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PATRIOT Leut. Col. Alexander 'Breckenridge' McClanahan[1, 2, 3, 4]

Male Est 1740 - 1797  (~ 57 years)


Personal Information    |    Media    |    Sources    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Alexander 'Breckenridge' McClanahan 
    • Military: 10 October 1774, Served in Battle of Point Pleasant; Colonel of the Seventh Regiment of Virginia Volunteers.
    Title PATRIOT 
    Prefix Leut. Col. 
    Born Est 1740  Antrim, Ulster Province, IRELAND Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 6 May 1797  Augusta County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I19086  My Reynolds Line
    Last Modified 29 Jan 2022 

    Father Captain Robert the Founder Immigrant McClanahan,   b. Abt 1710, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1791, Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 81 years) 
    Mother Sarah Breckenridge,   b. 1698, Antrim, Northern Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1794, Augusta County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 96 years) 
    Married 1739  Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F7084  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Eleanor Elizabeth Shelton,   b. 1743, Virginia Colony Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1774, N. Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 31 years) 
    Married
    • Son, John S. McClanahan died, unmarried, and without isssue:
      Daughters, Mrs. Abney and Mrs. Austin are identified in a chancery matter as the heirs of Alexander McClanahan.
    Notes 
    • In August of 1763, soon after the First Kerr's Creek Massacre, Alexander qualified as Captain of Militia[2] and, just after the Second Kerr's Creek Massacre, commanded a company in Col Henry Bouquet's expedition against the warring Shawnee and Delaware in 1764. There were, at first, two companies of Augusta Rifleman of 100 men each, one company led by Alexander McCalahan, with his brother John serving as Lieutenant, and one led by Charles Lewis. When the companies reached "Fort Pitt" in early October the number had increased to 1,500 men. The Virginians achieved a victory and on 9 Nov 1764, Bouquet concluded a Peace Treaty with both the Shawnee and Delaware. By the spring of 1765, the Indians returned 206 captives to their families and friends.[3]

      In 1769, Alexander, his brother Robert, Col. John Stuart, Thomas Renick, and Maj. William Hamilton made the first permanent settlement in Greenbrier Country. It was in that part of Augusta County that became Botetourt County, also in 1769.[4]

      The peace between the settlers and Native Americans didn't last. The slaughter of Chief Logan's family set the Native Tribes along the Ohio into a rage.[5] Alexander McClanahan was again called into service, this time under Charles Lewis who was promoted to Colonel. His brother Robert served as Captain under Col. William Fleming's Botetourt Company. This resulted in the "Battle of Point Pleasant". Alexander's brother, Capt. Robert McClanahan, didn't survive the battle.

      On 8 Sept 1775, Alexander McClanahan was one of the commissioners representing Augusta County charged with organizing the Minute Men. The other commissioners were Sampson Matthews and Samuel McDowell.[6] It was resolved that Augusta County supply 4 companies of 50 men. The following December, they ordained to raise 7 regiments of regulars.

      In 1775 Alexander was made Lieutenant Colonel of the 7th Regiment and participated in the "Battle of Great Bridge" on 9 Dec 1775. He served under Col. William Dangerfield and William Nelson, the major. McClanahan also served at Williamsburg in 1776 under Gen. Andrew Lewis, and was commissioned full Colonel of the Seventh on 7 Oct 1776. [7]

      Alex McClanahan writes a letter to Thomas Adams on 26 Apr 1778 resigning his commission due to bad health. This info appears in the Jnls. of the House of Delegates, 1781-85/86 . [8]
    Children 
    +1. Letitia Washington McClanahan,   b. 1772, Augusta County, Virginia Colony Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1823, Augusta County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 51 years)
     2. Elizabeth Parks McClanahan,   b. 2 Jun 1774, Augusta County, Virginia Colony Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Jun 1854, Augusta County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 80 years)
     3. Alexander McClanahan, Jr.,   b. 1775, Augusta County, Virginia Colony Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1851, Perry Co., Ohio Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years)
    +4. Margaret 'Maggie' McClanahan,   b. Est 1780, Likely Augusta Co., Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Aug 1865, Jackson County, Indiana Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 85 years)
    +5. Anna McClanahan,   b. 1802, Augusta, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 May 1862, Monmouth, Warren Co., Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 60 years)
    +6. Eleanor B. McClanahan,   b. 10 Mar 1803, Statesville, Iredell Co., North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Aug 1881, Warren County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years)
     7. John S. [Shelton] McClanahan,   b. Est 1770, Augusta Co., Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1798, Augusta Co., Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 28 years)
    Last Modified 16 May 2022 
    Family ID F7075  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Documents
    Alexander McClanahan Resigns his Commission

