1685 - The Executions at Inveraray

[This is a series of articles on the year 1685.  It may be helpful to read the Overview first.]

July 1685

On June 24th the Privy Council of Scotland issued a proclamation "to prosecute and persew those execrable Rebells and traitors untill they be apprehended and brought  to condign punishment."  For "there are severalls of that hellish crew not yet taken, who may skulk and lurk in this our realme with these of their partie and be sheltered by disaffected persones.."

After the 9th Earl of Argyll had been executed (June 30th in Edinburgh at the hands of the Maiden) there was still a fear of rebellion from the scattered forces of Argyll and perhaps a desire to teach these rebels a lesson.  The recently dismissed forces of the Marquess of Atholl were recalled to the Highlands to round up the rebels.  "The heritors were to be captured and executed."

John Murray, the Marquess of Atholl, watched from the towering hill of Duniquaich as his forces surrounded the small town and castle at Inveraray, the home of Clan Campbell  (Legends, p. 252)  It was only a short while before the overwhelming forces convinced the rebels to surrender.

Faux tower on Dun-na-Cuaich today.  Also site of a legendary fort?

Dun-na-Cuaich as seen from the current Inveraray Castle.  The old castle was just to the right of this picture.  The old town of Inveraray was in the opposite direction... from this fence down to Loch Fyne .

Alastair Campbell (Vol III, p. 58) states that "Atholl carried out his orders with enthusiasm.  Among those captured and imprisoned in the tolbooth at Inveraray were John Campbell of Carrick, Alexander Campbell of Dunstaffnage, Archibald Campbell of Inverawe, John Campbell of Ballinaby, John Campbell - Baile of Jura, Donald Campbell of Scamadale, Donald Campbell of Achawulin, Colin Campbell of Glennan, Dougal Campbell - brother germane to the Laird of Glencaradell, and Angus Campbell - brother to Skipness."

Atholl issued a proclamation that all landed proprietors in Argyllshire were to go to Inveraray and swear allegiance to King James II.  Doing so would win them indemnity for any rebellious acts and restitution of their lands.

According to legend many complied, but 80 delayed to the final day.  When they arrived at Inveraray they were told it was too late, made prisoners, tried, found guilty, and sentenced to die.  They pleaded their case to the King, "but some gentlemen of the Grahams (related to John Graham of Claverhouse?  see article on Bonnie Dundee) were at Inveraray, who had great animosity against the Campbells on account of the execution of Montrose their Chief (after Cromwell came to power?)" and they proceeded to carry out the executions themselves.  By the time the King's reply came and put an end to the rampant killings, seventeen had been hanged.  "A monument is put up to these 17 gentlemen at the place where they were hanged, at Rua-na-hard-rainich, where the town now stands, and near the church." (Legends, p. 266) [The account of the lead officer, Patrick Stewart of Ballechin, says that he "hanged seventeen Campbell lairds from the walls of Inveraray."  p.8]

Despite this legendary account, the answers to the questions of how many were executed and who they were, are unfortunately unclear.   Most of those named in the tolbooth of Inveraray appear to have been spared.  Were the lesser lairds the victims of these executions?  These low-level "leaders" of the rebellion had fewer connections and wealth to buy their banishment than the powerful men whose names are recorded above.

Adventures in Legend's account continues...  "The plundering of the country went on gaily.  It is wonderful that there was anything left to carry off.  McIan of Glencoe was especially proud of this own part of the loot, which consisted of MacCailen's [with the 9th Earl dead, his eldest son Archibald was now MacCailen, Chief of Clan Campbell] calf, cows, and two dairymaids.  All fishing boats and nets which could not be carried off from Loch Fyneside were burnt.  They took with them all the butter, cheese, and clothes, besides the horses, sheep, cows, and goats."

This monument on the grounds of Inveraray Castle "...commemorates the execution by the 1st Marquis of Atholl of seventeen Campbell leaders in 1685..."

