17. FRANCIS3 MCCLINTOCK ( Hugh2, Francis1), born 4
April 1775, probably either in Chester County or present–day Perry
County, Pennsylvania; died 16 January 1847 in Venango County; buried in
an old cemetery called the McClintock or old Petroleum Centre Cemetery,
near Petroleum Centre, Cornplanter Township, Venango County,
Pennsylvania; 87 married RACHEL HARDY 88
of Harrisville, Mercer Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, born 13
January 1780; died 31 July 1848; buried in the old Petroleum Centre
Cemetery. Rachel might have been a sister of Nancy Hardy Fleming (wife
of Daniel Fleming—see #3 of
Flemings.
Both Rachel and Nancy
Hardy were apparently from Mercer Township, Butler County, and of the
same generation, Nancy being born in 1786.
The old Petroleum Centre Cemetery (also called the McClintock
Cemetery), is described in Bell (1890), page 666: “In an open space, on
a slight declivity along Oil creek that there are several graves
enclosed within a wall of masonry … The old graveyard has been sadly
desecrated.” When Francis and Rachel’s son George Washington McClintock
sold the farm in 1864 for $385,000 (see “Oil and Our Oil Creek
Ancestors”) George stipulated that the graveyard of 48 perches was to
be reserved for George.89
From the Oil City Derrick, 13 December 1971, by Steve Szalewicz:
EARLY SETTLER’S GRAVE FOUND
Two area women’s interest in old cemeteries of Oil Creek valley led to
the location about a month ago of the grave of the first settler of
Petroleum Center.
Mrs. Charles A. Morrison of Cherrytree Road and Mrs. Joseph Harvey of
Oil City, with assistance from Don Joslin of Petroleum Center, security
officer for Oil Creek Valley State Park, found the gravestone of
Francis McClintock. The location had been pinpointed by a former
Petroleum Center resident Bertha McNellie Tompkin of Oil City, who
according to Joslin, “used to come to this plot set off in cut–stone to
place flowers on Memorial Day.”
“I suppose,” said Joslin, “because the burial plot looked more like an
old foundation, no one in recent years bothered to look inside.
Told of the possibility that McClintock’s grave might be within the
stone enclosure, Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. Morrison and daughter, Susie, and
Mrs. Joslin began to remove the leaves and debris.
“There was about two inches of dirt over the headstones,” says Joslin.
One headstone belonged to McClintock’s wife, Rachael. His marker has
been shattered, probably years ago “by vandals,” Joslin speculates.
Mrs. Morrison believes the stone barrier might have been erected
sometime during the oil excitement in Petroleum Center in the 1860s “to
keep out” oil–seeking adventurers. Mrs. Morrison’s interest in locating
the McClintock burial spot came several years ago when she found his
will in Venango County Will Book 2, Page 695.
What struck me as interesting was the language which said McClintock
specified he was to be buried “on my own plantation.”
She added, “he was quite specific that his ‘decent headstone’ should
say he was the ‘first actual settler of this tract of land.”
Francis McClintock was 22 years old when in 1797 he settled along Oil
Creek in Cornplanter Township in what was later to become known as
Petroleum Center.
He was by trade a shoemaker, but operated a saw mill and cleared 60
acres of land which he farmed.
The oil excitement did not reach his farmlands until after 1859.
The spot was then called Petroleum Centre, a name suggested by an
engineer building railroads in the oil region. At one time Petroleum
Center had a population of 6,000 and in excitement rivalled and even
surpassed that of Pithole City.
Except for the Joslin family the “Center” has no official residents
now, properties being taken over by the state for Oil Creek Valley
State Park which is now being developed.
The article is accompanied by two photographs, one clearly
showing the broken headstones of Francis and Rachel Hardy McClintock
and the 3 foot cut–stone wall enclosing the graves.
Note: There is nothing at Petroleum Center today (2005)
except the headquarters of Oil Creek State Park and a bicycle rental
shop. The old houses of this once-thriving oil town were torn down when
the Park was established. A replica of the train station houses a small
museum, which is open on weekends when the tourist train stops there.
