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| Jacobite Broadside |
The Emissary in the Wynd
Chapter Ten
The Camerons of Dungallon were a branch of the Glendessary family, holding lands primarily in Sunart, Morven, and Ardnamurchan. Jean’s mother was a daughter of the 17th Chief of Lochiel and a paternal half-sister to John, the 18th Chief—a kinship that made Jean and John’s son, Dr Archibald Cameron (1707–1753), first half-cousins. While Archibald was practising medicine in Ardnamurchan, his physical proximity and close ties to the Dungallon household facilitated a deep introduction to Jean, eventually leading to their marriage and his future legacy as the final Jacobite martyr.
This loyalty to the Cameron inner circle extended beyond her husband to include her brother-in-law, Alexander Cameron of Glenevis, whose character Jean vigorously defended. When describing their mutual hardships to Dr John Burton, the physician recorded a specific note—“N.B”. (meaning nota bene or ‘mark well’)—stating that Glenevis was “innocent”. However, while Jean championed him as a fellow sufferer in the Jacobite cause, history has since revealed a complexity she was likely unaware of at the time: Glenevis was secretly serving as a government agent, operating in the very shadows where Jean and Archibald had placed their absolute trust.
In 18th-century Scotland, Jean boldly served as an emissary, going by the code name, Mrs Chalmers. The AlbemarlePapers, on page 238, reported the vital role Jean played after “a French Vessel landed at Pol Ew, a Loch on the Continent of Seaforth's Country is equally certain. Three French Gentlemen from on board that said ship came to the Pretender’s Son; soon thereafter Lochiel sent a message to his sister in law, Dr Cameron’s wife desiring all the Gentlemen his friends who had not surrendered to the Government, with the Commoners, to come to him, but not in a body so as to be taken notice of, which intimations they for the most part complied with, and are not yet returned from the Braes of the Country”.
Lochiel selected Jean for this perilous mission because of his profound trust in her and the likelihood that, as a woman, she would draw less suspicion. While the precise mechanics of her recruitment efforts remain unrecorded, her success required a formidable combination of local influence, established kinship networks, and an intimate knowledge of the rugged landscape to reach those “skulking” in the hills after Culloden. This intelligence was eventually funnelled by Captain Campbell of Airds to Major Campbell, having been harvested by a mole planted among the fugitive Chiefs. The depth of Jean’s involvement is further underscored by reports on page 291 of the historical record, which place her at the center of a sophisticated secret messaging network:
For this purpose, young Clan Ronald (Jean’s nephew) was left behind to be at hand to receive such ships and dispatch Expresses with accounts of their news. Doctor Cameron’s wife living in Strontian is to convey these dispatches to Angus Cameron, brother to Glen Nevis (Jean’s brother-in-law), in Dunan and Rannoch, who is always to know where Clunie can be had, and he is likewise to know .
After reviewing the evidence of Jean Cameron’s role as a Jacobite agent, it is logical to conclude that she was the true “Jenny of the ’45”. For decades, the identity of the “Jean” or “Jenny” associated with the Rising has been a subject of intense dispute. However, historical accounts consistently describe the figure as a young woman. This detail effectively eliminates Jean Cameron of Glendessary, who was forty years old in 1745. A far more plausible candidate is Jean Cameron of Dungallon, who was then in her late twenties.
Beyond the age discrepancy, a breakthrough in identification came from a close examination of letters to the editor found in nineteenth-century gazettes. These archival records provided the necessary context to confirm that the portrait traditionally associated with “Jenny” is, in fact, Jean Cameron of Dungallon. Having identified her as the legendary agent, we finally have a visual record of her likeness. The painting below depicts Jean in her role as the wife of Dr Archibald Cameron.
