Dorcas McClure1

b. 1 August 1823, d. 4 January 1907
Father(?) McClure
Birth1 Aug 1823 Dorcas McClure was probably born on 1 Aug 1823 in Virginia although the 1900 census reports the month as March.2,3 
MarriageFeb 1845 She married Samuel Debusk on the 10th or 14th of Feb 1845 in Smyth County, Virginia.4,5 
Cens-Sum  At the cusp of the Civil War Samuel and Dorcas were enumerated living with their six children in Washington County, Virginia. Samuel appeared to be a successful farmer, owning land worth $4,000 and personal property worth $1,000. The William Larimer family were neighbors; years later David Debusk would marry Sarah Jane Larimer and Sarah Ann Debusk would marry Robert J. Larimer.6,7 
Military  With the onset of war, Samuel, although at least 40 years of age, joined Company F. of the 21st Virginia Cavalry.8 
Widowed10 Oct 1863  He died in October, 1863, during a battle near Greenville, Tennessee. 
Milit-PensApr 1888  In April 1888 Dorcas submitted an application for a widow's pension based on Samuel's death during the Civil War. She signed the application with her mark.8 
Cens-Sum  Dorcas raised her children and remained the head of her own household. Several of her sons settled near her as they married and started their own families.9,3 
Death4 Jan 1907 Dorcas died on 4 Jan 1907 at age 83.2 
Burial She was buried at Greenfield Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.2 

Family

Samuel Debusk b. abt 1819, d. 10 Oct 1863
Children
Last Edited2 Oct 2013

Citations

  1. [S1780] Letter from Mrs. Sampson Tilson (Dorcas Anna Larimer) to Redmond Cole, dated 25 May 1930 at 7 Mile Ford, Virginia, Larimer File, The Redmond S. and Mary Cole Collection, Family History Library. Mrs. Tilson provided information on herself, her parents and grandparents, her siblings and her children. Mrs. Tilson lists her grandmother's name as Sarah McClure in one entry and Dorcas McClure in another. However, the letter was transcribed by Judge Cole so it is impossible to know who was responsible for the inconsistency.
  2. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 189. Stone reported to read: Dorcas Debusk, w/o Samuel Debusk, 1 Aug. 1823-4 Jan. 1907.
  3. [S634] Dorcas Debusk household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 114, sheet 3A (p. 150 stamped), dwelling 44, family 44, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2009, image 9 of 67. Household includes Dorcas Debusk, 77, b. March 1823, wid, mother of 6 children, b. VA, parents b. VA, owns home.
  4. [S45] John Vogt and William Kethley Jr., Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1832-50, p. 20. Entry abstracted as Samuel Dubusk [sic] and Dorcas McClure; 10 Feb. 1845.
  5. [S917] State of Virginia, "Confederate Pension Rolls, Veterans and Widows", digital images with index, The Library of Virginia (http://www.lva.lib.va.us). application of Dorcas Debusk, widow of Samuel Debusk; viewed Jan. 2009. Dorcas entered her date of marriage as the 14th of Feby 1845.
  6. [S367] Sam'l Debusk household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th district, p. after 146 (stamped), dwelling 1143, family 1143, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2007, image 158 of 259. Household includes: Sam'l Debusk 31, farmer, owns real estate worth $1,600; Dorcas 27, cannot read or write; David 4; John 2; Sarah 8/12; all b. VA.
  7. [S234] Sam'l Debusk household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western district, p. after 146 (stamped), dwelling 1090, family 1046, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2009, image 149 of 361. Household includes: Samuel Debusk, 40, farmer, owns land worth $4,000 and pers. prop of $1,000; Darcus, 38; David, 14; John, 12; Sarah, 10; Samuel, 8; James 6; George 2; all b. VA.
  8. [S917] State of Virginia, "Confederate Pension Rolls, Veterans and Widows", digital images with index, The Library of Virginia (http://www.lva.lib.va.us). application of Dorcas Debusk, widow of Samuel Debusk; viewed Jan. 2009.
  9. [S163] Dorcus Debusk household, 1880 U.S. Cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 3C (p. 242 stamped), p. 21, dwelling 21, family Jan. 2009, image 3 of 54. Household includes: Dorcas Debusk, 55, wid, cannot read; Samuel W., 28, son, cannot read or write; George W., 21, son, farm laborer; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  10. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 86. David Debusk, 21y, b. & resid WCV, farmer, s/o Samuel & Dorcas Debusk AND Sarah Jane Larimer, 21, b. & resid WCV, d/o William & Phoebe Larimer; marr 12 Mar 1867.
  11. [S1780] Letter from Mrs. Sampson Tilson (Dorcas Anna Larimer) to Redmond Cole, dated 25 May 1930 at 7 Mile Ford, Virginia, Larimer File, The Redmond S. and Mary Cole Collection, Family History Library. Mrs. Tilson stated that she was the daughter of Sarah Debusk and the granddaughter of Samuel Debusk and Sarah McClure. Another entry refers to her grandmother as Dorcas McClure.
  12. [S1788] Jack Hockett, "Washington County, Virginia Chancery Notes", New River Notes (http://www.newrivernotes.com/hockett/wcvchancery.htm : viewed Aug. 2007). Information found on reel 132. The proceedings identified as children of Samuel Debusk: David Debusk, Sarah (Debusk) Larimer, and 4 underage children: John, Samuel, James M. and George W. Debusk. They also identified Dorcus Debusk as Samuel's widow.
  13. [S123] William R. Wheeler, Washington Co., VA Marriage Licenses 1881-1890, pp. 26, 75; Margaret B. Mock, 21, b. & resid WCV, d/o James A. & Jane A. Mock marr Samuel W. Debusk, 38, sgl, b. & resid WCV, farmer, s/o Samuel & Dorcas Debusk; 2 Apr 1890.
  14. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 87; James M. Debusk, 20y, 5m, sgl, b. & resid WCV, farmer, s/o Saml & Dorcas Debusk marr Nancy M. Speer, 19y 11m, b. & resid WCV, d/o Alfred W. & Ann Speer; Feb. 1876.