Letter of Richard Lee to Honorable Thomas Adams Esqr.
    Alexander McClanahan Resigns his Commission Letter of Richard Lee to Honorable Thomas Adams Esqr.
    AlexanderMcClanahanPatriot.jpg
    Alexander McClanahan
    Alexander McClanahan
    MinistersFamII-010168-319.jpg
    Sallie Shelton, Wife of Patrick Henry, Sister of Eleanor and her husband Alexander McClanahan
    Sallie Shelton, Wife of Patrick Henry, Sister of Eleanor and her husband Alexander McClanahan
    Sallie Shelton.jpg

    1849ChanceryAlexanderMcClanahan.pdf
    The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Vol XXX
Alexander McClanahan in Militia of Augusta Co., Virginia
    The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Vol XXX Alexander McClanahan in Militia of Augusta Co., Virginia
    01-15-2019-011.pdf
    Iredell Hugh Reynolds Estate Sale
    Iredell Hugh Reynolds Estate Sale
    18522 HughReynoldsEstate.jpg
    Will of Robert McClanahan  1791  Augusta Co., VA
    Will of Robert McClanahan 1791 Augusta Co., VA
    Robert McClanahan Will (WB7-P434).jpg
    Baptism Records of the Rev. Craig in Augusta County, Virginia
Children of Robert McClanahan and Sarah Breckenridge
    Baptism Records of the Rev. Craig in Augusta County, Virginia Children of Robert McClanahan and Sarah Breckenridge
    McClenachan Baptisms 1740-9 (Craig List).pdf

    Histories
    Battle of Point Pleasant
    Battle of Point Pleasant
    Battle_of_Point_Pleasant.pdf
    Chronicles of the Scotch Irish
Searchable Text
    Chronicles of the Scotch Irish Searchable Text
    Chronicles of the Scotch-search.txt

  • Sources 
    1. [S245] Vital Record (Ancestry), https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/48370/IndexQueriesPA-003799-234/315488?backurl=https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/78411138/person/46402609110/facts/citation/323510144255/edit/record.
      Everyname Index to Egle's Notes and Queries Chiefly Relating to Interior of Pennsylvania
      Alexander McClanahan
      Blair McClanahan
      John McClanahan
      Robert McClanahan

    2. [S245] Vital Record (Ancestry), https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/48593/MinistersFamII-010168-319/411617?backurl=https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/78411138/person/46402609110/facts/citation/323510123312/edit/record.
      Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia with Index and Genealogical Guide, Vol.II
      Parishes in Augusta and Rockingham
      Capt. Alexander McClanahan
      Samuel McDowell


    3. [S245] Vital Record (Ancestry).
      U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s
      Name Alexander McClanahan
      Arrival Year 1764
      Arrival Place Augusta Co., Virginia
      Source Publication Code 3816
      Primary Immigrant McClanahan, Alexander, Jr
      Annotation Legal proceedings before Orange County Court, Virginia, where settlers proved their entitlement to enter public lands. Also in no. 5831, Morton; no. 2302, Fry; in no. 720, Boyer, Ship Passenger Lists, the South, pp. 91-95; and in no. 9144, Tepper, New Wor
      Source Bibliography KING, FANNIE BAYLY (Mrs. W.W.). "Augusta County Early Settlers, Importations, 1739-1740." In National Genealogical Society Quarterly, vol. 25:2 (June 1937), pp. 46-50.
      Page 50

