Alexander Campbell

It is said that an explorer among the tombs of ancient Egypt found, in the dried up hand of a mummy, a few grains of wheat that had been placed there many centuries ago by some unknown hand. Desiring to test the strength of the preservation of the germ of wheat, the explorer planted the grains in suitable soil and a waited. The result: in due time the moistened seed germinated, grew, and produced a little

harvest in spite of the antiquity of the seed. It is said that many millions of acres of waving grain today are traceable to the handful of seed which the dried-up hand of the mummy held so long. In like manner I shall try to bring from the buried treasure of ideas which have been held by the relentless grasp of forgotten years some important lessons. I should like to bring these ideas from the treasury of biography and enrich the mind of the present generation.

So much has been written of Alexander Campbell, both by his admirers and his enemies, that it is hard to select from the great mass of writings just such fragments as will best serve the purpose. It is not my aim to eulogize the subject of this sketch; but I shall attempt to collate such facts as will impress some lesson or principle that should be preserved.

Alexander Campbell was born on September 12, 1788 in Ireland. His father, Thomas Campbell, was a Presbyterian preacher at that time. His mother was of French descent. Thomas Campbell was preaching for the Secession Church of the Presbyterian faith. He was independent in his thinking, though formally bound by the creed of his church. His son, Alexander seems to have inherited largely the love of freedom and independence of thought of his father. If one were tracing the history of the Reformation Movement, one would have to go back to the Secession Church in Ireland and Scotland.

Alexander Campbell had splendid advantages for an education. His father was a teacher of no mean ability, as well as a preacher. He took great interest in the education of his son. Young Alexander was very fond of reading, and read with interest and profit the best books that he could find. His intellectual nature was such that he soon became one of the best scholars for his age in that country. He had an ambition in his youth to become "one of the best scholars of the kingdom." The traits of his mind soon became conspicuous and found free activity in the literary work which he did. The period of youth was the seed-time of life, and he neglected no opportunity in storing his mind with useful facts and principles. When it was possible, Alexander entered the university at Glasgow. With his unquenchable thirst for knowledge and with all the energies of his great mind, he pressed on in his educational career at the university with an earnest desire to prepare himself for preaching the gospel. He was converted, according to the theology of that age, in early life, and joined the Presbyterian Church.

Like many today he did not examine the Bible or search from its pages to find out the will of the Lord. He united with the church of his father, and because his father was a Presbyterian he became one. Of course in later years he studied the Bible to know the will of God and to do it. He soon began taking public part in the church work. It was his desire to be of the greatest service to the church—a desire which ought to inspire the young people of the church today. If young people were taught to prepare themselves for the greatest usefulness in the service of God and their fellow men, they could be worth so much more to society and the church.

Thomas Campbell emigrated to America in 1807. Alexander Campbell came to America in August, 1809. His father had been preaching for the Presbyterian Church in America, and because of his independence and distaste for the slavery of creeds he had withdrawn from the Presbyterian synod. Alexander Campbell united with his father in free America in teaching the will of God as he then saw it, independent of denominational restrictions. Step by step he advanced into the liberty of Christ, gaining encouragement at each step, until finally he defied creedal slavery. He enjoyed with his father the spirit of the great slogan: "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent." Following this motto; he soon began to doubt many of the religious theories to which he formally adhered. He began to examine the Scripturalness of every tenet of faith and act of worship. The Bible was his guide and the word of God his supreme authority. He soon became convinced that there was no Scriptural authority for infant baptism, and, true to God's word and his own conscience, he gave up these cherished theories of the Presbyterian Church.

He sought some one to immerse him. He found Matthias Luce; a Baptist minister; to perform this rite. This was in 1812. He was now in full accord with the Baptist Church on what was called "the mode of baptism," and out of harmony with the Presbyterian Church. He soon discovered that he was out of harmony with the Baptist Church on its creed as well as much of its practice. For about seven years he published, the Christian Baptist. The first issue of this paper was published on August 3, 1823, and the last issue was published in 1830. In the Christian Baptist he tried to correct many of the errors common in that day. During this time he cut loose from all ecclesiastical bodies and called upon those who would worship God to do so in the liberty of Christ.

He affiliated for a time with the Baptist Church, but he saw that to follow the Scriptures he must repudiate all human institutions and exalt only the Church of our Lord. He had faith in this church and had the courage to stand by his convictions. He believed in the church of the Bible and had the courage to condemn sects and denominations with their creeds and human devices. He began calling upon people to worship as the New Testament directs, and he found many who were eager to do this. Local congregations were established on the New Testament pattern, and guided only by the New Testament in their work and worship. After he had been preaching independent of the Baptist Church for some time, the Baptist Church in some formal way condemned his action. Alexander Campbell was not excluded from the Baptist Church. He was never in full faith and fellowship with the Baptist Church. He was baptized by a Baptist preacher, and affiliated in a rather loose way with the Baptist Church while he was groping in darkness. But soon the light of God's truth dawned upon his soul, and he ignored the claims of the Baptist Church upon him and pursued a course independent of the Baptist Church.

