Josiah Robertson McClelland (1785 - 1884)

Born 5 Sep 1785 in Scott, Virginia, United States [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Rhoda (Condra) McClelland — married 24 Dec 1812 in Monroe, Kentucky, United States

Descendants

Died 30 Nov 1884 at age 99 in Princeton, Mercer, Missouri, United States

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Biography

Josiah McClelland was born Sept 5, 1785 in White Oak, Bladen, North Carolina. ^[1]

He may have actually been born in Scott County, Virginia, and the story goes that he met Rhoda Condra in Kentucky after settling in Tennessee, and his first wife's passing. At the time he had 3 kids. He then went to Missouri and continued to raise a large family and farm. He passed away in 1854 in Mercer, Kentucky leaving many children behind as well as wife Elizabeth. ^[2]

Will Transcription for Josiah McClelland

I, Josiah McClelland of the County of Mercer and State of Missoui being of sound and disposing? mind, memory and understanding do make publish and declare this to be my last will and testament hereby revoking and making null and void all former last wills and testaments and heretofore made my will is first that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid by my Executors hereinafter named.

The residue? of my property or estate which shall not be required for my just dbts, the payment of my funeral charges, and the expenses attending the execution of this my last will and testament and the administration of my estate I give dense? and bequeath as follows to wit:

First: I give and bequeath to my son Samuel McCleland and to my daughter Rebecca Young and to my daughter Elizabeth McClelland and to my daughter Matilda Mayberry and to my son John C. McClelland and to my daughter Rhoda Perkins and to my son Josiah B. McCleland and to the heirs of my daughter Mary L. Moss and to my daughter Malinda? P. Merryman and to my son Andrew W. McCleland and to my son Baley McCleland one dollar in money each to be paid to them by my Executor herinafter named andhere? twelve months after my decease.

Second: I give and bequeath the rest and residue of my estate real personal and mixed to my beloved wife Elizabeth McClelland to hold and enjoy during her natural life or widowhood and at her death or marriage whatsoever shall there remain on hand and undisposed of I give and bequeath in equal shares to my infant children William H. C.? McCleland, Martha Jane McCleland, James W. McCleland, Harriet McCleland, Maria McCleland, and Jerice? McCleland and to be expended on the purpose of maintaining and educating them in a respectable manner and suitable to their condition in life and I do nominate my beloved Wife Elizabeth McCleland to be the sole executor of this my last will and testament.

In testimony where of the said Josiah McCleland have hereto subscribed my name and affixed my seal on the 18th day of October in this year of our lord Eighteen Hundred and fifty four ^[3]

Research Notes

He is listed along with Rhoda Condra as the parents of Dr. Josiah Robinson McClellan of Iowa on page 711 as well as a neat sketch on their life, including that Dr. Josiah R. McClellan Jr. was born in "Monroe, Kentucky on the 15th of December, 1823. His paternal ancestors were Scotch-Irish. His Great-Grandfather settled in North Carolina, and his grandfather lived in Scott County, Virginia, where the father of the doctor, Josiah McClelland, was born. The maiden name of the Doctor's mother was Rhoda Condra, of whose pedigree nothing is known. When the subject of this notice was about two years old the family moved to Jackson County, Tennessee, and in 1841 to Mercer County, Missouri, the son being raised on his father's farm" ^[4]

Josiah and Rhoda Condra McClellan are mentioned as the parents of Bailey Payton McClellan who is buried at the Chaffin Cemetery in Jackson County, Tennessee: Family Members Buried at Chaffin Cemetery, Jackson Co., TN: David Carter Lynn – b. 29 1950 – d. 24 January 1950, s/o Roger & Guinlin Lynn, grandson of Eva Chaffin Lynn. Child – of Bailey & Tempy McClellan. Baily Payton McClellan – b. 30 January 1833 – Civil War soldier, Sgt. 8th, TN Inf., s/o Josiah & Rhoda Condra McClellan. Wife: Temperance Young McClellan – b. 1838/9, d/o Robert & Barbara Gallion Young, they are buried: Old Young-Chaffin place, Tallies Hollow (now on the N.B. Chaffin place). Elizabeth Young Chaffin – 19 January 1819 – d. 10 September 1904, d/o Robert Young & Barbara Gallion, wife of Abner Chaffin – b. 15 January 1819 – d. 9 September 1869, s/o Joseph & Nancy Fox Chaffin, both b. 1793. ^[5]

Rhoda Condra McClelland Perkins -- by her Granddaughter, Rhoda Perkins Wakefield--

Josiah McClelland was born in 1785. Soon after his marriage to Nancy Reynolds, he and his bride moved to Nashville Tennessee, which was a US fort at that time. In that early day they had to move on packhorses. Josiah is credited with having assisted in building the first residence proper in Nashville.

