The McClellans of Troy, New York, descend from Michael McClellan, who was a native of Ireland. The American settlement made at Colrain (now Colerain), Massachusetts, where the lands of the first settler remained in the family name for about a century and a half. The family settled in New York after the revolution (in which they bore their part) and settled in Rensselaer county, Samuel being the first of the family known to have settled there. He was the father of Robert Henry McClellan, of Troy, surrogate of Rensselear county in 1855; author of the Executor's Guide, and Surrogate's Court Practice, standard legal works.
(I) Michael McClellan was born at Curran, Londonderry, Ireland, of pure Scotch parentage. He came to the United States in 1749, and settled with the Scotch-Irish colony at Colerain, Massachusetts, many of whom were from his own county in Ireland. He married, in Ireland, Jane Henry (spoken of as a "brave, resolute red haired woman"). She was a sister of "ensign" Hugh and John Henry of Colerain, leading men of the town. He crossed the ocean with his wife and eight children, and settled on a farm in Colerain, which he cultivated until his death. Two children were born after coming to the United States, ten in all. The eldest daughter, Jeannette, married Joseph Thompson, in Ireland, and came over with her parents. Joseph also settled in Colerain, where his five daughters married. Ann McClellan, another daughter, married John Stewart and has numerous descendants yet living in and near Colerain. A third daughter, Margaret, married Robert Miller, from whom a goodly line has descended. Of the sons Colonel Hugh McClellan is next considered.
(II) Colonel Hugh, son of Michael and Jane (Henry) McClellan, was born in Curran, Londonderry, Ireland, April 4, 1747, died in Colerain, Massachusetts, 1816. He became a prominent man of the latter town. In 1875 he served first on the committee of correspondence, and on the news from Lexington reaching Colerain he marched the next day (April 20, 1715), at the head of a company of forty-six minute-men to the scene of action. He was with his company two weeks at this time, ranking as captain; later he was with the Army of the North under General Gates. He obtained his title of colonel from service in the state during "Shay's" rebellion. In political life he was deputy for thirty years, and was also prominent in the church. He married Sarah Wilson, and had ten children, all born in Colerain.
(III) Michael (2), son of Colonel Hugh and Sarah (Wilson) McClellan, died July 29, 1858. He was a farmer and a man of prominence. He was active in public affairs, and represented Colerain for several terms in the Massachusetts legislature. He married Jane Patterson, an active worker in the Colerain church. They were both born in Colerain, where their lives were passed.
(IV) Hugh (2), son of Michael (2) and Jane (Patterson) McClellan, was born in Colerain, Massachusetts, about 1815, died February, 1869. He was a farmer and spent his entire life at Colerain. He married Margaret Washburn, born in Colerain, November, 1816. Children:
- An infant unnamed;
- Margaret Washburn, married Henry A. Smith; no issue;
- Charles Herbert, see forward.
(V) Charles Herbert, son of Hugh (2) and Margaret (Washburn) McClellan, was born in Colerain, Massachusetts, February 15, 1845, died in Brandon, Vermont, February 27, 1900. He received his early education in the Colerain schools, and after settling in Troy pursued a course at the Troy Business College. He worked on the farm until attaining his majority, then began clerking in a dry goods store. He later engaged in business for himself at Greenfield, Massachusetts, operating a dry goods store at that place. In November, 1886, having disposed of his Greenfield store, he located in Troy, New York. He became, by purchase, a partner in the shirt and collar manufacturing business of Flack & Wales, the firm becoming McClellan, Miller & Company. They began business November 2, 1887, and continued until January 1, 1889, when Mr. McClellan became the sole owner and operated thereafter under the firm name of C. H. McClellan, at 553 and 559 Federal street, Troy. His specialties were "Peerless" shirts and "American Eagle" linen collars and cuffs. The original factory and business to which he succeeded was founded in 1864 by William H. Gallup and Sidney D. Tucker, as Gallup & Tucker. He was a successful manufacturer, and left a prosperous business that is now (1910) conducted and owned by his two sons, Hugh H. and Joseph W. McClellan. He was always a student, and was particularly interested in the early history of his country. On Decoration Day, 1885, he was invited to deliver the address before H. S. Greenleaf Post, No. 20, Grand Army of the Republic, of Colerain, Massachusetts, his native town. The address he delivered was entirely historical and reminiscent, and was considered of such value that it was afterward published under the title of "The Early Settlers of Colrain, Massachusetts," or "Some account of ye early settlement of Boston Township No. 2, alias Colrain, adjoyning on ye North side of Deerfield." He was made a Mason in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and always retained his membership there. He was a member of the Congregational church, and supported the Republican party.
He married, October 8, 1873, Mary A. Smart, born at Merrick, Long Island, daughter of Joseph Washington and Abigail Jane (Smith) Smart, and granddaughter of Joseph and Jane (Cockefair) Smart, of Merrick, Long Island. Joseph Smart was born in England, died in Hempstead, Long Island. He was for many years engaged in paper manufacturing at Merrick, Long Island. He married Jane Cockefair (Coqufar), who died in Hempstead. Their children were: Robert, Thomas, Joseph W., Andrew J., Mary Ann, Sarah, Matilda and Catherine J. Joseph Washington, son of Joseph and Jane Smart, was born at Hempstead Harbor, Long Island, in 1825, died in Troy, August 24, 1893. He was employed in his father's paper mill until 1849, when he joined the "Gold seekers" and went to California. He could not endure the hardship of a pioneer, and finding his health becoming broken he returned to the east. For several years he was engaged in paper manufacturing. Later he sold his interests and became a silent partner of his son-in-law, Charles H. McClellan, in the firm of McClellan, Miller & Company. He was a prominent, public-spirited man and stood high in the Masonic order. He married Abigail Jane Smith, born in Merrick, Long Island, in 1825. Children:
- Edmund Peter;
- Mary Ann, married Charles H. McClellan;
- Sarah M. T., died at the age of four years.
Charles Herbert and Mary A. (Smart) McClellan were the parents of two sons:
- Hugh Herbert, born 1874 in Greenfield, Massachusetts; graduated at Cornell University, class of 1897; engaged in the shirt and collar business with his brother on Hawthorne avenue, Troy; married Elizabeth S. Calkins, and has a daughter Lois Margaret McClellan.
- Joseph W., born 1880 at Greenfield, Massachusetts; associated with his brother in the manufacturing business in Troy; married Maveret E. Williams and has Margaret E. and Helen Williams McClellan.