Transcription
THE CLENDINEN, MYERSANDMILLS FAMILIESAnd Various Related Families in the SouthCompiled from Family Records, Official Documents,Original Letters, and Other Sources.ByMRS. J. R . .f3AIRD, T. C. CATCHINGSandMRS. M. C. TORREY, THEIR SISTER1823A. B.CALDWELL PUBLISHING Co.ATLANTA. GA.
Publisher's NoteIn this volume the name of each person whose lineage istraced is numbered consecutively. These consecutive numbers are on the margin. Following the names are reference numbers in parenthesis. These numbers always referbackward to the parents and so on back to the earliestknown ancestry. For instance, consecutive number 21 isJohn Rupert Baird II, whose reference number is (16).Reference to number 16 indicates James Catchings Baird,whose reference number (13) points back to his mother, etc.
DEDICATIONThis record is dedicated to the memory of our mother,Mrs. Dr. Thos. J. Catchings, nee Nancy McNees (or McNeice) Clendinen. The greater portion of our data hasbeen procured from old family records furnished by kindrelatives. It is to be regretted that the work was not begunbefore the demise of the generation having a knowledgeof the early history of the original immigrants to Ame;ica,and their connection with the branches in their native lands.The search for family ancestry is often intricate, afterthe lapse of years, but it is commendable. In Nehemiah7 :64, we find: "These sought their register among thosethat were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found.Therefore, were they as polluted, put from the priesthood."In the Old Testament, the Jews kept a minute record ofeach generation of their families. Jacob gives in the fortyninth chapter of Genesis a description of his children; theircharacter and future outlook. The lineage of the Savior'sfamily is traced to David in the first chapter of Matthew'sGospel, and in Luke's Gospel, third chapter, His lineage istaken back through David to Adam.·There are several coats of arms of the Clendinen andother spellings of the name, which are not at present accessible. See Burke's Genealogies, with crests and arms.
CLENDINEN"According to tradition, the name Clendinen was or1g1nally Glendonyn or Glendowyn of Welsh origin, and belonged to the Glendowins, the royal family of that country.The Glendowins, in turn, took their name from the placecalled Glyndeor or Glydwydy-Glyorglen, meaning a vale.Of these Glendonwyn is the most ancient and honorable.Owen Glendower, in the eleventh century, was the lastWelshman who assumed the title of Prince of Wales, andled the Welsh in their only attempt to regain their freedomafter their subjugation by Edward I. He did not found theGlendonyn family, who before his day settled in Scotland.The changes in the name through centuries have been Glendowyn, Glendonwyn, Glendnyning, Glendoning, Glendining,Glendenning, Glendennig. In time, "C" was substituted for"G"-for example, Clendennenge, Clendenning, Clendennig,Clenon, Clendenen, Clendenon, Clendinning, Clendinen, Clendennin, Clandinnig, Clandinen. There may be other variations. Records begin in 1150, with William of Glendonynor Glendenning, son of Douglas, who owned large estates,the name of one being Glendenning, consisting of portionsof Esdale, Liddendale, and Teviotdale, Scotland. Robertde Glenonwyn, for valor at the battle of Largo, 1261, wasawarded by Alexander III, a large land grant in Ayrshire. We also read of the Glendonyns of Partoun. At theend of the thirteenth century, the Chief Justice of Scotlandwas Sir Adam de Glendonyn of the Douglas branch of thefamily. His son, Sir Adam, was a follower of the Bruce anda Crusader. In Hume's History, we read of the son of theCrusader Simon, who was killed at Otterbourne and buriedwith military honors in Melrose Abbey. His sword istreasured as a precious relic of Partoun, the family residence in Kirkendbrightshire. One of the most powerfullords of Scotland was Simon, sixth Baron, knighted byJames II, and invested with almost regal power within hisown lands of Glendennig. He was one of the generators ofpeace with England in 1440. The Glendennings date