'd love to post the digitized image, but it's a major hassle that involves a contract which is only good for two years and some hefty fines if someone were to "take" the images.
     In 2006, Arlene Eakle, assisted by Kathryn Bassett researched in the Loudoun Collection. Though the Loudoun Campbells had more than 10,000 documents in their collection, including draft copies of letters they wrote, there was nothing to indicate that the Earl ever wrote back to Rev. John, and nothing to indicate that he visited though that is purported by others to have happened.
     PS. a chyrurgion is basically a surgeon on 28 September 1757.⁶

Will

1 August 1760

John Campbell (Rev) (Immigrant 1717) left a will on 1 August 1760; He gives to his wife Esther one moiety of all his household movables and furniture, excepting bonds, notes, accounts, clothing, library and gun, also his spoons and gold rings : to be used and improved by her during her life and afterward to go to Mary Twiss and Isabella Wolcott, his daughters ; also a comfortable home in his house with full provision for her support, with what wool and flax she may need, and eight pounds annually of money for incidental expenses.
     To his son Duncan he gives 40 shillings, as he had received at setting out in trade his share of the estate.
     To his son Alexander he gives a lot in the Cedar Swamp which, with a farm formerly given and his expenses of education as a physician, is his portion of the estate.
     To his son William he gives a deed of one-half his home farm, with other out lands, bearing the same date as his will, and in his will gives him the other half, with his farming tools, stock, etc., and also his negro, " Will," to be kindly used and improved and supported by him during his life.
     To his son Archibald he gives £133. 6s. 8d. lawful money, to be kept on interest until he settles in some business in the world, also his apparel, library, watch, gold wrist buttons, knee and shoe buckles, and a young horse, and provision for payment of all his bills at college "till after the next commencement."
     To his daughter Mary Twiss he gives 40 pounds to be kept at interest for her benefit and a house and lot near the north end of the Plain, one cow and five sheep.
     To his daughter Isabella Wolcott he gives one cow and five sheep ; also 60 pounds to be kept at interest for her benefit. . . "which with what I gave to her at her marriage and some articles since, with a considerable sum of money I paid for Mr. Josiah Wolcott her husband in consequence of the decree of the Governor and council in my favor against him, which he hath neglected and refused to pay makes up her full portion of my estate."
     To his granddaughter Esther Town and his grandsons John and William Town he makes small bequests.
     To his grandson John (son of John, Jr., who had then gone from town) he gives 10 pounds, and to his grandsons, John, son of Duncan, and Edward R., son of Alexander, he gives his land in the South Gore, " provided that the said farm may be sold . . . for their education/' To his grandson John, son of Josiah Wolcott, he gives the gun which was his great-grandfather Wolcott's, and "which I purchased out of the estate of Capt. Richard Williams."
     He appoints his sons Alexander and William his executors.⁷

Death*

25 May 1761

He died on 25 May 1761 at Oxford, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.^1,2

Obituary

25 May 1761

His obituary was on 25 May 1761 Campbell, John, Rev. at Oxford, b. in Scotland, educated at Edinburgh, came to New England in 1717, was ordained at Oxford Mass in 1721, left a wife, 4s and 2 daus May 25, 1761 a.70y - News-Let
News-Let stands for the Boston News-Letter.²

Burial*

He was buried at Oxford, Worcester Co., Massachusetts; The following epitaph is inscribed upon the Rev. John Campbell's tomb-stone in the old church-yard, near the south common in Oxford:
" Intoom'd here lieth y" body of y" Rev'd Mr. John Campbell who died May 25, 1761, in y" 71 yr. of his Age. he was born in y*' north of Scotland. Educated at Edenburgh & had y* benefit & Honors of y" University came to N. England A. D. 1717 & was Ordain'd Pastor of y Church in Oxford A. D. 1721 where with great wisdom & fidelity he continued to Execute y" several parts of his office for more than 40 years, in his last sickness he sustained y prospect of his approaching death with great serenity as knowing him in whom he had believed.
" The sweet remembrance of the just
Shall flourish when they sleep in dust."
(Footnote*) * Reminiscences of Mrs. Duncan Campbell, daughter-in-law to Rev. John Campbell, who died in 1821, aged 91 years, viz.^8,5

