WALTER McCHESNEY
THE STORY AS I KNOW IT
The name McChesney is a French Derivative from the Middle Ages. Chesney is from Le Quesnoy, or old French, chesnai, which means Oak Grove.
Walter McChesney was born about 1735. Isabella
was
born about the same time. According to researcher Simpson
at
potts@home.ffni.com she was possibly the daughter of Benjamin
Borden
and Magdalena Woods. This is based on a deed dated March 31, 1801
Rockbridge
County VA.
Isabella
McChesney with William
and
Jane Young (daughter of Walter
and
Isabella) sold their interest in a tract of land
containing 100
acres on waters of Walker
Creek. the land had been conveyed to Walter McChesney by
the executors of
Benjamin Borden.
Walter left this
land to his son Samuel
with the right of dower to
his wife, Isabella.
Therefore
it is possible that Isabella may be a daughter of Benjamin Borden. Dan Collins was the
researcher reported.
However, when I researched Benjamin
Borden, I found his will written March 30, 1753
in Augusta
county Va. He lists daughters Martha,
and Hannah, and 3 children of Magdalena
- but no Isabella.
So I
do not believe her to be his daughter.
It is not known for sure where he was born, but the book Family Homes in Virginia says that Rockbridge County Virginia around the Natural Bridge area was settled by Ulstermen of North Ireland. It also stated that Walter and Samuel McChesney had 100 acres near Border Track. The book History of Rockbridge County confirms and states that Walter had 100 acres worth 10 Pounds in 1775 corner to Henry Campbell near Border Track. It goes on to list both Walter and Samuel as thithable homeowners in 1778 and 1782.
Samuel McChesney is in the DAR Patriot Index. It says he was born June 22, 1753 and died April 4, 1803. He married Susannah and was recognized for Patriotic Service in Virginia. He may have been a son or possibly Walter's brother.
The Princeton Art Guild 1987 Caldwell County,
Kentucky
yearbook recognizes two children of
Walter McChesney and his wife,
Isabella.
1. Mary McChesney, born about
1764 who was
married in Rockbridge in the year 1782 to William
Asherst.
2. Walter McChesney was born in
Rockbridge County in
1772. He married Margaret Stevenson of South
Carolina.
He was called "the fourth child". The 1830 Caldwell
County Census
has Walter McChesney with wife and 8 children on page 150
There were at least 2 other children, names and dates
unknown. They had
a daughter who lived in Lexington Kentucky. Not sure where
that info is
from.
Sources for the 1987 yearbook information are
Caldwell county
court, Census, Cemetery, Marriage and Church records.
From The History of Rockbridge County other
McChesney’s
found there at the same time as Walter and Isabella were
Robert McChesney who wed Elizabeth Johnston
in 1792
James McChesney who wed Sarah Patterson.
On Border
Track in 1784. According to Marriages
of Some
Virginia Residences 1607 – 1800 by Dorothy F. Wellfeck,
James
married Elizabeth Johnston before 1800.
Hugh McChesney who wed Joanna Haven or
Hanen.
Robert McChesney who wed Jane Hall
(another Robert or 2nd
marriage?)
Martha McChesney
The Virginia Tax Payers 1782-1787 by Fothergill
lists a
number of McChesney's
in
Rockland Ct (??There is no Rockland County).
They are Isabella,
Samuel and James.
Walter McChesney must have died between 1782
when he was a thithable homeowner and 1787. In the next
county, Augusta
are listed James and
Robert McChesney.
It is not known where Walter
is buried. It is likely that Isabella
lived to at least 1801 when the deed mentioned above was
enacted.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
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Date Created: 3/20/2011
Date updated 1/9/2013