Page:The McClure Family.djvu/179

Rh Chester, S. C. He m. Bettie McIntosh. Several children:


 * a. J. C. McLure, Chester, S. C.
 * b. Elizabeth, b. in Chester, m. Paul Hemphill, of South Carolina.

III.

IV. .

V., died single after 1840.

VI. , died single after 1840.

The best known of the early North Carolina McClures is

referred to in Wheeler's History of N. C, p. 70, as one of the signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, May 20, 1775. In The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and the Lives of its Signers, by Geo. W. Graham, M. D., p. 123-4, we read, "In the North of Ireland, about 1725, was born Matthew McClure, where he married; came to America and settled in Mecklenburg County, five miles south of Davidson College about 1751. It is an evidence of his worth that he was chosen one of the delegates to the Mecklenburg Convention of May, 1775. It is not known that he filled any other public position. His house was a rendezvous for the patriots of his section. In January, 1782, the County Court ordered that no person in Charlotte or within two miles of the place, should be permitted to sell any spirituous liquors so long as the hospital was continued in that town and employed Matthew McClure to take possession of all such contraband liquors for the use of the hospital, as the commanding officer should direct. Too old himself to enter active service in the field, his sons were much engaged in the army."

His name is mentioned a number of times in Clark's Colonial Records of N. C.

He died 1805 about 80 years of age. In his will, recorded May 4, 1805. (See Book E, p. 4, Mecklenburg Co.). He disposes of his 1,000 acre farm in Mecklenburg Co.; 800 acres to his son,, and 200 acres to his grandson, Matthew, the son of William; $200 to his son,