PRELUDE

There would be no record even partly complete of the McGlone family without acknowledging its Irish background. Most, if not all, of the McGlones in the world today, have their origin from the early period in Ireland’s history when surnames were first used.

A brief recollection of this land at that time will help our full appreciation of from where we came. Prior to the 1600’s, Ireland had been a divided island. Its divisions were controlled by the many clans and their followers. Each was ruled by a chieftain and their boundaries fluctuated depending upon the fortunes of war between themselves, the growth and decline of their numbers, their geographic movement, and numerous other reasons. Nevertheless, as a land, it was not unified.

The lack of unity and almost constant unrest made the island an easy prey for attack from invading forces. These attacks were frequent. England, which in its earlier history had been in similar circumstances, had now joined together and was desirous of possessing the island as part of its territory. After many unsuccessful attempts, King James I succeeded.

In order to maintain his authority over the people of the island, he split up the clans, dispersed the members to different parts of the country and removed the chieftains from power. In their places he organized large plantations, especially in the north, that were controlled by Englishmen and loyal Irishmen. A list of these landlords can be found in the IRISH PATENT ROLL OF JAMES I, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, Belfast 1938-45. Among those listed in this record is a Hugh and an Edmond (Edmd) McGlone. They are mentioned as having land in County Tyrone in 1609-10.

One of the rules made upon assigning the land was that those landowners from England could pass their plantations down from one generation to another. The Irish could not. Therefore it is doubtful that there were more McGlone landlords in early Ireland. This could be a good reason why they began their immigration to America.

The date of the arrival of the first McGlone in America is not known. Very poor immigration records were kept in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s and so far, no ship records can be found during this time that lists the family name. However, we do know that a McGlone was in this country before the mid 1700’s. The PENNSYLANIA ARCHIVES 2nd SERIES, VOLUME II, published in Harrisburg in 1890, lists Hugh McGlone getting married in October 1745. The name of the bride was not given nor was the birth date nor birth place of Hugh given. This is the first record of a McGlone in America but we do not know when he arrived or where he entered the country.

