THE McCANDLESS ROOT OF
THEODORA MERENESS HAINES’ TREE

The Line of William McCandless (1773-1833) and Mary Elliott (1777-1838).

Surnames Mentiioned: BENBRIDGE, COLLINS, ELLIOTT, GRAHAM, McCANDLESS, PAUL, RECORDS, SHREVE, WILSON
 

William McCANDLESS
     b.20 june 1773 (1)
     d.21 oct 1833, Pittsburgh, PA (1)(2)

     son of (1)Alexander McCANDLESS b. 1750, d. 24 Jan 1817 in Pa? (5)(6)
     & Jinney (AKA Jenny) WILSON b. 1739 in Ireland? d. 13 April 1806(5)(6)

     m. to Mary ELLIOTT 24 nov 1796 by Rev. Joseph Patterson (1)
     dtr/o George ELLIOTT and Sarah UNKNOWN (1)
     b.18 mar 1777 (1)
     d. 1 june 1838, age 61(1)

CHILDREN OF WILLIAM MCCANDLESS AND MARY ELLIOTT:

     i    Alexander b. 27 oct 1797(1) d. 31 aug 1834(1) d.and buried Natchez, Miss.(1)
          never married (1)
     ii   Sarah b. 14 may 1799(1) d. 26 oct 1825(1)
     iii  George Elliott b. 1 nov 1802(1) d. 9 nov 1805(1)
     iv   James b.1 Nov 1802, (1)Pittsburgh, PA(4) d. 13 aug 1834(1)
          alternate death date:  d. 30 Jan 1843, Cincinnati, OH (1)(4)
          buried finally in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, OH (4)
          m. Sarah Truxtun BENBRIDGE on 8 Dec 1830 in Cincinnati, Ohio(1)(3)(4)
          [note of Irene Shreve: "this is James McC or a twin of George. James b. 1 nov 1802 d. 30 Jan 1843
          I copied dates from monument in spring grove cemetery, Cincinnati"]
[note of Theodora Mereness Haines: or are George and James the same person? Why is James’ birth not mentioned?]

     v    Jinny b. 22 nov 1804(1) d. 6 aug 1805(1)
     vi   Mary b. 22 july 1806(1)d. 26 aug 1807(1)
     vii  William Elliott b. 3 may 1808(1) d. 25 aug 1809(1)
     viii Wilson b. 19 june 1810(1) d. 30 June 1882 in his 73rd year(1)
           m. Sarah North COLLINS 4 Dec 1834 by Rev. Dr. Upfold(1)
     ix   William b. 29 oct 1812(1) d. 31 Sept 1857(1)
           m. Susan PAUL 2 oct 1839 by Rev. Dr. Upfold(1)
     x    George b. 31 dec 1815(1) 21 jan 1839 in his 24th year (1)
           m. Mary GRAHAM 7 feb 1837 by Rev. Dr. Harron(1)

NOTES:
[notes in brackets by Theodora Mereness Haines]

NOTE(1) typewritten copy of letter to George M. McCandless, Esqr., Pittsburgh, Pa., dated 15 December 1962, in genealogical files of Irene Strieby Shreve.
 “SOURCE: Correspondence with Miss Jane McCandless, 121 Cathedral Mansions, 4716 Ellsworth Avenue, Pittsburgh (13), Pa. with particular reference for letter of December 2nd, 1962.
The following is a copy of a copy of a letter evidently written by Stephen Collins McCandless on 10 mar 1915 to a George m. McCandless of Pittsburgh, pa."
 ‘My dear George:
Referring to our conversation with regard to your great-grandfather, William McCandless, who was the first Worshipful Master of Milnor Lodge No. 185 [Masons?], I am pleased to give what information I have.

To begin with, I may as well start with Alexander McCandless, a pioneer settler of Peachbottom Township, York County, PA in 1744 he obtained from the Penns the land which his farm, on which borough of Delta now stands.

His children were John, James, Alexander and William.

John remained in the east; James came out here with the expedition under General Forbes; Alexander and William came later and became farmers in the southern part of this county. The foregoing is traditional.

The last named, Alexander, is our ancestor as you will see from the entries in the family bible of William McCandless, your great-grandfather, in my possession:
MARRIAGES
William McCandless and Mary Elliott were married 24 nov 1796 by Rev. Joseph Patterson
James McCandless and Sarah Truxtun Benbridge were married 8 dec 1830 (at Cincinnati, O.)
Wilson McCandless and Sarah North Collins were married December 4, 1834 by Rev. Dr. Upfold.
George McCandless and Mary Graham were married February 7, 1837 by Rev. Dr. Harron
William McCandless and Susan Paul were married October 2, 1839 by Rev. Dr. Upfold.

