Friday, March 14, 2008

McLelland Genealogy

James McClellan and Ann Nancy Harrison

My great great grandfather was JAMES BURR McLELLAND, born 4 July 1812 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina. He married ELIZA GIBSON HEAD born 1813 also in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina. They were first cousins related through their mothers, who were "HARRISON" sisters.

James Burr McLelland's Father is said to have been Reverend James McLELLAN / McClelland of Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina. James Burr's Mother was Ann HARRISON (daughter of Burr Harrison). Eliza Gibson Head's Mother was Susannah Gibson HARRISON who married William Woodward HEAD). Ann and Susannah were sisters and both daughter's of Burr HARRISON and Elizabeth Dargan of Fairfield County, South Carolina. Therefore, James Burr and his wife Eliza were first cousins because both their mother's were sisters.

I will continue with the descendants of this family in a future post.

I am wanting to explore James Burr McLelland's pedigree on up the line. A wonderful genealogy friend sent me all the information she had on James Burr McLelland's parents and siblings:

Father: James McLelland / McClelland - Methodist Minister, living in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina. It is said that he was "of" Charleston, South Carolina, on the southwest coast. I need to know more information about this person.

On the 1880 census records of son James Burr McLelland, he stated that his Father Rev. James McLelland was born in SCOTLAND. We have no reason to doubt this, other than we can't find any other sources that confirm this fact. James Burr's other two "known" siblings, Jane Dorcas and GKD are not found to have lived to the year of 1880, so it is currently impossible to tell if the information that the father James McClellan was indeed, born in Scotland.

Unfortunately, the information that was kindly provided to me stated that James Burr McLelland's mother, Ann Harrison died three weeks after her last child (presumably George/GKD) was born. This may be why not much can be found on her. We believe they had three children because they are listed on James McClellan's Will:

1. Jane Dorcas McLelland, born 31 Dec 1811, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
2. James Burr McLelland, born 4 July 1812, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina
3. George Kendrick Dougherty (GKD), born abt 1816, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina

Also, the year following the death of their mother Ann Harrison, the father Rev. James McLelland also died from accidental poisoning as was listed in his obituary in the City Gazette Newspaper, Charleston, South Carolina, 31 December 1817:

Obituary: "On the 4th inst. near Columbia, Mr. James McClellan, occasioned by his taking salt petre instead of salts."

His Will names children: Jane, James, and George D.
Executors: Andrew Wallace and Benjamin Harrison, Jr. D: 4 Dec. 1817. Probate: 6 Dec. 1817, Richland County Equity Court Roll #361.

I wondered who Andrew Wallace, one of the executors of his Will was. I found in an online google book: "Columbia & Richland County, A South Carolina Community 1740-1990", on page 82, the mention of an "Andrew Wallace". It says he was a prominent "Scot" who made a fortune as a local merchant. I believe this is the same person who was mentioned in Rev. James McLelland's Will, because he was known to be a Reverend of a Methodist Church.

Executor Benjamin Harrison, Jr. was obviously a brother of Rev. James McClellan's wife, Ann Harrison.

I also found that both James and Ann were witnesses to a Will in Richland County, South Carolina of "Starling Clark" on 13 December 1804. On this document, Ann Harrison was listed as "Nancy McClellan", therefore, it is presumed that she was called "Nancy" or her middle name was Nancy, since many times people were called by their middle names in those times. The spelling of McClellan was used on this document as well as James McClellan's will. Regarding this Will of Starling Clark, James McClellan appeared in court on 31 December 1807 to testify on behalf of the deceased that it was indeed Starling that signed his will.

Also, interestingly, this book also mentions that the Methodists formed a society in 1803 and within a year had built a wooden meeting house on the corner of Washington and Marion streets. Benett KENDRICK was the first Methodist Minister assigned to Columbia, (Richland County, South Carolina). One of the middle names of Rev. James McLelland's youngest son, George, also known as GKD, the "K" standing for "Kendrick". The "D" in his name stands for "Dougherty" or some spelling thereof. There was yet another prominent minister of the time name: George Daughtery. This is too coincidental for Rev. James McClellan's son not to have been named after these two men of the time.

The above information provides further proof of not only where Rev. James McClellan preached, and/or attended church, but also that he probably knew Bennet Kendrick and George Daughtery well enough to name one of his children after him.

Further research regarding this very ancient church in Columbia prompted me to contact the historian of the church. He indicated that all the ministers of this church had been recorded since the very beginning and he confirmed that Bennet Kendrick was indeed the minister who started this church. He also told me that no James McClellan was listed as a minister of this church, nor was he or his family members buried in the church graveyard, which is still there and records kept about who was buried there. Although this was a good lead, it didn't give me any further information. It may be that James McClellan was a minister of another Methodist church in the area and I haven't researched them as of yet. It is always nice to know where the final burial and resting place of our ancestors are. The tombstones of the early 1800's, unless well kept up by caring people, are usually unreadable by this time.

