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Donald Campbell (abt. 1492 - abt. 1562)

Master Donald "Abbot of Coupar Angus" Campbell
Born about in Inverary, Argyll, Scotlandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and
Brother of , [half], , , , , , , , , [half], [half] and [half]
Husband of — married [date unknown] [location unknown]
Descendants descendants
Father of , and
Died about at about age 70 in Coupar Angus, Scotlandmap
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Profile last modified | Created 31 Mar 2011
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Contents

Biography

"In the political and religious history of Scotland, the life of Donald Campbell is well documented. But to document him as an ancestral parent of many children encounters the problem of identifying their mother(s) for marriages of religious men were not acknowledged until the Scottish Reformation in 1560, a few years before Donald Campbell's death. However, official sources well document land grants to many of his children." [1]

1492 Birth and Parents

Donald Campbell is believed to have been born in 1492 at Inverary, seat of the Campbells of Argyll. [1]

However,

His parents, Archibald Campbell and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Stewart, eldest daughter of John, first Earl of Lennox, had four sons and five daughters. [2] Donald was the fourth son of Archibald second Duke of Argyll and his wife, Elizabeth Stewart.

Sisters

There is no documented list of his five sisters. The following, numbered well in excess of five, have been named by various sources:

  1. Janet Campbell. Janet Campbell, b. 1470, Balveny, Fifeshire, Scotland d. 2 Feb 1546, Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland (Age 76 years) [2]
  2. Margaret Campbell, b. Abt 1477, Lochow, Argyllshire, Scotland [2]
  3. Isabel Campbell, born 1484 or Isabella Campbell, born 1489. Isabel Campbell, d. Aft 1529 [2]
  4. Catherine Campbell, born 1486 or Catherine Campbell, born 1492. Catherine Campbell, b. Abt 1489, Lochow, Argyllshire, Scotland, d. Yes, date unknown [2]
  5. Mary Campbell, born 1498. Mary Campbell, d. Dsp - Died Without Children. [2]
  6. Helen Campbell, d. 1534 [2]
  7. Ellen Campbell, [2]
  8. Jean Campbell, b. Abt 1498, Lochow, Argyllshire, Scotland, [2]
  9. Marion Campbell,[2]

Brothers

  1. Archibald Campbell, born 1474. Alexander (Archibald) Campbell, of Skipness, b. Abt 1474, d. 18 Jul 1537, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland (Age ~ 63 years) [2] Archibald Campbell -- the second son of the 2nd Earl of Argyll, held the lands of Skipnish (Skipnich). His second marriage was to Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis, widow of John Lyon, 6th Lord Glamis. Archibalnd Campbell and Janet Douglas had no children. [3] Archibald, his second son, had a charter of the lands of Skipnish, and the keeping of the castle thereof, 13th August 1511. His family ended in an heir-female in the reign of Mary. Sir John Campbell, the third son, at first styled of Lorn, and afterwards of Calder, married Muriel, daughter and heiress of Sir John Calder of Calder (now Cawdor), near Nairn. Archibald's daughter Elisabeth was married to Lauchlan Cattanach Maclean of Dowart who later left her on Lady's Rock to drown her ca. 1497 but she escaped and Lachlan was later assasinated by Sir John Calder of Calder.[2]
  2. Colin Campbell, born 1487. Colin Campbell, of Carrick, 3rd Earl of Argyll, b. 13 Jul 1475, Argyllshire, Scotland, d. Bef 26 Mar 1529 (Age 53 years) [2] Colin Campbell, who became 3rd Earl of Argyll in 1513, and married Lady Janet Gordon. He died in 1530 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Archiblad, who became the 4th Earl of Argyll. [1]
  3. John Campbell, born 1490. Sir John Campbell, 1st of Cawdor (Calder), b. Abt 1490, d. 1 May 1546, Calder Castle, Nairnshire, Scotland (Age ~ 56 years) [2]. Sir John Campbell -- who became Treasurer of Scotland. He married Muriel, daughter of Sir John Calder, and founded the House of Calder (Casdor). [1]

1516 Was there a marriage prior to holy orders?

In 1517, at the age of 25, Donald became the father of Nicholas, assuming the correctness of his memorial stone inside the Bendochy Kirk at the West end, indicating that he died in 1587 at the age of 70. [4]

This would appear to support a supposition that Donald may have been married with children before taking religious orders in 1529 -- he certainly would have been of a suitable age -- however there is no evidence of his having done this, and the question of what became of such a wife prior to his taking holy orders also remains unanswered.

