McClaughry Biography Page I

All above are correct, and many more variations. Thomas' surname, when he settled in Salem, NY was "McClaughry". The 1913 book The Genealogy of the Mc Claughry Family, by Charles C. McClaughry¹, claimed the name derives from Mac Chlach righ, "son of the King of the Stone" or "son of Kingstone". The book raises the idea that the name may have been a "hidden name" of the outlawed and hunted Clan MacGregor who traces their lineage to Alpin, King of Scots. The highland kings of Scotland were also named "King of the Stone" because they were coronated in Scone, seated on the "Stone of Destiny."

The Stone of Destiny is said to have been a fragment of the rock that Jacob rested his head upon at Bethel. Scota, daughter of Pharaoh of Egypt, feared the growing power of Moses and took the stone to Spain. From there, Simon Brech, son of Mino the Scot, took the stone to Ireland where it was used to choose the King. Fergus, the founder of the Scottish monarchy, took the stone to Scotland and in 840 A.D., Kennith II placed the stone in Scone, said to have been the location of the last battle against the Picts. It was encased in a coronation chair for the Scottish Kings.
The English King Edward invaded Scotland and issued "letters of fire and sword" against the Clan MacGregor. Fearing genocide, the heirs to the "King of the Stone" changed their names "into those which bore a hidden allusion to the ancient origin." Edward seized the Stone of Destiny and took it back to Westminster Abbey to be the symbol of England's monarchy for 700 years. In 1996, the stone was returned to it's home in Scotland.

In America, the family name began to take on many different spellings for various reasons. In the 1790 US census, NY, the family spelled the name "McClaughry" and aside from the curious spelling of "McClaura" in the 1820 Delaware County, NY census, remains a familiar name in New England today.
In my family line, however, the name changed it's spelling several times. Sometime around the time Robert Houston McLaury and family moved to Benton County, Iowa in 1855, his name had changed from "McClaughry" to "McClaury" as shown in the 1860 census. A large part of his family later changed the spelling again to "McLaury". According to one account: Ebenezer Rowland McClaury's (Thomas' g.g.granson & my g.g. grandfather) son William Rowland McLaury (l844-1914)*, a lawyer in Iowa, wrote "After the close of the Rebellion I found myself a federal ex-soldier, a wreck as to health & without money. I could see no sense or advantage in writing my name across an entire page so I wrote it McLaury instead of McClaughry. My father and half his children adopted the abbreviation."¹
Later still as my branch of the family moved from Humbolt County, Iowa to Beltrami County, Minnesota, changed their name to "McLaurie". My Grandmother, Evelyn McLaurie Durham, told me it was an attempt made by the "grand matriarch of the family" to avoid the public spectacle that had come to surround Thomas' great, great grandsons, Frank and Tom, who were murdered at the "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" at the hands of the Earp / Holliday gang. Investigation places the honor of "grand matriarch" at the feet of Robert Houston McClaury's eldest daughter, Margaret Findley McLaurie Applegate (6.375), wife of a prominent lawyer in Tama County, Iowa. The Applegate Family genealogy webpage (see Margaret's information) lists her maiden name as "McLaurie"

* Ebenezer Rowland McLaury and William Rowland McLaury (1844-1914) were actually brothers. Robert Houston McClaughry (5.169) was their father.

Please use your "BACK" button to return to the previous page. Or Return to the HomePage.

Roots of the McClaughry's of Cleghill
Thanks to the dedication of many family and friends of the McClaughry's through the years, quite a lot of history is known about the early American emigrants. Sufficient documentation establishes that Thomas' father was Matthew (1.1), a farmer in the county of Longford, Ireland. Beyond Matthew, however, the families line quickly fades into the dust of the past. Both genealogy books name Matthew's parents as:
William McClaughry (0.1)
Born: c.1632 in: Scotland?
Died: 12 March 1713 in Cleghill townland, Parish of Clongesh, Barony of Longford, County Longford, Ireland
Wife: Katherine Reid
Born: c. 1639?
Died: 1 March 1714 in Cleghill townland, Parish of Clongesh, Barony of Longford, County Longford, Ireland

The 1913 book bases this assumption on that William's grave is the oldest known McClaughry gravestone erected by his son, William Jr. (1.4) in Cleghill, Ireland. William died in 1713 at the age of 81, which would have made him about 33 when Matthew was born. He is buried at Clongish Parish Churchyard. The consensus of most of the researchers I’ve spoken to since I've begun this project casts doubt on this assumption based solely on this one piece of evidence. The reason I’ve added them to this site is the hope of rooting out documented proof to support or invalidate this theory. Please email me if you might have anything on William or Katherine.

* Matthew McClaughry (1.1) b. c.1665. d. c. 1729.
* John(?) McClaughry (1.2).
***** The only info at this time is that he did exist & he died in or around 1729.
* Andrew McClaughry (1.3).
***** The only info at this time is that he did exist & he died in or around 1729.
* William McClaughry Jr. (1.4). b. c.1671. d. 14 May 1743.
***** William erected his father's headstone, the oldest known marker in Cleghill bearing the McClaughry name. William Jr. (1.4) is buried at Old Temple Michael Burying Grounds County Longford, IRE.

