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In 1725, six Impartial Highland Companies were shaped to support the Authorities: three from Clan Campbell, one from Clan Fraser , one from Clan Munro and one from Clan Grant These companies had been known by the title Reicudan Dhu, or Black Watch. It is attention-grabbing that in his memorials, John is alleged to be of Phil's Hill, indicating a certain quantity of sentimentality for the place. From the 1810 deed, it will appear that she had an interest within the Gibraltar property along with her brother James, which they sold to John. Charles Wilkes (named in the above deed) was the banker of James Campbell of New Jersey for many years. In 1831, James Campbell died and left his sister Margaret Campbell, his sole legatee and executor. By her will, a William Banks grew to become the administrator for the estate of James Campbell and was named executor for Margaret.

Duncan Campbell is the brother of Colonel John Campbell of Black River, whom I notice is talked about elsewhere on your web site. What was fully new to me (and I share your scepticism) was the suggestion that John Black River was married, earlier than his marraige to Catherine Claibourne, to Jean Campbell, daughter of Lord Niel Campbell. Duncan Campbell seems to have married as his first wife one Elizabeth Gordon.

The placement of his habitation called Racawacahana” …… passed quickly after the Revolution into the arms of John Campbell, nephew of Lord Neil Campbell …. and subsequently into others and at last into its present owners. The interesting level realtor Beverly Hills about the above quote was printed in a time when different professed descendants of John Campbell, Proprietor had been residing within the space. The problem however, is that no details of John Campbell's life are given in any publication.

However such a relationship - if it did exist - might explain why the notion of a familial tie between this John Campbell and the unique proprietorial settlement in East New Jersey did not seem absurd when first raised. Whereas there may be little doubt that Duncan Campbell, merchant in Glasgow d.1729 was an elder brother of John Campbell of Black River d.1740 the view that James Campbell of Duan Vale and Gibraltar, Jamaica d.1766 was Duncan's son is, I believe, tenuous. There's some further evidence for James Campbell of Duan Vale's inserting as son of Duncan Campbell, merchant and elder brother to John of Black River.

I believe that this John Campbell is the son of James Campbell, born Glasgow 1715 and died Rotherhithe, England (now in South London) 1766, whose will recorded with the Prerogative Court docket of Canterbury (PROB 11/917) incorporates numerous useful data, including identifying James because the proprietor of Gibraltar and Duan Vale estates, then in St. James Parish, Jamaica.