In fact, however, a Latin document dated December 12, 1543 issued in the first year of the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, refers to "Nicholas Campbell, bastard, natural son of Donald Campbell" and restores him to all legal and natural rights before 1542. Nicholas became dean of the Cathrdral Church of Lismore of the diocese of Argyll - which he retained until his death and he was buried Benduchy Parish Church. [5]

Kurz asserts that two additional children were born before 1529 -- David of Keithick and Margaret of Kemphill -- and that the mother of all three was named Margaret. However, no documentation for this is provided.[1]

Young Adulthood

There is a tradition that in his early life Donald was a soldier, but by 1525 he was clerk of Lismore in the diocese of Argyll. [1]

His early life is not discovered but he appears to have studied at university and gained Master of Arts degree as he is termed Master in some records.

1525 Religious Leadership

"Donald Campbell's brother Colin, the 3rd Earl of Argyll, had become prominent in the court of young King James V. On 14 June 1526, the King sent to the Pope the nomination of Donald Campbell to become abbot of Cupar Abbey. [6]

Master Donald had support of the King in letters to the Pope 25 Aug 1525 recommending him to be Abbot of Coupar.[7]

The Convent of monks at Coupar disputed this and some local lairds supported other contendors for Abbot. One of the local lairds supporting the monks in the dispute was James Ogilvy of Cookston. Nevertheless, Donald was confirmed by the Estates on 14 June 1526 [8] and secured the papal grant of recommendation on the death of William Turnbull, abbot for eight months to allow him to be professed as a monk 24 Sep 1529. [9]

He promised his services 30 Jan 1530 [10] and was granted another eight months extension before profession on 11 Feb 1530/1. The King was only been able to say on 10 Jan 1530/1 that the monks at Coupar had lost their lengthy litigation. [11]

In 1529, King James V expreessed his satisfaction at the appointment of the new abbot of Cupar [12]

"Thus, by 1529, Donald Campbell became the last Roman Catholic abbot of this very ancient Cistercian abbey of Coupar Angus in eastern Perthshire. As abbot, he traveled to Rome, England and France as a Cistercian prelate and as a diplomat. [1]

1530 Disposition of Abbey Rents

Fruits of the Abbey for 1529 to 1531 were set to Master David Campbell and to Sir John Campbell. On p. 57, Kurz [1] makes the parenthetical notation that Master David Campbell was Donald's son and Sir John Campbell was his brother, however, the relationships were not specified in the actual Act.

Since Master David was mature and a farmer of Abbey lands by 1530 and probably earlier, it would appear he is not the son of the Abbot, but rather the David who was born in 1496.

The dispute with others over the Abbey properties continued when on 28 November 1530 an action was brought, at the instance of John Campbell of Cawdor and Mr. David Campbell, farmers of the Abbey of Coupar for Donald, abbot thereof, against James Ogilvy of Cuikston (Cookston) and others for spoliation. The case continued on the 27th January following and then 2 Dec 1531, when escheat is granted to him. [13]

1540 Abbott makes David Ogilvy and wife Margaret Tenants

Her husband David Ogilvy in the 1540's was tenant of the Newton of Bellaty in Glenisla having been sett a tack of that land by the Abbot, Donald Campbell. [14]

1543 Member of Privy Council to the Regent Arran

In 1543 he was appointed one of the Privy Council to the Regent Arran[15], and on the 12th June 1546 was again named as one of those who should remain with the governor, and be of his Secret Council.

Rental Books

The Rental Books or Register of Cupar Abbey Vol.i pp100-113 [16] gives a detailed accpount of his life and Vol.ii [17]and Charters of Coupar Angus Abbey are an excellent source for transactions he made including the disposal of kirk lands to his kinsfolk.

1552 Abbott extends tenancy terms to David Ogilvy and wife Margaret Campbell

On 16 November 1552 the Abbot extended the terms of the tack to David Ogilvy and his spouse, Margaret Campbell and their son. [14]

1558 election to See of Brechin

In 1558 he was elected to the See of Brechin, then vacant by the death of Bishop Hepburn, but the election was not agreeable to the court of Rome, on account of the abbot's supposed predilection for the doctrines of the Reformed Church, and his election was not confirmed.

