Individual Details
Captain William MCMAHAN
(1690 - 21 Aug 1750)
William and his family, probably came to America between 1733 and 1737. All his children were born in Ireland.
It is unlikely that his title "Colonel" was merely honorary. The "HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES" by Henry William Elston, 1926, page 195 states "In Virginia, the Chief County Officer was the Sheriff, appointed by the Governor. Next to the Sheriff stood 'the Colonel' whose duties were largely military". So it is reasonable to assume that Justice McMachen was second in rank and therefore a "Colonel". By a bequest of Colonel McMachen, he outlined proceedings to dispose of three tracts of 400 acres each as well as "take up" land that he already owned near Winchester. His son, John, (who was the executor of William's estate) applied to the "Right Honorable Lord Fairfax", propietor of the land and received three grants of 248, 300, and 195 acres in three tracts. They are described as being in the Opequon Creek water shed.
It is unlikely that his title "Colonel" was merely honorary. The "HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES" by Henry William Elston, 1926, page 195 states "In Virginia, the Chief County Officer was the Sheriff, appointed by the Governor. Next to the Sheriff stood 'the Colonel' whose duties were largely military". So it is reasonable to assume that Justice McMachen was second in rank and therefore a "Colonel". By a bequest of Colonel McMachen, he outlined proceedings to dispose of three tracts of 400 acres each as well as "take up" land that he already owned near Winchester. His son, John, (who was the executor of William's estate) applied to the "Right Honorable Lord Fairfax", propietor of the land and received three grants of 248, 300, and 195 acres in three tracts. They are described as being in the Opequon Creek water shed.
Events
| Birth | 1690 | Scotland |  | ||
| Marriage | 1720 | Scotland, United Kingdom - Elizabeth BLAIR | |||
| Immigration | Bef 1737 | Virginia from Scotland | |||
| Occupation | Ca 1737 | Justice in Orange Co., and also in Old Frederick Co., Virginia. He wa the first judge of Frederick County - Winchester, Fredrick, Virginia Colony | | ||
| Will | 6 Jun 1749 | Winchester, Frederick, Virginia, British America |  | | |
| Death | 21 Aug 1750 | Winchester, Frederick, Virginia, British America | |||
| Alt name | William MCMECHAN | ||||
| Alt name | William MCMAHON | ||||
| Burial | Winchester, Frederick, Virginia, British America | |
Families
| Spouse | Elizabeth BLAIR (1680 - 1788) |
| Child | Margaret Ann MCMACHEN (1727 - 1796) |
| Father | Robert MCMAHON ( - ) |
| Mother | Janet PATERSONE ( - ) |
| Father | McMahon (1670 - ) |
Notes
Will
In the name of God Amen. I, William McMechan of the Parish of Frederick in the County of Frederick & Colony of Virginia being sick & weak of Body but of sound and perfect memory and mind, thanks be to God for it, therefore Calling to mind the Mortality of the Body & knowing it is appointed for all men once to Die, Do make & ordain this my last will & Testament etc. and as touching such worldly goods wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life I give dispose & bequeath the same in the following manner. viz: Imprimis I give and bequeath to my two daughters Agnes and Jane McMeachan Twenty pounds current money each to be paid to them as they shall be in need by my Executors hereafter named together with their equal proportion of my Moveable Estate save only what my well beloved wife Elizabeth shall think fit to Dispose of to her Grand Children of my son John & William McMecham part of my said Estate as shall be to them hereafter bequeathed; Imprimis I give and bequeath to my sons John, Richard and William McMehan (sic) all the Land by me now possessed to be among them divided and that my son John endeavor to take up the surplus land lying contiguous to the said Land, by getting the south line of my Land straightened to take in the said surplus land & if his Lordship do so grant & order by this my last will etc that said surplus Land being made into one Tract to be divided as mentioned hereafter viz. To my son John McMechan two hundred acres of the Land by me now possessed where my son John now possesseth & his part of the surplus land if obtained of his Lordship. Likewise to my son Richard two hundred aces of said land on that part he now possesseith with his Equal part of said surplus land & likewise my son William McMechan to have his part or residue of said Land on that part or place I now live on at the writing of this my last Will etc with his equal part of said surplus land if by them obtained, Item I give & bequeath to my son William my riding horse Bridle & saddle. Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Ann one two year old horse Colt of a Roan Colour. Item I give & bequeath to my well beloved wife one mare called Tybb for her proper use save only the increase of said mare to go to the use of my Children aforementioned. Item That my two under named Executors sell or cause to be sold that tract or parcel of Land to me belonging Lying & being in Augusta County and the money arising by such sale go towards Defraying such Debts as may be brought against me. Item I likewise appoint constitute & Ordain my two well beloved friends Lewis Neill & Gabriel Jones with my son John McMechan Executors of this my last will & Testament and I Do hereby utterly disallow revoke & Disannull all & every other former Testament wills Legacies requests & Executors by me in any wise before this time Named Willed & Bequeathed ratifying & confirming this & no other to be my last Will & Testament.In witness whereof I leave hereunto Set my hand & seal this 24th day of February 1748/9.
Wm. McMahan (Seal)
[:ITAL]
Signed sealed etc in presence of NB the words with my Son John interlined before sealing.
Death date also shown as: Death: 04 Dec 1749 in Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia
Endnotes
1. .
2. , Bruce Family of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Indiana ( Genealogy & History Dept: Corydon Public Library, 18 August 1999), Corydon Public Library, Genealogy & History Dept., 18 August 1999.
3. Captain William McMahan (6 June 1749), Will Book 1: page 293-295:; , , .
4. .