Died, in Roanoke County, on the 1st day of December 1857, COL. ELIJAH MCCLANAHAN, in the 88th year of his age.
When one leaves this workd who, like Col. McClanahan, has so long and so well fulfilled the duties of a citizen and of Christian, it is not only becoming but highly proper that some friend should make a public record of his virtues. Even in a worldly point of view, few men have lived to better purpose. For more than sixty years he has been associated with the public men and with public measures in Botetourt and Roanoke counties, during the whole of which long period he has enjoyed the confidence and regard of his fellow citizens. He was a respected magistrate and member of the Court, for perhaps forty years; and represented the county of Botetourt in the General Assembly of Virginia, at a time (1808) when that was not an empty honor--when the Barbours, Giles', Tazewells, Breckinridges, and other leading men of the State controled her public councils; and while Col. McClanahan had not the advantages of education, yet he possessed a native vigor of intellect, and dignity of manner that won respect even among the more cultivated and refined. He was also an officer in the war of 1812, and marched to Norfolk when danger from disease was greater than from active service against the enemy.
He was an affectionate husband and father, a cordial, generous friend, an energetic and useful citizen, greatly beloved by his immediate friends and neighbors for his uniform kindness; and was a judicious counsellor to all who sought his advice. In fact he was never better pleased than when acting in the blessed office of peace-maker, in which character he was eminently successful.
But valuable as such qualities are, it was as a Christian that Col. McClanahan's character shone brightest. No higher evidence can be given of his earnest, devoted piety, than the fact that of a family consisting of nine daughters, all have been for many years active and useful members of the church of their honored father; and his children's children (of whom the number is very large) enjoy the blessing of being promised to the seed of the faithful. Among the hallowed memories of the writer connected with his visits to his aged friend in his last sickness, one of the most pleasing is, that of seeing seven daughters ministering with affectionate interest around the bed-side of their venerable father, and joining in the songs of Zion that were so precious and comforting to the dying saint.
About forty-six years ago, Col. McClanahan connected himself with the Presbyterian Church, under the ministry of Rev. Robert Logan, who was then the only Presbyterian minister in this part of the Valley. Soon afterwards he was elected a ruling elder, the duties of which office he discharged with great fidelity, being "ready to every good work." In him not only his own church, but the cause of Religion in its largest sense, has lost a most liberal friend. He was one of those "cheerful givers" whom "the Lord loveth," and was never weary in well doing. Long looked up to, and venerated as a Christian Patriarch, he has now "come to his grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season." The circumstances of his death were such as we might expect from one who had kept life's highest and noblest end in view. No one could be with him in his last days, and hear his expressions of humble, but unwavering trust in the Lord his Redeemer, without feeling that--
"The chamber where the good man meets his fate."
Is privileged beyond the walks of common life."
There was a holy atmosphere about the room as he bore his dying testimony to the value and power of the religion he had so long lived before his fellow men. Having served his generation by the will of God, he has been "gathered to his fathers in the confidence of a certain faith, in the comfort of a reasonable, religious and holy hope, in favor with God, and in perfect charity with the world."
"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." J.
Col. Elijah McClanahan (20 Apr 1770 - 1 Dec 1857)
From The Central Presbyterian, Vol. 2, No. 50, dated 12 Dec 1857
When one leaves this workd who, like Col. McClanahan, has so long and so well fulfilled the duties of a citizen and of Christian, it is not only becoming but highly proper that some friend should make a public record of his virtues. Even in a worldly point of view, few men have lived to better purpose. For more than sixty years he has been associated with the public men and with public measures in Botetourt and Roanoke counties, during the whole of which long period he has enjoyed the confidence and regard of his fellow citizens. He was a respected magistrate and member of the Court, for perhaps forty years; and represented the county of Botetourt in the General Assembly of Virginia, at a time (1808) when that was not an empty honor--when the Barbours, Giles', Tazewells, Breckinridges, and other leading men of the State controled her public councils; and while Col. McClanahan had not the advantages of education, yet he possessed a native vigor of intellect, and dignity of manner that won respect even among the more cultivated and refined. He was also an officer in the war of 1812, and marched to Norfolk when danger from disease was greater than from active service against the enemy.
