IMMIGRANT Patriot Elijah 'Old Elijah' McClanahan^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}

1708 - 1794  (86 years)

• Name	Elijah 'Old Elijah' McClanahan
  Title	IMMIGRANT
  Prefix	Patriot
  Born	1708	Antrim, Ulster Province, IRELAND
  Gender	Male
  Died	2 May 1794	Augusta County, Virginia
  Person ID	I19076	My Reynolds Line
  Last Modified	21 Feb 2022

  
  

  Father	John McClanahan,   b. 1688, Ireland ,   d. Bef 23 Nov 1748, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania Colony  (Age 60 years)
  Mother	Agnes McCubit/McChubit/McCubbins,   b. 1688, Scotland ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Married	1706	Scotland
  Family ID	F7073	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Ann Ewing/Owens,   b. Est 1712, Antrim, Ulster Province, IRELAND ,   d. 1764, Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia  (Age ~ 52 years)
  Married	1727	IRELAND
  Children	1. David McClanahan,   b. 1735, Augusta County, Virginia Colony ,   d. 15 Feb 1783, Virginia  (Age 48 years) + 2. Margaret McClanahan,   b. 6 Apr 1736, Augusta County, Virginia Colony ,   d. 21 Dec 1796, Lancaster County, South Carolina  (Age 60 years)   3. Elijah McClanahan, Jr.,   b. Est 1728, Augusta County, Virginia Colony ,   d. 1794, Augusta Co., Virginia  (Age ~ 66 years)   4. Laura Janet McClanahan,   b. 9 Sep 1749, Augusta Co., Virginia Colony ,   d. 15 Dec 1813, Lancaster Co., South Carolina  (Age 64 years)   5. Samuel McClanahan,   b. Est 1750, Augusta County, Virginia Colony ,   d. 7 Nov 1796, Tennessee  (Age ~ 46 years) + 6. Lt. Colonel Alexander of Elijah McClanahan,   b. 20 Feb 1755, Augusta County, Virginia Colony ,   d. 5 May 1824, Morgan Co., Alabama  (Age 69 years) + 7. Capt. William [Ewing] McClanahan, Sr.,   b. 25 Dec 1738, Augusta County, Virginia Colony ,   d. 19 Nov 1819, Roanoke, Virginia  (Age 80 years)
  Last Modified	16 Feb 2022
  Family ID	F7072	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Margaret Ann Lewis,   b. Est 1720,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Notes	It seems that Margaret Ann Lewis married an unknown Cunningham before she married Elijah; her Cunningham children are listed without a father.
  Last Modified	15 Jul 2019
  Family ID	F8035	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Documents » Slide Show		Map of Part of Augusta County, Colony of Virginia 1755-1760; Shows Tinkling Spring Church, Fort Chiswell, and Fort Dickinson Map_of_Augusta_County_1755-1760.jpg
  		William McClanahan SAR Document Page 1 sar19075WmMcClanahan.jpg
  		SAR Service Record for William McClanahan sar19075WmMcClanahan-2.jpg

  
  

  Histories		The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Vol.XXVII The Breckenridge Family 01-15-2019-004.pdf
  		Chronicles of the Scotch-search Chronicles of the Scotch-search.txt

  
  