1559 Officially a Protestant

Although he was present at the burning of the Protestant Walter Milne in April 1558, in the following year Abbot Campbell himself became a Protestant and, at the urging of the Lords of the Congregation, abandoned monastic habit, banned mass from his monastery and destroyed its icons and altars. In the following year he attended the Reformation Parliament which severed Scotland's ties with Rome. [18]

1560 End of Papal Jurisdiction

In August 1560 he sat as Abbot of Coupar in the parliament which destroyed the papal jurisdiction in Scotland.

He sat in the Scottish Parliament and in the Convention of Estates, where on 17 August 1560 the reformed doctrine was legally recognized and the Protestant Church was established, thereby annulling the Pope's authority in Scotland and prohibiting celebration of the mass. [19]

1562 Death

Donald Campbell died in 1562, aged 70 years. [1]

He died sometime between 16 December 1562 and 20 January 1562/3 and is believed to be buried in Bendochy parish church with his sons David and Nicholas. [1]

Donald Campbell was alive 16 Dec 1562 [20] but deceased by 20 Jan 1563.[21]

During his life he was a member of the Scottish Parliament; member of the Privy Council; Keeper of the Privy Seal during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots; a senator of the College of Justice under King James V; and the ancestor of the Campbells of Keithick (Keithok), Denhead, Cronon, Arthurstone and Balgairsho. [1]

Children

In his account, Kurz [1] states that Donald's first three children were born before 1529 and were all believed mothered by Margaret (surname unknown): David of Keithick, Margaret of Kemphill, and Nicholas (Nicol) of Dalvany and Keithick. Documentation for this assertion, however is missing.

Others accepted as natural children, and shown on Herbert Campbell's Collection of Campbell Pedigrees [22] were David of Denhead, Colin of Crunan, John of the Boat and souttarhouse, Robert, burgess of Ayr, Thomas of Little Keithick, and Andrew of Chapeltoun. [1]

Master Donald is said to have left five illegitimate sons, who were later declared legitimate in order that they might inherit estates of property given to them from the tracts of land formerly belonging to the Catholic Church and redistributed by the state post-Reformation. [18]

With the Reformation of the Church in Scotland looming in the late 1550's he disposed of much of the Abbey's lands to his sons and daughters and kinsfolk.

The following have been suggested by various authors as possible children of Master Donald:

  • Nicholas Campbell-1823. Nicholas' grave indicates he was born in 1517 (died in 1587 at the age of 70), as recorded by Rev Geo. Brown in 1879 at Bendochy Kirk inside the kirk at West end: Sub hoc sarcophagi monvmento celeberrimvs ae sumae dexteritatis vir Majister Nicolvs Campbell de Kethik condtr Nepos qvondam serenissimi comitis de argyll ex venerabile patre Domino Donaldo Campbell Abbate de Cvpro qvi obiit anno Domini 1587 aetatis suae 70. MC KD PC IO.[4] Kurz asserts that Nicholas (Nicol) of Dalvany and Keithick was born before 1529, which is consistent with the above. Kurz also asserts Nicholas was born to Donald Campbell and Margaret [1] for which no documentation is provided.
  • Margaret Campbell-18702, born 1525, and married David Ogilvy. Jack Blair reports that "Margaret Campbell appears to have been born about 1525 indications being that she was a daughter to Donald Campbell fourth son of Archibald second Duke of Argyll. Donald later took holy orders about 1530 to become Abbot of Coupar Abbey. He had several natural children thereafter whom he legitimised but had probably been married in the 1520's with lawful issue." Blair also notes that

"my forebear David Ogilvy and his spouse Margaret Campbell received generous grants of Abbey lands in Glenisla, including Freuchie and Newton of Bellatie and even their firstborn John Ogilvy, still only a child was granted lands on 11 May 1558. Margaret the spouse of David Ogilvy died in Needs in the house of David Ogilvy her third son in 1600."

