Donald Cameron, B-393, POA In The Bahamas

Donald Cameron

B-393 (Image 580)

2 October 1786

...that I Donald Cameron of Abaco, Captain of His Majesty's late Regiment of Rangers commanded by Colonel Thomas Brown, have made....do make...my trusty and loving Friend, Mr. John Ferguson planter and Josiah Smith Captain of His Majesty's late Regiment of Rangers aforesaid, both of Abaco, one of the Bahamas islands, my true and lawful Attorneys, for me and in my name....

Witnesses: John Wells and Jno. McIntosh

Nassau, New Providence

Cross-posted at In Deeds

Camerons In Bahamas Index

FHC International Film # 007763896:

Image 24

Was Robert Ambrister Charles Cameron's Nephew?

Newsgroup (another message *here)

A relatively minor footnote in the history of 19th century Anglo-American relations involves the campaign led by Andrew Jackson into Florida in 1818. In the course of what is sometimes called the First Seminole War, two British subjects, Alexander Arbuthnot and Robert Christie Ambrister, were captured, subjected to a court martial at Jackson's direction, and executed in April 1818.

While Ambrister's ancestry is rarely mentioned, it has been stated that he had gone to the Bahamas seeking the assistance of his uncle, the Governor of New Providence (Bahamas), in furthering his military career. The governor at this time was Charles Cameron, a younger son of the banker Donald Cameron of Essex and his wife Mary Guy. If in fact the mother of Robert Ambrister was a full sister of Charles Cameron, the following would then be an accurate account of his descent from James IV, King of Scots.

1. James IV, King of Scots = Agnes Stewart [not married]
2. [illeg.] Lady Janet Stewart = Malcolm, 3rd Lord Fleming
3. Margaret Fleming = John Stewart, 4th Earl of Atholl
4. Jean Stewart = Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy (d. 1631)
5. Sir Robert Campbell of Glenorchy = Isabel MacKintosh
6. Margaret Campbell = John Cameron (dvp bef 1647)
7. Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel = NN MacLean
8. John Cameron of Lochiel (d. 1747/8) = Isabel Campbell
9. Archibald Cameron (exe. 1753) = Jean Cameron
10. Donald Cameron, younger son = Mary Guy
**11. NN Cameron = James Ambrister, Esq.
12. Robert Christie Ambrister

*I have seen no other reference to a sister, or half-sister, of Charles Cameron. Also, I have seen to date no information concerning Robert Ambrister's sibling(s).

Scholar Commons website (USF) addressed an Ambrister store in the Tampa area:

In several of the various books written about Florida since 1817, there are mentions of a store that was established by Robert Ambrister at Tampa Bay.

**Note from Cameron Collections blog author:  Have not found this marriage; at this point I have no proof that Ambrister was related to Charles Cameron

Abaco In The Bahamas

Source

An excerpt from the Pannebecker message board at Rootsweb:

"Thomas Brown was not only enterprising, he was well placed with both the outgoing and incoming governors. Brown was initially awarded two hundred acres on Abaco in the Bahamas...". He would do better than that. Before his Rangers left Florida, some of them had decided to live as Brown's neighbors on Abaco."

"Near him [Captain Smith, on land called Spencer's Bight] were Captain Alexander C. Wylly, author of "The Sketch of the Siege of Savannah," Captain Donald Cameron...Conrad Pennybaker...".

Source

1818 Letter To Bahamas Governor Charles Cameron

British and Foreign State Papers

...to the Governor of the Bahamas  

20th March 1818 

I am requested particularly by all our Indian Chiefs to acquaint your Excellency, that the Americans have commenced hostilities with them 2 years ago...

They beg me to press upon your Excellency's mind to send the abovementioned articles down by the Vessel that brings this to you as she will sail for this place immediately...


H.E. Charles Cameron, Bahamas

See Charles Cameron's Letterbook At The Clements Library and Charles Cameron's Letterbook.

Charles Cameron's Letterbook At The Clements Library

Charles Cameron letterbook 1805-1807

Repository: William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan

Search within this finding aid

Abstract:  This volume contains copies of letters sent from Charles Cameron, British officer and governor of the Bahamas.


Biography:  British Governor of the Bahamas, Charles Cameron, was born in 1766 to Donald Cameron and Mary Guy. He married Lady Margaret Hay in 1789, and they had three children: Isabella, Mary, and Charles. Charles Cameron was Civil Commissioner of Malta in 1801. He was a partner of Harley, Cameron & Company, which supported shipping ventures in the East Indies. He held the office of governor of Bahamas from 1804 until his death, in 1820.

Source

Charles Cameron was mentioned in the History of the Camerons with Genealogies of the Principal Families, by Alexander Mackenzie.

Charles Cameron Letterbook

Found in the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan:


Charles Cameron letterbook, 1805-1807.
Main Author: Cameron, Charles, 1766-1820.
Summary: This volume contains copies of letters sent from Charles Cameron, British officer and governor of the Bahamas. The letters concern dealings with prisoners, interacting with officers, courts martial, colonial law and the state of the colony, crops on the islands, small pox and other sicknesses, and preparing ships for service.

William L. Clements  

Manuscripts M-2735 Building use only