Halbert Samuel McClure (abt. 1684 - abt. 1754)

Born about 12 Mar 1684 in Raphoe Parish, County Donegal, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Agnes Elizabeth (Steele) McClure — married about 1707 in Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland [uncertain]

Descendants

Died about 15 May 1754 at about age 70 in Timber Ridge, Rockbridge, Virginia, British Colonial America

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Peggy Shackelford [send private message], Kris Socha [send private message], and Butch Lesley [send private message]

Biography

Please visit the ^[1]Halbert Samuel McClure Family Mysteries page for ongoing research, speculation, disambiguation, and source collection.

Halbert came to the USA about 1736. He married Agnes* (1)^[2] in Ireland and had about 7 children. Halbert was Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. He is listed in Capt. John McDowell's militia from Botetourt County, Virginia, around 1742.

The text below was copied from a text. It should be sourced rather than the pages it was copied to.

Benjamin Borden was given a large grant of land on the Shenandoah and the Upper James River with the provision he settle one hundred families in ten years. This was in present day Rockbridge County, Virginia. It is known as Borden's Great Tract. He went to Ireland for settlers and came back with several families among whom were the McClures. On 19 March 1746 Halbert McClure purchased from the estate of Benjamin Borden two hundred thirty acres on the North Branch of the James River. ^[3]

From an article dated December 24, 1997 in the Lexington, Virginia News Gazette:

From Scotland's lowlands to Ireland to the Great Valley of Virginia, Halbert McClure and his descendants reached Augusta County in the 1700s, their migration continuing southward through the valley and westward to Kentucky and Indiana, among other states, and, eventually to the west coast.

The descendants endured trying times while situating themselves in the New World, first arriving at a Pennsylvania port in the 1730s. After their arrival in present-day Rockbridge County, they witnessed, and suffered from, the Shawnee Indian raid at Kerrs Creek near present-day Lexington in 1761. They settled on portions of the 92,000-acre Burden Grant that included Augusta and almost all of Rockbridge County. Most of Halbert's direct descendants situated themselves in a one and a half mile radius in the vicinity of Lexington. One son, though, John, moved further south into what is now Botetourt County. ^[4]

Halbert McClure had a brother James, and the two families left Ireland together about 1736.

They left from the port city of Londonderry, located just a few miles east of Raphoe. The voyage lasted eight to ten weeks, and they arrived at the port of Philadelphia. They probably stayed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, for a short time to "physically recover from the rigors of the sea voyage, to become acquainted with their new environment, to determine where the most desirable, promising and available land was located, and to equip themselves with implements and livestock in preparation for the journey there."

When the McClures left Pennsylvania for Virginia, it would most likely have been with a group of other Scots-Irish families. They had to travel 200 miles on foot, which would take at least two weeks, probably much longer. Their belongings were carried by pack-horses. They settled in the area around present-day Lexington, Virginia.

The entire family settled within a circle having a one and one-half mile radius. The land was part of the Borden Grant in what is now Rockbridge County, Virginia.

Halbert became a charter member of the effort to establish a Presbyterian church in the area. A meeting house was built in 1746, and in 1753 construction of the Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church was begun. Joe McClure reports in Donegal that he recently visited both these churches and "found they have withstood the stress of time in commendable fashion and still remain a viable part of the community in Fishersville and Lexington."

Halbert died in 1754, and his grave was among the first in the churchyard of the meeting house.

Halbert's sons Samuel and Nathaniel had married in Ireland before they immigrated, and both became fathers of their first children within a year or two after arriving. Moses married Isabella Steele at age 35, then Alexander married Martha Moore when he was 32. John McClure, the youngest son, married Mary Malcolm when he was 21. ^[4]

From the book of "The McClure Family," by James Alexander McClure, copyright 1914, page 135 I find... McClures in Rockbridge County: Halbert McClure came to the county about 1740. The earliest mention of his name is 1742, on the list of Capt. McDowell's militia company. His deed is recorded in Book I, p. 203, dated March 19, 1746. "Benjamin Borden to Halbert McClure, 230 acres on North branch of James River, corner of Samuel McClure." This was in the bounds of Timber Ridge congregation, where, in 1753, he signed to call for Rev. John Brown. ^[5]

Halbert was born in Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland where he was Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church. We do not know the date of his birth or the date of his importation to this country but it is thought to be 1740. We do know he was in Virginia by 1742 as he is listed in Capt. John McDowell's militia from Botetourt County, Virginia at that time. (Chalkley Vol. 2, pg. 508)

Benjamin Borden was given a large grant of land on the Shenandoah and the Upper James River with the provision he settle one hundred families in ten years. This was in present day Rockbridge County, Virginia. It is known as Borden's Great Tract. He went to Ireland for settlers and came back with several families among whom were the McClures. On 19 March 1746 Halbert McClure purchased from the estate of Benjamin Borden two hundred thirty acres on the North Branch of the James River. (Augusta Co., Va. Deed Bk. 1, pg. 203)

Halbert McClure, as all the early McClures, was a Presbyterian. He lived within the bounds of the Timber Ridge Meeting House. The Timber Ridge Church was organized in 1746. His son, Alexander was one of the first Ruling Elders of this church in 1755. The earliest church building was built of logs, with dirt floor and split logs for pews. This was replaced by a sandstone church built in 1756 by some fifty families, which, no doubt, included the McClures. The stones were carried by the women on horseback for five miles to the building site. This structure is still a part of the church in use today.

In 1777 a Presbyterian Academy, known as the Augusta Academy was changed to Timber Ridge and was known as the Liberty Hall Academy. In 1780 it was moved to Lexington, Virginia and is now known as the Washington and Lee University. The Timber Ridge people furnished the endowment to establish this, now, well known University.