Please use your "BACK" button to return to the previous page. Or Return to the HomePage.

If things had gone right, Matthew would have gotten the star billing on my home page instead of his son Thomas. The first attempt of Matthew McClaughry’s family to come to America proved tragic.
Matthew was a grenadier (cavalryman) under the banner of King William, Prince of Orange and fought on the side of England in the battle of the Boyne on 10 July 1690.

He and his countrymen were rewarded for their patriotism with heavy taxes and an iron fist from their English overlords. To avoid the troubles of Ireland, Mathew’s father’s family moved back to their home in Scotland leaving him and his wife Margaret Parks fend for themselves. "Those were times to try men’s souls, and ere long gave rise to a very sad chapter in the history of our family. Through the tyranny and unjust legislation of England, these patriotic and loyal citizens who had suffered and shed blood for the King and Crown, were estranged from their loyalty and became England’s bitter foes, and despairing of justice from the government, these Scottish colonists abandoned the country and emigrated by thousands to America, and eventually became the most determined enemies of England in the war of the Revolution."²
Matthew and his family endured much hardship from their English rulers for over thirty years before they made the decision to leave there home in Longford, Ireland. On 9 May 1729, along with a total of 25 of his immediate family, Matthew joined the Clinton Colony headed by Charles Clinton aboard the George and Ann bound for Philadelphia.
As the George and Ann was sailing along the northeast coast of Ireland, Matthew, "on account of infirmities of age and ill health" (one account states he broke his leg) was forced to abandon the voyage. And on the 24th, was let off at Glen Ann, Ireland along with his wife, daughter Sarah (2.5) and youngest son, Thomas (2.4). Fortunately, Matthew recovered enough to make the journey back to his home in Longford where he bought back a part of his home from his brother-in-law, Matthew Parks where he resided until his death.
The rest of his children, Andrew (2.1), Matthew Jr. (2.3), Joseph (2.2), Phoebe (2.6), Margaret (2.7), Mary Ann (2.8) and Nellie (2.9), as well as 14 others of his immediate family continued on to America.

The George and Ann turned out to be a death ship. Beleaguered by continued head winds, wrought with epidemic and dwindling rations, the journey took almost six months. "The death of over 100 of their number, including 42 children, had meant almost daily burials at sea."⁵

With suspicions of piracy from the captain (some thought the voyage was intentionally being prolonged until everyone died and the captain could then claim the luggage and money) and mutiny from the crew, the desperate ship made landfall at Cape Cod, Mass. where the captain reneged on his contract to take them to Philadelphia and left them.
The remaining 90 survivors of the Clinton Colony were able to signal a passing trade ship piloted by Captain Lathrop who took them to Wreck Cove where they were taken to a refuge tavern for castaway seamen run by one Joe Stewart. They were then housed and cared for by the villagers throughout the winter. Many more died that winter, but in the spring, the Clinton Colony settled in Ulster Co. NY and thrived. Of the family of Matthew McClaughry, only Andrew (2.1) and a grandson Matthew McDowell (3.8) were to touch American soil. And Andrew died but a few days later. One account suggests that Phoebe McClaughry (2.6) may have also survived (although she was not listed on the ships passenger list) and married a Mr. Crawford. It goes on to say she was "mentally affected by the tragedy of the voyage."

* Andrew McClaughry (2.1). b. ? d. 4 Oct. 1729 in Cape Cod, MA..
* Joseph McClaughry (2.2). b. ? d. 29 Sep. 1729 at sea, on the George & Ann.
* Matthew McClaughry (2.3). b. ? d. 29 Sep. 1729 at sea, on the George & Ann.
* Thomas McClaughry (2.4). b. c.1707. d. 21 Mar. 1793 in Salem, NY.
* Sarah McClaughry (2.5). b. ? d. ?
***** Sarah left the George & Ann with Thomas (2.4) and her ailing parents. Nothing else is known about her.
* Phoebe McClaughry McDowell (2.6). b. ? d. ? Husband #1: James McDowel, Husband #1: ? Crawford
***** Phoebe McClaughry (2.6) may have also survived the voyage, although she was not listed on the ships passenger list. Her first husband James McDowell did die at sea however. Story goes on to say Phoebe later married a Mr. Crawford but never fully recovered, that she was "mentally affected by the tragedy of the voyage."
* Margaret McClaughry (2.7). b. ? d. 29 Sep. 1729 at sea, on the George & Ann.
* Mary Ann McClaughry (2.8). b. ? d. 29 Sep. 1729 at sea, on the George & Ann.
* Nellie McClaughry (2.9). b. ? d. 29 Sep. 1729 at sea, on the George & Ann.

Please use your "BACK" button to return to the previous page. Or Return to the HomePage.