Francis McClintock came to Venango County between 179590
and 1797.91
He might have come with his brother Hamilton, who, according to early
Venango County accounts, came in the spring of 1796. Francis was listed
in the 1794–1800 Venango County ledgers of George Power, and in the
“Patrons of Edward Hale,” as compiled by his ledger, 1798–1800.92
Francis was in the 1800 federal census for Allegheny Township, 93
the 1805 tax list for Sugarcreek Township (from which Cornplanter
Township was formed in 1833), and the 1810 and 1820 federal censuses
for Sugarcreek Township. 94 The 1800 census lists, in addition to Francis
and Rachel, two females under the age of 10. The 1810 census lists, in
addition to Francis and Rachel, three males under 10, one female under
10, one female between 10 and 16, and one female 16 and under 26.
Francis was a shoemaker by trade, but in Venango County, at
least, was a farmer as well. Francis had one of the first sawmills on
Oil Creek at Petroleum Centre.95 His farm in the
Petroleum Center area of Cornplanter Township was the site of intensive
oil development in the 1860s. See Oil and Our Oil Creek Ancestors for
a bibliographical sketch of Francis, taken from Newton (1879), page
369. This sketch gives an idea of how the early ancestors lived.
Another account of Francis McClintock is in Bell (1890), page 647:
Francis McClintock came in 1797. He was probably a
native of Maryland, and was born April 4. 1775. He located at the site
of Petroleum Center, built a cabin and lived there two years, deriving
his support from the cultivation of a small plot of cleared ground and
the results of the chase. In 1799 he returned to the eastern part of
the state and procured a yoke of oxen, with various other accessories,
and in the spring of 1799 again came to his former residence by way of
Pittsburgh. He was a shoemaker by trade, and after the population had
increased sufficiently to create a demand for his services, gave his
attention to that during the winter, extending the area of his clearing
in the summer months and operating also a saw mill. He married Rachel
Hardy of Harrisville, Butler county; they were the parents of nine sons
and three daughters: Hugh H., James R., John, Hamilton, Francis,
Alexander, William P., George W., Andrew J., Rachel, Ann, and Nancy.
James R., born at Petroleum Center in 1804, kept hotel at Dempseytown
many years, and opened the first store at that place. He served as
justice of the peace, and in the state militia rose to the position of
brigadier general.
There is a similar biographical sketch of Francis McClintock on page
365 of Babcock (1919).
Francis McClintock was a brother of Ann McClintock who
married Andrew Fleming (#2 of “Flemings). Francis acted as
administrator of Andrew’s estate.96 Andrew and Jane’s son
Hugh Fleming died in 1837, and this resulted in additional documents
involving Francis McClintock and his heirs and the Flemings, because
Francis died before the estate could be settled.97
There is an important 1860 deed98 from Hamilton
McClintock (#75—son of Francis) and wife, to Smith Jones for 100 acres.
This was part of a larger tract conveyed to Hamilton by seven of the
heirs of Francis McClintock, deceased.
Francis’s will was written 3 February 1844; recorded 17
February 1847. From Venango County, Pennsylvania, Will Book 2, pages
695–697:99
In the name of God Amen. I Francis McClintock of
Cornplanter Township, Venango County and State of Pennsylvania being in
good health of body and of Sound mind and memory (praise be God for
same) and being desirous to Settle my worldly affairs while I have
strength and capacity to do so … I give and bequeath to my loving wife
Rachel my meaning is that the interest of the one third of appraisement
of the real estate … I give and bequeath unto the children of my
daughter Rachel Spencer, Decs., the sum of one dollar. I give and
bequeath unto my sons Hugh H. McClintock, James R. McClintock, John
McClintock and Hamilton McClintock the sum of one dollar each. I give
and bequeath unto my sons Francis McClintock, Alexander McClintock and
Perry McClintock the balance that may appear in my books … I give and
bequeath unto my daughter Nancy Skinner one cow … I give and bequeath
unto my two sons George Washington McClintock and Jackson McClintock
the residue of my personal property, bonds, notes, and book accounts
with all books and all my real estate the lands to be divided between
George Washington McClintock and Jackson McClintock … I give unto my
youngest son Jackson McClintock with all the appurtenances thereunto
belonging [pertaining to his land]. I give and bequeath unto my son
George Washington McClintock the residue of said tract of land that I
live on … Also that my executors shall procure decent grave stones for
each of our own graves, viz for my own and my beloved wife with
information on my own: In memory of Francis McClintock departed this
life aged [a blank intended ?], first actual settler of this tract of
land A. D. 1795. I make and ordain George Washington McClintock and
Jackson McClintock my two youngest sons Executors of this my last will
and testament.