BIRTHS
William McCandless, son of Alexander and Jinny McCandless, on 20 june 1773
Mary Elliott, d/o George and Sarah Elliott, on 18 mar 1777
Alexander, s/o William and Mary McCandless, on 27 oct 1797
Sarah, d/o William and Mary McCandless on 14 may 1799
George Elliott, s/o William and Mary McCandless on 1 nov 1802
 [note of Irene Shreve: "this is James McCandless or a twin of George. James b. 1 nov 1802 d. 30 Jan 1843 I copied dates from monument in spring grove cemetery, Cincinnati"]
Jinney, d/o William and Mary McCandless, 22 nov 1804
Mary, d/o William and Mary McCandless on 22 July 1806
William Elliott, s/o William and Mary McCandless, 3 may 1808
Wilson, s/o William and Mary McCandless on 19 june 1810
William, s/o William and Mary McCandless on 29 oct 1812
George, s/o William and Mary McCandless on 31 dec 1815.

DEATHS
Jinney, d/o of William and Mary McCandless on 6 aug 1805
George Elliott, s/o William and Mary McCandless on 9 nov 1805
Mary, d/o William and Mary McCandless on 26 aug 1807
William Elliott, s/o William and Mary McCandless on 25 aug 1809
Sarah, d/o William and Mary McCandless on 26 oct 1825
William McCandless, Esq. on 21 oct 1833 in his 61st year.
Alexander, s/o William and Mary McCandless at Natchez, Miss on 31 aug 1834 in his 37th year.
Mrs. Mary McCandless, widow of the late William McCandless, Esqr. on 1 june 1838 in her 61st year.
James, s/o William and Mary McCandless, at Cincinnati on the 13th of aug 1834 (this is an error as the year in which he died was 1843 and the date as given in Cincinnati records was 30 Jan WJSR)
George, s/o William and Mary McCandless, on 21 Jan 1839 in his 24th year.
William, s/o William and Mary McCandless on 31 Sept 1857.
Wilson, s/o of William and Mary McCandless, on 30 june 1882 in his 73rd year."
Referring back to the marriage of William and Mary (Elliott) McCandless, in 1796, the following extracts from a history of raccoon church, of which the rev. Joseph Patterson when then pastor, may be interesting to you. This was written by Margaret S. Sturgeon, and covers a period from 1778 to 1899.
'Rev. John McMillen, D.D. preached there in 1788...the first settlers were almost exclusively of Scotch and Scotch-Irish descent, coming from Eastern Penn. and NJ...the location of this church was no doubt, determined by its proximity to Beiler's Fort, located SE of the cemetery. the first person buried there was Mrs. Martha Bigger, in 1780. Shortly afterwards were  a Mr. MCandless and two Shearrer brothers who were scalped by the Indians while gathering their harvest...
The Elliotts lived near Montour's Run, Alexander McCandless, several other McCandlesses and James Wilson were among those who guaranteed Rev. Mr. Patterson's salary (120 pounds annually), representing the congregation at Raccoon.

My grandfather (your great-grandfather) came to Pittsburgh and had a 'general store' on Market Street, between 3rd and 4th with dwelling house connecting the store fronting on fourth Street, south of Market.
He was Sheriff of Allegheny County from October 1804 to 1807, Prothonotary of the Courts of the same County, from January 1824 to December 1832. He was likely a man of good education considering the limited opportunities of this section at the time, and, judging from the books he owned, had good literary taste. He was active in public matters, a member of the Committee of Public Safety during the war of 1812, a Director of the first bank in Pittsburgh, etc. His wife was also a woman of education and refinement, and all their children had what education and accomplishments the times permitted.

Alexander, the oldest son of William and Mary (Elliott) McCandless, consequently your grandfather's brother, never married. He was a also a member of Milnor Lodge No. 165. He is mentioned by Miss Harriet Preble, a lady raised and educated in Paris in her "Memoirs" which I have, as one of the two gentlemen in Pittsburgh who spoke French like natives of France. He became cashier of a bank in Natchez, Miss, where he died and is buried.
Yours Very Truly
[Letter evidently written by Stephen Collins McCandless to George M. McCandless, Esqr. Pittsburgh, PA]

NOTE(2) Obituary of William McCandless in Pittsburgh Gazette
"Mr. Ritscher also found an obituary in the Pittsburgh Gazette which appeared in the editorial column regarding one Wm McCandless in the 61st year of his age, Prothonotary of Dist. Ct. and Court of common Pleas died after lingering illness at his home, corner of Evans alley and Liberty St..."

‘McCandless.
This morning after a lingering illness in the 61st year of his age, William McCandless, Esq. Prothonotary of the District Court, and Court of common Pleas of this county. He has been for 60 years a resident of this city and county; has held many high and responsible situations, and has uniformly (?) been esteemed one of our most respectable citizens.
The friends of the family and citizens generally are respectfully invited to attend his funeral service at four o'clock, from his late residence corner of Evans' Alley and Liberty Street.
From the editorial column, Gazette, October 21, 1833.’