One may wonder whether Jean was able to maintain the persona of being a secret agent for the Jacobites in 1746. According to an article in the Scots Magazine titled “The Mystery Woman of the ‘45”, on page 27, Jean’s involvement ultimately resulted in her arrest:
D. Murray Rose in a letter to the Editor (“Sunday Times”, March 1, 1931), claims that Dr Cameron’s wife is the Jean Cameron of the ‘45. He gives the following details:—
“In 1746 Jean Cameron came south to visit her husband Dr Archibald Cameron, who was then with the army of Prince Charles. Immediately afterwards she was arrested by the English, who declared they captured ‘the Lady’ or ‘chere amie’ of the Prince. They circulated baseless stories to damage the Prince’s reputation. For the lady they captured and sent to prison in Edinburgh was really Jean Cameron, the devoted wife of Dr Archibald Cameron, who suffered so much for the cause. She was the only lady of the name arrested during the campaign.
After the ‘45 Dr Archibald Cameron and his wife lived at Lille, and the records there prove they had children born there between 1748 and 1751. But they had to leave two of their boys in Scotland (when they escaped to France), under the care of Fassifern. Jean Cameron was naturally exceedingly anxious to see these boys, and came to Scotland to visit them in the autumn of 1751, using the name Mrs Chalmers. She was promptly arrested on arrival on suspicion of carrying Jacobite correspondence, and on October 7 was brought before the Lord Justice-Clerk for examination. She then declared she came to see her two boys, brought no papers of any kind, and was innocent of all designs. At the time she made bitter complaint of the suffering and imprisonment she endured on the former occasion. After the execution of her husband, Dr Archibald Cameron, she chiefly lived in France and Belgium, and on behalf of herself and children made appeals to the Chevalier and the Prince, but all in vain. She lived at Sens and Ghent.
It is unfortunate that the contributor does not state his authorities.
That a Jenny Cameron was allowed out on bail from Edinburgh Castle is certain. The “Scots Magazine” (November 1746, page 545) states:— “Miss Jeanie Cameron was admitted to bail on the 15th, the Duchess of Perth on the 17th, and the Viscountess of Strathallan on the 22nd of November. They have lain in the Castle of Edinburgh (whither Miss Jeanie Cameron was brought from Stirling) since the beginning of February. Lady Ogilvy, who has been prisoner in the same place since the middle of June, made her escape on the 21st.
Advocate
Unlike most women living in the 18th century, Jean was not afraid to speak up, and would put pen to paper, advocating for herself and her family. Such was the case on 30 July 1753, when John Raynor received a letter from Jean Cameron he did not believe was from her, explaining that “there were expressions in it which I do not think Correspond with his [Dr Archibald Cameron] language and behaviour …”
In turn, Jean wrote the following:
Sir, I received yours of the ed. Octr informing me that you had receved mine of the 13th July last, that on account of some strong expressions in the copy then inclos'd you doubted it was from me that therefore you may have no Doubt about it nor the Copy of what Dr Archibald Cameron, my late husband intended to be delivered to the Sheriff I send you here Inclosed another Copy of the Same which youll find intirely conform to the one I sent then. I can assure you no imposition was intended or put upon you by
Sir,
your most humble Servant, Jean Cameron,
Paris, October 15th, 1753.
Indeed, she was an extraordinary woman, which becomes all the more evident as we explore her actions and the selfless role she played as an emissary under the alias, Mrs Chalmers:
Mrs Chalmers mentioned to be coming over to this country. My aid-de-camp, who knows all these Highlanders and their connections, supposes her to be the wife of Dr Cameron, who no doubt your Grace has heard of, as she has been often employed as an emissary to their friends here by the attainted rebels abroad.
When Jean arrived in Edinburgh on 19 September 1751, Lord Justice Clerk Charles Areskine was away on the judicial circuit. It wasn’t until approximately October 1st that General Churchill provided Areskine with the intercepted letter. Upon reading it, Areskine immediately launched an investigation, only to discover that Jean had already been in the city for two weeks. He concluded that, “if she carried from France any intelligence, it was probably sent before I came to town, and therefore, I sent off warrants to search the papers of Dr Cameron’s nearest relations, and apprehending of anything criminal their persons of anything criminal [sic] is appear”.