theirdownfall in Scotland from 1644, for adherance to the royalStuarts, Sir John."Sir Adam Glendening, third Baron, was general receiverof the Earl of Douglas' rents. He died in 1397. He hadbrothers, Simon, Matthew, and John. Simon and the Earlof Douglas were killed side by side at Otterbourne 1388:both interred in Melrose Abbey: family residence Kirkenburgshire, Partoun."From Humes' History of the Douglas Family."John Clendenin, Lancaster County, Pa., one of the threebrothers who landed in Baltimore in 17 46, was a Revolutionary soldier under Washington. His children located inPennsylvania and Maryland. The two other brothers of
10CLENDINEN AND RELATED FAMILIESJohn were Charles and Archibald, West Va.""In the old Scotch cemetery, Lancaster, Pa., is the graveof Adam Clendenin of Ayre, Scotland.""One Adam Clendenin died June 19, 1717. He marriedEsther Hall, Philadelphia. Their daughter, Jane, marriedAndrew Heaslet."From Clyde's History of the Scotch in Pennsylvania."Little Rock, Ark., April, 1914.I have a little booklet which says that all by this name,no matter how spelled, are of our family originally; and thatthree brothers landed or settled first in Baltimore and thenwent to Pennsylvania. A stranger saw my father's name(Judge John Joseph Clendenin, Supreme Court, Ark.) in aBoston Journal, and sent a little book of the Clendeninfamily to me.Jane Clendenin Royston.""Charleston, W. Va., March 16, 1896.Mrs. M. C. Torrey.Dear Madam:George Clendinen built a fort here in 1786. The name,in the official calendar and State papers of Virginia, isspelled in three different ways. On the same page areClendinen, Clendenin, and Clendenen. George Clendinenspelled it himself as Clendinen. There are now no descendants of this old family in Kanawha county. Col. Millerfrom Mason county, whose mother was a Clendinen, pointedout to some citizens here, the burial place of Charles Clendinen, on the bank of the river above the fort. There is aCharles Clendinen of Gallipolis, Ohio, of that family, and Dr.John P. Hale, author of "The Trans-Allegheny Pioneers,"says there are descendants in Logan Co., W. Va. This bookcontains as much concerning the above family as anythingwe have. There is a picture hanging high up on the wallof our Historical Room, but it is inaccessible and too longrange to give a very good sketch of it, of Col. William Clendinen. I do not know who presented it. Dr. W. J. Blandof W. Va. married a descendant of Gov. Return JonathanMeigs. She entertained me one evening with an exhibitionof the family heirlooms, among which was a life-sized portrait of Geo. Washington, presented by him to Gov. Meigs.Also a manuscript invitation in his own handwriting fromThos. Jefferson to Gov. Meigs to dinner.John Cole, Clerk Co."There is extant "An Account of the Coming to Americaof three Clendinen Brothers from Scotland," compiled byCapt. Joe Vincent Meigs, a descendant; from data of Mrs.Della Agnes McCulloch, Regent Col. Charles Lewis Chapter
CLENDINEN AND RELATED FAMILIES11D. A. R., Pt. Pleasant, W. Va. That work tells of threebrothers, Archibald Clendinen, who was killed at the MuddyCreek Massacre by the Indians, June 27, 1763, in whichother members of the family were also killed ; Charles Clendinen, who was on the Ben Burden Grant in 1753, and wholeft many descendants in West Virginia and the Ohio Valley; Thomas Clendinen, whose line has been traced in thisvolume."Mrs. McCulloch, Historian, found this method of spelling the name, in the old family Bible of Wm. Clendinen,which he and George brought with them from Scotlandwhen they emigrated. This Bible is now in the possessionof Mrs. Geo. Wallis, nee Elizabeth Clendinen, m. April 6,1892. (Note-I, J. V. M., am the great-grandson of GeorgeClendinen, brother of William.) (Mrs. Sophia ElizabethWalis is a great-granddaughter of Wm. Clendinen, anddaughter of Jas. Ed. Beale Clendinen, and lives in MasonCo., W. Va.) "This old Bible was printed by Mark andChas. Kerr, His Majesties' Printers-1791. Edinburgh:appointed to be read in the churches." The first page isdedicated to the most high and mighty Prince James, by theGrace of God, King of Great Britain and France and Ireland. Defender of the Faith," as copied by Mrs. McCulloch.