Source
Source for: Thaddeus Zwingle McClurken, 31 JAN 1853 - 14 FEB 1890
Index
Birth source: S163 Narratives of Randolph County McC - McM. Page 62
Birth source: S115Page: page 583
Text: From the Sketches of Ministers section on page 583:
THADDEUS ZWINGLE McCLURKIN :
Son of Rev. Dr. H. P. and Jane (Orr) McClurkin, was born in Norwich, Muskingum County, Ohio, January 31, 1853. He received his early education in the public schools, and in Muskingum College, graduating from Westminster College in 1875. He studied theology in the Allegheny Seminary, and was licensed by the Ohio Presbytery, April 2, 1879. He preached generally throughout the States and the British Provinces. He connected with the Presbyterian Church, November 10, 1884, and preached respectively in Duncannon, Pennsylvania, Beaver Dam and Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He married Mrs. Laura L. Coverleigh, of Duncannon, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1885.
Birth source: S11Text: Hugh Park McClurken
Burial source: S163 Narratives of Randolph County McC - McM. Page 62
Residence source: S11Text: Hugh Park McClurken
Event source: S115Page: page 583
Text: From the Sketches of Ministers section on page 583:
THADDEUS ZWINGLE McCLURKIN :
Son of Rev. Dr. H. P. and Jane (Orr) McClurkin, was born in Norwich, Muskingum County, Ohio, January 31, 1853. He received his early education in the public schools, and in Muskingum College, graduating from Westminster College in 1875. He studied theology in the Allegheny Seminary, and was licensed by the Ohio Presbytery, April 2, 1879. He preached generally throughout the States and the British Provinces. He connected with the Presbyterian Church, November 10, 1884, and preached respectively in Duncannon, Pennsylvania, Beaver Dam and Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He married Mrs. Laura L. Coverleigh, of Duncannon, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1885.
Death source: S163 Narratives of Randolph County McC - McM. Page 62
Residence source: S14Text: Hugh McClurken
Source
Source for: Thomas McClurken, 1756 - 22 MAR 1845
Index
Name source: S40Page: Ancestry Family Trees
Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=7195919&pid=-1144209511
Birth source: S226 Thomas McClurken Pension File. Pages 10 & 14
Birth source: S93Page: page 2251
Text: 1756 in Ireland
Burial source: S169Burial source: S90Text: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=54977467
Emigration source: S208 Scotch-Irish Migration to South Carolina, 1772. Page 35
Emigration source: S226 Thomas McClurken Pension File. Page 14
Emigration source: S95Page: page 288
Text: Mary McClurkin Murray interview:
Grandfather McClurkin came in 1772 and settled at Camden, S. Car.
To escape persecution and for religious freedom.
Emigration source: S93Page: page 2251
Text: in 1772 he came to Charleston SC & he lived in Camden Dist SC at enl.
_MIL S226 Thomas McClurken Pension File. Pages 10 through 17
_MIL S175Text: Thomas McClurkin, afterwards a veteran Covenanter, and grandfather of the preachers of that name, fought through the war. He was at the battle of Fridus Fort, and of Eutaw Springs. At the former the firing was so brisk that their guns were heated to a blue heat - almost hot enough to ignite the powder. At the latter they fought under the famous old flag extemporized from the silken cover of an old-fashioned chair. Our Banner. Volume 2, Page 391.
_MIL S115Page: page 69
Text: The Covenanters went heartily into the bloody conflict, and the battles of Fridus Fort and Eutaw Springs were so fierce and hotly contested, that their guns came to a blue heat in the conflict. Such bravery in battle as was displayed by William Anderson, John Smith, John Faris, Thomas McClurkin, Thomas Neil, and other Covenanters, deserves record. Wherever Covenanters and staunch Presbyterians were settled, there were the strongholds of the cause of American independence.
