McMullin Family: Where Did They Go? The Illinois Contingent

Mary (McMullin) Beard, one of my three times great grandmothers had been a brick wall for Dad and me for many years. We knew little beyond her name from a Bedford County, Virginia, marriage record and that she died some time before 1850 when her widowed husband remarried. Thanks to a few DNA matches with people who had the McMullin/McMullen surname in their trees and communications with one of those matches, I found two Chancery Court cases at the Library of Virginia, which unlocked Mary Mullin's family.[1]

Map of Botetourt County; courtesy of Etsy

My four times great grandfather, Matthew McMullen, Sr., moved his family to Botetourt County from Warrington, Pennsylvania (York County) sometime in 1790 or early 1791. One of his daughters, Elizabeth, married Joseph Withrow soon after arriving in Virginia. Joseph Withrow was born in 1772 in Pennsylvania. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Botetourt County, Virginia, likely traveling on the Great Wagon Road. The county was formed from the southern portion of Augusta County in 1770 and is situated where the Appalachian and Blue Ridge mountain ranges run close together, separated by the James River.

Joseph and Elizabeth (McMullin) Withrow's first child was born in 1791. They had seven more children before moving to Washington County, Kentucky, near  Muldraugh Hill in 1811. Today Muldraugh Hill is a central Kentucky landmark, an escarpment which separates the Bluegrass region from the Mississippi plateau. In Kentucky, Joseph and Elizabeth had two more children. Elizabeth (McMullin) Withrow died after the 1820 census was taken.

List of 1822 marriages; courtesy Ancestry.com

On 5 June 1822, Joseph married again to Susan Landis. Joseph and Susan had a child in Kentucky before removing north to Sangamon County, Illinois. They settled in Woodside township in 1825 and had another child. Joseph deposited a certificate at the Springfield Land Office on 1 May 1826, proving he had fully paid for 163 acres of public land offered for sale by the federal government.

Back in Bedford County, Joseph Withrow's former brother-in-law, James Harvey Beard, who had married Elizabeth McMullin's sister, Mary, filed a cause in the county Chancery Court in his position as administrator of Daniel McMullin's estate. Daniel was a brother of Elizabeth and Mary. The case was quite complicated but did detail the McMullin family relationships.

Snippet of Bedford County Chancery Court cause 1832-067; courtesy of the
Library of Virginia

The relevant part for tracing the Withrow family was found in the initial filing by James Harvey Beard:

"...Elizabeth Withrow, widow and relic of Joseph Withrow, deceased; Peggy Withrow, William Withrow, _____ Cloyd and Ann his wife, late Ann Withrow; Robert Withrow; _____ Ferrell and Sally his wife, late Sally Withrow; Matthew Withrow; Harvey Withrow; Tabitha Withrow; and Caroline Withrow..."

So in 1831, the McMullin family knew that Joseph and Elizabeth Withrow had left Virginia and headed west. It seems the McMullin family thought Joseph was deceased. "Widow and relic" makes one think Elizabeth was still alive, but if she was, why name her children? They would have only been relevant to the Bedford County case if their mother was deceased as she was one of heirs in the case.

I also surmise Elizabeth and Joseph lost contact with their Virginia McMullin family. As they didn't know that Elizabeth predeceased her husband and the names of all their children or the fact that Joseph Withrow had remarried and moved to Illinois, where he died in 1850.

According to the Chancery Court cases and a book entitled History of the Early Settlers of Sangamon County, Illinois: Centennial Record, Joseph Withrow had the following children:

1. Margaret "Peggy" Withrow, born in 1791 Virginia, married Daniel Hays on 21 June 1812 in Washington County, Kentucky according to a Kentucky marriage record. 
2. William Withrow, born 14 October 1793 in Botetourt County; will probated in Sangamon County, Illinois, on 25 January 1894; married 1) Rhoda B Prather, 2) Polly Smith, 3) Celia Turpin, 4) Ana "Ann" Wilson, and 5) Lucinda Combs
3. Anna/Ann Withrow, born 29 December 1795 in Virginia; died in 1882 in Sangamon County; married Thomas Cloyd
4. John Withrow, born about 1797; died about 1820
5. Robert Withrow, born on 27 January 1800 in Botetourt County; died 3 October 1842 in Sangamon County; married Mary T. Peter in Sangamon County
6. Polly Withrow, born about 1802; died about 1822
7. Matthew Withrow, born 12 August 1804; died 9 Dec 1891; married Pamelia Knotts
8. Sally Withrow, born about 1805 in Virginia; died 16 Feb 1885 in Quincy, Minnesota; married 1) Gabriel Ferrell and 2) John Sudduth
9. James Harvey Withrow, born 15 January in Botetourt County; died 26 September 1883 in Sangamon County; married Mariah Rice Beaucamp
10. Tabitha Withrow, born about 1812 in Kentucky; died after 1850; married Alvah "Alvey" Graves
11. George Washington Withrow, born about 1813 in Kentucky; died before 1860; married Sarah Ann Waterman
12. Caroline Withrow, born about 1813 in Kentucky; died before 1843; married Edward Shan

From History of the Early Settlers of Sangamon County, Illinois: Centennial Record, published in 1876:

WITHROW, JOSEPH was born about 1772 in Pennsylvania. His parents moved when he was a young boy to Botetourt County, Virginia. He was there married to Elizabeth McMullin. They had eight children in Virginia, and in 1811 moved to Washington County, Kentucky, near Muldraugh Hill, where two children were born. Mrs. Elizabeth Withrow died there, and Joseph Withrow married Susannah Landis. They had one child in Kentucky, and moved to Sangamon County, Illinois, where they had one child. Mrs. Susannah Withrow died in 1844, and Joseph, Sr., died in 1850 both in Sangamon County, Illinois.

