Cameron, RICHARD

Cameron, RICHARD, a Scottish Covenanter, was born in Falkland, in Fife, where he presently became precentor and schoolmaster under an Episcopal incumbent. 'Converted by the field-preachers,' he next is said to have been tutor in the household of a Sir Walter Scott of Harden (of whom genealogists know absolutely nothing), and then to have been licensed to preach by the 'celebrated John Welsh' (that worthy's grandson, possibly). In 1678 he really did go to Holland, and returned in 1680 in time to take a prominent part in publishing the Sanquhar Declaration (q.v.). Retiring then, with some sixty armed comrades, to the hills between Nithsdale and Ayrshire, he succeeded in evading capture for a month, though a price of 5000 merks was set on his head by government. On the 20th July 1680, however, they were surprised by a body of dragoons in Aird Moss, near Auchinleck, and after a brave fight, Cameron was killed. His hands and head were cut off, and fixed upon the Netherbow Port, Edinburgh. See Life by Herkless (1896).