In the WILL of Halbert McClure (Augusta Co., Va. Will Bk. 2, pgs. 36-38)he is referred to as "Gentleman". The term "Gentleman" was understood to be one of the Upper Mid- dle Class, coming between the nobility and the yoemen. They were descended from free men, with a coat-of-arms and the privilege of wearing a sword. On the American frontier a prominent person would be given the title, only, as a matter of courtesy. In Halbert's WILL dated 23 March 1753 and proven 15 Mar 1754 we find the name of his wife to be Agnes. Two of his sons, Alexander and Nathaniel were named executors of his estate. We also find he had a brother John, for he mentions his brother John's son, Halbert in his WILL. A complete list of Halbert's children are found in the McClure Family by James A. McClure pgs. 135,136, 140, 181,and 193 as follows:

• Nathaniel: Born 1712, Died 1761, married a Mary.
• Alexander: Born 1717, Died 1789, married Martha Moore.
• Hannah: Born ??, Died 1779, married Robert Allison.
• Moses: Born 1720, Died 1778, married Isabella Steele (daughter of David Steele)
• Samuel: Born ??, Died 1779, married a Mary possibly Mary Kelso. Was a member of Capt. John Buchanan's VA Militia
• John: Born 1725, Died 1777, married Mary Malcom and Mary Allen. ^[3]

Research Notes

• (1) I removed the "Elizabeth McTavish" from his mother Agnes's name as the only source for her middle and maiden name is a WeRelate page that doesn't contain either, except for the way her profile was named. While it is frustrating not having her full name, there isn't any evidence as of yet. I have seen "Steele" as many times as "McTavish", as well as some other names, in "the lore". I also changed mother to "not confident" from "confident", as information is significantly lacking. --McClure-3513 21:33, 30 August 2018 (UTC)

Name: Halbert McClure (IRELAND) ^{[6] [7] [8]}

Birth:

Date: 1690

Place: Raphoe Parish, County Donegal, Ireland ^[7]

Arrival

Date: 1740

Place: Augusta Co., Virginia ^[6]

Research Notes

At first blush, this profile and McClure-837 have much in common. They almost look like the same person. They are not. The wife for McClure-1219 may have been co-opted from McClure-837, but I have found no source that gives information beyond "his wife Agnes". There are several problems with this profile, including the dates of the children's lives. ~~----

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Halbert_Samuel_McClure_Family_Mysteries
2. ↑ https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Halbert_McClure_(2)
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~smcclure/html/family_history.html
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} http://www.mcclure-hopsonfamilyhistory.com/1st_generation_halbert_and_agnes_mcclure.htm
5. ↑ http://www.archive.org/stream/mcclurefamily00mccl#page/134/mode/2up
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. Place: Augusta Co., Virginia; Year: 1740; Page Number: 47
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, Yates Publishing, Ancestry.com Operations Inc. Source number: 3916.018; Source type: Family group sheet, FGSE, listed as parents; Number of Pages: 1
8. ↑ Virginia Land, Marriage, and Probate Records, 1639-1850, Ancestry.com Operations Inc.

• From Chalkley's:

Page 36.--23d March. 1753. Halberd McClure's will, gentleman--Wife, Agnes; brother, John's son Halberd; sons; son Alexander, son Nathaniel, executors. Teste: Baptist McNabb, Jno. Davison, Saml. Lyle. Proved, 16th May, 1754, by Davison and Lyle, and executors qualify. Page 54.--May, 1754 (?). Halbert McClure's appraisement. Page 59.--6th June, 1754. Halbert McClure's appraisement, by John Paxton, John Moore, Joseph Walker.

• Records in Augusta County, VA

From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records:

Vol. 2 - Muster List of 1742: No. 12 - Capt. John McDowell's List: John McDowell, Captain; James McDowell, Ephraim McDowell, David Breeden, Alex. McClewer, John McClewer, Halbert McClewer, Sam McRoberts, Thomas Taylor, John McKnab, And. McKnab, Thos. Whiteside, Malco Whiteside, John Aleson, David Bires, Alex. McClure, Moses McClure, John Gray, Patt McKnabb, Wm. Hall, John Miless, Wm. Miles. James Hardiman, Charles Quail, Wm. Wood, Hen. Kirkham, Gilbert Gamble, James Gamble, Rob. Young, Math. Young, _____ Long, _____ Long, James More, Hugh Cunigham, James Cunigham, John Cares, Frances McCowan, Hum. Beaker, John Peter Salley, Mitch. Miller, Loromor Mason, John Matthews, John Cosier, Irwin Patterson, Edward Patterson, Joseph Finney, Michael Finney, Sam Wood, Rich. Wood, Joseph Lapsley. Page 269.--21st May, 1747. Benj. Bordin, &c., to Robert Allison (sold in testator's lifetime); 279 acres, 2 R., 36 P., £8.5.0 current money Virginia, part of 92,100; north branch of James; corner to Halbert McClure, James Thompson's land. Witnessed and acknowledged as above.

• http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~smcclure/html/family_history.html
• http://www.mcclure-hopsonfamilyhistory.com/1st_generation_halbert_and_agnes_mcclure.htm

• http://www.archive.org/stream/mcclurefamily00mccl#page/10/mode/2up
• http://www.archive.org/stream/mcclurefamily00mccl#page/134/mode/2up
• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=127227074 indicates middle name of Samuel, spouse of Agnes Steele (1690-1750), and father of John McCLure (1725-1779)
• Slaying of the Halbert McClure Family

• Ancestry Family Tree

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Peggy Shackelford for creating WikiTree profile McClure-1219 through the import of Fisher_Shackelford.ged on Dec 11, 2013. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Peggy and others.