Genealogical clues turn up in the most unexpected places.

A Presbyterian minister, temporarily filling a North Carolina pulpit in late 1928 or early 1929, 
told the congregation that he felt at home because the names of the people were the same as those 
of members of a church in western Florida.

That tiny bit of 150-year-old information gleaned from old church records prompted Mary Campbell 
Chappell of Hamlet, N. C. to hunt farther than her own community for the history of Marks Creek 
Presbyterian Church of Hamlet.

Chappell made the connection between North Carolina and Panhandle Florida when she came across 
"Holmes Valley - A West Florida Cradle of Christianity," written by E. W. "Judge" Carswell of Chipley.

In his book, the Judge included a history of the Euchee Valley Presbyterian Church in Walton County, 
which had been founded in 1827 by Scots who had come from Richmond County, NC., about 1820.

"After reading this book I was sure some of these people were the same people who had started Marks 
Creek Church," Chappell wrote in her church history.

The Judge referred the writer to John L. McKinnon's "History of Walton County" and even loaned her 
his copy of the out-of-print book.

Sure enough, Chappell found familiar names -McKinnon, McLean, McRae, Williams, McPherson, Morrison, 
McDonald, Campbell, McSween and others - in the Judge's and McKinnon's books.

Many of these Scots came to this county via Liverpool, on the English ship, Scotia, between 1808 
and 1812. They stayed in North Carolina from 12 to 18 years before migrating to Florida.

Neil McLendon, his brother-in-law, Daniel D. Campbell, and John Folk were the first, or among the 
first, to make the trek. Their letters to their kin and friends in North Carolina inspired Col. 
John McKinnon, father of author John L. McKinnon and others to follow in 1827.

"It is thought that some of the descendants of the Florida pioneers came back to this area (North 
Carolina) about the mid-1800's. It might have been that things were not what they expected in the 
old Marks Creek Church. Perhaps this is the reason the church was reorganized at the head of Marks 
Creek. This is a matter of conjecture," writes Chappell.

On a trip to Scotland, the Judge found many of the names in the Argylshire district cemeteries.

So if you're a descendant of the Scots who settled in West Florida, look to Richmond County, N. C. 
for records of their early years in this country, and to Argylshire, Scotland where many of these 
West Florida settlers possibly lived before they set out for a new life in America.

This church was a short time before it was regularly organized supplied by the services of the Rev. 
R. W. B. Kenedy & George W. Ashbridge.

These devoted servants of God labored among the people as Missionaries a few months during the spring 
of the year A. D. 1827. It was not until June of this same year, that those few Presbyterians was 
regularly organized as a church by the Rev. Murdoch Murphy of Ala., consisting of about fifteen members 
and one elder, Donald McLean, Sen'r. of S.? Carolina.

At the same time Archibald Anderson (1827) was elected and ordained an Elder. The church consisted 
entirely of Schotch [Scottish?] who had a short time previous removed from North Carolina, the greater 
part of them emigrants from the Isle of Sky Scotland.

The church was for many years entirely dependent upon occasional visits, or supplies, from distant parts 
of the country. The next supplies after Rev. Murphy, was by Rev. George Dunham & Rev. James Martin. About 
this time (i.e.) 1829-1830 the present standing old hewn log church was built by the congregation, size… 
by …. Previous to this time services were held in a small round log cabin. In the spring of the year 
A. D. 1831 the church was supplied by the services of Rev. Thomas Witherspoon & Rev. Neill McMillan of 
Alabama, the latter who continued Stated Supply for about two years, visiting the church quarterly and 
spending two Sabbaths each visit, after McMillan's time. The next visit or supply, was by the Rev. Isaac 
Hadden & Rev. J. C. Baldwin which was in 1833. The next supply was by the Rev. Duncan McCormick of East 
Ala. Presbytery who visited the church occasionally for… years. Next in October of the year 1838 by the 
Rev. Malcom D. Fraser of South Carolina who labored for several weeks, and the following Feby., of 1839, 
the church was supplied by the Rev. Samuel E. Robinson of Tenn., who continued to be Stated Supply until 
the year 1849. During this period of about ten years that Robinson labored, the church was visited by 
several ministers from Alabama., but the Rev. Robert Wall Mooney, Warnock, M. A. Patterson, McMillan, 
McNab & Peter Donan of Pensacola, Fla. In this period too, the church had so … that the present house was 
too small to accommodate the congregation so in 1847 the congregation had the present frame church built 
which was finished in 1848.

