Sterling J. McLemore

Notes:

S. J. McLemore, a pioneer of Tullahoma, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., December 29, 1822, and is the son of S. J. (sic) and Martha (Whitaker) McLemore, natives of North Carolina. The father died in 1825 and the mother in 1880. Our subject reared on the farm, remained there until his marriage to Margaret J. Ward in 1841, when he removed to Nashville and entered the produce business. In 1851 he came to Tullahoma. He sold goods until the civil war and after the close of the same entered the livery business. In 1876 he began merchandising, continuing at that until January, 1886. His wife died in 1881. In 1883 he married Ruthea J. Gross, a native of McMinnville. By his first wife our subject has six children: William H., John C., S. J., Lamyra, Henrietta and Laura. Our subject is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and his wife of the Christian Church. He is a member of Tullahoma Lodge, No. 101, I. O. O. F., of which he is the only surviving charter member. He has served several times as mayor and alderman of Tullahoma. He is a Democrat.

From the Biographical Appendix to Goodspeed's 1887 History of Coffee County (Tennessee), transcribed by Jan McFarlin in 1999

http://bellsouthpwp.net/C/a/CanCofHist/coffee/goodbib.htm

Melba Gene McLemore notes that: "FILE FOLDER # 1072, COFFEE CO , TN COURT ARCHIVES ACTUALLY LISTS THE HEIRS OF STERLING J MCLEMORE WHO DIED IN 1896."

(Research):Census Listings:

1850 Federal Census
Tennessee, Davidson County
Enumerated 1 October 1850
428-438
Sterling McLemore 28 M Grocer Ten
Margaret McLemore 25 F Ten
William McLemore 7 M Ten
Christopher McLemore 3 M Ten

1860 Federal Census
Tennessee, Coffee County, Tullahoma
Enumerated 12 July 1860
Page 126
899-899
SJ McLemore 37 M Merchant $1950 $3000 Tenn
Margarett McLemore 36 F Domestic Tenn
William McLemore 17 M Student Tenn
Christopher McLemore 12 M Tenn
Florence McLemore 10 F Tenn
Lamira McLemore 8 F Tenn
Lauria McLemore 6 F Tenn
Henrietta McLemore 4 F Tenn
Unnamed McLemore 1 M Tenn

1870 Census Enumeration
Tennessee, Coffee County,
118-120
McLemore, J.S. 49 M W Keeping Livery Stable $4000 $2000 Tenn
McLemore, Margaret 43 F W Keeping House Tenn
McLemore, Columbus 22 M W Trades in Stock Tenn
McLemore, Florence 18 F W Tenn
McLemore, Laura 15 F W Tenn
McLemore, Henrytta 13 F W Tenn
McLemore, John 11 M W Tenn
McLemore, Stereling 3 M W Tenn

1880 Census
Tennessee, Coffee County, Tullahoma
Enumerate 7 and 8 of June, 1880
Page 20, SD 2, ED 19, Stamped D.
McLemore, Sterling W M 58 Ret Grocer Tenn
McLemore, Margaret W F 57 Wf Keepign House
McLemore, John W M 21 Son Clerk in Store
McLemore, Sterling W M 12 Son At Home

Sterling married Margaret J. Ward on 26 Oct 1841 in Lincoln County, Tennessee. Margaret (daughter of Noah Ward and Sarah ???) was born about 1827 in Tennessee; died about 1881 in Coffee County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
"Lincoln County Tennessee Official Marriage Records 1838-1880", by Helen C. Marsh & Timothy R. Marsh, pub. 1974

McLEMORE
Sterling McLemore to Margaret Ward, 26 Oct. 1841

(Courtesy of Noveda Metzger)

Goodspeed's 1887 Coffee County, Tennessee Biographical Index indicates that Sterling and Margaret had six children: William H.,, John C., S.J., Lamyra, Henrietta and Laura.

Will Johnson lists two additonal children, Cokumbus and Florence. These two children can be found on several census enumerations as well, so perhaps they were simply missed in the biography.

1. William McLemore was born about 1843 in Tennessee; and died.
2. Christopher Columbus McLemore was born about 1848 in Tennessee; and died.
3. Florence McLemore was born about 1850 in Davidson County, Tennessee; and died.
4. Lamyra McLemore was born about 1852 in Tullahoma, Coffee County, Tennessee; and died.
5. Laura McLemore was born about 1853 in Tullahoma, Coffee County, Tennessee; and died.
6. Henrietta McLemore was born about 1857 in Tullahoma, Coffee County, Tennessee; and died.
7. John McLemore was born about 1859 in Tullahoma, Coffee County, Tennessee; and died.
8. Sterling J. McLemore was born about 1867 in Tullahoma, Coffee County, Tennessee; and died.

