William McClung

WILLIAM McCLUNG
PA
The sixth child of James and Ann Gray McClung was born probably at "Mary Glen," three miles east of Fairfield, Rockbridge, VA about 1761-2. He probably received his education at Liberty Hall Academy, now Washington and Lee University. He was a teamster in Washington's army during the Revolutionary War. The following incident is told of his army experiences: "On a certain occasion he was driving an army wagon containing some empty barrels. The road being very rough, the barrels made a rumbling noise. The British army, encamped not far away, heard the noise and supposing it to be the drums of the American troops, called for a line of battle and made ready for a fight."

He moved from Rockbridge County, VA to Wilkes Co. Georgia in 1787. He was a farmer. The following church certificate was given him by the session of the Presbyterian Church at Timber Ridge, Rockbridge Co., VA:

"That the bearer, William McClung, was a single young man when he left this society the 15th of May, 1787, and from his childhood behaved without blame or reproach, was admitted to full communion with the church and left us free from any imputation that would expose him to public shame or the censures of the church, is certified at Timber Ridge Sept. 2nd, 1788.
By: John Lyle, William Walker, John McClung, Elders."

William married 12 Nov 1789 Euphemia Cunningham in Greene County Georgia. She was born 9 Feb 1769 to Patrick Cunningham, a wealthy cotton planter. The following pen-picture of Euphemia is given by her grand-daughter: "Height about 5 ft 2 inches; weight about 130 lbs; hair dark auburn; eyes light brown; nose slightly prominent; complexion fair, fresh and healthful; not prematurely aged in appearance. She was an exceedingly neat and cleanly housekeeper."

Apparently William worked for Patrick Cunningham at first. There are records showing him dealing in slaves for his father-in-law. William McClung owned a farm of 391 acres in Wilkes County, Georgia on Upton's Creek. See: Deed Index in Wilkes County. He also owned a farm of 213 acres in Greene County, GA. on Richland Creek. The Deed Index may show this purchase in 1797. William probably made the friendship of other McClungs in the area. At the same time we have John, the Revolutionary Soldier from NC, SC and GA and also George who married Jane Myrada Whatley living in Wilkes, Warren and Greene Counties in Georgia. They all removed from that area about the same time.

William moved his family to Blount County, Tennessee about 1806. The following church certficate was given William McClung upon his departure from Wilkes County, GA:

"Smyrna, GA: 13 Jan 1806: That the bearer, William McClung, an elder, and Euphemia, his wife, have lived in this congregation a number of years past and behaved in a sober, Christian manner--are in the communion of the church and leave us with unimpeachable character, is certified by the pastor: Fras. Cummins."

The first year they lived on the Houston farm, on Nine Mile Creek, eight miles southwest of Maryville, TN. The next year he entered a 300 acre farm on Baker's Creek, Blount (now Loudon) County, adjoining the present village of Greenback, TN. Here, about the year 1810, he built a large brick house, in which he dwelt the remainder of his life. He was an Elder in the Baker's Creek Presbyterian Church for probably thirty years.

The following pen picture of him was furnished by William Craig, who knew him intimately for twenty-five years: "William McClung was tall, slender, raw-boned, about six feet high; slightly stoopt in his old age. In his prime he stood erect. He had rather narrow shoulders; head medium size; hair gray and medium length, beard heavy; upper lip cleanshaven, according to the custom in his day; eye-brows rather heavy; nose medium size; cheek bones prominent; eyes dark gray, sharp and piercing; face lean. He was a man of good sense, lively, and full of fun; joking with the neighbors, and servants in his employ. He was a very religious man."

He seems to have been a man of fair education. The only civil office he ever held so far as known was that of Justice of the Peace. His Will is recorded in Blount County, TN. While carrying a basket of corn to feed his hogs, he stepped on a corncob, fell, and dislocated his hip, which accident hastened his death. He was buried in the family grave-yard about two furlongs south of the house. He died 14 Feb 1837 in his 70th year.

Euphemia remained on the farm until her death 28 Jan 1843. She was buried by his side. They had eight children, some who became prominent in their lives.

PATRICK McCLUNG
PA
The second child of William and Euphemia Cunningham McClung was born 5 May 1793 in Wilkes Co., GA. 5 May 1793. He moved with his parents to Loudon Co., TN about 1806, then to Blount County,TN. He grew to about six feet high and weighed about 160 pounds. He had fair complexion, sandy hair, gray-blue eyes, heavy brown, broad shoulders, strong physique, erect and portly in his bearing. He was a gallant horseback rider; always rode a fat horse and would ride no other kind.

He was a soldier in the war with the Cherokees. For this service his widow drew a pension to the time of her death. He was a prosperous farmer and stock raiser. He inherited the homestead of his father.

There is also a Patrick McClung listed as a soldier in the War of 1812 and is probably this same Patrick McClung. He served with Col. J. Alcorn, Capt. J. Winston, Mounted Riflemen.

He married 1) Margaret Cowan 30 May 1821. She was born 19 June 1802 to Andrew Cowan, a Presbyterian elder who resided on the Nine Mile Creek, Blount County, TN. She died 3 Sep 1838. He married 2) Hannah G. Swans.

Patrick was a very pious man and served as a ruling elder in the Baker's Creek Presbyterian Church for probably thirty years. He died 10 Aug 1869 at Greenback, TN. His body lies buried in the Baker's Creek churchyard. He had seven children.

https://sites.rootsweb.com/~rootsr/PA-Wm.htm

McClungs in the Revolutionary War
James McClung, Private, Virginia Militia, born 1720 in Ireland, died 1798 in Virginia., wife Ann Gray, their son was William McClung who married Euphemia Cunningham.

Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements
https://revwarapps.org/r6628.pdf

Paid Jos. Gray his share of the cotton. Receipt of David Cunningham for $145.00, Jan. 1804, Eugunia Cunningham, test. Travelling expenses of Wm. McClung one of the adtnrs to Columbia to get an order for sale of the Congaree land in 1805. Rent of above land collected in 1807.

https://archive.org/stream/earlyrecordsofge00davi/earlyrecordsofge0...

• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Oct 15 2019, 4:50:36 UTC