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
Date edited 10/14/2024