Home » Timeline of McCullochs and McCulloughs in North America

Timeline of McCullochs and McCulloughs in North America

Understanding our ancestors in the Scots and Scots-Irish diaspora

1585–1590

Roanoke Colony

An attempt to establish the first permanent English colony in the New World.

Ulster Plantation Begins

Laird Alexander McCulloch and James McCulloch of Drumorral are among first McCullochs to join the Ulster Plantation in Northern Ireland. Laird Alexander left his Myreton estates for Ulster. James acquired 2000 acres. Other McCullochs follow.

1606
1607-1699

JamesTown

First English permanent settlement in the New World named for King James I, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Pilgrims

English Pilgrims set sail for the New World on the Mayflower.

1620
1621-1629

Nova Scotia

In 1621, King James VI grants charter to Nova Scotia. Charles I later makes Alexander McCulloch a Baron of Nova Scotia. Scot settlement in the area begins around 1629.

New Amsterdam, New Amsterdam!

First settled by the Dutch. If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.

1624
1670s

Trade with Glasgow

Virginia regularly traded tobacco for Glasgow manufactured goods in defiance of English bans on colonial trade.

Presbyterian Dissenters

Certain Presbyterian dissenters fled persecution in Edinburgh, settling in South Carolina and New Jersey.

1670s-1680s
1682

Philadelphia Established

William Penn founds Philadelphia.

East New Jersey

King Charles II granted a charter for the colony of New Jersey to 24 proprietors, 12 of whom were Scots.

1683
1689

Siege of Derry

Following the deposition of King James II in the Glorious Revolution, supporters of James besiege Derry, County Londonderry, Ireland.

Seven Ill Years

Extreme cold weather and economic hardship caused by trade restrictions led to national famine. This famine led to a new wave of emigration to Ireland and America.

1695 and after
1697

Godfrey McCulloch Beheaded

Following murder of William Gordon, Godfrey McCulloch beheaded. The downfall of this Laird of Myreton starts a cascade of calamitous effects on various McCullochs in Galloway.

Lowland Scot Immigrants

Prompted by economic hardship and religious conflict, Lowlander Scots begin immigration to the Americans, primarily New York and New Jersey, but also North Carolina.

After 1705
1706

First Presbytery

The first presbytery of the Presbyterian church in America was establish.

Scots-Irish Migration

Over 200,000 people emigrated from Ulster to the thirteen American colonies. The largest numbers went to Pennsylvania.

1710-1775
1714-1720

Scots-Irish Migration through Massachusetts

Fifty-four vessels brought Scots-Irish to Boston, Massachussetts.

Ulster Scot Immigrants

Immigrants from Ulster begin arriving in the Americas a few generations into the Ulster Plantation. Notably, Rev. William Boyd of Londonderry asked the governor of Massachusetts permission for Ulster Scots to settle there. These Scots-Irish, mostly originally from lowland and Scottish Borders families, settled across New England and into southern Pennsylvania and Maryland.

1718-1720
September 1718

Ulster Misfortunes and American Migration

Starting in the 1690s, Ulster landlords extended less favorable terms to tenant farmers. In September 1717, an Alexander McCulloch writes to his landlord lamenting of his misfortunes and stating his intention to migrate to America like so many of his friends before him.

Archibald McCullough

Archibald McCullough is the pioneer of the Anderson-McCullough line. He was born in County Derry, Ireland and planted a family in Delaware. Rodney Mcculloh describes his life as a” 4,000-mile life-long journey across the ocean, through devastating Indian attacks in Pennsylvania’s frontier, down the Shenandoah Valley on the Great Wagon Road to his final home in Lexington, Kentucky.”

1718-1814
Around 1720

John Mcculloch of Torhouse

John McCulloch, son of Capt. John McCulloch, grandson of Baron Alexander McCulloch, along with wife Mary Campbell, move to Armagh, Ireland where they have sons John, Samuel, and Robert. Later, John, Mary, John II, and Samuel, immigrate to Sussex, New Jersey. His grandsons include Col. John McColloch, Col. George McColloch, and Maj. Samuel McColloch (of McColloch’s Leap fame), each of whom served in the American Revolution.