It must have been hard on young Thomas as his family, save his ailing parents and sister Sarah, sailed out of sight and towards the New Land (see Matthew's (1.1) Bio). He was somewhere in his early twenties, ready to begin a new life in a new land. But, as the youngest male, it was his lot (and luck) to stay behind to care for his aged parents. Despite their ill health of their parents, Thomas and Sarah were able to get them safely back to their old home in Clonbroney. Matthew then bought back a part of their old farm from his brother-in-law Matthew Parks and resided there with his family until his death. Thomas would marry Margaret Swift and raise a large family of his own. What became of Sarah McClaughry is unknown.
Some thirty-six years later on September 13th,1765 from a town call Leam, Thomas again dared to set sail for America. With him went his wife Margaret and their seven children, Matthew (3.1), Richard (3.2), Andrew (3.3), Thomas Jr. (3.4), Mary Ann (3.5), Agnes (3.6) and Margaret (3.7) . He fared much better than his brothers, sisters, Aunts and Uncles three decades earlier. The voyage took about two months and the McClaughry family landed safely in New York on November 13th. Thomas Jr. noted in letters to his family in his later years that the night they landed also was marked by civil unrest, "Next on the 13th day of November, 1765, coming between Long Island and Staten Island, I was almost cast overboard.

The same evening I landed in New York. The Governor’s Golden Effigy was bornt by a great concourse of people on account of the Stamp Act was imposed by king and government of England. This the Governor (Cadwalader Colden) would, except the Americans would not admit of it..."³
A few days later, the family hired a sloop captained by one Henry Neally to take them to Esopus (now Kingston), NY where they stayed with Edward Riggs, Mary Ann’s husband who had come to America two years earlier. Thomas and his eldest son journeyed on to Littlebritain, NY where the survivors of the George and Ann had settled. The next spring the rest of the family moved on to a farm in Littlebritain owned by George Monel. They lived there until 1768, when they purchased a lot of one hundred acres along the Battenkill River in Salem, Washington County, NY. where Thomas and Margaret lived out the rest of their lives.

* Matthew McClaughry (3.1). b. c.1736. d. 05 Mar. 1789.
* Richard McClaughry (3.2). b. c.1739. d. 20 Aug. 1819.
* Andrew McClaughry (3.3). b. c.1742. d. 07 Jan. 1826.
* Thomas McClaughry Jr. (3.4). b. c.1747. d. 10 Sep. 1827.
* Mary Ann McClaughry Riggs (3.5). b. c.1745. d. 1782.
* Agnes McClaughry Watson (3.6). b. c.1751 in Parish Clonbroney, Co. Longford, IRE. d. bef.1827. Husband: John Watson.
* Margaret McClaughry Savage (3.7). b. c.1753 in Parish Clonbroney, Co. Longford, IRE. d. bef.1827. Husband #1: James Savage (3.2S). Husband #2: Hon. Ebenezer Clark (3.1C).

Please use your "BACK" button to return to the previous page. Or Return to the HomePage.

The history of the early McClaughry family lasting to this day is largely due to Thomas Jr. At least two letters of his were preserved by his descendants. One was a letter written January 9th 1807 at his home in Kortright, NY. A transcript of it presented by James Savage McLaury can found in "The Families McClaughry" by Rev. Lyle Mac Laury¹. Another variation of the letter (also presented by J.S. Mclaury) is found in "History of Washington County, NY", compiled by William Hill². The second letter, written January 2nd 1819 in Kortright, was a memoir to his children. The source of this letter is unknown³. My sister (the family genealogist) received a typed copy of it that had passed through several relatives' hands. We are currently trying to track down originals (or photocopies of the originals) if they still exist.

