Alexander Andrew McLaughlin

Alexander Andrew McLaughlin owned eighty tracts of land in Alabama that he bought after the Indian Removal. He and his brothers Daniel O. and John along with his son James G., Daniel's son, Daniel Jr., and John's son John Jr. were speculating in land.

Morning Paulette,

I was reviewing the McLaughlin data in your Internet posted files. I know the "popular" name for Alexander McLaughlin's wife has been "axey" or something similar; however the marriage record shows he married Sarah Skilman on 20 Dec 1789..not Axey. I wonder if Axey was a nickname, or another given name? Anyway, I'm sending you a copy of their actual marriage record in Tennessee...Maybe you can make the change and cite this attached document? Please let me know if you have documented conflicting information? Your family tree is relied upon by so many of us. Thanks!!

Lin

Thanks Lin for the document, it is so noted. I suspect that Axey was either what she was called or her other name because the name was handed down. The name could have possibly been from A.A.'s side of the family though.

Alexander Andrew McLaughlin BIRTH 1769 Scotland DEATH 1835 (aged 65–66) Shelby County, Alabama, USA BURIAL Shiloh Cemetery Leeds, Jefferson County, Alabama, USA MEMORIAL ID 83736783 · View Source

MEMORIAL PHOTOS 3 FLOWERS 7 Presently, the port of entry and the date that Alexander Andrew McLaughlin arrived in America is unknown but he most probably arrived with his brother, Daniel O. McLaughlin, Sr. Alexander Andrew McLaughlin and Daniel O. McLaughlin, Sr.'s birth places are reportedly to have been Fodderty, Ross, Cromarty, Scotland but the only presently acceptable documentation localizes their birth places as only Scotland. I also suspect, without proof, that the brothers originally arrived in North Carolina because Greene Co., TN, where they were living, was formed in 1783 from the original Washington Co., North Carolina. Daniel O. McLaughlin, Sr., brother of Alexander Andrew McLaughlin, was recognized by the "East Tennessee Historical Society" on 07 Jun 2010 in their "First Families of Tennessee" program (See Certificate #14865 attached to the memorial of Daniel O. McLaughlin, Sr.) indicating he settled in Tennessee prior to statehood on 01 Jun 1796. This honor would also apply to his brother, Alexander Andrew McLaughlin.

The marriage of Alexander McLaughlin to Asiah Sarah Skillman is documented in two separate records with the exact same date but with somewhat different pertinent information. Both records are attached to this memorial. One marriage record found in the source book "Greene County, Tennessee, Marriages 1783-1668" compiled by Goldene Fillers Burgner, 1981, Southern Historical Press, page 4, records that Arsa Shilman (Asiah Skillman) married Alexander McLaughlin on 20 Dec 1789 in Greene County, Tennessee. It states that Isaac Shilman (Isaac Skillman) [b. 24 Jul 1764 at South Brunswick, NJ], brother of Asiah, and Daniel "O." McLaughlin , brother of Alexander, were recorded as bondsmen/witnesses. The other marriage document of Asiah Skillman and Alexander McLaughlin, as noted above is also attached to this memorial, records that Alexander McLaughlin and Sarah Skilman (Asiah Sarah Skillman) were married on 20 Dec 1789 in Greene County, Tennessee (Source: Tennessee, State Marriages, 1780-2002, p44). NOTE: There is a lot of confusion concerning the exact name of Alexander Andrew McLaughlin's wife. I believe that these two marriage records taken together should settle it as a combination of "Sarah" and some form of "Asiah", e. g. Arsa, Achsa, Ascha, Axey. Also, in the genealogical literature and official records the "Skillman" name is also frequently seen as Skilman or Shilman.

Alexander Andrew McLaughlin's military service was post Revolutionary War and the record discloses that he was mustered into service on 04 Apr 1794 as an "Ensign" in command of a detachment of infantry. He was in the Jefferson Regiment of Hamilton District Militia commanded by George Doherty, Esq. for protection of the frontiers southwest of Ohio. He was mustered out of service on 05 Jun 1794. FYI: The Continental Army had a grade of "Ensign" during the American Revolution, as did the U.S. Army until 1815. The lowest commissioned rank in the British Army until 1871 was "Ensign". As a military rank, "Ensign" has generally been replaced by the rank of second lieutenant.

The death dates of Daniel O. McLaughlin, Sr., brother of Alexander Andrew McLaughlin, and his nephew, Daniel B. McLaughlin, the son of his brother, Alexander Andrew McLaughlin, have caused much confusion in the genealogical literature due to their similar names. Daniel B. McLaughlin, born in 1794, Washington, Co., TN died intestate about 1820 at Shelby Co., AL. His wife, Elizabeth McLaughlin, and his brother, John McLaughlin, were appointed administrators of his estate on 15 Jan 1822. (Ref: Shelby County, Alabama Will Book "B", pages 8,9,10; and also Shelby County, Alabama Archives, Will Book "D", page 46, 16 Jan 1822 states he was deceased and was "late of Shelby County"). The death of his uncle, Daniel O. McLaughlin, Sr., occurred about 1850 in St. Clair Co., AL and is covered on his memorial.

