Alexander Campbell (1750 - bef. 1805)

Born 1750 in Berkeley County, Virginia

Husband of Janet Smith — married 1 Sep 1786 in Rockbridge Co., VA

Descendants

Died before 1 Sep 1805 before age 55 in Augusta County, Virginia, USA

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Kevin Guy Campbell [send private message] and M Nason [send private message]

Biography

Founder of Washigton and Lee University. Descendants known and include researcher Linda Hart.

From Leslie Lyle Campbell book:

Alexander Campbell (III.3), son of Dougal Campbell (II), was born in 1750, and died July 26, 1806. He came with his parents from Berkeley County, and settled in Rockbridge County, Va., shortly before October 12, 1780, when he wrote a letter from Timber Ridge to his brother Duncan, still in Berkeley County.

Alexander Campbell lived at Timber Ridge, on his father's place, the old Captain John Lyle farm, and he died there. He was buried in the Timber Ridge Church (old?) cemetery. He was an elder in that Church. From 1783, till his death in 1806, he was County Surveyor of Rockbridge, a position of great importance at that time.^[1] While surveying in the County, he discovered the Alum Springs that earlier had been used as a hunter's camp. The hunters had built a log cabin near the Alum Springs. He, through John Dunlap, purchased the springs and a large tract of adjacent land, and founded and developed the Rockbridge Alum Springs, that for a century and more was a famous summer resort.

These Springs are located in Rockbridge County, Va., about 18 miles west of Lexington, in the heart of the Alleghany Mountains. There are four Alum Springs, of different grades. The hotel and cottages were said to have been built about 1840. At one time these springs were a celebrated summer resort. James Campbell (IV.3), son of the discoverer, Alexander Campbell, and brother of Robert Smith Campbell (IV.2), bought from the other heirs their interest in these springs, and he spent his last years there. Alexander Doak Campbell (V.1) became part owner of the springs.

One summer, in the 1880's, Leslie Lyle Campbell was at these springs, when Alexander Doak Campbell, and his son, Frank Howard Campbell, were managing the springs.

Alexander Campbell was a Trustee, under the original charter of Washington College, from 1784 to 1806. The Honorable Hugh Blair Grigsby, in an address on "The Founders of Washington College," in the Historical Papers, No. 2, page 98, said:

"Of Alexander Campbell, the sixth on the roll of incorporated trustees, I learn that he came from Pennsylvania, that he lived at Timber Ridge, that he always came on sacramental and academical occasions to Lexington, where he was the guest of Colonel Andrew Reid, that he was a pious man and much interested in the cause of education."

Alexander Campbell married Janet Smith, who had come to Virginia from Lancaster, Penna., to visit her Aunt, Margaret Newell, the wife of Duncan, the brother of this Alexander Campbell. She was born about 1766 and died in 1843, 37 years after her husband. Alexander Campbell died intestate. He had nine children: Mary, Robert Smith, James, John, Samuel R., William G., Alexander, Jane M., and Addison.

Land

1 Nov 1819: Need to add info ^[2]

Probate

1 Sep 1805 (Ordered): Appraisment of the personal estate of Alexander Campbell dec'd.
Amongst items listed are slaves Israel ($370), Dinah ($310), Jess ($200) and Andrew ($50) a mulatto child. By Wm Lyle, Duncan Campbell, John Lyle. Recorded 16 Sep 1806 ^{[3] [4]}

22 Oct 1806: Inventory of sales of the personal Estate of Alexander Campbell dec'd. ^[5]

6 Aug 1811 (Completed): Settlement of the Estate of Alexander Campbell. Recorded 6 Aug 1812 ^[6]

Slaves

In the two appraisments of Alexander's estate there are 4 slaves listed: ^{[3] [4]}

• Israel ($370)
• Dinah ($310)
• Jess ($200)
• Andrew ($50) a mulatto child

Sources

1. ↑ Appointment as Surveyor for Rockbridge County:
   "Will books, 1778-1902; general index, 1778-1925" Catalog: Will books, 1778-1902; general index, 1778-1925 General index to wills, no. 1, 1778-1925 (indexes will books v. 1-42) -- Will book, v. 1, 1778-1796.
   Film number: 007646171 > image 432 of 603
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9PF-H2VJ (accessed 8 January 2024)
2. ↑ Deed record:
   "Deed books, 1778-1915 ; general indexes to deeds, 1778-1914, 1947-1975"Catalog: Deed books, 1778-1915 ; general indexes to deeds, 1778-1914, 1947-1975 Deeds, Vols. M-N 1819-1824
   Film number: 007898769 > image 18 of 590
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS4K-V4BH-Q (accessed 14 May 2024)
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} 1st Appraisment of the personal estate of Alexander Campbell dec'd:
   "Will books, 1778-1902; general index, 1778-1925" Catalog: Will books, 1778-1902; general index, 1778-1925 Will books, v. 2-3, 1797-1813
   Film number: 007646172 > image 285 of 539
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9PF-C7ZT (accessed 7 January 2024)
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} 2nd Appraisment of the personal estate of Alexander Campbell dec'd: "Will books, 1778-1902; general index, 1778-1925"
   Catalog: Will books, 1778-1902; general index, 1778-1925 Will books, v. 2-3, 1797-1813
   Film number: 007646172 > image 407 of 539
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9PF-CWC3 (accessed 8 January 2024)
5. ↑ Inventory of sales of the personal Estate of Alexander Campbell: "Will books, 1778-1902; general index, 1778-1925"
   Catalog: Will books, 1778-1902; general index, 1778-1925 Will books, v. 2-3, 1797-1813
   Film number: 007646172 > image 505 of 539
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9PF-CWM8 (accessed 8 January 2024)
6. ↑ Settlement of the Estate of Alexander Campbell:
   "Will books, 1778-1902; general index, 1778-1925" Catalog: Will books, 1778-1902; general index, 1778-1925 Will books, v. 2-3, 1797-1813
   Film number: 007646172 > image 490-494 of 539
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9PF-C7G1 (accessed 8 January 2024)

• The Cabells and Their Kin: A Memorial Volume of History, Biography, and Genealogy, by Alexander Brown, January 1, 1895; Houghton, Mifflin & Company: Parent, Child, page 300.