• Sources

  [S40] Will, https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/9085/007646193_00014?pid=1505606&backurl=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv%3D1%26dbid%3D9085%26h%3D1505606%26tid%3D%26pid%3D%26usePUB%3Dtrue%26_phsrc%3DTkn326%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=Tkn326&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true. Elijah McClanahan Will - Roanoke, VA p. 113 James McClanahan Will - Roanoke, VA p. 193 John McCauly p. 187 [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. William McClanahan, Sr. seems to have been prospered in business. He gave a farm to each of his children, as we have seen. It seems that these farms were in the woods for the most part and that they built their own dwelling houses. Four of these houses still stand in 1894. [S54] DAR, https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/tree/59073352/person/34137027178/media/76643e33-f55b-46f9-8005-544df9d547fb?_phsrc=Tkn769&_phstart=successSource. MCCLANAHAN, ELIJAH Ancestor #: A074900 Service: VIRGINIA Rank(s): CIVIL SERVICE, PATRIOTIC SERVICE Birth: CIRCA 1718 IRELAND Death: POST 5-2-1794 AUGUSTA CO VIRGINIA Service Source: CHALKLEY, CHRONICLES OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH SETTLEMENT OF VA, VOL 1, PP 188,192,196,217 Service Description: 1) JUSTICE OF PEACE; COMMISSIONER OF SPECIFIC TAX 2) TOOK OATH OF ALLEGIANCE RESIDENCE 1) County: AUGUSTA CO - State: VIRGINIA SPOUSE Number- Name 1) ANN EWING 2) LETTICE BRECKENRIDGE 3) MARGARET X [S275] Lyman Chalkley, Lyman Chalkley. Chronicles of the Scotch Irish Lyman Chalkley Page 117 (213) Elijah McClenachan exempted from County Levy 24 Nov 1764 [S82] Wikitree, https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/McClanahan-129. Elijah McClanahan Born 1713 in Antrim, Ulster Province, Ireland Son of John McClanahan and Agnes McCubit Brother of Letitia McClanahan, Agnes McClanahan, Alexander McClanahan, Polly McClanahan, Laura Janet McClanahan, Ann McClanahan, Charles McClanahan, Andrew McClanahan, William McClanahan, John McClanahan, Robert McClanahan Sr., Blair McClanahan, James McClanahan and James McLenahen Husband of Ann (Ewing) Owens ? married 1727 in Antrim, Ulster, Ireland Father of Alexander McClanahan, Alexander McClanahan, David McClanahan, Elijah McClanahan, Hannah McClanahan, James McClanahan, Jinney McClanahan, John McClanahan, Margaret McClanahan, Mary Polly McClanahan, Nancy McClanahan, Robert McClanahan and William McClanahan Died 2 May 1794 in Staunton, Augusta County, VA [S245] Vital Record (Ancestry), https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/tree/48003988/person/13744129216/media/1abb0085-3af5-4c32-8f79-50a0cbf4e936?_phsrc=Tkn324&_phstart=successSource. 4. ELIJAH3 MCCLANAHAN (JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born 1718 in Bath, Alleghany County, Virginia, and died 1794 in Augusta County, Virginia. He married (1) ANN EWING Abt. 1735, daughter of WILLIAM EWING and ANN SHANNON. She was born Abt. 1714 in Belfast, Ireland, and died Mar 1767. He married (2) LETITIA BRECKENRIDGE Sep 1749 in Augusta County, Virginia. She was born Abt. 1728 in Derry, Ireland. Notes for ELIJAH MCCLANAHAN: From: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~mabry/collins/np61.html#iin1312 Elijah McClenachan (ca 1713 - 1789) was likely born in County Antrim, Ireland, as was his older brother, Robert. Records show Elijah's parents were John and Agnes (McChubit/McCubbins) McClenachan. Speculation is that Elijah's parents left County Ayrshire, Scotland sometime prior to 1700 and migrated to County Antrim, Ireland where John McClenachan was a merchant. Elijah, or "Olde Elijah" as he became known, came to America with his older brother Robert in 1727. Tradition states they came through Philadelphia. Accompanying them was Robert's father-in-law, Alexander Breckenridge and his family. The Breckenridge reference is included only because "Olde Elijah's" first born son, also named Elijah, married Letitia Breckenridge, daughter of Alexander, about 1749. There has been much confusion on this marriage, as many people feel that Letitia was "Olde Elijah's" second wife. The Indian massacre in 1764, described below, negates this speculation. At this time, there is very little known of the time "Olde Elijah" spent in Pennsylvania and he apparently came to Virginia around 1740, again traveling with his brother Robert, who bought considerable acreage in the Beverley Patent in what is now the area in and around Staunton in Augusta County "Olde Elijah", unlike his brother Robert, did not leave much of a paper trail and as far as we know, none of his children were baptized. Records do show that he was married to Ann Ewing (Owen) at an early age as their first child, also named Elijah, was born 1728-1730. Based on "Olde Elijah's" date of birth, he would have been fifteen to sev-enteen at the time of his son's birth. Again, "Olde Elijah's" birth date of 1713 is only shown in one place. Some people had thought him born in 1718, but the similarity between an 8 and a 3 on old documents is enough to more readily accept the 1713 date. Besides, that would have made "Olde Elijah" only ten or twelve when his first child was born. The children of "Olde Elijah" and Ann Ew-ing are as follows: 1. Elijah, Jr. - Born 1728-1730. 