McKain Genealogy Part One--1763-1849
1763-1996
"IN HOPE I BYDE"
by John J. McKain, Mesa, Arizona
June 1979
July 1980
August 1981
August 1994
December 1996
SCOTLAND
McKain is a Scottish surname and is formed from the Gaelic Mac (Mc, M') meaning "son of" and the name Ian (Iain, Eoin) meaning John. Therefore it could be stated in English as Son of John or Johnson. Phonetic spelling has transformed the MacIan (MacIain) into McKain, McKane, McKoin, McKean, McKeon, etc. Although McKain is pronounced "Mack Kain" in English, in Scotland it is frequently still pronounced "Mack Ian". McKain is a registered Scottish clan with its own crest and tartan, although these attributes were of more recent invention. Scottish clans are social groupings with the members claiming descent from a common ancestor or at least identifying with this group by taking the surname.
The McKain family has its origins in the MacIain Clan, who lived in the westernmost peninsula of mainland Scotland, an area called Ardnamurchan. Tradition claims that Ardnamurchan was once ruled by a tyrannical Norse nobleman, who was killed by his vassals. An appeal was sent by the people to the chief of Clan Donald, the most powerful clan in western Scotland, asking protection from the nobleman's friends. The Clan Donald chief sent his brother, Iain Sprangach (John the Bold) to take possession of the region, and was confirmed in his acquisition by Robert the Bruce in return for aid rendered during Scotland's wars for independence in the early 14th century.
Iain Sprangach and his descendants, the MacIains, ruled the Ardnamurchan peninsula as chieftains of the Clan Donald, and MacIain history is merged with this clan until the forfeiture of Clan Donald's Lordship of the Isles in 1493. The leaders of Clan Donald were violently committed to retaining their independence from the growing influence of the Scottish monarchy; but by the end of the 15th century, the power of the King, James IV, spread to the west. By declaring the Lordship of the Isles forfeit, James planned to break the overriding influence of the MacDonald chiefs. He garrisoned several castles in the west highlands, notably the strategically placed MacIain castle, Mingarry. Feudal charters were bestowed upon his supporters, confirming their lands to them. The MacIain chief at this time, John MacIain, was a staunch royalist, and actively supported the King's plans at the expense of Clan Donald. According to A. & A. McDonald in their book Clan Donald (v. 2, pp. 158):
"John MacIain of Ardnamurchan had now become by far the most powerful chieftain of the Clan Donald, and the most effective instrument in the hands of the King for their destruction. From the time he received his first grant of lands from the King in 1494 to the end of James' reign, he was in constant communication with that monarch, the King making frequent visits to the castle and holding court there. Frequent references are also made in the records of the time to payments being made to messengers carrying letters to MacIain from the King."
After the death of James IV at the Battle of Flodden Field, however, chaos erupted in the west. In 1517, Mingarry castle was burned and John MacIain was killed along with two of his sons and followers by a band of MacDonalds and MacLeods. John MacIain's surviving son, Alexander, was a minor when he succeeded his father as Chief of the MacIains. Under the privy seal, the ambitious Campbell of Argyll was appointed Alexander's guardian and was given jurisdiction over the MacIain estates. This move marked the end of the MacIain's real power in the western highlands and isles of Scotland. Over the next century, the MacIain's were involved in numerous feuds, and the crown's favor towards the clan was lost. In the middle of the 16th century, Campbell of Argyll was made the legal possessor of the Ardnamurchan lands, although the MacIains remained in actual possession of them for some time.
In 1624, the MacIains took to a life of piracy, owing to the unfair treatment of the Campbells and the government. The clan became the scourge of the western seas, and action was taken to suppress them. The clan was driven from the Ardnamurchan region, and many found refuge in the neighboring Moydart region, which belonged to their kinsmen and allies, the Clanranald MacDonalds. Others emigrated to Ireland and emigrated again some years later to America.
After the union of Scotland With England in 1609, the English council asked the Scottish privy council to draw up a list of Scotsmen willing to settle in the recently conquered area of Ulster (Northern Ireland). James I (and VI) considered that the parts of Scotland (western Scotland) nearest Ireland would most likely yield proper colonists. Many land grants (and some forced emigration) were made to Scots between 1610 and 1630 for colonization purposes. While living in Ireland the Scots kept intact their Presbyterian religion and race, not intermarrying with the indigenous people. However, in 1698 the English required all serving in any capacity in government in Ulster to take communion with the Church of England. The clannish Scots Presbyterians did not take to this, and by 1715 began to seek a more promising home in America. After a ten week trip across the Atlantic, most of these "Scotch-Irish" landed in or near Philadelphia, but by 1735, problems with land and religion forced the Scotch-Irish to migrate south and west to Virginia and eventually North Carolina.
James McKain, Sr.
The James River settlements, just west of the Blue Ridge Mountains in what is now Botetourt County, Virginia began in 17401. Records show that James Lauderdale (of the famous Lauderdale family) settled here on Looney Mill Creek in 1749. Augusta County, Virginia
Botetourt County, Virginia
Historical Notes
During this period, the Revolutionary War was beginning, and the English began to foment trouble for the frontier settlers. Under their direction, the Cherokee War of 1776 against the people of the North Holston settlements was initiated. Fincastle (Botetourt County) was one of the largest settlements on the southwestern Virginia frontier, and answered the early call for aid from the North Holston settlements (then considered to be part of Virginia, today a part of Tennessee). It was from these North Holston and Watauga settlements that the settlers of middle Tennessee later set forth. (I have yet to explore James McKain's presence in the Holston and Watauga area.)