_MIL S97Text: McClurken, Thomas [ McClerken ] [ McClurken ] [ McClurkin ]
Born in County Antrim, Ireland
Died : 22Mar1845 over 95 years of age
Burial : Oakdale Cemetery Oakdale Township Washington Co., IL. Old Section, Row 5, Grave 32
Served in the Revolutionary War as a Private in Turner's Company in Winns South Carolina Regiment coming from Chester County, South Carolina
_MIL S94Page: page 311
Text: Revolutionary Soldier Buried in Illinois
McClurkin, Thomas, Elkhorn Cemetery, Oakdale Twp., Washington County
_MIL S93Page: page 2251
Text: McCLURKEN, Thomas or Thomas McClorken, Elizabeth, W21792, SC Line, sol was b in 1756 in Ireland & in 1772 he came to Charleston SC & he lived in Camden Dist SC at enl , he appl 2 Apr 1833 Chester Dist SC & in 1834 he moved to Washington Co IL "to accompany his sons" & he d there 22 Mar 1845, sol had m Miss Elizabeth Smith of Chester Dist SC on 4 Sep 1790, wid appl 20 Aug 1846 Washington Co IL, children were; John b 4 May 1792, Archibald b 11 Nov 1794, Nancy b 25 Dec 1797, James b in Jan 179? Thomas b 31 Mar 180? & David b 22 Jun 1811 & lived in Washington Co IL in 1847, sol ' s bro Robert McClurken or McClorken was dec'd in 1833
_MIL S292Page: page 22
Text: Thomas McClurkin, grandfather of the preachers of that name, fought through the war. Archibald McClurkin was taken by the Tories from a sick bed and hung.
Religion source: S113 History of Oakdale Township. Pages 29, 33 & 34
Religion source: S175Text: Thomas McClurkin, a brother-in-law of Mr. Donnelly, and an elder, was called thrice, time after time, to sit on the jury, though the law provided against a third term in immediate succession. For each time he was fined twenty dollars for refusing to sit. James Smith, brother to Mrs. Donnelly, and an inoffensive man, was also summoned; but Mr. Donnelly wrote a letter to the judge, and by wise management, he was excused. David Smith and four or five others were summoned at another time. He took the Testimony, and showed the court our religious scruples in reference to incorporation with the governraent, and pleaded the constitutional right to have the conscience respected, so well that they were not only excused at that time, but they had no more trouble afterward. Our Banner. Volume 2, pages 392 & 393.
Religion source: S115Page: page 345
Text: Soon they were joined by others, and the congregation was organized in July. 1834. at the house of Archibald Hood, with nineteen members. John and Thomas McClurkin and John Donnelly were chosen ruling elders.
Religion source: S219Text: Oakdale Reformed Presbyterian Church Charter Member Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, "The Covenanter Witness," Weekly. Volume 13, page 256
Religion source: S175Text: Installation as a ruling elder Our Banner. Volume 11, page 402
Religion source: S219Text: first elders Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, "The Covenanter Witness," Weekly. Volume 64, page 405
Religion source: S119Text: Chosen as an elder of the Elkhorn Congregation in 1834 History of Washington County, Illinois - 1879, page 42
Residence source: S30Page: page 188
Text: Thomas McClerken, sen. (age) 95 (in 1840)
Residence source: S6Text: Thomas McClurken
Event source: S203Page: page 92
Revolutionary Soldiers of the Catholic Presbyterian Church, Chester, South Carolina. Page 92
Event source: S196Page: April 1846, pages 57 & 58
Text: Copied from "The Reformed Presbyterian" -- April 1846, pages 57 & 58
and "The Covenanter" -- February 1846, pages 227 & 228
Obituary of Thomas M'Clurken, Senior
In my youth, I had an opportunity of knowing, or hearing of, several professors of religion who were reputed eminently pious. I watched with great anxiety, to ascertain the state of their mind at death. I found, that in proportion to the tenderness of conscience which they manifested in life, was their comfort in death. I knew but one exception. I have often thought that this should be recorded for the encouragement of those who have yet to pass through the swellings of Jordan. My mind was recalled to this subject by thinking of Thomas M'Clurken, Senr. of Elkhorn, Washington County, Illinois, who died March 30, 1845.
The deceased was born near Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland. He came, with his parents to South Carolina, previous to the Revolution, and became a soldier in the Continental Army. The Tories murdered one of his brothers for being a patriot. After hesitating sometime between the Associated Reformed and Covenanters, he was determined to join the latter, by hearing a dispute between Rev. Mr. M'Garrah of the latter, and Rev. Mr. Boyce, of the former. He held slaves till the Covenanters passed the emancipation act of 1800. He then liberated them all; and when I became aquainted with him, he understood and abhorred the wickedness of the system as much as any man I ever knew. After the liberation of his slaves, he was harrassed by the great sticklers for liberty of conscience, that in one year he was fined in $80 for not sitting on juries But it was made up to him in superior excellence of his crops beyond that of his neighbors; so that his enemies concluded it was in vain to attempt to ruin Thomas M'Clurken, for God was fighting for him. On account of slavery, he and his children and grandchildren left South Carolina for Illinois, in 1833.
