(16) John McClanahan and (17) Eleanor Snodgrass

Lineage: Pauline McClanahan Cooper > George Alexander Cooper > Lace McClanahan > Mason T. McClanahan > John McClanahan

(16) John McClanahan (my 4th great-grandfather) was probably born in Virginia around 1780 and died in Rhea County, Tennessee around 1845. The name McClanahan possibly comes from the Gaelic Mac Leanacháin, meaning ‘possessing cloaks.’ This name was used both in Scotland and in Ireland. But according to our DNA, we have no Scottish ancestry, only Irish.

(17) Eleanor “Ellen” Snodgrass (my 4th great-grandmother) was probably born around 1775 in Virginia to Joseph and Sarah “Sally” Snodgrass. She died in Rhea County, Tennessee after 1840.

We know that John and Eleanor were from Virginia, because two of their daughters list them as being from Virginia in the 1880 census, the first census to ask the birthplace of parents. We also know, from census records, that all of their children claim to have been born in Tennessee. So, they must have moved to Tennessee before 1798. 

Tennessee was originally part of North Carolina, and became the 16th state in 1796. The territory in which they settled was located in the Southeastern part of the state and belonged to the Cherokee Indians. This area was relinquished as part of a treaty with the Cherokee in 1805. It would become Rhea County in 1807. This area was primarily agrarian. John and most of his children were farmers. 

Rhea County, Tennessee

The first official record of John McClanahan in Rhea County, TN is from January of 1815, when he is mentioned in the Rhea County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, as being summoned to be a juror. He is also summoned in 1832 and 1833.

In 1822, Joseph Snodgrass dies, in Rhea County. His will mentions his daughter, Ellen McClanahan, who is married to a John McClanahan.

John and Eleanor appear to have had 7 daughters and 3 sons. The family is mentioned in the 1830 census and the 1840 census. 

In the 1837, Meigs County records “Alexander Rice be appointed a Jury of View to lay off and mark a road the nearest and best way from Alexander Rice's by way of Bunker Hill to intersect the Georgia Road at or near John McClanahan.” Alexander Rice was married to John McClanahan’s daughter, Margaret. 

John is believed to have died around 1845 and Eleanor sometime after 1840.

John McClanahan and Eleanor Snodgrass:

1. Margaret m. Moses Price, m. Alexander Rice
2. Mary “Polly” m. Jacob Gross
3. Mason T. m. Malinda Gross
4. John Jr. m. Miranda Rice
5. Dorcas
6. Nancy m. Joel Sharp
7. Jehue m. Catharine
8. Hannah m. Joseph Brackett
9. Hester m. Elisha Boucher
10. Caroline m. John Campbell