Event-Misc*

27 May 1761

He had the following event: on 27 May 1761 was his funeral: On 25 May, 1761, the day of Mr. Campbell's decease, the town authorities issued precepts to both north and south constables ordering the warning of a town meeting to be held on the 26th to make preparations for the funeral. The meeting was holden but no recorded action appears excepting a vote appropriating £10 to pay expenses. The funeral was on the 27th.
     The following is in the town archives :—
" Received in full by the hands of Josiah Wolcott Town Treasurer tlie sum of Sixty PouDds Salary aud also the sum of Thirty Seven Pounds nine Shillings for Bearers, Preaching, and also for a ten pound grant by said Town for Funeral Charges, it being in full of all Demands the Heirs of Rev. Mr. Campbell has against the Town.
Subscribitures
Alexander Campbell
William Campbell
Executors to s' Will."
     The same account was given by Mrs. Kingsbury, widow of Capt. Jeremiah Kingsbury, aud a communicant of Rev. Mr. Campbell's ciuuch." Mrs. Kingsbury at her decease was more than 90 years of age.
     (The source goes on to say) There is an error in regard to the birth of Rev. John Canrpbell, and of his age at tlie time of his decease. He must have been born about the year 1681, as is shown by the University Records at Edinburgh of his graduation in 1698-1700.⁸

Obituary

28 May 1761

His obituary was on 28 May 1761 at Boston News-Lelter, No. 2971, (Datelined Oxford) On the 25 Instant died here the Rev. John Campbell, in the 71st year of his Age, a Gentleman greatly beloved and esteemed. He was born in the North of Scotland, educated at Edinburgh, where he had the Benefit and Honours of that University. He came over to New England Anno 1717, was ordained Pastor of the church here Anno 1721, where with great Wisdom and Fidelity he continued to execute the several Parts of his Office for more than 40 years.
In his Preaching he was strictly Orthodox, much improved in Ecclesiastical Councils, and Happy in the Peace and Harmony of the Church here. In his last sickness he sustained the Prospect of his approaching Death with great serenity, as knowing Him in whom he had believed.
His remains were decently interred Yesterday ; the Funeral was attended not only by this Town, but by great Numbers from the adjacent Towns, formed an unusually long and orderly Procession. He hath left a sorrowful Widow, four Sons, and two Daughters. His Death is a general Loss; but especially so to this Town, who well may be supposed to tremble when such a Pillar fell. Zech. 1, 5 : 'Your Fathers, where are they, and the Prophets, do they live forever?"⁵

CAUTION*

John Campbell (Rev) (Immigrant 1717) has the following CAUTIONARY INFORMATION: Bob Feutz emailed: At the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester we were able to read Rev. John's book "A Treatise on Conversion" and make copies of some of its pages from a microfische. We made copies of some of the pages of "The Records of Oxford" by Mary de Witt Freeland (Salt Lake has it on film 1321003 #4) and I photographed a portrait of Esther Fairfield Wheatly Campbell painted in 1714 (a painted copy of the original). We enjoyed a brief time with Rev. Samuel Young, pastor of the First Congregational in Oxford, and with Dorothy Barre, the church historian. Tim Kelley, mgr of the Public Library was very helpful too. The following information was in "The Records of Oxford" and pertains to the 'origin' of Rev. John Campbell. I thought it was particularly interesting since some of the information you sent regarding his years in Scotland hinged on his age.
--------
"Records of Oxford" page 469
"The same account was given by Mrs. Kingsbury, widow of Capt. Jeremiah Kingsbury, and a communicant of Rev. Mr. Campbell's church. Mrs. Kingsbury at her decease was more than 90 years of age.
There is an error in regard to the birth of Rev. John Campbell, and of his age at the time of his decease. He must have been born about the year 1681, as is shown by the University Records at Edinburgh of his graduation in 1698-1700."
A footnote on page 469 states the following:"Reminisces of Mrs. Duncan Campbell, daughter-in-law to Rev. John Campbell, who died in 1761, aged 91 years, viz.: 'Rev. John Campbell was an older person than was stated at his decease.^9,10,11'"