Notes:

May have instead been born in Kentucky. His middle initial has been shown as both "C" and as "J."

The following articles, concerning the death of Sterling McLemore, are courtesy of Melba Gene McLemore:

The Village Messenger
Vol. I, Number XXXIX, December 3, 1823:
Fayetteville, Tennessee (Lincoln County)

Distressing Accident

Capt. Stirling C. M'LEMORE, of this county, was last evening dangerously wounded by the accidental discharge of a rifle. While sitting upon the fence with his gun upon his knees, it slipped, when on catching it suddenly and drawing the muzzle toward him it fired at half bent. The ball, we are informed by the surgeon, entered a little below the left breast, passed the cavity and lodged in the point of his left shoulder...He was living this morning, but his life is considered to be in imminent danger.

The Village Messenger
Vol. I, Number XL, December 10, 1823:
Fayetteville, Tennessee (Lincoln County)

DIED, Last night, at his residence in this county, Capt. Sterling C. M'LEMORE, age 33. His death was occasioned by a wound from the accidental discharge of a rifle on the 2nd instant, as mentioned in this paper of the 3d-He was a worthy and industrious citizen-a man much esteemed, and whose death will be lamented by a numerous circle of friends and acquantance. His remains, we are informed, will be interred tomorrow at 10 o'clock, with Masonic honors.

The Village Messenger
Vol. I, Number XLIX, February 11, 1824:
Fayetteville, Tennessee (Lincoln County)

We are requested to inform the public that the Rev. Mr. M'MAHAN is expected to preach a funeral sermon at the late residence of Capt. S. C. M'LEMORE, on Wednesday the 25th inst.

Admr's Sale
Will be sold to the highest bidder, on Wednesday 31st of March, at the late residence of Capt. Sterling C., dec'd all the personal Estate of the decedent, consisting of Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Hogs, Household and Kitchen Furniture, Farming utensils and other articles too tedious to mention. A credit of twelve months will be given, the purchaser giving bond and approved security.
ISAAC HOLMAN
WILLIAM MOORE, Administrators
Feb. 28, 1824

(Research):Census Information:

He was on the 1820 Lincoln County, Tennesse census.

Sterling C. McLemore 2-0-0-1-1-0|3-0-1-0-0|0-2
Two Males under Ten,
One Male 16-26
One Male 26-45 (Sterling)
Three Females under Ten
One Female 16-25 (Martha Patsy Whitaker McLemore)

(Two people involved in agriculture)

1830 Census
Tennessee, Lincoln County
Listing for his Widow and Family
Martha McLamore
0-2-0-1-0-0-0-0
0-0-2-0-0-1-0-0

Sterling married Martha C. "Patsy" Whitaker on 5 Oct 1811 in Fayette County, Kentucky. Martha was born about 1794 in Fayette County, Kentucky; died on 16 Apr 1877 in Lincoln County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The daughter of Mark WHITAKER and Caroline BOONE.

Melba Gene McLemore notes she is referenced in Vol. 8 of the Lincoln County, Tennesse Pioneers #7 - Ball Fork Church of Christ Third Saturday in April, 1824 "Patsy McLemore rec'd letter from South Elkton, KY, Dimissed in order."

Melba also indicated that the widowed Martha is listed as the head of household at the time of the 1830 Lincoln County, TN census. She herself is shown as between the ages of 40 and 50, and her household consisted of 3 females between the ages of 10 and 15, one male between 15 and 20, and two males between ages 5 and 10.

Also provided by Melba was a transcription from Lincoln County, TN Deed records, 11---391, State of Tennessee, Lincoln County, Known by all men present as Martha Pegram, Formerly Martha McLemore and guardian of the heirs of S.C. McLemore...Dec 9 for and in consideration of fourty dollars to me in hand paid this day bargained and sold to Auguish? Johnson 27 acres of land.....

