Since I was not having much success in Connecticut in finding John Barclay, my 2nd great-grandfather, I turned my attention to Minnesota. John Barclay makes his appearance in Shakopee, Minnesota in 1853.
John is mentioned in a book: History of the Minnesota Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota and History of the Sioux Massacre, by Rev. Edward D. Neill and Charles S. Bryant published in 1882, Eagle Creek, [Shakopee, Scott Co., Minnesota], page 315.
“The settlers continued to arrive in large numbers during the fall of 1852 and throughout the year 1853, the earlier of whom were as follows: Thomas Kennedy arrived in the fall of 1852 and moved on to his present claim in spring 1853; Edward Smith came in spring of 1853 and located his present claim in the north-eastern quarter of section 20 the same year; Alex. Dorward also came that year, together with Benjamin W. Turner, John Masters, Lyman Ruby, John Barclay and Horace Fuller. These all located in different parts of the town, and most of them are still living upon their original claims.”
Ancestry.com has this book scanned on their website. You can probably get to it through the Ancestry Library edition at your local library.
Eagle Creek Road Sign
This is the first sighting of John Barclay that I have found. I have tried to get him back further and closer to Connecticut but so far he is not cooperating. I knew about John from the “Logsleds to Snowmobiles” book and from my Aunt Miriam’s notes. I could not resist the sign and the name.
Shakopee Minnesota 2007
I have traveled to Minnesota and the last time was in 2007 when I went to Shakopee to do more research on John Barclay and his second family. This is a view of a main street in Shakopee.
Thanks for your help – my husband is descended from Lyman Ruby and your excerpt was a huge help in my research of his tree!
Stacey, I am so glad it was of help. Good luck on your search!