To help trace the movements of Alexander Andrew McLaughlin and his wife, Asiah Sarah (Skillman) McLaughlin: John Samuel McLaughlin, their son, was born on 09 Jun 1792 at Washington Co., TN (Washington Co., TN is located adjacent to Greene Co., TN where they were living in 1789). He married Margaret Brinker who was born on 04 Mar 1796 in VA. As a young man, John had traveled throughout the area trading with the Indians. He soldiered through Alabama's Cahaba Valley in the Indian Wars (1812-1814) with General John Coffee and was still listed in Captain Gremsley's Company in 1819 just prior to moving his family from Tennessee to Alabama. He received bounty land in the western section of what is now Leeds (Alabama) in 1821. The Leeds settlement dates to 1818 and was incorporated on 27 Apr 1887 as "Leeds". His brother, Alexander, bought the adjoining land the same year. John fought as a member of McAdory's 4th Mounted Alabama Infantry in the Second Creek War (1834-1836) which culminated in the expulsion of the Indians from Alabama. Like other early settlers, John started his farm, built a cabin and returned to Tennessee for Margaret. Family tradition states, when they came back to the farm, the deer had devoured the entire corn crop. John and Margaret, after settling in Alabama, raised a large family. NOTE: Of interest, Alexander M. Godwin, the husband of John McLaughlin's 1st cousin, Margaret M. (McLaughlin) Godwin, also fought under General John Coffee in the War of 1812 under similar circumstances and also received bounty land in Alabama. Margaret M. (McLaughlin) Godwin was the daughter of Daniel O. McLaughlin.

The 1816 Tax List of Monroe County, Mississippi Territory recorded the household of Andrew McLaughlin. Thus, Alexander Andrew McLaughlin and his wife, Asiah Sarah (Skillman) McLaughlin, were living in the area that would become the state of Alabama on 14 Dec 1819. In 1816, Monroe County, Mississippi Territory actually included most of the present state of Alabama. This qualifies Alexander Andrew McLaughlin's descendants and separately Asiah Sarah (Skillman) McLaughlin's descendants for membership in the "Alabama Genealogical Society's" program of "First Families of Alabama".

An extant 07 May 1816 deed, see document attached to this memorial, records Wade H. Vining paying Alexander McLaughlin in Madison County, Mississippi Territory $1300.00 in hand for 112 acres. On 10 Aug 1818, in Shelby County, Alabama Territory, Alexander McLaughlin's wife, Achsa (Asiah) McLaughlin, "on her Privy examination did relinquish her right of Dower to the within tract of land at the assignment of the within deed" The final sale (transfer) of the land occurred on 26 Oct 1818 in Madison County, Alabama Territory. (Location of deed: Madison County, Alabama Archives, Deed Book "E", p376). FYI: The "Alabama Territory" was carved from the "Mississippi Territory" on 15 Aug 1817; lasting until 14 Dec 1819, when it was admitted to the Union as the twenty-second state. It appears that the sale of this land by Alexander McLaughlin to Wade H. Vining began in 1816 when it was located in the "Mississippi Territory" and by the final sale on 26 Oct 1818 it was located in the "Alabama Territory". It is worth noting that this is the first record of the McLaughlins living in Shelby County although it wouldn't become the State of Alabama until 14 Dec 1819.

A January 1819 Shelby Co., Alabama Territory extant court document appointed several men to be responsible for maintaining a road. Included in the list were Alexander Andrew McLaughlin, Daniel O. McLaughlin, Sr. (brother of Alexander Andrew McLaughlin) and Alexander M. Godwin, the husband of Daniel O. McLaughlin, Sr's daughter, Margaret M. (McLaughlin) Godwin. Alexander M. Godwin was designated as overseer of the road from the home of "David Neils" to the county line. (Location of document: "Orphans Court Records, 1819 January Term", Shelby County, Alabama Archives, Columbiana, AL.)

The 1820 US Census of Shelby Co., AL enumerated the adjacent households of Alexander and Asiah (Skillman) McLaughlin and his brother, Daniel O. McLaughlin, Sr. Four households away was the residence of Daniel O. McLaughlin, Jr.

On 01 May 1823 and on 04 May 1824 Alexander McLaughlin of Shelby County, Alabama purchased land from the Bureau of Land Management. Each piece of land was 80 acres in size but they weren't contiguous. The Certificate numbers were #105 and #2734, respectively.

