Alexander McClure was born 1693 in Scotland, and died 1787 in Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia. He married Martha Stinson on 1755 in Lexington, Virginia.
Notes for Alexander McClure: The Story of Alexander McClure
As written by George Coon (1845-1909) in 1901
He was born in Scotland, of Scotch-Irish stock in 1695. About the year 1700 his parents came to America with their children. Alexander McClure settled 2 miles from Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia. Here his family grew up and here he and his wife died and are buried. From the best obtainable accounts of the appearance and character of Alexander McClure, we find that he was a typical Scotch-Irish large boned man with muscles like pliable steel. He was over 6 feet tall, erect and dignified. His eyes were deep blue and hair intensely black. In his business relations he was firm and upright. He freed his slaves in his last years. Two of the older ones, however preferred to remain on the plantation and help take care of the Missus and her children. He brought up his family in the fear of the Lord, and he himself was deeply religious, although he enjoyed taking part in the dainty minuet, or even the more exciting Virginia Reel. At the age of about 30 he married a young lady from Lexington. They had no children. After a married life of some 30 years his wife died. He remained a widower for two years then married Martha Stinson, who was better known to her family and friends as "Patsy." A jokingly pleasant incident is recalled and mentioned in connection with this marriage. When Martha was a baby in her mother's arms, her mother attended a dance. At the dance, Alexander McClure and his wife were present. During the dance he took the baby and finished one of the dances with his wife while holding the baby in his arms. At the end of that figure (dance) he took the baby to her mother, and as he handed it to her he said jokingly, "take this baby, bring her up right, and raise her so I can have her for my second wife." About 18 years after the incident that baby, then grown to womanhood, married this same gallant dancer who was about 44 years her senior. To them were born 8 children, all strong, vigorous, healthy, religious men and women whose descendents have inherited much by the way of physical build and strength and deeply religious and intellectual characteristics. One of Alexander's granddaughters, Catherine McClure McKinney has been a reliable source of much of this information. She is now in her late 80's and retains all her mental faculties. The McClure family was all very large, all over 6 feet tall. The marriage of Alexander and Martha, the "May and December" marriage was rich with mental, moral and physical strength. Alexander took the full oversight of his plantation and was standing in front of his residence one day in 1789 when he was 94 years old. His youngest son was 9. He was giving instructions to his employees about some work when suddenly without a moment's warning he dropped dead. Old age had done its perfect work. He had willed each of his sons a plantation, and gave to each of his daughters enough money to make their share equal with the sons. To the youngest, Nathaniel, he gave his Virginia homestead, and amply provided for his widow. As a soldier he was ranked (or at least called) a colonel. His wife Martha received a pension until her death, and his granddaughter, Mrs. P.T. (Catherine) McClure McKinney, has the small trunk (or dispatch box) which he carried in the Army. Martha Stinson lived with her youngest son, Nathaniel, for the remainder of her life. Just before she died she got up to investigate the gnarling of dogs about the homestead, and fell at the door. Some of the family picked her up and laid her on the bed. Her daughter-in-law, Mary Beaver McClure asked "What is the matter?" and she said, "Oh, Polly, I can not get my breath," and was dead.
Captain John McDowell's List 1742 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, Alexander McClure, Moses McClure, John Gray, Patt McKnabb, William 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 Cuningham, James Cuningham, 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
Served in 18th Regiment US Volunteers for entire Revolutionary War
His will was filed 2/2/1790 Rockbridge County, Virginia
Site 1: Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church Directions: The church is located north of Lexington, Virginia. From the exit off Interstates 64 and 81 just north of Lexington, go north on U.S. Highway 11 about a mile, and turn right onto county road 716, at the wayside park marking the birthplace of Sam Houston.
Timber Ridge Church erected its present building in 1756. The communion table in the church was built and given to the church the same year, and is the oldest known piece of Rockbridge County furniture. Timber Ridge would be the church where Dr. Archibald Alexander would have been baptized in 1772. There is an interesting historical display in the vestibule of the church. Near the church is a marker for the birthplace of Sam Houston (1793-1863), governor of Tennessee and of Texas. Robert Houston, grandfather of the governor, belonged to Timber Ridge Church and gave the land for the present building. The older Archibald Alexander died about 1780 and is apparently buried two miles north, at Muse Cemetery, the older burying ground for Timber Ridge Church, though his grave stone is now gone.
More About Alexander McClure: Burial: Unknown, Timber Ridge Churchyard, Lexington, Virginia. Emigration: Abt. 1736, Came to America with parents from Scotland. Military service: 1742, Colonel in the war, member Capt John McDowell's Company.
More About Alexander McClure and Martha Stinson: Marriage: 1755, Lexington, Virginia.
Children of Alexander McClure and Martha Stinson are:
Halbert McClure, b. Abt. 1757, Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia, d. date unknown.
Susannah McClure, b. Abt. 1760, Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia, d. date unknown.
Alexander McClure, b. Abt. 1763, Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia, d. date unknown.
James McClure, b. Abt. 1767, Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia, d. date unknown.
Samuel McClure, b. Abt. 1771, Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia, d. date unknown.
Margaret McClure, b. Abt. 1775, Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia, d. date unknown.
John McClure, b. Abt. 1779, Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia, d. date unknown.
+Nathaniel McClure, b. Jun 08, 1783, Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia7, d. Oct 16, 1851, Wingate, Montgomery County, Indiana7.
Alexander McClure (b. 1693, d. 1787)
Notes for Alexander McClure: