BIOGRAPHY, Rockbridge County, VA- "Mc" ********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ********************************************************************** MCCLURE-- Submitted by: Jim McCluer To follow up on the letter to John McClure from Berryhill, here is a summary by Reverend James Alexander McCluer in his book, "The McClure Family." It includes a dedication to the life of John and Jane McClure of Virginia and a brief description of them both. In politics, John McClure was an old line Whig, strongly opposed to Secession, but when the crisis came gave his five sons to his State, two of whom paid the price in blood. In appearance he was six feet, a man of great strength and endurance. In early life he made frequent trips to Scottsville and Richmond, marketing his produce, either driving his six horse wagon in person or accompanying on horseback his negro driver. The following obituary written by his lifelong friend, Rev. Horatio Thompson, D.D., for nearly fifty years pastor of the Old Providence Church and one of the trustees of Washington College that elected Gen. Robert E. Lee to its presidency. "He filled a large place in the community giving moral tone wherever his shade was cast. A peacemaker, a benefactor ­ the poor man's friend and the idle man's dread. He was the Christian and gentleman of olden times ­ holding both sacred and honor bound. As he lived he died. We all say, a patriarch has fallen. He was a Presbyterian, and true to its code - a lover of all good without blushing to acknowledge it. A husband, father, and grandsire, as devoted as these lofty names imply. He travelled to the tomb with manly bearing, wehre ŒThe trav'ler outworn with life's pilgrimage dreary Lays down his rude staff, like one that is weary, And sweetly reposes forever.' H.T." Of his wife JANE PILSON it was written: "She connected herself with the Presbyterian Church of Tinkling Spring under the pastorate of the Rev. John McCue about the year 1816; removed her membership to the Presbyterian Church of Bethel, being a consistent member for near 66 years. She died in perfect peace in hope of a glorious immortality." *************************************************************************************** WILLIAM ADAIR McCORKLE-born near Lexington, Rockbridge county, April 11, 1843, is a son of Ben. F. and Mary (Adair) McCorkle, who were natives of this county. Through the years of the war between the States, he was a soldier of the Confederate e army, and since the war he has been engaged in farming, which continues his occupation. Near Lexington, September 15, 1869, he married Virginia McMaster, and they have now five children: Arthur A., Mary Bertie, Rena Gertrude, Henry R. and Robert Nowlin. The wife of Mr. McCorkle was born in Rockbridge county, May 3, 1845, a daughter of Arthur McMaster. Her mother, whose maiden name was McConnell, is no longer living. The postoffice address of William A. McCorkle is Oak Dale, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** R. McD. McCOWN-born in Lexington, June 16, 1843, was a son of A. J. and Elizabeth (Cleybourne) McCown, who were natives of this county. He served through the four years of the war between the States, as courier for "Stonewall" Jackson till the death of that general, and then in the same capacity with Early. He had two uncles killed in West Virginia in the war and his grandfather was a veteran of the 1812 war. In Lexington, December 22, 1868, R. McD. McCown was united in marriage with Elizabeth A. Hogsett, and their children are three daughters and one son, born: Roberta May, May 12, 1875; Charles E., October 2, 1876; Lena McD., March 5, 1877; Tonie, August 25, 1881. The wife of Mr. McCown was born February 13 1844, in Pocahontas county, (now) West Virginia, a daughter of John M. and Leah (Cackly) Hogsett,, who in 1861 took up their residence in Rockbridge county, and in August, 1882, her father died here. R. McD. McCown is registrar of Buffalo district. His business is saddler and harness maker, and he is always prepared to furnish the best in his line, or to manufacture to order anything required. His location and postoffice address is Collierstown, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** MCDOWELL-- The McDowells of Rockbridge enjoy the distinction not only of being the first family to settle in the Borden grant, and probably the first in the country, but to have furnished a governor of Virginia and a number of other more or less eminent names of county, state, or national importance. Ephraim McDowell, the progenitor, had been at the famous siege of Londonderry in 1689, and was an elderly man when he came to Rockbridge. Yet he lived many years thereafter, and was sufficiently active to make for himself a place in the annals of the pioneer epoch. So far as we know, he was accompanied to America only by two sons and two daughters. The sons were John and James, but it is only the posterity of the former who appears to figure in Rockbridge history. John McDowell is said to have come here as a widower, but this is probably incorrect. However, it was not long after his arrival that he was married to Magdalena Woods, by whom he had a daughter, Martha. She married George Moffett, of Augusta. The children of his first wife were Samuel and James. John McDowell was a practical surveyor and assisted in laying off the Borden Tract. As a leader in the new settlement he was made captain of the first local militia