Born in county Down, Ireland, Robert McClements and wife, Miss Cannon, had six children. John born 1823, William born 1826, Joseph born 1830, Samuel born 1833, Robert born 1837, Mathilda (or Anna) born ?. All of whom were born in Ireland.
In 1855, John, Joseph and Samuel came to the United States. Within a few years William followed. Perhaps they joined the man who emigrated from Ireland following the potato blight in 1845-46.
Joseph and Samuel made their first purchases of land in Brighton Township, Sections 17 and 20, while still living in New York. By the mid 1860s they were settled in Livingston County. John also brought land in the township, Section 10, 34 acres in 1872, a portion of which had been owned by Charles Goucher. By 1875 these holdings had increased to 72 acres. He had married Susanna Moorehead in Ireland. Two of their nine children died as infants. William settled in Green Oak Township Section 5 (40 acres) and 6 (20 acres)on the north side of Lee Road along Rickett at about the same time. By mid 1870 William had sold and moved from Michigan.
Joseph and wife, Agnes Hawthorn, purchased 40 acre tracts in 1858, 1868, 1869 and 1871. These 120 acres are on Hunter Road approximately ½ mile north of Hilton Road. When Joseph died in 1912 the land appears to have been equally divided between son Edward and daughter Margaret Anna. Edwards farm THE CEDARS is on the list noted in the Brighton Argus c. 1900. The 1859 Atlas indicates a house about ½ mile north of Hilton Road. The 1895 Atlas shows a house katycorner. Both houses are still standing altho some additions and changes have been made.
The Brighton Grange chartered 3/25/1874, has . . devoted itself more especially to the discussion of agricultural topics and subjects which would interest farmers and has aimed, by frequent intercourse, to develop the social qualities of its members. J. McClements, S. McClements and Miss Maggie McClements are listed as officers of the Brighton Grange in 1879.
As the McClements boys children grew up, several married children of neighboring early settlers. In the Brighton Village Cemetery one finds members of The Newman, Prosser and Conley families mingled with the graves of the McClements settlers.
Compiled by Marieanna Bair from Early Atlasses; Bill Pless supplement to Village Cemetery Records; 1880 History of Livingston County; obituaries and Early Land Owners and Settlers of Livingston County by Milton Charboneau; the McClements Prosser genealogy from Marilyn Campbell of Indiana.