ELBERT COUNTY, GA - BIOS John McMullan ***************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: "Chandler Eavenson" The following information about John McMullan was compiled by Kay Tucker Cleveland and is contained in the McMullan Family Reunion booklet of 2 Jun 1996: "On the brow of a hill on the North side of Big Cedar Creek and on the east side of the public road in December 1817, John McMullan was laid to rest in the family burying ground in Elbert County, Georgia, later known as Hart County. His grave is marked by a granite tombstone. The inscription on the monument is as follows: In Memory of John McMullan, Born in Ireland in 1740, Emigrated in Va. in 1760, Was a soldier in the War of 1776, Moved to Ga in 1797, Died Dec 1817. "It all began in Tralee, Ireland in 1740 when John McMullan was born. His parents were Patrick Joseph McMullan and Mary Sinclair. Mary was born about 1711. Patrick was born in Ireland about 1710. They were married about 1730. We are not sure of their occupation but since they lived in the small sea port town of Tralee, on the west coast of Irelnd, most of the people were either farmers or living from the sea, deep sea fishing. Patrick and Mary had six children: (1) Andrew McMullan, born about 1732 in Ireland. (2) Francis McMullan, born about 1734 in Ireland. (3) Sinclair McMullan, born about 1735 in Ireland. (4) Patrick McMullan, born about 1737 in Ireland. (5) Daniel McMullan, born about 1738 in Ireland. (6) John McMullan born about 1740 in Ireland. "During the mid-1700's there was much work in small ship construction at Tralee and Galway and also the city of Dublin. The older sons, Andrew, Francis, Sinclair, Patrick and Daniel went to Dublin as ship builders, carpenters, caulkers or repairmen on sailing vessels. John followed his brothers to Dublin when he was eighteen years of age and worked as an apprentice at the same trade or as a tailor. When John was twenty years of age he was employed on a large sailing vessel bound for the new world. He landed in Norfolk, Virginia around 1760. John settled in Virginia in that part known as Orange County, then later Rockingham County. John married Theodisia Beasley, first wife, in Orange County, Virginia about 1766 or 1767. Theodisia was born about 1744-1747 in Swift Run Gap in Orange County, Virginia. They had five children: (1) James McMullan, born about 1770 in Swift Run Gap, Orange County, Virginia. He died June 1842 in Virginia. He was married March 24, 1796, Va. to Lizzie Edith Kendall. He did not move to Georgia with his father John. (2) Mary McMullan, born about 1774 in Swift Run Gap, Orange County, Virginia. She died in Va. Mary married September 22, 1796, Orange County, Va. to William Lewis Powell. Mary did not move to Georgia with her father John. (3) Patrick McMullan was born August 15, 1772 in Orange County, Virginia and died August 31, 1836 in Elbert County, Georgia. He is buried on the old home place. He was married January 5, 1792 in Va. to Sarah Walker. Sarah was the daughter of Thomas Walker and Mary Smith. Patrick's second wife was Elizabeth Stowers of Elbert County, Ga., and his cousin. Elizabeth was the daughter of Lewis Stowers and Joyce Shifflet. (4) John McMullan, born 1776 in Swift Run Gap, Orange County, Virginia. He was married first to Jane Dooley in Georgia. They had three children. John moved to Georgia with his father in November of 1797. He married twice in Georgia. He moved from Georgia to Tennessee and then to Kentucky. His third wife was also named Jane. (5) Catherine McMullan was born in 1778 in Swift Run Gap, Orange Co, Virginia. She married Pickett Shiflet in Orange County, Va. She and her husband moved to Georgia with her father and settled in Elbert County, Ga. They had ten children. "John McMullan was a soldier in the American Revolution. He enlisted February 17, 1777, in Captain William Johnston's 11th Virginia Regiment, also known as 7th Virginia Regiment, composed mostly of Irish Volunteers, commanded by Col. Daniel Morgan. As related by his youngest daughter, Lavinia Smith to Judge M. McMullan of Orange County, Va., our ancestor John McMullan fought on the side of the Patriots and Colonists, was a tailor by trade and cut and made the first military suit worn by George Washington after he became Commander-in-Chief of the Army. "The tailor's chest, made of cypress, which John McMullan brought from Ireland, went into the possession of his son Patrick, at his death. From Patrick it went to his son William, from William it went to his son William Marion, thence to his son William Jesse, of Newton, Miss. The chest is now in the possession of [name deleted, living person.] "History of the McMullan Chest brought from Ireland to Richmond, Virginia in 1760. It was carried on a wagon from Virginia to Elbert County, Georgia in the fall of the year 1797. After the death of John the 1st, it fell into the hands of Patrick his second son who used it for keeping his papers and money and whiskey, when he had but little. At Patrick's death, Aug. 31st, and after his burial Sept. 1, 1836, his children held a consultation. When the business of the estate was turned over to his oldest son William, and as the chest contained his papers and valuables, William demanded of the widow (Stowers), his 2nd wife, the keys and he took the chest home with him. He, William, afterwards repaired the lid, hinges and lock and painted it. At William's death, December 20, 1855, it was taken in charge of, by his older son Jessie Pemberton who brought it from Elbert Co. to Newton