I first became aquainted with him in the winter of 1839. He was a ruling elder; but at that time he was supposed to be about 90 years of age, and was unable to attend church courts or sermons. He still possessed considerable vigor, both bodily and mental, could talk intelligently on religion, and tell revolutionary anecdotes with great interest, but he was gradually declining. I called with him occasionally, as well as in my state ministrial visits, and found him still growing. Conversing with him once, in the course of my ministerial visitations, he broke out into a rapture; so that I seemed to be gazing after an eagle that had soared above the clouds out of my sight. The thought of death seemed to cause him no apprehension. His trust was not in anything he had done; but in the atonement and intercession of his Redeemer.
Not long before his death, I called to visit the family ministerially -- they told me that for some days his mind had been wandering -- I went to his bed-side. He recognized me -- we entered into conversation -- he could not well finish his sentences, but it was evident that his soul had been on the mountains of spice gathering some of the first fruits. The family told me that a few hours before his death, he told them he should see the salvation of God "Mark the perfect and behold the upright: for the end of that man peace."
His widow* is so infirm, that she will probably not have to wait long, till she be called to enter on that state where they 'neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as angels of God in heaven.'
*She is sister to Mrs. Donnelly, wife of Rev. Thomas Donnelly, of South Carolina.
Written by Rev. William Sloane Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, Reformed Presbyterian. Volume 10, pages 57 & 58
Death source: S163 Narratives of Randolph County McC - McM. Page 59
Death source: S169Death source: S94Page: page 240
Death source: S93Page: page 2251
Text: 22 Mar 1845
Birth source: S6Text: Thomas McClurken
Age 95
Birth source: S94Page: page 240
Text: Thos., born Antrim, Ire., aged 97 yrs.
Birth source: S30Page: page 188
Text: Thomas McClerken, sen. (age) 95 (in 1840)
Birth source: S169Text: Age 97 in 1845
Birth source: S163Text: Age 85 in 1833 Narratives of Randolph County McC - McM. Page 39
Residence source: S102Page: page 15
Residence source: S1Text: Thomas McClurken
Residence source: S2Text: Thomas McClurken
Residence source: S3Text: Thomas McClurken 1810 US Census. Thomas McClurken Page 513
Residence source: S4Text: Thomas McClurken
Residence source: S5Text: Thomas McClurken 1830 US Census. Thomas McClurken Page 59/344.
Event source: S226 Thomas McClurken Pension File. Pages 2, 29, 40 & 63.
Event source: S93Page: page 2251
Text: he appl 2 Apr 1833 Chester Dist SC
Event source: S119Text: Thomas McClurkin, being the grandfather of the subject of our sketch, was a revolutionary soldier and under Col. Washington. He was a slave-holder and in 1808 he set his slaves free; he lies buried in the old R. P. grave-yard in Elkton Precinct, and is probably the only revolutionary soldier buried in the county. History of Washington County, Illinois - 1879. page 71
Event source: S226 Thomas McClurken Pension File. Pages 23, 50, 75 & 82.
Event source: S93Page: page 2251
Text: in 1834 he moved to Washington Co IL "to accompany his sons."
Event source: S203Page: pages 92 & 93
Text: Family records in possession of descendants in the west show that Thomas McClurkin was born in 1748, died 3/22/1845, married 9/17/1790 Elizabeth Smith, b. 2/10/1767, d. 12/22/1840, daughter of John Smith and his wife, Agnes Faris, who came to South Carolina in 1772. Agnes died in 1838. John Smith was a soldier in the Revolution; he died in 1784. The children of Thomas and Elizabeth McClurkin were, as taken from the Family Bible:
John McClurkin, b. 5/4/1792, d. 7/12/1874; no record
Archibald McClurkin, b. 11/11/1794, d. , married Sarah King.
Nancy McClurkin, b. 12/25/1797, d. 11/9/1857.
