Person:Hugh McClung (2)

Hugh McClung's will is on record in Greene County Tennessee for 21 Oct 1786. He registered it in the State of Franklin which was never recognized by Congress. In it he names his wife, Elizabeth, a son, whose name could not be read with certainty, and three daughters: Sarah, Elizabeth, and Susannah. He also names a grandson, John Gibson. The executors of the estate were wife, Elizabeth and Alexander Wilson. Witnessed by Andrew Martin, Alexander Wilson and John Wilson.

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Records in Augusta County, VA

From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records:

Page 411.--13th August, 1771. John Berry's estate appraised by Joseph Culton, John Walker, John Stewart--Bonds of Hugh and Francis McClung; Wm. McGaughey, not solvent; Robert Farice, not solvent; Peter Cutwright, solvent; Robt. Buchanan, solvent.

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Information on Hugh McClung

3-2 HUGH McCLUNG The children of James (1-1) include a man named Hugh. He is mentioned in the McClung Gen. (1904), p. 110-1, and associated with a note which was receipt for a loan from James McClung. This was signed by Hugh McClung and Francis McClung and witnessed by William McClung and dated 10 Oct 1777. The Francis McClung was supposed to be the same as one who provided the Virginia Militia two horses to aid in prosecuting the campaign against the Cherokee Indians about the year 1777. The name Francis was interpreted by someone to be the name of Hugh's wife. This Francis is most likely a son of Hugh as a woman would have spelled her name Frances. The male name for Francis has been found in Alabama records.

There was a Hugh McClung whose will is on record in Greene County Tennessee for 21 Oct 1786. He registered it in the State of Franklin which was never recognized by Congress. In it he names his wife, Elizabeth, a son, whose name could not be read with certainty, and three daughters: Sarah, Elizabeth, and Susannah. He also names a grandson, John Gibson. The executors of the estate were wife, Elizabeth and Alexander Wilson. Witnessed by Andrew Martin, Alexander Wilson and John Wilson. (researched by H. R. McClung, 1983)

If Hugh were making his will at age 50-60, we can estimate that he was born about 1730. We do not know the exact date that the McClungs immigrated but it is estimated between 1729-40. There is the possibility that this earliest Hugh McClung was born in Ireland. If this is correct, he is of the original family of (1-1) James McClung: James, William, Hugh, John, Charles, Matthew, Mary, and Isabel. (See McC Gen, p. 8).

Most of the children of James (1-1) lived until the 1780s. We are finding deaths for this generation during this time which leads us to believe that the above will in Greene County was for this Hugh, 3-2. His brother, William only mentioned two of his sons, so it does not appear as a custom at that time for the brothers to name all their children in their wills.

The earliest note we have of this Hugh was that he went with two brothers, James and William to Augusta County, Virginia. They settled in the Timber Ridge community which was later incorporated into Rockbridge County. Apparently Hugh, with some sons, moved over the mountains into an area that later became Tennessee. Hugh was probably involved with the formation of the State of Franklin in 1784-5. The people living in that area felt a need to secure federal protection and petitioned the Congress for statehood. They went ahead and selected John Sevier as governor. Congress debated this petition and then turned it down. Tennessee did not become a state until 1790. It was during the time that the settlers considered themselves as part of the State of Franklin, that Hugh wrote his will. It is interesting that the will is now on file in Greene County, TN.

Hugh and John were listed in the 1783 tax list for Greene County. This consecutive listing gave Robt Campbell, James Kerr, Jno McClung, Hugh McClung, Jno. Mitchell, and Wm. Wilson. Both Hugh and John were taxed for 200 acres.

By 1 Nov 1786, Hugh purchased 800 acres in Greene Co.: north side of Tennessee River below the mouth of the Highwassa (sic) River for 10 pounds per 100 acres.

Hugh, Sr. wrote his will just as he was acquiring land. The land was listed in the N.C. Land Grants. It was applied for several years before the grant was finalized. We know this because in 1783 John Hacket purchased 253 acres "being the second small bottom before McClung's 800 acre entry". Hugh's entry wasn't registered until 1786. At any rate, Hugh may have been making his will, not because he was in ill health but as a precaution as the owner of this large tract of land. The land records in Greene County, TN need to be searched to ascertain the disposition of this land. It was willed to the grandson, John Gibson. We do not know the reason for this but the record would need to be tracked through John Gibson.

We do not know the name of the son mentioned in the will. It could be a son, Hugh, or it could be John. The original copy needs to be viewed. Since it was Scottish custom for a man to name the first son for his grandfather, it is likely that Hugh's first son was named James. We also have the name of Francis who is possibly a son of Hugh. There may be others.

Possible sons of Hugh at this time are: James, John, and Francis. There is a marriage record of a James McClung who married in 1811 in Jefferson County (first county west of Greene). IF this is a first marriage for this James, he would have been born about 1790. That would make him a grandson of 3-2 Hugh. Daughters:

SARAH McCLUNG

The first daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth McClung was born ca 1760. Nothing further is known about her at this time. The daughters' married names were not mentioned. However, it is likely that the executor of the estate, Alexander Wilson, was married to one of the daughters. Her marriage may have been recorded in Virginia or some point in between.

ELIZABETH McCLUNG

The second daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth McClung was born ca 1764. Nothing further is known about Elizabeth at this time. If Hugh's will was proven in Greene County, the original packet of claims against the estate may yet be extant and would be invaluable in proving this line.

SUSANNAH McCLUNG

This daughter was born to Hugh and Elizabeth McClung ca 1766. She married to Samuel McPherson 15 Aug 1786 in Greene Co., TN. James McPherson posted bond so he may be the father of Samuel.

JOHN McCLUNG - - - - - - NOTE: The Hugh McClung on page 110-111 in the McClung Genealogy (1904) was known to have lived in Virginia. This Hugh was said to have gone to Talladega County, Alabama before 1816. His children are named in this work as:

Anderson b. 1814 Joseph b. 1816 in Talladega William b. (est) 1818 David b. (est) 1820 James b. est. 1822 with no daughters known.

We are thinking that the writer of the old McClung genealogy left out two generations. Known dates would lead to this conclusion. The John who was listed in the 1783 tax list is probably the son of Hugh (3-2) From Alabama records we know that he had two sons: Hugh and David. This son of John's Hugh has his children listed in the old book. His children's births would indicate a fourth generation from the first Hugh. We would have (3-2) Hugh b. in 1730s, John in 1760s, Hugh 1780s and Anderson 1814.

Email may be sent to: J. McClung (jmcclung1940@@cland.net)

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Category: Early Settlers of Old Augusta