John McCullough of Bohemia Manor

Son of Sir Godfrey McCullough, John McCullough migrates to Chesapeake City, Maryland. This line of McCulloughs is the subject of Esther Hand’s genealogical work “Our John McCullough.”

Around 1720
1720 and after

Captain Benjamin McCUllough

Benjamin emigrated from Ireland to New Jersey along with several kinsman. Benjamin is said to have had seven other brothers who immigrated to the New World. Among his descendants are Hugh McCullough, Secretary of the Treasury, US Gen. Benjamin McCullough, as well as Brigadier Generals Henry Eustace McCullough and Benjamin McCullough.

Scots-Irish Colonization of Southern Pennsylvania and Maryland

Ulster Scots (along with German immigrants) settle in southern Pennsylvania along border of Cecil County Maryland, from Chester to Lancaster County, particularly townships of Colerain, Martic, Pequea and Leacock. Among the earliest Scots or Scots-Irish settlers of Lancaster County are Alexander McCulloch, Samuel McColloch, and George McCullough.

1720-1730
1730s

Highlander Immigrants

Highlanders begin settling in America, primarily in Georgia and North Carolina. Despite the tragedy at the Battle of Culloden, the Highlanders are largely Loyalist when the American Revolution later begins.

Henry McCulloh’s North Carolina Colony

Henry McCulloh (1700-1799) introduced a colony from Ulster, Ireland, to settle his grant in Duplin County, North Carolina. The congregations of Goshen and the Grove are started. 4,000 of his Ulstermen settled on McCullock’s tract of 64,000 acres. Henry the second largest landholder in North Carolina, and the author of the Stamp Act for the American colonies. Henry descended from the McCulloch Antrim line (described by his great-nephew James Iredell).

1736
1737– 1810

Henry Eustace McCulloh of North Carolina

Henry Eustace McCulloh was son of Henry McCulloh of Middlesex, England. Henry was a justice of the peace and provincial agent for North Carolina. Henry’s lands were confiscated in 1779 due to his Loyalist connections, despite the pleading of cousin James Iredell.

James McCullough of Fawn Township, York County, PA

James McCullough appears to be the progenitor of another McCullough line. He was likely born in Northern Ireland. He was married to Nancy “Ann” Weldon. Their grandson John McCullough served in the Revolutionary War.

1740-1788
1745-1831

Alexander McCullough of Henry County

Alexander McCullough, a soldier in the Continental Army during the American War for Independence, appears to be the progenitor of the McCullah-Wasson line which has been holding family reunions since 1890. He was married to Lydia Dilliston.

James McCullough Diary

James McCullough purchases diary as leaves Belfast in April 1747. James purchases 200 acres near Gettysburg months later in September 1747. His son John, born in 1748, was an Indian captive for about eight years.

1747
1749-1800

Maj. John McCullough/McCulloh

John McCullough, born in Kirkudbright, Scotland, was a lieutenant in the Philadelphia artillary brigade, later a major, in the American Revolution. He reportedly was the father of 16 children, and the progenitor of his American line.

McCulloch’s trading path

John McCulloch trailblazes a trading path through parts of Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Ohio Valley. The path may have been part of the Great Wagon Road and possibly used for trade during the French and Indian Wars. This John later becomes Col. John McCulloch during the American Revolution.

Around 1750
1754-1763

French and Indian War

American theater of the Seven Years War between England and France. Most Native American tribes supported the French or remained neutral.

Pvt. John McCullough of Lancaster County, PA

John McCullough (1755-1841) was born in Lancaster County, PA, served in a Pennsylvania militia, then fought for North Carolina militias at King’s Mountain and Hanging Rock. His father, John, Sr. also served in American Revolution. Later, his son Jonathan served in the war of 1812. He was the progenitor of the McCulloughs of Central Indiana.

