Melrose/Rugby in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Agatha Strother Lewis/Col. Elijah McClanahan
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 16, 2023
1. Agatha Strother Lewis/Col. Elijah McClanahan Marker
On the knoll to the northeast is the grave of Col. Elijah McClanahan and his wife, Agatha Strother Lewis. Agatha was the daughter of Col. Andrew Lewis, Jr. and a grand-daughter of Gen. Andrew Lewis, famous Indian fighter and leader of the Colonial forces against the Indians at the 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant. Born 15 March 1779; died 14 June 1852.
Col. Elijah McClanahan was the owner of most of the land that ultimately became the northwest section of Roanoke City. Born 20 April 1770; died 1 December 1857.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is March 15, 1779.
Location. 37° 17.112′ N, 79° 58.569′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Melrose/Rugby. It is on 24th Street Northwest north of Loudon Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Roanoke VA 24017, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region and in Southwest Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Villa Heights (approx. half a mile away); The Norwich Neighborhood (approx. 0.9 miles away); Birthplace of Henrietta Lacks (approx. 1.1 miles away); Roanoke Memorial Bridge (approx. 1.3 miles
this page online
Also see . . . McClanahan Cemetery. Find a Grave entry on the small family cemetery. Although there are only two memorials documented here, previous archaeological surveys have found at least eight other unidentified graves there. (Submitted on July 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 17, 2023
2. Agatha Strother Lewis/Col. Elijah McClanahan Marker
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 17, 2023
3. Villa Heights
Elijah McClanahan established his "Long Meadow" plantation about a half-mile from the marker, building the original portion of this manor house in c. 1820.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 527 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
