William Alexander Barclay

Surnames: BARCLAY, VARDEMAN, MENEFEE, LONG, STRONG, O'BRIEN, WILLIAMS, BROWN, CROWELL, MARTIN, DRAKE, PAMPLIN, SWEATT, CANARIAN, MORRIS

William Alexander Barclay, b August 16, 1828 in Giles County, Tennessee, d November 3, 1896 at Blue Ridge, Falls County, Texas and buried there - was the second son of David A. and Dorcas Vardeman (Menefee) Barclay. William A. came to Texas with his parents, arriving prior to October 1, 1837, and living at Tinnenville, Robertson County until the family moved to the area on Blue Ridge which was later named "Stranger" in Falls County.

In 1857, William A. married his second cousin, Mary P. Long, b October 26, 1837 in Giles County, Tennessee, d January 31, 1913 and buried by her husband - a daughter of Jarrett Long, b 1801 in Kentucky, and Catherine (Strong) Long, who died in Tennessee before the 1850 Federal Census was taken. Mary's grandfather was Benjamin Long of Kentucky - who married in 1798 in Kentucky to Nancy Menefee - the eldest sister of Dorcas Vardeman (Menefee) Barclay. The Longs and the Menefees all moved to Tennessee about 1807.

William A. Barclay was a farmer at Blue Ridge, a member of the Blue Ridge Baptist Church, and a supporter of the Blue Ridge schools. He and Mary had ten children:

Edwin Columbus ("Lum") Barclay, b 1858 in Falls County, Texas - no further information.

Martha Barclay ("Mattie"), b October 23, 1859 at Blue Ridge, d May 31, 1958 and buried in Mustang Prairie Cemetery - married first to a Mr. O'Brien, and married second about 1885 to Virgil M. Williams, b May 24, 1844, d March 31, 1925. "Mattie" was Virgil's second wife, his first wife being Harriet Brown. Virgil and "Mattie' Williams had seven children: Mary Williams, b October 16, 1887, d May 22, 1972 - married John Crowell; Exar Williams, b March 2, 1890, d March 5, 1974 - married William L. Martin; Millard Fillmore Williams, b April 17, 1892, d December 18, 1952 - married Beulah Mae Drake; Marshall Williams, b ca 1894 - no further information; Clifton C. Williams, b 1900, d 1973 - married Iona Pearl (maiden name unknown); Clyde B. Williams, b December 24, 1902, d January 27, 1972 - married Reva V. Pamplin; and Lucille Williams, b March 30, 1905, d December 6, 1921 - not married.

William D. Barclay, b ca 1862 - married a Miss Sweatt, and no further information.

Mary Dorcas ("Mamie") Barclay, b February 16, 1865 at Blue Ridge, d April 9, 1941 - married Andrew Jackson Alston. Louisa ("Ludi") Barclay, b 1867 - married Frank Morris of Rosebud, Texas.

James Barclay, b ca 1870 - no further information.

Stella Barclay, b ca 1872 - married John Canarian - no further information.

Clara Barclay, b ca 1874 - married Adam Canarian - no further information.

Charles Barclay, b ca 1876 - no further information.

Benjamin Barclay, b ca 1878 - no further information.

William Alexander and Mary P. (Long) Barclay still have many descenndants who reside in Falls County, Texas.

Some biographies from "Families of Falls County", compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission.
Permission granted to Theresa Carhart by the Falls County Historical Commission, for use on this page.