NOTE(3) Cook, Lewis D. “Commodore Thomas Truxtun, U.S. Navy, of Jamaica, L.I., Perth Amboy, N.J., Philadelphia, Pa., and his Descendants: Truxtun, Benbridge, Talbot, Hammond, Henderson, Swift, Beale, Nancrede, Houston” Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, June 1949 Vol. XVII, Number 1 p. 8:
“…children of Henry and Sarah (Truxtun) Benbridge:
…vii. Sarah Truxtun Benbridge b 1811; bapt as above [St. Peter’s Church, Phila.], aged 4 yrs; mar James McCANDLESS of Penna. and of Cincinnati, and had issue:  Sarah Benbridge McCandless who mar 28 Jan 1852 Charles Upton Shreve of Cincinnati and of Louisville, Ky., (15) Thomas Truxtun McCandless who mar Georgia H. Gassoway; Mary Elholt McCandless who d 10 June 1881 unmar; and Virginia Benbridge McCandless who mar M. W. Wilmot and M. Meager(?)…”

Footnote (15) to the above reads:
Shreve Family (1901), [Full title is Allen, L. P. (1901)“The Genealogy and History of the Shreve Family from 1641” privately printed.]p. 508: Charles Upton Shreve, 2nd child of Thomas Taliafero Shreve and 2nd wife Ann Eliza Rogers of Louisville, Ky., b. 12 Jan 1828 Cincinnati, mar 28 Jan 1852 Sallie B. McCandliss. He resides Louisville…Their children, all born in Louisville, were: 1. Sallie Truxtun Shreve b 19 Dec 1852, d 16 Feb 1883 there unmar; 2. Eliza Ann Shreve b. 1 Mar 1854 mar 26 May 1876 William Trabue, res Louisville; 3. Thomas T. Shreve b. 8 Nov 1855 mar 2 June 1858 Minnie McMillen, res. Ferguson, Mo. 4. Evilina Emerson Shreve b 19 Jan 1858 mar 19 Jan 1888 Tracy Underhill, res Louisville; 5. Minnie Elliott Shreve b 7 Jan 1860, mar 10 Nov 1886 Thomas P. Scatterwhite, res. Louisville; 6. Charles Upton Shreve b. 29 Jan 1863, res. Louisville; 7. Levin Laurence Shreve b. 12 Mar 1866, mar 24 Mar 1897 Elizabeth Mitchell, res. Detroit, Mich. ..”

NOTE(4) Typewritten letter from William Jeffery Spahr Ritscher, 1710 Orrington Ave., Evanston Ill. to R. Norris Shreve, Chemical Engineer, Engineering Administration, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana;  dated 22 Oct 1962 :
[Within the letter, Mr. Ritscher states that he is the son-in-law of Mary McCandless Collier.]
…p. 2 “They [Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton Co.] suggested I contact the Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio. Their ‘vital Statistics’ shows the following:
Name of Deceased James McCandless
Place of birth  Pittsburgh, Pa.
Late residence  Cincinnati
Place of death  Cincinnati
Date of birth  November 1, 1802
Date of Decease  January 30, 1843
Date of Internment May 20, 1857 from Episcopal Grounds, Cincinnati, Ohio
Parent’s[sic] name William and Mary E McCandless
Lot Owner  Mrs. S. T. McCandless Sec. 35 Lot 152-B
Funeral Director  John Jenkins
Permit obtained by John Jenkins and Sarah McCandless
Married Husband of Sarah T. Benbridge

The place of birth and the date ties in with the records of New England Genealogical and Historical Society’s data I found in Vol. 89 page 95 relating to his marriage to Sarah Truxton[sic] Benbridge…”
 

NOTE(5) description of McCandless tombstones  in letter from William Jeffery Spahr Ritscher, 1710 Orrington Ave., Evanston, IL to Irene Strieby [later Shreve] dated 30 dec :

“headstones on the graves of Alexander McCandless who died in 1817 and his wife Jenny McCandless who died in 1806:
IN
MEMORY
OF
ALEXANDER McCANDLESS
who departed this life
January 24th A.D. 1817
Aged 67 years

IN
MEMORY
OF
JENNY McCANDLESS
who departed this life on
the 13th day of April A.D. 1806
in the 67th year of her age.”
 

NOTE(6) UNDOCUMENTED FAMILY GROUP SHEETS ATTACHED TO LETTER FROM EARL M. MCCANDLESS 1204 13TH Ave. S. NAMPA, ID to Mrs. Irene M. Stieby apt 101 2550 Cold spring Rd. Indianapolis 22, Ind., dated 16 April 1961.
Sheet2:
Alexander McCandless
s/o Alexander McCandless
b, 1750  in Glasgow ? Scotland
d. Jan 24, 1817 in Pa?
m. Jenny WILSON 26 jan 1771 in Ireland
Jenny b. 1739? in Ireland
d. apr 13 1806 in Pa?
children:
son b. c1773
Nancy b. 1776. m.Benjamin Records
William b. 1777 m. Mary Elliott
Jane b. 1779 m. James Elliotte [sic]
Alexander b. 10-17-1781 d. 3-21-1848 m. 7-7-1801 to Margaret Records
 

If you think you can offer documentation for any data here, have corrections or can link your own line to this data contact Ron McCandless or email the McCandless email list at McCandless-L@rootsweb,com