He was an affectionate husband and father, a cordial, generous friend, an energetic and useful citizen, greatly beloved by his immediate friends and neighbors for his uniform kindness; and was a judicious counsellor to all who sought his advice. In fact he was never better pleased than when acting in the blessed office of peace-maker, in which character he was eminently successful.
But valuable as such qualities are, it was as a Christian that Col. McClanahan's character shone brightest. No higher evidence can be given of his earnest, devoted piety, than the fact that of a family consisting of nine daughters, all have been for many years active and useful members of the church of their honored father; and his children's children (of whom the number is very large) enjoy the blessing of being promised to the seed of the faithful. Among the hallowed memories of the writer connected with his visits to his aged friend in his last sickness, one of the most pleasing is, that of seeing seven daughters ministering with affectionate interest around the bed-side of their venerable father, and joining in the songs of Zion that were so precious and comforting to the dying saint.
About forty-six years ago, Col. McClanahan connected himself with the Presbyterian Church, under the ministry of Rev. Robert Logan, who was then the only Presbyterian minister in this part of the Valley. Soon afterwards he was elected a ruling elder, the duties of which office he discharged with great fidelity, being "ready to every good work." In him not only his own church, but the cause of Religion in its largest sense, has lost a most liberal friend. He was one of those "cheerful givers" whom "the Lord loveth," and was never weary in well doing. Long looked up to, and venerated as a Christian Patriarch, he has now "come to his grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season." The circumstances of his death were such as we might expect from one who had kept life's highest and noblest end in view. No one could be with him in his last days, and hear his expressions of humble, but unwavering trust in the Lord his Redeemer, without feeling that--
"The chamber where the good man meets his fate."
Is privileged beyond the walks of common life."
There was a holy atmosphere about the room as he bore his dying testimony to the value and power of the religion he had so long lived before his fellow men. Having served his generation by the will of God, he has been "gathered to his fathers in the confidence of a certain faith, in the comfort of a reasonable, religious and holy hope, in favor with God, and in perfect charity with the world."
"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." J.
Col. Elijah McClanahan (20 Apr 1770 - 1 Dec 1857)
From The Central Presbyterian, Vol. 2, No. 50, dated 12 Dec 1857
Died, in Roanoke County, on the 1st day of December 1857, COL. ELIJAH MCCLANAHAN, in the 88th year of his age.
When one leaves this workd who, like Col. McClanahan, has so long and so well fulfilled the duties of a citizen and of Christian, it is not only becoming but highly proper that some friend should make a public record of his virtues. Even in a worldly point of view, few men have lived to better purpose. For more than sixty years he has been associated with the public men and with public measures in Botetourt and Roanoke counties, during the whole of which long period he has enjoyed the confidence and regard of his fellow citizens. He was a respected magistrate and member of the Court, for perhaps forty years; and represented the county of Botetourt in the General Assembly of Virginia, at a time (1808) when that was not an empty honor--when the Barbours, Giles', Tazewells, Breckinridges, and other leading men of the State controled her public councils; and while Col. McClanahan had not the advantages of education, yet he possessed a native vigor of intellect, and dignity of manner that won respect even among the more cultivated and refined. He was also an officer in the war of 1812, and marched to Norfolk when danger from disease was greater than from active service against the enemy.
He was an affectionate husband and father, a cordial, generous friend, an energetic and useful citizen, greatly beloved by his immediate friends and neighbors for his uniform kindness; and was a judicious counsellor to all who sought his advice. In fact he was never better pleased than when acting in the blessed office of peace-maker, in which character he was eminently successful.
But valuable as such qualities are, it was as a Christian that Col. McClanahan's character shone brightest. No higher evidence can be given of his earnest, devoted piety, than the fact that of a family consisting of nine daughters, all have been for many years active and useful members of the church of their honored father; and his children's children (of whom the number is very large) enjoy the blessing of being promised to the seed of the faithful. Among the hallowed memories of the writer connected with his visits to his aged friend in his last sickness, one of the most pleasing is, that of seeing seven daughters ministering with affectionate interest around the bed-side of their venerable father, and joining in the songs of Zion that were so precious and comforting to the dying saint.