company but fell in the battle with the Iroquois Indians at the mouth of North River. His gravestone in the family burial ground bears this legend: Hier Lyes The body of John Mack Dowell Deced Decembe 1743 The year is incorrectly marked, since the true time was 1742 and not 1743. But as the stone could not have been set up until some time in 1743, the error is easily accounted for. Samuel, the oldest child of Captain McDowell, was almost exactly two years old when his father came to Timber Ridge in the fall of 1737. His wife was Mary McClung, to whom he was married in 1754. When only ten or eleven years old he carried a chain in the surveying parties, and thus became very familiar with the Borden lands. After coming to maturity he was very active in public affairs. Like his cousin, John Greenlee, he waived his rights under the British law of entail, and gave his brother and sister shares equal to his own in the parental estate. On his return from the House of Burgesses 1775, he erected a liberty pole in his yard. Next May he and his colleague, Thomas Lewis, bore to the state capital the first official expression touching the matter of the independence of the colony. In the military movements of the Revolution he took a part, and he commanded a body of militia in the battle of Guilford. At Point Pleasant, in November, 1777, Colonel McDowell rendered an important service. General Hand had come from Pittsburgh and was joined by 700 militia, who were expecting to be led against the Indian towns on the Scioto, Hand concluded that it was too late in the fall to set out. While at Fort Randolph he ordered the rations cut down on the ground that the men were living too well. The militia at once went on a strike. They buckled on their haversacks and shouldered their guns. McDowell acted as mediator and restored a semblance of harmony. Also, by order of the general, he rode before the line and announced the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga. The profession of Colonel McDowell was that of the law, and after his removal to Kentucky in 1783 he was a judge. He lived to old age and his depositions in the Borden suit are of much interest. His daughter Magdalene married Andrew Reid, the first clerk of Rockbridge. His son Ephriam, born 1771, died 1830, received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the University of Edinburgh. He settled at Danville, Kentucky as a physician and surgeon, and has the distinction of being the first man to perform a successful operation in ovariotomy. James, brother to Samuel, was two years younger, but died when only thirty-three years of age. James' wife, to whom he was married in 1793 was Sarah Preston, granddaughter to General William Campbell, one of the heroes of King's Mountain. James, Jr., the only son, was six feet two inches tall, but this commanding stature was not at all uncommon in the pioneer days. He was a man of "vigorous mind, strong common sense, and unflinching integrity." His decision of character and his patriotism are shown by his record in the 1812 war. He reported at Lexington, November 14, 1812, with a regiment of 1200 men, and the services of himself and his command were accepted. They were on duty more than two years, and although never in action, their aid was very important. The regiment acted as a flying-guard along the coast of the Chesapeake to keep parties of British marines from landing. Large quantities of brandy were distilled on Colonel McDowell's plantation of Cherry Grove, but when the temperance reform appeared on the horizon, he ceased the manufacture at once and absolutely. He went a step further. On a visit to Greenbrier he packed up a tract on the tobacco habit, and convincing himself that its arguments were sound, he immediately gave up using the wee, although he had been chewing or smoking for fifty years. The wife of Colonel McDowell, to whom he was married in 1793, was Sarah Preston, a granddaughter to General William Campbell, one of the heroes of King's Mountain. His children were Susan, James, and Elizabeth. The first daughter became the wife of William Taylor, who died while a member of the lower house of Congress. The second daughter wedded Thomas H. Benton, a statesman of national renown. A daughter of Benton became the wife of General John C. Fremont, whose chief title to fame rests upon his explorations in the Far West and his share in bringing California under the American flag. Fremont was the standard-bearer of the Republican party in the campaign of 1856, and was an unsuccessful leader of Federal armies in 1861-2. James, the only son of Colonel James McDowell, was born at Cherry Grove, October 12, 1796, and was graduated from Princeton College in 1817. The same college gave him in 1846 the degree of Doctor of Laws. he read law but never practiced it. His vocational career was that of a planter, first in Kentucky and later in Rockbridge. Colonel McDowell was a model gentleman, very prepossessing in manner, and he made all visitors feel at ease in his presence. Yet he had very pronounced views with respect to personal conduct, and was not afraid of being called a Puritan. No liquors might appear at his dinners, and no amusement was permitted in his home which did not meet his approval. Being a polished orator and having an aptitude for statescraft, he gravitated into public life. Politically he was a Democrat. He served in the General Assembly, was governor of his state, 