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."