This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: McElwee/Massey Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/FdB.2ACE/501.1.1 Message Board Post: Matilda McElwee b. Aug 17, 1798 married Nathan Massey. They had 2 sons: John N. (1820) and James D. (1822). According to family tradition neither son is supposed to have married. Matilda's parents wereJames McElwee b. Aug 19, 1758 in that part of Brunswick Co., VA, which is now Greenville Co., and died in Pike Co., MO on Jan 13, 1834. He enlisted as a volunteer in the SC Militia in York Co., in the winter of 1775 uner Capt. John Moffett, who was under Col. Thomas Neel. James married Rhoda Black and they had 14 children Ann B. Apr 1, 1795, Jane Jun 9, 1797, Matilda Aug 17, 1998, William Black Oct 8, 1799; John Henry Apr 11, 1800; Margaret March 23, 1801; James Darby Jan 17 1802; Dan May 2, 1806; Rhoda Jun 8, 1808; Ross May 20, 1809; Mary July 9, `1812; Abner Lewis Jan 6, 1814; Amos Harris Apr 29, `1816; and Elizabeth Oct 1, 1817. There are 3 pages of James in the various wars. The complete record of military services is located in the files of the National Archives of the US under File No. W 9553, relating to pensions of Revol War soldiers. the pension application, No. 106, of his widow Rhoda Black is there also. The James McElwee Chapter of D.A.R. at Sigourney, IA was established my Mary Virginia McElwee Goldner in honor of this James McElwee. In March of 1832 James, his wife and children, except Ann, moved to Pike County, MO. They floated their covered wagons and oxen across the Mississippi River by cutting trees and attaching them to the sides of the wagons. This portage was made close the the present site of the Champ Clark Bridge at Louisiana, Missouri.They settled 165 acres located about half way between LA and Bowling Green, Missouri, located 5 miles north of the present US Hwy 54. Here he errected a home of handmade bricks consisting of two large rooms with a fireplace across the end of the west room. It still stands today. He built a sawmill which is still to be seen in ruins. Across a revine, about a quarter of a mile sw, is the family cemetery where James and his wife and quite a number of his descendants are buried. Their inscription: "Sacred to the memory of James McElwee , an old Revolutionary soldier, born in Greenville County, Virginia, Aug 19, 1758 and died in Pike County Mo., January 13, 18! 34, aged 75 years 4 months and 24 days." Hope this helps. Linda