He founded no new sect or denomination. He said, in the Christian Baptist of 1826: "I have no idea of adding to the catalogue of new sects. I labor to see sectarianism abolished and all Christians of every name united upon the one foundation upon which the apostolic church was founded. To bring Baptists and Pedobaptists to this is my supreme end." It is contrary to fact and contrary to all reliable history to state that Alexander Campbell founded the "Campbellite Church" or any other church. He did no such thing, and those who so state contradict the facts and truthful history. He simply called upon people to take the New Testament as their guide and the church of the New Testament as the only church which is authorized by the word of God.

This sketch would not be complete if I did not call attention to some of the debates which Mr. Campbell had. Mr. Campbell was averse to debates. In his early life he thought that debates were contrary to the spirit of Christ. He was almost pressed into his first debate. The most notable of his debates were put in book form. The Campbell-Owen debate was on the evidences of Christianity. Robert Owen was a famous infidel of Scotland. This debate was held in Cincinnati in 1829. Another famous debate was the Campbell-Purcell debate. This debate was on the Roman Catholic religion and was held in Cincinnati in 1837. The Campbell-Rice debate was held in Lexington, Ky., in 1843. In this debate the subjects of baptism, human creeds, and the operation of the Holy Spirit were discussed. Any one may read with profit these debates today.

Alexander Campbell died on March 4, 1866. His wife comforted him with the following: "The blessed Savior will go with you through the valley of the shadow of death." He replied: "That he will! That he will!" These were his last words.

—From Biographical Sketches Of Gospel Preachers, H. Leo Boles, Gospel Advocate Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 1932, pages 19-23