Thomas Jr. grew up on the McClaughry farm in Clonbroney, Ireland and from the sound of it, was a bit of a risk-taker in his youth: "Between 7n and 10, I was almost drown in puldith, that is deep hole or whorle hole, in what was called the big river (probably the Shannon River, which flows through County Longford). Next my neck was almost broke by the fall of my brother Matthew’s mare. Many falls and disasters and quarrels I was in that my parents knew nothing of."³
When the McClaughry family set sail for America, Thomas Jr. was just about the same age as his father had been during the previous, ill-fated attempt three decades earlier. The lively 18 year old was still finding mischief to get into, "Next when I come aboard the ship, at or in Loghlearn, I had a fight with one of the sailors, Patrick Eatien, so the deck run with blood. So that when he come to see he said would be killed by Captain, who was coming in a boat. We made friends and was good all the passage."³
Aside from making "the deck run with blood", Thomas Jr’s family made it to America intact and stayed the winter of 1765 with his brother-in-law and sister Edward Riggs and Mary Ann in Esopus, NY, while his father and brother Matthew went to Littlebritain to find a place to live among the survivors of the Clinton Company. Thomas Jr. took instruction in Latin from Edward Riggs through the winter in Esopus but soon tired of it, "I found by my own experience that my head could not bear the study of the tongues and by advice I quit school and went to my father and family, in Littlebritan, where we began to farm on a hard farm, yet a good one, although we was ignorant of it then."³ The family lived on a farm belonging to John Reid and prospered. The next year, the family moved to a farm "near the Wallkill meeting house" owned by George Monell.
While living in Littlebritain and Wallkill, Thomas became acquainted with "Doctor Clark" who invited him and his family to settle on a new patten father north. "My father and brother Richard took horses and went all the way by land, and strange to think, had money with them but made no bargain and "tet" the country in the fall. John Wattson and brother Richard went view the new country and pithed on 5 or 6 hundred acres in Quazencook patten on Boottenkill (Batten Kill River, NY)."³ While the rest of the family traveled by water to Albany and then 52 miles to their new home, Thomas Jr. went overland (some 150 miles) with the family’s cattle, "I wish you to reflect a little and think of the hard fittage I had. I was then the only teamster with my Brother-in-law John Watson, 3 large families and their goods and cattle to move such a distance through woods & a number of waters & a very few houses. We had but one yoke of oxen & cart with some horses. I was almost worn out & team "&c". You may wonder why we did not buy land at Newburgh. I confess we were poor planner & did not know when we were offered a good bargain. But reflecting back on all proceeding I must believe man is to go through so much in his life tine. At last in the month June we came to the woods in Cambridge & encountered many hardships too long to relate."³ Thomas Jr. married Agnes Harsha, daughter of James Harsha and Esther Reid, on March 3rd, 1774. And in January of 1775, he and his wife moved into their own house and started a family.

At this time the sparks of dissension in the American colonies had been fanned into open warfare. The McClaughry’s escaping from Ireland and the callus oppression of English rule, readily became Yankee patriots. Brother's Matthew, Richard and Andrew enlisted in the Colonial Army. Although some thought less of him, Thomas Jr. chose not to enlist, "The War came on rapidly and I, being true for America, I had offers by Judge Savage and others. I had b temptations, few others knew of but myself, but my God brought me to see I had promises and vows I should try to fulfill "&c" and so I denied all requests made that way and so never would bear any office in the military. And I am endeavoring to thank my God for saving me in the midst of imminent danger, for I got daily of ill will, as they said for my disobedience, ingratitude."³ Thomas Jr. did become a "minuteman" for the village of Salem, NY. Although it was located in a remote part of New York, the war did at times spill into their area, "In the year of 1777, August, Mr. Alan and family was murdered within five miles of us. We built a fort in the village of Sellem (Salem, NY). Some killed, some wounded on the murder of this family and Miss Sally McRay."³ The times were hard then and the war took heavy toll on the New York settlers. The forces of General Burgoyne were advancing southward from Canada during the Northern Campaign of 1777. Thomas Jr. and his family felt the best thing was to leave this part of the country. "We all finally moved easterly, it was then every man for his life. When we moved, we did not know where, but my sister-in-law, being at "lying" in of Mrs. Leale, we lodged that night at Mr. Barber’s. I soon found, by him, that he would risk all that would befall him before he would move as we did "&c." In our flight, we took my two mares loaded and our two children and cows. The rest left all as booty to the enemy "&c."³ But instead of escaping the war, Thomas found himself with Bugoyne’s army all around him just before one of the most decisive battles of the Revolution.

"I found out James Barber was a kingsman in every sense of the word. He and I reconnoitered the woods to find an enemy of any sort on the morning. We took our horses and away to "cimdon" (Camden?, NY) where was a nest of Tories. Here we mingled with them and I found out a number of awful plots against the country" "After the meeting was desist I determined to risk my life to make information, as I had one of the best mares was quick and swift. I told Barber to go to armies and scouting parties, out all the time."³ The Colonial army, backed by the people of New York did battle against the King’s forces, and on October 17, near Saratoga, Burgoyne surrendered, handing his sword to General Gates, who at once returned it. Burgoyne’s forces of almost 8,000 soldiers were dead, scattered or became prisoners.

"After living through a troublesome war & having many narrow escapes for my life both by land and water, sometimes with friends & often with strangers & sometimes all alone it was thought good to look out a place for a new settlement."² Thomas Jr. and his friend James Flack set out into the New York wilderness in search of a new home. How the choice came to be Kortright, Delaware County, NY is unknown. It was over a hundred miles away in unbroken forest in the Catskill Mts. But Kortright was their choice and around 1784, at times literally carving out the roads through the forests, several families, Thomas Jr’s among them, made their way to their new home. A few years later, Andrew and Richard and families joined them. Despite the isolation, the people of Kortright (now, South Kortright) prospered and had many children. Thomas Jr. lived out the rest of his life there.
"After a great deal of hard labor we are all now by the good providence of God settled in a good part of the country & considering all circumstances as good as we can expect. It is my desire and wish that you keep together as much as possible and work and advise each other for your spiritual & temporal good & be free with each other after my death as well as before. And if you can raise the money by selling your farms or otherwise so as to buy the right of soil you can do so in this country as well as in any other & and remember if you should go to some remote part of the country where you would not have instruction for your families you might grieve as I have done."²