  • Margaret of Kemphill, born before 1529 to Donald Campbell and, it is believed, Margaret. [1]. Kurz reports she was probably born at Inverary, Argyll, and "is documented by a charter from Abbott Donald granting her on 15 December 1550 the lands of Kemphill, Bruntyhill and the Cowbyre of Keithick; heir-male failing, reminders to her brothers David of Keithick and then to Nicholas of Dalvany. Note -- a review of the charter is needed to determine if the charter itself identifies David and Nicholas as her brothers [23] "Margaret resigned this grant as dowry upon her marriage to Walter Lindsay, son of the late David Lindsay, 9th earl of Crawford and Katherine Campbell who was the daughter of Sir John Campbell of Calder (Cawdor) (brother of Abbot Donald Campbell). On 10 June 1574, the original grant was confirmed anew to Walter Lindsay and Margaret Campbell, his spouse, by King James VI." [24]
  • David of Keithick, born before 1529 to Donald Campbell and, it is believed, Margaret. [1] However, this David is more likely to refer to David Campbell (1496-1584) who was born to early to be a son of Donald's: The inscription in the passage at the East Door of Bendochy Kirk informs us that Master David Campbell died in 1584 at the age of 88: "Hic jacet honestus vir Majister David Campbel .... obiit anno Dui 1584 juni aetatis suae 88 ...." [25]
  • David of Denhead, born after 1529, accepted as a natural child of Donald Campbell, and shown on Herbert Campbell's Collection of Campbell Pedigrees [22] Master Donald , Abbot of Coupar certainly had a number of children and these and probably other kinsfolk such as Master Donald Campbell of Denhead received grants of Abbey lands in the period 1557 to 1559.
  • Colin of Crunan, born after 1529, accepted as a natural child of Donald Campbell, and shown on Herbert Campbell's Collection of Campbell Pedigrees [22]
  • John of the Boat and Souttarhouse, born after 1529, accepted as a natural child of Donald Campbell, and shown on Herbert Campbell's Collection of Campbell Pedigrees [22]
  • Robert, burgess of Ayr, born after 1529, accepted as a natural child of Donald Campbell, and shown on Herbert Campbell's Collection of Campbell Pedigrees [22] However, a birth of Robert Campbell burgess of Ayr after 1529 seems most unlikely as he had a son John who was granted a third part of Chapelton 2 Jan 1558/9. [26] Most likely Robert Campbell was son of Constantine Campbell of Craigdowe [27]
  • Thomas of Little Keithick, born after 1529, accepted as a natural child of Donald Campbell, and shown on Herbert Campbell's Collection of Campbell Pedigrees [22]
  • Andrew of Chapeltoun. born after 1529, accepted as a natural child of Donald Campbell, and shown on Herbert Campbell's Collection of Campbell Pedigrees [22] Note that Andrew Campbell in Chapelton and Janet Turnbull his spouse were granted a one third part of Chapelton on 10 May 1559. [28]. This would suggest a relationship between Andrew and Robert, but not necessarily to the others. The observation has been made that this Andrew Campbell is just as likely to be a brother of John sharing another third of Chapelton so was he a son of the Abbot? If so he did not get a very generous gift!