MARGARET, born in Virginia, was married in Kentucky to Timothy Hays. They moved in 1824 to Vandalia, Illinois, and the next year to Sangamon County, where they both died, leaving several children.

WILLIAM, born 14 October 1793, in Botetourt County, Virginia, was married in 1818, in Washington County, Kentucky, to Rhoda B. Prather. They had twelve children, and moved with Thomas Cloyd to Fayette County, Illinois, thence to Sangamon County, in 1825, and settled in Curran Township, where two children were born...Mrs. Rhoda Withrow died in 1827 and William Withrow married Polly Smith. They had two children...Mrs. Polly Withrow died and William Withrow married Celia Turpin. They had eight children, and Mrs. Celia Withrow died, and William Withrow married [Mrs.] Anna Barbre. They had had two children, and Mrs. Ann Withrow died...William Withrow resides two and a half miles southwest of Mechanicsburg, Sangamon County, Illinois.

The Find A Grave memorial for Ann (Binion) Wilson Barbre Withrow includes a biography that contains this interesting insight into William Withrow's character:

Anna Barbre's husband, "Eli died 29 November 1839 in Waverly, Morgan County, Illinois, before their youngest son, Robert, was born. His obituary mentions that he 'leaves a widow and nine young children[2] in destitute circumstances.' His second son, William, apparently helped support the younger siblings and Anna after that time.

Anna married a third time on 7 May 1846 in Sangamon County, Illinois. This husband was William Withrow, whose son, Robert Harvey Withrow, would later marry her daughter, Sarah Elizabeth. Anna
was William's fourth wife, and she had two more children with him. William Withrow was reportedly 'so mean' to Anna's young sons, James and John Barbre that Anna 'gave them all the money she had -- 50 cents -- and sent them across the fields to live with their half-brother William.' The two boys appear in the 1850 census living with William Barbre and his wife, Lucy, in Sangamon County."

ANNA, born 29 December 1795 in Virginia, married Thomas Cloyd. Thomas, son of David, was born 14 January 1798 in Botetourt County, Virginia, and went with his parents to Washington County, Kentucky, in 1815. He was married there 27 April 1820 to Ann Withrow. They had three children in Kentucky, and in 1824 moved Fayette County, Illinois, where they had one child, and from there to Sangamon County, arriving October 1825, in what is now Curran Township, north of Lick Creek, where they had two children.

JOHN, died, aged twenty three years.

ROBERT, born 27 January 1800, in Botetourt County, Virginia, was married in Sangamon County, Illinois, 10 September 1826, to Mary T. Peter. They had five living children...Robert Withrow died 3 October 1842, and Mrs. Mary T. Withrow married August 1844 to Samuel Graham, who was born in 1811, in Pennsylvania. Samuel Graham died 1 October 1850, and Mrs. Mary T. Graham was married 23 August 1854, to Joseph McKinley. She resides in Loami, Sangamon County, Illinois.

POLLY, died in Kentucky, aged about twenty years.

MATTHEW, born in Kentucky, married Amelia Knotts. They have one child. Matthew Withrow lives eight miles west of Virden, Macoupin County, Illinois.

SARAH, married Dr. John Sudduth. They have one child, and live in St. Charles, Minnesota.

JAMES H., born in Botetourt County, Virginia, 15 January 1811, was married in Sangamon County, Illinois, to Maria R. Beauchamp. They had eight living children. James H. Withrow lives between Sherman and Barclay, Sangamon County, Illinois -- 1874.

TABITHA, was married in Sangamon County, Illinois, to Alvah Graves. They both died, leaving several children in Macoupin County, Illinois.

CAROLINE, married Edward Shane. They both died, leaving three children.

ELIZABETH H., the oldest by the second marriage, was born in Kentucky and married Joseph Drennan. Joseph Drennan was born in Kentucky and married in Sangamon County to Elizabeth Richardson about 1833. They had two children and he married Elizabeth Withrow. They had ten children. She died, and he married Sarah Purvis. They had six children, and he died in Macoupin County, Illinois.

ALMIRA, born in Sangamon County, Illinois, married Israel Coverdell, and lives in Gerard, Macoupin County, Illinois.

Note: There are some inconsistencies between the Sangamon history book and the available online records.

_______________
[1] There is a reference to a third case which was heard by the Chancery Court of Botetourt County, but it has not yet been indexed or digitized.

McMullin Family: Where Did They Go? The Ohio Contingent
Matthew McMullin, Sr. (<1765-c1816): Court Cases Tell the Tale

Cornelius W. White or Cornelius W. White?

While researching DNA matches I "met" Cornelius W. White, who married Rebecca D. Wilcox, my second cousin three times removed and great granddaughter of Matthew McMullin, Sr. (before 1765-about 1816).

My first questions were "where was Cornelius W. White born" and "who were his parents." Then I moved on to "you bigamist, you!" After hours of research I have determined there were two men named Cornelius W. White married to different women with different families, but Find A Grave and many, many public trees are incorrect, combining these two different men into one person.