    4. [S82] Wikitree, https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Sarah_Breckenridge_%288%29.
      Sarah Breckenridge[ABT 1710-1794] Augusta Co., VA
      Robert McClanahan BEF 1714-abt 1791
      Children:
      Lt. Col. Alexander McClanahan, ABT 1734-1797
      Agnes McClanahan, BT 1735 -
      Sarah McClanahan, 736-1750 -
      Lettice 'Lettis' McClanahan, 736-1750 -
      Jane "Jenny" McClanahan, 740 -
      Capt. John McClanahan, Sr., 1742 - 1774
      Mary 'Polly' McClanahan, BEF 1744 -
      Capt. Robert McClanahan, 1747 - 1774
      William McClanahan, 1748/49 -
      From Chalkley's Augusta County Records:

      Vol. 2 - Humphrey's administrator vs. McClenachan's administrator--O. S. 281; N. S. 99--Bill, June, 1798, by Alexr. Humphreys, that on 3d October, 1795, Alexr. McClenachan contracted to sell orator 6,666-2/3 acres in Kentucky, due McClenachan for military service in late war, and 4,000 acres as assignee of William Long, also entitled for military service. McClenachan died, intestate, leaving a son John and two daughters, Elizabeth, wife of William Abney, and Letitia, wife of Morris Austin. At September Court, Franklin County, Ky., 1818. David Humphreys is appointed guardian to Elizabeth and Alexander Humphreys, infant orphans of Alexr. Humpreys. James B. Humphreys, son of Dr. Alexr. Humphreys, late of Staunton, releases his claim to Charles Sproule of Frankfort, Ky., 10th July, 1815. Patent by Governor of Kentucky to Alexander McClanahan and Henry Rhodes, 6,666-2/3 acres in District set apart for the officers and soldiers of the Continental line on waters of Rock Creek, 22d March, 1797. Letter dated Lexington, Ky., 20th August, 1796, to Dr. Alexr. Humphreys at Staunton. In 1782, James Thompson, now of Kentucky, obtained a right of settlement for 1,400 acres within 2 or 3 miles of Martin's Station in Powell's Valley and shortly after removed to Kentucky. Writer returned to Kentucky 10th July and found "James, his lady and our relations in this quarter all well." James has formed a respectable connexion. Mr. Blair will also make out very well in this country. Having no late information from my parents or from Preston, I know not whether their removal to Kentucky may be expected this fall. Our frontier inhabitants and the Indians carry on friendly intercourse with each other, in consequence of which our new settlements extend rapidly. State never enjoyed a greater degree of prosperity. Season has been highly favorable; crops of every kind most abundant. My love to my sister and your little ones." Signed J. Brown. Answer by Mary Humphries, widow of late Alexander Humphreys, and James, John and Samuel, his heirs. David C. Humphreys was also a son.
      Information on Alexander McClanahan

      http://www.archive.org/stream/mcclanahans00whitgoog/mcclanahans00whitgoog_djvu.txt

      CHAPTER III. Children of Robert McClanahan.

      I. ? Alexander.

      HE was the first son of Robert the first and his wife, Sarah. He married a Miss Shelton, who was sister of Patrick Henry's first wife. His first appearance in military life was during the Indian wars.

      Bouquet's Expedition.

      In the year 1764, the Indians in Western Pennsylvania and Western Virginia, rose up in mass against the whites, but were defeated by British troops and driven beyond the Ohio River. To conciliate and make them good neighbors, the government issued a proclamation forbidding any subject of Great Britain to hunt or settle west of the Alleghany mountains without written permission. After this a military force, under Colonel Bouquet, was sent across the Ohio River to treat with them.

      In his command was a regiment of Virginians, one of whose companies was commanded by Captain Alexander McClanahan. John McClanahan, his brother, was lieutenant in another company.

      One of the fruits of this expedition, which seemed to have been bloodless, was the recovery from the savages of many who had been captured and carried off by the Indians at different times in their hostile incursions uoon the whites. The infant son of Lieutenant John McClanahan received from the - government one thousand acres of bounty land for the services of his father in this expedition, his father having died about ten years after his return.

      The Battle of Point Pleasant.

      Ten years after Bouquet's expedition, A. D. 1774, the Indians along the Ohio River rose up with a spirit of desperate determination against the whites. They had become provoked by the gradual occupation of Kentucky by the latter in spite of Bouquet's proclamation. Convinced that they were doomed to destruction tribe by tribe if they stood on the defensive, they formed a confederacy, mustered their warriors together, and gave command of the whole army to Cornstalk, a chief, who proved himself in every way worthy of the confidence they reposed in him. He opened his campaign by attacking the whites on the border, plundering their property and massacreing their people.