They had three children there, Rebecca, Elizabeth and the third, a boy who died along with his mother when he was but a few days old. Soon after this sad bereavement, Josiah took his two little girls and moved to Monroe Co., Kentucky. There he became acquainted with Miss Rhoda Condra, who became my great grandmother. To this couple were born ten children. The first six were born in Monroe Co. Josiah then moved his family to Jackson Co., TN, where the last four were born.

Josiah’s and Rhoda’s fourth child was given the full name of her mother; Rhoda Condra McClelland. As it was handed to her, it has likewise come down to her daughter and several grand daughters, of which I am one… When Rhoda was quite young she learned to row a boat and was an excellent horseback rider. She learned the tailoring trade, which served her well, when she made clothes for her seven sons.

When Grandmother was scarcely eighteen her mother died. Some of the older children had married and the care of the large family was on her shoulders. Her father had built a good home but with a lack of conveniences, there was much work for the women folk.

Neighbors and friends of the McClellands, some of which were the Perkins… were pushing toward the west… Reuben Perkins and Josiah McClelland families must have been very close. At least two of the young folks had a mutual understanding and plans for the future. Jesse Nelson Perkins, son of Reuben and Elizabeth Perkins had gone to Missouri two years earlier to secure a home. He procured several acres of land, built a two-room house and had the little nest ready for his bride to be.

Jesse and Rhoda were the first couple to be married in Mercer Co., MO (13 Jan. 1842). {Their first two sons were born at their home in Grundy Co., MO} About this time, there were rumors about a new religion, and a man called Joseph Smith. Jesse listened to this gospel and was baptized (1848) into the LDS Church by his brother, Andrew H. Perkins, who joined the church earlier in Nauvoo and had come as a missionary to his people in Missouri.

As soon as word got out that they had joined the Mormons, persecution commenced. Missourians were very hostile and cruel. Although Rhoda had not yet been baptized, when she attempted to go to see her father, stepmother, brothers and sisters, she was driven back by a mob, among which were two of her brothers-in-law. She always declared they were not worthy of, nor would they get, her sisters for their wives in the hereafter. Who could blame her for that feeling toward them? Persecution was so great it became necessary for this family to leave secretly with their belongings loaded into one small wagon. Their bins were full of grain, their smoke house full of meat. They left it all for the gospel’s sake, driving away through tall grass that straightened up again after the wheels passed over, leaving little evidence of the way they had gone.

The Perkins family traveled as far as Council Bluffs, joining with the saints. Rhoda was baptized there in 1849. They arrived at Salt Lake in Oct. 1849. The following April, Jesse & Rhoda’s third son was born. He was called Brigham Young Perkins. {The family then resettled in Bountiful, where their remaining children were born, Heber Kimball, Jesse N. Jr., Reuben Josiah, Franklin Monroe, and finally, a longed for daughter, Rhoda Elizabeth Perkins.}

The family of my grandparents was grown when it was called (1875) by Brigham Young to help settle southern Utah. They had lived in Bountiful for twenty-five years; had acquired quite an amount of property, cattle and sheep, etc. and a good two-story home with orchard, garden and pasture. But, like other saints who were called by authority to leave these comforts and all they held dear, they obeyed the call for the gospel’s sake, left it all to go down on the Sevier River, buying farmland at Hillsdale, eight miles south of Panguitch, where they again established a home.

The family remained here for two years, when they were again called to leave that home and go on to Arizona. Some time was spent making ready for this long difficult journey into nowhere, as it seemed in those days. Flour was ground from their wheat. Wool from their sheep was made into fine woolen goods. These and other items were exchanged for equipment more practical for their journey. Teams of oxen were acquired by trading farm equipment, which they could not take along. Grandmother had put down kegs of butter, which were stored away for future use for her large family.

When they reached Lees Ferry, they camped near the Colorado River, while Grandfather and Grandmother went back (for two weeks) to work in the St. George Temple, which had just been dedicated (1877).

{On New Year’s Day, 1878, they crossed the Colorado River and headed south to the settlement of Lehi (north side of Mesa) on the banks of the Salt River, where they made their home and where Jesse was called to preside over the saints in that area. Within a year though, they sold their lands, gave their water rights to the local Indians, and moved their family and belongings to Walker (now Taylor) Arizona. Here they bought town and farm lots and built a nice home. Rhoda was called to be the first Relief Society President in this new settlement.