1843-46, and then succeeded his brother-in-law as a member of Congress. As a statesman, McDowell possessed unusual judgment and foresight, and in several important matters was ahead of his age. His state papers are able documents. He believed that emancipation of the slaves was inevitable, and the Nat Turner tragedy did not shake his advocacy of a progressive freeing of the Negroes. During his administration as governor he gave his hearty support to a measure that nearly resulted in a system of free schools. His friendship for popular education is expressed in these words "I know not who was the originator of the school system of Massachusetts, but I would rather have been that man than wear the proudest diadem of Europe." McDowell's lack of ultra-partisanship appears in a brilliant speech against nullification in 1833, and in a speech in Congress in favor of the admission of California as a free state. Eight of the ten children of Governor McDowell arrived at the age of maturity and married. He died at Colalto, August 24, 1851. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** SAMUEL McCONNELL McMASTER-son of Arthur C. and Rebecca (McConnell) McMaster, was born in Rockbridge county, July 31, 1834. His parents were honored residents of this county for many years. his father was born in Ireland, though of Scotch parentage, coming to America when........... Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** MCNUTT-- Alexander McNutt was granted lands in Nova Scotia after the expulsion of the Arcadians, visited England on a colonization errand, and returned with over 200 settlers and some supplies. He was complained of for parceling out land without due authority. On the advent of the Revolution he joined the American "rebels" and although the lands appear to have been confiscated, he attempted to convey 1000,000 acres to Liberty Hall Academy. In his later years he became a religious enthusiast. He died in 1811, and was buried at Falling Springs. His gold-mounted sword was long preserved in the family. While a lieutenant in the French and Indian war, he kept a diary, but unfortunately for the interests of Rockbridge he gave it to Governor Fauquier. John, a brother to Alexander, married Catherine Anderson. A daughter married John McCorkle, who lost his life at Cowpens. A son, Alexander, was the father of Alexander G. McNutt and grandfather to two generals of the Confederate army' Albert G. Jenkins and Frank paxton. Alexander G. McNutt, son of Alexander and Rachael (Grigsby) McNutt, was born on North River one mile below Buena Vista. He was educated at Washington College, and at the age of twenty-one was settled as a lawyer at Jackson, Mississippi. Isaac McNutt, his uncle, had already migrated in this direction. The young man was well read and an easy writer. He was a fine stump speaker, but was pitted against Sergeant S. Prentiss, whose oratory was on a par with that of Patrick Henry or Daniel Webster. After 1838 McNutt declined to meet his antagonist on the platform. McNutt's intemperance and slovenly attire were made a target by Prentiss, but the future governor had the moral courage and strength of character to reform and his law practice became very renumerative. In 1829 he was Speaker of the House of Representatives for Mississippi, and as a Democrat was elected governor, his term covering the period 1838-42. McNutt died in 1848, in the midst of a presidential campaign. He was unmarried, and the four brothers who followed him to the Gulf country also died without issue. A pioneer McNutt was Robert, who died on a voyage to Ireland, and his wife, whose maiden name was Rosanna Dunn, married Patrick McFarland. Still another was George, who came here with his brother William as advance agents for some kinspeople. Tradition has it that both brothers were in the battle of King's Mountain. William went to the Northwest, and George, who was three times married and had a numerous family, settled near Knoxville, Tennessee. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** THE McNUTT FAMILY OF ROCKBRIDGE-Jno. McNutt, one of the first settlers of the county, married Catharine Anderson, in England, )a relative of Judge F. T. Anderson) came to America and settled on the farm now owned by Joseph Falls, on North river. They raised seven sons: Alex, Robert, John, Isaac, Benjamin, William and Joseph; and two daughters, Margaret and Rebecca. Robert died of wounds at the battle of Cowpens; John married Mary Lard; Isaac went to Red River, Louisiana; Benjamin moved to Tennessee, married and left a family; William married Betty Grigsby and lived in the county; Rebecca married twice, first John McCorkle, who died of wound at Cowpens, and afterwards Arthur Glasgow; Alexander McMutt married Rachel Grigsby, a daughter of John Grigsby; whose grave is the oldest in Falling Spring graveyard. By this marriage there were thirteen children, one of whom, Gallatin McNutt, was governor of Mississippi. One of the daughters, Elizabeth, married John Hamilton of Rockbridge. They raised two sons and five daughter, one of whom married Rev. Mr. Osborne, and was Mrs. Cress' mother. The descendants of Jno. McNutt are settled in the Southern and Western States, and many of them have occupied positions of usefulness and honor in the civil and military history of the south. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 **************************************************************************************