Year	Date	Event
1763	February 1	Thomas Campbell, father of A.C. born at Newry, County Down, Ireland
	Sept. 1	Jane Corneigle born, mother of A.C.
1788	Sept. 12	Birth in Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland
1791	Jan. 29	Margaret Brown is born
1795		John Brown, Margaret’s Brown Campbell’s father, builds a three story dwelling in the northern Virginia wilderness, the beginning of what is now known as the Bethany Mansion
1802	Nov. 12	Selina Huntington Bakewell, is born in Litchfield, England. In 1828 she will become A.C.’s second wife.
1807	April 1	His father Thomas (1763-1854), migrated to America (Washington, PA.) – Arrived May 13 – Leaves Alexander to take charge of his school at Rich Hill
1808	Sept. 28	Departs for America on Sailing Vessel, Hybernia
	Oct. 7	Ship-wrecked off Scotland Coast, on the Isle of Islay, one of the Hebrides
	Nov. 3	Reaches Glasgow
	Nov. 9	Enters Glasgow University, comes under influence of Greville Ewing
1809	Aug. 5	A.C. sails to America
	Sept. 29	Arrives In New York, USA on ship Latonia, Reads Declaration And Address and dedicates his life to its principles
	Oct. 25	Reaches Washington, PA
1810	July 15	Preaches his first sermon on Matthew 7:24-27
		Publishes the “Clarinda” essays.
1811	March 12	A.C. Marries Margaret Brown (A.C. is 23 years old & Margaret is 20)
	May 4	Christian Association Of Washington becomes the church at Brush Run – First meeting in building June 16
	May 16	Leaves home on 1st preaching tour – Returns June 14
	June 16	Preaches first sermon in Brush Run Meetinghouse = The church begins taking the Lord’s Supper weekly.
	July 4	Thomas Campbell immerses James Bryant, Margaret Fullerton and Abraham Alters, himself standing on a root of a tree outside the water; these were the first immersions of the Brush Run Church. – Alexander Campbell moves to his father-in-law’s home, assists in the work of the farm and preaches.
	Dec. 25	Writes memorability of heart examination and formulates his views of church government.
1812	January 1	Ordained To The Ministry – in view of impending birth of child sets out a diligent study of baptism
	March 13	1st child Jane Campbell (Ewing), is born – (A.C. is 24 years old) – She was later married to Albert G. Ewing
	June 12	A.C., Margaret, Thomas & Jane are baptized by Baptist minister Matthias Luce on the confession of faith in Christ as the Son of God – Leadership of the movement is conceded to A.C. by his father.
1813		Brush Run Church joined Redstone Baptist Association / John Brown deeds property to A.C. on promise that A.C. would not move.
	Sept. 13	Eliza Ann Campbell (later marries John C. Campbell), born – She is the second child daughter to Margaret and AC.
1814	June 8	Brush Run Church resolves to moves as a body to Zanesville, Ohio. Mr. John Brown, A.C.’s father-in-law, in order to keep A.C. near, deeds farm to him for a small fee.
1815	Nov. 20	Maria Louisa Campbell Henley – born, third daughter & third child of A.C. & Margaret Campbell
	Dec. 12	Goes east To Philadelphia, New York And Washington, D. C., To Solicit Funds To Build A Meeting-House At Wellsburg, Securing $1,000
1816	August 30	“Sermon on the Law” At Cross Creek Baptist Church, near Wellsburg, Growing opposition in Redstone Association. – Marks the beginning of separation from the Baptists
1817		Thomas Campbell moves to Cambridge, Ohio and later to Kentucky.
1818	January 17	Lavinia McGregor Campbell, (later Mrs. W.K. Pendleton) is born. She is the 4th child and daughter of A.C. & Margaret Campbell
		Opens Buffalo Seminary, Campbells board young men in their home for the purpose of educating them.
		AC challenges a Rev. Mr. Finley, a union Presbyterian minister, to discuss the points of difference; AC receives his first challenge for public discussion.
1819		Second edition to Bethany home complete in view of housing/classroom space of Buffalo Seminary – during the building, the Campbell family lived in the basement.
		Walter Scott arrives at Pittsburgh from Scotland, becomes acquainted with plea for Christian Union.
		Thomas Campbell family returns to Virginia to assist in the work of his son in Buffalo Seminary
		AC writes under the pseudonym “Candidus” in consideration of the “Moral Societies” of the time, breaking their influence. Continues managing Buffalo Seminary and operating the farm.
1820	Mar. 27	AC asked to debate John Walker (Presbyterian)
	June 19,20	Debate with John Walker (Presbyterian) at Mt. Pleasant, Ohio. Campbell organized church at Wellsburg. A.C.’s first public discussion.
	August 30	Mahoning Baptist Association organized in Western Reserve of Ohio.
	Feb 16	Amanda Corneigle Campbell is born. She is the 5th child and daughter of A.C. & Margaret Campbell.
	Aug 8	Amanda Corneigle Campbell is dies. She is the 5th child and daughter of A.C. & Margaret Campbell. The 1st child of A.C. to die. – Buried in Campbell Cemetery #56
1821	July	Adamson Bentley and Sidney Rigdon visit A.C. at his home. They remain 2 days. They embraced the teachings of Restoration
	July 14	Clarinda Campbell Pendleton (the later, 2nd Mrs. W.K. Pendleton) is born. She is the 6th child and daughter born to A.C. & Margaret Campbell.
1822		Through A.C.’s influence Sidney Rigdon becomes minister for the churches at Pittsburg, PA.
	Nov. 10	John Brown Campbell is born and dies. He is the 7th child and 1st son to be born to A.C. & Margaret Campbell. He is the 2nd child of A.C. to die. Buried in Campbell Cemetery #55
	December	Closes Buffalo Seminary