The 1830 US Census of Jackson Co., AL enumerated the household of Alexander McLaughlin (age range 60-70 years-actual age 61 Y/O). Also living in the household was a female in the age range 60-70 years. This was probably his wife, Achsa, whose actual age was 64 Y/O. Living 7 households away was David Alexander McLaughlin (age range 30-40 years) who was probably their grandson (See 1834 deed below). David Alexander McLaughlin, was the son of Daniel B. McLaughlin (1794-1820) and his wife, Elizabeth. Daniel B. McLaughlin was the son of Alexander Andrew McLaughlin and Achsa (Skillman) McLaughlin.

Alexander McLaughlin purchased 79 acres of land in Jackson Co., AL from the Bureau of Land Management on 01 Jun 1831.

An 26 Sep 1834 extant deed of gift from Alexander Andrew McLaughlin to his grandson, David Alexander McLaughlin, was recorded on 30 Sep 1834 in Talladega County, AL in Book "A", p27. For the sum of $1.00 in hand, David Alexander McLaughlin received "chattel". The deed states that Alexander "Andrew" McLaughlin was a resident of Shelby Co, AL and that his grandson, David Alexander McLaughlin, was the son of Daniel McLaughlin and his wife, Elizabeth. NOTE: The repeated use of family names by this branch of the McLaughlin family complicates sorting out a clear family history.

On 01 Aug 1835 the "legatees" (heirs) of the "deceased" Alexander Andrew McLaughlin sold James McLaughlin, his son, of St. Clair Co., AL, for the sum of $362.50 in hand, 80 acres in St. Clair County. The legatees of the deceased Alexander Andrew McLaughlin who signed the deed were: John McLaughlin, Daniel McLaughlin, Joseph McLaughlin, Henry McLaughlin, Robert J. Smith and William McLaughlin. NOTE: The signers of this extant land transfer document were all sons of Alexander Andrew McLaughlin except Robert J. Smith who was probably the husband or widower of Alexander Andrew McLaughlin's daughter, Sarah. James McLaughlin, who was the recipient of this land transfer was also a son of Alexander Andrew McLaughlin. (Location of Document: Ashville Courthouse, Ashville, St. Clair County, Alabama, Estate Record "B", Page 266)

The children of Alexander Andrew McLaughlin and his wife, Asiah (Acksa) Sarah (Skillman) McLaughlin were: 1) John Samuel McLaughlin, b. 09 Jun 1792 Washington Co, TN, d. 25 Jul 1868 Leeds, Jefferson Co., AL, m. Margaret Brinker. 2) Daniel B. McLaughlin, b. 1794 Washington Co., TN, d. Abt. 1820 Shelby Co., AL, m. Nancy Elizabeth (__?__). 3)Margaret McLaughlin b. 1797, d. 1866. 4) James G. McLaughlin, b. 1798 Washington Co, TN, d. 1880 Eden, St Clair, AL, m. Kesiah McCain, b. Buried at New Hope Baptist Cemetery at Eden, Alabama. 5) Sarah McLaughlin, b. 1804, m. Probably married Robert J. Smith who was recorded as a heir of Alexander Andrew McLaughlin. 6) William C. McLaughlin, b. 1806. 7) Joseph McLaughlin, b. 1809. 8) Henry McLaughlin, b. 1811. 9) Alexander McLaughlin.

NOTE: There has been some question about the full name of Alexander Andrew McLaughlin as most records use only Alexander McLaughlin. Alexander McLaughlin had a son named John Samuel McLaughlin, as noted above. The 1850 US Census of Cahaba Valley, Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of 63 Y/O John McLaughlin, a farmer born in TN, and his 54 Y/O wife, Margaret Brinker, born in Virginia. Among the 7 children living in the household was 14 Y/O James "Madison" McLaughlin. "Col. James Madison McLaughlin (18th Ala. Confed. Inf.) and later M.D. (Medical Doctor) noted in a Vanity Biography that his father was John McLaughlin and his mother was Margaret Brinker and that his grandfather was ALEXANDER ANDREW McLAUGHLIN (my emphasis) from Scotland and who was also one of the first settlers of Tennessee. (Ref: "Notable Men of Alabama", Joel C. DuBose (Editor), Vol. 1, Reprinted 1976, page 269.

Sources: 1) "Leeds...Her Story", Published by History Committee Leeds Bicentennial Commission, Leeds, Alabama, 1979, p56. 2) "Inhabitants of Alabama in 1816" by Dixie Mays Jones, 1955, Pub. by Broken Arrow Chapter, DAR, Pell City, AL. (No page number) 3) "1820 US Census of Shelby County, AL", published in the 1944 Fall Issue of the Alabama Historical Quarterly, pp501-502 (Recorded McLaughlin family). 4) "The Descendancy of Thomas Skillman", online Skillman Family Record maintained by Bill Skillman.

Bio by Gresham Farrar.

Family Members Spouse Photo Asiah Sarah Skillman McLaughlin 1766–1830

Children Photo John McLaughlin 1792–1868

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83736783/alexander-andrew-mclau...