Will of "James McClellan"
Dated: 4 December 1817
Probated: 6 December 1817

"In the Name of God Amen, I James McClellan of Richland District in the State of South Carolina being Weak in Body but Sound in Mind and Memory do make and constitute this my last Will and Testament and do revoke all others that I may have made heretofore.

In the first place it is my Will and desire that all my just and lawful debts be paid out of the proceeds of my Estate and afterwards. I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my property to my Dear Children, viz, Jame, James and George D McClellan and I appoint and nominate as Executors of this my last Will and Testament my friends Andrew Wallace and Benjamin Harrison Junior. In witness my hand and Seal in presence of John Wyche, Zacheriah Phillips, Daniel Dockery this 4 Dec. 1817.
Jas. McClellan"

"Signed and Sealed and acknowledged in presence of Z. Phillips, John Wyche, Daniel Dockery. South Carolina, Richland District."

"Personally appeared John Wyche who being duly sworn made Oath and affired that he saw James McClellan sign Seal and acknowledge the written Deed to be his last Will and Testament, that the Testator was then of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding according to the best of this Deponents knowledge and belief and that this Deponent with Daniel Dockery and Zackariah Phillips at the request of this Testator in his presence and in the presence of each other witnessed the due execution thereof.
John Wyche"

"Sworn to before me, 6 December 1817, James S. Guignard, Ordinary.
Recorded in Will Book G, Page 42, Box 20, Package 481."
Richland County Public Library

Who raised the 3 children of this couple, who died before their time, is under question. It could have been any of the Harrison siblings, primarily Benjamin Harrison, who was listed on James McClellan's Will. Census records at that time do not reveal definite evidence of who the children, all under the age of 10 at the time, went to live with, but it can be assumed they lived with relatives.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Jesse Doss Family

Son of Zacheus/Zachariah Doss of Virginia, Jesse Doss was one of the many sons of this large family. Sometime during the early 1800's, Father Zacheus moved his family over the Virginia county line into Stokes County, located in northern North Carolina, before moving back to Virginia several years later.

As a result, Jesse Doss was born 1806 in Stokes County, North Carolina. Jesse married 7 January 1829, Montgomery County, Virginia to Violet Wilson, daughter of John Wilson (b. 1776, VA d. 1848, Hancock Co, IL) and Elizabeth Cummings (b. 1781, VA d. 1845, Hancock Co, IL). So, it seems that Violet's parents and other family members traveled with them to Illinois because both her parents died in Hancock County, Illinois. There were many people who traveled west from the eastern states during this time period and beyond. One can only imagine how many people were in these wagon trains, walking along the trails during this time period.

As stated in the previous post, arrest warrants had been issued to the sheriff by the courts to arrest Jesse and his brother Philip in North Carolina, although Jesse never complied and ended up getting married, having a child and then leaving the state before he could be found. One can only speculate on all the possible interesting scenarios as to why he ran, and didn't comply with the court order.

Jesse and Violet's son Joel W Doss was born 29 July 1833 in Indiana, so we know they traveled through that state during that time period.

Early Doss Family History

Jesse Doss, my great great grandfather was born in Stokes County, North Carolina in 1806, and died 1870 in Sparta, Bell County, Texas.

The earliest Doss' from which Jesse descended per research that is not wholly conclusive is: John Doss (Dawe) originally found in Middlesex County, Virginia in 1661. Headrights were claimed for a Jno. Dawe and An Dawe. In the Christ Church Parish Register for Middlesex County, Virginia a John Doss married Ann Taylor 26 January, 1680. Later, an Ann Doss was listed in the same parish register as marrying Thomas Wingo on 15 July 1688.

Three (possibly four) children were born to John and Ann Doss: William christened January 1680/81 who married Katherine Woodyard in 1708. Ellenor, a twin to William was christened on the same date as her brother, and married Jeptha Edmund in 1704. Thomas, the third known child to the union of John and Ann Doss, is the ancestor from whom our family (and many, many others) descends. He was born 1687 and died after March 1759 in Goochland or Albermarie County, Virginia.

It is believed that Thomas Doss married Margaret Soss about 1705 and had 6 known sons. These six sons were: James, Thomas, Marcus, Zachariah, Azariah and Jeremiah born between 1715 and 1730 in Virginia. One note: The last name of Thomas' wife Margaret is too similar to the name of Doss, and makes me wonder if her last name was truly known or recorded incorrectly.

Note on Historical Colonial "Counties" - In almost all cases, the original counties also called Districts in some places, during the 1600 and 1700's changed their county lines numerous times. Originally, of course, there were no counties listed, only names of places, then they were divided into Districts and finally counties. The boundaries of the counties continually changed throughout the years even into the 1800's. There are books and records available to tell us where the originally recorded places used to be, and checking these is very important to find the exact locations of our ancestors.

The old parish registers, deed books and land records, a person's Will and any court or legal records is the best way to locate a person prior to the 1790 United States Census, and even then, only the heads of families were listed (primarily males unless a female was a family head), until the 1850 United States Census, when all family members names, ages and where they were born were listed. Therefore, prior to 1850, it is very difficult to trace the exact names and places of all family members.