The ceremony of laying the corner stone of this church was conducted by the above mentioned Peter Donan 
and Elders Donald McLean, Sen'r., John L. McKinnon, Daniel S. McLean & Archibald McCallum. There was a 
tin box containing a brief history of the church and the … newspaper put in the corner stone, being the 
S. W. corner of the house, also a list of the members of the church. The size of the present house is 50 
feet long by 35 feet wide. 

After Robinson's time the church was again dependent upon supplies from Presbytery or any other visits 
of ministers which might chance to travel in this direction. In 1850 by Rev. Mr. Hamilton of Fla. 
Presbytery, and in the fall of 1852 was visited by the Rev. W. P. Geady of Ge…. And Rev. Mr. Milakin. 
The particulars in regard to the transactions of the session and progress of this church up to this period, 
can't at this time be ascertained, from the fact that the book of records (before 1852) has been lost or 
mislaid. From Novr. 1852 all the business transacted by the congregation and Session with a list of 
members are now in the hands of the Clerk of Session.

This brief sketch has been gathered from different persons who have resided within the bounds of the 
church since its first organization.
			Respectfully submitted           J. Gillis, this 16th of June A. D. 1855.

It is known that many of Richmond County's early Scotch settlers ultimately settled in Walton County, Florida 
during the 1820's and '30's. Patty O'Neil's 
 McGilvray ancestors moved to Florida, and on the 1830 census there is a Daniel Gunn living nextdoor. 
Later there was an article written about his son in the following account from 
Georgia and Florida Souvenir Sketches, F. A. Battey & Company, Chicago, 1888 . This has been
 transcribed by Susan Woodall-Stuckey 30 September 2001. If you see a
name here that you can tell us about please let me know. Thanks! Myrtle Bridges

From page 349: 

Wm. C. Gunn, proprietor of the Liberal, of Cuthbert, Ga., was born in Walton County, Fla., June 30, 1844. 
His parents were Daniel G. and Margaret (Campbell) Gunn, both born in North Carolina. The father was taken 
to Florida when a boy by his parents and settled in Euche [sic] Valley. There he was reared on the farm and 
received an academical [sic] education. In early life he was a merchant, but his latter days were spent on 
the farm, where he died in 1872, at the age of sixty years. He was quite a distinguished man in his county, 
and several times represented his country and district in the Florida legislature, and was a member of the 
first legislature that met after the war. He held the position of internal revenue assessor in west Florida 
for several years. He was a F. & A. M. and a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

Wm. C., the subject of this sketch, is the second of a family of six children. He received an 
academical [sic] education in Walton County, Fla. In March 1862, he joined the Confederate service as 
a private in Company A, of the Sixth Florida, and served throughout the war. He then taught school for 
a year or so in Washington County, Fla., then went to Cuthbert, Ga., and followed clerking and bookkeeping 
until 1871. He then filled the position of city editor on the Macon Telegraph for a year, when he 
returned to Cuthbert and took his old position, which he held until 1875. After teaching school a 
year he carried on the mercantile business at Minneola [Mineola, Wood County], Texas, for a short 
time, and then clerked in Eufaula, Ala. [Barbour County], until 1879, when he moved to Shorterville, Ala., 
and keep books for a firm and carried on planting until 1884. He moved to Birmingham, Ala., and entered 
the newspaper business again as a local reporter and business manager of the Chronicle, but soon after left 
there to accept a similar position on the Pensacola Commercial, which position he held until November 1, 1885. 
He then returned to Cuthbert, Ga., and established the Liberal, a Democratic organ, which he is still running. 
December 22, 1869, he was married to Miss Neta Callaway, daughter of John H. and Sarah (Douglas) Callaway, 
early settlers in Randolph County, Ga. She is the mother of two children, Edwin C. and Little Neta. Mr. Gunn 
and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Pensacola Gazette, (Pensacola, FL) Saturday, February 06, 1841, Issue 45, Col B.
Multiple Classified Advertisements

Marshal's Sale
Will be sold, at the door of the Court House, at Eucheeana, on Monday, the 22nd day of February next, 
within the hours prescribed by law, one gray horse, one yoke of oxen, one cart and two cows and calves; 
taken as the property of Daniel D. Campbell to satisfy an execution issued from the Hon. Superior Court
of Walton County, in favor of Norman McQuagge for the use of Norman Morrison, vs. Angus M.A. Crawford
and Daniel D. Campbell. C. Evans, U.S. Marshal, DWF by H.G. Ramsey Deputy. January 23, 1841

The Obituaries below are shared by Rita Bridges November 28, 2007

The people referred to are likely descendants of our Richmond County Campbells, McKinnons, McLeods, McCaskills, ets. 