2. Robert (?) 3. David (?) 4. William, December 25, 1733. He married Sarah Neeley and was one of the founders of Roanoke, VA. 5. Margaret (?), married John Crockett and moved to North Carolina. 6. Mary, or "Polly" was born in 1746/1748 and married Robert McCreary. Their great grandson, James B. McCreary became one of Kentucky's best loved governors (elected twice) and was also a respected soldier of the Civil War. 7. Jennie (?), married a William Holliday. 8. Hannah (?), married a John Greenlee, Jr. She narrowly escaped the Indian massacre by hiding under a log. 9. Infant son, no name-no birth date. Killed in the Indian massacre early 1764. The Indian massacre took place in early 1764 in what is now known as Bath County in an area called "The Cowpasture." It was here that "Olde Elijah" lost his wife, Ann and their youngest child, both killed by the Indians. "Olde Elijah" himself was severely tomahawked, but was saved only by the fact that he had a pen in his hat. The Indians, realizing he could write, did not kill him and apparently wanted his writing ability for an unknown reason. However, not long after the massacre, Captain Lewis, following the raiding party with a group of local militia, came upon the Indians. "Olde Elijah" was rescued as well as several other captives. This was attested to in a letter written by Reverend John Brown who wrote to Colonel William Preston in June 1764 the following, "Captain Lewis came up with the Indians that killed the people at cowpasture and one Frenchman and it is thought wounded some Indians and rescued several prisoners, among whom were old Elijah McClanachan." Further evidence of this massacre was written personally by "Olde Elijah's" grandson, Colonel Elijah McClanahan of Roanoke, Virginia, son of William and Sarah (Neeley) McClenachan. Colonel Elijah McClanahan corresponded with Lyman C. Draper. In one of these letters, dated 19 March 1846, is given a vivid account of the massacre. Letter dated March 19, 1846. Again, this is only part of the entire letter addressed to Lyman C. Draper: "Your other inquiry is as to my father's birth and decease. When I had the pleasure of seeing you at Bent Mountain, I mentioned the circumstances of my father's mother and his younger brother being killed by the Indians in what is now Bath County and that part of it called the Cowpasture, what county it was then, I can't say. My grandfather was wounded at same time and taken prisoner and pursued. The prisoners all retaken and my grandfather tomahawked and hurt in the head by the Indians on finding they were overtaken, but was carried in and lived. He told me of several incidents that occurred whilst on his march with the Indians. Such as taking two small children (There mothers prisoners) by the heels and dashing their brains against a tree because they cryed and that they held two counsels about him together, he being very unable to travel on account of his wound and that he was saved by a pen in his hat showing he could write for which they were desirous to take him to the nation. My grandfather was from Ireland and an excellent scholar." Letitia Breckenridge could not have married 'Old Elijah as Ann Ewing did not die until 1764. Therefore the marriage must be Elijah Jr. [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. Elijah McClanahan Quoting from 'Henning's Statutes at Large" (as he writes to me personally), Waddell says on page 108, Annals of Augusta County, Virginia: The town of Staunton was at last chartered by act of Assembly in November, 1761. The first trustees of the town were William Preston, William Lewis, William Christian, Eledge McClanahan, Robert Breckinridge, Randal Lockheart. (see link for further info.) Both Elijah McClanahan and Alexander McClanahan were on the court to try disloyal persons after the war, but Elijah was foreman of the court.... [S100] Internet Source, https://www.leuthardtfamily.com/rootspersona-tree/elijah-mcclanahan/. Elijah McClenachan (ca 1713 - 1789) was likely born in County Antrim, Ireland, as was his older brother, Robert. Records show Elijah's parents were John and Agnes (McChubit/McCubbins) McClenachan. Speculation is that Elijah's parents left County Ayrshire, Scotland sometime prior to 1700 and migrated to County Antrim, Ireland where