My Family Tree

James Campbell (1743-1800), born in Perthshire, Scotland, was the son of Alexander Campbell and Mary Cameron Campbell of Locheil, Scotland. Sailing on the ship "Elizabeth" from London, England, James emigrated to Prince Edward Island in 1775 at the age of thirty-two to work as an agent for the firm of Clark and Campbell.

James married fellow passenger, Elizabeth Ann Townsend (1755-1829). They purchased land in Lot 21 and helped found the settlement of New London. James and Elizabeth had eight children: Alexander, James, Archibald, George, Caroline, Charlotte, Sarah, and Elizabeth.

from PARO fonds Acc2923

According to the LMM diaries, there were rumours that James Campbell had left a wife and family behind in Scotland.

Selected Journal of L M Montgomery vol 2 1910-1921 page 260-"the original Campbell - Captain Campbell - who emigrated to Canada was a member of the Breadalbane Campbells. There is an old family tradition that he was really the heir to the Earldom of Breadalbane. But he made an unhappy marriage in the old land, eventually left his wife and came to Canada where he passed as an unmarried man and married a Miss Townsend - a cousin of Great Grandmother Macneill's... There may be nothing to the tale. It sprang I believe from the fact that a stranger from Scotland had one day appeared and asked to see Captain Campbell, averring that he brought him news of his wife and family in the old land..."