Quincy Adolphus McLean

Quincy Adolphus McLean was born 12 Aug 1820 to parents John McLean Jr and Mary E (Crawford) McLean.  He was born at the Coddle Creek, Rowan County, North Carolina plantation his grandfather purchased in 1787.

This 'Early Rowan County Landowner' map shows the 268 acre plantation purchased by John McLean Sr and where Quincy was born in 1820.

A Google Map image of the area still shows the remnants of the 1787 property boundaries.  The location is currently in use as the Mooresville Dragstrip.

Quincy Adolphus McLean was the first born of nine children of John Jr and Mary E.  Mary C McLean was born about February 1823; Nancy Caroline McLean was born 6 Oct 1824; Joseph A McLean was born about April 1827;  Julius Hugh McLean was born about 1828;  John Rodney McLean was born about 1832;  Ephraim T McLean was born about 1834; Marcus Leroy McLean was born 9 Sep 1834; and Margaret Mary McLean was born about 1837.

• Mary C McLean never married and died 11 May 1895.
• Nancy Caroline McLean married Thomas G Christie when she was 49 and he was 21. She died 1 April 1901.
• Joseph A McLean inlisted in I Company 7th Infantry, Confederate Army 24 Feb 1862 and died in combat 5 Dec 1862 at Richmond, Virginia
• Julius Hugh McLean was a school teacher. He died in about 1881.
• John Rodney McLean enlisted in I Company 7th Infantry, Confederate Army 7 Jul 1862 and died in combat 31 Oct 1862 at Stanton or Winchester, Virginia.
• Ephraim T McLean enlisted in I Company 7th Infantry, Confederate Army 24 Feb 1862 and died in about Dec 1862.
• Marcus Leroy McLean was a dry goods merchant. Married Sarah Francis Kirpatrick in 1873. They had ten children. Marcus died 5 Apr 1910. My cousin, Larry McLean of Mooresville, NC is Marcus' g grandson.
• Margaret Mary McLean died sometime after 1868.

After his father died, Quincy assumed the role of head of household.  He managed the distribution of family land and other property.

In 1868 at the age of 47 he married Sarah Adelaide Alexander who was 23 at the time. Based on deeds and property transactions later in their marriage we find that Sarah held $1700 plus 300 acres of land worth another $700, so a very wealthy woman.  So we conclude that even though there was 24 years difference in their age, it seems they both prospered from the marriage: children, property, mutual support.

Elizabeth Louisa Alexander (left) and Sarah Adelaide Alexander her sister (right).  Photo from the collection of Jerry Dagenhart.

Based on several property deeds, I conclude that Quincy was a very astute business man.  Many deeds were supported by promises of future payment rather than cash.  

Quincy and Sarah had four children:  

• Mary McLean was stillborn in 1870.  She is burried at Centre Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mooresville next to Quincy's father and mother.  
• Mary Martha Elizabeth 'Betty' McLean was born13 Aug 1871.  She married William Francis Miller.  Their line continues today. 
• Nancy Arabella 'Nannie' McLean was born 20 Jan 1874.  She married George Hugh Pope.  Their line continues today.  
• Last born was Robert Baron McLean, my grandfather.

By the 1840's John McLean had purchased land in Iredell County north west of Mooresville.  Quincy lived there until his father died in 1865 and remained there on the main home tract that he inherited until 1878.

In 1878 Quincy moved his family to Charlotte, Mecklenburg County some 30 miles to the south. He bought a half acre lot at 10th and B Street.

In 1882 Quincy sold his house in Charlotte and moved the family to a 92 acre farm north of Hickory on Snow Creek. 

This is a photo taken by Robert Baron McLean in 1919 according to cousin Jerry Dagenhart is almost certainly Ephraim Alexander's place in Millers, Alexander County, NC.  My grandfather Robert Baron stayed with Ephraim for about a year after his mother died in 1889.

4th Cousin Jerry Dagenhart

Quincy died 20 Jun 1885 at the Snow Creek location north of Hickory, Catawaba County, NC.  Sarah died 9 Nov 1889.  They were both burried at the Old City Cemetery in Hickory.

The Old City Cemetery is located at the Robinson Park in downtown Hickory.  There are a few markers still visible, but it is not maintained as a cemetery.