UNPUBLISHED LETTERS OF
CAMPBELL
Recently the president’s office at Bethany
College was moved to the new administration building. The move, which
may have been a kind of archaeological experience, turned up some old
letters that must have been stashed away by presidents of generations
past. Among these are several letters by the college’s first
president, Alexander Campbell, which I believe have not yet been
published and perhaps not even known to exist. From time to time this
column hopes to publish a number of these letters, some of which are
more important than others. This first one I deem the most valuable
and interesting of the lot, a letter from 27-year-old Campbell to his
Uncle Archibald back in Ireland. The letter probably remained in
Ireland for several generations before it was returned to Bethany by
some thoughtful Campbellite. Subsequent history indicates that
Archibald Campbell was a favorite of Alexander. I recall that he was
eager that his respected Uncle come to appreciate his nephew’s
Restoration Movement. The uncle was a staunch Calvinist of the
Presbyterian tradition. It was not until he read the Campbell-Rice
Debate that these foundations were shaken.
While this valuable letter is now protected by a plastic jacket for the use of Campbell scholars, its condition is precarious. Some of it has already flaked away through age and exposure. So in our efforts to transcribe it we have indicated by dots or question marks that some portions of the letter have decayed and that some words are not certain. The letter is not only important because of its age, coming from Campbell’s pre-publication years, but also because of its reference to his marriage and family, his earlier religious convictions (especially their formative stage), and his views on America and its frontier life. — the Editor
Philadelphia City
Dec. 28, 1815
Dear Uncle
More than seven years have elapsed since I bade farewell to you and my native country. During this period of years my mind and circumstances have undergone many revolutions. A recital of the events of this epoch of my life, is to myself, and would no doubt to you, be more interesting than the narrative of my preceding years . . . .
(Several lines lost)
I must however observe that the good health of all my
father’s family through the whole of this period has been
almost uninterrupted. No serious bodily affliction has befallen any
member of it. I believe the whole family are at this moment more
healthy than they were 8 or 9 years ago in Ireland. For my own part I
have not been confined to bed 24 hours through indisposition these
seven years, but have enjoyed the best state of health that a mortal
creature can reasonably expect to enjoy. So great has been the Divine
goodness that has followed us until now. We have also as highly
enjoyed peace and competence as we have been favored in health, and
this amidst war and fatal epidemic Disorders which have regularly
abound in these three (?) years in this country. (This must be
reference to War of 1812-LG)
In the month of March 1810 I was married to Margaret
Brown (who was ?) 18 years of age, the only daughter and child of a
John Brown, Esq., Virginia; a woman of amiable manners, good
education, useful accomplishments, an agreeable person, and a
Disciple of Christ with whom I have received a handsome fortune and
am heir apparent to a great deal more.
I live in the Country on an elegant farm of 300 acres
and can live as independantly (sic!) as is necessary for man. I am
Lord of the soil and a naturalized citizen of Virginia. Since our
marriage we have had three children. Jane was born in March 1811,
Elisa Ann Sept. 1812 and Mary Louise November 1815. I live in the
highest state of Connubial and Domestic felicity. My wife and I with
my Father and Mother and sister Dorothea were baptized in the year
1812 with about 40 others under the serious conviction of truth and
duty.
My sister Dorothea was married in January of 1811 or 12
to a young man of good character and standing, who is a member also.
They have one child named Jane — his name is Joseph Bryant. My
sister Nancy was married in the November following to an Andrew
Chapman, a young man of good standing and decent patrimony. They have
been both baptized and have one child names James (?).
My father still resembles one of our planets in
migrating from place to place. He has lived in Washington and in the
Country near (?) Cambridge, 90 miles West, and now in Pittsburg, a
town of 10 or 12,000 inhabitants.
(Several lines follow that are not clear, but it seems
to be a description of his father’s work in Pittsburg,
including a reference to his school for boys, his property and its
worth; it is worth so much but will be worth much more in a short
time.)
As to our religious state and spiritual (?) progress
and attainments, I expect my father has written or will immediately
write you. I shall therefore drop but a few hints on this subject.
For my part, I must say that after long study and investigation of
Books, and more especially the Sacred Scriptures, I have through
clear conviction of truth and duty renounced much of the position and
errors of my early education.
In the first place I became a Scotch Independent, next
a Sandemanian, then a Separatist with John Walker, then a Baptist,
and am now an Independent in Church Government, a Sandemanian in
faith or rather if there is any difference — of that faith and view
of the Gospel exhibited in John Walker’s 7 (?) letters to
Alexander Knox, and a Baptist insofar as respects Baptism.