Cornelius W. White (1840-1925) (Link requires an Ancestry subscription)

This Cornelius W. White has no known relationship to me. He was born on 1 November 1840 in Mercer County, Virginia (now West Virginia). His parents were Carling Ferguson White and Sarah F. Bailey. He married Zelphia R. Stewart on 5 November 1863 and had six known children:

1. William W. White born 31 August 1864; died 4 November 1954; married 1) Annie Kate Knopp and 2) Nettie Beckett
2. Lottie E. White born 13 April 1870; died 19 March 1950
3. Leighton Albert White born 3 April 1873; died 6 December 1919; married Salena Taylor
4. Joseph N. White born in 1876; died in 1951; married Bessie Estella Nirk
5. George Emmet White born  23 October 1878; died in July 1972; married Jessie Melissa Lewis
6. Winton Egbert White born 23 November 1882; died in 1946; married Edith Grace McTaggart

This Cornelius W. White died 2 November 1925 in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and was interred at the Dr. Jesse Bennett Cemetery in Point Pleasant. 

West Virginia Death Certificate for Cornelius W. White; courtesy of the
West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History

Cornelius W. White (c1839-after 1907) (Link requires an Ancestry subscription)

This was "my" Cornelius W. White and he was much harder to research, of course! He was born about 1839 in Tazewell County, Virginia, according to his Civil War pension application to William G. White and Matilda (maiden name unknown). He married Rebecca D. Wilcox on 17 September 1860 in Scott County, Virginia. He joined the Confederate States Army on 12 March 1862 and served in Company A of the 48th Virginia Infantry Regiment until the end of the war.

Virginia Marriage Index for Cornelius W. White and Rebecca D. Wilcox;
courtesy of FamilySearch.org

Cornelius and Rebecca had eight known children:

1. Badora "Dora" White born 15 May 1858; died 14 November 1936; married Alexander Mitchell Steffey
2. William Augustus White born 9 August 1861; died 20 April 1924; married Nannie Magdalina Buchanan
3. Robert E. White born 14 April 1866; died 23 June 1922; married Laura Daniel
4. John A. White born 9 January 1868; died 8 April 1900
5. Mary Etta (or Ellen) White born 28 April 1868; died 15 Dec 1931; married 1) Robert Thomas Aker and 2) Andrew Jackson Beverly
6. Minerva M. "Tillie" White born 29 November 1875; died 23 October 1901; married Greenfield Taylor Dyer
7. Fayette McMullin White born 3 October 1877; died 23 June 1961; married Jacka Charlotte Snider
8. Lou Emma White born 1 September 1879; died 23 March 1912; married James Edward Overstreet

Cornelius' wife, Rebecca died on 18 June 1887 in Smyth County, Virginia, and was interred at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Groseclose, Virginia.

Cornelius applied for a pension[1] on 13 August 1907. He claimed he had lived in Virginia all of his life and in Smyth County for 28 years. He said he was 68 years old and had been partially paralyzed for four years. He died sometime after 1907 but I do not know when.

_______________
[1] A big thank you to Ancestry.com member mikebrewer55, who added the pension application to his family tree.

Lafayette "Fayette" McMullen (1805-1880): Obituary

Lafayette "Fayette" McMullen was my first cousin four times removed, the nephew of my three times great grandmother, Mary (McMullin) Beard. He was born on 18 May 1805 in Bedford County, Virginia, and died from injuries sustained after being hit by a train on 8 November 1880 in Wytheville, Virginia. He served in the Virginia Senate from 1839-1849, U.S. House of Representatives from 1849 to 1857, as the second territorial governor of Washington Territory from 1857-1859, and in the Confederate House of Representatives from 1864 to 1865.

On 9 November 1880, the following article was published on page 3 of the Daily Dispatch, a Richmond, Virginia, newspaper:

As published in the Daily Dispatch on 8 November 1880; courtesy of the
Library of Congress' Chronicling America website

Accident to Governor McMullin
[Special telegram to the Dispatch]

WYTHEVILLE, VA -- November 8. -- Ex-Governor Fayette McMullin was struck by a train here tonight and seriously hurt. He attempted to cross the track in front of the engine, and was struck by the pilot and knocked down. His hip, it is thought, is broken. He also received some severe cuts and bruises about the face.

A day later, on 10 November 1880, his obituary was published in the same paper on page 2:

Death of Hon. Fayette McMullin

The accident to Hon. Fayette McMullin which was chronicled in our issue of yesterday resulted in his death the same day.

Mr. McMullin had been a public man in Virginia for perhaps fifty years. He served for many years as a member of one or the other branch of the State Legislature. He was rendered famous during that period by a newspaper controversy between him and the notorious William G. Brownlow, of Tennessee. But all of Brownlow's libels went for nothing with the unflinching friends of Mr. McMullin in "Little Tennessee," and he was not only continued in the General Assembly of Virginia as long as he desired to remain in that body, but when in 1849 (our elections were then held in May) he ran for the National House of Representatives he was easily elected. He served in that body until March, 1855, In May, 1857, he was appointed by President Buchanan Governor of the new Territory of Washington. Whilst there he committed what we suppose we may pronounce the greatest blunder of his life, as well as his most censurable act, in procuring a divorce from the wife of his youth.

After his return to Virginia, Governor McMullin became a candidate for the Confederate House of Representatives, and was elected to that body, serving until the close of the war. In 1868 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, and aided in the nomination of Seymour and Blair. Since then he has been standing Independent candidate for Congress, but has always been beaten. His lat defeat he suffered on the 2nd instant, when he was distanced.

Governor McMullin was between seventy-five and eighty years of age at the time of his decease. He was a man of no cultivation, and was, we might add, but poorly qualified for the important legislative places to which he aspired and was elected. But he had a hold upon the honest yeomanry of Southwest Virginia which lasted until after the close of the late war between the States. There are still a good many devoted friends of the "Old Waggoner's" in his original congressional district who will say with Prince Hal, "We could have better spared a better man."