1755-1841
1756

Captivity of John McCullough

Eight year old John McCullough (son of James McCullough) was captured by the Delaware Tribe. After eight years of captivity John was rescued by Col. Bouquet.

Migration from frontier hostilities

The dangers of frontier life during the French and Indian war led several families to flee hostile areas such as Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and move further west to York County. Others moved south to places like South Carolina.

1757-1774
1763-1776

Scottish Immigrants

Over 50,000 Scottish immigrants settle in the American colonies, primarily in North Carolina.

First Settler in Scott County, VIrginia

Thomas McCulloch settles on Big Moccasin Creek near Fort Houston. This area became Scott County, Virginia.

1769
1770-1847

Captain John McCollough

According to “History of Butler County, Pennsylvania,” John McCollough, and his wife Anna Elizabeth Spangler, were progenitors of the McCollough family in Butler County, Pennsylvania. John served as a captain in the War of 1812.

Captains McCullough

Captains David and William McCullough are masters of passenger ships from Belfast to North America.

1772-1773
1775-1783

American War for Independence

After being deprived their full rights as British citizens and being subjected to trade restrictions, taxation without representation, and various deprivations, American colonists declare their independence. Most Scottish colonists remained loyal to the Crown. Winning the ensuing war, the Americans establish the first modern constitutional democracy in 1783.

George MacCulloch

George and Louisa MacCulloch emigrated from London, England and built a Federal Style mansion in Morristown. This mansion became a museum in 1950 and features the nation’s largest collection of Thomas Nast paintings, as well family records of the MacCullochs.

1775-1858
1776 and After

McCullochs and McCulloughs in the Revolutionary War

Many McCullochs fought for the young republic in the war for independence. Just a few notable men include Col. George McCulloch, Col John McCulloch, Samuel McColloch (of McColloch’s Leap), Maj. John McCulloch (Artillery), Commander David McCullough (Privateer of the Rattlesnake).

Battle of Hanging Rock

Captain Kenneth McCulloch’s company of the British Legion routed by Gen. Thomas Sumter’s riflemen. McCulloch killed in action.

1780
1790-1799

James Iredell

James Iredell, great grand-nephew of Henry McCulloh was an associate justice on the first United States Supreme Court. He wrote extensively, including a family history of the McCulloch Antrim line. Iredell’s version incorporates the oral tradition that the McCulloch name derives from Cullo O’Neill. According to Iredell, Cullo’s son adopted the surname mac Cullo.

Rev. Thomas McCulloch, D.D.

Thomas McCulloch, of Renfrew, Scotland, brought his family to Pictou, Nova Scotia to minister to a Presbyterian Congregation. He also served as town physician, Justice of the Peace, and first president of Dalhousie College. His former home, the McCulloch Center, includes genealogical records.

1803
1803

Louisiana Purchase

President Thomas Jefferson doubles the size of the United States by purchasing French North American lands. The lands of “Louisiana” extended from the westward Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and north to south Canada to New Orleans. The purchase was a further impetus to westward expansion.

Rev. John McCullough of San Antionio

John McCullough was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, and became a Texas pioneer. In San Antonio, he established the first Protestant Church in Texas.

1805-1870
1808-1895

US Secretary of the Treasury Hugh McCulloch

Hugh McCulloch was the head of the Bank of Indiana, the US Secretary of Treasury under three presidents, including President Abraham Lincoln. Among his responsibilities was financing the US prosecution of the Civil War.

Samuel McCulloch, Jr.

Samuel was a free black soldier in the Texas Revolution. He was born in South Carolina, but moved to Texas in 1835. He was wounded at Goliad, and is believed to be the first Texan wounded in the Texas Revolution. Despite initially being denied the rights to own property as a free man, in 1837 he was granted land rights as a permanently disabled veteran.