* Joseph McClaughry (4.22) b. 30 Aug. 1775. d. 9 Jun. 1859. Wife: Agnes Adams. 11 children.
* James Harsha McClaughry (4.23). b. 7 Feb. 1777 in Salem, NY. d. 6 Sep. 1852 in Kortright, NY.
* John Reid McClaughry (4.24). b. 20 Jul. 1778 in Salem, NY. d. 11 Jan. 1864 in Kortright, NY.
* Mary McClaughry Douglas (4.25). b. 4 Aug. 1781. d. 2 Dec. 1853.
* William Hamilton McClaughry (4.26). b. Aug. 1781. d. 4 Dec. 1874 in Harpersfield, NY.
* Martha McClaughry Leal (4.27). b. 5 May 1785 in Salem, NY. d. 9 Nov. 1858 in Merideth, NY. Husband: John Leal (L5.2). 5 Children.
* Thomas Parks McClaughry (4.28). b. 19 Aug. 1786 in Kortright, NY. d. 16 Nov. 1816 in Kortright, NY. Wife: Mary Thompson, 5 children.
* Agnes McClaughry (4.29). b. c.1788. d. in infancy.
* Matthew McClaughry (4.30). b. 19 Apr. 1790 in Kortright, NY. d. 11 Feb. 1875 in Kortright, NY.
* Edward Richard McClaughry (4.31). b.19 Apr. 1792 in Kortright, NY. d. 11 Nov. 1863 in Kortright, NY. Wife: Mary Riggs (5.244). 9 children.

Please use your "BACK" button to return to the previous page. Or Return to the HomePage.

Haven't yet found much on John Reid McClaughry. At the risk of sullying my great, great, great, great grandfather's reputation, I submit this excerpt from session minutes of the Gilchrist Memorial Presbyterian Church from the Delaware County, NY USGenWeb Site.

MC CLAUGHRY, John R. 3 Nov 1806, was "suspended from seating for traveling on the fast day before the Sund with his team and having other horses at work on sd Day". After hearing his testimony, however, the Session restored his privileges; 1 Feb 1808, was charged with having had "carnal knowledge", on two occasions, of Maria Smith, daughter of James Smith; 13 Feb 1808, Session heard testimony on the charge by Jeremiah Capron?, Mrs. Smith [step-mother of Maria] and Mrs. McClaughry [wife of John R.] none of which supported the charge. Mention is made of Kitty Smith, a sister of Maria. Testimony indicates that Maria did not have a reputation for veracity. There is no indication of any action by the Session; 5 Jun 1828, attended a meeting of the Session as a member; minutes show him attending most Session meetings between the preceding date and 25 May 1841; 16 Jun 1832, Session found baseless a report [the nature of which was not specified] concerning his testimony in a suit between Alexander McCall and Robert McClaughry; 25 May 1841, Session was told of a report circulating concerning a financial dispute between John R. McClaughry and Messr. John Cowan and James Grant, Jr., which had resulted in a civil suit. McClaughry was reported to have obtained a loan from Cowan and Grant on the condition that he would pay a debt owed by his son, James R. McClaughry, but had then invoked the usury laws when they tried to collect McClaughry acknowledged the facts and the Session took the matter under consideration; 3 Jun 1841, he was requested "to suspend himself from the Ensuing Sacramental occasion" because of this report and did so; 16 Jun 1841, asked the Session if they intended to take any action on his case but the matter was postponed; 17 Sep 1841, Session considered his case but McClaughry asked for "declinature (as he consider-d himself prejudged by some members [of the] Session) which the Session unanimously granted"; 2 Jun 1847, appeared before the Session asking "what they would advise him to do in his case " After discussion the Session decided the case was not regularly before them; 27 Sep 1848, appeared before the Session to ask what they were going to do in his case No action was taken; 22 May 1849, appeared before the Session once again. Session declined to take any action, in accordance with a decision of the Synod, until learning the outcome of the civil suit; 18 Jun 1850, Session restored his church privileges but not his seat on the Session.⁷

Delaware County, NY USGenWeb Site. Abstracted by Victor B. Goodrich.
Copy submitted by Linda Ogburn. Electronic Text prepared by Harley L. Miller.
Abstract of Session Minutes from Gilchrist Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Town of Kortright, Delaware County New York. 3 November 1806 - 2 October 1865.