This monument was first erected in 1754.  It now stands on the grounds of Inveraray Castle to the north of the bridge towards Dun-na-Cuaich.

The inscription is in Latin:

Sacrum Memorice Colini Fratris Germani Gualteri Campbell de Skipness qui inter alios
Evangelica Religionis et Libertatis Populi Tenaces
injustce occubuit
Neci Anno D'ni  MDCLXXXV 
"Scilicet adversis probitas exercita rebus,
Tristi Materiam tempore laudis habet" [from Ovid]

Roughly translated...

To the sacred memory of Colin, the brother-germane of Walter Campbell of Skipness, among other adherents of Evangelical Religion and Liberty of the People, who were unjustly killed in the year 1685.
"To wit, against the honesty of actions, at the time of sorrow, affords a theme for praise." [Ovid]

Marker to the left of the Monument.

Inscription on monument - top half.

Inscription on monument - bottom half

References:
http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/atholl.htm
http://www.covenanter.org.uk/Inveraray
http://www.jamesirvinerobertson.co.uk/hunting_davie.pdf
Alistair Campbell, A History of Clan Campbell, Vol 3, p. 59.
Marquess of Lorne, Adventures in Legend, p. 251-264

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."

1685 - Overview

This is the first in a series of blogs about the year 1685.
[Author's Note: These articles along with additional content were published in 2015 in both hard cover and paperback editions. 1685 - The Year that Changed Scotland and Clan Campbell]

1685 May - The Legendary Escape of Lord Lorne - Eldest Son of the 9th Earl of Argyll
1685 May 15 - Anna MacKenzie - Countess of Argyll
1685 June 1 - Glendaruel - The last recruitments of Argyll's Army
1685 June 2 - Eilean Dearg - The Small Island Fortress of the Argyll Rebellion
1685 June 12 - Kildalvan in Glendaruel - Part 1
1685 June 12 - Kildalvan in Glendaruel - Part 2
1685 June 18 - The Cochranes and Bonnie Dundee 
1685 June 18 - The Argyll Stone
1685 June 19 - The Capture of the "Campbells In Kildalvan"
1685 June 20 - The Netherbow Port
1685 June 20 - John Campbell - Grandson of the 9th Earl Falls out of a Window
1685 June 22 - Canongate Tolbooth and the Declaration of Robert Campbell
1685 June 23 - The Fall of Carnassarie Castle
1685 June 30 - Edinburgh Castle and the Argyle Tower
1685 June 30 - "The Laigh Council House" and Argyll's Final Letters
1685 June 30 - The Maiden
1685 June 30 - The Mercat Cross
1685 July 15 - Dunstaffnage Castle
1685 July - The Executions at Inveraray
1685 Late July or Early August - Banished!
1685 August 13 - Lord Neil Campbell - Younger Brother of the 9th Earl - Settler of New Jersey
1685 August 18 - George Scot of Pitlochie
1685 September 5 - The Harbor of Leith
1685 December - The Henry and Francis
1685 - Epilogue and Bibliography

Why 1685?

This was a traumatic year for the Campbell Clan in general, perhaps the worst of all years.  Worse than 1745 when the clans were essentially abolished (Campbells happened to be on both sides of that conflict at Culloden, but mostly on the side of the victors).  Worse than 1513 when the Clan leader, Archibald Campbell, 2nd Earl of Argyll, was killed at the Battle of Flodden along with his king and many of his clan.

1685 was also a traumatic year for the grandfather of Joel Campbell.  Joel's grandfather was Robert Campbell.  The timing of Robert's arrival in New Jersey and our DNA signature that maps closely to Highland Campbells, make us believe that this is the same Robert Campbell that arrived at Perth Amboy on the ship called the Henry & Francis in December of 1685.  Admittedly, this series of articles stands on that rather large leap of faith, but it makes the story much more interesting.

