Robert McClenachan, Sr. came to America with his brother Elijah, arriving with his future father-in-law, Alexander BRECKENRIDGE - they arrived in Philadelphia around 1727-1728. There are very few records at this time regarding their stay in Pennsylvania, however, there was a document in Philadelphia City Hall indicating that Robert Sr. moved to Virginia. And there is a record of Robert marrying Sarah BRECKENRIDGE in Bucks County, Pennsylvania in 1738.

Robert Sr. and Elijah MCCLENACHAN went to Augusta County, Virginia and were among the early pioneers of that county along with many of the BRECKENRIDGES, CUNNINGHAMS, LEWIS', STUARTS, MONTGOMERYS and POAGES. Records do show that Robert Sr. proved his importation in the Orange County (VA) Courthouse on 22 March 1740, the same day his father-in-law Alexander BRECKENRIDGE proved his importation. Proving importation was necessary in order to purchase land. Shortly thereafter, Robert Sr. purchased 331 acres from the William BEVERLY Manor. The deed was recorded 27 May 1741, at the Orange County Courthouse. Robert Sarah received a number of land grants from the BEVERLY Land Grant Tract and settled in Staunton, Augusta County.

Robert was very active in Augusta Co. In 1743 he received a license to open an "Ordinary", which is defined as a public house where food is served to the public. The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography", Oct. 1899, describes "his log cabin hostelry was across the street from the courthouse. We may imagine the scene in the dining room on a court day. The dinner table was spread in this big room, and was composed of several split logs put together, and guests sat on benches constructed in like manner. The food was brought to the table in pewter or wooden platters and consisted probably of beef, certainly pork and venison, and possibly of bear meat; with cabbage, potatoes, and turnips, one or all. If Colonel LEWIS's mill was then grinding, corn dodgers were supplied for bread, otherwise there was only hominy; no knives or forks were furnished, but each guest whipped out his jack knife and helped himself as best he could, fingers being freely used. The charge for the meal, as fixed by the court, was 12 1/2 cents, coffee was not known, but liquors of several kinds were at hand, and at surprisingly low prices, according to the established rates--rum$1.30 per gallon, whiskey $1.00 per gallon, and claret 83 1/2 cents per quart, whatever else the people did without, they managed by some means to obtain liquors; such is the native depravity of man! But as far as we know, intemperance was not prevalent."

Robert Sr. was in Capt. John CHRISTIAN's company of Augusta Co., militia in 1742. He was Sheriff of the county about 1765. Appeared at a vestry meeting as Attorney-in-fact for Rev. John JONES, Rector. Aug. 1761, Robert convicted of selling liquor without a license. Oct. 8, 1771, verdict returned against Robert (at age 73) for Trespass and Assault and Battery. Cost 50 shillings. Robert bought and sold many parcels of land in and around Staunton, Virginia.

Robert MCCLENACHAN Sr. and Sarah BRECKENRIDGE had seven children: Alexander, Mary "Polly" Agnes, Jane "Jean", John, Letitia Esther, Robert Jr. and William.

Robert Sr. died in 1791 in Augusta Co. Virginia.

- Excerpted from "The McClanahans", by H.M.White and "The McClenahan Family", by James R. McClenahan -