First, from everything I read, Campbell was wounded at Ti, but died at Fort
Edward.  I also read he was moved, as well, by relatives (the Gilchrists)
who opened his lead coffin to view his remains.  I also find it interesting,
that his neighbor behind the iron gate in Fort Edward/ Hudson Falls was
engaged to a Duncan Campbell.  I've always wondered if this was a relative
to the Inverawe Campell of Fort Ti fame.

I am not a professional historian, but I have suspected for awhile that this
type of thing was going to start.

For those in Albany and those who are followers of French and Indian War
lore, you may recall that there has been a controversy for almost 100 years
as to where Lord Howe, who was killed in 1758 the day before the battle at
Ti,  is buried.  Some contend he was buried at Trout Brook in Ti due to the
finding of a rude grave marker in the 1890's but most accounts say he is
buried  under the steps of St. Peter's in Albany on State Street.  Someone
is buried there.  I wonder, since he was a member of the royal family if
someday someone will want to do a DNA on those remains.  I think it will go
on and on and on and on and....well, you get the picture.
----- Original Message -----
From: Daniel H. Weiskotten <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 9:38 PM
Subject: Re: Jane McCrea - Ft. Edward


> Two things:
>
> First.  Congratulations to Phil Lord, on your retirement.  I cannot
express
> the gratitude for all your help, and the pleasure it has been to have
> worked with you.  Now go enjoy that kayak, but stay out of Labrador Pond
> where the muck lies only inches below the surface and is the consistancy
of
> putrid chololate pudding (my experience in kayaking, when I turtled and
> nearly drowned in it).
>
> Second.  I will say that David Starbuck is one who will do it right, and
> for the right reasons, with historical inquiry behind what he does.  Too
> many people think that all that scientists do is dig up and study Indians,
> but most of us in the field know that this is simply not the case, but
yes,
> this examination would show that we do have an interest in Human history,
> even of our own kind.
>
> Abe Lincoln, George Washington, and a slew of presidents have been dug up
> at least once and wondered at and poked by the curious for various
> reasons.  Word is that observers were shocked when they found that
> Lincoln's skin had turned black.  Some say it was due to the particular
> pickling process they used, others divine revelation.
>
> As for Jane McCrea, her body has been dug up more than once already.  She
> was originally buried, with Lieutenant or Colonel Van Vechten (I was
unable
> to find out anything more on him,) near where they were killed in
> 1777.  Then about 1823 she was moved to the cemetery in Fort Edward,
placed
> next to the grave of Mrs. McNeil with whom she lived at the time of her
> killing.  In 1852 her bones were exhumed again and reburied in Union
> Cemetery, in Fort Edward, where she lies today.  She was placed in a plot
> near the entrance to the cemetery, where all could see her grave and
simple
> marker.  Her neice, Sarah Hanna Payne, is the one who had her moved to
this
> final place.  Duncan Campbell's remains have a similar story, being first
> buried at Fort Ticonderoga, then at Fort Edward in 1823, moved again in
> 1871, and then in 1920 they were moved to the present spot right next to
> Jane's.  I have a feeling Van Vechten was moved around alot also.
>
> There are many sources and facts about these events, and, as Ruthann
> Messick pointed out, there is a great deal known about Jane McCrea, but we
> all know there is even more that we do not know.  Here is an opportunity
> not often presented to do a serious look at the remains, and not some
> anecdotal poking at the bones.  Archaeology and forensic investigation
> provide us with a unique and explicit way to read those pages of history
> that were not heretofore available.
>
> For an recent interpretation of much of the story of Jane McCrea, take a
> look at:
> http://www.yacc-uk.freeserve.co.uk/macrae/JaneMcCrea.htm
>
>         Dan W.