John McClung, Sr.

DAR Ancestor # A075171 Patriotic service

John McClung, Sr.

• Gender: Male
• Birth: circa 1706 - Ulster, Antrim, Ireland [uncertain]
• Death: February 06, 1787 (76-85) - Rockbridge County, Virginia ("advanced old age")
• Place of Burial: Non-Cemetery Burial, Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia, United States
• Son of James John McClung and Margaret Carruthers [uncertain - needs verification]
• Husband of Rebecca Stuart [disputed]

  ---

Family

From https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~wvpioneers/genealogy/mcclungsofvirg...

From court testimony, We know the (last) wife of John McClung died in 1781. The following information on the children of John is based on records, but some of the dates are estimated. … If you are a member of Ancestry, you can < view my tree >. Check in the Gallery Section for documentation. With this lawsuit and other information, it is believed the children of John and his wife (or wives) were:

1. John "John Bath" McClung (1733-1830) married Sarah McCutcheon (1756 - 1846)
2. William "Grandfather Billy" McClung (1738-1833) married Abigail Carpenter (1746-1820)
3. Thomas McClung (1740-1784) married Nancy Black (1748-1799)
4. James McClung (1742-1790) married Nancy Dickinson (1752-1790)
5. Joseph "Sinking Creek Joe" McClung (1744 - ?) married Margaret Bell (1731-1806)
6. Samuel McClung (1744-1806) married Rebecca Bourland (1750-1825)
7. Nancy McClung (1748 - 1841) married William Moore (1748-1841)
8. Charles McClung (1748 - 1793) died unmarried
9. Edward McClung (1756 - 1793) married Letitia Black (1766-1849)
10. Janette "Jenny" McClung (1762 - 1804) married David Moore (1764 -1826)

Family note: DNA testing (2015) suggests Rebecca Stuart was the mother of all the children. Other sources suggest John McClung first married Janet Thompson (Abt 1708 - 1743) and was the mother of the first 6 children.

not-so-brief biography

Updated 11 January 2024

The earliest known record of the McClung family is located in Galloway, Scotland. Tradition says that three McClungs, James, John and Robert, left Scotland on account of religious persecution and settled in Ulster, Ireland. That was in 1690. They were Presbyterians of the true blue-blood type. The first of the family to come to America, so far as known, was Thomas. He settled first in Christiana, Pa., in 1729. About the year 1731 John McClung landed in Boston with an aunt and settled in Brookfield, Mass. That was in 1734. He moved from there to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, ahout the year 1740. His father, whose name was James, came with his family, the mother and eight children. In the year 1742 they moved to Border Grant, in Augusta county, now Rockbridge county, Virginia.
About 1742, James, William, and Hugh emigrated to the "Borden Grant" in Augusta (now Rockbridge) County, Virginia.
About the time James, William and Hugh McClung emigrated to Virginia, there came also a John McClung, who is said to have been a cousin of those above mentioned. The name of his father is unknown ; but it is quite probable that it was also John McClung, one of the three original brothers who fled from Scotland to Ireland. There is nothing to forbid this assumption, and the meager traditions seem to point in that direction.
History of Greenbrier County
J. R. Cole
Lewisburg, WV 1917
p. 264-267

John McClung, Sr., and family came from Pennsylvania to Rockbridge Co. in the 1740s. He bought 279 acres of land in Augusta Co. from William Ward of SC on 6-20-1769, 249 of which were part of Benjamin Bordon's tract and 30 acres were part of an entry of King's land adjoining same (Augusta Co. DB 15,388). This land is between Fairfield and South River on Route 707.

John McClung came from Ireland and settled with his cousins in what became Rockbridge County, VA. At the time he came, his wife was Rebecca Stuart.

In the fall of 1781 John Sr., was taken to the home of son, John shortly after his wife died and before he quit housekeeping. Not content there, he returned shortly to his own home. After his daughter, Janett, married, he lived with Nancy Moore from the Spring of 1782 until his death. His estate was in litigation for many years. All children, many grandchildren, and depositions from them and other people were recorded in Chancery Court documents. A decree issued by Superior Court of Chancery held at Staunton 12-5-1810 ordered William Moore and wife Nancy to convey their interest in the land to Joseph McClung of Greenbrier Co., VA (Aug.Co. Chancery Ct records and Rockbridge Co. DB H, 119). Joseph McClung of Greenbrier Co., Va, sold land to John McClung, Rockbridge Co., by deed dated 10-28-1812 (Rkbg DB H,204). Administration of estate granted William Moore 2-1788 Rockbridge Co. Court; inventory and appraisement of personal estate recorded 6-7-1791, Rockbridge Co. Court.

Rev. Wm. McClung (1904) states: Seven of his sons settled in Greenbrier County, W.Va. Their descendants are very numerous in that county, hence this branch of the family is designated as "Greenbrier McClungs." It is said that during the Civil War, two companies--the "Greenbrier Swifts" and the "Nicholas Grays," contained thirty-two McClungs. They rode the finest horses in Gen. Robert E. Lee's army. Alpheus Paris McClung was captain of the Greenbrier Swifts.