The year started with the death of Charles II, the King of England/Scotland/Ireland, on February 6.    Charles II had executed the 8th Earl of Argyll (Archibald Campbell) in 1661 and had passed the same judgement on his son, the 9th Earl.  The 9th Earl, also named Archibald, sat in the Netherlands in exile.  So how much worse could the new king be?

The childless Charles II was succeeded by his younger brother James II.  James II was from the royal Scottish line so was also known as James VII of Scotland, but that did not mean the Scottish had a strong liking for him.  In fact his conversion to Catholicism and his marriage to the Italian Catholic Mary of Modena raised suspicions that he would reinject Catholicism into the government.  One of their main religious objections was their refusal to recognize a King as the head of the church.

Charles II had an illegitimate son, also exiled in the Netherlands, who was commonly known as the Duke of Monmouth.  The 36 year old Duke also fancied himself as an heir to the throne.

Over beers in Amsterdam the Duke and Argyll decided to mount a two front attack on England and Scotland.  They sailed in May.  By mid July they were both defeated and beheaded.

The Campbells who supported their chief lost their lands and were subject to rape, pillage, and slaughter.  In Inveraray a monument stands to remember seventeen Campbell leaders executed close to that spot.  Those with means and connections were able to sail to the Netherlands, France, or the colonies in America.  They often took with them convicted criminals and malcontents as their indentured servants.  These were prisoners that the Kings men were more than happy to be rid of.

1685 ended with the Campbell Clan leader dead, his heir in exile, his lands and titles forfeited, his people's homes, farms, livestock destroyed, his cadets scattered or dead, and his religion persecuted.  It had been a very bad year.

If this overview leaves you a bit confused, don't be alarmed.  These were times that cannot be explained with our current norms of church and state, clan loyalty and royalty, feudal power and religious freedom.  The other articles in the series are intended to stand alone. Hopefully they can be enjoyed without a complete understanding of the motives of the individual actors and the political and religious conditions of Scotland in 1685.

1685 - Eilean Dearg - The Small Island Fortress of the Argyll Rebellion

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

June 2, 1685

On about this date it was decided to use a small island as a cache for the ammunitions of the rebel forces of Archibald Campbell, the 9th Earl of Argyll.  The island's name was Eilean Dearg which in Gaelic means "Red Island" but was locally known as "One-tree Island."  In Gaelic the "D" is pronounced as a hard "G" so it was sometimes spelled as Eilean Gherraig, and was further corrupted (or simplified) to Ellangreg.  Note that among those who lost lands after the rebellion was one "Colin Campbell of Ellangreig."

It was a very small island, about two thirds the size of an American football field.  But clearly big enough for more than a lone tree.

Satellite View of Eilean Dearg

The island was located in the bay into which the Ruel River runs.   The Ruel River valley is where the Earl had been doing his last bit of frantic "recruiting."  Many would call it "impressing" or forcing the inhabitants into the army.  (More on that in the article on Glendaruel.)

The Ruel River Valley, or Glendaruel, was part of the Campbell lands.  It was where my ancestor Robert Campbell and his father Archibald were tenant farmers.  Part of the tenant agreement was an understanding that the tenant would go into battle at the command of his master.  Robert's master was John Campbell of Kildalvan. (More on that in the article on Kildalvan)

This bay was well protected from the ocean.  For starters, it sat between two peninsulas of the region known as Cowal.  The bay was called Loch Riddon.  [The Scots seem to call every body of water a lake or "loch."] At the outlet of the bay sat a larger island, the Isle of Bute, giving yet more protection to the bay and to Eilean Dearg.

Map of Cowal showing location of Eilean Dearg in Loch Riddon

A further protection was the shallow waters between the Isle of Bute and the two Cowal peninsulas.  These were called the Kyles of Bute.  They were so shallow that the drovers pushed their cattle and sheep across at low tide.  The large ships of the Royal Navy would jeopardize their vessels if they tried to maneuver this far.

