Eleanor Elizabeth Shelton

Eleanor married Leut. Col. Alexander 'Breckenridge' McClanahan. Alexander (son of Captain Robert the Founder Immigrant McClanahan and Sarah Breckenridge) was born Est 1740, Antrim, Ulster Province, IRELAND; died 6 May 1797, Augusta County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]

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]

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.

1. Letitia Washington McClanahan was born 1772, Augusta County, Virginia Colony; died 1823, Augusta County, Virginia.
2. Elizabeth Parks McClanahan was born 2 Jun 1774, Augusta County, Virginia Colony; died 7 Jun 1854, Augusta County, Virginia; was buried , Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fishersville Augusta County Virginia.
3. Alexander McClanahan, Jr. was born 1775, Augusta County, Virginia Colony; died 1851, Perry Co., Ohio; was buried , Bethel Cemetery, Perry Co., Ohio.
4. Margaret 'Maggie' McClanahan was born Est 1780, Likely Augusta Co., Virginia; died 12 Aug 1865, Jackson County, Indiana; was buried , Heighton Hill Cemetery Medora, Jackson County, Indiana.
5. Anna McClanahan was born 1802, Augusta, Virginia ; died 17 May 1862, Monmouth, Warren Co., Illinois.
6. Eleanor B. McClanahan was born 10 Mar 1803, Statesville, Iredell Co., North Carolina; died 15 Aug 1881, Warren County, Illinois; was buried , Cedar Creek Cemetery, Little York, Warren Co., Illinois.
7. John S. [Shelton] McClanahan was born Est 1770, Augusta Co., Virginia; died 1798, Augusta Co., Virginia.

John married Eleanor Elizabeth Parks. Eleanor was born Est 1720; died Yes, date unknown, Greencastle, Franklin Co., Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]