NEW CUMNOCK
© Robert Guthrie
ROBERT BURNS
The Burns Trail :
Pencloe
ROBERT BURNS
Pencloe
Campbells
Thomas Campbell of Penlcoe
According to the history of 'The Logans of Knockshinnoch, Hugh Campbell and Agnes Logan, daughter of Thomas Logan of Knockshinnoch, were married in 1741. As part of the marriage agreement, Agnes acquired the properties of Whitehill, Littlemark, Auchengee (all in New Cumnock) and Changue (Old Cumnock). Hugh Campbell, designed of Pencloe and Whitehill (CJ Rollie) presumably retained Pencloe and was surely a descendant of Hugh Campbell of Pencloe that we met in 1602. Together, Hugh and Agnes had seven children including Thomas Campbell, possibly the eldest son, born in 1746.
Growing up in Pencloe, Thomas was nick-named Pen and gained a reputation for composing his own poems. He had fallen in love with his cousin Jean Logan of Knockshinnoch, sister of John Logan of Laight. No doubt she was the subject of many of his writings, but Jean only had eyes for a travelling salesman called Sandy Pagan, and she ran away with him in 1773. This rebuttal does not appear to have impacted on Thomas Campbell's friendship with his cousin John Logan of Laight for it was perhaps through this friendship that Pen had met with his fellow bard Robert Burns. Sadly the two would never meet again, but Pen apparently made a big impression on Burns, as is evident in his letter of remorse to Campbell of Pencloe.[August 1786]
My Dear Sir,
I have met with few men in my life
whom I more wished to see again than you, and
Chance seems industrious to disappoint me of that
pleasure. - I came here yesterday fully resolved to
see you, and Mr. Logan [but] at New Cumnock,
but a conjucture of circumstances conspired
against me. - Having an opportunity of send-
ing you a line, I joyfully embrace it.. - It is
perhaps the last mark of our friendship you can
receive from me on this side of the Atlantic. -
Farewell! May you be happy up to the
wishes of parting Friendship!
Mr J. Merry's Saturday morn;
Robt. Burns
Robert Burns' scheme of going to America went agley. Thomas Campbell left New Cumnock and moved his wife to Starr, near Loch Doon. Jean Logan had long since returned to New Cumnock and had her own draper's shop in the Castle. Campbell lived to be an old man and died in Dalmellington in 1831. His last words were saved for his first love Jean. He visualised his funeral procession going along the Castle towards the Kirkyard and Jean stepping out the shop door to exclaim 'Hech, Sirs ! there gangs auld Pen'.
But that shop door didn't open, for Jean died a few days after Auld Pen had passed away and a few days before his funeral. If only Rabbie had still been alive what words would he have conjured up for such a melancholy episode.
Four hundred years after Hugh Campbell of Schankiston was in Pencloe, another Old Cumnockian, is now in residence. Sandy Murray and his family, along with their new neighbours from Yorkshire now enjoy that splendid view over Glen Afton. Rabbie would have revelled in their hospitality !!