Three years later (1883), her husband of 41 years, became ill from Small Pox while tending his dying son in their home. Both father and son were buried near each other in Taylor. Rhoda continued on for several more years, long enough to learn of the death of another one of her sons. Eventually, this good woman passed away due to an epidemic of “Lagrippe” (or Influenza) on 15 April 1898. She was buried next to her husband in Taylor, Arizona. ^[6]

Josiah was born about 1785. He is the son of Andrew McCLELLAND and Rebecca Robinson. Josiah was born in either North Carolina, Scott, Virginia, or Tennessee in 1785, 5 years into Tennessee becoming an official state. He is associated with Scott, Virginia as that is where his birth place was stated in a biography of his son of the same namesake written up by a great granddaughter of his. ^[7] However, on the 1850 Mercer County Census, he states his birthdate being 1787 in North Carolina. E McClellan his spouse, is 37, and 9 children are listed ^[8] He passed away in Mercer, Missouri where he left his will (see below) and had migrated to from Jackson County, Tennessee where he could be found in 1838 tax lists there ^[9]

Transcribed Will of his father Andrew McClelland

Page 120

In the name of God amen. I Andrew McClelland of the county of Scott being Sick and weak in body but of sound mind and reposing memory for which I thank God And Calling to mind the uncertainty human life and desirious to dispose of all such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with- I give and bequeeth the same in manner following that Is today I give to my wife Rebecah McClelland Twenty Seven dollars one mare and Colt three Cows and Calves one Steer one bull and heifer one bed and furniture and all the Shelf ware and all the personal and all the plantation tools and all the Geese and one Chest one flax wheel one cotton wheel for and during the time of her natural life and after her decease I give the Same to my Children here in after mentioned equally to be divided amongst and be enjoyed by them forever.

I give my Son George McClelland two dollars to him and his heirs forever

I give to my Son Josiaha McClelland two dollars to him and his heirs forever.

I give my Son Moses McClelland one rifle gun one ewe sheep to him and his heirs forever

I give to my Son Samuel McClelland the plantation I now live on and one hoss bridle and saddle one steer and heifer one rifle gun one bed and furniture to him and his heirs forever

I leave to my daughter Bitey Casteel two dollars to her and her heirs forever

I give to my daughter Mary Lane two dollars to her and her heirs forever

page 121

I give to my daughter Rosiah McClelland one cow and yearling steer one bed and furniture to her and her heirs forever

And lastly I do hereby Constitute and appoint my friend Henry Wood Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other _ former Wills or testaments by me heretofore made In witness where of I have _______ 6 Set my hand and affix my Seal this 17th day of May in the year 1819 Andrew McClelland (seal)

Signed Sealed and embellished ___ ___ Courier as send for The Last Will and testament of the above named Andrew McClelland in presence of Susannah Miller Sarah(X)Elliott Hannah Strong (her mark)

^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14172184/josiah-mcclelland
2. ↑ Notes: Wills, Vol B-C, 1853-1928 Ancestry.com. Missouri, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1766-1988 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data:Missouri, County, District and Probate Courts.
3. ↑ Notes: Wills, Vol B-C, 1853-1928 Ancestry.com. Missouri, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1766-1988 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data:Missouri, County, District and Probate Courts.
4. ↑ The United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self Made Men. Iowa Volume. United States, American biographical publishing Company, 1878. page 711
5. ↑ https://www.ajlambert.com/birdwell/stry_jc.pdf page 8
6. ↑ deannabebe1 originally shared this on 03 Jun 2010 on Ancestry.com (she descends from Jesse Nelson Perkins, who married Rhoda Condra McClelland, daughter of Josiah R. McClelland and Rhoda Condra.
7. ↑ The United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self Made Men. Iowa Volume. United States, American biographical publishing Company, 1878. page 711
8. ↑ Year: 1850; Census Place: District 56, Mercer, Missouri; Roll: 406; Page: 376a
9. ↑ Tennessee State Library and Archives; Nashville, Tennessee; Series Number: 02; Series Title: Entries
10. ↑ Will Books, 1816-1868, With Index, 1815-Ca. 1925; Author: Scott County (Virginia). County Clerk

Acknowledgments

Thank you to

• Linda James for creating McCLELLAND-298 on 13 Jul 13.

• Debbie Davis, firsthand knowledge. Click the Changes tab for the details of edits by Debbie and others.

• WikiTree profile McClellan-209 created through the import of GedTem12:18.ged on Dec 19, 2011 by Jack Templeton.