John W. Campbell, Sr.

Captain "John Campbell, born April 23, 1742, died in Dec 17 1825, was an officer in the French and Indian wars. The original commission, dated 1774, as Captain, from Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor of Virginia, is still in possession of L. R. Campbell, of Nashville, Tenn., 1908. In 17G5 he explored the western wilderness with the noted Dr. Thomas Walker. He participated in the battles of Point Pleasant, October 10, 1774, and Long Island Flats, July 20, 1776, which were fought against the Indians. His name is attached to a paper in which a number of prominent citizens of Fincastle County, Virginia, "declare they will not submit to tyranny of the English Government and her officers in the Colony of Virginia," dated 1775. lie enlisted in 1776, and served throughout the Revolutionary War, a brave and useful patriot. He was at the battle of King's Mountain, also four of his brothers and five cousins of the Campbell name were in this battle. He married Elizabeth McDonald, October 1, 1778. She was born May 29, 1753. They had eight children : "David, "Eliza, "Catherine, "John, "Arthur, "Edward, "Mary and "James Campbell.

The massacre of the McDonalds of Glenco, Scotland, by the Campbells of Inverary, took place in 1692 by order of King William of England. The Campbells should not be so severely censured for this action, as they have been by many writers, especially McCauley in his History of England. They were officers in the King's Army, and only carried out his orders. Campbell of Glenyon was the leader of the troops at the time. These statements are found in old letters from the McDonalds of Virginia, to, the Campbells of Virginia, in regard to the marriage of their two young McDonald nieces to the two Campbell brothers, Capt. John and Col. Robert Campbell.

One of the McDonald uncles objects to the marriage on account of the old feud that existed in Scotland. The other remonstrates, and says, "The two young Campbells are noble young men, perfect gentlemen and worthey of our nieces."

This' family trace back to the "Lords of the Isles." Their ancestor was Lord Angus McDonald.