Biography

18341123WHS_FMS1: WHS attends Campbell's church in Albany and says, "His [Campbell's] sermon was tolerable."

"CAMPBELL, John Nicholson, clergyman, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 4 3Iarch, 1798; died in Albany, New York, 27 March, 1864. He was a pupil of James Ross, a celebrated teacher of Philadelphia, and at an early age entered the University of Pennsylvania, but was never graduated. He studied theology with Rev. Ezra Stiles, and afterward in Virginia, where he was for a few months teacher of languages in Hampden-Sidney College. On 10 May, 1817, he was licensed to preach by the presbytery of Hanover, Virginia, and in 1820 was chosen chaplain to congress. After preaching in Petersburg, Virginia, and Newbern, North Carolina, he became in 1823 the assistant of Rev. Dr. Balch, of Georgetown, District of Columbia, and in 1825 accepted a call to the pastorate of the New York avenue Presbyterian church, Washington, District of Columbia, where his eloquence and ability soon gathered a large congregation. He was at this time one of the most active managers of the American colonization society, He was called to the 1st Presbyterian church in Albany, New York, in 1831, and remained there until his death. He was also for more than twenty years one of the regents of the University of the state of New York. Dr. Campbell was a man of quick perception, tenacious memory, great decision of character, and of courteous and dignified manners. He possessed great executive ability, was an eloquent preacher, and an able writer. He published sermons and addresses, and wrote reports of the board of regents."

Source, This Day in History - Presbyterian Heritage Center: Presbyterian minister John Nicholson Campbell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Reverend Campbell served as pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, where Presidents John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, as well as Vice President John C. Calhoun, worshipped in the 1820s. He also was active in the American Colonization Society. On November 18, 1820, the 22-year-old Reverend Campbell was named chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1830, Rev. Campbell and others were accused by Peggy Eaton of repeating the rumour that before her marriage, she dined with John Eaton in Philadelphia without a chaperone. Appointed Secretary of War by Jackson, John Eaton and his wife became a social controversy. As the social snubbing and other issues divided politicians, President Jackson's entire cabinet resigned, Vice President Calhoun resigned and Reverend Campbell stepped down from his pulpit. In 1831, he was called to the First Presbyterian Church in Albany, New York, and remained there until his death on March 27,