McClellan Connections

Researching my husband’s potential McClellan slaveholding family has been an ongoing research process for me.   This week,  I have an exciting potential lead for our wish to do DNA comparisons.
On Wednesday I was contacted by a white McClellan descendant – turns out that she is a 2nd great-granddaughter of General William Blount McClellan (see previous posts here).   We exchanged several emails, on which she engaged her sisters as well, and I’ve added more on her branch to the overall family tree I’ve been working on.  What was particularly exciting is that she has male cousins that may be willing to take a DNA test for us!  I’ve been looking for male descendants of the general to compare DNA against Kalonji’s male McClellan DNA to check for matches.  I’m so glad that she found us and I do hope this works out in the end.
Then, prompted by this exchange, I decided to do some additional searching for the white Champ McClellan (grandson of the General) that I had some information about.  Given that Kalonji’s great-grandfather was also named Champ McClellan, I’ve been particularly interested in knowing more about the white Champ.   I found a new Ancestry Member Tree that included him, as well as information about his descendants, so I contacted them to learn more.  As another measure of checking, it would be great if we could get a DNA sample from a male descendant down this line too.
In summary – here’s the family lineage trail
a) General William Blount McClellan — father to Walter Groce McClellan — father to Malcolm Allen McClellan — the lady who emailed me is Malcolm’s granddaughter.
b) General William Blount McClellan — father to Augustus Roby McClellan – father to Champness McClellan — father to Harry Augustus McClellan — father to Mildred McClellan Colonna — the person I emailed is descended from Mildred.  I hope they can help me find a male to test.
So — that would be down the lineage of two of the Generals’ sons.
I remain hopeful that this works out.  Whether we can support the hypothesis that someone in the General’s family was the father of Kalonji’s great-grandfahter or not, I still would love to know!
Keep your fingers crossed for us! It will probably not happen for a few more months but I remain hopeful.