Email From Gary Aden to Gary Aden
Email Dated 8/29/2001  

                              DON'T FORGET!

      While in Lancaster, South Carolina, schedule a visit to the
gravesite of my Barclay progenitor, Major John 'John of Antrim" BARKLEY
(1719,  ?Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland{possibly Wales}- January 10,
1796 Lancaster District, South Carolina).

      The burial site is located in the Old Waxhaws Churchyard. The
following inscription is on his tombstone: "SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
MAJOR JOHN BARKLEY WHO DIED JANUARY 10 1796 AGED 76 YEARS LECTOR
MEMENTO TIBI MORIENDUM EST." There is a Masonic emblem on his tombstone,
a shield upheld by two birds; symbols: L, star, ladder, hourglass.

      Major Barkley fathered ten children including my 4th Great
Grandmother, Elizabeth "Betsy" BARCLAY Allen Smithwick (before 1768,
probably North or South Carolina- after 1835, probably in Forsyth
County, Georgia). The Historical Commission, Department of the Executive
Branch of the Government of South Carolina, records show an account paid
for tours of duty served in the Militia of South Carolina during the War
of the Revolution: the first for 55 days in the Cavalry under Captain
Henry Coffey from June 25- August 19, 1780; the second of 16 days in the
Cavalry under Captain William Nisbett from April 23rd to May 9th , 1781;
and the third of 16 days with wagon teams and teamster under William
Richards, Commissary General, to June 25th, 1781. John Howe, Comissaary
of Sumter's Brigade signed a receipt to"Major John Barkley for one
hundred wieight of flour as per account Audited. " It is believed that
Major Barkley first served as an Ensign in the Cherokee Wars in 1755
having immigrated around 1740.

      His son, William, helped lay out the town of Barnetsville,
particularly Main and Gay streets. In 1802, the name of the town was
changed to Lancasterville by Resolution of the South Carolina
legislature. Decades later, the present day name of Lancaster was
adopted.