The Voyage

The Campbell's had rented a farm for several years, and it was having another great year. Their crops had always done well, year in and out. Their garden's success had let them send some as rent to the Landowner, and sell plenty at various markets. Peas, beans, leeks, onions, plus Walnuts and Hickory nuts from their trees, butter and cheese made from the cow's milk. This extra money was saved.

However, the family realized they would just be subsistence farming-never getting ahead, and most likely falling behind if they did not have the good growing seasons they had enjoyed for the last seven years. The Campbell men made a family decision. John, the patriarch, and his sons, William, Archibald, and George decided that someone would go to America to start there, with a goal of bringing the rest of the family. Johns' wife, Sarah, was listening in, and started arguing. “John, I'm not happy in the least. You plan without me. Then you choose without my input. It'll be cold suppers and the floor for you for weeks”. John, taken back, said, “Sarah, you know this is the men's decision to make. I was planning on telling you after working it out”.”

All well and good to cover your rear end”, Sarah said, “you shouldn't have done it without me. I realize it is for the best, but not including me in on losing a son hurts.”

The Campbell's then spent weeks making inquiries. They sought advice from others who had sent sons and daughters to America, asking how the journey went, its cost, and how the relatives were faring in America They conferred with their Priest. They asked government authorities for advice. It was decided that William, age 28, and his wife Sarah Ann, (Mcgill) age 26, would relocate. Both of them had been brought up farming, and had the knowledge and ability to succeed. It was hoped they could establish themselves on a farm they owned in America that could eventually sustain others in the family. Land with good soil, a water source, lots of timber to cut and sell in addition to being used for buildings. Someplace they could sustain the whole family, and prosper.

John and William traveled to Derry, to choose a ship for the voyage, After speaking with several Ships Captains, and inspecting their ships, they chose the Penguin, a tall masted ship. Its skipper was Capt. Robert Morris, from County Cork. The ship had passenger space, in the form of 20 cabins, with room for another hundred people in steerage. This was in addition to the cargo the ship held. Cabin holders were only allowed one trunk, no bigger than 60 by 30 centimeters, and one suitcase each.

After determining the departure day and time, and cost of a cabin. The Campbells left a deposit, guaranteeing a cabin. John then asked if any other people from Drumaboden, and surrounding territory, would also be making the trip. They were given several names of people they knew, but one stood out. A man, Declan Loudon was on the trip, in steerage. Declan was notorious for being a troublemaker in Drumaboden. He had no family anyone knew of, and was very familiar with the town jail, having resided there often for various minor offenses, like petty theft, public drunkenness, brawls, and the like. Upon returning home, John eventually found that the town council had scraped the money together to send Declan to America. The rumor was, apparently, true or not, they wanted rid of him, and had found Declan employment and lodging in America. They had also given him funds, 20 pounds. When John broke the news to the family, Sarah said “mark my words, that man is the son of the devil. No good will come from him”.

As for the Campbells,well, they knew Declan from previous run-ins with him. They were afraid he would make the journey difficult, or at worst, unbearable. He had stolen from the Campbells, started fights with both their men and women.At one point Declan promised to kill one of the Campbells, and just made life for everyone in the village uncomfortable when he was around.

Another problem was that Sarah Ann had given birth about one month before they left Ireland. The child, George, was healthy but small, and they were planning to say she gave birth on the ship. At the time, recordkeeping in Ireland was not reliable, most births were only recorded in Church ledgers, or family bibles. They planned to bribe the Captain to agree to their story. With the Captain's word, they knew they would be able to convince American Immigration officials that George was born on the ship on the way to America.

The ship sailed in April 1751, and the trip was expected to take 6 to 8 weeks, depending on weather. They were headed to the port of Philadelphia, and they planned to eventually settle in New Chester, Pennsylvania. The passengers had many tradesmen, such as tailors, carpenters, coopers, joiners, clothiers, weavers, sawyers, and farmers. A day before they sailed, William went to see Captain Morris, and had a lengthy conversation with him. “Captain”, he said, “I intend to call myself Lord William Campbell. As you are probably aware, most of Ireland can follow family back to Lords and Ladies, and it is my understanding the title carries weight in America”. “It is also my intention to claim that my son, George, was born on your boat. I hope that a small sum will obtain your agreement?” The two agreed on a stipend, which settled the matter. The Campbells were packed, and ready to go, having secreted gold, 500 pounds worth, in clothing seams, hiding places in the trunk, and suitcases