(The reign of James II began in 1685 and ended in 1688.The Bible printed in 1791 was in the reign of George III,which began 1760 and ended in 1820. (,J. V. M.) Mrs.Stephens has the signature of her great-grandfather Wm.C., spelled Clendineu. "Chal'ies Clendinen, pioneer immigrant, was an old man when he emigrated with his family,and George took care of him. He died in the blork house.He came to America with fom boys and a daughte1·." Mrs.McCulloch states that "Mrs. Edith Clendinen Miller Stephens, from whom much of the above was obtained, knowsmore of their history than anyone else; also of their connection with the Meigs, Bryan, Miller and McCulloch families. Mrs. A. McCulloch states that the Clendinens were"Pioneer-Indian Fighters-Block House and Town Builders." "There is a tradition in the family of Thos. Clendinen (emigrant) that his sister was scalped by the Indians,while taking food to him, during their warfare." There isa minute, detailed chart by :Mrs. McCulloch, giving the descendants, the births, marriages, and deaths of the abovepioneers, but it is too lengthy to copy in this history.""Treasury Dept., Washington, D. C., 1896.Office of Internal Revenue.Memorandum for Representative T. C. Catchings:The Clendinens resided upon Borden's Grant as early as1753, Augusta County, Va. Two brothers, Archibald andCharles, were there about that time. A third brother settled in Maryland. Archibald and family perished in the
12CLENDINEN AND RELATED FAMILIESGreen River Massacre of 1773. Charles went west of theAlleghanies to reside about 1780. His children wereGeorge, William, Robert, Alexander, and Mary Ellen.George, son of Charles, was Colonel Commandant of theKanawha region in 1791 and established the fort of Charleston, now the capitol of W. Va., and named it after hisfather, Charles Clendinen. George's daughter, Parthena,married Return Jonathan Meigs, Governor of Ohio. George'swife was Genevieve McN eale, sister of the wife of the lateThomas Ewing of Ohio. William Clendinen became ColonelWilliam Clendinen; a prominent citizen of Kanawha, afterwards of Macon County, Va., and was in the Legislature.George represented Kanawha County in the Legislature in1790, 1791-92-94-95; Daniel Boone being his colleague in1791. William Clendinen represented the same county in1790-91-93. Robert Clendinen was a Justice of the firstcourt organized in Kanawka County in 1789, as was alsoWilliam Clendinen. The military organization of the countyat that time was: George Clendinen, Commandant; Daniel Boone, Lieutenant-Colonel; William Clendinen, Major;Alexander Clendinen, Ensign.Joseph Miller."I-Thomas Clendinen, born 1741, came from Scotland andsettled in America in Cecil Co., Md. Before the Revolutionary War he moved to Fishing Creek, York District, S. C.He fought gallantly as a private under Gen. Francis Marion.He was a devoted Presbyterian and was found dead April20, 1817, in his chair with. the Bible open upon his lap.Buried at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, Fishing Creek,S. C. He was a great Whig.Thomas Clendinen obtained ninety-six acres, 1791, onFishing Creek, S. C.; had lands at that time adjoining thison two sides. He also obtained a grant in York Districtof 477 acres in 1814. D. W. McLaurin, State Land Agent,Jan. 23, 1912."Book 43, p. 632. Obtained 1000 acres; 132 acres; 17acres; and 1000 acres in York District. D. W. McLaurin,State Land Agent."Thomas Clendinen, in his will made Jan. 20, 1817, appointed his sons, Robert and James, as his executors. Hisplantation on Fishing Creek "joined the lands of Dr. JohnBratton, the heirs of Jos. Sadler, Hugh Wells, Robert Love,the heirs of Thomas Bratton, and the widow Watson." "Hepossessed large herds of cattle and stock. He also left tohis heirs "a square of two acres in Columbia, S. C., boundedby Upper and Lumber, Marion and Bull streets." He livedin great comfort and independence and was truly a Godfearing, Christian gentleman."-Chancery Clerk, Yorkville,S. Ca.
