Thomas McClurken 1805

Thomas McClurken

1805 - 1867

Thomas McClurken was born on March 31, 1805 in South Carolina. He died on January 10, 1867 in Oakdale, Illinois.

His parents were Thomas McClurken (1748 - 1845) and Elizabeth Smith (1767 – 1852). James and his parents were Scotch-Irish. His siblings were:

· Nancy (1801 – November 9, 1857)

· John (May 4, 1792 – July 12, 1874)

· Archibald (1794 – 1843)

· James (January 5, 1801 – October 8, 1875)

· David (1811 – March 18, 1880)

Thomas shows up in the 1810 Census (male under 10) along with his parents, brothers, John, Archibald, and James, and sister, Nancy.

Thomas shows up in the 1820 Census (male 10 – 16) along with his parents, brothers James and David, and sister Nancy.

Thomas McClurken married Martha Kirkpatrick about 1830 in South Carolina. They were Covenanters. Thomas and Martha show up in the 1830 Census (male 20 – 30 and female 20 – 30) along with his parents, brother, David, and sister, Nancy.

Shortly after the Census, Thomas’ father, Thomas Sr., moved the family to Washington County, Illinois. (For an explanation of the circumstances associated with the move, see Covenanters). In 1834, Thomas purchased 40 acres of Section 27, of what became Oakdale Township. Thomas and Martha purchased an additional 400 acres in Sections 22, 23, 26 and 34 in 1836, 1837, and 1854. For details, see Thomas Martha McClurken_Land and the deeds in the reference file list.

Near Oakdale, Thomas and Martha had ten children (see the Outline Descendant Report of his father for grandchildren details):

· Robert W. was born on December 14, 1831. He married Mary Jane Ardrey (1836 – 1909) and they had five known children. Robert died on February 10, 1870 and is buried in Oakdale Cemetery (Old Section, Row 2, Grave 60).

· Thomas Donley (or Donnelly) was born on December 24, 1833. He married Jane Stevensen (1838 – 1873). Thomas died on April 12, 1900 and is buried in Oakdale Cemetery (Old Section, Row 2, Grave 67).

· David Smith was born on February 10, 1836 and died on September 1, 1838. He is buried in Oakdale Cemetery (Old Section, Row 2, Grave 8).

· Archibald Valentine was born on February 18, 1837. He married Elizabeth Auld (1837 – 1915) and they had one child. Archibald died on November 4, 1862, and is buried in Oakdale Cemetery (Old Section, Row 3, Grave 59).

· John C. was born about 1838. He enlisted on August 1, 1861 in the 10^th Regiment of the Missouri Infantry, but he was discharged for disability.

· James R. was born about 1839. He enlisted on August 1, 1861 in the 10^th Regiment of the Missouri Infantry. He died of pneumonia on January 19, 1863 in Keokuk, Iowa. He is buried in Oakdale Cemetery (Old Section, Row 7, Grave 58).

· Elizabeth S. was born about 1841.

· Samuel R. was born about 1843.

· David F. was born on January 12, 1850. He married Martha Ann (1854 – 1922) and they had four known children. David died on July 30, 1926 and is buried in Oakdale Cemetery (New Section, Row 19, Grave 29). See his obituary for additional details.

· Mary I was born about 1852.

Thomas and Martha were Charter Members of the Oakdale Reformed Presbyterian Church that was formed in 1834. It is likely that they participated in the Underground Railroad, along with other members of the congregation, because of their disdain for slavery.

Thomas and Martha show up in the 1840 Census (Washington County, Illinois), along with their four children.

Thomas and Martha show up in the 1850 Census (District 20 of Washington County, Illinois), along with eight of their children.

Thomas and Martha show up in the 1860 Census (T3S, R4W of Washington County, Illinois), along with six of their children.

Thomas died on January 10, 1867. He is buried in Oakdale Cemetery (Old Section, Row 2, Grave 65). For a summary of his estate, see Thomas McClurken Estate_1867.