Sir George Campbell Explained

George Campbell
Religion:Christianity
School:Presbyterianism
Birth Date:around 1639
Birth Place:Cessnock, Ayrshire
Death Date:1704
of Cessnock, Lord Justice Clerk

Sir George Campbell of Cessnock in Ayrshire was a 17th-century statesman.[1] His lineage was from the Campbells of Loudoun. His father was Sir Hugh Campbell and his mother was Elizabeth Campbell.[2]

He married Anna McMouran, an heiress to an estate in Fife, in 1665.

He was tried along with his father for high treason in March 1684 for being part of the rising at Bothwell Bridge. A not proven verdict was returned but nevertheless he and his father were imprisoned on the Bass Rock on the Firth of Forth in Haddingtonshire.[3] [4] The order for his transport from the Tolbooth is dated 15 September 1684. It apparently took about 4 days to put into effect.[5] He was sent at the same time as John Rae but neither he nor Rae were permitted to ride in a coach or on a horse someone provided.[6] [7]

In 1685 George and his father were accused of accession to the Rye House Plot. This was a plot for the assassination of Charles II. and the elevation of his illegitimate son, by Lucy Walters, the Duke of Monmouth, to the throne. Although the proof failed, Parliament adjudged them guilty. Their lives were spared, but an act of attainder was taken out against them, by which their lands passed to the Crown and themselves again committed prisoners to the Bass.[8] On 13 June 1685 notice of his forfeiture and that of his father were recorded.[9] Both Campbells were released on 6 August 1685 but later re-arrested.[10]

He was appointed to the posts of Lord Justice Clerk and became one of the Lord of Session in 1665. He was succeeded by his daughter Margaret who married Alexander Hume-Campbell in 1697.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Greaves. Richard L. . 2004. 67392. Campbell, Sir George, of Cessnock.
  2. G. Harvey Johnston, The Heraldry of the Campbells, vol. II (1921) p. 59.
  3. Book: M'Crie . Thomas, D.D. the younger . The Bass rock: Its civil and ecclesiastic history . 1847 . J. Greig & Son . Edinburgh . 371–372 . 11 February 2019.
  4. Book: Wodrow, Robert . Burns . Robert . The history of the sufferings of the church of Scotland from the restoration to the revolution, with an original memoir of the author, extracts from his correspondence, and preliminary dissertation . 1835b . Glasgow: Blackie, Fullarton & co., and Edinburgh: A. Fullarton & co. . 2 . Robert Wodrow.
  5. Book: Fairley . John A . The book of the Old Edinburgh Club . 1916 . Edinburgh: The Club . 155 . Vol. 9 . 16 March 2019.
  6. Book: Erskine . John . Macleod . Walter . Journal of the Hon. John Erskine of Carnock, 1683-1687 . 1893 . Printed at University press by T. and A. Constable for the Scottish history society . Edinburgh . 84 . 16 February 2019.
  7. Book: The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland . 1929 . Edinburgh: H.M. General Register House . 175–178 . The Register Of The Privy Council Of Scotland Edited And Abridged By Henry Paton, M.A., With An Introduction By Robert Kerr Hannay, Ll.D., Fraser Professor Of Scottish History And Palaeography In The University Of Edinburgh. Third Series, Vol. IX. A.D. 1685–1686. . Paton . Henry . 9. 9 March 2019.
  8. Book: Dickson . John . Emeralds chased in Gold; or, the Islands of the Forth: their story, ancient and modern. [With illustrations.] ]. 1899 . Oliphant, Anderson & Ferrier . Edinburgh and London . 204–205 . 3 March 2019.
  9. Book: Brown . K.M. . etal . Decreet of forfeiture against Sir Hugh and Sir George Campbell of Cessnock . The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, (St Andrews, 2007-2019) . James VII: Translation > 1685, 23 April, Edinburgh, Parliament > Additional Sources > 13 June 1685 . 11 February 2019.
  10. Book: Laing . David . Historical Notices of Scotish Affairs: Selected from the Manuscripts of Sir John Lauder of Fountainhall . 1848 . T. Constable, printer to Her Majesty . Edinburgh . 660 . 2 . 17 April 2019.
  11. Web site: Sir George Campbell, of Cessnock, Lord Justice Clerk Male - 1704 . Clan MacFarlane and associated clans genealogy . 11 February 2019.