After withstanding the July assault by the Cherokee and their Indian allies, substantial aid then arrived for these settlers. In September, over 3000 men from Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina marched down the valley of the French Broad River and destroyed the Indian towns in that area. The Cherokee soon sued for peace.
(Note: Earlier editions of this genealogy discussed a James McKain of Stokes County, North Carolina about this same time. However, I can find no proof that this other James McKain was a relative, and thus I have omitted him from inclusion in this document.)
The Donelson Voyage
On a bitterly cold day, December 22, 1779, 61 year old John Donelson leading a flotilla of some 30 to 40 flatboats, embarked on an epic 1000 mile voyage down the Tennessee River and up the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers to the "French Lick", the site of present day Nashville. This was the culmination of several years of extensive efforts to settle this wilderness area. This voyage is of particular interest to readers of this genealogy, since James McKain, Sr., his 14 year old son James McKain, Jr., and other members of the family were participants in this dangerous undertaking. The voyage is detailed in a journal kept by John Donelson. In this journal he listed the members of the expedition to include: James Cain (sic) and Peter Looney. (James McKain, Jr. in a interview years later confirmed his participation.)
The expedition began when Judge Richard Henderson of the Transylvania Company sent James Robertson in early 1779 to explore the Cumberland valley. With the resulting encouraging report, John Donelson was offered command of the flotilla to transport women, children2, and heavy baggage, and James Robertson was to move overland with the livestock. They met again on April 24, 1780 when the river travelers arrived at the selected site, today's Nashville. The river travelers fought freezing weather, shoals, sinkings, and Indian attacks to traverse this howling wilderness with relatively few casualties. This miracle of success is one of the best documented epic journeys by pioneers to settle a new land. The original journal kept by John Donelson is now in the Tennessee State Archives and reprints are available for the interested reader. (I referenced the Donelson Journal when I took a similar voyage in 1988. JJM)
The Cumberland Settlements
The Cumberland settlers realized that they needed an organized government, so on May 1, 1780 representatives from the eight stations (forts), which had been established, met at Nashborough. They signed and adopted articles known as "The Cumberland Compact" providing for a representative form of elected government in this area. Typical government duties were called for such as a militia, land purchases, and courts. James McKain, Sr. signed the Compact representing Mansker's Station. (These stations were small forts to which these isolated settlers could flee for protection when attacked by Indians. More than 75 people were killed by Indians in Sumner County alone from 1786 until the destruction of the Chickamagua towns in September of 1794. e. g. Issac Bledsoe was killed while working in his field, and his brother Anthony was killed in the door of his cabin.)
"An estimate of the redemptions laid off and allocated the settlers on the Cumberland River by the commissioner for paying off the lands granted the Continental Line............ ...... No. 184, James McKain, 640 acres, Davidson County, West Fork of Station Camp Creek."
1 negro wench
An idea of the extent of James McKain, Sr.'s land dealings might be enhanced by this chart as revealed for tax purposes:
Can you imagine what 3352 acres of land, that near Nashville, might be worth today!
(Note: In 1793, Reason Bowie bought 640 acres of land on Station Camp Creek where Jim Bowie, inventor of the Bowie Knife and hero of the Alamo, was born.)
James McKain, Jr.
James McKain, Jr. was born in 1766 in Botetourt County, Virginia and as a young lad accompanied his father on the Donelson Voyage of 1779 - 1780.
Prudence (Prudy) McKain5, James Jr.'s daughter, is born. James McKain, Jr. filed two suits for debts, but he lost both. Andrew Jackson was the opposing attorney in the second suit. In the late fall, James McKain, Jr. was a member of a scouting party led by Colonel James Winchester. Near Smith's fork, a tributary of Caney Fork in Dekalb County6 an Indian ambush turned into a series of small skirmishes. In his fight, James McKain, Jr. shot and killed the harelip Indian Chief called Ne-ussee (Moon)7. James was later quoted as saying; "that he had bullets in his rifle, that he aimed at Moon and fired and that Moon fell pierced by two bullets.
"William Cage and John Dawson entered into bond in the sum of 200 dollars for the indemnification of the county of all charges and expenses that may accrue in consequence of Jane McKain having a base born child."
Joseph McKain & Co., merchants held a two story house at No. 12 Market (Main) Street in Nashville. (Perhaps a relative.)
Taxes this year were:
Samuel McKain
A contemporary description of Coffee's men:
"They are not very military in appearance. They wear woolen hunting shirts, slouched hats or cap of skins of raccoons or foxes, with a belt of untanned deer skin in which stuck hunting knives. But they were admirable soldiers and remarkable for endurance and the ability to take care of themselves."
Samuel married Elizabeth Mayberry.
"A thirty foot strip is not to be cultivated, for that is where the graveyard is located".
John.J.McKain@worldnet.att.net
Prepared for the page by Danene Vincent
by
Beth McKain
Court Records
Court Records
1 bay horse
6 head of cattle
2 feather beds
household furniture
3 year old calves
1 rifle gun.
James McKain, Sr.
James McKain, Jr. Year
Acres
Polls
Acres
Polls
1787
1544
2
220
1 1788
1544
2
220
1 1789
904
3
220
1 1790
1534
3
220
1 1791
3352
2
220
1 1792
2887
3
---
- 1793
640
2
378
1 1794
---
-
366
1
6-1/4 cents on every free poll,
12-1/2 cents on every town lot,
50 cents on every stud horse,
6-1/4 cents on each 100 acres.
Go to McKain Genealogy-- Part Two