Then, “[a]fter these warrants were dispatch't; yesterday morning, (6 October) the doctor’s wife was brought, before me to be examined, and all the papers about her and in the house where lodged, were searched, in presence of two of the Magistrates, Col. DuSeeana and Capt. Barlow”. Despite the thorough search of where Jean had been staying and her rigorous examination, which involved a detailed interrogation, no criminal evidence was uncovered, and she was released on bail.
The following is an excerpt from page two of document SP 54/41/39A/2 providing more details of the events that led up to the apprehension of Jean Cameron of Dungallon.
My Lord Duke, Edinburgh, 8th October 1751.
[Page 2] Towards the end of last week, General Churchill put into my hands, ane information founded upon ane intercepted letter, concerning a woman that was to land in Scotland from France under the name of Chambers, upon reading the letter, I realized the correspondence chiefly turn'd upon the money, which came to the pretender’s son, when he run of, and fell into the hands of the Camerons and McPherson of Cluny; by the accounts I have; for some time past, from the Highlands, it has been a bone of contention, among the pretender’s adherents, both at home and abroad, they ly between the Camerons and the McDonalds, and I immediately suspected Mrs Chambers was wife to Dr Cameron designed in the Declaration, herewith enclosed; and upon enquiry found, she was in this town and had been here a fortnight while I was on the circuit; if she carried from France any intelligence, it was probably sent before I came to town, and therefore, I sent of warrants to search the papers of Dr Cameron’s nearest relations, and apprehending ofanything criminaltheir persons of anything criminal [sic] is appear. After these warrants were dispatch't; yesterday morning, the doctor’s wife was brought, before me to be examined, and all the papers about her and in the house where lodged, were searched, in presence of two of the Magistrates, Col. DuSeeana and Capt. Barlow, whom the General recommended to me, for the Service; the papers found were immaterial, and I sent for Lo. Advocate, who was present at the examination, a copy whereof is herewith enclosed, and as nothing criminal appear'd to us in her conduct, we admitted her to Bail, and the rather because from all the circumstances, if she had commissions, or errand other than the visiting her children and relatives in Scotland, it related only to the squabbles, at their Sham Court, who the persons there who had secreted the money, each of them putting it upon the other. This is the light it appears on to me, at present, but it’s possible the search order'd to be made in Lochaber, may let in more upon the affair; as soon as I have intelligence of the effect of it, I shall forthwith acquaint your Grace and in everything that relates to his Majesty’s Service, neither zeal, fidelity, nor attention shall be wanting. And I have the honour to be with truth and the greatest respect, my Lord, your grace’s most faithful, most obedient and most humble servant, Ch. Arskine.Edinburgh, October 8th, 1751.Lord Justice Clerk received on the 14th.
