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McVean, MacVean Ancestry in Upstate NY

Johnstown Public Library

Johnstown, NewYork

Last summer I made notes on my ancestors at the Johnstown library in Johnstown New York.

Here are the notes:

The cardfile of Fulton County family names is located on the 2^nd floor of the Public Library. It contains typewritten notes of baptisms, church memberships, obituaries, etc. that people have copied from newspapers, church records, cemetery records. Usually the source is given, but sometimes it is assumed. The records are on individual 3x5 cards sorted by surname. Sound-alike’s are stored together. Spellings of McVean, MacVean, McVane, McVain etc are all in the same bin.

While in Johnstown last summer I took the better part of a couple of days going through the cardfile. Following are my notes from that visit. I will type them exactly as I wrote them down.

McVane, Grace to Robinson March 1840 (1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVane, James m. Jane Robertson Oct 1839 (1^st Presbyterian Church)

James, Jr home for visit 1904 (Johnstown Republican)

McVane, James A (McVean for sure – my great grandfather)

Died Tues evening Feb 23, 1906 (Johnstown Republican)

Left Behind:

Sons:

Alva

Clarence

Percy

James (of Mt. Hermon, MA)

Brothers: Sister:

John Mrs Volney Hough

Charles

Edward

Duncan

McVane Janet m. Jacob Cromwell Oct 31, 1839 (1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVane, Margaret m. John Campbell Apr 30, 1840 (1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Anne

Daughter of John & Janet

Born Dec 21, 1821 Bapt 1822

(Name of mother was first written as Margaret) (1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Archibald

Son of Peter & Mary

Born Dec 21, 1802 Bapt Feb 20, 1803 (1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Duncan witness to Marriage of John McEwen to Janet McVean Mar 8, 1810

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Duncan (no mention of wife)

Children:

John b. Sep 8, 1800 bapt Oct 26, 1800

Janet b. Sep 5, 1814 bapt Sep 29, 1814

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Anna w of John

Children:

Peter b. Oct 17, 1799

John b. Jan 20, 1800 (?)

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, James Alexander (my great-grandfather)

Bapt Feb 22, 1840

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Duncan

Children:

John Sep 8, 1800

Janet Sep 5, 1814 (appears to be same as record above but no baptism dates)

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

Peter McVean

Child

Catharine Aug 28, 1808

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

Deaths – Sons of John and Ann Stewart McVean

McVean, Alexander 2 yrs

Peter

John

All died in fire (no source attributed – but confirmed by records of the Colonial Cemetery)

McVean, Alexander

Son of James and Jane

b. Jan 2, 1793

bapt Mar 10, 1793

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Alexander husband of Isabel

Child

Janet Mary b May 11, 1830

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Alexander

Son of John and Anne

b. Jan 14, 1803

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Alexander

Son of Peter and Catharine

b. Mar 5, 1801

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Angus died 1827 (1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Ann admitted to membership Sep 1802 (1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Ann (Stewart)

Wife of John

Child

Jean b. Dec 25, 1804

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Anna admitted to membership Sep 27, 1800

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Anne d. 1809 (1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Catharine admitted to membership May 12, 1798 (1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Catharine

m. Duncan McNaughton Feb 22, 1807 (1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Catharine wife of John D.

Children:

Charles Frazer b. Nov 17, 1844

Edward b. July 28, 1846

Duncan b. July 10, 1848

Millard Filmore b. July 10, 1851

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Charles E.

Son of James I. McVean of Mayfield

d. 22 Sep 1885 in New Orleans

(Fulton County Republican – Thursday 10 Oct 1885)

Peter and Catharine McVean

Children:

Alexander Mar 5, 1801

Catharine Aug 15, 1802

Charles May 1, 1806

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

Duncan and Grace Fraser McVean (My GGGGrandfather and GGGGrandmother)

Child

Catharine 5 July 1807 (my GGGrandmother)

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

James and Jane McVean

Child

Catharine Ann Feb 12, 1848

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

John and Mary McVean

Child

Catharine Feb 20, 1792

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

Peter McVean Sr

Child

Catharine Aug 28, 1808

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Charles

Son of Duncan and Grace b. Oct 24, 1802

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Charles Edward

Son of James and Jane b. July 3, 1850

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Charles

Son of Peter and Catharine

b. May 1, 1806

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Christian (Female)

Admitted to membership Sep 30, 1792

Married Archibald Ferguson Feb 18, 1802

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Christian

Wife of John

Children

James b. Mar 3, 1813

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Christian

Admitted to membership Sep 27, 1800

Died 1813 (in childbirth maybe?)