A deed was issued to a Hugh McGlone for the purchase of a plantation in Philadelphia in 1748. It was purchased from Mary Bean for 18 pounds. This deed may be found at the Chester County, Pennsylvania Court House. It reads as follows:
Be it remembered of the twenty first day of July 1748 AD the deed hereafter mentioned was produced before William Till Isq. one of his Majesties Justices of the Supream Court for the Province of Pennsylvania and thereupon came Mary Bean who acknowledged the above written indenture to be her act and deed and desires the same might be recorded as such which said indenture to be her act and deed and desires the same might be recorded as such which said indenture is recorded in the office for recording deeds in this country this eighteenth day of August 1748 AD in these words to wit This Indenture made the twentieth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty eight between Mary Bean of Goshen in the county of Chester in the province of Pennsylvania the widow and relict of Mortecai Bane late of the same place - - - - deceased the said Mary being also the surviving Executrix named in the last will and testament of him the said Mordecai of the one part and Hugh McGlone of the City of Philadelphia in said Province Blacksmith of the other part Whereas in and by a certain indenture hearing date the twenty seventh day of March in the year 1716 made or mentioned to be made between Richard Thomas at the Great Valley in the county of Chester aforesaid son and heir of Richard Thomas deceased) and Grace his wife of the one part and of Mordecai Bean of the other part reciting as there-in recited and for the consideration therein mentioned they the said Richard Thomas and Grace his wife did grant - - - - and confirm until the said Mordecai Bane a certain piece of parcel of land situate lying and being in Goshen aforesaid containing two hundred aces by notes and bounds in the same indenture specified together with the appurtenances to hold to him the said Mordecai Bean his heirs and assigns forever as in and by the same Indenture recorded or intended to be recorded at Cheter aforesaid relation being thereunto had more fully and at large appears by force and virtue whereof or of some other good conveyance or assurance in the Law duly had and executed he the said Mordecai Bane became in his lifetimes seized in his - - - - as of and in the aforesaid two hundred acres of land and being so seized made his last will and testament in writing bearing date of the twelfth day of August in the year 1745 and therein and thereby (ater several bequests and preuiniary legacies did devise in these words viz. and it is my will that my executors to pay all of this legacies within two years next after my decease and for the performance whereof I do hereby give and consent to my Executors here in after named and the survivor of - - - - full power and authority to sell and convey all my real estate lands and tenements in fee simple or otherwise to such as shall give the best price for the same and of his said will did nominate and appoint his loving wife the said Mary Bane and his son Nathan Bane Executors as in and by the said in part recited Last will and testament duly proved ad remaining in the Register General’s Office of Philadelphia aforesaid - - - - his estate aforesaid and the said Nathan Bane is also since departed this life and whereas the said Mary Bane as surviving Executrix - - - - having given due and timely notice of the time and place of sale of message or tenement and one hundred and seventy acres of land more or less after described and intended to be hereby granted exposed the same to a public sale or vendue and the said Hugh McGlone bought the same for the sum of four hundred pounds five shillings lawful money of Pennsylvania his being the highest and best bidder. Now this Indenture witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of eighty pounds (part of the money aforesaid) unto the said Executrix Mary Bane in hand paid by the said Hugh McGlone at or before the sealing and delivery thereof and fore and in consideration of the further sum of three hundred and twenty pounds five shillings (being the residue of the purchase money aforesaid) unto her the said Mary Bean - - - - to be paid by the said Hugh McGlone according to the conditions of the public sale or endue aforesaid the receipt of which security is hereby acknowledged she the said Executrix Mary Bhane hath granted bargained sold released and confirmed and (in pursuance and according to the direction of the said, in part, recited testament and by force and virtue there of) both hereby grant bargain sell release and confirm unto the said Hugh McGlone and to his heirs and assigns a certain message or tenement and piece of parcel of land situate to Goshen aforesaid part of the above mentioned two hundred acres) Beginning at a corner of Joseph Matlacch’s land, thence north northwest by the land of Alexander Bane three hundred fifty five perches to a post at a corner post thence west southwest by vacant land seventy seven perches and one half to a post at a corner of Thomas Evan’s land thence by the same land south southeast three hundred and fifty five perches to a post at a corner of Joseph Matlack’s land and thence by the same land east northeast seventy seven perches and a half to the place of beginning containing one hundred and seventy acres be the same more or less together also with all and singular the buildings, improvements, houses outhouses barn stable ways woods waters watercourses lights easements rights liberties privileges passages hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the same message and last described piece of land belonging or in any wise appertaining and the reversions remainders rents issues and profits thereof and also all the estate right title interest use possession property claim and demand whatsoever of him the said Mordecai Bane in his life time and at the time of his decease of into or out of the message that piece of land hereby granted or mentioned or intended so to be and a true copy of the said recited indenture to be had and taken at proper costs and charges of the said Hugh McGlone his heirs or assigns To Have and To Hold the aforesaid message or tenement on hundred and seventy acres of land more or less and all and singular other the hereditaments and promises hereby granted or mentioned to be granted with the appurtenances unto the said Hugh McGlone his heirs and assigns forever under the Proportional part of the yearly quit rent hereafter accruing for the hereby granted promises to the Lord or Lords of the office thereof and the said Mary Bane for her - - - - heirs Executors and administrators doth convenant promise and grant to and with the said Hugh McGlone his heirs assigns and of them by these presents that she the said Mary Bane hath not heretofore done committed or willingly or willingly suffered to be done or committed and Any Act matter or thing whatsoeverwhereby the promises hereby granted or mentioned to be granted or any part or parcel thereof are or shall or maybe impeached charged or encumbered in title charge estate or otherwisehowsoever In Witness whereof the said parties for those present have interchangeably set their hands and seals here unto dated the day and year first above written Mary Bane sealed and delivered in presence of us John Dixon and Jon Riely received the day of the date of the within written indenture of the within name Hugh McGlone the sum of eighteen pounds it being the consideration money within mentioned to be paid at or before the sealing and delivery thereof - - - - by me Mary Bane witness present and John Dixon. Be it remembered on the twenty first day of July 1748 Ad the release hereafter mentioned was produced before William Till Esq. one of the Justices of the Spream Court for the Province of Pennsylvania and thereupon came Mary Bean who acknowledged said writing or deed endorsed on the backside of the above written indenture to be or her act and deed and desires the same may be recorded as her deed - - - - is deed - - - - is recorded in the office for recording of deeds in the said County this eighteenth day of April Anno Dom 1748 in these words (to wit) know all men by these present that the within named Mary Bane as for and in consideration of the sum of ten shillings lawful money to me in hand paid by Hugh McGlone in the written indenture also name at and before the sealing and delivery hereof the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge as for divers other causes and considerations are specially moving have remised released and forever quit claimed and by those present do promise release and forever quit claimed and by those present do promise release and forever quit claimed unto the said Hugh McGlone his heirs and assigns all and all manner of Dowers or thirds right and title of Dowers or thirds whatsoever which the said ought to have of in and to the message or tenement piece or parcel of one hundred and seventy acres of land hereditaments and promises granted or mentioned or intended to be granted by the same within written indenture or of in or to any part of parcel thereof or of in or to any rent or rents charged on the premises by the testament and laswt will of the said Mordecai Bane to hold to him the said Hugh McGlone and his heirs and assigns to his and their proper use and behoove for over so that neither of the said Mary Bane nor any other person or persons for me or in my name any manner of right of dower right title or interest - - - - or to the said message piece or parcel or land hereditaments and premises or any part or parcel thereof at any time hereafter shall or may have claim or prosecute against the said Hugh McGlone his heirs or assigns or any of them but of and from the same shall be utterly excluded and forever barred by these presents Witness my hand seal this twenty first day of July in the year of our Lord 1748 Mary Bane sealed and delivered in the presence of us John Dixon Jno Riley sealed and delivered the words or of in or to any rent or rents charged on the promises by the testament and last will of the said Mordecai Bhane between the - - - - were first informed in the presence of us Brockdon Arthur Forster.