You see then I am a speckled (?) Bird, yet
notwithstanding I am in connection with the Regular Baptist Church in
this country. And am now on a tour preaching in all the Baptist
churches in the cities of Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore,
Washington.
My family are home in Brooke County Virginia where I
have a small church of my own faith and practice. (A reference to the
Brush Run church -LG) What I am in religion I am from examination,
reflection, conviction; not from “ipsi dixit”, tradition,
or human authority; and having haltered and faltered and humbled I
have explored every inch of the way hitherto and I trust through
grace “I am what I am.”
Though my father and I accord in sentiment, neither of
us are dictators or imitators — neither of us lead, neither of us
follows. The poor Leaders in this country seem to have lost all power
of religion and of truth.
(Section missing. Discussion is about general
conditions. Several of the following lines are difficult to make out
since the page is tattered and stained with age. It is in part as
follows: — LG)
. . . national evils of all countries (can be traced ?)
to their proper source . . . and check the first germe of oppression
— civil and religious tyranny. I have had my horse shoed by a (?)
Legislation, my horse saddled, my boots cleaned, my sterrup . . . by
a Senator — here is no novelty but . . . , here there is no
ascendance save that (given by ?) virtue and knowledge. (The
reference to horse, saddle, boots, and stirrup must be an allusion to
his own preparation for action amidst the tyranny he refers to. —
LG)
The farmer here is a man of the soil. He raises his own
flour, corn, vegetables, beef, pork, mutton, poultry, cheese, butter,
and manufactures his own coat from the back of the sheep. His soap,
candles, sugar, tobacco, etc., etc. Indeed he has everything on his
own farm, save tea or coffee. Iron are and salt springs are
everywhere in abundance and on my own farm and its vicinity with all
the things above specified. Mines of stone, coal, copper and
brimstone in abundance — apple, pear, cherry, melon, cucumbers,
etc., and a climate (much better than that ?) of Ireland. The winter
mild and the summer not excessive warm. No consideration that I can
conceive of as practicable would induce me to exchange all that I
enjoy in this country climate, soil, and government for any situation
which your country can afford. I would not exchange the honor and
privilege of an American citizen for your King.
Believe me I am as ashamed to say anything to excuse my
long silence as I am to accuse you of negligence. I might have
written sooner since peace, but I still postponed. I expected
sometime to hear from you. Give us a history of all family
occurrences of our relations, of the situation of your country, your
prospects, etc., etc. Remember me affectionately to all my old
friends and relatives. I will name none as I cannot name all. I
remember them. I pray for them. I long for their felicity. I will be
thankful for all letters and will write frequently — expect to hear
soon from me. Direct to me: Brooke County Court House, Brooke County,
Virginia, United States. No more from your affectionate nephew.
Alex Campbell
Addressed to: Mr. Archibald Campbell Care of . . . .
High Street
Newry, County Down,
Ireland
Another item of interest about this fantastic
man is his great love for his home and family. He was very attentive
to his children and grandchildren, one of his habits being to write
to them while away on his many journeys. One such letter that has
turned up is the following one to Alexandrina Campbellina, who
happens to be one of the most interesting figures in the history of
Bethany, and I might add one of the most enigmatic of the Campbell
family. She was Campbell’s granddaughter, being the daughter of
W. K. and Lavinia (Campbell’s daughter) Pendleton. When Lavinia
died in 1846, “Cammie” (as she was called) was but five
years old. From that time on she was reared by her aunt Clarinda
(Lavinia’s sister) who became her step-mother two years later.
“Miss Cammie” grew up to become professor of modern
languages at Bethany College, a position she held for 27 years. The
little crumbs of information we have about her only make us hungry
for more. She supposedly never married, but the fact is she eloped
with some irresponsible man and went as far as California with him.
After a few weeks she found herself deserted, so her brothers went
after her. She returned to Bethany and was able to take up where she
left off with hardly anyone knowing of her escapade. She was always
“Miss Cammie” and managed to forget about ever being
married. She earned a reputation as a brilliant and resourceful
teacher, and it was she who shook the bushes and got the money when
the college went through all those financial crises. She was very
much like her grand. father along these lines, say the old-timers
that remember her.
All this adds interest in this uncovered letter from Alexander
Campbell to Campbellina when she was but nine years old. Notice how
the grandfather says, “And may I tell you that I expect very
much from you, and I do not think I will be disappointed, provided
only the Lord spare you to grow up to be a woman, but of this we know
not.” The poor man buried so many of his loved ones that I
suppose he always wondered if he could get one to adulthood. In some
respects at least grandfather would not have been disappointed, for
“Miss Cammie” probably emulated her grandfather’s
intellectual excellence more than any of his children or
grandchildren. — the Editor
Fayette County, Ky.