John McClenachan was a merchant Elijah, or "Olde Elijah" as he became known, came to America with his older brother Robert in 1727. Tradition states they came through Philadelphia. Accompanying them was Robert's father-in-law, Alexander Breckenridge and his family. The Breckenridge reference is included only because "Olde Elijah's" first born son, also named Elijah, married Letitia Breckenridge, daughter of Alexander, about 1749. There has been much confusion on this marriage, as many people feel that Letitia was "Olde Elijah's" second wife. The Indian massacre in 1764, described below, negates this speculation. At this time, there is very little known of the time "Olde Elijah" spent in Pennsylvania and he apparently came to Virginia around 1740, again traveling with his brother Robert, who bought considerable acreage in the Beverley Patent in what is now the area in and around Staunton in Augusta County "Olde Elijah", unlike his brother Robert, did not leave much of a paper trail and as far as we know, none of his children were baptized. Records do show that he was married to Ann Ewing (Owen) at an early age as their first child, also named Elijah, was born 1728-1730. Based on "Olde Elijah's" date of birth, he would have been fifteen to seventeen at the time of his son's birth. Again, "Olde Elijah's" birth date of 1713 is only shown in one place. Some people had thought him born in 1718, but the similarity between an 8 and a 3 on old documents is enough to more readily accept the 1713 date. Besides, that would have made "Olde Elijah" only ten or twelve when his first child was born. The children of "Olde Elijah" and Ann Ewing are as follows: 1. Elijah, Jr. - Born 1728-1730. 2. Robert (?) 3. David(?) 4. William, December 25, 1733. He married Sarah Neeley and was one of the founders of Roanoke, VA. 5. Margaret (?), married John Crockett and moved to North Carolina. 6. Mary, or "Polly" was born in 1746/1748 and married Robert McCreary. Their great grandson, James B. McCreary became one of Kentucky's best loved governors (elected twice) and was also a respected soldier of the Civil War. 7. Jennie (?), married a William Holliday. 8. Hannah (?), married a John Greenlee, Jr. She narrowly escaped the Indian massacre by hiding under a log. 9. Infant son, noname-no birth date. Killed in the Indian massacre early 1764. The Indian massacre took place in early 1764 in what is now known as Bath County in an area called "The Cowpasture." It was here that "Olde Elijah" lost his wife, Ann and their youngest child, both killed by the Indians. "Olde Elijah" himself was severely tomahawked, but was saved only by the fact that he had a pen in his hat. The Indians, realizing he could write, not kill him and apparently wanted his writing ability for an unknown reason. However, not long after the massacre, Captain Lewis, following the raiding party with a group of local militia, came upon the Indians. "Olde Elijah" was rescued as well as several other captives. This was attested to in a letter written by Reverend John Brown who wrote to Colonel William Preston in June 1764 the following" Captain Lewis came up with the Indians that killed the people at cowpasture and one Frenchman and it is thought wounded some Indians and rescued several prisoners,among whom were old Elijah McClanachan." Further evidence of this massacre was written personally by "Olde Elijah's" grandson, Colonel Elijah McClanahan of Roanoke, Virginia, son of William and Sarah (Neeley) McClenachan. Colonel Elijah McClanahan corresponded with Lyman C. Draper.In one of these letters, dated 19 March 1846, is given a vivid account of the massacre . Letter dated March 19, 1846. Again, this is only part of the entire letter addressed to Lyman C. Draper: "Your other inquiry is as to my father's birth and decease. When I had the pleasure of seeing you at Bent Mountain, I mentioned the circumstances of my father's mother and his younger brother being killed by the Indians in what is now Bath County and that part of it called the Cowpasture, what county it was then, I can't say. My grandfather was wounded at same time and taken prisoner and pursued. The prisoners all retaken and my grandfather tomahawked and hurt in the head by the Indians on finding they were overtaken, but was carried in and lived. He told me of several in-cidents that occurred whilst on his march with the Indians. Such as taking two small children (There mothers prisoners) by the heels and dashing their brains against a tree because they cryed and that they held two counsels about him together, he being very unable to travel on account of his wound and that he was saved by a pen in his hat showing he could write for which they were desirous to take him to the nation. My grandfather was from Ireland and an excellent scholar."