Col. Thomas McElderry
Col. Thomas McElderry (1790–1883) was an American military officer, plantation owner, successionist, and politician. He served in state politics, and the area is also named after him.
| Col. Thomas McElderry | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1790 Pennsylvania, USA |
| 💀Died | 1883 Talladega County, Alabama, USA1883 |
| Resting place | McElderry Family Cemetery, Talladega County, Alabama, USA |
| 💼 Occupation | Military officer, politician, planter |
| Known for | Military service in the War of 1812, Creek War; Alabama State Senator |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Eliza Boteler (1804–1829), Frances Sugars Turner (1815–1846), Martha-Ann Dozier (1824–1906) |
| 👶 Children | George McElderry, Hugh McElderry, Achsah McElderry, Jo McElderry, Louisa McElderry, Marcus McElderry, John Sugars McElderry, Amanda McElderry, Caroline McElderry |
| 👴 👵 Parent(s) | John McElderry and Anna Sinclair |
Col. Thomas McElderry (1790–1883) was an American military officer, plantation owner, successionist, and politician. He served as an officer alongside General Andrew Jackson in the Creek War and was one of the first white settlers in Talladega, Alabama. He was the son of John McElderry, a patriot from Pennsylvania, and Anna Sinclair of Virginia.
Early Life
Thomas McElderry was born in 1790 in Pennsylvania to John McElderry and Anna Sinclair. His father, John, was of Irish, Scottish, and English ancestry. His mother, Anna, was primarily of Scottish ancestry.John McElderry (1890). McElderry Lineages. Heritage Press. pp. 34–35. Search this book on 
He married Eliza Boteler (1804–1829), Frances Sugars Turner (1815–1846), and Martha-Ann Dozier (1824–1906).
Military Service
During the War of 1812, McElderry served as a lieutenant in Captain Child's company of the Tennessee Militia. He participated in the Creek War (1813–1814), a conflict between the United States and factions of the Creek Nation, where he served under Major General Andrew Jackson. He also fought alongside Jackson at the Battle of Talladega and the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.William J. Smith (1835). War of 1812: A Soldier's Memoir. American Military Press. pp. 122–126. Search this book on The Creek War concluded with the Treaty of Fort Jackson in August 1814, resulting in significant land cessions by the Creek Nation, some of these going to men like Col. McElderry.
Settlement in Alabama
After the Creek War, McElderry settled in Chinnabee, a Creek town in present-day Talladega County, Alabama. He acquired land from Chief Chinnabee, allowing the chief to continue residing in his log cabin on the property."Early Settlers of Talladega County". Retrieved 2025-04-03. The McElderry plantation house was constructed atop a hill overlooking what became known as McElderry Station, making Col. McElderry one of the earliest settlers of the area. The family cemetery is also located on this property.
Political Career
McElderry served as a state senator for Morgan County, Alabama, from 1828 to 1829. His tenure in the Alabama State Senate contributed to the early political development of the state.
Death and Legacy
Col. Thomas McElderry passed away in 1883 and was interred in the McElderry Family Cemetery in Talladega County, Alabama. He left behind at least six living children that he had with his three wives.
References
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