David Strain, III was the second child and first son born to David Strain, II and Elizabeth Allen of Hanover Twp., Lancaster Co. (later Dauphin Co., when they left), Pennsylvania. He was the first Strain child born in (Greenville, Augusta Co.,) Virginia, "at home" on the farm his father purchased in September 1795. He was born 1 Apr 1796. George Washington was our president at the time.

On 24 Mar 1824, he purchased land in Terre Haute, Indiana and made a profit on it.

On 5 Apr 1826, David Strain of Augusta County and James McCutchen of Rockbridge County were bound by Virginia Governor John Tyler for $150.00, for the upcoming marriage of David Strain and James McCutchen's daughter, Maria T McCutchen. See original signatures of both David and James on my copy, posted on Maria's site.

David married Maria T McCutchan, the next day on 6 Apr 1826 in Rockbridge Co., Virginia. The typed Rockbridge Co. Marriage Register lists David Stram (sic) and Maria T McCutchen were married 6 Apr 1826 by H. Ruffner, on page 222.

They would raise 8 exceptional children, 4 boys and 4 girls. Two medical doctors and all 4 sons served during the Civil War. He would remain at the farm he bought in 1828 for $1.00 (would love to hear the story behind this), until his death.

The Augusta County, Virginia Order Book #36, 1816 - 1818, page 263 lists "David Strain as Ensign in Capt. Humphreys compy of Riflemen attached to 93rd Regt in the comm (-? hard to read but probably short for command) of Sam Huston (sic) resigned." War of 1812 unit (see photo). This same Samuel Houston was later known for his Texas fame.

Then on 1 Nov 1828, he purchased 274 acres just south of Greenville, over the county line in Raphine, Rockbridge County, Virginia. He added on to the existing home and purchased more land around it in 1832, 1842, 1843 and 1847.** It's a brick "Rockbridge I house" with chimneys on either end. It stayed in his family until 1918. It's still in beautiful shape today. The house was historically renovated by the Browns in 1975. You can still walk down to the cellar and see the original home's 2 fireplaces, dated to 1798. Upstairs, it has beautiful, elaborate custom built fireplaces and large built in, oak linen presses (for storage). His mother outlived him by 2 years and 9 months.

On the 1840 Rockbridge Co., Virginia census, I found David Strain with white Males: 1 under 5; 3 5-10; 1 30-40; white males 2 under 5; 1 10-15; and 1 40-50 and no slaves. They lived by Wm Buchanan, Saml & Jno WIthrow, Jacob Hull, Jos Culton, Jacob Swisher, Jr., Mrs. Ann J McBride, Wm Houston, Rev Jas Morrison, Wm Steele, Arch., Jos & Jas Walker, etc.

Rockbridge Co., Virginia Plat & Survey 21 July 1842. Cover says Alex H H Stuart Esq Agent for the Exor of Judge Coalter/ Plat of 262 acres of land Rockbridge Sold to David Strain. Cut off at top right says "stake where Sycamore grow." Atty Stuart had it surveyed. On the East side of Moffett Creek, corner to D. Strain's land, corner to Saml Withrow, Middle Brook Road, Engleman's lines, to Saml Sprowl. Land swap 23/24 yrs ago by Coalter & Withrow = A on plat (to right). Plat adds: Channel of creek has changed to east at __ corner; Beard E(etc) lines; ("1879" by Wm M K = 1779) (both top right); "1879" to Wm D? (top right); plus sold to McFadden and sold to Hanger on bottom. Cousin DM shared this copy with me. Trees listed: dogwood, sycamore, ash, hickory, Spanish oaks, white walnut, double mulberry, maple, white oak, white hickory, black oak.

On the 1850 District 51, Rockbridge Co., Virginia census, I found farmer David Strain, 55; Maria Strain, 45; Susan Strain, 22; student David E Strain, 20; farmer James Strain, 19; Samuel Strain, 17; Elizabeth Strain, 15; Eusebius Strain, 13; Hastleline Strain, 11 and Rebecca Strain, 6, all Virginia born. Sadly, David, Sr. owned 6 black female slaves, ages 60, 27, 20, 17, 4 and 3.

After David III and his wife Maria died, the home passed to their four sons. I have copies of all the deeds and plats showing the divisions (1858, 1862, 1868 & 1874). They sold parts of it to each other until Capt. James Strain owned his "ancestral home." Brother, Dr. David Eldred Strain owned another home on the same lot, that wounded civil war patriots would visit for treatment.

