The McClanahan's

http://kdnavrat.blogspot.com/2010/12/todays-history-lesson-on-way-to-work.html#comment-form

Genealogist's Christmas Eve

Genealogist's Christmas Eve
('Twas the night before Christmas)
-----------------------------------------
'Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even my spouse.

The dining room table with clutter was spread
With pedigree charts and with letters which said...
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote;
Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat."

Stacks of old copies of wills and such
Were proof that my work had become too much.
Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And I at my table was ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.
Christmas was here, and such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot.

Had I not been busy with grandparents' wills,
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills,
While others bought gifts to bring Christmas cheers,
I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years.

While I was thus musing about my sad plight,
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright.
Away to the window I flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash.

When what with my wondering eyes should appear,
But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer.
Up to the house top the reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys and 'ole Santa Claus, too.

And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.
As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash,
Down the cold chimney fell Santa--KER-RASH!

"Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck,
And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!)
Spotting my face, good 'ole Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit you'd have to agree.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk).
Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy:
When I'd been too busy for even one toy.
He spied my research on the table all spread
"A genealogist!" He cried! (My face was all red!)
"Tonight I've met many like you," Santa grinned,
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.

I gazed with amusement--the cover it read
Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead.
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug."
He said as he gave me a great Santa hug.

"While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,
I do some research in the North Pole Library!
A special treat I am thus able to bring,
To genealogy folk who can't find a thing."

"Now off you go to your bed for a rest,
I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."
As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.

While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle,
To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Family history is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!"
(Author Unknown)

Can't Relate

Kyle Cemetery on Pepper Street, Christiansburg, Virginia

In 2005, my brother, Tim and I went to visit the Kyle Cemetery on Pepper Street in Christiansburg, Virginia.  We wanted to pay our respects to Kyle and Montague ancestors.


This is how we found the cemetery.
 




















I was so pleased to learn yesterday that the Christiansburg Civic League has taken this cemetery on as their restoration project.  The following pictures are taken from their website: http://christiansburgcivicleague.org/OurProjects.html You can tell that they have been cleaning the place up.When we went, we were lucky if we could see three grave markers.  Looks like they found a bunch more.

http://www.vahistoryexchange.com/Andrew_Lewis.pdf

Andrew Lewis – Elijah McClanahan [History of Augusta County – John Lewis Peyton – 1882]

Andrew, the second son of John Lewis, resided on the Roanoke, in Botetourt County, as did his brother, Charles. The will of Lewis, which is on record in the county court of Botetourt – dated in 1780, and admitted to record in February, 1782, showing that he died between those two periods – devises to his son William two thousand acres of land lying on Roanoke River. This embraces the fine body of lands lying west of Salem for many years owned by Dr. John Johnston, on which there is a magnificent spring, which, in years gone by furnished the water power for a manufacturing mill that has long since disappeared. It also embraces the very valuable farm known as “Dropmore,” containing one thousand acres, bought from Captain William Lewis by Nathaniel Burwell, and was sold in 1869 for $100,000 – one hundred dollars per acre – probably the largest sale of the same quantity of land that was ever made in Virginia. As will be more particularly stated hereafter, General Andrew Lewis, who owned this land at the time of his death in 1781, was buried on an eminence overlooking the beautiful valley of Roanoke River, spreading out for six miles above and below the spot where the grave is now marked, from which spot I hope his dust will be removed at an early day to the public cemetery nearby.
Some of the descendants of General Lewis are now living in Roanoke County. Col. Thomas Lewis and his brother Andrew, and great-great grandchildren – also Major Andrew L. Pitzer, and other children of Madison Pitzer, who married Elizabeth Lewis, daughter of Captain Andrew Lewis – also the children of Col. Elijah McClanahan, who married Agatha Lewis, daughter of Colonel Andrew Lewis, of Bent Mountain. Mrs. Colin Bass, now residing in Salem, is one of these children. Captain Andrew Lewis married Jane McClanahan, a sister of Colonel Elijah and James McClanahan, and at the close of his life resided on the farm now owned by Capt. Robert B. Moorman, half a mile west of Big Lick Depot.
Colonel Andrew Lewis, of Bent Mountain, formerly in Montgomery County, now in Roanoke, was one of the sons of General Andrew Lewis, who died about the year 1844, at an advanced age (about 84). My personal recollections of Colonel Lewis are very distinct, having often seen him in my boyhood, at my father’s house, and at his own house on Bent Mountain, where he owned an immense body of lands that were valuable for pasturage and raising fine cattle in former days, and where, like Alexander Selkirk, he reigned as “monarch of all he surveyed,” for a great number of years. I also met with him a few times in the latter part of his life, after religion (which he embraced when near eighty years old) had softened some of the rough points of his character. Like all of the Lewises, he was a man of commanding figure and appearance, reminding one of the description given by Stuart in his “Historical Memoir” of General Andrew Lewis: “ He was upwards of six feet high, of uncommon strength and agility, and his form of the most exact symmetry. He had a stern countenance, and was of a reserved and distant deportment, which rendered his presence more awful than engaging. “
Colonel Andrew Lewis was married twice – first to a daughter of Thomas Madison, by whom he had three children: one Charles who died unmarried, and Thomas, who was killed by McHenry in a duel fought with rifles which was fatal to both parties. The event created great interest at the time of its occurrence, not only on account of the high standing and character of the parties, but of its tragic termination. The only daughter of Col. Andrew Lewis by this marriage was Agatha, who married Col. Elijah McClanahan and left a large number of descendants. By his second marriage with Miss Bryant, he had one daughter, Kitty, who married Joseph King, and is still living on Bent Mountain with her son, Joseph R. King.
Doctor Andrew Lewis was another member of the Lewis family, who lived and died in Botetourt. He was a son of Captain William Lewis, who was twice married – first to a daughter of Thomas Madison, and afterwards to Nancy McClanahan, sister of Colonel Elijah McClanahan. Dr. Lewis rose to great eminence
in his profession and married Maria Walton, who is now living near Salem, and had three children, two
daughters and one son. One of the daughters, Lucy, married George W. Shanks; the other, Mary,
married a daughter of Rev. Dr. McFarland, and left a daughter and son, Frank Lewis, who is now at the
Seminary, preparing for the ministry.

