America! (Chapter 3)

After the four Stewart children completed their studies at the Perth Academy, Nan, the oldest, was sent to a private "finishing school" in Belgium, Campbell to Merchison Castle School in Edinburgh, and Helen attended a private school in France. Young James wanted only to be a farmer, so his grandfather sent him to Agricultural College. Nan completed her studies while Campbell was still in school and became engaged to Tom Ferguson (of the clan Ferguson) that was as much a part of the history of Perthshire as the Stewarts and the Campbells. Peter Campbell was delighted, and the wedding (a garden wedding), was held on the grounds of Lignwood. All the guests came in full Highland dress and the women in flowing gowns and large hats. Campbell wore his first adult kilt made especially for the occasion by the kiltmaker in Edinburgh. Helen wore a white dress and a tartan sash.

James did not have a new kilt and so watched the entire ceremony from a tree!

The wedding was the social event of the season and Peter Campbell was very proud! The couple honeymooned in London, but settled in Perth as Tom Ferguson had joined the famous Black Watch regiment headquarterd in Perth. Nan quickly became pregnant and within three years gave birth to two children, Ann and Bill Ferguson. She left her husband after just four years of marriage. She claimed that he threw her down the stairs and she broke her arm and she accused him of being an alcoholic. Perhaps he was, but he died a hero in WW1 leading his Black Watch regiment and had the rank of Captain. Campbell liked him!

Nan moved to London with her children after receiving a comfortable settlement with the well to do Ferguson clan. While all this was happening, Campbell finished at Merchison Castle and enrolled in the University where for two years he studied history and anthropology, his two favorite subjects all of his life! His grandfather was becoming impatient to start him in the Perth Mill as he had pegged Campbell to take it over. So, Campbell went to work with his grandfather in running the mill. But, after awhile his grandfather insisted that he take bookkeeping and accounting as he did not have these skills. So, Campbell agreed and took a two year course. After another year of running the mill, Campbell made the decision that this was not what he wanted.

He wanted to go to AMERICA!