1910 Defuniak Herald-Breeze
 
4 Aug- Mrs Harrison of Milton has been here visiting her bother Judge Campbell.
Miss Wille Belle MCDONALD was in town visiting her sister Mrs Dan CAMPBELL
 
 
15 Sep - Mr and Mrs G.B. CAMPBELL'S daughter Helen died last Friday. The  funeral 
was held on Sunday and internment being in the family lot at the Valley cemetery.

Dave McLendon, petit larceny, con't. 

Ted McDaniel, petit larceny, plead guilty. 

Miss Kate MCKINNON died yesterday morning at her home in DeFuniak Springs. 
She was the sister of Mrs John L. and Alec MCKINNON.  The funeral was held 
at Euchee Valley this morning.

MCCASKILL-CAMPBELL - An approaching wedding of more than usual interest to
DeFuniak people is that of Miss Gussie MCCASKILL to Mr Olin CAMPBELL, will
be solominized at the Presbyterian church on the evening of Wednesday 
Feb 15. The bride is the daughter of Mr and Mrs John J. MCCASKILL and the
groom is the son of Hon and Mrs Daniel CAMPBELL.

Miss Jeannette MCKINNON, daughter of Hon. & Mrs John L McKinnon, who passed 
away Saturday. Services and burial in Valley cemetery on Sunday Jan 28.

Born:  baby girl to Mr & Mrs A D CAMPBELL Saturday.

Mrs Geo Cawthon and baby left last Sun for her home in Enterprise after a visit 
with her parents Mr and Mrs Campbell
 
Aug  - No Date - Mrs Mary C. McLeod, one of the oldest settlers of Florida died 
last Friday at the home of her son N.A. McLeod near Red Bay. For over sixty years 
she has been a resident to this section coming here from Scotland and at the 
old age of 80 years was called to her final resting place. The funeral services 
were conducted at the Euchee Valley Cemetery Saturday, by her pastor Rev R.Q. 
Baker.  She leaves to morn her loss out of eight children one son N.A. McLeod, 
all the other children having gone to their final reward before her.

No Date - Mrs Daniel Campbell died early Monday. The funeral was held on 
Tuesday from the Presbyterian Church.  Interment was at the Valley Cemetery.  
The deceased leaves her husband, four sons and three daughters, and a large 
number of more distant relatives to mourn.

26 Mar - Mrs Jennie McLeod died Sunday at the home of her son-in-law-law 
D.D. Douglas, with whom she has lived for many years. She was 81 years old. 
Three grandchildren survive Clyde, Jennie, and Angus Douglas. Two brothers 
Judge Daniel Campbell and Mr John A. Campbell, a sister Mrs C. Harrison of 
Milton.  Having descended from the Campbells and Morrisons, prominent families 
of Walton county. The remains will be buried in Euchee Valley cemetery

1915 Feb 25 Miss Catherine Gordon, on Feb 14 1915 at the residence of C C Macdonald in Santa
Rosa, Catherine Gordon, of Wick, Scotland, graudate of West Sussex Hospital, England, after a 
prolonged illness was called to her final reward. While in Canada she was Lady Superintendent 
of the Sanitarium at St Agathe Des Nonte in Quebec.

Mrs Margaret Campbell of this city died at home of her daughter Mrs Wesley Jones last 
Saturday. Body was taken to family burying ground at Euchee Valley where it was laid to rest.

Alonzo Hollowell of Jacksonville died at St Luke's hospital last Friday morning.  For some 12 yrs 
he was assistant postmaster of DeFuniak Springs.  Mr L P Campbell, formerly of this city, now of 
Jacksonville arrived in the city with Lonnie's body Sunday morning and in the afternoon he was laid 
to rest beside his father.