CLENDINEN AND RELATED FAMILIES13"In 1693 that portion north of Santee was called NorthCarolina :::.nd the four counties south were called SouthCarolina. In 1778 the commission ran a line between Northand South Carolina." From Wheeler's History of NorthCarolina."Upon the Revolutionary Rolls of the soldiers of SouthCarolina the following names are given: "Thomas Clendinen, Capt. Wallace, and Matthew Clendinen, Capt. MartinSumter." It is not known who Matthew Clendinen was.Copied from the records of Bethesda Presbyterian Church,Fishing Creek, York District, S. C.Thomas Clendinen m. second wife, Mrs. Armstrong, neeNancy McN ees or McN eice, a Scotch woman of South Carolina.May 1, 1911; Union, S. C.My grandfather, Andrew McNeace, d. here Jan. 1906, atthe age of 104 years. He had an older brother, John McNeace, who went West. All trace of him was lost. Myfather was named for him. My grandfather had a sisterNancy. John and Nancy have been names in the familyfor generations. My grandfather was b. and reared in thenortheast part of this county, just across Broad River fromYork Co., formerly York District. Several generations ago,the name was spelled McN ees but was later changed to McN eace. F. M. McNeace." (Not related to Mrs. T. Clendinen, as is known.)Moultrie's Memoirs of the American Revolution, p. 17,states: "John McNees represented the district betweenBroad and Saluda rivers in the first Provincial Congress,S. C., begun and holden at Charleston, Jan. 11, 1775.""Robert McNees was Superintendent of Education inSouth Carolina in early days.""John McNees or McNeice obtained two grants of 150acres each in 1771 and 1773 in Craven Co. in the upper partof S. C. John McNees or McNeice obtained grants in 1770of 100 acres, and in 1773 of 150 acres, all in 96th District,Reedy River Section." D. W. McLaurin, State Land Agent,Columbia, S. C., March 8, 1916.Fishing Creek, York District, S. C.Epitaph from Bethesda Cemetery, copied July, 1910.(1) "Sacred to the memory of Thomas Clendinen. Whowas born 1744, and died 20th of April, 1817. Also his second wife Nancy Clendinen, who died 1786.(2) Sacred to the memory of Robert Clendinen, who wasborn 7th of March, 1784, and died 29th August, 1830, in theforty-seventh year of his age.(3) Sacred to the memory of Catherine Clendinen, whowas born 21st May, 1822, and died 18th Sept. 1822; alsoPhalby Clendinen who was born 25th of Dec., 1823, anddied 21st of June, 1825. Both infant daughters of Robert
14CLENDINEN AND RELATF;D FAMILIESand Mary Clendinen.( 4) Sacred to the memory of Robert Clendinen, Jr., sonof Robert and Marv Clendinen, who was born Dec. 3rd, 1825,and died Sent. 26th. 1826.(5) Here lies the body of Lydia Clendinen and her child:wife of Thomas Clendinen, who died March 7th, A. D., 1781.age 36 years.(6) Col. J. Clendinen."No8. 1, 2, 3, 4, have the old-fashioned broad slabs, resting- on four marble pillar8, in very good condition. No. 5has a small headstone badly weather-stained, and sunken.No. 6 i:-- a neat square block of marble, hearing only thenam . The entire grave is covered with small rock8.The following is a copy of a letter written by ThomasClendinen to his son, William Haslett Clendinen, then amedical student at Maryland Univer8ity, Ralhmore."My dear son :T have just heard that Bob [his son Robert] has startedto Statesville, N. C., on his way to Baltimore, and I haveonly a few minutes to write, while John Arm:--trong is here.waiting to carry these [Uw letters]. I have never had hutone letter from you since I saw you, which often has beenmuch concern to me, to think that m:v affection has beenso much set on you and that you should decline in your respect to me in my old age ; but my love for you will notfail while I live. I am blessed with a good state of health.I have no complaint of any kind more than when I was.young. My boys are industrious and always [word rubbed off], the one healthy and stout. But I had considerable of a loss last fall-one negro woman, a good mare, andfour head of cattle, all died in one month, but we are entirely out of debt and have enough to live upon comfortably. I hope I need not remind you, though it be my dutyto warn you, to keep near to God and trust His providencein all your undertakings. If you should turn from the waysof virtue and truth, you will entirely disappoint my affections. We all join in my respects to you all.I am your affectionate father until death.York District, May 8, 1807."Thomas Clendinen."Mr. Merideth married a daughter of Dr. Hazlett ofCecil County, Maryland, who was a sister of Mrs. ThomasClendinen (the first) nee Lydia Hazlett or Haslett. Theirson, Judge Jonathan Merideth and his sister, Miss EmilyMerideth, lived in Baltimore; also Gilmore, son of JudgeMerideth. Gilmore Merideth was famed in the Confederate Navy.Eliza S. Clendinen, 1913," Baltimore.