The following is the examination of Jean Cameron, found at document SP 54/41/39B/1:
At Edinburgh, the 7th day of October 1751 years
In presence of the Lord Justice Clerk Compeared Jean Cameron spouse to Dr Archibald Cameron brother to the late Dr Cameron of Lochiel, who being brought in virtue of a warrant of his Lordship’s and examined declared that she came from Douay where Lord Ogilvie's Regiment is quartered to Dunkirk, and embarked there for Scotland upon the 15th day of September New Stile on board a small ship belonging to Holy Island, but does not remember the Master’s name; Says that her intention of coming to Scotland was to see two of her children whom she had left there, That she had brought no Letters or papers with her other than those that are now lying on the Table; That have been formally seized at Breda on suspicion of carrying Letters or Correspondence as she was going with her family to France, she felt the Inconvenience of such a suspicion at that time, and therefore would never have undertaken nor had she the offer of carrying any letters with her either for persons at Edinburgh or in the Highlands excepting as above, and these letters which are of no Consequence were carried to her by a Serjeant who run after her as she was leaving Douay; Says further that the ship on board of which she embarked from Dunkirk, she understood belonged to Holy Island, and really knows little of that matter as she was very sick all the while she was at Sea, so that she does not know the Master’s name nor anything further about it, but that she heard the ship had been up the Streights, had touched at Dunkirk where she embarked, and was bound for some port in the Firth of Forth; But the declarant was so extremely sick that she prevailed with the Master to land her in Burlington Bay, from which she came to Edinburgh upon Thursday the nineteenth of September last, That she staid the first night in the house of James Boyd, Stabler in the head of the Canongate, and has staid ever since in the house of Mrs Brandt in Liberton's Wind out of which she was taken this morning — Says further that there were no passengers with her on board the said ship except one Mr McNab a Lieutenant in Lord Lewis Drummond's Regiment, whom the Declarant has since seen at Edinburgh, when he told her that he had been landed at Holy Island, and had waited on General Churchill since he came to Edinburgh; That she had no directions given her concerning any money that was left in Scotland in the hands of Cluny McPherson or others, nor any Directions to any persons whatever except concerning her own private affairs Declares that she did not assume the name of Chambers or any other but her own designation of Mrs Cameron either on board the ship or since she landed and further says that if anyone can say that ever since she landed she throughout the least thing that could give encouragement to the Enemies of the Government she is willing to undergo any punishment.
Jean Cameron, Charles Erskine.
Declaration of Mrs Cameron taken before the Lord Justice Clerk, the 7th October 1751.
The Strategic Evasion of Jean of Dungallon
Jean Cameron’s ability to avoid detection and navigate the high-stakes interrogation of the Hanoverian authorities was rooted in a blend of plausible deniability, tactical misdirection, and a “witty” defiance that turned the accusers’ logic back upon themselves. While General Churchill fretted over leaked orders and “breaches of trust” within the customs houses of Fifeshire, Jean remained calm, utilizing her supposed physical frailty as a shield for her movements.
Jean was able to avoid detection of the men of General Churchill because she explained during her examination, that she “was so extremely sick that she prevailed with the Master to land her in Burlington Bay”, an area on the Yorkshire Coast located between Bridlington and Scarborough. Her ability to persuade the shipmaster to alter his course to an obscure landing point did not go unnoticed; the authorities concluded that “she was a person of some importance”, as such a deviation from the intended plan at Holy Island suggested significant influence. However, while the board focused on her status, they failed to realize that Donald Cameron had been with her. Although historical records often leave the impression that the two were cousins, the discovery of his birthplace being Ardnamurchan suggests a much closer tie; it is highly possible they were actually siblings, working in tandem to move through the North undetected.
Then after Jean and her companion disembarked on English soil, they reached “Edinburgh upon Thursday the nineteenth of September last, [and] That she staid the first night in the house of James Boyd, Stabler”. When Jean declared that she was travelling alone, she knowingly lied under oath, choosing to compromise her own legal standing to shield a member of her family. Consequently, Donald came under the radar of Colonel Craufurd, who discovered through his investigation that Jean had concealed his presence as her travelling companion. Realizing that her testimony was a deliberate fabrication to protect her kin, Craufurd wrote a letter to the Royal Welch Fusiliers ordering that Donald be apprehended and his papers seized.
Jean’s clandestine connection with Donald is further underscored by a report from Lieutenant Archibald MacLachlan of the R. W. Fusiliers, dated 15 October 1751. This letter was undoubtedly written in response to Colonel Crufurd's letter written 12 October 1751, with a description of Donald Cameron. The letter is a list of a gentry class, which included Dr Archibald Cameron, (returned from France to the Highlands to offer her support) Mrs Cameron, Mrs Steuart of Ardshealy, One Steuart of Appin, and Donald Cameron, a former deserter from Fort William in 1746 who joined the rebels and now served as a lieutenant in Ogilvie's regiment. The following is a copy of the letter written by Lieutenant Archibald MacLachlan:
Strontian, October 15th, 1751.
