McCLELLAND. The genealogy of the family of this name, in East Finley township, can be traced to Thomas MeClelland, native of Ireland, descended from a sturdy and rugged race who left their heather clad mountain homes in Scotland for the North of Ireland during the days of religious persecutions. About the middle of the eighteenth century Thomas McClelland, then but a boy, left his native country for America, landing at Philadelphia, where he was employed at various kinds of work for some time; then moved to the eastern part of the State, and commenced farming on a small piece of land he had purchased with his hard-earned savings. Here he married Nancy Ferguson, a native-born American of Irish parentage. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war Thomas McClelland enlisted in the defense of his adopted country, was in active service and severely wounded on several occasions, which caused his return home to his wife and little ones before the close of the struggle. In 1790 he came to Washington county, and located in South Strabane township, where the rest of his children were born, and where he and his wife passed the remainder of their days, both dying at a ripe old age, she several years before him.
Hugh McClelland, the fourth child in the order of birth of Thomas and Nancy (Ferguson) McClelland, was born December 13, 1789, in eastern Pennsylvania, and came to Washington county with his parents, with whom he lived sometime afterward, laboring on the farm and attending school during a few weeks in winter. About 1810 he commenced learning reed-making with James MeKeown, of Washington borough, which trade he followed several years. In 1815 he was married to Elizabeth Martin, born February 26, 1795, a daughter of Peter Martin, of South Strabane township, this county, and the result of this union was nine children, as follows: Thomas, born January 31, 1816, died June 13, 1842 ; Peter M. (special mention of whom is made further on); William, born August 9, 1820, died January 24, 1821; Samuel, born August 14, 1822, died September 3, 1842; Hugh F. and Mary Jane (of whom special mention is made further on); John, born November 16, 1830, died September 30, 1854; James, born July 31, 1833, died October 14, 1843, and Nancy, born July 23, 1836, died April 26, 1838. On June 26,1849, the mother of this family died, and in 1851 Mr. McClelland was married to Ann, daughter of Alexander Craig, of Buffalo township, this county, and she died in 1882 without issue. After his first marriage Hugh McClelland followed his trade of reed-making until 1827, in which year he purchased a tract of land in South Strabane township, near where his father located when first coming to Washington county. Here He success-fully carried on farming till 1833, when he bought of Frank Stone a large tract of land lying in East Finley township, not far from the Buffalo township line, where he continued to follow agricultural pursuits up to 1862. In that year he retired from active farm work and removed into the borough of Washington, where he lived some years; then took up his residence in Claysville, where he peacefully passed from earth at the patriarchal age of ninety-five years. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics was a Democrat. Of his family only three are now living: Peter M., born September 11, 1818; Hugh F., born April 27, 1823, and Mary Jane, born July 31, 1828.
In 1862 the two brothers, Peter M. and Hugh F., rented the home farm in East Finley township, which a few years later they purchased. The property consists of 206 acres of prime land, equipped with commodious residence and out-houses. The brothers have been constant companions from boyhood days, have never married, and are quiet, unassuming men, good citizens and respected neigh-hors. Both have been lifelong Democrats. They now rent their land, and are living retired lives in harmony and peace along with their sister, Mary Jane, a spinster, who has been with her brothers since 1862, attending to the household duties.
Such is a brief record of the only surviving representatives of the family descended from Thomas MeClelland, the pioneer immigrant to Washington county of over a century ago.
Text taken from page 1109 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed January 1997 by Jean Suplick Matuson of Plano, TX as part of the Beers Project.
Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]