The old brick Strain house called Cloverdale Farm, was on the 1992 tour, by Garden Club of Virginia, Historic Garden Week. The guidebook says it "remained in the Strain family until 1918. Harry Coe Slusser bought the property and the Slusser family owned the farm until it was purchased by Mr. & Mrs. James A. Brown, Jr., in 1966. The Browns restored the older part of the house, removed the Victorian features and with two new additions blended the older portions while incorporating conveniences for modern living. The last owners, purchased the farm from the Browns three years ago (about 1989)... Large weeping and Japanese flowering cherry trees and wisteria enhance the entrance. The owners raise and breed registered Scottish Highland cattle. Open for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Wells, owners." It was sold again.

In 1993, I spoke to the charming Sylvia M.Brown about the name and she said "it makes sense to be called Cloverdale as there is a meadow in front of the house, it is full of clover and it is a dale." We discussed the home, her 14 month renovation, the school onsite and the story of the Strain home.

I was privileged to tour the home with the gracious Mrs. Wells in June 1996, both floors and the original (now) basement with the fireplace and built in linen press, still remain. The house was just built over it. It's in beautiful shape. See photos and captions (Do not reproduce).

In 1868, his wife Maria's obit includes the line: "For forty years she had been a member of New Providence church, having been received by certificate into its communion, with her husband, in 1828."

The Rockbridge Co. Virginia Death Register says David Strain, a white male, died 8 Jul 1854, aged 57 years, the son of David Strain and E. Strain. He was born in Augusta County, Virginia, a farmer and was the husband of M. T. Strain. The informant was son James A. Strain.

His gravestone inscription:
(rose and leaf motif)
DAVID STRAIN,
BORN
April 1. 1796,
DIED
July 8. 1854.

Our Father's dust thus speaks
------
"Hear ye children the instruc-
tion of a father, and attend to know
understanding,
I have taught thee in the ways of wis-
dom: I have led thee in right paths
The path of the just is as the shining
light that shineth more and more
"unto the perfect day."
Proverbs 4:1, 4:11 and 4:18.

*I've read where the single full rose bloom, without cut stems, signifies a full life.

**David Strain, III purchased what became known as Cloverdale Farm, on 1 Nov 1828 from John and Peggy Walker. The Walkers purchased it in 1818 from William Wardlaw. The first known home on this site was built in 1798. David built on top of the old Walker home (in the current basement, that I toured, small room with large old fireplace). There were some additions to the home in the 1800's and it underwent restorative work in 1976. It currently includes 358 acres. It remained in the Strain family (all his sons, who individually sold their shares to Capt. James, and then to James widow, Tiny/Eglantine N. Leech Strain) through 1918.

The attached photo from my old photo album is BELIEVED to be him. Paul Brown has a copy of it also. Paul shared with me that cousin and family researcher Leila McDanald, believed it was him also. He sent me a photocopy of it that says "David Strain III." Other cousins also have the same photo. He had light "blue" eyes like his son David, Eusebius and James (based on photos of them). The first daguerreotype was made in 1839 or prior to his death. I SUSPECT this calling card (carte de visite) is a copy of the previous daguerreotype. His clothes reveal a very successful man and from seeing his well preserved home, he was. Both this man and his wife are dressed in customary black funeral attire. Note the striking resemblance of his son James, Eusebius and Samuel (on my Findagrave memorials for them.

Note: my old Strain photo album has a photo of a man I strongly believe is a Strain. He has very light eyes like the early Strains in my lines. His features are very similar. This photo has no identifying marks printed. The lady beside him in my album appears to be connected, has "Chicago" on hers. Were they traveling when this was taken? They are both dressed in black mourning attire, same period, as these photos frequently are. They both have the same oval lines in the background. IF you have any, maybe we could share.

See photo (on son James A. Strain's site) of a 1908 land survey for Ashabel G. Beard showing the land of David Strain (died 1854) that went to his 4 sons and ended with 2 sons: James and David, Jr (AKA Dr. David E.) and following their passing, to James wife Eglantine N. Strain and Dr David's unmarried daughter Eva Strain. It's all across from New Providence Church.

The LAST PHOTO (man in black with folded hands in lap) on this site is UNKNOWN (read caption). I suspect he is a Strain son. The back of photo says Knoxville, TN. Could he be one of the old rumored TN Strains? My David Strain, II had a brother that went to TN per old family records. Could this be his kin? This is my documented WANTED POSTER to ID him.

CLICK on all 11 photos and read captions.

Bio researched and written by LSP, all rights reserved, DO NOT REPRODUCE my content or my photos.