William Campbell

William Campbell (c. 1794-1857), retired Lieutenant in the 49th Foot Regiment, awarded compensation for ownership of enslaved persons in Tobago as representative of his daughter Lydia Campbell (q.v.).

1. Born c. 1794 in Edinburgh, his parents were William Campbell and Lydia Campbell née Collow (the sister of William Collow, q.v.). His father was a Writer to the Signet and his mother was the daughter of Rev. John Collow and Lydia Tod. His occupation in the 1851 census was "Lieut. Halfpay Ft. Rgt. Army" and on his death certificate was given as "Half Pay H.M. 49th Foot Rt."

2. William Campbell married Mary Louisa Wakely and they had at least 4 children in Peebles, Scotland: William Collow (born 31/03/1817), Elizabeth (born 22/10/1818), Lydia (born 27/04/1820) and Robert (born 18/08/1823). Mary Louisa had died by 1832, by which time he had married to Margaret Haldane Robertson and by whom he had at least three children, born in Girthon, Kirkcudbrightshire: Thomas Collow (born 22/12/1832), Agnes Ferguson (born 29/06/1834) and James Robertson (born 25/02/1836). The census records of 1841 and 1851 reveal another son, John R. Campbell, born in Peebles c. 1828, but it is not clear if his mother was Mary Louisa or Margaret.

3. In 1841 and 1851, William Campbell was living at Roseville, Anne Street, Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire. In 1841 his occupation was "Ind.[ependent Means]". The 1851 census gives his birthplace as Edinburgh. He died at Roseville, 13/05/1857 age 63.

4. William Campbell was awarded half of the £2429 12s 0d compensation for ownership of 126 enslaved persons as representative of his daughter Lydia. It is not clear why Lydia came to such a substantial inheritance nor why his other children did not. Lower Quarter Estate was probably sold in 1842 and the will of Lydia Campbell makes no mention of West Indian property.

T71/891 Tobago claim no. 30A & B (Lower Quarter Estate).

1. Marriage of Miss Lydia Collow and William Campbell, W.S., 10/05/1793 in Edinburgh: Henry Paton, The Register of Marriages for the parish of Edinburgh, 1595- (53 Vols., Edinburgh, Scottish Record Society, 1905) Vol. 53 p. 151. Parentage of Lydia Campbell née Tod: Hugh Scott, Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae (9 Vols., Edinburgh, Oliver and Boyd, 1915-) Vol. 2 p. 323. 1841 and 1851 censuses online.

2. Births of children to William Campbell and Mary Louisa Wakely: www.familysearch.org batch nos. C11768-5 and C11768-7. Births of children to William Campbell and Margaret Haldane Robertson www.familysearch.org batch no. C11866-4. 1841 and 1851 censuses online.

3. 1841 and 1851 censuses online. Death of William Campbell: General Register Office for Scotland, Deaths 1857 866 009. Death certificate of William Campbell confirms his parents names and father's occupation.

4. See separate entries for Margaret Haldane Campbell and Lydia Campbell.