Joel's grandfather [Joel is the namesake of this blog.  You can read his short bio and genealogy here.] was on this island while he was briefly in the rebel army.  Joel's grandfather's name was Robert Campbell.   Robert's deposition appears in the Privy Records of Scotland dated August 21, 1685.  "Robert Campbell, sone to Archibald Campbell in Kiltalvien, and declaires that he saw Kildalven [his master John Campbell of Kildalvan] in Allencraig [Eilean Dearg, the island fortress of the 9th Earl in Loch Riddon] and he separet the night before the defeate from Argyles forces, and that he ownes the Kings authority."  

Robert's father, Archibald, also testified regarding island's garrison.  He stated "Elandgreg [undoubtedly Colin Campbell of Ellangreg] keept the garisone of Eland Greg [Eilean Dearg]."

The life of the island fortress was short.  The Royal Navy did manage to navigate up to Loch Riddon and bombed the bejesus out of the fort.  It has lain in ruins since.

On an extremely rainy day I attempted to view the island from the east shores of Loch Riddon.  Unfortunately, the shore road deviates away from the Loch at the point where the island sits.  The land is all private and the rain decreased my desire to trespass.  I did manage to get a zoom shot through a hole in the wet leaves.

Eilean Dearg from the East Shore of Loch Riddon

On the following day I pulled off at a scenic overlook on the opposite side of Loch Riddon to find I was looking right down on the fabled Eilean Dearg.

Eilean Dearg is on the far left.  The Isle of Bute is in the upper right.  The small islands near the droving point can be seen in the Kyle of Bute top middle.

Eilean Dearg from overlook on west side of Loch Riddon.

There are couple of excellent articles and more references to the story of the island here.

Also see the RCAHMS listing.

The Clinton Graves at Woodlawn Cemetery in New Windsor, New York

My research on Dr. Charles Clinton led me to the interesting story of his burial at the Clinton Family Cemetery followed eighty-five years later by his reinterment at Woodlawn Cemetery in New Windsor.

I had visited this family plot several times and had no idea he was here.  For one thing, most of the stones are totally illegible.  So here is everything I know about the plot. which is not a lot.  It is also known as the "Gray Plot" if you are talking to the cemetery crew.

The map below shows the location of the plot within the Woodlawn Cemetery at New Windsor, New York.  The exact coordinates of the plot are 41.476225, -74.024739.

The northeast end of the Woodlawn Cemetery in New Windsor (corner of Union and Quassaic Aves).  The Clinton graves are located in the red circle.

 The layout is shown below:

Layout of the Clinton graves at Woodlawn Cemetery.  Copied from the map at the cemetery office.  Notice that some of the dates are not correct.  There is also more data on the slabs when it is legible.

View of Clinton grave arrangement from the northeast.  James Clinton elevated slab is on the right.

View from southwest showing "Bolton" markers flush with ground.

West face of obelisk.

South face of obelisk.

North face of obelisk.  Note Dewitt and George are not buried here!

The east face describes Charles Clinton and his wife Elizabeth's history.  Sorry...picture will be inserted later.

Illegible slab of Catharine and Charles Clinton.  The only vertical marker in the plot is standing in front.

Vertical slab of Catharine Clinton McClaghry.

Slab of Mary Gray and Alexander Gray.  Slightly legible.

Slab of James Clinton.  Slightly legible.

Illegible slab of Charles and Elizabeth sitting in front of their children, Charles and Catharine.

Graham Clinton marker (flush with ground) in front of Mary and Alexander Gray elevated slab.

Anna Ross

Thomas Bolton

Letitia Bolton

Francis Bolton

Because the dates of death are all prior to the existence of this cemetery, it is assumed that all seventeen of them were all removed from the Clinton Family Cemetery in Little Britain to this place.

The Posthumous Adventures of Dr. Charles Clinton of Montgomery, New York

I became interested in Dr. Clinton after viewing the 1790 census for Montgomery, New York.  He lived just down the street from Joel Campbell, the namesake of this blog.

