Life History

Other facts

Notes

• ADAM CAMPBELL
  
  Adam and his brother Elisa are said to have left their home in Charleston SC to go up into the mountains to live with the Cherokee. There Adam met John Green, father to Lucresa. He is listed as John's partner in a will he left when he passed away. They owned a gold mine. The mine was left to daughter Lucresa. They were Cherokee.  Accounts tell us Adam hid Lucresa and son Alexander in brush when the Cherokee were forced from their lands to keep them from being taken away.
  
  "They were not legally married according to white men's laws.  They made their way to Georgia and lived with Cherokee people there, then traveled to Walker County Alabama and had several children.  They were buried there on their own property because Lucresa wasn't allowed to be buried in a white man's cemetery due to her Cherokee heritage.  The family never received government reimbursement for the lands that the government took from Lucresa during the Indian removal.  This is due to the fact the marriage could not be proven.  Adam was a preacher at one time and a Union sympathizer during the civil war."
  --  Geni, http://www.geni.com/people/ADAM-CAMPBELL/6000000007442497367
  
  The dates and places cited in some of the records and references to Adam and his locations are puzzling.
  
  I am uncertain about this statement that they went to Georgia to live with the Cherokees there after avoiding the Cherokee Removal from Carolina, when the Georgia Cherokee land was included in the Removal.  But the removal was in stages form the east over a period.  Even the first Alabama lands where they later lived in DeKalb County were originally Cherokee land.  The dates commonly reported for the Removal are 1836-39.
  
  Adam bought land in Alabama in 1852, but it was in DeKalb County, the Lebanon area, not Walker County, where all later events are referenced.  But they were buried in Walker County, and apparently on what was family land near Smith Lake.
  
  DeKalb County, Alabama, was created out of lands ceded to the US Government by the Cherokee Nation in connection with the forced Removal.  The area that became DeKalb County was once the home of Sequoyah, who developed the Cherokee alphabet.  I have not been able to find clear evidence of purchase of this land in Walker County.  But their graves are on land near Spring Lake, Walker County, Alabama.
  
  In 1850, Adam and Lucinda were enumerated with their children in Cass County, Georgia, consistent with the statement above about their moving to Georgia after the Cherokee Removal.
  
  1850 Federal Census, Cass County, Georgia, 23 September, Division 12, p 320-21 (scan 160-61), Hse #860, Fam #870
  Adam Camel [sic] 45 M [No statement of occupation] $No Real Estate b North Carolina [born abt 1805]
  Lucinda Camel 44 F North Carolina [born abt 1806]
  Alexr Camel 22 M b North Carolina [born abt 1828]
  John Camel 16 M b North Carolina [born abt 1834]
  Jackson Camel 14 M b North Carolina [born abt 1836]
  Katherine Camel 6 F North Carolina [born abt 1844]
  Julia Camel 3 F North Carolina [born abt 1847]
  -- page 321 --
  General T Camel 1 M b Georgia [born abt 1849]
  Milly Camel 17 F Georgia [born abt 1833]
  Thomas I Camel 4mo M b Georgia [born abt May 1850]
  
  Adam bought land in the Lebanon area of DeKalb County, Alabama in 1852, where all later events are referenced.  This was an original area of the Cherokee Nation and the area was the home of Sequoyah.
  
  Alabama Land Records
  Document Number: 13907
  Statutory Reference: 3 Stat. 566
  Act or Treaty: April 24, 1820
  Adam Campbell
  Land Office: LEBANON
  Total Acres: 40.05
  Signature: Yes
  Canceled Document: No
  Issue Date: 1 Dec 1852
  Mineral Rights Reserved: No
  Metes and Bounds: No
  Multiple Warantee Names: No
  Multiple Patentee Names: No
  Entry Classification: Sale-Cash Entries
  Land Description: 1 NENW   HUNTSVILLE No 9S 6E 23
  
  This reference to Huntsville on this land registration is questionable.  The land is in DeKalb, and registration was made in the Lebanon office, according to the certificate, and Huntsville is in Madison County, two counties to the northeast.  I have not seen the original document.  There may be errors in this transcription.
  