Governor McMullin was universally known throughout Virginia, and may friends will be pained to bear of his death. Peace to his ashes.

McMullin Family: Where Did They Go? The Ohio Contingent

When my four times great uncle, Matthew McMullin, Jr.[1], died on 4 July 1828 he left a heck of a financial and administrative mess behind. In three convoluted lawsuits about land he may have owned at the time of his death, the names of his seven siblings, his widow and his nine children were named.

Matthew McMullin, Jr., married Mary "Polly" Wysong, daughter of Feidt "Fayette" Wysong, in Botetourt County on 18 August 1801. They lived in Bedford County[2], Virginia, after their marriage where Matthew's father settled after moving from York County, Pennsylvania, sometime after 1790. They had nine children:

• Fayette McMullin (1805-1880)
• Elizabeth (McMullin) Bowyer Briddy Denton (1807-1892)
• Margaret (McMullin) Baber (1810-before 1835)
• Mary Rebecca (McMullin) Wilcox (1811-1882)
• Christopher McMullin (?-?)
• Matthew McMullin, III (1815-likely after 1894)
• Susan (McMullin) Baber (1813-1871)
• Andrew Jackson McMullin (1817-1892)
• Minerva (McMullin) Miles Carmack (1821-after 1880)

Learning about these first cousins four times removed has taken me to the halls of Congress, learning about stagecoach driving, and pioneering with those who settled in Ohio. This is the story of those who migrated to Allen County, Ohio -- daughter Elizabeth McMullin and her first husband, Isaac Bowyer; Margaret and Susan McMullin and their husband James W. Baber; and Matthew McMullin, III, and his wife, Eliza Jett.

Isaac and Elizabeth (McMullin) Bowyer

Elizabeth McMullin married Isaac Bowyer on 16 November 1824 in Bedford County. They had one son, Madison, in 1826. Madison was profiled in an 1896 history of Allen County, Ohio, described his parent's life in Ohio:

"...and in 1829, with his family, loaded in a wagon and started for Sangamon county, Ill., but on arriving in Ross County, Ohio, he was obliged to lay up for the winter, and hearing flattering accounts of Allen county, in the following spring he came here, leaving his family in Ross county, and entered 163 acres of land in the vicinity of where Elida now stands in German township. In 1831 he moved his wife and child to their new home and erect a log cabin, where they encountered the many hardships and had the usual thrilling experiences of pioneers and frontiersmen. Mr. Bowyer bought a blacksmith's outfit, erected a rude log shop, bought a couple of cows of the Indians, and life began in dead earnest. He did all the blacksmithing for miles around and continued doing this work until 1835 when he turned his attention to farming, which occupation he continued in until the time of his death, which occurred in 1842. Politically, in early life he was a democrat but later a whig. He was a man of unswerving integrity, industrious, benevolent and kindhearted, and a true friend and good neighbor. His religious affiliations were with the Methodist Episcopal church and his home was the place of worship in his neighborhood for a long time. At his death Mr. Bowyer left an estate of 258 acres. Mrs. Bowyer married twice after the death of her first husband -- William Briddy first, and William Denton second. She died at the home of her son, Madison L., March 26, 1895, at the age of eighty-eight years."

Biographical Sketch of Madison L. Bowyer, son of Isaac
and Elizabeth (McMullin) Bowyer; courtesy of
Ancestry.com

It is possible Isaac and Elizabeth (McMullin) Bowyer were headed for Sangamon County because the widower of Elizabeth's aunt, Elizabeth (McMullin) Withrow settled there in 1825.

James W. and Susan (McMullin) Baber

James W. Baber married Margaret McMullin on 19 January 1828 in Bedford County. They had one daughter, Mary Elizabeth, before Margaret died some time before 1835. After Margaret died, James married Susan McMullin, who was Margaret's sister[3]. He and Susan had eleven children in Ohio. He was a co-executor of his brother-in-law, Isaac Bowyer's estate in 1843, which was probated in Allen County. When the 1870 census was enumerated, James estimated the value of his real estate at $3,000 and his personal property at $675. The farm was located in Amanda, Ohio.

Analysis of the 1870 Non-population Agricultural Schedule
for the farm of James W. Baber; created using Microsoft Excel

According to the Baber Family Tree, Susan (McMullin) Baber died on 20 May 1871 and James on 14 December 1878.  

Matthew and Eliza H. (Jett) McMullin, III

According to Bud Phillips, a local Bristol, Virginia, historian and author, Matthew, McMullin, Jr., started a wagon line and stagecoach service from Bedford County to Estillville (now Gate City) in Scott County. The route came through Big Lick (now Roanoke), Salem, Christiansburg, Ingle Ferry (now Radford), Fort Chiswell, Wytheville, Rural Oak (now Marion), Abingdon, Blountville, and Estillville. The coach had a contract to carry the mail once per week. Matthew McMullin, Jr.'s son, Fayette, began driving the stagecoach at the age of 17, about 1822. After Fayette married a young woman from Scott County in 1826, he settled there and I believe some of his siblings, including Matthew III, went to Scott County after their father's death in 1829.

Matthew III married Eliza H. Jett on 1 October 1838 in Scott County. Sometime between 1850 and 1856 Matthew III, Eliza and their six children removed to Logan, Ohio. Matthew served with the 81st Ohio Infantry from 19 September 1861 through 26 Sep 1864. He was mustered out at Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio. By 1870 he and his wife and younger children lived in Amanda, Ohio, near his brother-in-law, James Baber.