I became even more excited when I read Ruttenber's  list of the holdings of the George Washington Headquarters Museum.  One of the objects was Dr. Clinton's Daybook from 1765 to 1785.

Surely he had doctored my relatives??  Maybe he had intervened enough that even I owed my life to him?  Ahh...the ponderings of an imaginative genealogist.

I have already written about his Daybook, about his treatment of my 5th great grand uncle's wife, Phoebe, about his treatment of my 1st Cousin 6x removed (Daniel's son, Joseph), and his treatment of a likely relative, James Campbell, the millwright.

The year after the 1790 census was taken, Dr. Clinton died of consumption.  The diagnosis of consumption was associated with a pulmonary infection.  Its symptoms were chronic cough, blood-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.  In many cases, this infection was the bacterium we call "tuberculosis" today.

Shortly after his death on April 3, 1791 he was laid to rest next to his father, Charles, and sister, Catharine, in the Clinton Family Cemetery.  This cemetery sat on a hill overlooking the Clinton Family homestead.  The elder Clinton had created this plot for his family and neighbors.  In his will he requested,

"It is my will that I be buried in the graveyard on my own farm, beside my daughter. Catharine; and it is my will the said graveyard be made four rods square, and an open road to it at all times, when it shall be necessary; and I nominate and appoint my saidthree sons, Charles, James and George, to see the same executed accordingly; and I order that my said Executors procure a suitable stone to lay over my grave, whereon I would have the time of my death, my age and coat of arms cut. I hope they will indulge me in this last piece of vanity."

Surely his devoted sons fulfilled that request.  James built a gate to the twenty two yard square cemetery.  He offered to build a wall around it, but the subscribers were few so he just erected a wall around the Clinton graves.

In 1876, the year of the United States centennial, a new cemetery was being created in New Windsor, called Woodlawn.  According to Ruttenber:

"....the removal of the [Clinton] relatives from the vicinity left the place [Clinton Family Cemetery] to the care of strangers. The wall and gate becoming broken, and rank weeds and bushes springing up, induced John A. Gray, grandson of Mrs. Mary Gray Clinton, to remove the remains and monuments to Woodlawn Cemetery in 1875." [The best sources say 1876, but others say 1879 as well as this date of 1875.]

The Clintons were reinterred in a section of the Woodlawn cemetery close to the main gate.  They had a prominent place in the center of that section known as the "Gray Plot."

For eighty six years Charles had lain buried atop a small hill in Little Britain. Now he made the journey of about seven miles to another hill that overlooked the Hudson River.  Did his gravestone travel with him?  It appears not, as the stone covering his grave at Woodlawn appears to be custom for that spot.  Were his remains actually found?  His brother James had died sixty four years prior to reinterment (twenty two years less than Charles).  According the Headley's History of Orange County, only James' coffin plate was found. 

Charles was buried next to (or with?) his sister, Catherine.  They share the same illegible horizontal stone.   Catherine, the first wife of Colonel James McClaughry, is fortunate to have a second stone which is very legible.

Horizontal stone shared by Charles Clinton and his sister, Catharine in Woodlawn cemetery, New Windsor.  Catherine's vertical stone sits in front.

Stone of Catharine Clinton McClaghry at Woodlawn Cemetery, New Windsor, NY.  Perhaps this is the one that stood in the Clinton Family Cemetery?  If so, it dates to 1762.

And 

And what remains of the original Clinton Family Cemetery?  Well, this will probably be a blog-post for another day.  Let's just say that the wishes of Charles, the patriarch, only lasted a few generations.  There exists no "open road" to it.  It is unmarked, unmaintained, and virtually lost.  The photo below is probably the remains of the lane to the cemetery.  It is blocked at both ends.  If you wish to explore, it can be accessed from the cul-de-sac at the end of Oak Hill Rd and is approximately at these coordinates:  41.455398, -74.150396 

Possible remains of lane to Clinton Family Cemetery?