  The History of Walker County : its towns and its people says Adam later states he has lived on the same farm near Jasper, Walker County, for 19 years, making it since 1853.  The Walker County land records, however, record that he first "entered government land" there in 1855.  But that could be the formal date of filing his purchase, after living there for a couple of years.  The certificate of land registration I have seen for Walker is dated January 1858 (registration date).  Walker County is four counties west of DeKalb County.
  
  Land record for Adam Campbell 1855
  "Campbell, Adam, entered government land in Section 1, Township 13, Range 6, on January 4, 1855.  Walker County Tract Record"
  
  The certificate on that 80-acre tract of land for this 1855 purchase was recorded on 1 March 1858.  Perhaps it took him three years to pay for the land.  Five years after the record of purchase, in the 1860 census, Adam and Lucresa are living in Walker County, Alabama, near Jasper.
  
  1860 Federal Census, Walker County, Alabama, 6 June, Eastern Division, PO Jasper, Page 7 (869), House #40, Family #37
  Adam Camel [sic] 52 M Farmer $160 Real estate $440 Personal b SC Cannot read or write [born abt 1808]
  Lucrissa Camel 54 F Domestic SC Cannot read or write [born abt 1806]
  Catherine Camel 16 F Domestic GA [born abt 1844]
  July A Camel 13 F GA [born abt 1847]
  General T Camel 10 M GA Attended School
  Burd Camel 6 M Ala Attended School
  
  Their son John was living next door.
  
  1860 Federal Census, Walker County, Alabama, 6 June, Eastern Division, PO Jasper, Page 7 (869), House #41, Family #38
  John R Camel [sic] 24 M Farmer $160 Real estate $150 Personal b SC Cannot read or write [born abt 1836]
  Jane C Camel 25 F Domestic Ala Cannot read or write [born abt 1835]
  Flora A Camel 3 F Ala [born abt 1857]
  Sarah T Camel 1 F Ala [born abt 1859]
  
  Next door to John was Adam's oldest son Alexander.
  
  1860 Federal Census, Walker County, Alabama, 6 June, Eastern Division, PO Jasper, Page 7 (869), House #42, Family #39
  Alex Camel [sic] 27 M MD $160 Real estate $250 Personal b SC Cannot read or write [born abt 1833]
  Milly Camel 25 F Domestic GA Cannot read or write [born abt 1835]
  Thomas J Camel 10 M GA [born abt 1850]
  Robert Camel 8 M Ala [born abt 1852]
  Samuel H Camel 6 M Ala [born abt 1854]
  Sarah A E Camel 3 F Ala [born abt 1857]
  Andrew J Camel 11mos M Ala [born abt July 1859]
  
  Lucresa died only two years after this census.  She was buried on their farm.  Adam was buried next to her after his death in 1873.
  
  Records of various kinds indicate that Adam and his family lived in Walker County, Alabama.  In an affidavit in 1872 he states that he has lived in his present location, about 20 miles from Jasper, Alabama, working as a farmer, for 19 years (since 1853).  That would mean they moved about a year after he bought the land in DeKalb County.  I have not found a record of the sale, but that may be how he funded the purchase of his farm in Walker County.
  
  In 1870, the enumerator manages to spell the family name correctly.  (Probably earlier enumerators were actually correctly recording the name as the family pronounced it.  You will hear it pronounced that way today by some.)  In this census, Adam is not noted as unable to read and write, though such a designation is give for Rebeca and General.  Note also that now Adam is reported as born in Georgia, not South Carolina.
  
