Donald Campbell, aka Denune

Biography

Donald accompanied his brother Duncan to the north, and also assumed Denune for his sirname. He being bred to the church, and a man of parts and learning, became abbot of Ferne in Rossshire, where he acquired considerable wealth. He was the Commendator, or Abbot of Fearn from 1525-1541. Fearn Abbey, "The Lamp of the North", one of the oldest pre-Reformation church buildings in Scotland was founded in the 1220's by Farquhar, the first Earl of Ross. The Commentator that preceeded Donald Campbell, aka Denune, was Patrick Hamilton, who was burnt at the stake in 1528 for adopting Reformation ideas. In 1560 Fearn Abbey became a Presybterian church.

At least six years before his death, In 1534 part of the Abbot's property, the lands and Barony of Cadboll were given to his nephew, his brother Duncan's son, Andrew Denune.

A great deal is said about Abbot Donald in a book, The Calendar of Fearn

Pages from The Calendar of Fearn (80.73 KB)

Abbot Donald was a Judge Advocate, and a member of the Earldom Court. Donald's parentage was unknown. Donald was the father of 9 children by two wives. Four of his children are listed; William (see below), David, Mr. Thomas Parson of Kincardie, and John whom his father tried to secure a parsonage for. 

Abbot Donald's Estate

1) Abbey feu-lands of Little Rhynie (Fearn Parish)

2) Easter Fearn (Edderton Parish)

3) Amat Abbot (Kincardine Parish)

4) 1/3 of Arboll (Tarbat Parish), with the other 3rds going to John Denoon of Davidson, and John Corbet of Easter Ard.

5) Pithogarty

6) Pitnellie

7) Balkeith (Tain Parish)

Abbot Donald's son William married Elizabeth Urquhart, daughter of Sir Thomas Urquhart, and inherited from his father life-rent of Pithogarty. He died 1547 at the Battle of Pinkie.

William 2nd, son of William, grandson of Abbot Donald, died 1565 - His inheritance was fought over by three groups

1) Denoon uncles

2) his mother's Urquart kinsmen

3) Jasper Vaus of Lochslin, whose daughter married William 2nd

Outcome

1) Alexander Ross of Balnagown, who backed the Denoon uncles took Easter Fearn into Ross hands

2) Walter Urquhart, Sheriff of Cromarty took Nether Pitnellie, Balkeith and the major part of Pithogarty

3) Jasper Vos's son John acquired Over Pitnillie, Amat Abbot, and the remainder of Pithogarty.

Conclusion of The Calendar of Fearn, pgs. 79-82

Abbot Donald's attempt to give his family a landed base was thwarted by his son Williams death in the Battle of Pinkie, and two difficult successions.