Analysis of the 1870 Non-Population Agricultural
Schedule for the farm of Matthew McMullin, III;
created using Microsoft Excel

By 1880 Matthew and his wife lived in Pettis County, Missouri, where his son Madison lived. Eliza (Jett) McMullin died in Warrensburg, Missouri, and was interred at Clopton Cemetery in Pettis County. Matthew III likely returned to Allen County, Ohio, after her death. When he died he was buried at the Allentown Cemetery in Allentown.

_______________
[1] McMullin was frequently spelled McMullen at the time.
[2] There are conflicting sources about in which county they lived and where their children were born. Many secondary sources indicate the children were born in Scott County, but my current theory is this is not correct for three reasons: a) most of Matthew, Jr.'s children married in Bedford, b) the court cases about his estate occurred in Bedford County, and 3) the disputed land was in Bedford County.
[3] Anonymous. A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and Van Wert Counties, Ohio, (Chicago, IL: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896), pages 182-184, 208-209.

[4] The Baber Family Tree indicates she was the daughter of Steven McMullen and Ann Foster, but no source citation was provided.

Matthew McMullin, Sr. (<1765-c1816): Court Cases Tell the Tale

52 Ancestors #18: Matthew McMullin (bef 1765-c1816): Court Cases Tell the Tale

Ancestor: Matthew McMullin/McMullen, four times great grandfather
Haplogroup: R-M269

My four times great grandfather Matthew McMullin (or McMullen) was a gift that DNA testing provided a year ago when a match contacted me, who was a long-time McMullin researcher. His tree provided the name of my "new" four times great grandfather. Previously, Matthew's daughter Mary "Molly" or "Polly" McMullin, first wife of James Harvey Beard, had been a brick wall.

Matthew's parents are said to be Robert McMullin (c1710-1789) and Susannah, maiden name unknown. I have not yet begun to research those parents. If Robert and Susannah were Matthew's parents, then it is likely he was born in York County, Pennsylvania, as his father lived there about the time of his birth. His parents or grandparents are believed to have emigrated from Ireland. I do not know when Matthew married, or the maiden name of his wife, whose given name is said to be Margaret. I do know, based on the 1810 census, he was born before 1765; and, based on probate records, died before 25 January 1816. His estate was probated in Bedford County, Virginia, and three ensuing Chancery Court cases in Bedford and Botetourt counties provided a wealth of information about his descendants.

Click image to enlarge.
Extended family of Matthew McMullin, Sr.; created using
Microsoft PowerPoint

In 1786, Matthew McMullin lived in York County, Pennsylvania, according to the state's Septennial census. He was also enumerated in the first federal census of 1790 in York County and was one of 21 men named McMullin heading up households in the county. There were seven people in Matthew's household and no slaves. Slavery had been abolished in the state in 1780, but through gradual emancipation:

"That all Persons, as well Negroes, and Mulattos, as others, who shall be born within this State, from and after the Passing of this Act, shall not be deemed and considered as Servants for Life or Slaves; and that all Servitude for Life or Slavery of Children in Consequence of the Slavery of their Mothers, in the Case of all Children born within this State from and after the passing of this Act as aforesaid, shall be, and hereby is, utterly taken away, extinguished and for ever abolished."[1]

According to the History of York, Pennsylvania, Scot-Irish settlers began arriving in the Pennsylvania about 1715:

"At the time of its settlement, the population of Pennsylvania by immigration, principally from Germany and the north of Ireland, was increasing at a rate of 5,000 to 6,000 a year. That of the Scotch-Irish began about 1715, and the number annually increased to such an extent that the Provincial Secretary in writing to the proprietaries, says 'It looks as if Ireland is to send all her inhabitants, for the last week not less than six ships arrived, and every day two or three ships arrive also. The common fear is they crowd where they are not wanted'."

Some time after 1790 but before 1793, Matthew moved his family to Virginia. He may have first lived in Botetourt County, likely having taken the Great Wagon Road. The road was the most important frontier road in the western Piedmont during the eighteenth century. It began in Philadelphia, crossed westward to Gettysburg, turned south to Hagerstown, Maryland, continued south to Winchester, Virginia, and through the Shenandoah Valley, continuing on through North Carolina into South Carolina and Georgia. It was originally a Native American hunting trail called the Warrior's Path. Colonists began using it in the mid 1700s. At first the path was so narrow only a horse-mounted rider could use it, becoming more impassable as travelers entered the wilderness of Virginia. But as the settlers made their way along the road, they cut trees, found suitable fords to cross rivers, and worked around obstacles until wagons could use the route.

After the move to Virginia, Matthew, Sr.'s children began to marry:

• Jane to Joseph Withrow between 1790 and 1793 in Botetourt County
• Elizabeth to William Gilkerson on 23 December 1794 in Botetourt County
• Matthew, Jr. to Mary "Polly" Wysong on 18 August 1801 in Botetourt County
• Samuel to Elizabeth Weaver on 27 January 1803 in Franklin County
• Mary "Molly" or "Polly" to James Harvey Beard on 21 June 1811 in Bedford County
• Robert married Hester "Hetty" Beales on 12 October 1813 in Botetourt County

In 1810 Matthew's household was enumerated in Bedford County, Virginia. There were five people in the household and two "other free persons." He and his wife, Margaret, were over 45 years of age. My assumption is the 16- to 25-year-old female was daughter Mary, who would marry the next year and the two 26- to 44-year-old males were their sons, Daniel, Robert or William. Robert did not marry until after the 1810 census was taken and Daniel died unmarried so they are good possibilities. I have not been able to find a trace of son, William, except in the Chancery court cases; one of which stated he died unmarried and without issue before his brother, Matthew, Jr.