1823		Admitted to Mahoning Association to thwart plans to excommunicate him from Redstone Assoc.
1823-30	Beg. July 4	Published Christian Baptist. Spirit. strongly iconoclastic. Objects of attack: (1) missionary societies and ecclesiastical organizations, (2) clergy, (3) creeds.
	August	Organizes the church at Wellsburg, outside the jurisdiction of the Redstone Association; this church was afterward received into the Mahoning Association.
	October 13	Sets out on 300 miles trip on horseback to Kentucky. Sidney Rigdon travels with him. A.C.’s first visit to Kentucky.
	October 15-21	Rode 300 miles on horseback to debate Debate with W. L. McCalla (Presbyterian) at Washington, KY. Growing influence in KY. Jeremiah Vardeman serves as his moderator. – After debate AC visited Mayslick and Lexington.
	December	A.C. published the McCalla Debate
1824		Withdrew Brush Run from Redstone Association and Joins Mahoning Association – Also Wellsburg church is added.
		Toured Kentucky – Met Raccoon John Smith & Barton W. Stone – 3 month tour.
	Dec. 16	Margaretta L. Campbell is born. She is the 8th child and 7th daughter of AC & Margaret Campbell
1825		A.C. focuses largely on the Christian Baptist, beginning the series “Restoration of the Ancient Order Of Things.” Continues to work on the farm.
1826		Walter Scott removes to Steubenville and opens a private school. Memoirs, v.2, p.128 / P.S. Fall moves to Nashville at the request of the church there, Memoirs, v.2, p.142
	May 14	Margaretta L. Campbell died. She is the 8th child and 7th daughter of AC & Margaret Campbell. She is the 3rd child of A.C. to die. She is buried in Campbell Cemetery #54
	July	A.C. visits eastern Virginia and met the leading Baptist ministers there. They refuse to accept his reformatiory views. His standing with the Baptists becomes more precarious.
	Aug. 25-27	A.C. attends the Mahoning Association Meeting Association meeting at Canfield, Ohio - Walter Scott attends with him, being his first visit to the association meeting. Memoirs, v.2, p.163,164
	November	Makes his third visit to Kentucky; goes to Nashville, Tennessee. This trip was taken for Mrs. Campbell’s health. Memoirs, v.2, p.168
		Barton W. Stone begins the Christian Messenger in Georgetown, Kentucky
	Winter	A.C. devotes every spare moment to the preparation of the translation of the New Testament that he would release in the spring of the following year.
1827		A.C. visited Louisville/Indiana/Nashville, TN – Memoirs, v.2, p.168
	Spring	A.C. publishes the George Campbell, Doddridge and Macknight translation of the New Testament, with notes and annotations; this publication he called “The Living Oracles.”
	July	John Allen Gano baptized in Georgetown, Kentucky -
	August	A.C. attends the Mahoning Association at Lisbon, Ohio, taking Walter Scott with him.
	August 25	Walter Scott is elected evangelist by the Mahoning Association at Lisbon, Ohio to travel and labor among the churches of the Association.
	October 22	Margaret Campbell dies of Consumption (Tuberculosis) in her 36th year – (One “urban legend” is that she got sick as a result of living in the damp basement during the construction of an addition to the Campbell home eight years previous, but there is nothing historically to verify that assumption. She is buried in Campbell Cemetery #53
1827-30		Separation from the Baptists. Mahoning Assoc. dissolved.
1828	January 24	Daughter Jane married Albert G. Ewing. They reside in Tennessee. She is 16 years old. (Memoirs, p.243)
	July 31	A.C. married Selina H. Bakewell of Wellsburg, suggested by Margaret before her death. (Memoirs, p.243)
1829	April 13-21	Debate with Robert Owen (social reformer and skeptic).
	April 23	Margaret Bakewell Campbell (later Mrs. John O. Ewing) is born. She is the first daughter born to Selina and 9th child and 8th daughter born to A.C.
	December	A.C. meets Obadiah Jennings, Presbyterian, in Nashville, TN, for debate. Jacob Creath, Jr. assists.
	October 5	Delegate to Virginia Constitutional Convention with James Madison, James Monroe, and John Marshall.
1830	January 4	Began publication of Millennial Harbinger.
	Spring	Tour to Cincinnati, Ohio and northern Kentucky, Mayslick, (Memoirs, p.330)
	July 5	Last Issue Of Christian Baptist
	Autumn	Mahoning And Stillwater Baptist Associations Dissolve
	Tues. Oct. 26th	Tour to Ohio, Kentucky & Tennessee, (Memoirs, p.330, MH, V.1, p.553, v.2. p.27)
	Dec. 10	Accompanied by Jacob Creath, Jr. Delivers lesson in Nashville, Tennessee. Presbyterian, Obadiah Jennings present. (Memoirs, p.338)
	Dec. 25	Debate with Obadiah Jennings begins. (Memoirs, p.339ff)
	Dec. 28	Departs Nashville (Memoirs, p.343)
1831-32		Series of 7 articles on "Cooperation of Churches" led to organization of “cooperation meetings” through 1830's.
1831	January 17	Maria Louisa Campbell married Robert Yates Henley. They have children Thomas Meekins, who was married to Priscilla Ragby. Other children include Jane Caroline, Robert Yates, and Alexander Campbell
	February 3	Arrives home from southern tour of 1400 miles by land for one hundred days. (Memoirs, p.343
	February	Published a 12-page tract in MH & in separate tract Exposing Mormonism – Feb. 1831 issue of MH, the pub. As tract. (Memoirs, p.348).
	Oct. 24	Alexander Campbell, Jr. is born. He is the 2nd child and 1st son of Selina, & the 10th child and 2nd son of A.C.
1832	January 1	Merger of Campbell and Stone movements, Lexington, KY. / Bethany Congregation established
