John McClure (1794-1873) was my second cousin five times removed.  He is pictured above with his wife Jane Pilson (1797-1882).  The picture is from The McClure Family available at http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_McClure_Family/McClures_in_Virginia.

From the book, I learned that he was an elder in Bethel Presbyterian Church in Augusta County. Also, while John was born and died in Virginia, he spent some time traveling west.  In 1829, he made a trip back to Russell and Washington Counties, Virginia, and on to Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, a distance of about 1800 miles. While on the trip, he wrote the following letter to his wife:

"Sullivan County, Indiana, Oct. 30, 1829.

My Dear and Affectionate Wife.

I just take holt of my pen to inform you that I am well at preasent and hoping that these few lines may find you and the rest of the family enjoying the same like blessings. We are now at William McCutchan's, all enjoying good health. I was very much disappointed in not getting a letter at London; I was verry anxious to hear from you when I was there, as I expected a letter. We are going to start to-morrow morning on strait to the Missouri. Our horses has stood it tolerable well. My horse got gravel, but is better. Mr. Christian's horse has a very sore back. It is a little uncertain whether we will be home agin Christmas. The roads are verry bad traveling, there has been a great dele of raine. I have seen a heap of fine country. I saw Nathaniel Steele at Robert McCutchan's in Ohio. They were all well; I was glad to see them. Wm. McCutchan's family are all well.

If ever we live to get home and see you I can tell you a good deal, and hope it is the Almity's will that we will see each other again in this world. No more, but remain your affectn husband,

JOHN McCLURE."

John and Jane McClure had eight children. He was "an old line Whig, strongly opposed to Secession, but when the crisis came gave his five sons to his State, two of whom paid the price in blood." He was six feet tall and made frequent trips to Scottsville and Richmond to sell his produce.

An obituary written by his lifelong friend, Rev. Horatio Thompson, D. D., said, "He filled a large place in the community giving moral tone wherever his shade was cast. A peacemaker, a benefactor—the poor man's friend and the idle man's dread. He was the Christian and gentleman of olden times—holding both sacred and honor bound. As he lived he died. We all say, a patriarch has fallen. He was a Presbyterian, and true to its code—a lover of all good without blushing to acknowledge it. A husband, father and grandsire, as devoted as these lofty names imply. He travelled to the tomb with manly bearing, where

'The trav'ler outworn with life's pilgrimage dreary Lays down his rude staff, like one that is weary, And sweetly reposes forever.'

H. T."