Back to History Page
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1934 History of McCalls, Blakes Allied Families is Outlined
Southern Ohio McCalls Are Descendants of McCall Clan of Scotland---
Sally Blake Born on Site of Marietta Before That City Was Founded,
Writes Attorney Jack Nida.
Interesting and important data concerning some of the oldest, largest, and most prominent families of Gallia county have been made available for Tribune readers by Attorney Jack Nida of Columbus.
Mr. Nida, born and reared here, has done considerable research work into the origins of the McCalls, Northups, Blakes and allied families. In a letter that merits a place in a multitude of scrap-books he tells much in a succinct clear way about the antecessors of these groups:
Columbus, Aug. 28 th.
Gallipolis Tribune,
Gentlemen:
I have noticed several articles about the McCalls, Blakes and other related families all of which are apparently predicated upon a talk I gave at the McCall reunion. Unfortunately none of these articles are exactly correct and in order that those interested may have the full picture I am presenting these facts which I believe to be accurate.
May Wear McDonald Plaid
The McCall Family is descended from the Clan McColl of Scotland. This is a branch of the McDonald Clan and the McCalls are entitled to wear the McDonald plaid. This family settled in Northern Virginia and Southern Pennsylvania early in the 18 th century. The first Gallia County McCall was James C. McCall born March 10, 1782, died Nov. 11, 1838. He married Elizabeth Jane Northup (1784-1830) in 1802. She was a daughter of Daniel Northup of Rhode Island (1738-1811) who was a Revolutionary soldier, the founder of Northuptown, who is buried in the Northup cemetery. After the death of Elizabeth (Northup) McCall, James C. McCall married the widow of his brother-in-law, Hampton Northup. She was Jane (Dean) Northup. There were 14 children in all: Thomas, James, Jr., Daniel, Lavina, Sarah, Josiah, Jane, Hariet, Henry, Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Susannah were of the first family and William and Ormazinda of the second family. James McCall, Jr., born Aug. 12, 1806 died Mar. 11, 1873 married in 1828 Martha Phelps (1807-1858). Their children were: Alexander McCaslin, Missouri (Stuart), Lavina (Northup), Josiah, Benjamin, and Martha (Nida).
Wed a Virginia Hampton
Daniel Northup (1738-1811) was descended from Stephen Northup Sr., who was one of the followers of Roger Williams and a signer of the Original Compact of the founding of what is now the State of Rhode Island. Daniels’s wife was Anne Hampton, of the East Virginia family of Hamptons. His service in the Revolutionary War entitles his descendants to membership in the D. A. R. and S. A. R.
Martha Phelps was the daughter of John Phelps and Sarah (Sally) Blake. John Phelps was the son of Lt. John Phelps and the grandson of Col. John Phelps of Bedford County, Va. The father served in the Revolutionary War and the grandfather was an officer in the Colonial Wars preceeding the Revolution. The Phelps Family dates its history back to James Phelps was born in 1520 in England. The family came to America in 1630.
Born on Marietta Site
Sally Blake was the first white child born in what is now Marietta, her father being one of the officers of Gen. Harmar’s troops stationed there several years prior to the accepted date of settlement, 1788. She was born May 7, 1787, and married John Phelps in 1806. After his death in 1812, she married Rev. John Strait, a Revolutionary soldier and a Baptist preacher. She died May 15, 1878. Rev. Strait died in 1860 at the age of 101 years. One history says he lived to be 105, but his tombstone says 101. Sally Blake was the daughter of David Blake and Martha Daggett, both of Rehoboth, Mass. David was not a Revo(d)lutionary soldier so far as I can determine, but was an officer in the Indian Wars following the Revolution, and as shown above, was an officer of Ft. Harmar. David lived in Campus Martius near the Putnam House which still stands. In 1817 he moved to Swan Creek, Ohio twp., Gallia County, and lived on the farm and in the same house in which his descendants still live.
David Blake born Feb. 13, 1764, dates his ancestry back to John Blake of Dorchester, Mass, who died in 1706.
Martha Daggett was born Oct. 6, 1765, in Rehoboth, Mass. She was descended from John Daggett who came to America with Governor Winthrop in 1630. He was one of the first settlers of Martha’s Vineyard. Daggett served in King Phillips War, entitling her descendants to membership in Society of Colonial Wars and Colonial Dames.
The families of Turner, Pratt, Fuller, Bullard, Whiting, Palmer, Suttow, Knowlton, Ormsbee, Wilmot, Bowen and several others are also related to the McCall family.
Now That is a Good Idea!
In conclusion may I compliment The Tribune upon its policy of giving adequate space to articles dealing with family histories. I suggest that it broaden this policy to the extent of carrying in one issue each week an article about some Gallia county family. I know that there are a number of local genealogists who would be glad to make their information available in this form. For myself I would be glad to contribute my information upon the families in which I am interested which include: Nida, Waddell, Campbell, Womeldorf, West, Armstrong, Grimes, and a number of others.
Very sincerely yours,
JACK E. NIDA
Gallipolis Tribune September 6, 1934
Transcribed by Joanne Galvin
[Addendum: Through research, we have found that some of Mr. Nida's conclusions were incorrect. If someone is using this article for a basis of research, they would have to go over the trail that many of us have to no good end.
John Phelps died between April and August of 1811 in Butler County, Ohio. I found his will there. Through DNA testing we have learned that as far as we know, he did not descend from Lt. John Phelps or Col. John Phelps of Bedford County, VA. He is somehow linked to the Phelps of Connecticut and related to a Silas Phelps born in CT 1759 and died in NY. Research is ongoing at this time.
Joanne Galvin
March 30, 2010 ]
Top of Page |