Elizabeth’s Elders
Two William McClarneys in 1700s NC
My research has given me much information as to how the various McClarney family members are related, but I’ve also had to make an educated guess about a couple of Williams (below). I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has more documentation or information on the McClarneys of the 1700s.
The relationship I’m still trying to untangle is that of the two William McClarneys and of Paul McClarney, all of whom were found in NC records dating from the 1700s. At least, I believe there were two Williams and that one of them was the grandfather of the other. Here’s my reasoning:
The records at the NC State Archives have two estate files for Wm McClarney of Caswell County NC, one marked 1789, one marked 1798. In fact, the archivists themselves marked these files “may be two estates.” These executors had two different administrators: Paul McClarney was the administrator of the 1789 estate and Henry McClarney was the administrator for the 1798 estate.
So, what was the relationship between the first Wm, the second Wm, Paul and Rosannah?
My theory is that the William (d. ~1789) was an “elder William” who may have been the father of Paul McClarney and the grandfather of Paul’s presumed son, a “younger William.” Both a William and a Paul McClarney were seen on the 1777 Early Census of Caswell County, NC. I believe this elder William was in Gooch’s Marines in 1741; he had also served in other militias and had commanded a company of 44 men in nearby MD in 1749. Additionally, he owned land in the coastal New Hanover County NC in 1762. Paul administered this “elder William’s” estate.
Continuing this theory, a presumably-younger William McClarney was a private in the Revolutionary War. I do not believe a former company commander would have served as a Private in the Revolution 25 years later. This implies to me there may be two Williams. Further, I believe this “younger William” (d. 1797 or 1798) was Paul & Rosannah McClarney’s son and that he had been named for his paternal grandfather, the “elder William.” I believe William passed on before Rosannah, which is why she left much of her estate to his son James. William’s brother Henry, then, was administrator of his estate because James was still a baby and Paul had already passed on.
These relationships are presumed based on the following:
Caty Ferrell is mentioned specifically as being James McClarney’s mother in Rosannah McClarney’s will of 1807. Rosannah further tells us that James (b. 1796) is her grandson, but she does not give us the name of James’ father. She leaves much of her estate to grandson James.
Rosannah also mentions in her 1807 will that Henry McClarney is her son. She makes no mention of other living sons. Henry was married to someone else, thus I do not believe that Henry was James’ father.
Rosanah’s grandson James had the last name of McClarney, which he would not have had if Caty had been Paul & Rosannah’s daughter. I believe Caty had married into the McClarneys before later marrying into the Ferrells.
Caty (Catty) ends up with 100 acres of land in her name shortly after William’s death, possibly as a result of the successful lawsuit filed against James Millers’ estate over 100 acres of land for the benefit of WIlliams’ estate by his administrator, Henry.
How does Thomas fit in?
I have no earthly idea yet. I believe he and William were related, but I am uncertain as to whether they were brothers or whether one of them fathered the other. Based on land and military records, they seem to have been about a generation older than Paul.
Oh, and how about Francis McClarney of VA?
He was killed in the Revolutionary War. Again, I have no earthly idea where he fits, I’d love to know if he’s related.