CLENDINEN AND RELATED FAMILIES15"Guthriesville, S. C., Aug. 18, 1913.I find the Clendinens owned the land which belongs to Dr.J. R. Bratton's estate. Before Bethesda Church was builton present site, a few people were buried on the old Clendinen plantation. This was closed up and the present siteused.-D. P. Curry, Sexton, Bethesda Church.""On July 12, 1780, the battle of 'Huck's Defeat' wasfought at Brattonsville, S. C. Then and there a body of fourhundred cavalry and well-mounted body of Tories were defeated by 133 Whigs under command of Col. William Bratton. This victory, though small in itself, was far-reachingin its effect upon the future of South Carolina. The TorieRwere regular trained forces of the Royal Army. The littleband of Whigs were untrained men, fighting for home andcountry. Among the number was Thomas Clendinen. At acelebration of this battle on the fiftieth anniversary, thefollowing toast was offered, "Memory of Thomas Clendinen,.James McRandall, Robert Bratton, and Edward Martin.They were married to liberty, and faithful, honest husbandsdid they make." Above references are from "Proceedingsof a Celebration of Huck's Defeat;" "The Making of SouthCarolina," page 122, White; "The Story of the Revolution,"Vol. II, page 47, Henry Cabot Lodge.The victory of Huck's Defeat is marked by a handsomegranite and bronze monument erected by King's MountainChapter, D. A. R., in 1903. Virginia Mason Bratton. July,1910."Mrs. Virginia Mason Bratton, Ex-Regent of the D. A. R.Society of South Carolina, and who lives at Guthriesville,S. C.; cousin of Rt. Rev. T. D. Bratton, of Miss., kindly contributed the above account of the battle of "Huck's Defeat.".Robert Clendinen, b. S. C., Fishing Creek; m. Mary EllenMyers of South Carolina; d. Aug. 29, 1830, in the fortyseventh year of his age. He is buried at the BethesdaPresbyterian Cemetery, Fishing Creek, York District, S. C.,about ten miles from Yorkville, beside his parents, Mr. andMrs. Thos. Clendinen, and three infants: Catherine, Phalby,and Robert Clendinen, Jr., children of Robert C. and wife,M. E. Myers."Tully in Orator, speaks of a middle species of oratory,which has neither the keenness of the utmost polish, northe thunder of the most rough. Of this character was theeloquence of Mr. Clendinen. He received from nature muchquickness of intellect and sound judgment, which by judicious application in youth he had made most effective instruments to his success in after life at the bar. He hadalso a good person and agreeable manners; was pleasant
!fiCLENDINEN AND RELATED FAMILIESand facetious, and master of that most desirable of accomplishments for a speaker, fine action. The great basis,however, of his success in life was his integrity and stabilityof character, without which the most brilliant capacity andmost Rtriking accomplishments will not secure permanentsuccess; for it is the nature of men, however little theymay practice virtue and however degraded they may become in life, to render an involuntary homage to the character whose course has been marked by a uniform and determined observance to principle. Even the most viciousmembers of society find it to their interest to sustain thesupremacy of that incompatible conduct which checks thecareer of crime. Governed by this standard, Mr. Clendinenwas not long in securing the public confidence. It displayeditself in a large and lucrative practice and in his frequentelection to political station. As a politician, he was proudand conservative: as an advocate, cool, sagacious, and scrupulously exact. In person, he was inclined to be portly, hisface round and florid and his eyes intensely black. In styleof oratory he had more care for ideas than words, but hisenunciation was agreeable and in choice of words he wasjudicious and correct. In criminal caset-, he could be warmand impetuous and exercise considerable influence over thepassiom;, and yet be perspicuous, natural and weighty. Mr.Clendinen's success did not cause him to relax his application; for he had opposed to him, at the Bar, Thomas Williams, who possessed great powers of oratory, Robert Mills,a man of wonderful industry and energy; Job Johnson, whostood high in popularity and had mu"'!-: ability; and others,who would have soon obscured any contemporary whosetalents and diligence had not been of a very high order.Mr. Clendinen's place of residence was Yorkville; and hepracticed at Union, Chester, Fairfield, and Lancaster. Byeconomy and good management in early life, he acquired aconsiderable fortune; and up to the time of his death, whichoccurred Aug. 29, 1830, in the forty-seventh year of hisage, he regularly rode the circuit, more to enjoy the conversation of his associates than for profit. He possessedone qualification, which more than any others, shows theaccomplished lawyer and gentleman. He was the kind andindulgent protector of the younger members of the Bar,specially of those who unfortunately had their opportuni,ties circumscribed by poverty and the absence of influen tial patronage. Mr. Clendinen's career illustrated the necessity of industry and attention to business and of an undeviating adherence to the substance, not to the mere nameof honor. By such a course he reached a high position inlife, which his talents alone could not have secured him.Had he lived, he might have risen to the highest dignitiesof the State. As it was, he gradually advanced in publicestimation and died warmly esteemed by all who knew him.
