1776 WILL OF CAPTAIN ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL OF THE NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/7/2018

Archibald (1735-1777), a copy of Campbell's original will, dated Brookland Fort (New York), 17 October 1776, transcribed and sealed in London, England, 20 October 1790, with an sealed affirmation of said will, dated Poughkeepsie, New York, 28 March 1791; 1790 copy of 1776 will, ink on parchment, 25 x 30 inches, with 1790 sealed attestation (ADS, 2 pp, bifolium) and 1791 sealed affirmation (ADS, , 2 pp. bifolium) attached. Light soiling to lower margin of parchment will and separation at the folds of 1791 affirmation. Archibald Campbell arrived in America in 1757 as a gentleman-volunteer with the 42nd or Highland Regiment of Foot and served as an ensign in Roger's Rangers until receiving a commission in the 42nd Foot on 8 July 1758. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1760 during the Montreal expedition and later fought at Martinique and Havana in 1762. He went on half-pay in 1763 and retired to farming on Beekman Patent, but later received a commission as lieutenant in the 26th Foot in 1770. In 1776, he raised a (Loyalist) company of New York Volunteers and led them in action at the battle of Long Island. While in garrison at Brookland Fort later that fall, Campbell made his will--a fortunate occurrence--as he was killed in action at the Ward's House Skirmish near Peekskill on 16 March 1777. Although a bachelor, Campbell provided for his two natural sons, Duncan and Archibald, Jr., who were "left at my farm at Fredericksburgh and shall have between them the Farm, and Stock..and one hundred pounds each", the balance of the estate going to his brothers Duncan and John Campbell in Britain. Archibald Campbell's sword is in the Washington's Headquarters Museum at Newburgh, deposited there in the mid-19th century by descendants. From the Walter O'Connor collection.

Item Dimensions: 12" x 10".