| John McClain was born in Pennsylvania in 1760, volunteered as a soldier, fought in the Revolution and was discharged as a Captain of Cavalry by the time he was 22 years old. Entering the service in Rutherford County, North Carolina as a volunteer under Captain Adam Hampton in 1775, he was appointed a sergeant under the command of Colonel Andrew Hampton. In 1776 he was elected a lieutenant and served about two years patrolling Rutherford County between the Burke County line and the South Carolina border against the Cherokee Indians.
When Tories became troublesome in the area, raiding at night and retreating to Fort Thickety during the day, Captain Hampton’s company joined Colonel Clark of Georgia in taking the fort and burning it, parolling about 60 prisoners. Captain Hampton’s company was disbanded.
John McClain raised a company of cavalry called Minute-men and was elected Captain by Colonel Porter. General Rutherford ordered the company out against the Cherokee Indians to take prisoners to exchange for white prisoners being held in the Cherokee nation. About 12 or 15 were taken and turned over to General Rutherford.
When Major Patrick Ferguson came into the area with a superior British force, Captain McCalin joined Colonel Campbell who went to meet and defeat Ferguson at the Battle of Kings Mountain Oct. 7, 1780.
Captain McClain’s company was also with General Nathaniel Greene at the siege of Ninety-Six.
After his discharge from the service on May 27, 1782 John McCalin lived in the Old Pendleton District of South Carolina for 12 years. On January 8, 1784 he married Mary McNair in South Carolina.
Leaving South Carolina the family lived for 22 years in Buncombe County, North Carolina before moving on to Rabun County, Georgia, where they were among the first settlers. In 1821 they bought Lot #94 on the east side of the Tallulah River in Rabun County.
On July 7, 1834 John McClain appeared before the Judges of the Superior Court of the County of Rabun in Georgia to apply for a pension, being 73 years old. He received a pension of $362.50 per annum for his service in the Revolution.
Mary McNair McClain preceded her husband in death on February 21, 1841. He died July 8, 1844 at Rabun County. His son-in-law, Alexander Mauldin, was appointed executor of his will. It provided that all his property should be sold at public auction and the money divided equally among his children. They were: 1. David; 2. John; 3. Charles; 4. Ephraim, born 1800, lived in Habersham County in1850. Wife’s name was Susanna; 5. James N.; 6. Margaret (McClure); 7. Jane (Porter); 8. Ann, born Aug. 7, 1794, married 1816 to Alexander Mauldin.
Captain McClain was respected by all responsible people of Rabun County, Georgia, including Senator Mozley and Representative Kelly.
–Heritage I, article #446, p. 265
|
