AGHALANE HOUSE
HOME OF THE CAMPBELLS OF AGHALANE
Aghalane House, which has recently been acquired by the Ulster-American
Folk Park, the outdoor museum of emigration at Omagh, County Tyrone,
Northern Ireland, is of note because of its association with the Campbell
family.
In particular, it is remembered as the birthplace of Robert Campbell who
made his mark in America as the builder of Fort Laramie and as one of that
intrepid band of Rocky Mountain pioneers and fur trappers, whose names
include Sublette, Smith, Bridger and Fitzpatrick.
However, the house is notable also as a fine example of the interim
architectural stage between the early Irish cottage and the more
pretentious Georgian farmhouse.
Aghalane House was built by Robert Campbell's father Hugh in 1786 on a
farm near the village of Plumbridge in County Tyrone. Above the front door
Hugh placed two stone plaques, one bearing his name and the date of
construction, and the other bearing the arms of the dukes of Argyle,
indicating that the Campbells of Aghalane, who had arrived from Scotland
some generations earlier, claimed kinship with their distinguished
namesakes the Campbell family who were dukes of Argyle.
Aghalane House passed from the Campbell family to their relations the
Dunns upon the death of Ann Campbell, Hugh's unmarried daughter in 1876.
Over the years some alterations were made to it including an extension to
the rear and a slated roof replacing the original thatch. Eventually it
and the surrounding land were bought by the Reaney family who lived in an
adjacent house leaving Aghalane House unoccupied.
In 1985 the house, which had been derelict for a number of years and was
about to be demolished, was acquired by the Ulster-American Folk Park both
because of its links with a notable emigrant to America and for its
architectural importance.
It has been carefully dismantled and transported to the Folk Park where it
will be re-erected in its original 1786 thatched form alongside the boyhood
homes of two other notable American emigrants of County Tyrone origin
Thomas Mellon, founder of the Mellon industrial and banking empire in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and John Hughes, who as New York's first Roman
Catholic Archbishop, founded St.Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, New
York.
ROBERT CAMPBELL
Robert Campbell, the fur trapper and builder of Fort Laramie, was born in
Aghalane House in 1804. He was one of twelve children of the Hugh
Campbell who had built the house some eighteen years earlier.
Hugh had been married twice and Robert was one of the progeny of the
second marriage to Elizabeth Buchanan. A number of Robert's maternal
relations were involved in the American emigration trade or indeed had
themselves emigrated. One of them James Buchanan became President of
the United States whilst another Buchanan became British Consul in New
York. Coming from such a background it is hardly surprising that when he
grew up Robert should decide to seek his future in America.
An elder brother, Hugh Campbell, Junior, had already settled in Philadelphia
and Robert sailed to join him in either 1822 or 1824. However, he was
advised to move west for health reasons and as a result became involved
in the fur trade. Although acquainted with most of the prominent mountain
men and fur trappers of the period, including Jim Briger and Thomas
Fitzpatrick (originally from Co.Cavan), it was with the renowned trapper
William Sublette that Robert was most closely involved. Their long
partnership and friendship dates from 1832. In the following year they
founded Fort Laramie (originally Fort William) in Wyoming, although it was
Robert Campbell who actually supervised the construction. On one occasion
during a fight between their party and a band of Blackfoot Indians in eastern
Idaho, Campbell risked his life to carry the seriously wounded Sublette to
safety before rejoining the battle.
Although he retired from active life in the mountains in 1836 and settled in
St.Louis, Robert continued to supply expeditions of trappers and then
settlers as they set out on the Oregon Trail. He and his brother also kept
in touch with their family in County Tyrone, each re-visiting Aghalane
House on at least one occasion.
In the course of his long career Robert was a trapper, store-keeper, bank
president, honorary colonel in the US army and Indian Commissioner. In the
latter capacity he helped to draw up the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie with
all the tribes east of the Rockies, south of the Missouri River and north
of Texas and New Mexico. Again in 1870 he was called upon by the Government
to help placate Red Cloud and his warriors, once more at Fort Laramie.
So well known was the name of Robert Campbell amongst trappers from the
Yellowstone to the Santa Fe that when in 1855 the army tried to raise money
amongst trappers in Fort Pierre on US Government drafts, they failed. The
trappers would however accept drafts drawn on Robert Campbell. His home
in St. Louis is now preserved as a museum.
HUGH CAMPBELL
Hugh Campbell, Robert's eldest brother had emigrated to New York from
Londonderry in 1818 in the 'Phoenix'(for which his relative William
Buchanan was agent). Fortunately for posperity he left a complete journal of
his voyage which in terms of quality and content is unique. It sheds much
light not only on his character but also on the nature and organisation of
early nineteenth century emigration from Ulster.
After a start in business in North Carolina and Virigina, Hugh went on to
become one of Philadelphia's most prominent merchants. Eventually he
moved to St.Louis and entered into partnership with his brother Robert.
