The Saber and Scroll Journal Volume 8, Number 3, Spring 2020 | Page 105
ontributions of Women Jacobites 1688–1788
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Cameron of Glendessery. 59 Jenny Cameron
is a prime example of the Jacobite
propaganda wars, which began in 1688,
claiming James III the pretender. Stories
romanticized her as the mistress of
Prince Charles, and a sword-wielding
warrior that led men to the standard of
Charles Stuart.
James Ray, a volunteer in the
Duke of Cumberland’s Army, provided
an English perspective of Jenny Cameron
in his book of first-hand accounts, A
Compleat History of the Rebellion, from
its first Rise, in 1745, to its total Suppression
at the Glorious Battle of Culloden,
in April 1746. 60 Ray paints a colorful
past of Jenny during her young womanhood
years:
About fifteen years of age; but
not putting a proper restraint on
her inclination, a discovery came
to light that she had carried on
an amour, about six months,
with one Sawney, a footman,
who having formerly liv’d with a
man of quality, had learn’d all the
fashionable vices and follies of
the gay part of town; this intrigue
brought on its effects, and Miss
began to be surpriz’d with an uncommon
alteration to her health,
and being ignorant of the cause,
made application to her Aunt
for advice, who, to her sorrow,
knew the disease too well, but
had the prudence not to discover
it to Miss, she being resolv’d to
find the author of this misfortune;
and that very night let her
into the secret;----- for Miss was
unwarily caught in the arms of