(Witness) Source

He witnessed the Source Campbell article: We first hear of the Campbells when Dr Edward R Campbell, known affectionately as "Dr Ned" came from Oxford MA and settled in Westminster. His father was Dr Alexander Campbell of Oxford MA, a member of the MA Provincial Congress in 1774. His grandfather, Rev John Campbell, also of Oxford, was born in Scotland and was allied with nobility, emigrating to this country soon after 1715. "Dr Ned" was a brother of the Hon. Alexander Campbell MD, one of the early settlers of Rockingham. of Edward Raymond Campbell (Dr Ned).¹²

Occupation

John Campbell (Rev) (Immigrant 1717) was For nearly one hundred years there was a Dr Campbell practicing medicine in Putney. Other doctor members of this family were prominent and famous physicians elsewhere in the state. The first of the Putney doctors was Dr John Campbell who came from Oxford MA and was in practice here by 1786. He was born in 1754, married Martha Stevens of Oxford and died in 1820. At his death his home place was deeded to David Crawford and later became the property of Mrs Caddie Fuller who lives there now. When Dr Campbell came to Putney, the famous Dr Josiah Goodhue was the town's physician and the two practiced amicably until 1803 when Dr Goodhue moved to Chester VT. Dr Campbell remained the leading practitioner in town for 34 years. Following Dr John was his brother Dr Alexander Campbell who was fifteen years younger. The third was Alexander's son born in 1793 who practiced in Putney for 53 years. He died in 1866 after a long and respected life among the people in Putney. His home was at the head of Kimball Hill, the place now owned by Omar Buxton.
A third brother of John and Alexander was Thomas, a Revolutionary soldier who died here in 1844. The father of these three brothers was Duncan Campbell who lived in Putney for some years but later was in Oxford MA, until he died in 1795. Duncan was the son of Rev John Campbell (1690-1761) who was a minister in Oxford from 1721 to the time of his death. Duncan had a brother, Capt William Campbell, who was a selectman of Putney in 1787, but later moved to Castleton VT. He had been captain of an Oxford company in the Revolution before coming to Putney to live. Another brother, Rev Archibald Campbell, preached in Putney occasionally. A third brother, Alexander, was a distinguished physician who remained in Oxford. This Dr Campbell had two sons who became doctors and came to Vermont to practice. One was Dr Alexander of Rockingham, and the other Dr Edward R (known locally as "Dr Ned") was famous in Westminster. It is interesting to note that the last of the Campbell doctors was a grandson of "Dr Ned". He was Dr Daniel Campbell who was born in Westminster and practiced for ten years in Westminster West and later in Saxton's River.¹³