Information on John Reid McClaughry's (4.24) Children

* James Rose McClaughry (5.165) b. 22 Jul. 1803 in Kortright, NY. d. 1857 in Louisville, Ky. Wife: Susan Harsha. 4 children.
* Rev. Thomas Clark McClaughry (5.166). b. 19 Nov. 1804 in Kortright, NY. d. 10 Jan. 1853 in Saratoga Co., NY. Wife: Harriet L. Williams. 1 child.
* Agnes Harsha McClaughry Sheldon (5.167). b. 23 Aug. 1806 in Kortright, NY. d. ?. Lived in Waverly, Iowa in 1895. Husband: William H. Sheldon.
***** Brother of Maria who married William Hamilton McClaughry (4.26). d. Shell Rock, Iowa. They married in 4 May 1828.
* Hugh McClaughry (5.168). b. 17 Oct. 1807 in Kortright, NY. d. 31 Dec. 1896 in Edinboro, NY. Wife: Nancy Cameron. b. ? d. 23 Jul. 1886 in Jefferson Co., Kentucky.
* Joseph Hamilton McClaughry (5.170). b. 3 Aug. 1810 in Kortright, NY. d. 26 Aug. 1893 Wife: Jane Hannah McClaughry
* Robert Houston McLaury (5.169). b. 3 Aug. 1811 in Kortright, NY. d. 7 Jul. 1893 in Hazelton, IA.
* Christy Ann Frasier McClaughry Parish (5.171). b. 14 Sep. 1813 in Kortright, NY. d. ? in Edinboro, PA. Husband#1: Hiram (or James?) Parish. Husband #2: John McFarland. Husband #3: Matthew Morrison McClaughry.
* Angus McClaughry (5.172). b.14 Aug. 1815. d. in infancy in Kortright, NY
* Angus McClaughry (5.173). b. 5 Jun. 1817. d. in infancy in Kortright, NY
* John Harsha McClaughry (5.174). b. 15 Oct. 1819 in Kortright, NY d. 30 Aug. 1894 in Cooperstown Junction, NY. Wife: Elvira Dayton. 5 children.
* William Henry McClaughry (5.175). b. 24 Aug. 1821 in Kortright, NY. d. 16 Dec. 1891 in East Maine, NY. Wife: Mary A. Gibson.
* Fredrick Edward McClaughry (5.176). b. 24 Aug. 1824 in Kortright, NY. d. 1914 in West Milford, NY. Wife: Sussanah Hastings Parish. 8 children.

Please use your "BACK" button to return to the previous page. Or Return to the HomePage.

Robert was a lawyer and farmer from Kortright, NY. In 1841, he, his wife, Margaret and his growing family moved to a 200-acre farm in Merideth. In a tragic accident, the family home burned down killing their second son, Hugh. They rebuilt their home and lived there until 1855 when they decided to pull stakes and move to Iowa. They settled in Benton Co., near Belle Plaine where Robert practiced law and had more children. About this time, they took to spelling their name "McClaury." In testament to the hardiness of the pioneer women of that time, Margaret averaged a child every two years from 1833 to 1855. In 1859 a typhoid epidemic took the life of Margaret.
A man of considerable means, Robert's combined value at the time of the 1860 US Census, Buchanan Co., IA., was listed at $4500.00. Toward the end of 1860, Robert then bought an 800 acre farm in Buchanan Co., Iowa near Hazelton. By the 1870 US Census, Robert's value had grown to $13,320.00.
Declaring his need for a woman to take care of his younger children, Robert met and married Anna "Annie" Leigh, a widow 30 years his junior (about the same age as his 9th child, Christiana) who had 5 children of her own. This caused a rift in the family and some of his older children cut themselves off from Robert and his new wife. About this time, Robert had again changed the spelling of the name to, "McLaury." Robert sired three more boys, the third at the age of 77. Of the 6 boys of his first marriage, only William survived his father.
Robert was an outstanding man, an early day councilor for the people who had troubles".¹