Timothy J. McQuaid and Sarah "Sadie" Pickard

Once upon a time in the township of Cranford, New Jersey on February 22, 1903, Timothy James McQuaid married Sarah Ceilia Pickard. 

Later that year on August 1st, they had their first son Timothy George McQuaid.

Timothy and Sadie went on to have a total of 7 children.

Timothy George McQuaid (1903-1986)

John A. McQuaid (1906 - 1968)

Margaret McQuaid (1906 - )

Mary Cecelia McQuaid (1909 - )

Sarah McQuaid (1911 - 2002)

Katherine "Kitty" McQuaid (1915 - )

Charles McQuaid (1918 - 1976)

This is a photo of the stone at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Newark, NJ.  Sadie passed in 1918. Timothy died in 1931.

Margaret Patton

From a book entitled "JAMES PATTON AND THE APPALACHIAN COLONISTS" is the following information as recorded by Anne Rhea Bruce. The Pattons were originally landed gentry seated at Ferrochie, Fifeshire, Scotland. The progenitor of the Irish branch of the family, William Patton, M.A., was born in Scotland; had immigrated to Northern Ireland during the King James Plantation. He was in County Donegal by 1626 as Rector of the parishes of Ramoigh and Clonmary, Barony of Raphoe and later at Aughnish, Barony of Kilmacrenan. Reverend William Patton and his wife, Margaret, made their home at an estate called 'Groghan', and reared two sons, Henry and John. Henry's son, also named Henry, married Sarah Lynn, daughter of David Lynn of Kilmacrenan and a descendant of the Lynns of Loch Lynn, in Scotland. Henry and Sarah lived in the Manor of Springfield, Parish of Clondevaddock, Barony of Kilmacrenan, County Donegal. They became the parents of James, Elizabeth, Andrew, Richard and possibly Samuel Patton. James was a younger son, born in 1692 in Newton, Limavaddy, not slated to inherit any of the Patton estates, so he went to sea when very young. The book goes on to say, "A very impressive ship's master he must have been, as he was a 'man of gigantic statue, handsome and dignified and of remarkably commanding powers'. He was dark-haired and brown-eyed and over six feet two inches tall." It is said that James took part in the War with France called "Queen Anne's War" which terminated in 1713. In the 'James Patton' book, p21 is a mention of Samuel Patton, as follows: "The suggestion has been made that James Patton was responsible for the importation of the first Arabian horse into the English colonies in North America. An Arabian stallion named Bulle Rocke was imported into Virginia about 1730. One Samuel Patton had the first certificate for Bulle Rocke. It is thought that Samuel was a brother of James Patton already established in Virginia and Captain Patton, the ship's master, brought him Bulle Roche on one of his Trans-Atlantic voyages."  Sarah Lynn had a brother William Lynn who married Margaret Patton, daughter of John Patton, granddaughter of William Patton. William Lynn and Margaret Patton had two children, Margaret Lynn who married John Lewis, and Dr. William Lynn who founded Fredericksburg, Va in 1727. John Lewis lived in Northern Ireland on the estate of an old Catholic, Sir Mingho Campbell. When Sir Mingho Campbell died, his son insisted that John Lewis and his family vacate the premises. He came with a posse to drive them out. John Lewis's brother, Charles, was killed and Margaret was wounded. John Lewis then killed the Irish laird, killing him with his shillelagh. Lewis had to flee and hid until a ship could bring him to America. It is said in the book that perhaps Patton's ship picked up Lewis and took him to America. Margaret and their children followed 3 years or so later, to Lancaster County, Pa, then to Williamsburg, Va. to see if they could get land. "Engraved on John Lewis's tombstone at Bellefonte, Staunton, Virginia, is the inscription, 'Here lies John Lewis who slew the Irish Lord' ". This is the family of Thomas Lewis, Andrew Lewis, Charles Lewis and John Lewis, famous in the annals of frontier Virginia. The following is from "The Family Tree" by Mary Preston Gray. Henry Patton was a ship builder and ship owner, operating merchant ships. His son James was in the royal navy and held in high esteem by the King. Sometime after leaving the navy, James married Mary Borden (some accounts say Mary Osborne and others Burden) and had two daughters, Mary Patton b.1728 and Margaret Patton. James was Captain of a ship called the "Walpole", one of Henry Patton's ships. Not sure if it was a merchant ship or passenger but I would guess a merchant ship. It is said that James made as