Biography

04/28/1747 - 10/14/1834

Colonel Joseph Caldwell McClellan (Federalist2) Bucks, Chester and Montgomery Counties 1797-1801

Early Life:

Colonel Joseph Caldwell McClellan, born April 28, 1747, Middletown, Chester (Delaware) County, Province of Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; son of James and Martha McClellan; family moved, Sadsbury, Chester County, 1760; American Revolutionary War, Battle of Long Island, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Monmouth, Yorktown Campaign, wounded in action (WIA), 1776-1781; elected, Chester County commissioner, 1784; married, Keziah Parke, 1786, children, Ann McClellan Hemphill, Joseph Parke McClellan; engaged, farming, West Chester; elected, lieutenant of Chester County, carrying the brevet rank of Colonel, 1790; elected, sheriff, Chester County, 1792-1795; commanded, Chester County company under President Washington, Whiskey Rebellion, 1794; unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1796; unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1796; elected, Federalist, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1797-1801; unsuccessful campaign, Sheriff, Chester County, 1801; first president, Bank of Chester, 1814–1816; president, Bank of Chester County, 1817–1819; retired to a farm in Brandywine; appointed, chairman, welcoming committee, receive General Marquis de Lafayette, 1824-1825; died, October 14, 1834 (aged 87), Chester County, Pennsylvania; interment, Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Sadsbury Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Early Career:

Commissioned, lieutenant, American Revolution, commanded a company, Samuel John Atlee's (who was delegate, Continental Congress, Pennsylvania, 1778-1782) battalion, Battle of Long Island, Battle of Fort Washington, July 15, 1776. 

Captain, Continental Army, General Anthony "Mad Anthony" Wayne's (who was Founding Fathers of the United States) 9th Pennsylvania Regiment, fighting alongside the Marquis de Lafayette, Battle of Brandywine, 1777-1781.

Commanding, York Rifle Company of light infantry, wounded, Yorktown campaign, summer, 1781, resigned, commission, returned home to recuperate. 

Elected, Lieutenant, Chester County militia, brevet rank of colonel, 1790.

Captain of dragoons, major of a regiment mustered to quell, Whiskey Rebellion, 1794.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Chester County commissioner, 1784.

Sheriff, Chester County, 1792-1795. 

Unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Chester County, 1796. 

Unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania State Senate, 2nd district, 1796.

Elected, Federalist, Pennsylvania State Senate, 2nd district, Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties, 1797-1801. 

Unsuccessful campaign, Sheriff, Chester County, 1801.

Elected, burgess, West Chester, 1814. 

Legacy:

Inscription

“Here repose the remains of Joseph McClellan, born April 28, 1747, died October 14, 1834. An approved officer of the Revolution. An estimable and highly esteemed citizen. A sincere Christian. In life respected and venerated, in death lamented. In commemoration of his many virtues and public services this stone is erected by those who delight to cherish his memory.”

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members M". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

A New Nation Votes (tufts.edu)

CPT Joseph McClellan (1747-1834) - Find a Grave Memorial