Departure Day dawned, and the Campbell's were at the dock to see William, Sarah, and George off. There was a disturbance, made by Declan, so he was held off ship until he was the last passenger on board. This gave Declan the worst of the steerage lodging, and he marked many passengers for future revenge. Once at sea, the Penguin enjoyed very nice weather for the first few weeks. A few days into the trip, the Campbells left their cabin for some air. As they were returning, the MacDiarmid's spotted Declan leaving their cabin. William grabbed him while calling for the captain, anyone, to help. It was during this tussle the Declan said, “let go of me clothes, or I will kill ya”.The ship's first mate was the first to respond, grabbed Declan, and asked “Lord Campbell, what seems to be the problem”. William quickly explained the situation, including the threat. Sarah Ann had made a quick search of their room, and hurried over to say that two items of clothing were missing. Sarah Ann described both items,and said they were hers. Declan was searched, and the items found on him. The mate took them, and explained he had to show the items to Captain Morris. William offered to go, explaining he could identify his wife’s clothes.

When the group met the Captain, and he was apprised of the situation, he asked: “Lord Campbell, what would you like to see happen” William replied, “the two items are not much of a loss, but these are women’s clothes, if Mr. Loudon is in need of clothes, I will attempt to find something of mine, instead of my wife's”. Captain Morris decided that was a fine solution, and cautioned Declan “do not repeat this, for next time you will be chained below deck, in a worse situation than you are currently in”. Declan responded, loud enough for all to hear “Firstly, this man before us is not a Lord, any more than I am. Next, those clothes were laying outside the cabins, I had no idea whose they were.

When William returned to the cabin, he told Sarah that Declan was going to continue to be a problem, telling her of the threat. A few days later, Declan started fighting others in steerage over his place there. He wanted better accommodations, and had tried to take someone else's spot. The captain again chained Declan in what passed for jail, and left him there for a few days. The Captain even told Declan, “Let's see if this improves your mood and makes you understand trouble is not appreciated. Next time, you will be given a saltwater bath, which is intended to improve both your mood, and hopefully, your odor.

A week later. Declan was fighting several passengers, and two crew members. It seems Declan managed to get into the rum stores, and was drunk. This was a serious offence. The rum was part of the ship's crew rations, and pay. Running out was a cause for mutiny. Declan did not fare well from this incident. He had a rope attached to his hands, and was drug behind the boat for a period of time. When pulled from the water, he swore revenge. It only improved his smell a bit. Soon, the crew started finding sabotage. Lines cut. Things stolen. It was the cutting of several sails that caused the most trouble. Soon, Declan again showed up drunk, and was spouting off, to all, whether they wanted to hear it or not, that “Lord William Campbell, is a fraud. “He only added the title to seem more important than any of us”. He continued to rant and rave, complaining about his treatment, until several of the crew grabbed him, beat him into silence, and threw him below decks. They informed the First Mate that “they were tired of the blowhard”, and were angry over the stolen rum

WIlliam pulled the first mate to his side, and whispered “we must do something. I have a plan. Find me when there is a storm”. A few days, later, it started to rain. Winds got fiercer, the crew had to shorten sails, but kept moving toward America. The first mate found William, and asked what the plan was. William responded” We shall let him get drunk, and throw him overboard. Do we need to tell the Captain”? “No”, said the mate. “Things like this are usually left to me”. The storm kept up, and the mate, having produced a container of rum, called on William. They then tracked down Declan, and shared the rum, although they made sure Declan got the lion's share. Once the bottle was empty, Declan was in exceptionally good spirits, but starting to show the effects of the alcohol. William, surprising both Declan and the mate, hit Declan over the head with the rum container, hard enough to stun him, and William and the mate then grabbed Declan and tossed him overboard. Not a sound was heard, no calls from the ocean. It took everyone on board several days to recognize that Declan was missing, but all agreed they were glad of it.

Captain Morris did ask William later, “Do you know what happened to Declan?” “No”, said William, “I was in my cabin with my family. I wonder if he got into the rum again, if he was outside during the storm, is it possible the rolling of the ship caused him to fall overboard?” Captain Morris said, “Well, that was what the first mate said. It seems appropriate for that man”.

William then went to Sarah Ann, and in general terms, explained what he had done, saying it was so they could have peace of mind, and a pleasant life in a new country. Sarah Ann just reminded William of what his mother had said about Declan.