many as 20 or 25 passages from Northern Ireland to America, specifically, Hobbe's Hole, Virginia on the Rappahannack River. He carried Ulster immigrants to Virginia and returned with peltries and tobacco. In about 1738, James Patton received a grant of 120,000 acres of land in America. The King's only stipulation was that the land should be west of the 'Blue Mountains', and that settlements should be established for worthy and dependable British subjects. James Patton made one last voyage along with Alexander Breckinridge and his wife Jane, sister of John Preston, there were McCues, McClungs, McPheeters and many other Scottish names. Counties Donegal, Derry and Antrim had given refuge to the Protestant Scots who fled from Roman Catholic persecution and these descendents of those Presbyterian Scotchmen were ready to brave the dangers of the new world to found for themselves a home of religious freedom. James Patton brought his wife and two daughters, John Preston and his wife Elizabeth Patton Preston, their three daughters, Letitia, Margaret, and Mary and their one son, William Preston (founder of the Smithfield Prestons). Johns fourth daughter, Ann or Elizabeth Ann Preston was apparently born in this country in 1739. Others were John Buchanan and his two sisters Margaret and Martha, John Preston's sister, Mary Preston who later married Phillip Barger. The Walpole arrived in Belhaven, near Alexandria on the Potomac on August 26, 1738. There were supposedly 56 passengers aboard the Walpole on this trip and it is believed 30 of them were imported to settle a 30,000 acre tract, 1000 acres each. Patton, Lewis (a relative and land speculator) and William Beverley had entered a joint venture to obtain land from the Council of Virginia. The Pattons and Prestons settled adjacent to Tinkling Spring in the southern part of Beverley Manor (near what is now Staunton). See how the the Beverley Manor was divided. They were among those who in the fall of the same year formed the Triple Forks of the Shenando Congregation, which later became the Tinkling Spring Meeting House congregation. These Presbyterians were considered "dissentors", that is they dissented from the Anglican Church of England. (See also a page on James Patton which shows family connections better. John Preston is buried at Tinkling Spring Church near Staunton, VA. See pictures of the Church and its history.) Patton later built on the upper waters of the James River two villages and two forts. One was called Pattonsburg and the other, Buchanan. These two villages remain still, Pattonsburg is very small but Buchanan has grown into a thriving town. He also took up large numbers of acres in Botetourt County, Va. His own home he named "Spring Farm", which is now within the corporate limits of Staunton, Va. The other place was called "Spring Hill" and was recently owned by a Mr. Leonard Hunter, near Waynesboro, Virginia. Young John Buchanan soon married Patton's oldest daughter, Margaret, and they lived for years at Buchanan's Fort. Martha Buchanan, John's oldest sister, married a cousin newly arrived in the colony, another John Buchanan. John's youngest sister, Margaret Buchanan, married Major Charles Campbell. They became parents of General William Campbell, the hero of the Battle of Kings Mountain. James Patton took up several thousand acres on the New River, in what is now Montgomery County, Virginia. Here, on the river, Phillip and Mary (Preston) Barger built a fort and began a settlement. To this day it is known as the "Barger's Fort, and across the ridge Patton built a fort and began a settlement known as "Draper's Meadows". Here the Drapers, Ingles, McDonalds, Cloyds, etc. made their first home in the New World. Pattons home was called "Solitude" and it was here, on July 8, 1753, Col. James Patton met a tragic death when much of the settlement was wiped out on a bright Sunday morning by the savage tomahawk. (Mary Preston Gray's "The Family Tree" shows this date as 1755 and July 8th is not a Sunday, "The Preston Family" by John Mason Brown, shows it as 1753 which is a Sunday.) It is said that Patton had sent his nephew William Preston on an errand to Sinking Spring (near present day Newport). William had left early that morning. Drapers Meadows is now known as Blacksburg, the home of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, currently the largest (and best) college in the state of Virginia. Four generations of Pattons lived here (at what is now known as "Solitude") as well as Governor John Floyd.