Samuel McClellan was a Brigadier General in the American Revolutionary War. He was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, married Rachel Abbe (a descendant of Plymouth, Massachusetts Governor, William Bradford) on March 5, 1766, and is buried in Woodstock, Connecticut.

Samuel McClellan served as Ensign and Lieutenant in the French and Indian War, and was wounded in battle. Upon his return from the provincial campaign, he purchased a farm in Woodstock and settled there. He later engaged in mercantile business and established an extensive trade, importing goods and supplying neighboring merchants.

When the American Revolution put a stop to his trade, he trained and equipped the county militia. In 1773, a troop of horse was raised in Woodstock, Killingly, and Pomfret, Connecticut, of which he became commander.

In 1775, Major Samuel McClellan led 184 men at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. He played a prominent role in the Battle of Bunker Hill, and after achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1776, Colonel in 1777, and Brigadier General of the 5th Brigade in 1779, his regiment of the Connecticut Militia was stationed near New Jersey. McClellan was solicited by General George Washington to join the Continental Army and was offered a commission, but his domestic and business affairs compelled him to refuse.

After the Battle of Groton Heights, and the invasion and burning of New London, Connecticut, McClellan was appointed to oversee troops stationed at those points and continued the command until the close of the war, acting as commissary in the purchase and forwarding of provisions for the army when not otherwise in active service.

McClellan was highly esteemed as a Christian gentleman and was well respected by his townsmen. Shortly after the war, he returned to Woodstock and was elected to the State Assembly. He was known to many, including his grandson George B. McClellan (a Major General during the American Civil War), as "General Sam." Samuel's sons James and John founded the Woodstock Academy in 1801.

His parents emigrated from Kirendbright, on the Firth of Solway in Scotland. He married November 16, 1757, Jemima Chandler, by whom he had children: Samuel, William, Lemuel and Polly. He married July 3, 1798, Mrs. Eunice Folunsbee of Worcester. Children by first wife, Jemima (Chandler) born in Woodstock:

Jemima died in 1764 and Samuel married Rachel Abbe 5 Mar 1766 Children by Rachel Abbe, born in Woodstock: John McClellan, b. Jan. 4, 1767; m. Faith Williams. Anna (Nancy) McClellan, b. May 7, 1768; m. John Lovett. James McClellan, b. Sept. 20, 1769; m. (1) Eunice Eldridge; (2) Nancy Eldridge. Nathaniel (1) McClellan, b. Dec. 4, 1770; d. aged 4 years; buried in Woodstock. Mary Lucretia (or Lucretia Mary) McClellan, b. May 15, 1773; m. Ebenezer Huntington. Elizabeth McClellan, b. Nov. 20, 1775 ; d. aged three weeks; buried in Woodstock. Nathaniel (2) McClellan, b. Jan. 16, 1777 (?); m. (1) Grace Malbone; (2) Olive Perkins. Judah Alden McClellan, b. May 25, 1780; m. Elizabeth White

 Children:

 Elizabeth McClellan (____ - 1775)*

 William McClellan (____ - 1809)*

 Nathaniel McClellan (____ - 1863)*

 Nathaniel McClellan (____ - 1775)*

 John McClellan (1767 - 1858)*

 Anna Nancy McClellan Lovett (1768 - ____)*

 James McClellan (1769 - 1837)*

 Judah Alden McClellan (1780 - ____)*

McCLELLAN, Samuel, soldier, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, 4 January, 1730" died in Woodstock, Connecticut, 17 October, 1807. His parents emigrated to America early in the 18th century and settled on a farm near Worcester. The family came from Kirkcudbright, on the Frith of Solway, Scotland, where in earlier times they had taken part in Scottish wars as stanch upholders of the cause of the Stuarts. Samuel was brought up as a farmer, but joined the army, and served as a lieutenant in the French and Indian war. The experience thus gained, and the example of the British officers with whom he served, proved of great advantage to him in the Revolutionary war. In 1773 a troop of horse was raised in Woodstock and neighboring towns, of which he was made captain. On the news of the battle of Lexington the company immediately marched to Boston. Subsequently he was commissioned major, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel of the 12th.

• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: May 7 2019, 16:05:51 UTC