Family History

Succinct Wallace Family History (Scotland onward)

Drawn from primary documents in the family collection (graves, obituaries, marriage licenses, death registers, muster rolls, Scotland’s People extracts, newspaper clippings) and the compiled timeline. Early medieval claims are treated as unproven hypotheses; the solid documentary line begins with Michael Wallace.

Scotland → Colonial Virginia 1719–1767

Michael Wallace was born 11 May 1719 at Galrigs, Renfrewshire, Scotland, son of William Wallace of Galrigs. About 1734 (age ~15) he was indentured by Glasgow merchant uncles to Dr. Gustavus Brown in Charles County, Maryland, to train in physic, surgery, and pharmacy. He married Elizabeth Brown (daughter of Dr. Gustavus Brown) on or about 27 April 1747, settled at Elderslie near Falmouth (King George/Stafford County), Virginia, and died January 1767 (will proved 4 June 1767). Documented children included Gustavus Brown, Michael Jr., James, William Brown, Rebecca, John, and Thomas.

Published extract for Michael Wallace of Galrigs, physician — Published abstract: Michael Wallace (b. 11 May 1719), physician; settled Falmouth, Va.; married Elizabeth Brown 1747; died Jan. 1767 at Elderslie.

Sketch of Elderslie House in Virginia — Elderslie House, Virginia — family sketch of the home place.

Cemetery at Falmouth where Michael Wallace is buried — Falmouth Union Cemetery area (Stafford County, Virginia) — burial ground associated with Dr. Michael Wallace and family.

Revolutionary War Generation

One son, John Wallace (19 Jan 1761 – 4 May 1829), served in Ewell’s Company, 1st Virginia State Regiment. He is commemorated by a modern military marker (with SAR star) and an older original stone.

Modern military marker for John Wallace, Revolutionary War — John Wallace — Ewell’s Co., 1st Virginia State Regiment; modern military marker with SAR star (Jan 19 1761 – May 4 1829).

Muster roll of the 1st Virginia State Regiment listing John Wallace — Muster roll, Capt. William Ewell’s company, 1st Virginia State Regiment — John Wallace listed among the privates.

Kentucky Settlement early 1800s

John’s son William Wallace (b. 14 Feb 1784, Culpeper Co., Va.) married Elizabeth/Nancy/Betsy Yates (18 Dec 1806). Circa 1808–09 they moved to the east fork of the Little Barren River (then Barren/Green/Adair, later Metcalfe County), Kentucky. Tradition and a 1996 photograph record that their large log house at Cloverdale “housed 12 sons.” William died circa 1849. Their son John Yates Wallace (1809–1877) became the first county judge of Metcalfe County.

William Wallace log house at Cloverdale, Metcalfe County, Kentucky, photographed 1996 — Cloverdale home built by William Wallace (Metcalfe County, Kentucky). Photograph dated 1996; house said to have housed twelve sons and still standing as of the mid-1990s.

Missouri & Civil War Generation

A later descendant, William H. (Hencley/Hensley/Hencely) Wallace (1847–1937), married Mary E. Wray (1858–1936) in Benton County, Missouri (Cole Camp license, 1875). He served in the Union army and was one of the last two surviving Civil War veterans in San Luis Obispo County, California. The couple are buried under a joint flat marker in Atascadero/Pine Cemetery. Their children included Hencely Ammon Wallace (1902–1981).

Portrait of William Hencley Wallace in later life — William H. Wallace in later life.

1875 Benton County Missouri marriage license for William Wallace and Mary E. Wray — Marriage license, Benton County, Missouri (Cole Camp), 1875 — Wm. Wallace and Mary E. Wray.

Joint grave marker for William H. and Mary E. Wallace — Joint flat marker: William H. (1847–1937) and Mary E. (1858–1936) Wallace — Atascadero / Pine Cemetery.

More primary materials (PDFs, additional photographs, and the compiled timeline) live in the members-only Files library under Family Tree.