1833	Oct. 4	Trip To Virginia – Arrived at Richmond the 24th. Conducted meeting of 16 congregations from Fredericksburg to the sea.
	Nov. 30	Arrived in New York – first visit since 1815
	Dec. 5	Spoke to Skeptics at Tammany Hall, in NY
	Dec. 12	Arrived in Philadelphia / At Musical Fund Hall on the 29th
1834	Jan. 8	Arrive at Bethany after 1700 mile trip
	Jan. 24	Virginia Anne Campbell (later Thompson) 3rd child, and 2nd daughter of Selina, and 11th child and 9th daughter of A.C.
	June 24	Jane Caroline Ewing, 22 year old & oldest child of A.C. dies at Bethany. She and family had moved back to Bethany from Nashville, and she developed a bad cold that awaken the disease that killed her mother, Consumption. She left a husband, Albert G. Ewing, and small children behind. Buried at God’s Acre #71. (Memoirs, p.394). 4th child of A.C. to die. Ewing later remarries and dies in Eureka, Illinois.
		Hymn Book produced bearing the names of A.C. & Barton W. Stone, J.T. Johnson, Walter Scott printed by Bethany Press. The 1st printing sold 6000 copies quickly, three editions followed, further contributing to unity of movement
1835		D.S. Burnet published the 1st edition of the total work of the Christian Baptist
		Robert Richard joins the editorial staff of Millennial Harbinger
		“Christianity Restored” – released by Albert G. Ewing & James T. McVay. It was A.C.’s systematic theology explained. Campbell did not like the title. The following editions bore the name, “The Christian System” in 1839
	Feb. 25	A.C. sets out for Nashville. Daughter, Lavinia accompanies him – arrives 12 days later – Meets Tolbert Fanning – Visits Andrew Jackson at Hermitage. It had burned in 1834, and had been rebuilt. Got ideas for additions to his own Bethany home. (Memoirs, p.399).
	March	Monthly issue of British Millennial Harbinger began appearing in Britain by William Jones – Introducing writings of A.C. to the people of Britain
	March 30	Sets out for Louisville from
	April 3	Arrived at Louisville – accompanied by Tolbert Fanning – days ahead through southern Indiana, Cincinnati, and Central Kentucky
	April 28	Jane Corneigle Campbell, A.C.’s mother, died at the home of her daughter Jane McKeever
	May 10	A.C. arrived back home in Bethany
	June 4	John Brown died, Margaret’s father, in his 74th
1836		“The Christian Preacher’s Companion” published – 1st ed.
		Building Of Dining Hall extension & A.C.’s Study at Bethany Home – This is according to Historical Marker in front of the Study. However, in speaking with Felicity Ruggiero, curator of the Bethany Mansion, the Dining Hall was started as early at 1832.
	May	In May issue of MH, Robert Richardson is announced as assisting in the editing of Millennial Harbinger, on page 231; A.C.’s name is shown as “Editor” until the end of the year. In January, 1837 A.C.’s name is not shown as Editor, instead it declares “Conducted By Alexander Campbell.” However Richardson is Co-Editor of the paper.
	May 30	Trip to New England accompanied by Tolbert Fanning & J. Taffe of Wilmington, Ohio. Sent reports of trip to MH under heading, “Notes On Tour To The Northeast”
	June 12	Arrived in Buffalo, NY, many too busy to listen,
	July	Sued by Dr. William Sleigh for damages caused, “to his faith.” A.C.’s lawyers worked a settlement out of court
	Aug. 30	Returned to Bethany after trip through NY, Penn., Maryland, he had been gone for 94 days from Bethany having delivered 93 discourses, averaging 1 hour 20 minutes in length, & travelling 2000 miles
	October 3	In Cincinnati, OH, addressing College Of Professional Teachers on the influence of morality in education. Used Martin Luther and Protestant Reformation as basis of period of Enlightenment and developing the view of morality’s connection with education. A young Catholic Bishop John B. Purcell was in the audience and took exception. Led to later confrontation in debate the following year.
	November 10	Bacon College begins with 40-45 students in Georgetown, Kentucky, though classes do not begin until Monday, the 14th – A.C. supports in the pages of the MH the following year
	Dec. 22	At 23 yrs old., Eliza Ann Campbell, (2nd child of A.C. & Margaret) marries John C. Campbell – They have one child, Victoria Huntington who later is buried in Campbell Cemetery - #67
1837	Jan. 13-21	Debate with Catholic Bishop John B. Purcell in Cincinnati, OH
	June 24	Birth of Wickliffe Ewing Campbell – He is Selina’s 4th child and 2nd son. He is A.C.’s 12th child and 3rd son of A.C.
	September	Lunenburg Letters published in M.H.
1838		Publishing of Christian Baptist, and Living Oracles were published in Great Britain
	October 8	Tour of the South began – Took daughter, Lavinia. While at Charlottesville, VA, visiting the campus of the University of Virginia, Lavinia meets a young student by the name of William K. Pendleton, later her husband.
	Nov 25	Arrive in Augusta, GA – Speaks in area thru the end of year
1839	January 7	Sets out for Montgomery, Alabama
	January 16	Boards the Tapaloosa and travels down the Alabama River to Mobile; Also back home, A.C.’s sister Alicia (Mrs. M.S. Clapp), dies of an extended illness at the McKeever home. Buried near her mother in God’s Acre
	March 28	Arrives back in Bethany – having travelled 5000 miles into the south and back in the course of six months. Went through Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi & Kentucky = preached nearly every day (MH, 1838, p.312.)
