W.J. McMullan, who lives several miles north of here, had on exhibit in town Saturday a tailor’s chest that has considerable history. This chest, which is made of cypress, is 15 by 18 inches by 2 feet, inside measurement, and was originally made with all conveniences for holding the tools of a professional tailor.

The chest was brought across the Atlantic by John McMullan, who sailed from Dublin, Ireland, and landed in Virginia in 1760. When brought over, the outfit of tools was used by John McMullan to cut and make the first military suit worn by George Washington, after he was made commander-in-chief of the continental army of America.

After following Washington from Valley Forge to Yorktown, the war being over, he settled on a farm in Swift-Run-Gap, Blue Ridge Mountain, Orange county (now Green county) Va., the place now marked on the map and known as McMullan town. In 1797 the chest was carried on an emigrant wagon to Elbert county, Ga. At the death of John McMullan in 1817, his son, Patrick McMullan fell heir to it, and at his death in 1836 it became the property of Wm. McMullan (grandfather of W.J. McMullan, of near here.) After his death the chest went to his son J.P.
In January, 1866, it was brought on an emigrant wagon to Newton county, and after the death of J.P. McMullan, the chest was obtained by W.J. McMullan, who now owns and prizes it much more than any money value that could be put on it.

After the death of W.M. McMullan, which occurred in 1910, W.J. McMullan was the only one who knew anything of the original history and line of descent of the historic old box which has been in America 150 years.

The Newton Record; 08 May 1919, Thu; Page 2

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24881481/john-mcmullan