PATRIOT Leut. Col. Alexander 'Breckenridge' McClanahan

Notes:

Name:
Military: 10 October 1774, Served in Battle of Point Pleasant; Colonel of the Seventh Regiment of Virginia Volunteers.

Alexander married Eleanor Elizabeth Shelton. Eleanor (daughter of John Armistead Shelton and Eleanor Elizabeth Parks) was born 1743, Virginia Colony; died 1774, N. Carolina. [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.

Notes:

Robert McClanahan came to Augusta County from Ireland. The time of his coming has not been certainly determined, but it was at an early day. His deed to three hundred and thirty-one acres of land by William Beverly, dated May 27, 1741, is on record in Orange Courthouse, Virginia. There was no clerk's office, in Augusta County, until 1745. His wife, Sarah Breckinridge, was daughter of Alexander Breckinridge,
who came to America from the North of Ireland in 1728, and removed from Pennsylvania to a farm near the present site of Staunton, in Augusta County, Virginia. Robert McClanahan died in 1791, at his home, one mile south of Staunton, on what is known now as the Greenville road. He was, therefore, "the emigrant and founder." His children were Alexander, John, Robert and William (sons); with Mrs. St. Clair, Mrs. Dean, Mrs. Poage and Mrs. Keiser (daughters). It is a little doubtful whether Mrs. Poage was daughter or granddaughter of Robert, the first ; but the evidence for the former is very strong.
Mr. Frederick Johnston, in his " Memorials of Virginia Clerks" (page 52), says that "Robert McClanahan, throughout his whole life, was' a prominent man," From, the "Annals of Augusta County," by Waddell, we learn that he acted in
various public capacities during his life.
Quoting from the records of the county, Waddell writes as follows: "August 22, 1748, it appears that John Lewis had contracted to erect the public buildings of the parish for ^148.
* * * From a bond executed by Colonel Lewis, with Robert McClanahan as security,
* * * it appears that one of the buildings was a dwelling house for the parish minister."
* * * "November 28, 1749, a commission to Robert McCknahan, gent., to be sheriff of this county during his majesty's pleasure, was produced in court," etc. Adam Breckinridge, son of Alexander Breckinridge, who was founder of the distinguished family of that name in this county, and brother-in-law of McClanahan, "qualified as deputy sheriff." ? Annals, page 41.

Transcription of the WILL of Robert McClanahan
Last Will & Testament
Robert McClanahan, Sr.
Dated 7 Jun 1791, Recorded Dec 1791
In the name of God Amen I Robert McClenahan of the County of Augusta being weake in body but of sound mind and Memory do make & publish my last will and testament in manner following that is to say first it is my will and desire that all of my just debts be paid and then I give and Bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah whereon I now live during her life and at her death I give the same plantation to my son Alexander McClenahan and Alexander St. Clair to be disposed of as they may think proper I also give and bequeath to my said wife Sarah all my Negroes and personal Estate to be disposed of as she may think proper Except twenty pounds to each of my three daughters to wit Agness Dean Jene Sinclair & Lettis Kizer which is to be paid them out of my personal Estate at my wifes Death or before at her election ? I give to my son Alexander McClenahan my Plantation in Rockbridge County whereon Robert Shaw lives to him & his heirs and assigns forever I give to my two grandsons John & Robert McClenahan sons of my son Robert McClenahan deceased all my Kentucky lands to be equally divided between them to them & their heirs forever and I appoint Alexander McClenahan and Alexander Scentclair to be my sole executors to this my last will and Testament ratifying this and no other will to be my last will and testament Revoking all former wills heretofore made by me In witness whereof I have fixed my hand and seal this seventh day of June 1791.
Robert McClenahan, Seal
Signed Sealed in the presence of
Mich Bowyer
Alexdr Humphrey
James St. Clair
December Augusta Court 1791
This last will and testament of Robert McClenahan Decd was presented in court and proved by the oaths of two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Teste A McClenahan

Name:
High Sheriff

Robert married Sarah Breckenridge 1739, Ireland. Sarah (daughter of Alexander Breckenridge and Jane Preston) was born 1698, Antrim, Northern Ireland; died 1794, Augusta County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Sarah Breckinridge, the wife of Robert McClanahan was, according to tradition, a woman of very strong mind, and her company was much sought by the most cultivated people of her day. Her father was a staunch Presbyterian.

Name:
d/o Alexander Breckinridge of Ireland, and Tavern Keeper in Augusta Co., VA

Notes:

Died:
Probate Date

John married Agnes McCubit/McChubit/McCubbins 1706, Scotland. Agnes was born 1688, Scotland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Alexander married Jane Preston. Jane was born 1680, Ireland; died 1748, Staunton, Augusta Co., Virginia Colony. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

(627) Samuel Gist vs. Thomas Reed and George Brackenridge. ? ^Alexr, Breckenridge, security.

(512) Hemp certificates: Thomas Stuart, James Ewing, James Greenlee, Rob. Breckenridge.

James Davis vs. David Morgan. ? Attachment 17th July, 1746. George Breckenridge, surety.

George Brackenridge vs. Robert Rennick. ? Petition August, 1746.

William Lewis vs. James Brackenridge. ? ^Attachment. 19th June, 1746. Defendant absconded. Attachment levied in hands of Robert McClenachan and George Brackenridge. Note of James Breckenridge to Wm. Lewis, £3, 2, 8. Dated 23d December, 1744.

JUDGMENTS AT RULES.
1751.
Bell vs. Borden's executor. ? ^James Bell (one entry for himself and one for John MulhoUand, his servant) prior to 1738, and on February 21, 1738, Alex. Breckinridge, George, James, Robert and Adam Breckenridge, John Moore, Quantin Moore, George Henderson, Thomas Armstrong, John Bell, John Walters, William McCanless, Robert Poage, Seth Poage, Daniel Mc- Anaire and John Grove entered each 100 acres with Benjamin Borden, but got no deed. Suit by James Bell to get deed. Benjamin Borden, Jr., charges in answer that James Bell caused a servant wench of his to be dressed in man's clothes and made an entry in her name as a man, and also caused another woman, the wife of William McKenless, to appear in her proper person on a different part of land as the wife of another settler and thereby obtained another entry.

Notes:

Name:
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6247/images/007628_00789

Augusta Co., VA early records sent by Greer Bacon

Thomas married Dorothy Mooney. Dorothy was born Est 1659, Ireland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]