James McClurkin, b. 1/5/1801, d. 10/8/1875.
Thomas McClurkin, b. 3/13/1805, d. 1/10/1867, married Martha Kirkpatrick.
David McClurkin, b. 6/22/1811, d. 3/18/1880, married (1) Annie E. Auld; (2) Jemima Boyd.
All births and marriages above were in South Carolina. In his old age Thomas McClurkin went to Indiana with the younger generation of his family and died and was buried at Elkhorn, Indiana.
In Court Record Book, p. 384, Chester County, South Carolina, Spring Term, "Thomas McClurkin appeared in open Court and made a declaration of his Revolutionary service also that Rev. John LeRoy Davies and CoI. Gill certified as to their belief of his age and that he was reputed to be a soldier of the Revolution." (Note: Rev. Davies was pastor of Catholic church at this time; Colonel Gill was a member of Fishing Creek Presbyterian Church.)
From Washington, D. C., from "Report of the Secretary of War", Thomas McClurkin, private in South Carolina Mifitia, was placed on the pension roll Aug. 7,1833. Pension began March 1, 1831, when his age in 1833 was given as 78 years. If this date is correct the date of birth as given in the
family record (note the Bible) as 1748, is in error.
From the State Historical Commission, Columbia, South Carolina, there is the following receipt for Revolutionary claims: Thomas McClurkin 472 No. 86, November 21, 1785/ Thomas McClurkin his "account for 68 days duty as footman and 73 days as Horseman under the command of Capt. Turner in "1779, 1781 and 1782.
In currancy 107
Amt. Sterling 15 .. 5 .. 8Y2
Fifteen pounds, five shillings and eight pence half penny Sterling. 584 - No. 42. Mr. Thomas McClurkin, his account of Militia duty, 100 days Duty and provisions for public use in 1780 and 1781
Balance charged - 271..10
Add Mon 1 Currancy 271 - 10 Strl.
Sterling 38 ..18 ..6 3/4 (outside of this paper)
584 - 42, N.B. This person has an account in CoI. Anderson's Return for Militia duty and its'
probably the duty (Virte) charged in this account is the same. M.Mc A-G
38 ..18..63,4Deduct - 121..11
Deduct 17 .. 7 .. Y2 Col. Anderson 17..7..1 Str.
21..11..4Y2 Sterling
Passed 21..11..4 1/2 Strl. E, Lightwood
Event source: S268Page: July 1976, Volume 3, Issue 3
Text: LOOKING BACK
Wanda GROENNERT
In 1762 the ship "Lord Dunlace" set sail for America with a group of immigrants from Ireland. They put into port at South Carolina. Among the passengers were Robert McCLURKIN and his four sons, Thomas, Archibald, John and Mathew. They finally settled in Chester County, Camden District, South Carolina where they bought some land.
Like many immigrants who fled to America from the "old country" they too were striving for a better way of life, free from oppression and the King's rule. But the very thing they left behind followed them to America. When America declared war to fight for independence from Great Britain in 1776, Robert McCLURKIN and his four sons joined in the fight by serving from the State of South Carolina.
When the war was over, Thomas McCLURKIN had married Elizabeth SMITH in South Carolina (Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Agnes Faris SMTH. John SMITH was also in the American Revolution.) To this union the following children were born; Nancy, John, James, Thomas, David, Archibald and another son not named.
Sometime in the spring of 1830 James and Thomas MC CLURKIN, Archibald and John HOOD and their families started the long journey from South Carolina in covered wagons.
In May 1830 they all arrived in Washington County, Illinois in the part that was called Ayer's Point, Elkhorn Prairie of Elkhorn Point.
In 1833 more of the family arrived, namely: John and David McCLURKIN and John DGNNELLY. These people, along with the ROUNTREES, Thomas BIRD and others opened up this part of the county to other settlers.
It soon became a growing, thriving community and by 1835, they had a school house, built a church made of brick, had a steam-mill, a store, a blacksmith shop and of course, a cemetery.
Indeed these Scotch and I r i s h settlers had found their promised land. Here they could worship as they wanted. They could till the ground and raise their families in the peace they so desperately sought and fought for.
