By RoselynMartin Somtochukwu Ilo, SCSU Journalism student
Most people driving down Campbell Avenue have no idea it’s named after a British officer — an enemy soldier from the Revolutionary War.
But in 1779, that officer, Adjutant Gen. William Campbell, did something so humane that the town he invaded chose to honor him for centuries after.
According to City Clerk John Lewis, Campbell led troops into what is now downtown West Haven during the British invasion of New Haven. As the British advanced, local pastor Rev. Noah Williston tried to flee with the church’s records but fell and broke his leg.
“When Gen. Campbell came down the street, he said that no one would hurt him,” Lewis said in a phone interview. “There were orders not to kill the minister. They took him to safety and got him looked at for his leg.”
In gratitude for his mercy toward the wounded minister, the town named Campbell Avenue after him — a gesture that has kept his name alive for more than two centuries.
“Because of his bravery and what he did for an American citizen — well, I guess it wasn’t America yet — they rewarded him by naming the avenue after him,” Lewis said.
Andrew Chartier, executive assistant to the mayor, said Campbell’s story “offers a unique perspective” on compassion amid conflict, making it a meaningful addition to the city’s historical narrative.
Today, the First Congregational Church on the Green still stands as a silent witness to that moment of compassion. A few blocks away, the road that bears Campbell’s name continues to bustle with life — a reminder that even in war, acts of kindness can leave a lasting mark.
“The site has survived wars, fires and city redevelopment, yet continues to represent the faith and resilience of early West Haven,” he said.
“Many residents still see the Green as the heart of town,” he added, “connecting present-day West Haven to its colonial roots.”
RoselynMartin Somtochukwu Ilo, a journalism student at Southern Connecticut State University, reported this story in 2025 as part of Journalism Capstone coursework on the Revolutionary War.