© by Ann Hunter Burkes
Used by Permission
Many families have a story that passes relatively unchanged from
generation to generation. Sometimes that story relates a daring
deed performed by a family many generations ago. Other family stories
tell of the historical importance of family-owned property. In the
John McMullan family, the story concerns a trunk.
I first learned about the trunk from reading the story in Albert
McMullan's The History of McMullan and Allied Families. John
McMullan came to America from Ireland about 1760. John had followed
his brothers from their birthplace of Tralee to Dublin. In Dublin,
John served as an apprentice, probably as a tailor, before coming
to Virginia. In Virginia John married and began a family. During
the Revolutionary War, this patriot served as a junior officer in
the 11th Virginia Regiment. After the war, John was granted 400
acres of land in Orange County Virginia and lived there until he
moved to Elbert County, Georgia.
When he traveled to the new world, John McMullan brought with him
a trunk (or tailor's chest) made of cypress, which he used to hold
the tools of his trade. After the death of John McMullan, the trunk
became the property of his son Patrick McMullan and was then passed
to his son William McMullan. William Marion McMullan, the son of
William McMullan, was the next owner of the trunk, and it was then
passed to his son William Jesse (Willie) McMullan. Miley McMullan
owned the trunk for many years and it now it is in the care of Grayson
and Bonnie McMullan of Hickory.
It seems incredible that one object could remain in a family for
so many years, but a letter written by William Jesse McMullan on
March 10, 1912, will help explain the care taken to see that the
trunk remained in the McMullan family. The letter states:
"History of the McMullan Chest brought from Ireland
to Richmond, Virginia in 1760"2
"It was carried on a wagon from Virginia to Elbert County,
Georgia in the fall of the year 1797. After the death of John
the P., it fell into the hands of Patrick his second son who used
it for keeping his papers & money & whiskey, when he had
but little.
"At Patrick's death, Aug 31st. and after his burial Sept.
1, 1836, his children held a consultation. When the business of
the estate was turned over to his oldest son William, and as the
chest contained his papers & valuables, William demanded of
the widow (Stowers) his 2nd wife, the keys and he took the chest
home with him. He, William, afterwards repaired the lid, hinges
and lock and painted it.
"At William's death, December 20th 1855, it was taken in
charge of, by his older son Jessie Pemberton who brought it from
Elbert Co., to Newton Co., Miss. in the 1 st of 1866. He took
the partitions or pigeon holes out and made a provisions box out
of it on the trip, using the lid for a dining table. He afterwards
used it to put clothing in and after his death 1879 his widow
used it as before his death. Her home burned March 23, 1901. Her
son Robert saved the chest the first article though nearly all
of their goods was consumed. On the 10th of November she agreed
to exchange the chest with W. J. McMullan for a nice trunk and
November 18th the exchange was made, all parties being satisfied.
"This is the record given by W. M. McMullan, my father, at
the age of 76 years, he being the last and only one that knew
its history, or where it came from. It was his father that got
possession of it in 1836 and he knew it well several years before.
In the past since he could recollect, his father William was well
up on the family history, having been born in 1792 and his son
William Marion remembered most of it distinctly. Age of the chest
152 years this March 10th, 1912 and now it is to my heirs.
"This is my will concerning the old chest. Preserve it as
best you can. Never allow it to be sold unless it be among yourselves.
If ever the house gets on fire, by all means save the chest.
"Your Father W. J. McMullan, March 10th. A.D. 1912."
Through a prized possession such as the trunk, members of the McMullan
family will be constantly reminded of their heritage; however, the
real "mystery" concerning the trunk is: Did
my great-great-great-great grandfather John McMullan REALLY use
the tools stored in the trunk to make the first uniform worn by
General George Washington after he became Commander-in-Chief of
the Army? He was in approximately the right place
at approximately the right time and was trained as a tailor... but
whether he made the uniform or not remains unproven. Perhaps not
knowing the truth is really part of the treasure left to us by John
McMullan. As his descendants we can still take great pride in the
service he gave to our country and dedicate ourselves to continuing
to serve our communities and our great nation.
Footnotes:
2.
Edited only for clarity.
©
Copyright for these pages and the information contained thereon
lies with the writer of this document. Reproduction or commercial
use of any kind is strictly and expressly prohibited without permission
of the author.
(from
John Haynes Web Site)
History
of the McMullan Chest brought from Dublin Ireland to Richmond Virginia
in 1760. Was carried on an emigrant wagon from Virginia to Elbert
County, Georgia in the fall of the year 1797. After the death of
John the 1st., it fell into the hands of Patrick his second son
who used it for keeping his papers & money & whiskey when
he had but little. At his, Patrick's, death Aug 31st and after his
burial Sept 1st 1836 his children held a consultation. When the
business of the estate was turned over to his oldest son William,
and as the chest contained his papers & valuables, William demanded
of the widow (Stowers) and his 2nd wife, the keys and taken the
chest home with him. He, William, afterwards repaired the lid, hinges
and lock and painted it. At William's death, December 20th 1855,
it was taken in charge by his older son Jesssie Pemberton who brought
it from Elbert Co., Ga. to Newton Co., Miss. in the 1st of 1866.
He taken the partitions or pigeon holes out and made a provisions
box out of it on the trip, using the lid for a dining table. He
afterwards used it to put clothing in and after his death 1879 his
widow used it as before his death. Her home was burned March 23
1901. Her son Robert saved the Chest the first article though nearly
all of their goods was consumed. On the 10th of November she agreed
to exchange the Chest with W. J. McMullan for a nice trunk and on
Nov 18th the exchange was made. All parties being satisfied. This
is the record given by W. M. McMullan, my father, at the age of
76 years. He being the last and only one that knew its history,
or where it came from. It was his father that got possession of
it in 1836, and he knew it well several years before. In the past
since he could recollect, his father William was well up on the
family history, having been born in 1792, and his son William Marion
remembered most of it distinctly. Age of the Chest 152 years this
March 10th 1912, and now it is to my heirs.
This
is my will concerning the old Chest. Preserve it as best you can.
Never allow it to be sold unless it be among yourselves. If ever
the house gets on fire by all means save the Chest.
Your
Father W. J. McMullan March 10th. A.D. 1912
John McMullan's Trunk Returns to Georgia
In October 2019, John McMullan's trunk made a trip back to Georgia from Mississippi! It was the first time the trunk had been back in George since the mid 1800's! Click Here to see photos!