Samuel Campbell Farm of 1773 - Planning my next visit

[Author's note: An Update that corrects errors stated below was posted on December 17, 2018]

In Samuel Campbell's will of 1773 he leaves his home and main farm to his son, Samuel.

Twenty years later, in 1793, Samuel the younger is dead.  His brothers and sister sold the farm and home to Thomas Barkley.  The description of the farm in the deed of 1793 is clear enough that its location along Route 208 in Montgomery, NY could be approximated by the region shown in the red oval below.

1862 map of Montgomery, NY.  This historical wall map hangs in the Montgomery Town Hall.

The original farm straddled the road.  About 50% of the 100 acre farm was on each side.  By 1862 it appears that the farm has been broken up between Bowne and Eager.

The location of the farm is further confirmed by David A. Morrison in The History of Orange County, New York (1908) edited by Russel Headley.  He states: "Other early settlers were James Barkley, on the James W. Bowne farm.." 

Indeed the Barkleys did sell the farm to the Bowne family.  An 1826 deed exists for the sale of a farm in this location from Thomas Barkley, the son of Thomas who bought the farm from the Campbells, to a Susan Bowne.  [Deed in Liber FF p.397 in the Orange County, NY Clerks office: "New York, Land Records, 1630-1975," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32870-14644-32?cc=2078654&wc=M7HT-16N:358136701,358680101 : accessed 12 May 2014), Orange > Deeds 1827 vol EE-FF > image 470 of 528; citing County Clerk. County Courthouse.]

The survey of the land sold by Thomas Barkley Jr to the Bownes is similar in shape to the Bowne farm shown in the 1862 map.  The blue lines of this survey are laid over 1862 map below.  On the same map are the survey lines from the Campbell to Barkley deed laid over in green.

1862 Map with surveys from Deeds overlaid. 

A closer view of the survey lines is below.

Detail of Survey Line of Deeds

A search was made for a purchase by Peter Eager or a sale by a Barkley that would correspond to the property on the east side of Route 208, but none was found.

One characteristic of the Campbell property is the notch that sits at the north end of the property adjacent to "the road to Goodwill" church (208).  The notch is not only visible in the Peter Eager plat, but is even visible today from a satellite view in the form of trees and field lines.   Other boundaries from the original farm can be seen in the remains of stone fences (they appear as tree lines) and lanes.  See below.  You can also play around with this map here. 

Satellite view of boundaries of 1773 Samuel Campbell Farm. 

Only one home is within this area on the 1862 map.  This is not necessarily where Samuel had his home, but the odds are good.   The home, on what became the Peter Eager property, was located at about the same place as the home shown in the satellite image.  It is on the lane just above the words "Coleman Rd."  [Remember that just to the east down Coleman Rd was the first farm of Samuel.  In his will he gave that farm to his son Daniel.  Eventually it was farmed by his sons Levi and Nathan.  Its exact location is not yet known.]

The home that Thomas Barkley lived in was at the end of Rosswyn Lane.  Because the house appears to be outside the Campbell property lines, it is less likely that Samuel lived in that area.

There are still more unanswered questions about this farm.  My next step is to approach the current owner of the home on Coleman Road.  Most likely they will know nothing of the history, but it will be an adventure.

Below are some additional pictures of this area from 2010.  All of these pictures were taken from an area close to the pink "camera icon" that is shown in the satellite image above.   Even back then I suspected this area as the site of the farm, but did not have the current evidence.

Looking Northwest towards the farmhouse on the old Campbell property.  Coleman Road is visible.  Catskill Mountains in the background.

Looking North and a bit East.  The farm path I walked up.  Coleman Rd is at base of road.

Remains of old stone wall.  Property boundary.

A view west along the stone wall on left.  This is on a slight hill that slopes down to Route 208 (road to Goodwill).   The Campbell farm stretched for one half mile down this hill and across 208 into a low lying swampy area.  In the distance is the Wallkill River valley with the Catskills in the distance