Master Guy Davis, son of Mrs Annie McKinnon Davis, suffered a sad accident. The little 
boy abt 10 yrs of age was play about the barn and found some dynamite cap and fuse and lit the fuse 
and blew off the first 3 fingers and half of thumb of his left hand and bruised his face. 

Sarah Addie, the baby of Mr & Mrs John McLendon died last Saturday.

George Lawrence died Tuesday while helping in the Odd Fellows Lodge meeting,
administrating final charge to Judge A R Campbell who was being initiated into the order.
He complained of shortness of breath, medical help was sent for, but he gasped and died.
Mr & Mrs Lawrence came here from Carthage S. D. December 8th of last year and expected
to leave for their home next month.  The remains left here this morning for S D where 
burial will take place.  Mr Lawrence was nearly 76 yrs of age and leaves a family of 2 
girls and 2 boys.

J D C Newton, died at Pensacola Thursday morning. Services at Valley Church 
on Friday afternoon, the remains brought from Pensacola to Argyle and from there taken
to the cemetery. Mr Newton was a nephew of Judge Daniel Campbell and a cousin to Mrs C B 
McKinnon, Judge A G Campbell, Mrs John McKinnon, Miss Emma Campbell, Mr Bowers and Mr Ralph 
Campbell.  He was readed in the Eucheeana Valley, his father being Rev. John Newton.  Mr 
Newton was 45 was survived by his wife Miss Ria Baker, daughter of Rev R L Baker and young 
son Robert, 2 sisters Mrs G Axelson and Miss Christian Newton, aunt, Mrs Harrison, and uncle, 
Judge Daniel Campbell. 
 
Note: Argyle is a city in Florida between Defuniak Springs annd Ponce De Leon

Alexander Douglass McKinnon was born in Walton Co on May 6 1842, one of 13
children born to his parents, John L & Catharine McKinnon.  Only one brother survives,
Daniel L McKinnon of Marianna.  Mr McKinnon was twice happily married, first to Miss Ella 
D Speight of Washington Co on March 13, 1873, this marriage resulted in 4 children, Dr 
Clarence McKinnon of Jacksonville, Mr Curtis McKinnon of Atlanta, Mr Joseph A McKinnon and 
Mrs Annie McKinnon Davis of this place.  On Jan 17 1907 he was married to Laura Hannah of 
Pensacola who also survives him. He was a Confederate soldier and passed away suddenly on 
Saturday Feb 19, 1921 in Pensacola where he spent most of his time in the past months.  
Services held Monday Feb 21 in DeFuniak with burial in Euchee Valley cemetery. 
 
Hon. Daniel Campbell passed away last Thursday at his home. Services on Friday and 
interment was made in Valley church cemetery. Daniel Campbell was 80 yrs and is survived 
by 3 daughters; Mrs (Dr) C B McKinnon, Mrs John L McKinnon, and Miss Emma Campbell; 3 sons 
Judge A G Campbell, G B & W O Campbell.  Disceased was CSA veteran and for many years attorney 
for the L & N Railway.  (see next week's paper)

Judge Daniel Campbell was born near Knox Hill in Walton Co Fla on July 27 1844 and 
was the younget son of Angus & Mary Catharine Campbell. He peacefully passed away on March 19th 
1925 in 81st year of his age. At age 17 enlisted in Confederate Army. After the War, he went to 
Marianna, FL where he worked in store of Mrs Merritt and read law under Judge Bush. He was admitted 
to the bar abt 1869 or 1870 when about 25 yrs of age. Soon he returned to Walton Co, where he married 
Miss Emma Bowers in Feb 1871 and became the father of 8 children, 2 sons Newton & Ralph preceded the 
father as did his wife who died on Dec 7 1914. Survivors are 3 sons, Judge A G Campbell, G Bowers Camp-
bell and W O Campbell; 3 daughters, Mrs C I McKinnon, Mrs John McKinnon and Miss Emma Campbell all of 
DeFuniak Springs.  Services on Mar 20th with interment in Euchee Valley cemetery. (2 long articles)

Death of popular and well liked DeFuniak boy Ewart McKinnon assistant 
cashier of the First National Bank occurred. 10 yrs ago from Mar 12 1925 Breeze:  John Wesley Smith 83 yrs 
old, a Confederate veteran, and an almost lifetime resident, died.

