Halbert McClure, the immigrant ancestor?

           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.

This history, documented in a newly released book, Following the McClures--Donegal to Botetourt, paints a vivid picture of their settling of Augusta County, whose southern part was formed into Rockbridge County in 1778.

The book is an exhaustive tracking effort put forth by McClure descendants Joseph W. McClure, George E. Honts III, and Ellwyn Worley.

Here is the family information on Halbert McClure and his descendants.  All information for the first four generations comes from Following the McClures--Donegal to Botetourt, and I have included page numbers.  I encourage anyone interested in this family to read the entire book, but I have very briefly summarized it here.   For further information about the book, see the Botetourt Co., VA website:  http://www.rootsweb.com/~vaboteto/botetot.htm.

1st generation

 Halbert McClure

(1684-1754)

 Agnes

(b. about 1690)

           Halbert McClure was born in 1684 in Raphoe Parish, County Donegal, Ireland, and died 1754 in Augusta County, VA.[1]

             He married in about 1707 in County Donegal, Ireland, Agnes (last name unknown) who was born about 1690 in County Donegal, Ireland.[2]

             They had six children, all born in Raphoe Parish, County Donegal, Ireland:[3]

             i.          Samuel McClure b. about 1709, d. 1779 VA

            ii.          Moses McClure b. about 1710, d. 1778 VA

            iii.         Nathaniel McClure b. about 1712, d. about 1761 VA

            iv.         Alexander McClure b. about 1717, d. 1790 VA

            v.         Hannah McClure, b. about 1719. d. 1769 VA

            vi.         John McClure b. about1725, d. 1777 VA

 Note:  I have both Samuel and John in bold type because both are in the direct line, Samuel through his daughter Hannah and John through his son Samuel.

             Halbert McClure had a brother James, and the two families left Ireland together about 1736.[4]

             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." [5]

             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.[6]

             The entire family settled within a circle having a one and one-half mile radius.[7]  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." [8]

             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. 

-- Any corrections, additions, and kind, constructive criticism are welcome. Full credit will be given for anything you submit. --

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