	July 9	Eliza Ann Campbell Campbell (Mrs. John C. Campbell), second daughter of A.C. & Margaret’s dies of a lingering illness in Wellsburg, VA. – The 5th child of A.C. to die. She is buried in Campbell Cemetery #68. Another child, Victoria Hunter is buried next to her in #67.
		Elegant 5th edition of Campbell’s N.T. was released by Forrester & Campbell
		2nd ed. Of “Christianity Restored” released under title, “The Christian System”
	October	Issue of Millennial Harbinger announces a new institution around four area: the combination of the family, the primary school, the college & the church in on great system of education – The announcement of the beg. Of Bethany College
	End Of Year	Six-Week; 1200 mile “Excursion” to Kentucky, Ohio & Indiana – Reports in MH, 1840, p.80
1840	March 2	Formal existence of Bethany College took place when the commonwealth of Virginia, by act of the General Assembly, granted a “liberal charter” for the establishment at or near Bethany, in the county of Brooke . . .named Bethany College
	May 11	First meeting of Board of Trustees of Bethany College 9 of the 18 trustees present.
		Construction of “Stranger’s Hall” – Because of so many guests visiting the Bethany home. – Included an ornate sitting room with two bedrooms off the rear. Expensive Italian wallpaper added, like what he saw in Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage when he visited there in Spring, 1835.
	June	Trip to Charlottesville, VA for the general meeting of the Disciples to assess the state of the Reformation & promote education – 56 congregations represented
	September 18	2nd Meeting of the Board Of Trustees – Alexander Campbell formally named president of the college. (Memoirs, p.
	October 12	Decima Hemens Campbell (later Barclay), Selina’s 5th child and 3rd daughter, & A.C.’s 13th child and 10th daughter. When he chose her name he said, “Augustus Caesar only had his Octavia, but I have my Decima.”
	October 14	Lavinia marries William Kimbrough Pendleton of Virginia. Their daughter Alexandria Campbellina is buried in God’s Acre - #83
1841	February 1	Departs on a 2000 mile to Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky & Tennessee – spoke 60 times. – Returned to Bethany after 75 days – Spoke on Education & Bethany College Specifically
	May 10	Second Annual Meeting of Board of Trustees of Bethany College
	Sept 2	Daughter, Lavinia gives birth to A.C.’s granddaughter, Alexandria Campbellina Pendleton. Called her “Cammie” – She later became the first female faculty member, and considered herself the twin of Bethany College.
	Sept 11	Maria Louisa Campbell Henley (Mrs. Robert Yates Henley) dies – 3rd daughter & 3rd child of A.C. & Margaret Campbell. She is buried in Campbell Cemetery #64 -
	November 1	1st Session of Bethany College – 102 boys enrolled from Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri, Louisiana, New York, & Canada
1841-43		Series of 16 articles on “The Nature of the Christian Organization.” Ending June, 1843
1842		Welsh Version of Living Oracles appeared in Wales being translated by John Williams /Campbell-Owen Debate/MacCalla Debate were published in GB
	June/July	Seven week tour to Kentucky speaking on Education & Reformation principles in general. Report in Oct. MH. P.446-452
	August 16	Returns from Kentucky, Quick makes his way to Ohio for another trip.
	Oct. – mid-Dec.	Tour to the Eastern States – Richmond/Charlottesville, Va then Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, & New York
1843	Feb. 9	1st Tragedy at Bethany College – William Stamps, 17 year old student from Mississippi died by concussion of the brain caused by a fall while ice skating on the Buffaloe. He was the nephew of Jefferson Davis – Wrather, p.123-125
	May 11	Birth of William, Alexander’s 14th child & Selina’s 8th. Of the 14, only 7 were living at the time of William’s birth.
		The Christian System – published in London & Edinburgh. Dundee Herald Noted: “We hail this work as the advent of better times. No man of his age has done more for genuine Christianity, and no man has been more vilified than Mr. Campbell. (Wrather, vol.3, p.57)
	Nov. 11	William Pendleton Campbell is born. He was the 6th child and 3rd son born to Selina, and 14th child and 4rd son born to A.C. He is the baby of the family.
	Nov. 15	18 Day Debate with Presbyterian, N. L. Rice; Henry Clay was moderator. At Main St. church in Lexington, Kentucky
1845	February	A.C. begins a series of articles, “Our Position To American Slavery”
	March 10	Tour to the South: Baltimore, MD; Frederickburg, Caroline, Smyrna, King William, Richmond, VA; Wilmington, NC; Charleston, SC; Augusta, GA; then backtracking back toward Bethany arriving on the evening of the 10th of May, 2500 mile trip
	July/August	Two week trip at end of July with Selina to White Sulphur Springs for a vacation
	August	William Pendleton named V.P. of Bethany College
	Oct/Nov	Tour of the Far West: Indiana/Illinois/Missouri – Reports in MH, Feb/Apr/May 1846: Over 7000 miles total for the year
1846	May 29	Lavinia McGregor Campbell Pendleton (Mrs. W.K. Pendleton) dies. She is the 4th child and daughter of A.C. & Margaret Campbell. She dies in her 29th year – The seventh child of A.C. to die before his death. She is buried in Campbell Cemetery #41
		At 17 years old, Margaret Bakewell Campbell, (1st of Selina and 9th of A.C.) marries John O. Ewing. She has a child who was buried in Campbell Cemetery – Alexander Overton – In plot #36
1847	April 22	A.C. departs for Great Britain, carried a letter of introduction by Henry Clay saying A.C. was among “the most eminent citizens in America.”
