Robert McChesney was born in "County Armagh," in Ulster or Northern Ireland, to parents James McChesney, Sr. (of County Armagh, Northern Ireland) and Sarah Patterson, his cousin.

Robert McChesney and Elizabeth Johnston, the daughter of Zachariah Johnston and Ann Robertson, were married by Rev. Archibald Scott in "Augusta" County, Virginia, on Feb 22, 1792 (The 18 Dec 1866 issue of the Staunton Spectator records: Rob't McChesney & Eliz'th Johnson, married 22 Feb 1792 in "Rockbridge" Co., not Augusta Co.). His wife Elizabeth is buried beside him.

They had eight known children together: James, Zachariah J., Annie J., Mary Crawford, George Washington, Adam, Elizabeth J. and Robert, Jr.

1791 Augusta Co., Virginia Chancery case in Jas McChesney vs John Keys/Keyes, began in about 1785, p 5 of 18. Robert McChesney, Junr, died 1842 (Junr. meaning: younger of 2 Robt McC's around at the time), is the son of Jas McChesney. Robert gives data, that he witnessed a conversation in suit (See his dad's site for photo of this document, p 5).

The Library of Virginia has a 3 Sep 1936 WPA survey, #ROC302, of the Old home of J(ames) Saml Gibson (1841-1922), home abt. 3 mi. NE of Rockbridge Baths, N side of Rt 729, in abt. 1780 (sic); 1st record 1 Feb 1849 from Z J McChesney to Jno A Gibson, Deed Bk CC413, Wm Taylor bought from the original Borden Estate, he deeded it to Robt McChesney and it was willed to son ZJ McChesney. Believes Robt McChesney built the house, but I SUSPECT he added on to it or it was previous owner's instead, since he was born in 1768. Two story log structure, with improvements by succeeding owners. Rectangular w a shed "L" to the rear or east side; weather boarded; gabled & metal roof; 3 chimneys: 1 at each end, 1 to the "L"; 12 windows: 2 up/2 down double sash; orig. shutters removed, except 1; one story porch 6x15' w 4 white posts; 6 rooms: 4 large, 2 sm; 9 1/2' tall; 2 flights of stairs, w poplar newel/baluster; poplar floors and mantels; 6" poplar baseboard; very good shape to be so old. 1936 photo included.

MB kindly contributed a photo copy of the 14 Feb 1802 Christian Co., KY filed Deed Book A, page 111-114 on the right, settling Zachariah's estate. Executors, sons John and Zachariah, Jr. sold to their brother in law Robert McChesney/McKinsey (husband of sister Elizabeth), both of Rockbridge Co., 1000 acres for £500. The land was located on the "east side of the west fork of Red River where the Carolina line crosses it." It was for "land lying in the District set apart for the officers and soldiers of the Virginia State line in the state of Kentucky" by a 27 May 1799 dated patent. It was surveyed 7 Nov 1797 for Adam Craig (see copy of 2 pages of doc on father in law, Zachariah Johnston's memorial).

On 25 May 1803 Robert and Elizabeth J. McChesney sold (indentured) to John Johnston for $1.00, the same 1000 acres above on Red River in Christian Co., KY, where the State line crosses the West Fork of Red River and the county of Christian, KY, where the Carolina line crosses it.... that was previously sold by John and Zachariah Johnston to McChesney in July 1802. It was recorded in Augusta Co., Virginia Deed Book 2A, p 398. "Acknowledged and Certified Staunton District Court, September 7, 1803" - "For lands lying in Christian County, Kentucky.

I'm not positive is this is the correct Robert McChesney: Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 6, p 479, Indenture dated 24 Jun 1817 in which Sarah Steele of the Highland County, Ohio, sells to Robert McChesney of the Rockbridge Co., Virginia, for $500., "All my right, title, and interest claim in my dower and property claim in a tract of land in Washington Co., Virginia," which tract of land my husband, Samuel Steele sold to the said Robert McChesney, etc. Witnesses: Geo Shinn, Hugh Rogers, Justices of Highland Co., Ohio. Recorded Washington Co., Virginia. on 22 Apr 1818.