Francis McClintock
Witnesses: Elijah Stewart [see #1 of “The Elijah Stewart Family of
Cherrytree Township” in “Notes on Stewarts” section of The Oil
Creek Flemings of Venango County, Pennsylvania, with related families,
Volume 2], Robert Irwin and Ninian Irwin.
Children of Francis and
Rachel (Hardy) McClintock:
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73 |
i. |
Hugh4 H. McClintock,
born 31 July 1802; died 4 November 1862; buried in Cherry Tree
(Presbyterian Church) Cemetery; married (first) Mary E. (possibly
Ross); married (second) Maria L. [—?—]. |
| + |
74 |
ii. |
James R. McClintock,
born 5 May 1804; died 10 December 1867; buried in Cherry Tree Cemetery;
married (first) Mary Folwell; married (second) Jane [—?—]; married
(third) Jerusha Tennent. |
| + |
75 |
iii. |
Hamilton McClintock,
born circa 1811; married Sarah Anna [—?—], probably Ross or Green. |
| + |
76 |
iv. |
Francis McClintock,
born circa 1813; married Priscilla Ross or Green (maiden name
tentative). |
+
|
77 |
v. |
Alexander McClintock,
born 1813 –1815; died 2 August 1878; married (first) Lucy (Jane?)
Skinner; married (second) Sarah Jane Drake. |
| + |
78 |
vi. |
William P. McClintock,
born circa 1817; married (first) Harriet [—?—]; married (second) Mrs.
Elizabeth Jane (Stewart) Davidson. |
|
79 |
vii. |
John McClintock100
He possibly married Lucinda [—?—]. John would probably not be the
seventh born child. Both Hamilton and Francis had sons named John; but
Hamilton’s son was born and died in 1805. The only other John
McClintock of that time in Venango County would be John, son of
Francis. To have been John, son of Francis, and to fit the first (1832)
of the land deeds (see next), John would have had to been born before
circa 1810.
There are several land deeds instituted between 1832 and 1842 involving
a John L. (or S.) McClintock and wife Lucinda of Allegheny Township.101
I am tentatively associating John, son of Francis, with this John L.
McClintock, but have no proof they are the same person. Only one of the
deeds102
mentions another McClintock—a witness to the deed; but I could not
interpret the given name. The name did not look like “Lucinda.” It
might have been Louis or Lois, neither of whom I can definitely
associate with our McClintocks. James and Louisa (Reynolds) McClintock
(#64) did have a son Louis, born circa 1834, but he would probably have
been too young to witness the deed.
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80 |
viii. |
George Washington McClintock,
born August 1819; died 30 March 1865; married in 1844 Angeline E. Espy.
|
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81 |
ix. |
Andrew McClintock ,
born 18 July 1821; married (first) Mary Espy; married (second) Laura J.
Sterling. |
|
82 |
x. |
Rachel McClintock
,
(not necessarily the tenth born child103), apparently died
before 3 February 1844, when Francis’s will was written; married [—?—]
Spencer. Had children, as indicated in Francis’s will. A 1998 internet
item104
reports Rachel McClintock, daughter of Francis and Rachel (Hardy)
McClintock, being born circa 1806 in Harrisville, Butler County,
Pennsylvania. |
|
83 |
xi. |
Ann McClintock,
Jr.,
(not necessarily the eleventh born child). 105
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84 |
xii. |
Nancy McClintock ,
(not necessarily twelfth born child), born circa 1824, deceased by
1860; married James B. Skinner. |
There was possibly a thirteenth child of Francis and Rachel
(Hardy) McClintock, as would be indicated in the obituary of Andrew
Jackson McClintock, see #81.
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