Charles Muir Campbell facts for kids

Charles Muir Campbell (born September 1, 1795 – died October 12, 1874) was a Scottish businessman who lived in early Princeton, New Jersey. He later became a pioneer farmer in Illinois. He spent the rest of his life in Springfield, Illinois, where he worked as a justice of the peace. While in New Jersey, he was one of the first people to support the American Colonization Society.

Charles Muir Campbell's Early Life

Not much is known about Charles Muir Campbell's parents or where he was born in Scotland. His family Bible, started around 1818, says he was born on September 1, 1795, in Scotland. Some research suggests he might be connected to the Campbell family of Kirnan. His family also had ties to the Muir family and Dr. John Witherspoon, a famous Scottish-American leader.

His family Bible also says that when he was a baby, his parents took him to the West Indies. Later, in official records, he often said he was born in Jamaica or the West Indies. Many Scottish people went to the West Indies to seek their fortune, as the oldest son usually inherited everything back home. This meant younger sons had to find their own way.

The years from 1795 to 1798 were very dangerous in the West Indies. There were conflicts like the "Second Maroon War" and the "Fedon Revolution". If his parents didn't die in these uprisings, they might have died from diseases common in the area.

Family stories say that Charles Muir Campbell was in danger as an orphan and heir. He was secretly taken away on a boat with other orphans. His family Bible simply states that his uncle, James Campbell, brought him to the United States. He then went to school in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Charles Muir Campbell later applied to become a U.S. citizen. He said he had lived in the country permanently since June 1798.

Life in New Jersey: A Busy Businessman

From 1798 to about 1840, Charles Muir Campbell lived in New Jersey. He became friends with important people like Reverend Robert Finley and Samuel Southard, who was the governor of New Jersey. He went to school at Rev. Robert Finley's Classical Academy in Basking Ridge, NJ. Even though he went to a great school, he chose not to attend the College of New Jersey (now Princeton).

He married Agness Schenck, who came from an old Dutch family. They started their family in Penns Neck, New Jersey. Later, they moved to Princeton, New Jersey. There, he started a large business that made coaches and harnesses. His "factory" was located at 32 and 34 Mercer Street in Princeton. It employed up to 40 young men. The coaches he made were sold far and wide, even to Mexico for their stagecoach lines. Governor Samuel Southard, who loved fine horses and carriages, even ordered a Campbell Coach.

Around 1840, there was a business slowdown in New Jersey. Charles Muir Campbell had bought a lot of property and found himself in financial trouble. He had to sell most of his land and his coach-making business. After this, he decided to move his family to Illinois.

New Beginnings in Illinois: Farmer and Justice

The Campbell family, along with about 15 friends, traveled to Illinois. They likely followed the newly built National Road. They settled in Jerseyville, Illinois. This area was named Jerseyville because many people from New Jersey moved there.

In Jerseyville, the family started a new life as farmers. They also continued their coach and harness making skills, as shown in census records. They bought and sold land grants that were given to soldiers. By trading land, they were able to gather three large farms next to each other, just south of Pawnee, IL.

Around 1851 or 1852, they moved most of their family to the farms near Pawnee. Much of this land was untouched prairie grassland. A creek south of Pawnee is now called "Horse Creek." Family stories say they found a dead horse in the creek when they arrived, and it was first called "Dead Horse Creek." This creek crosses two of their three farms. Each farm was about half a mile wide and one mile long. Charles Muir Campbell gave each of his three sons a farm and some money.

Charles Muir Campbell's first wife, Agness Schenck, died in August 1852, soon after they moved to Pawnee. Charles Muir Campbell lived with his son James on the "middle farm." This son, James, was known as "Big Jim" Campbell. He had a son named "Little Jim" Campbell. They were friends with Abraham Lincoln and his son, Robert Todd Lincoln.

After his first wife passed away, Charles Muir Campbell, who had a large family, married a young widow named Rebecca (Ely?).

Charles Muir Campbell was well-educated and had been a successful businessman. He later moved to Springfield, Illinois, which was a growing capital city. He moved with his second wife, Rebecca, and her children from her previous marriage. He became a justice of the peace in Springfield and served until his death in 1874. His office was near the old train station and the Capitol building.

Charles Muir Campbell died on October 12, 1874. He is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, not far from his friend, Abraham Lincoln.

Ongoing research

• The Skye Boat Song
• Campbell surname changes to/from: Stewart Stuart Gordon Fraser McLeod
• Act of Naturalization for Frederick Stewart Campbell mentioned in this court case. Images of original records are available online.
• Flora Mure Campbell - variations of MUIR include MURE MOORE MOOR MOR MOIRA etc...
• Variations of Ayr include Ayrshire Ayers Ayars etc...
• Rev. Archibald Campbell, minister in Westmoreland County, Virginia
• Alexander Campbell, merchant in Falmouth, Virginia. Partnered with Daniel Campbell and returned to Scotland 20 years or so prior to the Revolutionary War. He was father to the poet, Thomas Campbell.
• John Campbell, Esq., a lawyer and probably a relative handling legal matters in Virginia regarding inheritance of Ascog estate in Scotland.
• David Wardlaw, Esq. (W.S.?), their lawyer in Scotland who handled the inheritance and advised them on the course of action to take to surmount the restrictive covenants. (See letters at Virginia Historical Society Library archives.)
• Thomas Campbell, the Poet.
• Charles Harrod Campbell, military officer in NY, descended from Campbell of Bredalbane Links: Biography
• Archibald Campbell Fraser of Lovat