Mrs Flora Campbell widow of the late J W Campbell occurred at her home on Sunday.
Services were conducted Monday at 4:00 at Presbyterian church, internment was in Magnolia
cemetery.  Miss Flora Dixon was born in Cuthbert, Ga 62 yrs ago, but had been a Defuniak
resident for 35 yrs.  Survivors: 3 daughters, Mrs Clark Scott, Misses Hazel & Lorene, all of 
this place, one step-daughter Miss Mary Gunn of Marianna, one step-son Donald of Chapman,
Ala.  One step-daughter Mrs Nita Hurston and one son Morris preceeded her in death. 

Came the word Friday night that Judge Angus Graham Campbell had dropped dead on the 
stage of the Pensacola High school auditorium while delivering the graduating address.  The deceased 
was son of Daniel & Emma Campbell, born Nov 19 1874 at Euecheeanne. Survivors: wife, son, A G Campbell 
Jr, 2 daughters Mrs Leo Andrews and Miss Carrie Mae; 2 brothers, G B & W O Campbell, 3 sisters, Miss 
Emma Campbell, Mrs C B McKinnon and Mrs Mary Campbell McKinnon.  Funeral was held Sunday from Presbyterian 
church. (long story & Picture)

G B Campbell died Monday night at the home of his sister, Miss Emma Campbell.  Services were 
held on Wednesday with interment in the old family burial ground at Eucheeanna cemetery.  Survivors 
are his widow, (nee Hattie L Henry.)  His bride was the daughter of the late Dr. G P Henry, pioneer 
physician of DeF and this city's first mayor.   A daughter Mrs Starlus Ridgell and 2 grandchildren 
of the Ridgell household.  A brother W O Campbell, 3 sisters Mrs C B McKinnon, Mrs Mary Campbell 
McKinnon and Miss Emma Campbell, and aunt Mrs C D Monroe. Giles Bowers Campbell was forn at Eucheeanna 
on Mar 25 1877 and came to DeF abt 1899.  (long obit)

The death of Mrs Mary Campbell McKinnon occurred Friday May 7 at her home. She
was the daughter of the late Judge Daniel L Campbell and sister of the late Judge A G Campbell and 
is survived by two sisters Mrs C B McKinnon and Miss Emma Campbell, brother W O Campbell. Services 
at the Presbyterian church and interment at the family plot in Euchee Valley cemetery. 
 
John Duncan Anderson of Walton Co passed away at his home in Eucheanne Sunday night, Jan 9th 
after an illness of 2 yrs.  Mr Anderson was 63 yrs and live an entire life-time in this county.  
Services conducted at the home Monday and interment was made in the Valley Cemetery.  Survivors 
include widow and foster son Emory Campbell who is in the Army stationed at Eglin Field. 

L P Campbell 83, died Thursday.  He was born in Euchee Valley. Services were 
heldFriday of last week. Mr Campbell's father Dr D L was a physician with Dr Angus Gillis,
were county's first two physicians.  Interment was in Magnolia by the side of his wife 
who preceded him in death abt 2 yrs ago. 
 
Miss Ione Campbell died at Lakeshore Hospital, New Orleans, last Friday. Service held
at home of her sister, Mrs M O Brawner, Pensacola Sunday morning. The remains were
brought to Euchee Valley Cenetery for interment. She was the youngest child of the late
Dr & Mrs Daniel L Campbell and was born and reared in Walton Co and had made her
home in Pensacola with her sister for last several years. She held a posistion at the Pen-
sacola Public Library.  Survivors include the sister, a brother Wallace Campbell and 
several nieces & nephews.

Mrs Hattie Henry Campbell, widow of the late G Bowers Campbell died at her home
Monday morning.   She was the daughter of the late Dr G P Henry, first Mayor of De-
Funiak Springs.  Mrs Campbell had 4 children, three of whom died in infancy, and only
a few months ago the death of her daughter, Mrs Starlus Rigell of Georgetown, S C was
a great shock to Mrs Campbell, who had been invalid for several years.  Survivors include
a sister, Mrs Mamie Sowell and a brother Dr Gordon Henry and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held Wednesday with interment in family plot at Euchee Valley Cemetery

The infant son of Mr & Mrs James E Camptbell of Pensacola died at the Maternity
hospital Tuesday and funeral services were held at Cluster Springs Cemetery Wednesday.
The baby is survived by the parents, and one brother, John Marion, grandparents, Mrs 
Charlie Ward and Mr & Mrs John Winn.