Capt. John McMahan

Captain John McMahan was NOT a son of Catherine. His mother was Jean or maybe Joan or Jane, maiden name is unknown.

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Captain John McMahan Sr of Augusta County, Virginia

Capt. John McMahan Sr and his wife Deborah (nee Stockton) McMahan were the parents of several children, including John "Tennessee" McMahan Jr.

In 1784 Capt. John McMahan Sr died in Augusta County, Virginia. Capt. John and Deborah (nee Stockton) McMahan Sr had planned to go to what is now Sevier County, Tennessee, with the Robert Shields family. Some researchers show that Deborah went to Tennessee after John's death, however, there is ample evidence that Deborah remained in Augusta and Rockingham Counties, Virginia, and that she died in Virginia and not Tennessee.

Robert Shields was the husband of Nancy Stockton, a sister of Deborah. Thomas Stockton Sr (c.1740-1809), brother of Deborah and Nancy, is proven to be living in what is now Sevier County, Tennessee, by 1783.

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Great Canawa, Virginia, October ye 8th, 1774

Mrs. Debora McMahon, Augusta County, Va.

My Dear Wife; - I expect this may be the last opportunity that I may have of writing to you as we are now encamp at the mouth of the Great Canawa on the Ohio River about three hundred miles from Home. This day four more Spies from the Governor’s Troops arrived here wher informed me that his Excellency is encamped about ninety miles up ye Ohio with about thirteen hundred men. It is said that the Deleware Indians is sueing for a peace, but his Excellency’s intentions are not yet known. It is expected that we will have a Battle with the [Shawnee?] [worn away] have [gone?] up the Canawa [worn away] miles to the mouth of Elk for more provisions. We expect they will come back in ten days. Our Troops that we have here, are About fourteen Hundred chiefly all in good spirits, we are now about Sixty miles from ye Sahnee Towns. I am now in good health thank God for it, and have not rid above a mile since I left home William Frame is well and desires to be remembered to his wife, and all his friends. Remember me to all my friends and enquiring neighbors, I am your most effectionate Husband whilst I am - John McMahan

[Note: The Great Canawa is now know as the Great Kanawha River. The town of Point Pleasant is at the confluence of the Great Kanawha River and the Ohio River. Just two days after John wrote this letter the Battle of Point Pleasant, the major battle of Lord Dunmore's War, was fought on 10 Oct 1774.]

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Notes:

Capt. John and Deborah McMahan Sr were NOT the parents of John "Kentucky" McMahan Sr, he was a son of Richard and Agnes (nee Lilburn) McMahan.

It was John "Kentucky" McMahan Sr who married Rosannah Hardin. They lived for some time in Hardin County, Kentucky, named after her family.

Jerry Stockton - jerrystockton8@msn.com

It would be greatly appreciated if someone would correct this. Jerry Stockton