His daughter, Jane (McMullin) Gilkerson, had moved with her husband and children to Mercer County, Kentucky, where they were enumerated in the 1810 census.  Jane likely died some time before 1820 as she was not enumerated in that census. Her widower and several children eventually removed to Parke County, Indiana.

Daughter, Elizabeth (McMullin) Withrow had eight children in Virginia before moving with her family to Washington County, Kentucky, in 1811. She had two more children there before she died some time before 1822. Her widower and several children removed to Sangamon County, Illinois.

Son, Samuel, may have moved first to Kentucky, but married again in 1824 in Wayne County, Indiana. According to his headstone, he died in 1838 in St. Joseph County, Indiana.

Click image to enlarge.
Analysis of the 1810 census for the Matthew McMullin, Sr. family group;
created using Microsoft Excel

Based on the Chancery cases, I believe the McMullin, Sr.'s children lost touch with their siblings who moved away from Bedford County.

Probate

Matthew McMullin, Sr. died some time before 27 January 1816 when an inventory and appraisement of his estate was recorded at the Bedford County court house. He died intestate and the court appointed his son Matthew, Jr. administrator of the estate, which was not completely settled until after the death of Matthew McMullin, Jr. in 1828. The final account was submitted to the court on 28 January 1828 by the administrator of Matthew Jr.'s estate.

Bedford County, Virginia, Will Books 4-6, 1811-1828; courtesy of Ancestry.com

In the final account of Matthew, Sr.'s estate is this item:

"1 February 1816: To cash paid to John Deardoff and others for furnishing two coffins one for M. McMullin, Sr. and the other for his wife @ $5.00 each."

This leads me to believe Margaret McMullin died around the same time as her husband. The couple may have died of a disease which required they be cared for before their death. Again, from the final estate account:

"20 January 1816:  To cash paid 3 gallons whiskey when several people was waiting on the sick and digging graves."

Chancery Court Cases

After Matthew McMullin Sr.'s death, each of his children inherited a share of his land. His son, Matthew, Jr., bought his siblings' shares (though this was contended by the heirs of his brother, Robert) and then sold the tract to William R. Jones in two separate transactions. Jones paid some money down and was to pay off the rest of the land in a series of annual payments. Matthew, Jr. was to provide Jones clear title to the land before then. However, before Jones made the first annual payment, Matthew, Jr. died.[3] William R. Jones was appointed administrator of Matthew Jr.'s estate.

Jones filed a bill of complaint in the Bedford County Chancery Court in 1832. He sued Matthew, Sr. and Matthew Jr.'s heirs for clear title to the land he had agreed to purchase from Matthew, Jr. On 29 May 1834, Daniel McMullin, filed suit in Botetourt County against William R. Jones, administrator of his brother's estate, for payment of the land Matthew, Jr. had purchased from him after their father's death. He received a judgment against Jones in October 1835. However before Jones paid him as directed by the court, Daniel McMullin died. His administrator and brother-in-law, James Harvey Beard, filed a bill of complaint in Bedford County against William R. Jones and all the heirs of Matthew, Sr. and Matthew, Jr. to collect on the payment Jones was directed to make to Daniel McMullin by the Botetourt County courts.

The three cases took until 1845 to resolve. And after reading 121 pages of court files, I have no idea what the final decree ordered. The case in Botetourt County has not yet been digitized but the two cases heard in Bedford County were pure gold for a genealogist as they laid out three generations of Matthew McMullin, Sr.'s family.

A Word about Mary "Molly or Polly" McMullin

Mary McMullin was a daughter of Matthew McMullin, Sr. and his wife, Margaret, and my three times great grandmother. She was born between 1781 and 1790 likely in York County, Pennsylvania. She married James Harvey Beard on 21 June 1811 in Bedford County, Virginia. Harvey and Mary had four known sons before she died, which was sometime before 1850, when Harvey married for the second time. I know as little about her as I did when I took over our family genealogy research from my father. However, I have learned a great deal about her family and I am sure there is more to learn as I continue my research.

This is my entry for Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. The theme for this week was "Close-up," which I did not follow.

Using the Ancestral Reference Numbering System, Matthew McMullin is Ancestor number 74 on my family tree:

74 Matthew McMullin, Sr., born before 1765 likely in York County, Pennsylvania ; died before 27 January 1816; married Margaret, maiden name unknown.

74.1 Elizabeth McMullin likely born in Pennsylvania on an unknown date; died before 1822 in Washington County, Kentucky; married Joseph Withrow in between 1790 and 1793 in Botetourt County, Virginia. Removed to Washington County, Kentucky, where her husband remarried after her death.

74.2 Daniel McMullin born between 1784 and 1794 likely in Pennsylvania; died between October, 1835 and 25 December 1836 likely in Virginia; unmarried and without issue.

74.3 Jane McMullin born before 1784 likely in Pennsylvania; died before 1820 likely in Mercer County, Kentucky; married William Gilkerson on 23 December 1794 in Botetourt County, Virginia. They later removed to Mercer County, Kentucky

37 Mary "Molly or Polly" McMullin born between 1790 and 1794 likely in Pennsylvania; died before 1850 likely in Bedford County, Virginia; married James Harvey Beard, son of Samuel Beard and Mary Mitchell, on 21 June 1811 in Bedford County.