Story*

Misc sources of information that may or may not be verifiable.
     Reverend John Campbell family first minister of Oxford, MA from Holmes Ammidon's Historical Collection vol. I pages 240-241
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Fields/4791/campbellfamily.html (now a broken link)
Reverend John Campbell was a native of the north of Scotland, born in the year 1690. The precise time when, and the circumstances which induced Mr. Campbell to come to New England, do not appear in any written evidence. He died May 25, 1761 at the age of 71, in Oxford, MA. He was ordained in Oxford, in 1721. He married Esther Fairchild (sic), of Boston, who died at Oxford in 1777. Their children were: Mary, born Feb. 11, 1723, married Jacob Town, who are the ancestors of General Salem Town and his father, of Charlton, MA; John, born Feb. 7, 1724, his descendants were of Otesgo county, NY; Isabella, born Mar. 27, 1726, died Mar. 21, 1728; Duncan, born Mar. 27, 1727, married Elizabeth Sterns, of Worcester, daughter of Thomas Sterns, his descendants include Captain Sterner and Colonel Alexander De Witt, of Oxford, and also Archibald Campbell; Elizabeth, born August 14, 1730, died Jul. 12, 1732; Alexander, born Feb. 12, 1732, married Lydia Sterns, of Worcester, daughter of Thomas, was the first physician in Oxford, and died there; but two of his sons, both physicians, settled in Vermont, and as understood, one in Putney, and the other in Rockingham; William, born Apr. 2, 1734, became captain, removed to Vermont; his daughter Sarah, married a son of Dr. Shaw, of Castleton, and was the mother of the Hon. Henry Shaw, of Lanesborough, she later resided in Poughkeepsie, NY; Archibald, born Aug. 6, 1736, was a clergyman, and for a time, minister at Charlton, MA, removed to Vermont.
     http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=campbell_chiefs&id=I3411 Kevin Campbell said:
"Hugh had a brother Col. John of Shankston who appears to have dropped out of sight. Maybe Oxford or military records might give you a clue. If the Loudoun/Lawers line holds as described in this file, then Hugh (and maybe Rev. John) are descended from Sir Colin "Iongantach" Campbell, of Lochawe (c1400s)." Burke's Peerage says that Col. John died without issue, and so far there is no evidence to the contrary.
     The Campbell Coat of Arms is mentioned in the Sutton MA history with the following quote:
     Rev John Campbell was of the Londoun branch of Campbells. The coat of arms brought by him from Scotland, at the time of the Stuart rebellion, in now in the possession of Mrs Dr Julius Y Dewey of Montpeller VA and has upon it the following record:
               Campbell of Arteruchel.
          He beareth Gerony of eight D'Or and Sable.
     This bearing of very ancient date was quartered on the escutcheon of the royal standard of the kins of Scotland from the time of Malcolm III to the death of Mary Queen of Scots, who was beheaded by the sanguinary Elizabeth, since which time it has been borne by Campbells, Dukes of Argyle, to which they are entitled by being lineally descended from Duncan, who was murdered by his kinsman Macbeth.
     CAUTION - The University Records at Edinburgh, if they are verifiable, MAY not refer to Rev John of Oxford MA, as there was also a Rev John who stayed in Scotland and this might refer to him. Could be either man.^14,15,9

CAUTION*

John Campbell (Rev) (Immigrant 1717) and Col. John Campbell (of Shanktown) have the following CAUTIONARY INFORMATION: There is proof that Rev John Campbell who died 25 May 1761 is not the same person as Capt./Major/Col. John Campbell of Shanktown who died 30 Nov 1709 http://www.ourwebsite.org/jane/shanktown.shtml.

CAUTION

John Campbell (Rev) (Immigrant 1717) has the following CAUTIONARY INFORMATION:      On pg 422 of History of Oxford, it says "Of his ancestry and early years very little is known. It is the belief of his descendants that it was his firm purpose that they should remain a mystery. It is said on the best authority, that on a certain time his son John wished to visit Scotland to get information concerning the family but was decidedly opposed by his father, who refused to give letters when asked. 'The North of Scotland' was the nearest his best friends could attain to a knowledge of the place of his birth. Doubtless he studied at the University of Edinburgh, but there is mystery even here, for the catalogue of that institution embraces no graduate of the name between 1700 and the time of his coming to America.... The generally accepted opinion among his descendants was that he was a political refugee, having espoused the falling cause of the Stuarts in the contest of 1715 - that he was a relative of Lord Loudoun who, when in authority in America, made an official visit to Boston and on his way from New York stopped at Worcester and with a single attendant made a friendly visit at Oxford, spending the night with Mr Campbell and passing on the next day to Boston. It is said on good authority that Loudoun on that occasion declared his kindship with Mr Campbell" (footnote reads: The people of the town seem to have been aware that their minister was a proscribed man, watched all movements with solicitude, and were prepared to resist by force any attempt at his arrest)
     The History of Oxford MA pg 781-2 says "Much significance is attached to the fact of Lord Loudoun's visit to Mr Campbell at Oxford which has doubtless always been considered by the public a remarkable event, and present view to be explained only on the hypothesis of a family relationship." That statement is footnoted and the footnote says "On that occasion, according to unquestionable tradition, the visitor was entertained, not at Mr Campbell's house but at that of Josiah Wolcott, his son-in-law, for the reason, perhaps, that his residence was, from its appointments, best adapted to the reception. It has been said the meeting was at the stone bridge, now standing, over the brook which runs about midway between the two houses. This would have been very natural if Loudoun came by way of Worcester, as at this point the road from Mr Campbell's residence intersected the main highway. Thence they proceeded together, it is said, to Wolcott's where they spent the night."
     CAUTION - is this actually documented contemporaneously or just "tradition". Is it a reference to the 1757 letter John wrote to the Earl? If it is documented, then what is the documentation, as it is not referenced in the Loudoun Collection at the Huntington Library?¹⁰