Co, Miss in the 1st of 1866. He took the partitions or pigeon holes out and made a provisions box out of it on the trip, using the lid for a dining table. He afterwards used it to put clothing in and after his death 1879 his widow used it as before his death. Her home burned March 23, 1901. Her son Robert saved the chest the first article though nearly all of their goods were consumed. On the 10th of November she agreed to exchange the chest with W. J. McMullan for a nice truck and November 18th the exchange was made. All parties being satisfied. This is the record given by W. M. McMullan -- at the age of 76 years. He being the last and only one that knew its history, or where it came from. It was his father that got possession of it in 1836 and he knew it well several years before. In the past since he could recollect, his father William was well up on the family history, having been born in 1792 and his son William Marion remembered most of it distinctly. Age of the chest 152 years this March 10, 1912, and now it is to my heirs. This is my will concerning the old chest. Preserve it as best you can. Never allow it to be sold unless it be among yourselves. If ever the house gets on fire, by all means save the chest. Your father W. J. McMullan, March 10th, A.D. 1912. "After the war was over John McMullan was granted 400 acres of land on Swift Run Gap in Orange County, Virginia for his services in the Continental Army by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1776. John McMullan married second, Elizabeth Stowers, daughter of Mark Stowers and Hannah Briant of Orange County, Virginia. They had ten children: (1) Naile [Neal] McMullan, born about 1789 in Swift Run Gap, Orange County, Virginia. He married first, Polly Thornton on August 1, 1807 in Elbert County, Georgia. Naile moved from Virginia to Elbert County, Georgia with his father in 1797. He lived in Elbert County, now Hart County, across Big Creek from his father's home place. He moved from this place to Monroe County, Georgia and died there in 1864. They had seven children. Naile married second, on July 4, 1843, in Elbert Co., Georgia to Mrs. Milly A. Banks, who was Mildred A. Jones before her 1st marriage. No children of this union. (2) Jeremiah McMullan was born about 1790 in Swift Run Gap, Orange County, Virginia. He married first, Sarah Harper in Elbert County, Georgia on February 8, 1811. They had seven children. Jeremiah married second, Sarah Elizabeth Ward. We have no record of children of this union. He died April 30, 1867 in Henry County, Georgia near the town of McDonough. (3) Lewis McMullan was born about 1793 in Swift Run Gap, Orange County, Virginia. He was six years old when his family moved to Elbert County, Georgia. Lewis married Frances Stowers, daughter of Lewis Stowers and Joyce Shiflet, on June 23, 1808 in Elbert County, Georgia. They had four children. The first two were twins.[a]George Washington McMullan, born May 25, 1818, in Elbert County, Georgia. He is buried in Elbert County in a family plot about one mile south of the Hart County line, on Press Mann Road, about 100 yards on the east side of the road under a large tree with a large dead oak near by, in a pasture. The inscription on the stone reads as follows: There are Joys that await him in the palace of the King- February 23rd, 1911-George W. McMullan. [b]Joyce McMullan, born May 25, 1818 in Elbert County, Ga. {c} Nancy McMullan, born about 1822 in Elbert County, Ga. {d) Elizabeth 'Betsy' McMullan, born about 1824 in Elbert County, Georgia. Lewis grew up on his father's large farm and was later given seventy acres of land of his own by his father. He also acquired several other tracts of land. Lewis lived across Big Cedar Creek, south of his father's home place. His home was located near the old road leading from the ford of the creek toward the Billy McMullan home place. Lewis died an early death, about 43 years, in Elbert County, Georgia, some time before August 15, 1834, apparently without a Will since an inventory of his estate was ordered. Administrators Sinclair McMullan and George McCurley were appointed at the time of his death. Lewis was buried in the family burial ground with his father. Frances (Stowers) McMullan lived for some time after Lewis's death as is evidenced by the purchase of personal items at the sale to settle his Estate. We do not have a time of her death. She is believed to be buried in the same McMullan Family Cemetery, alongside of Lewis. (4) Thomas McMullan, ninth child of the original ancestor, was born 1795 in Swift Run Gap, Orange County, Virginia. He came to Georgia with his parents in 1797. He married first Sarah Gaines of Elbert County, Georgia January 12, 1815 with William Dooley, J.P., officiating. His second wife was Permelia or Armelia Cash. They were married June 11, 1840 in Elbert County, Georgia. Thomas remained a resident of Elbert County-Hart County after 1853. He lived on the north side of Lightwoodlog Creek opposite what is now (1927) known as his son's (John F. McMullan's) place, a few hundred yards from the creek on the new (1927) road to Andersonville. He was buried in the family burying ground at the rear of John F. McMullan's home place. Thomas died about 1869. He and his first wife, Sara, had five children: Thomas Seaborn, John F., Jennie, Judy and Fluerny McMullan. The waters of Lake Hartwell covered the family burying ground at the rear of John F. McMullan's home place. The bodies were moved to Northview City Cemetery, Carolina Street, two blocks behind the Hartwell