74.4 Matthew McMullin, Jr.,  born after 1776 likely in Pennsylvania; died before 22 September 1828 likely in Bedford County, Virginia, perhaps on 4 July 1828; married Mary "Polly" Wysong, daughter of Feidt "Fayette" Wysong and Elizabeth Phemach, on18 August 1801 in Botetourt County.

74.5 Robert McMullin perhaps born after 1784 likely in Pennsylvania; died before 1 February 1816 when his estate was appraised in Botetourt County; married Hester "Hetty" Beales, daughter of Jonathan Beales, on 12 October 1813 in Botetourt County.

74.6 Samuel McMullin born 31 August 1782 likely in Pennsylvania; died on 8 September 1838 in St. Joseph County, Indiana; married 1) Elizabeth Weaver, daughter of Jacob Weaver, on 27 January 1803 in Franklin County, Virginia, and 2) Susannah Walters on 9 March 1824 in Wayne County, Indiana.

74.7 William McMullin likely born in Pennsylvania; died before his brother Matthew McMullin, Jr., unmarried and without issue.

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[1] 1780: An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery, Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania (accessed 27 April 2018)
[2] This date is from a biographical sketch of Joseph Withrow in History of the Early Settlers of Sangamon County, Illinois, and is likely not correct as Matthew McMullin's family was enumerated in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1790.
[3] Bedford County Chancery case 1845-017, page 9, stated Matthew McMullin, Jr.'s death date was 4 July 1829, but this cannot be correct as an inventory and appraisement was filed with the Bedford County court on 22 September 1828.

Sources:

