Monday, July 28, 2014

1685 - The Capture of the "Campbells In Kildalvan"

[This is part of  a series of articles on the year 1685.  You might want to read the Overview first.]

June 19, 1685

The last days of the Argyll rebellion were spent mostly in the shire of Dumbarton.

According to the "Book of Dumbartonshire" Argyll's army crossed the River Leven at Balloch (very close to Loch Lomond) on the night of June 16.  On the 17th they diverted to Kilmaronock to find food.  Confronted by the King's forces they decided not to fight, but to make for the lowlands on a night march.  The darkness and the difficulty of the march through the marshes presented an opportunity for desertion.  When the forces regrouped in Kilpatrick on the 18th only 500 remained.

Argyll's army crossed the River Leven at Balloch, then sought refreshment near Kilmaronock.  The night march to Kilpatrick was more difficult than the 7 miles shown on the map.  Argyll crossed the River Clyde to Renfrewshire, but most of his forces were dispersing.  Many were captured in the area marked by the red oval.
From their testimonies, it appears that Joel's grandfather, Robert, deserted the 9th Earl on June 18th.  Robert and his brothers John and David, and his father Archibald were all in Argyll's army.

They are referred to as "Campbells in Kildalvan."  That is much different than "Campbells of Kildalvan."  For more detailed summary of the Highland customs of titles see Appendix I by Alastair Campbell in Vol I p. 200 of A History of Clan Campbell.  The form 'of' denotes ownership, whereas the form 'in' denotes a tenant or tacksman.  Archibald Campbell in Kildalvan and his sons, John, Robert, and David were tenants on the land of John Campbell of Kildalvan.  Major lairds were often referred to simply by the name of their lands ("Argyll", "Breadalbane", "Auchinbreck", etc.).

Robert stated that "he seperat the night before the defeat from Argyles forces."  The capture of the 9th Earl of Argyll, Archibald Campbell, occurred on June 19th, so this agrees with the desertion date of the 18th.  The location and date of Robert's capture is not stated.

John, Robert's brother, stated that he "was apprehended by Carsburne in his way home."  Perhaps further research into the exploits of one "Carsburne" can help pin down the time and place of John's capture.  The lands of Carsburne were near Greenock (west of Glasgow).  Both Crawfords and Murrays held this title, however I could not find any specific references to an officer in the King's forces of that title.

The records of the Privy Council contain the depositions of many of the captured deserters.  Most state that they were captured very close to Dumbarton as they were heading home to the west.  That area is shown by the red oval in the map above.

Others imprisoned in Canongate and deposed at the same time as the Campbells in Kildalvan said they were captured in "Kirkpatrick" or "beyond Kilpatrick".  Today this area is shown on the map as Old Kilpatrick.  It is just on the other side of the River Clyde from where Argyll was captured.

Looking over Old Kilpatrick towards the Erskine Bridge which spans the River Clyde.
Another was taken "near Levin."  Surely he means the River Leven.  Several were taken "neir Dumbartoun."  Another "above Duntreath."  [Duntreath Castle is about 9 miles NE of Dunbarton 56.013466, -4.346969]  One taken at Dumbarton says he was taken by the "Laird of Cowgraine." [Perhaps this is "Colgrain" in the Parish of Cardross in Dumbartonshire.]

It is very likely that Archibald Campbell, a tenant farmer in Kildalvan, and his sons, John, Robert, and David, were captured on June 18 or 19 in the area of Dumbarton.  The local landmark of Dumbarton Castle was probably in their view as they were made prisoners.


Dumbarton Castle and River Leven
An undated letter from Edinburgh included in the Atholl Chronicles Vol I p. 244 describes June 20th, the day on which Argyll was paraded up the Canongate to Edinburgh.  In the same paragraph he states that "This day ther is a great many prisoners coming in to town."   He is likely writing this letter on June 21st or shortly thereafter.  It is probable that the Campbells in Kildalvan are part of this group of captured rebels to be incarcerated in the many gaols around Edinburgh.

Although many rebels were still at large, it appears that most of those captured at a later date were captured and imprisoned closer to the Highlands. For more on those affairs see "1685 - The Executions at Inveraray."

5 comments:

  1. Jay, do you have a source for David as the name of the third son? I haven't found one yet. Thanks!

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  2. My evidence of David being the brother of Robert was pretty weak. In fact, others have identified a David Campbell who was arrested during the rebellion as being from Falkirk. My evidence was the proximity of his name to Robert's in the Privy Council Register. "Forasmuch as the persons underwritten, viz.: -- Robert Campble, John Miller, Archbald Caldwall, John Calbraith, Thomas Miller, William Carsan, Hew McConnar, Samuell Grahame, David Campble, James McCullie, Patrick McGartie, James Wightman, Thomas Jackson, and Michael Marshall being conveened befor the Lords of his Majesties Privy Councill to answer severall crymes, and the saids Robert Campble, David Campble, Thomas Jackson, and Michael Marshall haveing refused to take the oath of allegiance, the said Lords have banished and hereby banishes them to his Majesties plantations abroad and never to return to this kingdom without the King or Councills licence, under the pain of death to be inflicted upon them without mercy ..."
    The Privy register has them also staying in the same prison:
    "The Lords of the Committie of his Majesties Privy Councill for publict affairs doe hereby grant order and warrant to the magistrats of Edinburgh and Canongate and keepers of their prisons respective to deliver to Mr George Scot of Pitlochie the persons of ... Robert and David Campbles, prisoners in the tolbooth of Canongate, all formerly banished by the Councill or Justices, to be by him transported to his Majesties plantations abroad off New Jersie, ... "
    They were both switched to the boat of Pitlochie and named in the passenger manifest. It is all in my book, 1685. There is a lot of research yet to be done here, so dig into it!

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  3. Thank you so much for your quick and detailed reply!

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  4. Were these Campbells involved or related to the Robert Campbell and the Glencoe Massacre? My grandfather, Hugh Campbell, always related his family was "kicked out" of Scotland for supporting Bonnie Prince Charlie and for killing the McDonalds at Glencoe. He was basically an educated man, from Kentucky, youngest of 11 to father Hardin Campbell, a freighter. Grandfather. Richard Milton Campbell had original land Grant's and we cant figure out his parentage. Born 1809, KY.
    Sarah Campbell Stevens My correct email is scstevens@austincollege.edu. Sherman. Tx

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  5. The events you mention happened after 1685. I have no data on any survivors of Robert's immediate family in Scotland (nor do other researchers of my line). If you know of a male Campbell in your line, you should have him submit a YDNA test. It is pretty good at identifying relatives in this time frame. See the Campbell Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

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