Daniel Campbell, the amiable Tory, came to Schenectady some time in the year 1754. He was a native of Ireland, and was possessed of small means. On his arrival, he commenced as an Indian trader, with a pack upon his back, and by his native shrewdness, great industry and remarkable economy, in a few years extended his operations and at the commencement of the Revolutionary War was esteemed a citizen of considerable fortune. He subsequently became an extensive merchant and Indian trader, and by purchasing soldiers' rights, at the conclusion of peace, acquiring great wealth at Schenectady. Some years after his arrival he married Angelica, daughter of Arent Samuelse Bratt, by whom he had one son, named David, born November 15th, 1768. That son died June 29th, 1801, in his thirty-third year, leaving all his property to his father. The father himself died August 16th, 1802 aged seventy-one years, ten months and twenty-eight days. Daniel Campbell was the intimate friend and acquaintance of Sir William Johnson, both hailing from the Emerald Isle of the ocean; and when at Schenectady, where he often came, being much interested in the progress of the infant Episcopal church there, Mr. Campbell's house was always the baronet's home. That house was the premises now occupied by Mr. Stewart Myers, and erected in 1762 for Mr. Campbell by Samuel Fuller, one of the most noted architects of the province at that day.
In 1771 Mr. Campbell was one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas for Albany County. He made his will July 16th, 1801, leaving about one-third portion of his large estate to some relatives in Ireland, and the remainder, unrestricted, to his wife Angelica.
Mrs. Campbell made her will May 27th, 1811, leaving considerable sums to her various relatives, but made her great-nephew, Daniel Campbell Schermerhorn, her residuary devisee and legatee, on condition of changing his name Schermerhorn to Campbell, which, after her decease, was accomplished by legislative enactment.