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

Marriage

McVean, Christy to John McVean Jul 26, 1810

Children

Christy b. Jul 26, 1808

Peter b. Jul 24, 1811

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Daniel

Died May 19, 1814 age 77

(Colonial Cemetery Record)

McVean, Daniel Jr.

Admitted to membership Feb 2, 1792

m. Jennet Cameron, Broadalbin May 8, 1821

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Daniel P

Admitted to membership Sep 29, 1798

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Daniel

Witness to marriage of Margaret McVean to John Blue Mar 10, 1808

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Daniel

Admitted to membership Apr 1796

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Daniel

Elder of Church, admitted to membership Feb 5, 1792 (My GGGgrandfather)

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Daniel

Son of James and Jean

b. May 11, 1810

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Daniel

Son of John

Bapt Feb 9, 1800

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Daniel

Son of Daniel and Jennet

b. Apr 30, 1795

bapt. June 21, 1795

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Duncan husband of Grace (Fraser) (My GGGgrandfather and mother)

Children

Charles b. Oct 24, 1802

Duncan b. Mar 8, 1805

Catharine b. Jul 5, 1807 (My GGgrandmother)

Grace b. Jan 2, 1810

Edward b. June 25, 1813

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Daniel

Husband of Elizabeth

Child

John bapt. Mar 11, 1811

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Daniel

Husband of Jannet (my GGGgrandfather and mother)

Child

Daniel b. Apr 30, 1795

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Daniel

m. Katharine Carmichael Mar 1, 1821

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Daniel

m. Margaret McColl Jan 19, 1798

Children

Mary b. Oct 5, 1802

Hugh b. Jan 13, 1805

James b. May 3, 1807

John b. Feb 20, 1809

Removed from membership 1814 (moved west?)

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Daniel

Husband of Mary

Child

John b. Mar 17, 1801

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Edward Obituary

McVean, Edward age 62 of Johnstown, a one time prominent farmer residing in the vicinity of Hale’s Hill but now retired, died at the Courte Hotel in New York Tues – the gas was turned on and the supposition is that he blew out the light. He was registered at the hotel as Edward McVean of Johnstown, NY. Born in Hale’s Mills – he lived a retired life with his brother John McVean of Hale’s Mills – surviving is another brother Charles J. McVean of Johnstown, a sister Mrs.Catherine Huff (Hough); nieces and nephews.

(The Johstown Daily Republican Wed 29 Sep 1909)

McVean, Edward Obituary (not the same as above)

McVean, Edward, age 82 died a week ago last Thursday at his home 3 miles west of Johnstown (where cousin Nancy lives now) – he was the last surviving child of the late Duncan McVean who emigrated from Scotland after the Revolutionary War, married Grace Fraser and settled west of Johnstown where he resided until his death. Of the 11 children born to then, Edward was the youngest and never married.

(The Johnstown Daily Republican Thurs 16 Jan 1896)

McVean, Edward 83 died yesterday at his home several miles west of the city (Jan 3, 1896). He was the lst surviving child of the late Duncan McVean who emigrated after the Revolutionary War and settled west of the city where he lived until his death. He (Edward) was a bachelor. He was the brogher of Charles J. McVean who was elected US Senator, but died at the beginning of his term. His brother James was a graduate of Princeton College, N.J. Heart Failure was the cause of death.

(Johstown Daily Republican) (James went on to teach Theology at Georgetown University – my note – not from the file)

McVean, Edward

Son of John D and Catharine

b. July 28, 1846 (my gg uncle)

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Grace Ann

Admitted by Profession Jan 6, 1856

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Grace D.

Daughter of Duncan and Grace

b. Jan 2, 1810 (my GGG aunt)

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

Obituary

McVean, Grace A (Mrs) 60, widow of the late James McVean (my great Grandmother and Grandfather), died Mon a.m. at her home north of this village – death due to cancer – born in the town of Stratford – she was a member of the Northhampton Presbyterian Church – surviving are 4 sons, Clarence, Alvah, and Percy of Broadalbin and James D of Herman, Massachusetts; a sister Mrs D. D. McVean of York, Livingston County, a brother, Edward Robertson of Galway. She was buried in the local cemetery.

