History will come alive, and a long-told tale of the Revolution will be remembered. On June 8, George Campbell of Edinburgh, Scotland, the fifth-generation grandson of Adjutant William Campbell, will be a special guest of the West Haven Historical Society. He will be accompanied by his daughter Miriam, and the two will spend the day retracing the steps their ancestor walked on July 5, 1779 during the invasion of West Haven.
The British officer was a respected leader with the British forces that came ashore that hot summer day near Savin Rock. It was a frightening day for the people of West Haven who would suffer the terror and fear of looting, injury, and death inflicted by the invaders. When the local minister, the Rev. Noah Williston, was surrounded and threatened with death by the British soldiers, Campbell stepped in and to his credit saved the life of the Congregational minister..
Later that day, Campbell was shot and fatally wounded by a local militia man near present day UNH. His remains were buried later that day in a shallow grave on Prudden Street. Many years later West Haven recognized Campbell’s merciful act of courage for sparing the life of the local clergyman by designating one of its main thoroughfares “Campbell Avenue.” This is a unique tribute to this British officer for his humane act of mercy in wartime.
George Campbell will visit the Prudden Street grave site and monument that was erected in his ancestor’s memory. Surely his visit to West Haven will remind him of that fateful day when his ancestor met his death here in our city many years ago. However, he will be reminded by West Haven’s citizens that they respect and honor Adjutant William Campbell’s legacy of mercy and humanity even in the face of war.
The Historical Society will host a reception for the Campbell’s on June 8 at the Poli House on Savin Avenue.