  1870 Federal Census, Walker County, Alabama, 30 June, p 4-5, PO Jasper, Hse /Fam #30
  Campbell, Adam  65 M W Farmer $200 Real Estate $200 Personal Estate b Georgia [b abt 1852]
  Campbell, Rebeca 30 F W  Keeping House b Georgia Cannot read or write [born abt 18]
  Campbell, General 20 M W Works on Farm b Georgia Cannot read or write [b abt 1850]
  Campbell, Byrd 16 M W Works on Farm b Alabama [b abt 1854]
  -- page 5 --
  Campbell, James 8 M W b Alabama [b abt 1862]
  Campbell, Salina 7 F W b Alabama [b abt 1863]
  
  In this census, the youngest child in Adam's home was a daughter Salina age 7.  Thus she born in about 1863, after the death of Lucresa.  It appears that the second person listed in Adam's household is Rebecca age 30.  No Rebecca has been in the household before.  This appears to be Adam's second wife, whom he married after Lucresa's death.  So this Salina would be Rebecca's daughter.
  
  I do note that none of the Campbell genealogies I have seen record Rebecca as a second wife, or have Salina as a child.  At least one lists Rebecca as a daughter, even though she does not show up until the 1870 census.  Some have an additional child, Joshua born about 1857, but this child is not reported in the 1860 or 1870 census.  The genealogies reporting this child have no death date for Joshua.  They also lack James who shows up in the 1870 census, and appears to be Adam's son, not a grandchild. Some link to the proper 1860 and 1870 censuses, but do not account for these individuals.
  
  James is likely Lucresa's child, since his age puts his birth in 1862, and if exact (if he has actually had his 8th birthday as reported), he was born several months before Lucresa's date of death on her grave, 13 September 1862.  If his age is general and he has not yet actually had his 8th birthday, it could be that Rebecca died in childbirth with him or soon after.
  
  Adam was a veteran of the Seminole Wars.  Many Cherokees fought with US forces in the three conflicts with the various Seminole tribes south of US territory in the Spanish province of East Florida (West Florida already being Us Territory, as part of the Louisiana Purchase).  During the CIvil War, Adam and his sons supported the Union and John R and Alexander joined the 1st Alabama Cavalry (USA).
  
  Adam supported the Union as he could on home ground, and testified after the war in a series of about 15 affidavits as to his loyalty for the Union all during the secession movement and war (referred to in USA documents as "the Rebellion").  In this affidavit he testifies that at one point he was arrested by local authorities for his support of the Union and was held in the county jail for two months.  He was arrested several other times on similar charges.  He provided supplies to the Union forces, and after the war presented claims for payment, which were approved.
  
  Gravestone of Adam Campbell, husband of Lucresa Green
  Companion stone to his wife Lucresa (Green) Campbell
  Private plot, near Smith Lake, Walker County, Alabama
  "Adam Campbell  Born Nov 12, 1802   Died Dec 22, 1873  Age 71 yrs & 18 days"
  
  Adam's memorial on Find a Grave includes an extensive biography.
  
  -----------------
  Adam Campbell
  Birth Nov. 12, 1802 Anderson County, South Carolina
  Death Dec. 22, 1873, Walker County, Alabama
  
  Adam Campbell was born in SC to Robert CAMEL his Mother's name was Rachel?
  [The family name was Campbell, colloquially pronounced Camel, just as we still today often hear it.  It was sometimes spelled that way.  It was sometimes spelled that way.  I've heard it in my time.  -- OBJ]
  
  In 1829 Adam Campbell is in the Pendleton Dist SC when he received land from his father-in-law John Greene. (Deeds, Vol S, p. 490. 50 acres on Rocky River, Pendleton Dist, SC.)
  In 1830 Pendleton Dist SC, the land of Adam Campbell was sold by Sheriff to James E. Reese. (Vol. S, p. 620., 50 acres Beaverdam Creek. Pendlton Dist. SC.) This was to satisfy a levy of $84.00 against Adam Campbell, Where he was charged & convicted of Hog Stealing.
  
  In 1836 Adam Campbell served in the Georgia Militia, Forsythe County called out for the Seminole War. Adam Campbell, private, was listed in the first company of the Forsythe Guards led by Captain James Gaston. This made him eligible to participate and win the Land Lottery of 40 acres.
  