	May 3	Boarded a ship out of NY for G.B. – the Siddons, at sea for 25 days, less than half the time it took to come to America in 1809 – Arrived in Liverpool, England
	Aug. 5	Entered Scotland on the very day he had departed its shores 38 years before to go to America in 1809
	Aug. 31	Tuesday, Mr. James Robertson, of the Anti-Slavery Society of Scotland brought a formal charge of slander before the Sheriff of Lanarkshire against A.C. – asking for £5000 in damages
	Sept. 2	A.C. arrested, taken into custody, placed in prison within sight of his old alma mater, Glasgow College
	Sept. 4	Son, Wycliffe drowned in Buffalo Creek at 10 years old – Lived 10 years, 2 months, and 11 days. He was Selina’s 1st child to die and A.C.’s 8th. Though A.C. knew nothing of it until the day he returned to America, he was said to have awakened that morning with a “strange and unaccountable sense of foreboding.” He is buried in Campbell Cemetery #37
	Sept. 11	Saturday, A.C.’s friends pay his bond, and he is released.
	Sept. 12	A.C. celebrated his 59th birthday.
	Sept. 13	High Court throws out the Robertson case
	Sept. 17	A.C. in Ireland
	Oct. 1	Returned to Chester, England for cooperation meeting involving 26 congregations from England, Wales & Scotland
	Oct. 5	Embarks on the Cambria for home
1848	May 22	Ann Marie Bakewell, the mother of Selina, died at the age of 77 years, laid to rest in God’s Acre
		Same day, Selina’s daughter, Margaret Ewing, gave birth to a son, Alexander Overton – He was pale and sickly
	July 26	Clarinda, daughter of A.C. married William K. Pendleton She was 27 years old.
	Oct. 22	Margaret Bakewell Campbell Ewing (Mrs. J.O. Ewing) died of consumption, burial in God’s Acre. It was the same day her namesake, A.C.’s first wife, Margaret died in 1827. She was Selina’s second child to die, and A.C.’s 9th. She was buried in Campbell Cemetery #35 Her son Alexander, is buried next to her.
1849		American Christian Missionary Society organized. Campbell did not attend convention in Cincinnati but was elected President of ACMS.
	Dec. 6	Tour to the South – Wellsburg, down Ohio R. to Cincinnati & to Kentucky
1850	March 12	Returned from tour
	End Of May	To Baltimore, MD then to Washington D.C.
	June 2	Speaks to a joint session of Congress, Washington D.C. On Divine Philanthropy in contrast with Patriotism and Human Friendship, using John 3:16 as text, lecture was 1½ hours
	October	To New York to give first annual address of the American Bible Union – The account of the address appeared on the front page of the New York Daily Tribune
	End of Oct.	40 day tour of Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana with daughter Virginia. While in Indiana, Opened in prayer the Convention for renewing state convention – the governor of state and 150 delegates present
	Nov. 27	Returned to Bethany
1851	Jan. 10	Clarinda Campbell Pendleton, 6th child and 6th daughter of Margaret Brown died of a protracted illness. After only 2 ½ years of marriage to W.K. Pendleton. She had given birth to 2 children, William Campbell (married Helen King Austin) & and a daughter Lavinia. Lavinia died 12 days later and buried next to her mother in #42B. Clarinda was A.C.’s 10th child to die, only four left. She is buried in Campbell Cemetery #42A
	May	A.C. attends state meeting in Ohio
	July	A.C., Jr. graduates from Bethany
	September	2 Week trip to New York
	October	Wrote that instrumental music was like "a cow bell in a concert.” MH, October, 1851, p. 582
	August	MH announces that Christian Baptism: With Its Antecedents And Consequences is at the printers, soon released, p.473
	Dec. 17	A.C. made a trip to Memphis, Tennessee to speak at a Bible Translation Convention, MH, 1851, p.718, MH, 1852, p.57 – Presented lecture on 26th.
		Designs and builds Bethany Church of Christ building
1852	February	A.C. attended a Bible Union meeting in Memphis, Tennessee. James Challen and Bro. Pettigrew accompany him. (Memoirs, p.593ff)
	October 28	Departs for Tour to Far West: Missouri to secure endowment for a chair in Bethany College – 76 days away from Bethany, 2800 miles, See MH 1853, reports in first three issues.
	December	Alexander Campbell, Jr. marries Mary Anna Purvis.
1853	May	1600 mile trip to the East through Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania & returning through Ohio
	September	Attended state convention in Kentucky – Speaks on church edification – (Memoirs, p.599).
	October 15	Left for two Month Trip to Illinois, MH, 1853, p.689, 707, 1854, p.40. Three reports
1854	Jan. 4	His father, Thomas, dies at Bethany at just 28 days shy of his 91st birthday. – Laid to rest beside wife who died in 1835, almost 20 years before.
	December	Jesse B. Ferguson of Nashville teaches post-mortem gospel – A.C. goes to Nashville to confront him – In Nashville 8 days – report in MH, 1855, February issue.
1855	February	A.C. comments in the M.H. on Jeremiah Jeter’s book, “Cambellism Examined.”
	Spring	A.C. translates and submits the Book of Acts to the American Bible Union in view of its addition of a translation update
	May	Trip to Chicago to speak to the American Bible Union
	July 26	Set out for Canada with Selina & Decima
	November	Disturbance at Bethany College over three students who were promoting Abolitionist propaganda, ending in 5 students’ dismissal. The stir caused national and international notice in the press
	November	Trip into eastern Virginia with Selina. Returns on New Years Day
