Washington County, Virginia obituaries

Campbell, John
Richmond Enquirer - May 1, 1826
Transcribed by Frances Cooley

An aged patriot of the revolution and a good man descended to the tomb.

Departed this life on the 17th last, at his residence in the county of Washington, VA. John Campbell, Sr., aged 84 years and 8 months. He was born, raised and educated in the county of Augusta, in this state and removed to the county of Washington about the year 1773, upwards of 52 years ago. He was amoung the first adventurers who explored the South Western part of Virginia, in which he has resided more than half a century. He explored the country first in company with the late Col. Walker, of Albemarle, about the year 1771 or 72. He was appointed clerk of Washington County in the year 1778. Since his removal to his late residence 9 states of the Confederacy to the West and South of it have been nearly entirely settled with inhabitants and admitted to the Union.

Removing at so early a period to an unsettled country a considerable portion of his life was spent in the military service of this county in defending the frontier against Indians. His first engagement was on the frontiers of Augusta, before he removed from that county, under Capt. Christian, (afterwards Col. Christian of the Continental Army,) when quite a youth. He was subsequently in Lewis' Campaign against the Shawnees, which was terminated by the hard contested action of Point Pleasant, at which time he was 1st Lieutenant in the company which went from Washington County, and was commanded by Capt. Wm. Campbell, who afterwards commanded the Virginia Militia at the Battle of King's Mountain.

He was second in command at the Battle of Long Island with the Cherokee Indians, and contributed greatly by his cool and collected courage and presence of mind in a critical moment of that battle (as all his old fellow soldiers will attest who still linger on this side of the grave) to its successful termination. His conduct as a soldier and a patriot previous to the commencement of the Revolutionary War, and during that trying and eventful period of our history was altogether unexceptionable. In early life he was ardent and ever enthusiastic in the cause of liberty, and took side with her at the commencement of the American Revolution, and was an active Whig throughout the war. Those who have any knowledge of the hardships, the toils and sufferings which attended the Indian Campaigns, on the first settlement of our Western County, can readily appreciate the services of those who planted the first germ of population in that vast and magnificent region which is now the abode of science, of civilization and refinement, and the happy home of so many of the human family. The dangers by which they were surrounded; the long and laborious marches they had top make thro' trackless wilds and during the most inclement seasons; the desperate conflicts in which they were frequently engaged with a savage foe, and the heroic courage displayed on many occasions, have been unrecounted yet by the pen of the historian.

John Campbell, Sr., was a republican in his principles. He was, however, a warm advocate for the adoption of the Federal Constitution and defended it with all his powers against the opinions of a majority of his county. But is it had been the destiny of this beloved and virtuous man, to have lived without an opportunity of bestowing upon his country any services which could have embalmed his memory in the public gratitude, there would still remain enough to contemplate of his private character, to insure him the esteem and affection of to whom he was known. His kind and benevolent disposition; his spotless honesty in all his transactions with the work; his tender and indulgent feelings as a father and a husband; his humane treatment of his slaves, and with all his purely pious and virtuous life, will never be forgotten in the country in which he lived. No man was ever more beloved by his neighbors and old acquaintances, and few it is believed who have ever lived would have gone farther to have served them. It will afford some gratification to them to hear of the manner in which he met the stroke of death, of the approach of which he had been for some time perfectly conscious. The following account of it is from the pen of one who witnessed his separation from the world and the affectionate family by whom he was surrounded:

"On yesterday at 4 o'clock our aged and good father breathed his last. Our apprehensions had been excited but a short time. He wore off so gradually, that he was nearly prepared to leave the world before he gave us an indications that he was so soon to leave us. He suffered considerably for about 24 hours; but it was the suffering of the weary traveler who had been long absent from home and was struggling to reach his own habitation and friends. When he looked around on us who were to be left behind, the feelings of the husband and the parent would rise in his bosom, but he would immediately suppress his emotions and tell us to be calm. A few hours before he died he became so weak that he could not speak to be heard. He then closed his eyes and slept off, without a groan, or the least motion of any limb, not even the smallest construction of a feature. As long as he could speak, his mind was unusually clear, calm and good. He talked with us of his approaching separation several times, and all in the same strain of Christian fortitude."

Thus ended, the long and virtuous life of this excellent citizen. Surely no man every left the world with better hopes of everlasting happiness. He was religious from his youth; yet not one was more innocently social and cheerful in his temper and disposition, or freer from the spirit of bigotry and intolerance.

He was deeply impressed with the great truth of the sentiment so handsomely expressed in our act of our religious freedom;

"That all coercions upon the mind in exacting religious forms or duties, "lended only to begot habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and were a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, who being Lord of both body and mind, yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either as was his Almighty power to do."

At the close of the American Revolution, every spark of political ambition seem to have been extinguished in his bosom. He never courted a public honor of any kind either civil or military; and yet no one look more heart-felt delight in contemplating the rising fame and prosperity of his country. His meek and unambitious temper in beautifully described in the youthful production of Pope on Solitude, which the writer of this humble tribute to his memory has heard from him a hundred times repeat, with a smile of content and tranquility of mind, which times can never obliterate from his rememberance.

Happy the man, whose wish and care A few paternal acres bound, Content to breathe his native air, In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, Whose flocks supply him with attire, Whose trees in summer yield him shade, In winter fire.

Blest! who can unconcern'dly find Hours, days, and years slide soft away, In health of body, peace of mind, Quiet by day,

Sound sleep by night; study and ease Together mix'd; sweet recreation, And innocence, which most does please, With meditation.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown; Thus unlamented let me dye; Steal from the world, and not a stone Tell where I lye.

Fulton, John -- Jan 28, 1836 – At Abingdon, John H. Fulton, a respected member of the 23rd Congress. ["Historical Collections of Virginia" by Henry Lowe, Babcock & Company, Charleston, S.C., 1845. p. 406-407; submitted by Robyn Greenlund]