2nd home at Lib of Virginia, 25 Sep 1936 WPA survey by J. W. McClung; built 1817 by Robt McChesney, rectangular w "L" to the W side; 2.5 stories, brick; in Brownsburg, Rockbridge Co.; fr Borden's grant, Deed book K, page 502; he sold to Wm Burns 1 Apr 1837 in DB U, 4; gives chain of owners; no remodeling; 8 rooms faces the street to the east; close to the side walk; gabled & metal roof; 6x18' porch; 1 flight stairs, walnut stairway; brick walls are 14" thick. McChesney owned considerable real estate, 1st McChesney in Rockbridge. 1936 photo included.

"OLD HOME OF ANDREW PATTERSON, ...The first recorded transfer of this property was on March 27, 1817, when the Trustees of the Village of Brownsburg sold it to Robert McChesney, Deed Book "K," page 502... Robert McChesney built the first and only house ever to be built on this site, in 1817, and it was a large two-story brick building with eight large rooms, and cellar underneath. It is located on the west side of Main Street, facing the east, and very close to the street, as was the custom in the early days. Very little or nothing is known of the three first owners, McChesney, Burns and Wright. Andrew Patterson was very prominent in his day in a local way. He was what might be termed a "leader" in the community. He served as a Magistrate and people went to him for advice and he served as Executor and Administrator in a number of estates. William Wade married a daughter of Andrew Patterson and after he bought this property in 1883, he conducted a general mercantile store in Brownsburg. He was a Deacon in the New Providence Presbyterian Church and served as treasurer for a number of years. Since his death, two of his sons served this Church as treasurer, and one of them, Hugh S. Wade, is treasurer at this time. Another son, Andrew P. Wade was before his death, last month, a deacon in the Lexington Presbyterian Church and was also for a number of years, Cashier of the Rockbridge National Bank of Lexington, Va, The present owners, J. E. and E. Bosworth, are now operating a general mercantile store in Brownsburg." Per the Historical Significance of Rockbridge County Virginia, by James W McClung, McClure Co., Inc, Staunton, VA, 1939, p 181-182 (see photo). Note: It was really the old home of Robert McChesney, who built it in 1817. Andrew Patterson, lived on it much later.

Same man? See Library of Virginia online grantee deed of Robt McChesney, 30 Nov 1841 in Augusta Co., Virginia, Description: 5+ acres adjoining the heirs of John Arehart. Jas. Martin and Andw. Arehart's lands. This land was surveyed in 1839, and the papers were delivered to Jas McLilly in 1843.

Robert died on 12 Feb 1842 and his son James died 6 months later, on 21 Aug.

I have a copy of his Rockbridge Co., Virginia recorded will, Will Book 9, p 152-153. It was made on 20 Apr 1839 and probated 4 Apr 1842. It mentions beloved wife Elizabeth and children James, Zachariah, Ann McBride, Mary White, George, the late Elizabeth (Mrs. Daniel Brown) and Adam. In leaving property to son Zachariah, he mentions "also the shares of JOSEPH & BEN that James sold. Could Joseph and Ben be his late children? Executors: sons George and Adam. It was witnessed by Wm L Alexander, John B Lyle, Jas W D Moffett, Geo B Moffett and Wm M Gold. Sadly, he was a slave owner of Denton, Jim, Elich, Frank, Hannah, Sukey the elder & her grand daughter Sukey the younger, Evelina, her son George. Plus the late daughter Elizabeth Brown was also given 7 slaves (see 3 photos, FS347/514).

I have a carte de visite of the photo on the right that I couldn't identify until I came across Leander J. McCormick's compilation, Family Record and Biography, 1896, p 386b that identifies him and gives his dates. This book was given to my kin MMM, signed "With the Compliments of Leander J. McCormick, June 20, 1896," and has his signature and a separate carte de visite of him as well.

1880: In a family land division at public auction, the sale of 946 acres and 110 poles of James and Robert McChesney's land near Brownsburg (Rockbridge County) with some details was involved, at this late date. Follow the court cases to discover the rest of the story. Per the Lexington Gazette, Vol 11, #35, dated 19 Aug 1880.

His marker was cleaned in 2016-2017 (Thanks Harry). What a difference.

Bio researched and written by LSP, all rights reserved. DO NOT COPY.