:\IRS. BENJAMIN CATCHINGS11 Nee Mildr-e l Criddle 1Copied fi·om an oil portrait nainted about 1869in Virginia soon after marriage!
CLENDINEN AND RELATED FAMILIES17He studied law with ,Judge Smith, and was admitted to theBar in Columbia on Jan. 11, 1813. Mr. Clendinen's voicemuch resembled Judge Smith's and in bitterness of sarcasmand denunciation he was much like him. He was the Senator from York for years. He married the eldest daughterof Col. David Myers. Surrounded by affluence and blestwith a family, and attended by great popularity, he hadcause to live without any appeal to extraneous circumstances. His widow and two daughters survived him."From Biographical Sketches of the Bench and Bar of SouthCarolina. By Judge Belton O'Neal, LL.D.Letter from Robt. Clendinen to Dr. John Jacob Myerswhile attending medical college, Fells Point, Baltimore."Yorkville, S. C., July 7, 1821.Dear Brother :Yours of the 8th ult. came to hand in due course of mail.I would have written you last mail, but did not arrive, having missed route. We heard from mother in Columbia, afew days ago. All were well there, except Sarah, who hadbeen very sick, but was better. We were expecting thefamily here daily, and they would have been up before nowonly for Sarah's sickness. They will come as soon as sheis able to travel. I am apprehensive their neighborhoodwill be very sickly as it has continued as wet as before youleft them, and the prospects of the crop in the swamp aredeplorable, being generally covered with water. When Ireturned home from the Equity Circuit, I found my croplikely to be lost in the grass, from the indolence of my overseer. I dismissed him and have attended to it myself eversince. I shall have a tolerable crop yet. Enclosed is someof mother's hair, which Mary sends and wishes you to haveit and some of your's put into the back of the locket of yourminature. Our little daughter thrives finely and is beginning to walk and talk. You must let me hear from youfrequently. Mary and Sophia send their respects, also Sister Nancy, who is yet with us and begins to spell. Presentmy respects to my brother and accept the best wishes.Yours truly,R. Clendinen.Mr. J. J. Myers.P. S.-If you can't conveniently get the hair put intothe locket, she wishes you to get her a ring and have it putin that.-R. C."Their grand-son, T. C. Catchings, Vicksburg, Miss., hasthe oil portraits of Robert Clendinen and his wife painted inS. C. about 1825."Our little daughter" referred to was Nancy McNeesClendinen, and "Sister Nancy" was the young sister of Mrs.Clendinen, afterwards Mrs. J. D. Allen. There was once ablack silk silhouette of Mrs. Robt. Clendinen and her sisters, Mi-s. Woodward and Mrs. O'Hanlan. They were lost
18CLENDINEK AND RELATED FAMILIESin moving. There was a similar picture of Dr. T. J. Catchings with a stock and ruffled shirt.CHILDREN OF ROBERT CLENDINEN (FIRST HUSBAND) AND MARY ELLEN MYERS.2-Nancy McNees or McNeice Clendinen (38) b. July 4,1820, Yorkville, S. C.3-Catherine Clendinen (38), b. May 21, 1822; d. Sept.18, 1822.4-Phalby Clendinen (38), b. Dec. 25, 1823; d. June 21.1825.5-Robert Clendinen, Jr. (38), b. Dec. 25, 1825; d. Sept.26, 1826.6-Mary Elizabeth Clendinen (38).Nancy McNees Clendinen, always called Nannie, b. July4, 1820, in Yorkville, S. C.; d. June 23, 1891, at LithiaSprings, Ga., to which place she had gone fur her health ;buried in Vicksburg, Miss. She had a strong, vigorous intellect, cultivated and well read, a fine conversationalist,mirthful, appreciative of humor and wit. Her voice, whenyoung, was superb. She sang with pathos and expression."The Blind Boy," "The Irish Emigrant's Lament," "A Lifeon the Ocean Wave," "A Poor Cracovian l\faid," and othersongs fashionable at that period. After the death of Dr.Catchings she remarked "my dear husband frequently spokeof the songs