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THOMAS CLEGG, Company "C"


Submitted by Karen Graham.

     Thomas Clegg - A native of Marshall county, Va., was born in March, 1844, and is a son John and Margaret (Simpson) Clegg. He settled in Belmont county, O., in 1870. In April, 1867, at Moundsville, W. Va., he was married to Kate Matthews, who was born in 1847 at Steubenville, O., her parents are John and Ruth (Kell) Matthews, both of whom are living. to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Clegg, the following children were born: John E., Maggie M., Benjamin F., McKillia, George W., and Ruth T. At Moundsville, W. Va., where he was engaged as a day laborer, in August, 1863. Mr. Clegg enlisted when 17 years of age as a private in Co. C, 12th W. Va. V. I., 8th A. C. At Winchester in 1863, he was detailed as guard to bring up wagon train from Martinsburg, but they were compelled by the movements of Gen. Lee to take the train across the Potomac into Pa., to escape capture. In April, 1864, a furlough of one month was granted him; he rejoined his command at Back Creek, Va., being absent from the regiment three months. He received a gunshot wound in the right knee joint July 24, 1864, at Winchester, and was taken to the hospital at Annapolis, Md., where he remained four months, from there to the Jarvis hospital, where he was ill six months. His battle list includes New Market, Lynchburg and Little Piedmont. His father served in Co. C. 12th W. Va. V.I. A brother) John, was in the same command; another brother, Elijah, was a member of the 3rd W. Va. Cav. His wife's uncle, Lieut. Col. John Kell, in 2d O. V. I., was killed at the battle of Stone River Dec. 31, 1862. Comrade Clegg receives a pension and is a merchant at Bellaire, O.

This is from a family owned book, Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen,
Published in 1892 by H. H. Hardesty.
Presented unedited.


See highlighted area in this bio of John Clegg, father of Thomas.

     John Clegg a venerable citizen of Moundsville, was born in Marshall county, W.Va., June 28, 1815, the son of Thomas and Kesiah (Hubbs) Clegg. The father came from Ireland with his parents when twenty-one years of age, settled on Wheeling creek, and served one year in the war of 1812. He died at the age of seventy-seven years, and his wife, the mother of John Clegg, died when the latter was six years old. Of their twelve children three are now living. Mr. Clegg was reared as a farmer and followed that vocation until 1853, when he came to Moundsville. February, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, of the Twelfth West Virginia regiment, and took part in the battles of New Market, Piedmont, Winchester, Berryville, etc., and going through the Hunter raid, the hardships of which caused injury of sight, which has gradually increased until he is now totally blind. He was a brave and gallant soldier and he is rewarded by a pension. In addition to his own service, three of his sons served in the army, John, Thomas and Elijah. The first two of these were in the Twelfth West Virginia infantry, the other was a cavalryman. Thomas was wounded in the knee, which has left him a cripple for life. John Clegg was married November 30, 1837, to Margaret, daughter of John and Margaret (Gibbony) Simpson, natives of Ireland, who came to this country in 1821. She was born March 2, 1812. To Mr. and Mrs. Clegg were born nine children, two of whom died in infancy; the oldest living, John E., was born July 11, 1840, married Margaret Nice. They have three children: William, Lilly, Lee. The latter died quite young, Mary J. was born May 17, 1842, is the widow of Samuel Wilson, who died of disease contracted in the army. They had born to them four children. William N., the eldest, is married to Ella Parks and has one child: Charles C.; Ada and John W. The latter died when a babe. Ada died November 1, 1882. Thomas Clegg was born March 14, 1844. He married Kate Matthews; they have had six children: John E., Maggie M., Benjmin F., Mackeles, George W. and Ruth T. Mackeles died when about two years old. Elijah was born August 30, 1846; is married to Louisa J. Dean. To them have been born nine children. Those living are: John J., Margaret J., Ada C., Samuel B., Cora May, Thomas, Mattie and Clarence. Franklin B. was born July 22, 1848; was married to Mary J. Shimp. They have had four children: Rosa May, the eldest, died when a babe, Charles E., James and Lizzie M. Samuel was born July 8, 1851; died September 13, 1881. He married Amanda Stillwell, to whom were born two children: Laura A. and Samuel J. Ada V. was born March 6, 1854, and resides with her parents. Three of the children are members of the Presbyterian church, of which the parents have been members for fifty-five years.

From History of the Upper Ohio Valley,
Vol. I, pages 684-685. Brant & Fuller, 1890.

Submitted by Linda Fluharty.


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