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 Dr. Charles G. Kurz, Clan Librarian, The Ancestral History of Margaret Campbell of Keithick (1571-1631), based on the research and papers of former Chieftain, Thomas Garland Magruder, Jr. Yearbook of the American Clan Gregor Society, 62 (1978) 55-65. http://www.nltaylor.net/ancestry/royaldescents/Kurz1.pdf. Accessed August 19, 2016
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 Clan MacFarlane and associated clans genealogy. Archibald Campbell, Second Earl of Argyl. http://www.clanmacfarlanegenealogy.info/genealogy/TNGWebsite/getperson.php?personID=I758&tree=CC. Accessed August 20, 2016.
  3. ↑ Bowes-Lyon and Campbell sources, cited by Dr. Charles G. Kurz, Clan Librarian, The Ancestral History of Margaret Campbell of Keithick (1571-1631), based on the research and papers of former Chieftain, Thomas Garland Magruder, Jr. Yearbook of the American Clan Gregor Society, 62 (1978) 55-65. http://www.nltaylor.net/ancestry/royaldescents/Kurz1.pdf. Accessed August 19, 2016
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Memorial Inscriptions at Bendochy Kirk in 1879
  5. ↑ RMS Vol.iv 400 see [1]
  6. ↑ Acts of the Parliament of Scotland, ii, p. 302; Charters of Coupar Angus Abbey, vol II, pp. 276-277. Cited by Dr. Charles G. Kurz, Clan Librarian, The Ancestral History of Margaret Campbell of Keithick (1571-1631), based on the research and papers of former Chieftain, Thomas Garland Magruder, Jr. Yearbook of the American Clan Gregor Society, 62 (1978) 55-65. http://www.nltaylor.net/ancestry/royaldescents/Kurz1.pdf. Accessed August 19, 2016
  7. ↑ James V letters 119-120
  8. ↑ APS ii, 302, No5
  9. ↑ PRO 31/10/14/91
  10. ↑ PRO 31/9/31/163-164
  11. ↑ Letters of James V
  12. ↑ Tyninghame Letter Book, GRH, cited by Dr. Charles G. Kurz, Clan Librarian, The Ancestral History of Margaret Campbell of Keithick (1571-1631), based on the research and papers of former Chieftain, Thomas Garland Magruder, Jr. Yearbook of the American Clan Gregor Society, 62 (1978) 55-65. http://www.nltaylor.net/ancestry/royaldescents/Kurz1.pdf. Accessed August 19, 2016
  13. ↑ RSS ii.1037
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Rental Book of Abbey of Cupar-Angus Vol. ii p.106-108 see https://archive.org/stream/rentalbookofcist02roge_0#page/106/mode/2up]
  15. ↑ NRS GD1/26/10 see [2]
  16. ↑ Rental book of the Cistercian Abbey of Cupar-Angus. With the breviary of the register by Grampian Club (London); Rogers, Charles [3]
  17. ↑ [4]
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Wikipedia. Donald Campbell. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Campbell_(abbot). Accessed August 17, 2016
  19. ↑ Acts of the Parliament of Scotland, ii, p. 525; Charters of Couper Angus Abbey, vol. II, pp. 277-279. Cited by Dr. Charles G. Kurz, Clan Librarian, The Ancestral History of Margaret Campbell of Keithick (1571-1631), based on the research and papers of former Chieftain, Thomas Garland Magruder, Jr. Yearbook of the American Clan Gregor Society, 62 (1978) 55-65. http://www.nltaylor.net/ancestry/royaldescents/Kurz1.pdf. Accessed August 19, 2016
  20. ↑ RMS iv 1436 see [5]
  21. ↑ RSS v 317
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 Herbert Campbell. Lyon Office, H. M. Register House, cited by Dr. Charles G. Kurz, Clan Librarian, The Ancestral History of Margaret Campbell of Keithick (1571-1631), based on the research and papers of former Chieftain, Thomas Garland Magruder, Jr. Yearbook of the American Clan Gregor Society, 62 (1978) 55-65. http://www.nltaylor.net/ancestry/royaldescents/Kurz1.pdf. Accessed August 19, 2016
  23. ↑ Charters of Couper Angus Abbey, vol. II, p. 224, cited by Kurz.
  24. ↑ Register of the Great Seal, vol IV, p. 559, No 2260, cited by Kurz.
  25. ↑ Rev. George Brown, Bendochy Kirk (Inscriptions records in 1879
  26. ↑ Coupar Charter CCXI
  27. ↑ See NRS GD109/1138 and GD109/1138
  28. ↑ Coupar Charter CCXXIX




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Campbell-37992 Kevin Campbell
The following connects the Ormidale line to this branch of the Argyll tree.

Please add John Campbell, of Souterhouse as a child of Donald (Campbell-1522). This is acknowledged in the text on Donald’s write-up. John Campbell married Elizabeth Blalock John Campbell’s son, William Campbell, of Souterhouse married Janet Haliburton William Campbell’s son, John Campbell, of Souterhouse married Isabel Nevay John Campbell’s son, George Campbell, of Kinochtree & Friertoun married Janet Murray George Campbell’s son, Colin Campbell, of Kinochtree, Pennyland, Otter married (1) Anne Campbell and (2) Jane Stenhouse, of Drummore, Ireland Colin’s son from his second marrraige, Alexander Campbell, of Ormidale (Campbell-41571) married Marion Campbell (Campbell-41500)

posted by Kevin Campbell
Catambay-1 Bill Catambay
Abbot Donald Campbell married Margaret Gordon. <ref>Pedigrees of Some of the Emperor Charlemagne's Descendants. Volume III Chapter LVI Magruder, Marquis, Allen, Reasor, Wheeler; By J. Orton Buck & Timothy Field Beard, 1978, p. 204</ref>
posted by Bill Catambay

Rejected matches › Donald Campbell (abt.1505-)

Featured National Park champion connections: Donald is 12 degrees from Theodore Roosevelt, 18 degrees from Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, 14 degrees from George Catlin, 17 degrees from Marjory Douglas, 23 degrees from Sueko Embrey, 16 degrees from George Grinnell, 16 degrees from Anton Kröller, 17 degrees from Stephen Mather, 20 degrees from Kara McKean, 17 degrees from John Muir, 13 degrees from Victoria Hanover and 24 degrees from Charles Young on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.

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