Illinois was a free slave state and this too was reason to settle here. The very idea of slavery to these people was abhorred. They knew what it was to be an oppressed people and the thought of owning a slave was disgusting and truly against their religious beliefs. Some of these people played a great role in our county by manning the "underground railroad," to help slaves escape farther north, only to come under attack by their neighbors and friends.
Thomas MCCLURKIN was one of these pioneers who helped settle Washington County in the 1830's. He also is distinguished apart from many of our other earlier settlers by the fact that he is one of only four known American Revolutionary Soldiers buried within the boundaries of Washington County. The other three known burials are George BROWN, James CRABTREE, and Conrad GOODNER. If there are any others buried in Washington County they too are like the "Unknown Soldier" and known only to God.
Thomas MCCLURKIN surely thrived in our county, for at the age of 95 he applied for a pension for having fought in the American Revolution. I do not know if he ever received his f i r s t payment, but as a guardian of our nation of independence and a pioneer who helped to open up Washington County, he certainly would have deserved it .
Today Washington County has many descendants of Thomas MCCLURKIN. If you are of this line or any other line which you can prove, back to the American Revolution now is the time to join the new DAR Chapter being organized. The DAR is open to all the women if you can prove your descent from anyone who gave service of any kind to the colonies during the years 1775-1783. .Printed first in the Nashville News, 18 Dec 1975.
Event source: S218Page: February 1846, pages 227 & 228
Text: Copied from "The Reformed Presbyterian" -- April 1846, pages 57 & 58
and "The Covenanter" -- February 1846, pages 227 & 228
Obituary of Thomas M'Clurken, Senior
In my youth, I had an opportunity of knowing, or hearing of, several professors of religion who were reputed eminently pious. I watched with great anxiety, to ascertain the state of their mind at death. I found, that in proportion to the tenderness of conscience which they manifested in life, was their comfort in death. I knew but one exception. I have often thought that this should be recorded for the encouragement of those who have yet to pass through the swellings of Jordan. My mind was recalled to this subject by thinking of Thomas M'Clurken, Senr. of Elkhorn, Washington County, Illinois, who died March 30, 1845.
The deceased was born near Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland. He came, with his parents to South Carolina, previous to the Revolution, and became a soldier in the Continental Army. The Tories murdered one of his brothers for being a patriot. After hesitating sometime between the Associated Reformed and Covenanters, he was determined to join the latter, by hearing a dispute between Rev. Mr. M'Garrah of the latter, and Rev. Mr. Boyce, of the former. He held slaves till the Covenanters passed the emancipation act of 1800. He then liberated them all; and when I became aquainted with him, he understood and abhorred the wickedness of the system as much as any man I ever knew. After the liberation of his slaves, he was harrassed by the great sticklers for liberty of conscience, that in one year he was fined in $80 for not sitting on juries But it was made up to him in superior excellence of his crops beyond that of his neighbors; so that his enemies concluded it was in vain to attempt to ruin Thomas M'Clurken, for God was fighting for him. On account of slavery, he and his children and grandchildren left South Carolina for Illinois, in 1833.
I first became aquainted with him in the winter of 1839. He was a ruling elder; but at that time he was supposed to be about 90 years of age, and was unable to attend church courts or sermons. He still possessed considerable vigor, both bodily and mental, could talk intelligently on religion, and tell revolutionary anecdotes with great interest, but he was gradually declining. I called with him occasionally, as well as in my state ministrial visits, and found him still growing. Conversing with him once, in the course of my ministerial visitations, he broke out into a rapture; so that I seemed to be gazing after an eagle that had soared above the clouds out of my sight. The thought of death seemed to cause him no apprehension. His trust was not in anything he had done; but in the atonement and intercession of his Redeemer.
Not long before his death, I called to visit the family ministerially -- they told me that for some days his mind had been wandering -- I went to his bed-side. He recognized me -- we entered into conversation -- he could not well finish his sentences, but it was evident that his soul had been on the mountains of spice gathering some of the first fruits. The family told me that a few hours before his death, he told them he should see the salvation of God "Mark the perfect and behold the upright: for the end of that man peace."
His widow* is so infirm, that she will probably not have to wait long, till she be called to enter on that state where they 'neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as angels of God in heaven.'
*She is sister to Mrs. Donnelly, wife of Rev. Thomas Donnelly, of South Carolina.
Written by Rev. William Sloane Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, The Covenanter. Volume 1, pages 227 & 228