1857	February 10	Attended Wool-Growers Convention in Steubenville, Ohio. A.C. was one of the foremost wool growers in the U.S. He was appointed chairman. Also present was a man nationally acclaimed Abolitionist, John Brown of Harper’s Ferry, Va, who within three years would hanged (Dec. 2, 1859)
	February 26	Tour Through South To Secure Endowment Funds for Bethany College, attended with A.C. Jr. Reports in MH, p. 309, 502,
	November 5	Sends report to MH speaking of tour in Illinois, MH, p.704
	Dec. 10	Bethany College Building Burns – 2 am – A.C.’s greatest sorrow was the loss of the library, of which had most of he and his father’s books, some of which he brought to America when he came there in 1809.
	Dec. 20	A.C., w/Selina & Decima are in Washington, D.C. He preaches in the presence of President James Buchanan & several of his cabinet, along with many members of both houses of congress; in the Baptist meetinghouse.
	Dec. 22	Visits the White House to share evening with President Buchanan
	Dec. 23	To Baltimore, Md
	Dec. 26	To Philadelphia, then to N.Y
1858	January	Sets off with W.K. Pendleton to tour the south to raise money for a new college building.
	May 31	Cornerstone of New Building Laid – Entire Structure not complete until 1872
	Fall	Attends and speaks at the annual meeting of ACMS
	Winter	Tour of the East with Selina
1859	Spring	Another tour of the South. Selina with him to Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, & Louisiana. (Memoirs, p.640,1)
	Sept. 29	Tour to the west, St. Louis. Lasts 72 days, returned on December 9, MH, 1860, p.109
1860	Fall	Delivers regular address as president of the ACMS in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Memoirs, p.641)
	December	Tour of Indiana. Selina accompanies him. 2000 mile trip. (Memoirs, p.641)
		Musical Instruments added to worship at Midway, Kentucky
1861	April 23	Walter Scott dies in Kentucky of typhoid pneumonia
	October	A.C. travels to Cincinnati to attend ACMS annual mtng.
	December	Publishes his Life of Thomas Campbell, announced in MH, 1860, p.714
	Dec. 12	Dorothea Campbell Bryant, A.C.’s sister, and wife of Joseph Bryant, died at Indianapolis. She was 69 yrs. Old. Body removed to God’s Acre, Bethany. Left A.C. with one brother, Archibald, and sister Mrs. McKeever, (Memoirs, p.646).
1862		Due to war, MH is reduced from 60 pages to 48. (Memoirs, p. 646).
	May	A.C. makes short trip to Ohio to address Ohio State Convention
	August	A trip to Illinois
	September	A trip to New York – Missionary Society meeting in Auburn. (Memoirs, p.646).
	Nov. 18	Margaret Ellen Campbell marries at Bethany
1863	April 7	Decima Campbell marries John Judson Campbell
	April 7	Long-time friend William Hayden dies, and buried in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, (Memoirs, p.646).
	October	A.C. traveled to Cincinnati to attend the annual ACMS meeting
	October 27	29 year old, Virginia Campbell (Selina’s 3rd & A.C.’s 11th) marries William R. Thompson, a lawyer of Louisville. (Memoirs, p.647).
1864	October	Went to ACMS meeting in Cincinnati
1865	May	A.C. & Selina make a trip to Louisville
		Relinquishes control of Millennial Harbinger / W.K. Pendleton becomes editor
	Sept. 19	Alex Campbell receives a presidential pardon from president Andrew Johnson for the charges he had incurred as a soldier of the Confederate Army
	Mid Dec.	A.C. preaches his last sermon from Ephesians 1
1866	January	Confined to house because of a heavy cold
	Feb. 25	Confined to bed
	March 4	11:45pm – Alexander Campbell dies at Bethany, West Virginia – Buried in Campbell Cemetery
1870	July 7	William P. Campbell (6th of Selina and 14th of A.C.) married Nannie Cochrane.
	Sep. 25	Alexander Campbell, Jr. dies at Bethany, WV, and is buried in Campbell Cemetery #290. His wife, Mary Anna Purvis is buried next to him in #291. Alexander was A.C.’s 2nd son, and 10th child, and 11th child to die. He, along with Virginia, William and Decima succeeded A.C.,Sr. in death.
1897	June 28	Selina Huntington Bakewell Campbell, second wife of A.C., died in Bethany, W.V. She had survived her husband 31 years. She is buried next to A.C. in Campbell Cemetery #52
1908	Mar. 6	Virginia A. Campbell Thompson dies. She was the 12th child of A.C. and 4th of Selina to die (1st after her mother died). She is buried in Campbell Cemetery #10
1917	Apr. 29	William P. Campbell dies in Wellsburgh, WV. He is the 13th child of A.C. and 5th of Selina to die. He is the only child of A.C. not buried in Campbell Cemetery. His burial was at Wellsburg Cemetery in the Cochrane family plot.
1920	May 4	Decima Campbell Barclay, dies. She was the last child of A.C. and Selina to die. She is buried in the Campbell Cemetery #33 beside her husand John Judson Barclay in #34. All their children and their mates were buried there as well.

Sources: Christian Baptist, Millennial Harbinger, Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, by Robert Richardson, Alexander Campbell, Volumes I, II, III, by Eva Jean Wrather

The Location Of The Grave Of Alexander Campbell
GPS Coordinates
N40º 12.329' x WO 80º 32.806'
or D.d 40.20548333333333,-80.54676666666667
Facing East

In the foreground, the brownish colored stone is that of Alexander's first wife, Margaret Brown Campbell. The large gravestone behind is that of Alexander and His second wife, Selina. The Campbells and other dignitaries of the Restoration Movement are buried in God's Acre, the cemetery on the hill across from the old mansion.