Dear Sir,
This moment I received certain Intelligence that Dr Cameron, brot'r to Locheal Arrived in Scotland about the first of this month, & I’m thoroughly convinc'd he has been charged with dispatches from France. He is now, either in the Brea's of Ranock, or that of Lochaber. The following person’s Arrived in Scotland about ye 20th of last month. Viz. Doct'r Cameron’s wife, Mrs Steuart of Ardsheall, one Steuart on Appan man, & a Cameron formerly a soldier in Lord John Murray’s regiment, who deserted out of Fort William in the year 1746, then joined the rebels and now a Lieu't in Ogilvie's Regt.
Im told that theres one McDonald lately arrived from France. They say with some dispatches, but I can’t learn who he is or where gone to.
I assure you the Arrivals of the Above Mention'd person’s and the dispatches they have been charg'd with, occasions whispering among the common people, and if I’m not much mistaken, this gentry now come over, Endeavour to persuade them, that France Only Waites for a proper Opportunity to declare War Against Brittain & that the french King is now determined to suport their friend the Pretender.
This is all I can pick up at present from a faithful person that I’ve lately Employed for Intelligence of this Nature. You may depend on my sending you, the least discovery I can make, that moment I get it myself. But the same may be transmitted to Generall Churchill with all speed.
I sincerely wish a further descovery and believe me,
Dr Sir
Your faithful and obed't Humble Servant, Arch. MacLachlan, L.t in the R. W. Fusiliers to Captain Bland. Oct 22 1751
The “Witty” Defence
Despite the “whispering among the common people” and the heavy surveillance, Jean maintained a posture of “prudence”. When confronted during her examination with the accusation that the Jacobite party abroad was “continually disturbing the minds of the people” under such a “mild government”, she offered a scathing rebuttal. She “smartly answered that it was from hence all the schemes and animating messages were sent abroad, and not from thence hither”. She essentially argued that the British government’s own paranoia and the restlessness of those in Scotland were the true sources of the “impulses”, rather than any French conspiracy.
Ultimately, Jean’s success in avoiding immediate imprisonment—being admitted to bail despite being viewed as a “person of some importance”—lay in her ability to frame her presence as domestic and personal. She claimed she was merely there to see her “two children in this country…and her relations”, and challenged the board by stating that if she were charged with anything reflecting upon the government, she was “willing to suffer the severest punishment”. By the time the authorities realized her landing at Burlington Bay was a strategic choice rather than a result of seasickness, Jean had already successfully integrated herself back into the Highland network.
An Advocate Unmasked
The identity of the storied “Jenny of the ‘45”—a question that confounded historians for generations—is definitively resolved through a synthesis of archival records, genealogical data, and historical accounts. By eliminating other candidates based on the crucial age requirement, the evidence points conclusively to Jean Cameron of Dungallon. Far from being a romantic, unverified legend, Jean Cameron was a crucial, resilient, and resourceful operative whose activities were of serious concern to the British government.
Her actions went well beyond passive support. As an emissary operating under the alias “Mrs Chalmers”, Jean braved great danger to maintain vital lines of communication between the Jacobite chiefs in the years following Culloden. The detailed records of her arrests and interrogations—including her successful avoidance of conviction despite intense scrutiny—underscore her intelligence, unwavering loyalty, and formidable composure under pressure.
Ultimately, Jean Cameron of Dungallon was more than just a secret agent; she was a powerful advocate who put pen to paper, challenging officials and fighting for her family’s rights and reputation. Her story, meticulously documented through letters, spy reports, and official examinations, provides a rare and valuable window into the gendered complexities of espionage and resilience in 18th-century Scotland. By stepping out from the shadow of historical dispute, Jean Cameron’s life reaffirms the critical, yet often hidden, roles women played in the Jacobite cause.
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