1810–1893
1811-1862

Brigadier General Benjamin McCulloch

Benjamin McCulloch was a soldier in the Texas Revolution a major general in the Texas militia, major in the United States Army during the Mexican–American War, and a brigadier general in the army of the Confederate States during the American Civil War. In 1835, Benjamin and his brother Henry followed Davy Crockett from Tennessee to Texas.

War of 1812

The war star stemmed from ongoing trade disputes between the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as lingering issues from the American Revolution.

1812-1815
1816-1895

Brigadier General Henry Eustace McCulloch

Henry Eustace McCulloch, younger brother of Benjamin McCulloch, was a soldier in the Texas Revolution and a brigadier general in the army of the Confederate States during the American Civil War.

McCulloch v. Maryland

James William McCulloh, head of the Baltimore Branch of the Second Bank of the United States, appealed a lower court ruling in the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a State of Maryland tax on the federal bank. McCulloh later served as Comptroller of the US Treasury.

1819
1819-1854

William McCulloch

William McCulloch was one of the partners in the Harrison & McCulloch Stage Lines during the Texas Republic. McCulloch’s lines ran from the Texas coast to central Texas.

Great Famine

The potato blight causes the Great Famine in Ireland. About one million Irish die, another two million flee the country.

1845-1852
1848-1850

California

Mexico ceded California to the United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The state quickly entered the union as the the 31st state in 1850.

Gadsden Purchase

Following the US-Mexican War, the United States purchased 29,670 square miles in the area that is present day Arizona and New Mexico. The purchase furthered the western migration of American settlers.

1854
1861-1865

AMerican Civil War

The American war between the states to prevent the South’s secession and end slavery. Brigadier Generals Benjamin McCulloch and his brother Henry Eustace McCulloch commanded Confederate forces.

Park-MCCullough HOuse

The Park-McCullough House, built around 1864, has been described as one of the finest preserved Victorian Mansions in New England. John and Lizzie McCullough renovated the home around 1889 to entertain President Benjamin Harrison.

1864-65
1911-1977

Robert P. MCculloch

Entrepreneur Robert P. McCulloch was the founder of McCulloch Motor Corporation, then McCulloch chainsaws. He was an apprentice of Thomas Edison. He also famously moved London Bridge to Arizona.

WOrld War I

A global war centered on continental disputes among European powers. America initially remains neutral but joins the war in 1917 following the sinking of American merchant ships by Germany.

1914-1918
1933-Present

Author David mcCullough

American author and historian was born in 1933. He is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Colleen McCullough

Colleen McCullough was a best-selling Australian author. She is best known for “The Thorn Birds.”

1937-2015
1939-1945

World War II

Global conflict to end the military aggression and genocide being committed by the National Socialist Worker’s Party of Germany and its foreign allies. This was the deadliest conflict in human history.

Resources:

Wikipedia

“A History of the Galloway Family of McCullochs,” Walter Jameson McCulloch.

“Scottish Emigration from Ulster (The Scots-Irish),” Janet Cook

NCPedia

“Early History and Genealogy of the Anderson – McCullough – McCune Families and Related Lines of Franklin County, Pa.,”Elizabeth Brubaker Wolf

“Maxwell history and genealogy, including the allied families of Alexander, Allen, Bachiler, Batterton, Beveridge, Blaine, Brewster, Brown, Callender, Campbell, Carey, Clark, Cowan, Fox, Dinwiddie, Dunn, Eylar, Garretson, Gentry, Guthrie, Houston, Howard, Howe, Hughes, Hussey, Irvine, Johnson, Kimes, McCullough, Moore, Pemberton, Rosenmüller, Smith, Stapp, Teter, Tilford, Uzzell, Vawter, Ver Planck, Walker, Wiley, Wilson,” Florence Amelia Wilson Houston.

Texas State Historical Assocition, “Handbook of Texas”

McCulloch House – Museum and Genealogy Center

The Oxford History of the British Empire

History.com