Be it remembered that the twenty third day of July Anno Dom 1748 the mortgate hereafter mentioned was produced before William Till Esq. one of the Justices of the Supream Court for the Province of Pennsylvania and thereupon came Hugh McGlone who acknowledged the said writing to be his deed and desired the same may be recorded as said - - - - obligation as one of the future sum of five shillings unto said Hugh McGlone by the said William Coleman and James Pemberton also paid at and before the sealing and delivery hereof receipt whereof and hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained sold released and confirmed and by these present doth grant bargain sell release and confirm unto the said William Coleman and James Pemberton their heirs and assigns foreer all that his message plantation and tract of land there into belonging situate in Goshen township in the county of Chester Beginning at the corner of Joseph Matlack’s land thence north northwest by the land of Alexander Bane three hundred and fifty five perches to corner post thence west southwest by vacant land seventy seven perches and an half to a post at the corner of Thomas Evan’s land thence by the same land south southwest three hundred and fifty five perches to a post at a corner of the said Joseph Matlack’s land and a post at a corner of the said Joseph Matlack’s land and thence by the same land east north east seventy seven perches and a half to the place of beginning containing one hundred and seventy acres by the same more or less together with all and singular the ways woods waters water courses and rights liberties privileged improvements hereditaments and premises hereby granted or mentioned to be granted with the appurtenances unto the said William Coleman and James Pemberton their heirs and assigns to the only proper use and behoove of them the said William Coleman and James Pemberton their heirs and assigns for ever provided always that the said Huth McGlone his heirs Executors or administrat shall and do well and truly pay or cause to be paid uno the said William Coleman and James Pemberton as executorse of the testaments and last will of the said Samuel Lowell Jun dead the aforesaid sum of his deed which said mortgage is recorded in the office for recording of deeds in the said country this nineteenth day of Augut anno dom 1748 in these words (to wit) this indenture made the twenty second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty eight between Hugh McGlone of the city of Philadelphia Blacksmith of the one part and William Coleman and James Pemberton of the said City Merchants Executors of the lst will of Samuel Lowell Jun late of Philadelphia Aforesaid merchant deceased of the other part whereas the said Huth McGlone in and by a certain obligation or writing obligatory under his hand and seal earing over date herewith standeth bound unto the said William Coleman and James Pemberton in the sum of two hundred pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania conditioned for the payment of one hundred pounds like money on the twenty second day of July which will e in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty nine together with lawful interest for the same being of the proper moneys and estate of the children of said Sauel Lowell came to the handse of the said executors which they are directed to put out at interest by an order of the Orphans Court in Philadelphia the eighteenth day of November last past as in and the said recited obligation and condition whereof relation being thereunto and more of large appears know this indenture witnesseth that the said Hugh McGlone as well for and in consideration of the aforesaid debt or sum of one hundred pounds, and for the better procuring of payment there of with its interest unto said William Coleman and Jamews Pemberton their executors administrators and assigns in discharge of the said recited obligation as of the further sum of five shillings unto the said Hugh McGlone by the said William Coleman and James Pemberton also paid and before the sealing and delivery hereof the Receipts whereof their heirs and assigns for over all that his measuage plantation and tract of land. One hundred pounds together with lawful interest for the same on the say and time herein contained herein present parties to these presents have interchangeably set their hand and seals hereunto dated this day and year first above written.