(Broadalbin News section of The Johnstown Daily Republican 19 Mar 1908)

McVean, Grace Ann

m. Daniel J. McLaughlin of Mohawk

(Fulton County Republican Oct 9, 1873)

McVean, Duncan

Son of Duncan and Grace (Old Farm west of Johnstown)

b. March 8, 1805

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Duncan (my GG Uncle)

Son of John D and Catharine

b. Jul 10, 1848

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Edward (obit above)

Son of Duncan and Grace (Old Farm west of Johnstown)

b. June 25, 1813

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Edward (mistaken – has to be James A.)

m. Grace A. Robertson Jan 3, 1877

(Fulton County Republican Jan 11, 1877 pg 3)

McVean, Elizabeth

Wife of Daniel

Child

John bapt Mar 11, 1811

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Ellen Isabella

Daughter of James and Jane

b. Nov 23, 1852

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Hugh Mair

Son of James and Jane

Bapt Dec 11, 1858

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Isabel

Admitted to membership Sep 30, 1792

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Isabel

Wife of Alexander

Child

Janet Mary b. May 11, 1830

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Isabella

c. May 1848

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, James

Son of Daniel

b. Oct 23, 1800

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, James

Son of Daniel and Margaret

b. May 3, 1807

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, James Alexander (my Great Grandfather)

Son of John and Catharine

Bapt Feb 22, 1840

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, James I of Mayfield

M. Martha, youngest daughter of Col L.P. Shaw in Providence, Saratoga County on

6 Aug 1868

(Gloversville Intelligencer Aug 12, 1868 pg 3)

McVean, James

Husband of Jane (daughter of John Robinson)

Children

John H. b. Sep 9, 1840

Sarah Christian b. March 19, 1842

Margaret Jane b. Feb 12, 1844

Catharine Ann b. Feb 12, 1848

Charles Edward b. July 3, 1850

Ellen Isabella b. Nov 23, 1852

Hugh Mair bapt Dec 11, 1858

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Alexander

d. Aug 23, 1822 age 29

(Colonial Cemetery Records)

James McVean

Witness to marriage of

Peter McVean to

Mary McVean on Jun 17, 1819

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, James

Husband of Jean

Children

John b. Jan 12, 1802

Hugh b. Mar 26, 1806

Daniel b. May 11, 1810

Removed from membership 1812 (Moved west?)

McVean, Jane (nee McKay)

Wife of James

Child

Alexander b. Jan 2, 1793 d. Aug 23, 1822

(Colonial Cemetery Records)

McVean, James I

e. Nov 10, 1885

(Johnstown Cemetery Association)

McVean, James A

m. Grace A. Robertson (my great grandparents)

Jan 3, 1877

(Fulton County Republican Jan 11, 1877 pg 3)

McVean, James

Son of John and Christian

b. March 3, 1813

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Janet

Age 80 yrs

d. Sept 11, 1830 town of Amsterdam

(Montgomery County Republican 1830-31 pg 11)

Wife of Daniel McVean

(Colonial Cemetery Records)

McVean, Janet

m. John McEwen March 8, 1810

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, James

m. Jane McKay Mar 5, 1792

Child

Alexander b. Jan 2, 1793

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

McVean, Jannet

Wife of Daniel (my GGG grandparents)

Child

Daniel b. Apr 30, 1795

Died (Jannet) Sep 11, 1830 age 80 years

(Colonial Cemetery Records)

McVean, Mrs John D (my gg grandmother)

d. Jan 1855

(1^st Presbyterian Church)

All of this information was taken from cards in the cardfile in the Johnstown Public Library. Much of the information from the 1^st Presbyterian Church is gleaned from partial records held by the church. The church records were lost to a fire and this information was salvaged and copied by hand to the cardfile. This had to be a monumental task as the information is still being updated by volunteers. Information in the McVean, MacVean file includes recent obituaries of many of my Aunts and Uncles and even my father Charles J. MacVean who died in 2008. All (or many) surnames from the county are in the cardfile, but not many have as many entries as the McVean section.

I am indebted to those volunteers that maintain this massive amount of information. Without their effort much of this information would just be lost forever.

John MacVean

Canton, IL