In the vicinity of Mt. Lookout, W Va, there is a community known as the "McClung Settlement". Rev. Wm. McClung visited this community in 1902. He found them to be a peaceful, law-abiding, hospitable people.

This branch of the family is so numerous and the names so similar that it became necessary to make use of a sobriquet in order to distinguish between them.

John was a farmer in what was known as "The Forks." He sold this farm to his son Edward on April 23, 1783. When he sold his farm a neighbor asked him what he proposed to do now. He replied in a jocular manner, "I propose to live like a gentleman and have all the whiskey I want to drink." Even ministers of the gospel drank whiskey freely in those days.

John McClung was born in Ireland and came to America, where he moved to Rockbridge County, VA. He married Rebecca Stuart and they bought a farm. After his wife's death, he sold the farm to his son Edward, and opened a tavern house. John was to old to be of active service in the Revolutionary War, but he assisted the war effort by providing supplies to the army, and is considered an American patriot. Several of his sons served in the militia during the Revolution, including Thomas, who died at the Battle of Point Pleasant, William, and Samuel. John died in 1788.

• DAR Patriot Ancestor # A07517
• MCCLUNG, JOHN SR
• Service: VIRGINIA Birth: 1706 IRELAND
• Death: 1788 ROCKBRIDGE CO VIRGINIA
• Residence AUGUSTA CO - VIRGINIA
• Spouse REBECCA STUART

  ---

Family

Janet Thompson is seen as his wife, but the 1726 marriage bond to Rebecca McClung suggests she was the mother of all his known children. Their marriage bond (dated August 22, 1726 (digital image) was posted in the Presbyterian Church of a small Scotch-Irish settlement (now Pequea, PA) near Chickies Creek that had been founded in 1724 (Source-book 'Early Stuart Family Immigrants in America'). Her brother, Archibald Stuart, signed the bond.

John McClung survived his wife several years, and resided with his daughter, Nancy Moore, during the latter years of his life.

Emmick, David J. Defending the Wilderness
pg. 6.

John McClung was born in Ireland and died in 1706 in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He was married first to Janet Thompson who died in 1743. Their children were John, James, William, Joseph and Captain Samuel. John married Rebecca Stuart after Janet's death. Their children were Thomas, Janett, Edward, Charles and Mary. The sons all settled in Greenbrier except John Jr. Daughters Nancy and Janet also stayed in Rockbridge County.

- this date is obviously in error, more likely a year of birth. John McClung died in 1787 in Greenbrier County, Virginia [later West Virginia].

One caveat in the record above is that based upon other records, Thomas McClung listed as a son of John McClung's SECOND marriage was possibly a product of his first marriage with Janet Thompson, but this needs additional research.

Disputed Record

Recently, a supposed marriage bond of John McClung to Rebecca Stuart in 1726 has surfaced to "prove" that there was no prior marriage to Jennet Thompson, but the origin/location of this record has not been shared by the submitter of the marriage bond on Ancestry.com, casting doubt upon its authenticity. This marriage bond obviously is in direct conflict with the records listed above.

Notes

Taken from McClung genealogy:
http://archive.org/stream/mcclunggenealog00mcclgoog/mcclunggenealog... Page 44.

1-1 JAMES MCCLUNG, b. in Scotland. Emigrated from Scotland to Ireland, and I from thence to Pennsylvania, U. S. A., about 1740. He died i about 1744; landed with his family at Philadelphia, Pa., and is I thought to have settled in Lancaster, County, Pa. The name ! of his wife is unknown. Eight children viz.: i James, 2 William, 3 Hugh, 4 Charles, 5 Matthew, 6 Mary, 7 Isabel and 8 John.

5-2 MATTHEW McCLUNG, b. probably in Ireland. Emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania about 1740. James McClung, of St. Louis, Mo., traces his lineage back to his great-grand-father, Matthew McClung^ who, according to a family tradition, was one of three brothers who emigrated from North Ireland and settled in Lancaster Co., Pa., about 1745. These two Matthews are believed to be identical, d. m. The name of only one child is known, viz. :

1-3 Charles McClung, d. Lived at or near Lancaster, Pa. His first .cousin was the mother of James Buchanan, President of the U. S. Charles McClung m. Margaret Young, d. They lived in Lancaster Co., Pa. Only one child, viz.:

1-4 Charles McClung, b. Mar. 15, 1781, near Lancaster, Pa.; d. Dec. 23, 1866; m. May, 1803 or 1804, Jane Robinson, b. May 16, 1779, in Indiana Co., or Westmoreland Co., Pa.; d. Oct., 1842. Charles was taken by his step-father to western Pa., when he was about seven years old. He never saw any of his ancestors after that age. He resided at Butler, Pa. Twelve children, viz.:

a-5 William McClung, b. Nov. 6, 1806; d. Nov., 1879; m. Margaret Beaty, Butler, Pa. At least one child, viz. :

1-6 Robert McClung, b. Butler, Pa.