      This roused the Government of Virginia at Williamsburg. Governor Dunmore ordered General Andrew Lewis, then living in Botetourt County, to raise a force of ten or twelve hundred men in the upper Valley and march to Point Pleasant on the Ohio River. He himself, with another force, recruited in the lower Valley, set out for Fort Pitt, in Western Pennsylvania (now Pittsburg), intending to join Lewis, Of General Lewis' command, four hundred were from Augusta County, and composed a regiment which was commanded by his brother, Colonel Charles Lewis; the rest were from Botetourt County and were commanded by Colonel Fleming. Alexander McClanahan commanded, as captain, a company in Colonel Lewis' regiment, and Robert McClanahan, Jr., was captain of a company in Colonel Fleming's regiment.

      Governor Dunmore failed to join General Lewis, when Cornstalk, taking advantage of the situation, delivered battle against Lewis at Point Pleasant, August 10, 1774. In this noted and decisive engagement, which lasted all day and was very bloody, Captain Robert McClanahan fell, mortally wounded. He left two sons ? Robert, the third of the name ? who moved into Kentucky. Two colonels, i. e. y Lewis and Field, six captains, and three lieutenants with other subalterns, were among the slain in this desperate engagement. See Howe's History of Virginia, page 363.

      On the 22nd of February, 1775, the freeholders of Augusta county assembled to choose members of the convention of Virginia, called to consider the question of opposing the tyranny of Great Britain over the States. Mr. Thomas Lewis and Captain Samuel McDowell were chosen members of the convention, and a committee was raised to draw up a bill of instructions for their guidance. This committee consisted of the Rev. Alexander Balmaine, Mr. Samuel Matthews, Captain Alexander McClanahan, Mr. Michael Bowyer, Mr. William Lewis, and Captain George Matthews. Waddell says, this was the first patriotic meeting of the people of Augusta County of which we have any account.

      At the commencement of the Revolution, Alexander McClanahan was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Seventh Regiment of Virginia Volunteers. (William Dangerfield was colonel and William Nelson major of this regiment.) He was in the battle of Great Bridge, near Norfolk, December 9, 1775, where "every British grenadier was killed without loss to the Virginians. He served also at Williamsburg in 1776, under General Andrew Lewis, and was commissioned Colonel of the same regiment, October 7th of the same year. He was also engaged in the battle of Gwynn's Island, July 8, 1776, after the burning of Norfolk, which battle put an end to the inglo- rious career of Lord Dunmore as Governor of Virginia. Shortly after, "Dunmore left the coast of Virginia forever." ? Howe's History of Virginia, page 376.

      The Virginia Gazette, of July 29, 1776, copied in Howe's Virginia, page 377, says: "General Lewis then ordered two hundred men, under Colonel McClanahan, to land on the island, which was performed as expeditiously as our small vessels would admit of. On our arrival we found the enemy had evacuated the place with the greatest precipitation, and were struck with horror at the number of dead bodies in a state of putrefaction." In this engagement Lord Dunmore was wounded in the leg.

      Alexander had three children ? a son, named John, who died young and unmarried, and two daughters, Mrs. Abney and Mrs. Austin. Descendants of these ladies now live in Augusta County.
      Source:
      Graves, William T. Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters.

      Virginia documents pertaining to Alexander McClenachan VAS2033
      Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris.

      [From Library of Virginia Legislative Petitions Digital Collection/ Botetourt County]

      To the Hon?ble the Speaker & Gentlemen of the House of Delegates; the Petition of Alexander McClenachan humbly representeth & sheweth. That your Petitioner about the close of the year 1775 was appointed Lieut. Colo. of the 7th Virginia Regiment. That he entered immediately into Service, & continued therein untill Dec?r. 1777 when he was compelled to retire from the Service, on account of a dangerous illness, with which he had been siezed, owing to the very great fatigue he had encountered in the severe Campaigns of 1776 & 1777. That your Petitioner after returning Home, & finding his Disorder still Obstinate, did, by the advice of his Friends & Physicians in May 1778 resign his Commission, his Life being then dispaired of. By your Laws as they at present stand, your Petitioner has the Mortification to find, that he is not intituled, to a Bounty in Land, on account of his not having served the term of three years, as required by Law. ? Conscious that your Petitioner?s Services not only from their duration but their Severity, entitle him as fully to a Bounty in Land as others who have obtained it, he hopes you will take his particular case into Consideration, and give him such Allowance in Land, as you may think from his Services he may have merited. And your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c
      Alex?r. McClenachan

