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:    S115
Page:   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:    S11

Text:   Hugh Park McClurken

Burial source:    S163
Narratives of Randolph County McC - McM. Page 62

Residence source:    S11

Text:   Hugh Park McClurken

Event source:    S115
Page:   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:    S14

Text:   Hugh McClurken


Source

Source for:   Thomas McClurken,   1756 - 22 MAR 1845         Index

Name source:    S40
Page:   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:    S93
Page:   page 2251

Text:   1756 in Ireland

Burial source:    S169

Burial source:    S90

Text:   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:    S95
Page:   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:    S93
Page:   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    S175

Text:   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    S115
Page:   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    S97

Text:   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    S94
Page:   page 311

Text:   Revolutionary Soldier Buried in Illinois
McClurkin, Thomas, Elkhorn Cemetery, Oakdale Twp., Washington County

_MIL    S93
Page:   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    S292
Page:   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:    S175

Text:   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:    S115
Page:   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:    S219

Text:   Oakdale Reformed Presbyterian Church Charter Member Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, "The Covenanter Witness," Weekly. Volume 13, page 256

Religion source:    S175

Text:   Installation as a ruling elder Our Banner. Volume 11, page 402

Religion source:    S219

Text:   first elders Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, "The Covenanter Witness," Weekly. Volume 64, page 405

Religion source:    S119

Text:   Chosen as an elder of the Elkhorn Congregation in 1834 History of Washington County, Illinois - 1879, page 42

Residence source:    S30
Page:   page 188

Text:   Thomas McClerken, sen. (age) 95 (in 1840)

Residence source:    S6

Text:   Thomas McClurken

Event source:    S203
Page:   page 92
Revolutionary Soldiers of the Catholic Presbyterian Church, Chester, South Carolina. Page 92

Event source:    S196
Page:   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:    S169

Death source:    S94
Page:   page 240

Death source:    S93
Page:   page 2251

Text:   22 Mar 1845

Birth source:    S6

Text:   Thomas McClurken
Age 95

Birth source:    S94
Page:   page 240

Text:   Thos., born Antrim, Ire., aged 97 yrs.

Birth source:    S30
Page:   page 188

Text:   Thomas McClerken, sen. (age) 95 (in 1840)

Birth source:    S169

Text:   Age 97 in 1845

Birth source:    S163

Text:   Age 85 in 1833 Narratives of Randolph County McC - McM. Page 39

Residence source:    S102
Page:   page 15

Residence source:    S1

Text:   Thomas McClurken

Residence source:    S2

Text:   Thomas McClurken

Residence source:    S3

Text:   Thomas McClurken 1810 US Census. Thomas McClurken Page 513

Residence source:    S4

Text:   Thomas McClurken

Residence source:    S5

Text:   Thomas McClurken 1830 US Census. Thomas McClurken Page 59/344.

Event source:    S226
Thomas McClurken Pension File. Pages 2, 29, 40 & 63.

Event source:    S93
Page:   page 2251

Text:   he appl 2 Apr 1833 Chester Dist SC

Event source:    S119

Text:   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:    S93
Page:   page 2251

Text:   in 1834 he moved to Washington Co IL "to accompany his sons."

Event source:    S203
Page:   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:    S268
Page:   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:    S218
Page:    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