To continue, Thomas Doss' son Zachariah was the next male in my pedigree, born about 1720 in Virginia and died before 1810 in Virginia. Records indicate that Zachariah married Elizabeth Ann Atkinson born about 1732 in Henrico County, Virginia and died about 1780 in Bedford County, Virginia. Her parents were William Atkinson (1689-1735) and Elizabeth Parker (1695-1733) both of Henrico and Goochland Counties in Virginia.

As far as we know, Zachariah II and Mary had about 9 children, one of which was my great great grandfather Jesse Doss. Zachariah, also listed as Zacheus on some records, was taxed in Bedford County, Virginia in 1782 and 1786. He was listed on the 1810 Census in Stokes County, North Carolina with 6 children (ages between 1 and 26) and a wife. The 1820 Census shows 7 males (ages between 1 and 26), plus one female between age 26-45, presumed to be either an eldest child or wife of an elder son, plus the wife was also listed.

By 1827, he was shown as living back in Montgomery County, Virginia based on tax records there along with James A, Jesse and Isom. The sons of Zacheus, Jesse, Isom, Phillip were located on the 1828, 1849 and 1830 tax records in this county. Due to many other records, the male children of this family were established: James A, Jesse, Isom, Philip, and possibly, but with only minor evidence, Henry, Thomas, and John.

At the Montgomery County, Virginia courthouse, several Arrest Warrants were found for Philip and Jesse Doss (age 23), who were charged with Breaking the Peace. These warrants were issued to the sheriff by the court commanding him to arrest Philip and Jesse. A record was found for a trial held for Philip in which he was convicted by a jury in August 1829.

These warrants continued every few months beginning in August 1928 until June 1830 when Philip paid his fine. In Jesse's case, these arrest warrants continued until December 1830 when his warrant was returned marked "no inhabitant". It was around this time that it is known that Jesse Doss began his journey from Virginia, through Kentucky, Indiana and eventually settled in Hancock County, Illinois. He was already married and one female child, Elizabeth had been born in North Carolina before they began there travels.

Locations of Virginia counties for the previous ancestors according to a 1830 Virginia map were Middlesex, located north of Jamestown, Virginia. Goochland County is located about 3 or 4 counties to the west of Middlesex County. The majority of counties mentioned in all the land, deed, court and parish records were in the mid-southern Virginia counties of: Bedford, Campbell, Franklin, Halifax, Pittsylvania and Montgomery Counties - all close to the North Carolina northern border - at that time.

Ancestor Overview

To begin this blog, I will give a brief overview of my main ancestors and go into more detail in future blogs. This is being done in the hope that it will help others in their search for common ancestors as well as possibly locate some cousins out there. I am grateful I have already found some direct and distant cousins through my genealogical endeavors.

Also, history is one of my major interests as well as geography, and genealogy helps to satisfy these interests. Therefore, I will include historical details of all that relate to my ancestors as I encounter them.

All of this is dedicated to my Mother who spent 20-30 years in researching our family's ancestors and compiled three rather huge binders of information on the Doss, Strange and Vaughn direct lines of our family.

My Mother researched in the days prior to computers and I am amazed at her ongoing dedication and commitment to finding and putting this information together in a highly organized manner. She also wrote stories about key ancestors using as much information as was available to write something interesting. In addition, she became interested in the family history after first married and was able to know a lot of the people listed on these pages that were still alive in her younger life.

I am simply trying to help fill in some of the missing information due to the vast amount of information now available on line.

The four main family surnames are:

DOSS - Paternal Line - From 1600's in Virginia, through North Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois to finally settle in Texas. Some of our Doss Ancestors went on to settle in Sonoma County, in mid-Northern California.

McLELLAND - Paternal Line - The earliest proven ancestor was living and married in Richland County, South Carolina. His son, born 1812 in South Carolina put on all found census records that his Father was born in Scotland. This fact has not yet been proven. This same son lived in South Carolina, and Mississippi before moving to Texas.

STRANGE - Maternal Line - This name was originally "Le Strang" from France, then through England, Wales and onto America. In America our branch of the family began in the 1600's in Virginia and moved on to North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and finally Texas.

VAUGHN - Maternal Line - The earliest known ancestor was born in either North Carolina or Tennessee in 1814, moved to NE Arkansas, and eventually settled in Texas. My great grandparents moved on to live in New Mexico for some while, before ending up in the Riverside area of Southern California.

As can be deduced from the above, a lot of my direct family history lies in the state of Texas. Bell County and Coryell County, Texas were mainly where my paternal line comes from. My maternal line was in mid-Northeast Texas near Navarro and Upshur County, Texas. Eventually, my parents were both living in Dallas, Texas when they met and married.

Other than a short foray into Kentucky, Indiana and settling in the Hancock County, Illinois area for twenty years in my great great grandfather Doss' line, (who also ended up in Bell County, Texas), ALL of my direct family is from the Southern States. I think it's interesting that I would end up directly in the middle of the country in Kansas City! This was due to my father taking work in Denver, Colorado and then being transferred here where he stayed and raised his family until his death in 1993. My Mother, God bless her, is still with us - as of 2013.