  Adam Campbell was engaged in the mining business in Forsythe County. According to Shadburn's Pioneer History of Forsythe County, GA Vol 1, the Ad Campbell Mine located on land lot 427 1st Dist, 1st Section Forsythe County was named for the original prospector, Adam Campbell.  Mr. Campbell in the early 1840's with the assistance of slaves, sunk a shaft one hundred feet deep and ran tunnels in both directions on a vein. The ore brought to the surface was put into an igneous stamp mill constructed on the location.  It appears that Mr. Campbell was successful in his mining operations.
  
  In 1858 Adam purchased his first 80 acres of 205 total in Walker County Alabama becoming one of the early settlers. This is where he and his Cherokee wife Lucresa Green Campbell (09 May 1804 - 13 Sep 1862) raised their Family.
  
  When the Civil War broke out Adam was a strong Unionist. He took three of his Sons to Huntsville Alabama to enlist as in the AL 1st Calvary.  I know of at least twice that Adam was arrest[ed] while traveling during the Civil War. He was held in jail in Blountsville, AL for two months and then another time in Birmingham.  Adam sacrificed much for this Country. He lost two Sons to the War and after the War he applied to the Claims Commission and received $220.00 for his losses.
  
  Adam Campbell died 22 Dec 1873 at his home located on the Sipsey Fork of the Warrior River off the Smith Lake Dam Road.  My husband made the Cemetery Sign and we placed it by the side of the road leading back into the woods to their resting place.
  (bio by: Lynn Tyler)
  
  Spouse Lucresa Green Campbell (1804 - 1862)
  Children:
  Alexander Campbell (1832 - 1862)
  Juleyan Campbell Blevins (1844 - 1921)
  General Taylor Campbell (1846 - 1922)
  Kate Campbell Light (1848 - 1896)
  Byrd Campbell (1850 - 1912)
  
  Inscription:  "Behold Dear Friends, As you pass by As you are now so once was I."
  
  Burial Adam & Lucresa Campbell Cemetery, Walker County, Alabama
  
  Created by LaShane Marlow Aug 03, 2009
  --  Find A Grave Memorial #40239517, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=40239517
  -----------------------
  

Sources

• 1. Gravestone of Adam Campbell, Private plot, near Smith Lake, Walker County, Alabama
• 2. Find a Grave Memorial Registry
• 3. Email Sources
• 4. Clint Norwood, Note left on genealogy site, 1 July 2011
• 5. Walker Cuonty, Alabama Land Records 1855
• 6. 1860 Federal Census, Walker County, Alabama
  • 6 June, Eastern Division, PO Jasper, Page 7 (869), House #40, Family #37
• 7. 1870 Federal Census, Walker County, Alabama
  • 30 June, p 4-5, PO Jasper, Hse /Fam #30
• 8. Geni Trees
• 9. 1850 Federal Census, Cass County, Georgia
  • 23 September, Division 12, p 320-21 (scan 160-61), Hse #860, Fam #870
• 10. Alabama Land Records
  • Document Number: 13907, Statutory Reference: 3 Stat. 566,   Act or Treaty: April 24, 1820
• 11. Ancestry Trees
  • Rosenbaum/Driscoll, http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/26471681/person/1910841992
• 12. 1880 Federal Census, Blount County, Alabama
  • 16 June, District 13, page 11, Hse/Fam #61
• 13. 1920 Federal Census, Cullman County, Alabama
  • 25 January, Antioch Precinct, District 171, pages 3B-4A, Sunnyville & Jasper Rd, Hse/Fam #59
• 14. Ancestry Trees
  • Lynn Tyler, http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/12303814/person/-292664567?ssrc=&ftm=1
• 15. Ancestry Trees
  • Rosenbaum/Driscoll, http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/26471681/person/1969545353?ssrc=&ftm=1
• 16. Gravestone of Lucresa (Green) Campbell, Private plot, near Smith Lake, Walker County, Alabama
• 17. Court Documents, Anderson District, South Carolina