Post Office. This where Thomas is now buried. (5) Fielding McMullan, tenth child of the original investor, was born about 1796 in Swift Run Gap, Orange County, Virginia. He moved to Georgia with his parents in 1797. He married Polly Self Dollar, March 3, 1822. He moved to Jonesboro, Georgia and died there.They had two sons. (6) Nancy McMullan, the eleventh child of the original ancestor, was born 1797 in Swift Run Gap, Orange County, Virginia and came to Georgia with her parents in November 1797. She married James Mills on September 24, 1812 in Elbert County, Georgia, Rev. Charles Crump officiating. They moved to Jonesboro, Georgia where they both died. They had five children. (7) Sinclair McMullan, twelfth child of the original ancestor, was born May 5, 1799 in Georgia and lived all his life in Elbert County (Hart County after 1853). His home was owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Rice, Mrs. Rice being the daughter of Andrew Judson McMullan and a granddaughter of Sinclair McMullan. He married Clarissa Richardson, daughter of Amos Richardson, on January 11, 1824.They had ten children. Sinclair died January 12, 1884 in Hart County, Georgia at the age of 85. He is buried in Sardis Church cemetery, Hart County. Clarissa was born December 3, 1804 in Elbert County, Georgia. She died November 1, 1878 in Hart County, Georgia and is buried in the Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery. [From the newspaper] The Hartwell Sun: 'Sinclair McMullan, one of Hart County's prominent citizens is living within one and one-half mile of where he was born in 1799. He is celebrating his 84 birthday at a family dinner on 12 May 1883.' (8) Elizabeth McMullan, thirteenth child of the original ancestor, was born 1802 in Elbert County, Georgia. She married first John W. Allen on August 6, 1818. She married second to David Dobbs on April 28, 1819, and married third to Jesse Martin on February 26, 1824 in Elbert County, Georgia. (9) Daniel McMullan, fourteenth child of the original ancestor, was born in 1804 in Elbert County, Georgia. Daniel married Sallie Williamson on September 16, 1822. His home in Elbert County (Hart Co. after 1853) was on the south side of the public road leading from Hartwell to Cokesbury Church, at and below the junction of the Sardis Baptist Church and Holly Springs Church Road with the Hartwell Road. The building was gone by 1927. They moved to Jonesboro, Clayton County, Georgia. Daniel died there March 30, 1885. He was a stout and fine looking man. He plowed a field of corn the day before he died.They had four children. (10) Lavinia McMullan, fifteenth child of the original ancestor, was born August 6, 1806 in Elbert County, Georgia. She married Archibald D. Smith on January 24, 1822 in Elbert County, Georgia.They moved afterwards to Jonesboro, Georgia where she died on March 5, 1896, leaving numerous descendants. They had fourteen children. "John McMullan sold his land in Swift Run Gap in 1797 and moved to Elbert County, Georgia, that part of Elbert County became Hart County in 1853, with three of his five children by his first wife, namely Patrick, Catherine Shiflet and John, first two married, and six of his children by his second wife, Elizabeth, namely Naile, Jeremiah, Lewis, Thomas Fielding and Nancy. He left in Virginia two children by his first wife, namely James and Mary, the wife of William Lewis Powell. Four of his children by his second wife were born in Elbert County, Georgia, namely Sinclair, Daniel, Elizabeth and Lavinia. John and his sons received 1240 acres of land in the Land Lottery of 1806. "Nothing is known of John's church affiliation, though he was within the territory of Sardis Baptist Church which was organized in 1811 and pastored by his grandson, Rev. James H. McMullan. Elizabeth Stowers McMullan was the daughter of Mark Stowers and Hannah Briant. She was also the sister of Lewis Stowers who had a daughter, Elizabeth Stowers, who was the second wife of Patrick McMullan, the second son of John McMullan and his first wife Theodosia Beasley McMullan. Years after the death of John McMullan, Elizabeth married James Prather in Elbert County on January 24, 1839, Robert McMillan, J.P., officiating, and moved to Clayton County, Georgia. Elizabeth received a dower from the estate of Patrick McMullan. She and her second husband sold the land to William McMullan. James Prather must have died sometime prior to 1846, leaving her a widow for a second time. Elizabeth McMullan Prather died in 1848 and was buried in Clayton County, Georgia, near Jonesboro. "In the newspaper article written upon the occasion of the erection of the monument to the memory of John McMullan, the forefather of the McMullan family in this part of the country, reference to which has already been made, the following paragraph appears: 'Nearly every honorable vocation hiss been represented by a member of this great family and it is pretty generally true that whatever they undertook success would surely follow. Many have risen to high and honorable stations, quite a number being prominent in the ministry,some being distinguished lawyers, some being scientific farmers and others who have labored in other fields have been equally successful.' Bibliography: Information was compiled from John William Baker's 1933 edition of the History of Hart County, History of McMullan and Allied Families by Captain Albert L. McMullan, USNR(Ret.), and Haynes- McDonald Heritage Quest by John Lanier Haynes. End of the article by Kay Tucker Cleveland, a McMullan descendant.