* Ebenezer Rowland McClaury (6.374) b. 16 Sep 1833 in Kortright, NY. d. 04 Oct 1889.
* Margaret Findley McLaurie Applegate (6.375). b. 9 Jun. 1836 in Kortright, NY. d. 01 Apr. 1920 in Toledo, IA.
* Hugh McLaury (6.376) b. 13 Jun.1838 in Kortright, NY. d. 10 Jan. 1843 in Merideth, NY
** Hugh died at the age of five when the family farm burned down.
* Edmund McLaury (6.377). b. 1 Aug. 1840 in Kortright, NY. d. 14 Oct. 1862 in Iowa.
***** Edmund was a soldier in the Civil War in the 14th regiment of U.S. volunteers at the Battle of Fort Sumpter and Pittsburgh Landing (Shiloh). He was taken prisoner at Shiloh and held in a prison pen in Macon Georgia. He was released and went back to Iowa but soon died from the effects of starvation during his time as a prisoner of war.
* Mary Elisabeth McLaury Burnison (6.378). b. 25 Oct. 1842 in East Merideth, NY. d. 25 May 1919. Husband #1: William Burnison. Husband #2: Holmes Wass. Child: Arra Leone Wass Pedelty
William Rowland McLaury (6.379) b. 6 Dec. 1844, d. 16 Feb. 1913 in Snyder, OK.
* Margery Agnes McLaury Dailey (6.380). b. 14 Mar. 1847 in East Merideth, NY. d. 30 Oct. 1921. Husband: Jesse B. Daily (216) b. 24 Feb. 1839. d. 7 Oct 1904 in Vermillion, SD. 1 son and 2 daughters.
* Robert Findley "Frank" McLaury (6.381). b. 3 Mar. 1848 in East Merideth, NY. d. 26 Oct.1881 in Tombstone, AZ.
***** Frank (6.381) and Tom (6.383) were known by most of their neighbors in Southwest Arizona as hard-working and honorable ranchers. They lived by the code of the land at that time: the gun, but were known never to turn away passing strangers (in fact, they fed the Earp brothers at their ranch while on posse duty not two weeks before the shootout) and while implicated in many robberies, had no criminal records. On 26 October 1881, they were gunned down by "Gamblers and Pimps," Morgan, Virgil and Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday in the streets of Tombstone. If you would like to read more about the Gunfight at the OK Corral, see the Notorious Clanton Gang website. Lots of fun (I'm not biased! Honest!).
* Christiana McLaury Armstrong (6.382). b. 25 Feb. 1851 in East Merideth, NY. d. 17 Aug. 1937 in Chicago, IL. Husband: Levi Armstrong. 1 son. 1 daughter.
* Thomas Clark McLaury (6.383). b. 30 Jun. 1853 in East Merideth, NY. d. 26, Oct. 1881 in Tombstone, AZ.
*Sarah Caroline McLaury Reid (6.384). b. 22 Apr. 1855 in East Merideth, NY? d. 7 Dec. 1941. Husband #1: James Reid. Husband #2: James T. Henderson. 1 son. 1 daughter.
***** Sarah taught school in Tama Co., IA. In 1910, she was living in Ontario, Cal. Her grandson told of how Sarah was very close to her brother Frank and Tom and her sadness at their murders in Tombstone, AZ., "She was fond of her brothers. I can remember well how emotional she became at the mention of the Earps & Doc Holiday, who were responsible for the deaths of her brothers".¹ Sarah died the day Pearl Harbour was attacked by Japan.
From second marriage:
* John Chester McLaury (6.385). b. 1 Apr. 1878. d. 4 Jun. 1961 in Oelwein, IA. Wife: Abbie Clark Wescott. 3 daughters.
* Arthur Robert McLaury (6.386). b. 24 Jun 1881. d. 14 Jul. 1937 in Oelwein, IA. Wife: Bertha Jipson. 5 sons, 2 daughters.
***** Arthur operated a dairy farm in Oelwein and kept a herd of purebred Holstein cattle.
* Charles Franklin McLaury (6.387). b. 5 Feb 1888, d. 9 Jul. 1964 in Lake Worth, FL. Wife #1: Gertrude Lentz. Wife #2: Edna Martha Rist.

Please use your "BACK" button to return to the previous page. Or Return to the HomePage.

Ebenezer was born and raised in Kortright, NY then Iowa. A farmer by trade, he moved to Humbolt Co., Iowa during the time when few white men dared. In the 1870 US Census, Humbolt Co., IA., his property was valued at $3250.00. In order to avoid the public spectacle surrounding the murder of his brothers in the "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral," Ebenezer changed the spelling to "McLaurie."

* Mary Belle McLaury Stevenson (7.519). b. 12 Jan. 1863 in Benton Co., IA. d. 8 Aug. 1934 in Goldfield, Iowa. Husband: John D. Stevenson. 4 children.
* Margaret Ethel McLaury (7.520). Husband: Richard Tanner. 1 child.
* Mina McLaury (7.521). Husband: Lou Stevenson. 1 child.
* Francis "Frankie" McLaury (7.522). Husband: Hugh Stevenson. 2 children.
* Edward J. McLaurie (7.523). b. 24 Jan. 1869. d. 21 Oct. 1961 in Biloxi, Missouri.
***** Edward served in the Spanish American War.
* Robert Winfield McLaurie (7.524). b. 28 Apr. 1879. d. 29 Sep. 1937 in Bemidji, Beltrami Co. Minn.

Please use your "BACK" button to return to the previous page. Or Return to the HomePage.

Robert, known by his family & friends as Winfield or Win, grew up on his father's farm in Humbolt Co., Iowa. After the O.K. Corral debacle, Win's father had changed their name to "McLaurie." In 1914, he and his family moved to Beltrami Co., Minnesota where he farmed. My family has a few pictures portraying him, and his black Labrador, Heck, as an able hunter and fisherman. Emma is the great, great granddaughter of Sir Thomas Tryon, former governor of the colony of New York and Sir Thomas Gage.

* Evelyn Grace McLaurie. b. 23 Aug. 1907 in Bemidji, MN. d. 19 Jan.1984 in Wilmington, NC. Husband #1: Edward Carlson. Husband #2: Clyde Durham.
***** Evelyn (not listed in the 1986 book) married a lumberjack from Washington and was considered an excellent cook in many a lumber camp. Most of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren still live in the Pacific Northwest (myself included!).
* Edward Wilford McLaurie (8.1019). b. 18 Oct. 1910. d. 6 Jun. 1985 in Bemidji, MN. Wife: Merle Nurnberg.
***** Edward stayed in Bemidji his entire life, a farmer like his fathers before him. The name McLaurie is still prolific in Beltrami Co., Minnesota.