1780: An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery, Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania (accessed 27 April 2018)
1790 US Census, (database and images) FamilySearch, Matthew Mcmullan, Mixed Township, York, Pennsylvania, United States; citing p. 407 NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, roll 9, FHL microfilm 568149 (accessed 11 Mar 2017).
1810 US Census, (database and images) FamilySearch, Joseph Withrow, Washington, Kentucky, United States, citing p. 338, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration), roll 8, FHL microfilm 181353 (accessed 27 Apr 2018).
1810 US Census, (database and images) FamilySearch, Matthew Mc Mullen, Bedford, Virginia, United States; citing p. 14, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration), roll 67, FHL microfilm 181427 (accessed 11 Mar 2017).
1810 US Census, (database and images) FamilySearch, Matthew Mcmullen, Bedford, Virginia, United States; citing p. 15, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration), roll 67, FHL microfilm 181427 (accessed 11 Mar 2017).
1810 US Census, (database and images) FamilySearch, Samuel M Mullin, Franklin, Virginia, United States; citing p. 302, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration) roll 68, FHL microfilm 181,428 (accessed 12 Feb 2018).
1810 US Census, (database and images) FamilySearch, William Gilkison, Mercer, Kentucky, United States; citing p. 314, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration), roll 7, FHL microfilm 181352 (accessed 18 Feb 2017).
1820 US Census, (database and images) FamilySearch, Daniel Mcmullen, Northern District, Bedford, Virginia, United States; citing p. 44, NARA microfilm publication M33 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration), roll 133, FHL microfilm 193692 (accessed 15 Feb 2018).
1820 US Census (database and images), FamilySearch, Harvey Beard, Northern District, Bedford, Virginia; citing p. 34, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration), roll 133; FHL microfilm 193692 (accessed 16 Jun 2014).
1820 US Census, (database and images) FamilySearch, Matthew Mcmullen, Northern District, Bedford, Virginia, United States; citing p. , NARA microfilm publication M33 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration), roll 133, FHL microfilm 193692 (accessed 11 Mar 2017).
1820 US Census, (database and images) FamilySearch, William Gilkerson, Mercer, Kentucky, United States; citing p. 97, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration), roll 26, FHL microfilm 186186 (accessed 11 Mar 2017).
1830 US Census (database and images), FamilySearch, Harvey Beard, Bedford, Virginia; citing 124, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration), roll 194, FHL microfilm 29673 (accessed 16 Jun 2014).
1830 US Census (database and images), FamilySearch, Joseph Withrow, Sangamon, Illinois, United States, citing 148, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration), roll 24, FHL microfilm 7649 (accessed 30 Apr 2017).
1840 US Census (database and images), FamilySearch, Harvey Beard, Southern District, Bedford, Virginia; citing p. 271, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration), roll 550, FHL microfilm 29683 (accessed 16 June 2014).
1840 US Census (database and images), FamilySearch, Jos Withrow, Sangamon, Illinois, United States, citing p 41, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration), roll 69, FHL microfilm 7644 (accessed 30 Apr 2017).
1850 US Census, (database and images) FamilySearch, Mary Dickinson in household of Daniel Dickinson, Lee county, Lee, Virginia, United States; citing family 1469, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration) (accessed 23 Nov 2017).
1850 US Census, (database and images) FamilySearch, Hetta Mc Mullen in household of Eads Eads, Lee county, Lee, Virginia, United States, citing family 1191, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration) (accessed 23 Feb 2018).
1860 US Census, (database and images) Ancestry, Mary Dickinson in household of Daniel S Dickinson, Lee County, Virginia, United States; citing p. 823, NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration), roll 1357, FHL microfilm 805357 (accessed  7 Apr 2017).
Franklin County, Virginia Marriage Bond Index, 1786-1858, (database) Ancestry, Samuel Mcmullen and Elizabeth Weaver 27 Jan 1803, Franklin, Virginia; citing page 156 (accessed 12 Feb 2018).
Gibson, John (editor). History of York County, (Chicago, IL: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886), pages 15-20, 35-161 (accessed 27 Apr 2018).
Great Wagon Road, NCpedia (accessed 27 Apr 2018).
Great Wagon Road, Wikipedia (accessed 27 Apr 2018).
History of Slavery in Pennsylvania, Wikipedia (accessed 27 Apr 2018).
Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007, (database and images) FamilySearch, Samuel Mcmullen and Susannah Watters, 9 Mar 1824; citing Wayne, Indiana, United States, various county clerk offices, Indiana, FHL microfilm 1838642 (accessed 10 Dec 2017).
Kentucky County Marriages, 1797-1854, (database and images) FamilySearch, Joseph Withrow and Susan Landers, 11 Jun 1822; citing Washington, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond, FHL microfilm 241382 (27 Apr 2018).
Kentucky County Marriages, 1797-1954, (database and images) FamilySearch, Joseph Withrow and Susan Sandres, 05 Jun 1822; citing Washington, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond, FHL microfilm 241382 (accessed 27 Apr 2018).
Massie, Evelyn Booth. Gilkerson (Gilkison/Gilkeson) Genealogical History & Archives, (Chelsea, MI: BookCrafters, 1996), pages 634-635.
Pennsylvania, Septennial Census, 1779-1863 (database and images) Ancestry, Matthew McMullen, Warrington, York, Pennsylvania, 1786 (11 Mar 2017).
Power, John Carroll. History of the Early Settlers of Sangamon County, Illinois: Centennial Record, (Springfield, IL: Edwin A. Wilson & Company, 1876), pages 781-782.
US, Find A Grave, 1600s-Current, (database and images), FindAGrave, Hettie Easter McMullin, (1785-1857), Jonathan Bales Cemetery; citing Memorial No. 41309049 (accessed 11 Apr 2018).
US, Find A Grave, 1600s-Current, (database and images),  FindAGrave, Samuel McMullen (1782-1838), Mount Pleasant Cemetery; citing Memorial No. 15938376 (accessed 11 Feb 2018).
US, General Land Office, 1776-2015, (database) Ancestry, Joseph Withrow, 1 May 1826, Springfield, Illinois, citing Document 762 (accessed 30 Apr 2018).
US, General Land Office, 1776-2015, (database) Ancestry, Samuel McMullen, 15 Mar 1837, La Porte, Indiana, citing Document 83 (accessed 12 Feb 2018).
Virginia Chancery Court Records, 1786-1961 (database and Images), Library of Virginia, Bedford County, 1832-067, Jones v. McMullin, Admrs (accessed 3 Jan 2018).
Virginia Chancery Court Records, 1786-1961 (database and images), Library of Virginia, Bedford County, 1845-017, Admr of James McMullen v. Admr of Matthew McMullen etc. (accessed 3 Jan 2018).
Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1917, (database) FamilySearch, Hettie Easter Bales McMullin, burial Edds Mill, Lee, Virginia, United States of America, Jonathan Bales Cemetery; citing record ID 41309049, FindAGrave (accessed 11 Apr 2018).
Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1917, (database) Ancestry, Mary Dickinson, 1861, Lee Co., father Fayette Wys...lg; citing FHL microfilm 32441 (accessed 3 Apr 2017).
Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, (database) Ancestry, Mary Mcmullin and Henry Beard, 21 Jun 1811, Bedford, Virginia (accessed 16 Jun 2014).
Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, (database) FamilySearch, Matthew Mcmullin and Polly Wysong, 18 Aug 1801; citing Botetourt, Virginia, reference p. 122; FHL microfilm 30734 (accessed 3 Apr 2017).
Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, (database) FamilySearch, Robert McMullin and Easter Beals, 11 Oct 1813, citing Botetourt Co., Virginia, reference p. 215, FHL microfilm 30734 (accessed 3 May 2017).
Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, (database) FamilySearch, Samuel Mcmullen and Elizabeth Weaver, 27 Jan 1803; citing Franklin County, Virginia, reference p. 65; FHL microfilm 31523 (accessed 11 Feb 2018).
Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, (database) FamilySearch, William Gilkinson and Jane Mcmullin, 23 Dec 1794; citing Botetourt, Virginia, reference b1 p8 n224; FHL microfilm 30731 (accessed 13 Feb 2018).
Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940, (database) Ancestry, M. Mcmullin father of Minerva Dickinson married Frederick S Miles, 3 Jul 1854, Lee Co, Virginia; citing FHL microfilm 32441, line 37 (accessed 3 Apr 2017).
Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940, (database) Ancestry, Matthew Mcmullon father of Minerva Miles married D Jno W Carmack, 9 Sep 1866, Lee Co, Virginia; citing FHL microfilm 32441, page 16 (acccessed 3 Apr 2017).
Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1938, (database and images) Ancestry, Matthew McMullin, Sr. Estate Inventory and Appraisement; citing Bedford County Will Book 4, page 239 (accessed 23 Jan 2018).
Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1938, (database and images) Ancestry, Matthew McMullin, Sr. Estate Account; citing Bedford County Will Book 7, page 24 (accessed 23 Jan 2018).
Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1938, (database and images) Ancestry, Matthew McMullin, Jr. Estate Inventory and Appraisement; citing Bedford County Will Book 7, page 75 (accessed 23 Jan 2018).
York County Pennsylvania Militia 1777, Journal of the American Revolution (accessed 27 Apr 2018).