I sung when young." Miss Mary A. Catchings, afterwards Mrs. D. M. Hemingway, often played thepiano accompaniments for the songs Mrs. Catchings sang.she being a very accomplished performer. She was devotedto her church and did much parochial work in Brandon.Miss., and towards building St. Luke's Episcopal Churchthere; also St. Paul's Chapel, at Johnsonville, SunflowerCo. She possessed great personal beauty and sociability.wonderful magnetism, and was charitable to the faults ofothers. Her father being a patriotic Whig, named herNancy McNees Independence Clendinen, as the Fourth of,July was her birthday. She kept these initials till marriage.Her young lady card case and gold thimble were thus inscribed. Being only nineteen years of age, when her mothermoved to Miss., she became a reigning belle in Canton,.Jackson, and other sections of the State. Most of her admirers in after years were distinguished professional andpolitical men. Her sister .Mary was also much sought onaccount of beauty, accomplishments, and loveliness. On Feb.14, 1843, N. M. Clendinen m. Dr. Thomas Jefferson Catchings of Canton, Miss. Her mother presented her withFleetwood, the plantation and home in Hinds County, fourmiles from Bolton depot. Here they reared and educatedtheir children, employing private tutors.Mrs. Catchings often referred to the gifts her father always remembered to bring her when returning home fromhis circuit.
CLENDINEN AND RELATED FAMILIES19"IN MEMORIAM"Mrs. N. M. Catchings, who died at Lithia Springs, Ga.,on June 23, 1891, was a woman of marked individuality,vigorous intellect, and high character. Better than all this,she was generous, sympathetic and charitable in the fullestdegree."She was a native of South Carolina, but came to Mississippi while a young girl and it continued to be her homeuntil her death, which did not come until she had lived oneyear more than the three score and ten. Her father, Hon.Robert Clendinen, was a gifted man and ranked among theleaders of the South Carolina bar. Her mother was awoman of singular and striking beauty of person. Fromthem she inherited both intellect and beauty. She wasmarried forty-seven years ago to Dr. Thos. J. Catchings, whodied at his son's residence in this city in 1883. He was aRnearly perfect as man can be, and under his protection andloving care her intellect expanded, and her accomplishmentsgrew, until she was a peer in any company. Indeed, wherever she went, she quietly and unobtrusively, but surelyand naturally, took her place among the foremost. Untilthe misfortunes of the Civil War came upon them, theirfortune was ample, and at their home in Hinds Countythey displayed an elegant and bounteous hospitality, whichis still gratefully remembered by the survivors among theirneighbors and friends."No appeal was ever made in vain to either of them forcounsel or help. They submitted with courage and fortitude to the losses inflicted by the war, and with equanimityunto the end, by their example, giving heart and hope toall with whom they came in contact."They were deeply religious, though not ostentatiouf\about it. Their faith was that of the Episcopal Church.and in it they lived and died."The beautiful edifice at Brandon, Miss . will ever be amonument to this remarkable woman, it having been chieflythrough her instrumentality that it was built. Also thechapel at Johnsonville, Sunflower Co., was erected to aconsiderable extent through the encouragement and aid ofher and husband. Her loyalty to her friends, and devotio
John were Charles and Archibald, West Va." "In the old Scotch cemetery, Lancaster, Pa., is the grave of Adam Clendenin of Ayre, Scotland." "One Adam Clendenin died June 19, 1717. He married Esther Hall, Philadelphia. Their daughter, Jane, married Andrew Heaslet." From Clyde's History of the Scotch in Pennsylvania.
