The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-04
AN OLD HERO.
james -. CampbeIl-Dcnth of the Last Re-
muiniDG Prisoner of the Revolution.

james -. CampbeIl-Dcath of the Last Re-
mniniDR Prisoner of the Revolution.
Judge James S. Campbell died on Wednesday
the 22d ult., at his residence near the village of
Cherry Valley, Otsego county, New York, at
the advanced age of 81 years. He was in many
respects q remarkable man, being probably the
last prisoner of the war of the Revolution, aud
undoubtedly the only man who met and con-
versed with both the first President, General
Washington, and the last General Grant. He
was born in 1772 on the estate where he died,
where his father was born, which his grand
father reclaimed from the wilderness on the
first settlement of the country. and which is
now the residence of his son, the Hon. William
W. Campbell.
When the massacre of Cherry Valley took
place in 177S, Immediately after that of Wyo-
ming, and by the same party of Indians and
Tories, under Brant and Butler, Colonel Samuel
Campbell, the late Judges father, was away
from home with his command in the army His
family we're taken captive; the homestead was
burned his aged mother being unable to keep
up with the party on their stormy November
march, was killed, and his wife and children
carried to Fort Niagara. Most of them were
sooR exchanged; but the late Judge, then a
child six years old, was for some
reason retained among the Indians, was
carried off far back into Canada, and became
so habituated to the savage life which he led
for about five years, as to forget his native
tongue. He was finally, after great exertion,
restored to his family at Quebec; and on the re-
settlement of Cherry Valley, after the war, re-
turned to his home, and has resided there ever
since. When the war was over General Wash
ington rode up the Valley of the Susquehanna
with a party OF officers, to view the scene of
the late massacre. On his way he was enter
tanned at the house of Colonel Campbell where
he met the survivors of the bloody attack, among
whom was the little rescued prisoner, then
about twelve years old. He manifested much
Interest in the story of the bOy-captive, con-
versing freely with him about the curious eXpe-
riences he had gone through The old man re-
tanned vivid remembrance of this event. and to
the last month Of his life dwet upon it with
evident pride When the war of the Rebellion
closed, and General Grant came to Albany to
participate in the celebration of tae national
victories, the aged Judge happened to be visit
jng his son, Samuel Campbell ESQ., of Castle
ton. He went thence to Albany, where he was
introduced TO General Grant
He had the integrity and vigor which seem to
pertain so uniformly to those of Scotch an
cestry. He was for fifteen years Judge of the
NoarL of Common Pleas, and always held q
position of honor and respect in the commu.
nifty. He leaves the record of an earnest, hon
orable, and sturdily upright career. He was Q
man of very modest, sober, and industrious
character, of cheerful disposition and unpre
tending piety He leaves a large family o.
children, grandchildren, and great-grandchil
dren. OF his nine sons and one daughter, al
are living except one son, Henry. Nearly all o
them were professionally educated. Anon.
them are the Hon. William w. Campbell, tn
Rev. Alfred e. Campbell, d. D., of New York
Samuel Campbell, Esq, of Castleton; and Johl
Campbell, @. E., of New York. Several of hi
grandchildren served in the late war, and one O
them was breVeted Brlgadier-General