Alexander Gallatin McChesney was the son of Capt. James McChesney and Francis Ann McNutt. On 11 April 1854, he married Sallie Gatewood Moffett, the daughter of Henry Miller Moffett and widow Mary Vance Poage.

They had 12 known McChesney children:

Mary Archer, 11 Jul 1855 (Augustus H. Hamilton), below
Frances Ashton, 20 Aug 1856 (Jno H Francisco), below
Lucy Boyd, 20 May 1858 (Charles H. Brickenstein), below
James B., 20 Oct 1859 - 5 May 1863
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Johnston, 23 Mar 1861 (Wm Ashton Bradford, III), below
Harry "Henry" Moffett, 23 May 1863 (Blanche Little), below
Robert Alexander, 4 Dec 1865
Anna, 17 Nov 1868 (Samuel Finley McClure), below
Adam Gallatin, 21 Feb 1871 *
unnamed son, 5 Nov 1872 - 3 Dec 1872
George W, Dec 1873
Hugh Blair Grigsby, 13 Feb 1875 *

He graduated Washington College (now called Washington & Lee) in 1847, the University of Virginia in 1850 and Jefferson Medical College in PA, in 1853. He served as Captain and medical doctor in Company F, 11th Virginia Cavalry, in the Bath Co. Confederate States Army and in Company H, 14th Virginia Cavalry in Rockbridge Co..

On the 1850 Dist. 51, Rockbridge Co., VA census, I found Frances McChesney, 46, with $13662 in real estate; farmer Alexandr, J., 21; farmer Robt, 18; Rachel G., 16; Martha A., 14; Frances A. 11; Mary M., 9 and Jas Z., 7, all VA born.

On the 1860 Bath, VA census, I found Physcian A. G. McChesney, 30; Sarah G., 23; Mary A. McC, 5; Frances A McC, 3; Louisa B. McC, 2; Jas F., 7 mons, Mary R Moffitt, 19 and medical student, JR Ervin, 20, all VA born.

"When the Levels Cavalry under Captain Andrew G. McNeel, 1861, were disbanded, many of its members joined the Bath Cavalry under Captain Archie Richards.  April 25, 1862, this company formed into two companies "F" and "G", and was known as the Bath Squadron, attached to the 11th Virginia Cavalry.  Dr. A.G. McChesney was Captain of Company F."

His letter of resignation dated 10 Dec 1862 from Camp near Newtown to Hon James A. Seddon, Secretary of War, was kindly shared with me by Dr. F. Terry Hambrecht (see photo). He was then Capt of Co. F, 17th Battalion VA Cavalry and Co. A, Bath Co., VA. In the Spring of 1861, when the Union army invaded Bath Co., he raised a company and reported to duty. He was petitioned by his patients to resign and come home to care for them since their only Dr. was disabled and couldn't care for them properly. He was dissatisfied with his position as Capt. and requested instead to be a Private in the Army or find a position in the Medical Department. The letter is in Service Records at the National Archives microfilm with the 11th VA Cavalry, not the 17th Battalion, he was in when it was written.

"1868: Postponed Sale. The fine farm of Mr. A. G. McChesney in Rockbridge County will lie sold on the 30th of this month. For particulars inquire of the owner or of Hon. John Letcher. This is said to be a very desirable estate. See advertisement." Per the Virginia Free Press, dated 9 Jul 1868.

On the 1870 Walkers Creek, Rockbridge, VA census, I found F.A. McChesney, 64 with $20K in real estate; Alexandria G., 41; Sallie Galwood, 32; Mary Archer, 15; Fannie A., 13; Lucy B., 11; Elizabeth J. 9; Harriet W., 7; Robert, 5 and Annie L., 2, all VA born.

On 3 Dec 1872, an unnamed son of A G & S G McChesney died at age 28 days, in Charleston, WV, of unknown causes. He was born 5 Nov 1872. WV Death Register. Plus, the WV BIrth Register, line 94, says an unnamed daughter was born alive on 5 Nov 1872, in Kanawha Co., WV to physician Alex McChesney and Sally G McChesney. I assume this was the same child and not a twin. (Child is not listed in the the Family Record and Biography by Leander James McCormick, Chicago, 1896.)

In Dec. 1873 son George W McChesney was born in Charleston to Dr. Z (sic) G McChesney and Sally G McChesney. It was reported by his father. WV Birth Register, line 263

In Mar 1874, Alexander's mother wrote a letter about her trip to her daughter Martha's home. She stayed with AGM's brother James, his wife Lucy and daughter Lila for over 2 weeks in Charleston, WV. They all had bad colds, including sister Mary McC Lewis. The letter said "Sallies babe is very sick, am afraid they won't raise it." I believe this must have been AGM's son Adam, unless there was another unknown child born later before Mar 1874.

Pvt. Alexander Gallatin McChesney, Co. H 14th VA Calvary; confirms the school attended (above). He is on the postwar roster for Co. H. He was elected Captain. He resigned to continue his medical practice on 22 Jan 1863 in Warm Springs 1863-65. He died at (home called) 'Woodlawn' in Augusta County, during a visit at his daughters. Source: 14th Virginia Cavalry, by Robert J. Driver, Jr, H.E. Howard, Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 1988. The photo of Capt. McChesney that someone else added to his site, is also in this book and was furnished by "Bill Turner of Clinton, MD."

He received his education under the direction of Rev. James Morrison, pastor of the New Providence Church, and at Wash­ington College, Lexington. He was a student of medicine at the University of Virginia,and continued his course at Jeffer­son College, Pennsylvania, where he took the degree of M. D., in 1853. Shortly after graduating, he settled at Warm Springs, Bath County, Virginia, and on April11, 1854, was united in marriage to Sarah Gatewood Moffett, of Pocahontas County, Virginia. He was captain of the Bath company, Eleventh Virginia cavalry, Robinson's brigade, C. S. A. At the end of one year he resigned his commission to resume the practice of his pro­ fession among a devoted people and friends. In 1865, he re­ turned with his family to Rockbridge County, whence he re­ moved, in 1871, to Charleston, West Virginia, chartering a stage to carry his wife and nine children across the mountains. There he had a large practice, standing in the front rank of his profession, until his death, May 19, 1877. He was a man of the purest heart, of undaunted courage, the strictest integrity, and rare mental gifts, and in his noble character left a priceless legacy to his children. Per Henrietta Hamilton McCormick's Genealogies and Reminiscences, Chicago, 1897, p 96-97.

His obit was in the Staunton Spectator, issued 29 May 1877. DEATH OF DR. A. G. McCHESNEY. Dr. A. G. McChesney of Charleston, W. Va., died of Bright's disease of the kidneys on the 19th inst., at Midway, in this county, whilst on a visit to his daughter, the wife of Rev. A. H. Hamilton, Pastor of Mt. Carmel church. He was a good physician with a large practice at Charleston, and was highly esteemed and quite popular. He was a native of Rockbridge county, and son of Mr. James McChesney, dec'd.

"Death of Dr. Alex. McChesney.—Dr. Alex. McChesney, of Charleston, W. Va., died at the residence of his son-in-law, Rev. Mr. Hamilton, of Midway, Augusta county, Va., on the 19th inst., aged about 50 years. The deceased was a native of Rockbridge county, and son of Mr. James McChesney, who was killed many years ago by a lunatic by the name of Reed, and nephew of Gov. McNutt, dec'd, of Mississippi." Published in the Valley Virginian, Vol 12, #9, dated 24 May 1877.

*note sons Hugh and Adam were found on the 1880 census in WV but were not located thereafter.

Bio by LSP