Hugh McGlone (seal) sealed and delivered in the presence of us Brockdan Arthur Forster.

Such legal documents are not common reading for most people today. The wording and the written script make deciphering difficult. As an example, a duplication of part of the above transaction is shown below.

Another land transaction was recorded in April, 1749, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Hugh McGlone Following is a partial copy:

Deed - - - - John Dixon to James Reynolds
Made April 4, 1749.
Between John Dixon of Philadelphia, a peruke maker and Hugh McGlone, a blacksmith of one part, and James Reynolds, a mastmaker.

Hugh bought for 400 pounds, 5 shillings - - - - the highest bid.

"200 acres - - corner of Joseph Matlocks land and then northwest by land of Alexander Bean, 355 perches by a corner post -- then west, south west by vacant land, 77 perches and 1/2 to a post at a corner of Thomas Evean’s land. Thence south, south-east 355 perches to a post at a corner of Joseph Matlocks and then east north east 77 perches and 1/2 to the place of beginning."

This deed recorded at Chester County in book G, volume 7, page 311-313.

Hugh mortgaged premises unto William Coleman and James Pemberton of Philadelphia.

The deed was recorded by William Till, Esq. - Provencial Jude - recorded on January 25, 1749 (50). Signed by John Dixon and Hugh McGlone and witnessed by Paul Isaac Voto and Patrick Carroll.

We admit that it was possible that there was more than one Hugh in Philadelphia during this short span of time but it is very unlikely. It is our belief that the records are of the same person. There also my have been other McGlones in America at that time but he is the only one we have so far been able to document. There is a record of a McGlone in Boston in the latter part of the 1700’s. His name was also Hugh and he married Abigail Brocas in November, 1757, in King’s Chapel. This may e the same Hugh from Philadelphia who remarried in Boston, or another McGlone arrival in America. We believe it is the same Hugh or a son. A Barney McGlone came to Pennsylvania in 1773 from Ireland and served an indenture for two years, six months in the County of Lancaster.

The next evidence we have of a McGlone in the country was Andrew. He was married on June 2, 1766, to Frances Morris, according to the PENNSYLVANIA ARCHIVES, 2nd SERIES, VOLUME II. Later records list an Andrew who married Margaret Browne on June 18, 1774, which is also from the PENNSYLVANIA ARCHIVES. An Andrew is also listed in the same PENNSYLVANIA ARCHIVES, VOLUME XIV, as having one servant and paying $2.00 in taxes. It seems reasonable to speculate, as before, that since there were very few McGlones in America at this time, that these Andrews were actually the same person. If this is so, his first wife, Frances, may have died and he married Margaret. However, no death record for Frances has ever been found. Continuing the speculation, it is probable that Andres was the son of Hugh. In those early days it was not unusual for couples to start families early in their married life and usually the families were large. The wedding dates of Andrew would place him at a proper age to be Hugh’s son.

It should also be mentioned here that the PENNSYLVANIA ARCHIVES, VOLUME V, 5th SERIES, lists a Hugh as a private in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1782 and 1784. The Hugh mentioned above would, by then, be a relatively old man so we believe this latter Hugh to be the son of the old Hugh and the brother of Andrew. This then, would make him the Uncle of our Owen. It is very logical to assume that both Hugh and Andrew are the sons of Hugh because of the known dates listed. We are proceeding under that assumption until some definite evidence is presented one way or the other.