John McClung, born in Scotland, 1670. Wife unknown at this time. My sixth great grandfather and the father:

John McClung, my fifth great grandfather. Born in Scotland, 1706. Died 1787. Emigrated to Ireland, Pennsylvania, and Rockbridge County, Virginia. John was had two of three wives, and ten children. The first wife is unknown and was the mother of his children. The second was Janett Thompson, and the third was Rebecca Stuart. Rebecca was also born in Scotland in 1710. She was related to the Hon. Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart, of Staunton, Va., who was Secretary of State in President Franklin Pierce's cabinet. John was a farmer and owned 278 acres of land in Rockbridge Co., Va. In what was known as the "Forks". John is supposedly buried in Stonewall Jackson Cemetery, Lexington, Va. On a recent trip to Lexington I visited the cemetery. There are no records of his burial there, however their earliest records were destroyed by fire. Seven of his sons settled in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Their descendants are very numerous in that county, therefore this branch of the family is designated as the "Greenbrier McClung's. During the Civil War, two companies, The Greenbrier Swifts and the Nicholas Grays contained thirty two McClung's. It is said they rode the finest horses in General Robert E. Lee's army. View Jefferson Davis document. This branch of the family is so numerous and the names are so similar it is necessary to make use of a sobriquet in order to distinguish between them.
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~mcclunghistory/genealogy/mcclung_we...

References

• Marriage bond (dated August 22, 1726 (digital image) posted in the Presbyterian Church of a small Scotch-Irish settlement (now Pequea, PA) near Chickies Creek that had been founded in 1724.
• Inventory of Estate Submitted to court June 1791 - Nathaniel Wilson, Samuel Wilson, Andrew Moore http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/full_case_detail.asp?CFN=015-1...
• LVA: Chancery Records Index. Augusta County, Heirs of John McClung Sr. 191 pages. < link >
• 1.[S7] U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, Yates Publishing, (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;), Database online.. Record for John McClung
• 2.[S9] Public Member Trees, Ancestry.com, (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;), Database online.. Record for Thomas McClung
• 3.[S9] Public Member Trees, Ancestry.com, (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;), Database online.. Record for John McClung
• 4.[S2] OneWorldTree, Ancestry.com, (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA;), Database online.. Record for John McClung
• https://www.ourfamtree.org/descend.php/John-McClung/355284
• http://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search_adb/?action=full...
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/148196085/john-mcclung (dead link)
• https://gw.geneanet.org/ldillard5?n=mcclung&oc=&p=john
• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~azopp/data/fam/fam02816.ht... (dead link)
• https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~azopp/genealogy/data/fam/fam01100.htm
• http://johnmcclungandrebeccastuart.webstarts.com/contact.html
• https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:John_McClung_%284%29
• McClung, Rev. William. The McClung Genealogy: A Genealogical and Biographical Record of the McClung Family from the Time of their Emigration to the Year 1904 (McClung Printing Company, Pittsburgh, PA, 1904). < Archive.Org >; < GoogleBooks >.
• "Thomas McClung and Nancy Black Family Tree Records" published in 2017, compiled by the Greenbrier McClungs Historical Archives Association. < digital image >
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/148196195/rebecca-mcclung [dead link]
• http://johnmcclungandrebeccastuart.webstarts.com/contact.html Cites “Early Stuart Families in America,” Page 24 (book image also attached) and marriage bond dated 22 August 1726 for Rebecca Stuart, signed by her brother Archibald (also attached)
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Stuart-1256 (her brother Archibald’s biography)
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Stuart-1001 (DNA studies)
• https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~rootsr/genealogy/138.htm
• “John Mcclung and Rebecca Stuart: Colonial Pioneers.” Nancy Richmond (2016).
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/192504799/rebecca-mcclung
• https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Family:John_McClung_and_Rebecca_Stuar...
• https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Rebecca_Stuart_%285%29 Rebecca was related to the Hon. Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart, who was Secretary of State in President Franklin Pierce's cabinet. He was Rebecca's brother Archibald's grandson (Source-The McClung Genealogy). “In 2015 DNA testing done on the descendants of Rebecca Stuart and John McClung proved that Rebecca was the mother of John McClung's children.”
• https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Janet_Thompson_%288%29 cites
  • Emmick, David J. Defending the Wilderness. (2007). Page 6. < GoogleBooks > John McClung was born in Ireland and died in 1706 [sic] in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He was married first to Janet Thompson who died in 1743. Their children were John, James, William, Joseph and Captain Samuel. John married Rebecca Stuart after Janet's death. Their children were Thomas, Janett, Edward, Charles and Mary. The sons all settled in Greenbrier except John Jr. Daughters Nancy and Janet also stayed in Rockbridge County. [- this date is obviously in error, more likely a year of birth. John McClung died in 1787 in Greenbrier County, Virginia [later West Virginia].]
• https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~wvpioneers/genealogy/mcclungsofvirg... 1933 newspaper story of McClung Family
• https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charleston-daily-mail-mcclun...
• Richmond, Nancy. John McClung and Rebecca Stuart: Colonial Pioneers. (Createspace Independent Publishing Platform [a self-publishing platform], (2016) < GoogleBooks description > page 121 . DNA profile for Rebecca Stuart shows that the children of John McClung Sr. carry her Mitochondrial, X and Y genes.