About forty-six years ago, Col. McClanahan connected himself with the Presbyterian Church, under the ministry of Rev. Robert Logan, who was then the only Presbyterian minister in this part of the Valley. Soon afterwards he was elected a ruling elder, the duties of which office he discharged with great fidelity, being "ready to every good work." In him not only his own church, but the cause of Religion in its largest sense, has lost a most liberal friend. He was one of those "cheerful givers" whom "the Lord loveth," and was never weary in well doing. Long looked up to, and venerated as a Christian Patriarch, he has now "come to his grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season." The circumstances of his death were such as we might expect from one who had kept life's highest and noblest end in view. No one could be with him in his last days, and hear his expressions of humble, but unwavering trust in the Lord his Redeemer, without feeling that--
"The chamber where the good man meets his fate."
Is privileged beyond the walks of common life."
There was a holy atmosphere about the room as he bore his dying testimony to the value and power of the religion he had so long lived before his fellow men. Having served his generation by the will of God, he has been "gathered to his fathers in the confidence of a certain faith, in the comfort of a reasonable, religious and holy hope, in favor with God, and in perfect charity with the world."
"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." J.
Col. Elijah McClanahan (20 Apr 1770 - 1 Dec 1857)
From The Central Presbyterian, Vol. 2, No. 50, dated 12 Dec 1857
When one leaves this workd who, like Col. McClanahan, has so long and so well fulfilled the duties of a citizen and of Christian, it is not only becoming but highly proper that some friend should make a public record of his virtues. Even in a worldly point of view, few men have lived to better purpose. For more than sixty years he has been associated with the public men and with public measures in Botetourt and Roanoke counties, during the whole of which long period he has enjoyed the confidence and regard of his fellow citizens. He was a respected magistrate and member of the Court, for perhaps forty years; and represented the county of Botetourt in the General Assembly of Virginia, at a time (1808) when that was not an empty honor--when the Barbours, Giles', Tazewells, Breckinridges, and other leading men of the State controled her public councils; and while Col. McClanahan had not the advantages of education, yet he possessed a native vigor of intellect, and dignity of manner that won respect even among the more cultivated and refined. He was also an officer in the war of 1812, and marched to Norfolk when danger from disease was greater than from active service against the enemy.
He was an affectionate husband and father, a cordial, generous friend, an energetic and useful citizen, greatly beloved by his immediate friends and neighbors for his uniform kindness; and was a judicious counsellor to all who sought his advice. In fact he was never better pleased than when acting in the blessed office of peace-maker, in which character he was eminently successful.
But valuable as such qualities are, it was as a Christian that Col. McClanahan's character shone brightest. No higher evidence can be given of his earnest, devoted piety, than the fact that of a family consisting of nine daughters, all have been for many years active and useful members of the church of their honored father; and his children's children (of whom the number is very large) enjoy the blessing of being promised to the seed of the faithful. Among the hallowed memories of the writer connected with his visits to his aged friend in his last sickness, one of the most pleasing is, that of seeing seven daughters ministering with affectionate interest around the bed-side of their venerable father, and joining in the songs of Zion that were so precious and comforting to the dying saint.
About forty-six years ago, Col. McClanahan connected himself with the Presbyterian Church, under the ministry of Rev. Robert Logan, who was then the only Presbyterian minister in this part of the Valley. Soon afterwards he was elected a ruling elder, the duties of which office he discharged with great fidelity, being "ready to every good work." In him not only his own church, but the cause of Religion in its largest sense, has lost a most liberal friend. He was one of those "cheerful givers" whom "the Lord loveth," and was never weary in well doing. Long looked up to, and venerated as a Christian Patriarch, he has now "come to his grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season." The circumstances of his death were such as we might expect from one who had kept life's highest and noblest end in view. No one could be with him in his last days, and hear his expressions of humble, but unwavering trust in the Lord his Redeemer, without feeling that--
"The chamber where the good man meets his fate."
Is privileged beyond the walks of common life."
There was a holy atmosphere about the room as he bore his dying testimony to the value and power of the religion he had so long lived before his fellow men. Having served his generation by the will of God, he has been "gathered to his fathers in the confidence of a certain faith, in the comfort of a reasonable, religious and holy hope, in favor with God, and in perfect charity with the world."
"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." J.
Col. Elijah McClanahan (20 Apr 1770 - 1 Dec 1857)
From The Central Presbyterian, Vol. 2, No. 50, dated 12 Dec 1857
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