John McMahan

1899 by Samuel McMahan

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A John McMahan, his wife Margaret Murray and son James McMahan immigrated to America ca 1735, probably from Northern Ireland, and settled in Lock/Lack Twp. Cumberland Co., PA. John & Margaret had 8 more children born in PA. He died in Cumberland County in 1767. (FHL film 6334106, no circulation to FHL)

There was a will dated 18 May 1767 for John McMachan, of Leek Twp in then Cumberland Co., PA with no probate on record (Oct. 1, 1767?): Being weak in body, gives to his wife Margaret and the 4 youngest children, John, Margaret, Benjamin and Mary the use of his whole estate until Benjamin becomes 21 yrs. old. When gives all his real estate equally to his 2 sons John & Benjamin (exclusive of the place his son James lives on which he gives to him.) Provides that John and Benj. are to provide a house and maintenance for his wife. John and Benj. are to pay L10 each to his daughters Sarah, Elizabeth, Agnes, Margaret and Mary. James is to pay his daughter Rachel L10. he appoints his son James and John Ervin Exectrs. Witnessed by John Erwien and Wm. Wilson (his mark) signed John McMachen. (Ref: p. 66 Cumberland Co. Wills Book A. FHL film 389421)

Lack Twp. was in the portion of Cumberland County that eventually became Juniata County in 1831.

Notes from the History of the McMahan Family 1899 by Samuel McMahan

Descendants of Scotch ancestry who left Scotland after 1650 when King William ascended the throne, the McMahans went to Northern Ireland. After the Battle of the Boyne about 1690. They left Ireland between 1730-40 when 5 brothers became separated.

John McMahan with his wife Margaret (Murray) and 2 yr old son James came to America about 1735-36, when a large number of Presbyterians came from Ireland, settling in Cumberland County, PA. The McMahans settled in Leek Twp, Cu8mberland Co., now Juniata County, in Sherman's Valley. They had eight more children after arrival, John, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, Margaret, Rachel and Agnes. John McMahan died in Cumberland County 1767. Will follows:

There was a will dated 18 May 1767 for John McMachan, of Leek Twp in then Cumberland Co., PA: Being weak in body, gives to his wife Margaret and the 4 youngest children, John, Margaret, Benjamin and Mary the use of his whole estate until Benjamin becomes 21 yrs. old. When gives all his real estate equally to his 2 sons John & Benjamin (exclusive of the place his son James lives on which he gives to him.) Provides that John and Benj. are to provide a house and maintenance for his wife.John and Benj. are to pay L10 each to his daughters Sarah, Elizabeth, Agnes, Margaret and Mary. James is to pay his daughter Rachel L10. he appoints his son James and John Ervin Exectrs. Witnessed by John Erwien and Wm. Wilson (his mark) signed John McMachen. (Ref: p. 66 Cumberland Co. Wills Book A. FHL film 389421)
Soon after his father's death James, now married, to Mary Murray, with others to Northumberland County. By 1771 his mother and brothers John and Benjamin joined him.

James had served in the French and Indian War while they lived in Cumberland County

James and Mary had children: John, Jennie, James, William, Thomas, Robert, Benjamin and Samuel.
James served in the Rev War as a baggage master 1778-1780, promoted to Major by the end of the war, serving in PA, NJ. He died in 1823, is buried in the churchyard of the Presbyterian Church he helped to found at Chillisquaque, near Milton, PA.

His son John served during the Rev War, married Rebecca Reynolds and removed to Chatauqua or Cattaraugus County, NY. He found his hundred acres burned in Northumberland Co and so moved to NY. He fought in the War of 1812, as did his brother James McMahan. The brother Thomas ended up in Albany NY. The brother Samuel was born in 1779, settled with his parents in Northumberland County and married Jane Reed, daughter of William Reed, had a family of 11 children.