      June 1st 1784 referred to propositions/reasonable

    5. [S82] Wikitree, https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/McClanahan-88.
      Alexander McClanahan
      Born [date unknown] [location unknown]
      Ancestors ancestors
      Son of John McClanahan and Agnes McCubit
      Brother of Letitia McClanahan, Agnes McClanahan, Polly McClanahan, Laura Janet McClanahan, Ann McClanahan, Charles McClanahan, Andrew McClanahan, Elijah McClanahan, William McClanahan, John McClanahan, Robert McClanahan Sr., Blair McClanahan, James McClanahan and James McLenahen
      [spouse(s) unknown]
      [children unknown]
      Died [date unknown] [location unknown]

    6. [S48] Ancestry Link, https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/10311665/person/-472604021/facts.
      Alexander McClanahan, 1759?1824
      Birth 20 FEB 1759, Botetourt, Virginia
      Death 5 MAY 1824, Morgan, Alabama
      Parents
      Alexander McClanahan, 1734?1797
      Eleanor Shelton, 1743?1774
      Spouse: Sarah Moore, 1760?1857
      Child: Mary McClanahan, 1795?1859


    7. [S80] Google Books, https://books.google.com/books?id=_UU3AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA27&lpg=PA27&dq=william+mcclanahan+married+sarah+neeley&source=bl&ots=3IXR8bnmca&sig=MJ9Asso72qpEpAhKlE03-83PgFE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjgiMD6y9fWAhXD5yYKHYaQBfkQ6AEITTAG#v=onepage&q=william%20mcclanahan%20married%20sarah%20neeley&f=false.
      Children of Robert McClanahan
      Alexander, 1st son of Robert the first and his wife, Sarah. He married Miss Shelton [Eleanor] who was sister of Patrick Henry's first wife.

    8. [S100] Internet Source, https://www.co.augusta.va.us/government/circuit-court-clerk/historical-facts.
      Historical Facts Augusta Co., Circuit Court Clark's Office
      Clerks of Circuit Court
      Circuit Court Clerk Term Dates
      John Madison 1745-1778
      Richard Madison 1778-1785
      Alexander McClanahan 1785-1792
      Jacob Kinney 1792-1800
      Chesley Kinney 1800-1812
      Erasmus Stribling 1812-1830
      Jefferson Kinney 1831-1858
      John D. Imbowden 1858-1864
      William A. Burnett 1864-1869
      Samuel Cline 1869-1870
      William A. Burnett 1870-1899
      Harry Burnette 1900-1948
      James Marcus Blackburn 1948-1956
      Rudolph L. Shaver 1957-1984
      John B. Davis 1984-2015
      Carol M. Brydge 2015-Present

    9. [S85] Virginia Chancery Records, http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=015-1849-047.
      Chancery Causes: Admr of John S. McClanahan vs Admr of Alexander McClanahan
      1849-047 Augusta Co., Virginia
      Participants: 231 Pages
      BRIGHT, ABNEY, AUSTIN, VAN LEAR, JOHNSTON, CAREY, SELERS, McPHEELERS
      John S. McClanahan is named executor of his Father's estate; however, Wm Abney, husband of Alexander's daughter, Elizabeth, assumed the duty, but did not distribute portions to the heirs.[Claimed by Michael Bright who is executor of (now dec'd) John S. McClanahan, who it seems has died and left many debts that his estate is not able to pay because he has not been advanced his share of the proceeds of his father's estate.}

    10. [S275] Lyman Chalkley, Lyman Chalkley.
      Volume #2/pp56
      Alexander McClenachan vs. William Hamilton -- O.S.3; N.S. 1--In October or November, 17883 William Hamilton absconded from Botetourt.