Febry 4, 1850
My dear Campbellina,
I have just been writing a letter to Decima and William
(Campbell’s youngest children by Selina, his second wife. —
LG) and must say a few words to you also, for you are very dear to me
as well as they. You and William had a very remarkable escape from
immediate death and were equally imperilled in the same disaster and
equally rescued from imminent danger by the same Almighty Arm. This
common danger as this common deliverance must never be forgotten by
either of you while you live. It ought and I know it will always be
the cause of your constant attachment and be remembered with
gratitude to that Unseen hand which alone could, and which alone did
save you.
You are very dear to me also as the only living
representative of your dear Mother, who has gone on before you to the
Lord and to his everlasting Kingdom. I am in great hope that you will
grow in wisdom and excelling as far as you grow tall and in years.
Being so very tall, much more will he expect from you than were you
like many that are as old as you of less stature. Besides you have so
kind a Mother in your aunt, and a father that is almost too kind to
you and so much interested in your being as good and as excellent as
you are tall in person and gifted in understanding that everything
that you can do to be both great and good will be expected from you.
And may I tell you that I expect very much from you and
I do not think I will be disappointed, provided only the Lord spare
you to grow up to be a woman, but of this we know not. One thing,
indeed, I do know, that it will be just as the Lord pleases, and if
you please him he will just do everything that will make you happy.
And he alone can make anyone happy. To be happy we must be
intelligent and wise and good according to our opportunities, and
(you) have very great opportunities. No one of your age that I know
has better opportunities than those God has given to you, and this is
the first proof he has given of his love to you. You know that if you
do any kindness to anyone you will receive kindness in return. To
where God bestows many and great favors he will expect the more from
those on whom he bestows them.
But I must come to a close. This is a very cold day in
Kentucky and I am fortunately in a warm room and before a good fire
and spending the day in writing a few letters to those whom I love,
among whom you are in the first class. Remember me very
affectionately to your father and aunt Clarinda. I wish you would
write me a letter at Lexington about the 10th day of this month and
let me know how you are and how your brother William C. is getting
along . . . . (The last two or three lines are missing. — LG)
The following letter was written late in
Campbell’s career, only eight years before his death. His
purpose on this trip was to raise money for the rebuilding of the
main building at Bethany College, which had been destroyed by fire.
Campbell traveled extensively over the United States for a period of
fifty years. He saw steamboat and railway transportation blossom
toward maturity, having had his share of the stagecoach era. This
letter is interesting in that it reveals his impression of a train
that could go 45 miles an hour. It has some importance in that it is
the only record that I know of where he describes being in a train
wreck. — the Editor
Cincinnati, Jany. 11, 1858
My dearly beloved Wife,
Your most acceptable letter of Jany 5 Philadelphia came
to hand yesterday evening, and gave me much pleasure. We left New
York the night of Wednesday the 5th at 11 o’clock and arrived
here on the evening of the 7th. We left Pittsburg the same evening
and on our way some 20 miles, while moving along at the rate of a
mile in one minute and a half, in a long train of cars, the axel of
one of the cars broke and two cars were thrown off the track, and
broken, the Engineer nearly thrown off, we most providentially
escaped unhurt — and a detention of some four hours, another train
being sent for in another direction, we got on our way and safely
arrived next evening in this city.
I am just returned from meeting, having spoken in the
forenoon and Mr. Pendleton on the evening. Tomorrow morning we will
go over to Covington Ky. where I have an appointment to speak. We
obtained subscriptions in New York amounting to some 1,000 dollars
— and hope to do something tomorrow at Covington. We have not done
much here in a pecuniary way.
We are hospitably entertained at Brother Bishops. We
will commence our labors in Kentucky and I hope to speak more
directly on college claims. The times are so hard here and over the
West we cannot expect very much in any place. I have the promise of
five hundred dollars from a brother in Mississippi whose letter came
to hand yesterday. We hope the Lord will open the hearts of his
people to forward the work in which we are engaged.
I will write to Alexander tomorrow having received a
letter from him yesterday, with the news up to date.
I am very anxious to hear from you on receipt of this. Address me at Paris, Bourbon county, Kentucky where I hope to be toward the end of next week or rather some 8 or 9 days hence. Give my kindest remembrance to my dear daughters and say to them from me that I do hope they will devote much of their time to reading — solid substantial reading — especially the good book. Remember me also to William as soon as you write to him. I write to Alexander in this envelope.
Your devoted husband,
A. Campbell