Family

Esther Fairfield b. 12 Aug 1694, d. 11 Mar 1777

Marriage*

6 February 1722

Children

Mary Campbell b. 11 Feb 1724
John Campbell Jr+ b. 7 Feb 1724/25, d. b 1761
Isabel Campbell b. 29 Mar 1726, d. 31 Mar 1728
Duncan Campbell+ b. 27 Mar 1727, d. 13 Jun 1795
Isabell Campbell b. 26 Jul 1728, d. a 20 Mar 1762
Elizabeth Campbell b. 14 Aug 1730, d. 12 Jul 1732
Alexander Campbell (Dr)+ b. 22 Feb 1732, d. 28 Dec 1782
William Campbell (yeoman)+ b. 2 Apr 1734
Archibald Campbell (Rev) b. 6 Aug 1736

Last Edited

8 Jan 2017

Citations

[S103] Vital Records of Oxford MA to the End of the Year 1849, Franklin Rice, : Worcester MA, 1905, 23+, 140+, 272+, SLC 369745 [SLC 0754010 is the microfilm of the original documents of the Town Clerk at Oxford MA], My Evd # 103.
[S234] Index of obituaries in Boston newspapers, 1704-1795 Boston Athenaeum vol 2 Deaths Outside Boston G K Hall & Co: 70 Lincoln St Boston MA, 1968, SLC 974.461 V4b pg 177, My Evd # 234.
[S269] The records of Oxford; including chapters of Nipmuck, Huguenot and English history, accompanied with biographical sketches and notes, 1630-1890 (1894), Mary de Witt Freeland, Joel Munsell & Sons: Albany NY, 1894, http://archive.org/details/recordsofoxfordi00free, pg 470.
[S157] Descendants of John Fairfield of Wenham, Massachusetts, Wynn Cowan Fairfield, : NY, 1953, SLC 929.273 F161f, page 11, My Evd # 157.
[S269] The records of Oxford; including chapters of Nipmuck, Huguenot and English history, accompanied with biographical sketches and notes, 1630-1890 (1894), Mary de Witt Freeland, Joel Munsell & Sons: Albany NY, 1894, http://archive.org/details/recordsofoxfordi00free, pg 468.
[S211] The Loudoun Collection at the Huntington Library in San Marino CA, folio 4538.
[S76] History of the Town of Oxford MA, George Daniels, Author: Oxford MA, 1892, http://archive.org/details/historyoftownofo00dani, pgs 525-6.
[S76] History of the Town of Oxford MA, George Daniels, Author: Oxford MA, 1892, http://archive.org/details/historyoftownofo00dani, pg 426.
[S185] correspondence with Robert J. Feutz: e-mail address.
[S76] History of the Town of Oxford MA, George Daniels, Author: Oxford MA, 1892, http://archive.org/details/historyoftownofo00dani
[S269] The records of Oxford; including chapters of Nipmuck, Huguenot and English history, accompanied with biographical sketches and notes, 1630-1890 (1894), Mary de Witt Freeland, Joel Munsell & Sons: Albany NY, 1894, http://archive.org/details/recordsofoxfordi00free
[S104] History of Westminster, 42-43, My Evd # 104.
[S101] People of Putney 1753-1953, Fortnightly Club of Putney VT, , 1953, 13-14, SLC 974.39/P1 H2f film 896628, My Evd # 101.
[S99] Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical & Personal Memoirs of Worcester Co MA, Ellery Bicknell Crane, Lewis Publ Co: NY & Chicago, 1907, vol 2 pgs 291-292, SLC 974.43 D2c v. 2 http://books.google.com/books?id=86rbSq2FhdYC&pg=RA3-PA292&dq=Crane+Ellery+Historic+Homes+Campbell, My Evd # 99.
[S131] History of the Town of Sutton Massachusetts from 1704 to 1876, Benedict & Tracy, , 1878, (SCGS 974.4 MA Worcester/Sutton/History, My Evd # 131.