Please use your "BACK" button to return to the previous page. Or Return to the HomePage.

Go to the Applegate Genealogy site and use the "Find" option on your browser to locate Margaret.

Margaret moved to Tama County in the 1850's where she attended the Female Seminary now named Emma Willard School. Later she taught some school herself. She married into a prosperous family. David Applegate became a well-know lawyer in Toledo, IA.

* Charles Robert Applegate (7.525). b. 31 March 1859. d. August 1940 in Toledo, OH.
***** Robert was a lawyer, Deputy Sheriff and a depositor in his lifetime. He also was a member of the Toledo Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years.
* Winfield Scott Applegate (7.526). b. 1861. d. 1944.
* May Applegate (7.527). b. ? d. 1876.
* Leander Applegate (7.528). b. 1863. d. in infancy.
* Margaret Elcy Applegate McPherson (7.529). b. 19 Aug. 1869. d. 9 Oct. 1900 in Alden, IA. Husband: Harry Wood McPherson. 2 children.
***** Margaret (7.529) died at the age of 30. She had two girls named May & Margaret who were raised by their grandmother, Margaret Appleton (6.375) after their mother's death. I assume the picture is of Margaret's (6.375) children, but it may be of her grandchildren.

Please use your "BACK" button to return to the previous page. Or Return to the HomePage.

William Rowland McLaury learned the odd but genteel mix of law and farming from his father. The Civil War had been dragging on for 3 years when in June, 1864, Will, eager to prove his manhood, joined the 47th Iowa Infantry, Company K. But instead of the glory of battle, Will's regiment was sent to Helena, Arkansas and assigned garrison duty. Although his regiment saw no battle, it was devastated by soldiers fearcest enemy during the war: disease. In the scant 3 months the 47th endured the malarious fens of the Arkansas summer, most of the regiment suffered from illness and some 57 men dead. In September, 1864, the 47th returned to Iowa and its soldier's mustered out. Will returning, a sick and weary brevet captain, decided it too cumbersome to continue to have to spell his name "McClaughry" across the entire page, and so shortened it to "McLaury." His father and most of his siblings followed suit.
After the war, Will headed west into Vermillion, Dakota Territories where he farmed, drove stage and later, was admitted to the bar. There he met and married Lona DeWitt. The Dakotas were ablaze with warfare when Will and his young family left for the gold fields of Colorado. The Sioux were massing and less than 100 miles away, near the Little Bighorn, a brash General Custer was dreaming of being President.
Will settled in Fort Worth, Texas and became an attorney at law. Later, he became a Superior Court Judge. In summer 1881, his wife Lona died. On the day his son, John was celebrating his 8th birthday, a telegram came telling him of the death of his brother's in Tombstone, AZ. William went to Tombstone, AZ. to be part of the prosecution team in the Earp / Holiday murder trial. It is believed by some that William may have been involved in the murder of Morgan and the crippling of Virgil Earp in revenge for his murdered brothers, Frank and Tom. Will's first wife died about the same time. In 1882, he married Lenora Trimble and had three more children.
When the Oklahoma Territory was opened up to white settlers, Will moved to Snyder and bought a 960 acre farm and lease another 640 until his death.

From first marriage:
* John Dewitt McLaury (7.532). b. 27 Oct. 1874. d. 15 Jan. 1936 in Chicago, IL. Wife: Minnie. 1 child.
***** John was a Chief Yeoman on the Oregon in the war with Spain. He died in a plane crash.
* Elona Katherine McLaury DeWitt (7.533). b. 4 Oct. 1876. d. 4 May 1960 in Fort Worth, TX. Husband: Wilmer Vernon DeWitt. 3 children.
* Margaret McLaury O'Donahue (7.534). b. 10 Apr. 1878. d. 24 Sep. 1963 in San Antonio, TX. Husband: Ernest Augustus O'Donahue. 3 children.
From second marriage:
* Hugh Leonard McLaury (7.535). b. 30 Oct. 1883. d. 20 Oct. 1945 in Lawton, TX. Wife #1: Cora Ring. 4 children. Wife #2: Hazel Clearwater Allison
* Herman Henry McLaury (7.536). b. 10 Jul.1885. d. 9 Oct. 1918
* Anna Lenora McLaury (7.537). b. 21 Jun. 1887. d. 2 Oct. 1916 in Dallas, TX. Husband: John Franklin Taylor. 2 children.
***** John Taylor retired a Colonel of the U.S. Army and served as U.S. 5th District Judge in Lawton, OK.
* William Rowland McLaury Jr. (7.538). b. 1 Feb. 1892. d. 17 Dec. 1969 in Beaumont, TX. Wife: Marguerite Mulholland.
* Findley Rose McLaury (7.539). b. 11 Dec. 1893. d. 23 May 1964 in Lawton, OK. Wife: Neola Jarrett. 2 children.

Please use your "BACK" button to return to the previous page. Or Return to the HomePage.

copyright by cp1237_cp1237.com unless otherwise noted.