Frost Cemetery, Frost, Navarro Co., TX
Marker Photos by Karen Rost

JOSEPH HAMILTON MCCLUNG, son of John G. McClung and Elizabeth M. Hamilton, was born 7 Oct 1842 in Morgan Co., Alabama. He lived with his family there as well as in Franklin County, Alabama. In Florence, Alabama he enlisted in the Confederate Army, serving as a Private in Company B, 27th Alabama Infantry, Hughes Regiment, Buford Brigade. Captured by the enemy at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, he was imprisoned at Camp Douglas in Chicago, Illinois.

In Frankfort, Franklin County, Alabama on 3 May 1863, Joe H. was married to Annie Loucretia Blackburn. Annie Lou was born 14 February 1844 in Alabama to Rev. William Baxter Blackburn {see his article} and Olivia Malissa Crump {see her article}. She resided with her family in Blount and Franklin Counties.

In 1880, the McClungs were living in Colbert Co., Alabama where Joe H. farmed. Sometime in 1884 or 1885, the McClung family moved to Monroe Co., Mississippi, then to Lee Co., Mississippi by 1888. Next, they ventured to Hill Co., Texas by 1896. In 1900 they were boarding in a home in Waco where both Joe H. and Annie Lou worked in a restaurant. They were living in Itasca in 1902, then in Whitewright in 1903. By 1909 they apparently lived near the city of Frost, for it was there that Annie Lou died 4 July 1909; burial was in Frost Cemetery in Navarro Co., TX.

Joe H. was in Lubbock County farming with his son, Charles in 1910. Later on, Joe H. made his home with his first-born child, Melissa, near Plainview and then in Castro Co. By 1920, they were listed in Hale Co. Joe H. died in Waco 10 February 1925 while visiting his daughter, Jenny.

He was buried beside his wife in Frost the next day. Both he and Annie Lou were consistent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

A sample Bible handed down in the family leads us to believe that Joe H. possibly was a Bible salesman while living in Alabama. One great-granddaughter remembers 'Pa' (Joe H.) as having a long, white beard. He traveled by horse and buggy around west Texas selling a washing product known as 'The Chinese Wonder.' Her family was one that he would visit and spend the night with. This early 1920's venture was also remembered by a great-nephew of Annie Lou's: 'Uncle Joe would replenish my mother's soap supply and spend the night with us. Early the next morning he would leave to continue on his rounds.'

Joe H. and Annie Lou were blessed with seven children, all born in Alabama, most dying in as well as being buried in Texas:

• Melissa Elizabeth {1865-1948}. She married George Samuel Burt in Mississippi in 1885 and they reared ten children.
• John Pinkney {1866-1942}. After 1900 he married Annie Greenhill in Texas and fathered two children.
• Virginia Mary 'Jennie' {1868-1941}. In 1888 in Mississippi she married Louis H. Monts, becoming the mother of four children.
• Chester Leona {1870-1943}. She and Travis Clayborn Greenhill were married in Texas in 1896. They had four sons.
• Son {1871}.
• Charles Blackburn {1879-?}. After 1910 he married Vera Brown in Texas - they had three children.
• Clyde H. {1884-1902}.

Sources:
1) Census reports
2) Church records
3) Civil War records
4) County and state records
5) Family Bibles
6) Family members
7) Letters
8) Newspapers
9) Tombstone inscriptions

Notes:

• Civil War Index

The articles above were submitted for inclusion in the Heritage of Alabama Series, county history books: 'Anna Fry Blackburn' and 'Joel Blackburn' to Blount County; 'William Baxter Blackburn', 'Olivia Malissa Crump Blackburn', and 'Lydia Taylor Blackburn' to Blount, Colbert, and Franklin Counties; 'Joseph Hamilton McClung and Annie Loucretia Blackburn' to Colbert, Franklin, and Morgan Counties.

OBITUARIES

Obituary.
Mrs. Annie L. McClung, (nee Blackburn) was born in Blunt county, Ala., February 14, 1844. She was married to J. H. McClung, May 11, 1863. To them were born seven children. The husband, two sons and three daughters still survive her. She took her departure from us to the home Christ had prepared for her July 4th 1909. Sister McClung was the daughter of a Methodist preacher. She was converted in childhood and joined the Methodist church, in which she lived as a faithful member until 1866, when she joined the Cumberland church with her husband. The one distinguishing trait of her character was her unwavering faith in God and confident hope of a home in heaven. Bro and Sister McClung, with their children, moved from Mississippi to Texas in 1894, and lived near Frost, Navarro county, until she fell asleep to wake up in the haven of rest. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother and a true Christian. We shall see her again.
WALTER GRIFFITH.
July 14, 1909

Notes:

• The Corsicana Daily Sun - Tuesday, July 20, 1909
• Submitted by Diane Richards
• Frost Cemetery