(Research):Census Information:

1850 Census
Tennessee, Lincoln County, Subdivision No. 2
Enumerated 6 Nov 1850 by Alfred Bearden
Stamped 56
989-989
Martha Pegrim 56 F $1000 Kent
George A. Pegrim 18 M Tenn
Columbus Pegrim 16 M Tenn Attended School during year
Martha C Pegrim 13 F Tenn Attended School during year

Notes:

Married:
Melba Gene McLemore notes this is actually the bond date, not marriage date.

Foide Williams, in a post to The McLemore Family Genealogy Forum, writes that "The 1820 census of Lincoln Co, Tn (pg 14) shows Sterling C. McLemore and (pg 30) Signer Allen (who married Rebecca McLemore), Benjamin Wright (who married Hannah McLemore), James R. Brown (who married Martha McLemore), and Joel McLemore. These are all from Fayette Co, KY and apparently traveled together to Lincoln Co, TN. Sterling C. McLemore appears in Lincoln Co court records numerous times and he died there and his estate is there dated March 1825. All of this matches the Goodspeeds story for the family of Sterling J. McLemore (Sr) except the father's name should have been S. C. The heirs of Sterling J. McLemore (Sr) can be found in Partition Case #1072 in Coffee County, TN County Court loose papers."

http://www.jenforum.org/mclemore/messages/768.html

Notes:

James McKinney writes that Sterling paid taxes on 200 acres of land on Skaggs Creek as early as 1806, and may have been there earlier. McKinney also writes that in April 1805, William Bethuram (sic), a neighbor of Sterling's, married a Sarah McLemore. It is not known if this was Sterlings' youngest sister, Sally, or a daughter of Sterling's.

James McKinney adds that the land Sterling paid taxes on was on James Thompson's 4266 acre landgrant. Sterling did not have a deed to the property. In April 1807 James Kincaid bought the entire landgrant from Thompson's heirs. Sterling was present and was a witness, when the deed was made.

Paul Williams, noted, however that In a book dealing with Rockcastle (Kentucky) Pioneers it mentions a William Bethurum marrying a MARY McLemore in 1805 not Sarah/Sally---and that per another article dated 14 Oct 1987 "Family Research Manager" Loren C. Beougher of Raytown, MO cited "William Bethurum marriage to Mary McLemore 5 Apr 1805, Pulaski Co., KY"-- William is son of Benjamin -- Paul also noticed that one of the siblings of William & Mary [his name is Allen] also was shown as married to a McLemore.

Melba Gene McLemore shows that on the 1782 Surry County, NC Tax List he had no land, one horse, and a total taxable valuation of 6 pounds. She further indicated that the Feb. 1786 NC State Census for Surry County lists Sterlin, over 21, with a wife and two sons a two daughters. On February 25, 1787, he witnessed a deed for his father, in the Surry County Deed Book D:20. He is also indexed in the 1799 Deed Book G:113, Ephraim McLemore, deceased to Sterling McLemore.

1790 Census
North Carolina, Randolph County
Roll M637_7 Page 100 Image 0174

737 McLemore Sterling 1 3 3
873 McLemore Wright 1

Melba also provided a copy of his Estate Probate Records, from Fayette County, Kentucky, August 1815. The actual scanned images are in the documents section of this file.

Rebecca & Joel McElmore Act. and Adm.
In account current with the Estate of Sterling McElmore

To amount of sale of goods and chattles of the Estate $245.46; To cash paid by John Lewis 8.00; To (cash paid by) Richard Alsom 2.00; to (cash paid by) Rueben Cave/Carr 23.00; to (cash paid by) Sheriff of Fayette County 50.00; by balance 7.44; (Total Amount) $335.90 By cash paid H. Atchison $6.12; by (cash paid) A. Campbell 2.50; by (cash paid) J.P. Rucker 15.25; by (cash paid) Sterling McLemore, Jr. 6.87 1/2; by (cash paid) Aron McLemore 9.00; by (cash paid) Stephen Torry(sp?) 22.63; by (cash paid) Thos. Walker 31.71; by (cash paid) John Webber 19.00; by cash funeral expenses S. McL. Dec'd 16.87 1/2; by amt due M. Lewis U. ??? 9.74; by paid Joel McLemore 168.62 By service rendered on Administration 25.00; by cash paid Attorney 2.50 (which totals) $335.90 by Ballance Overpaid $7.44 In pursuance of an order of the July County Court we the subscribers have made the settlement with Rebecca & Joel McLemore administratrix & administrator of the Estate of Sterling McLemore Dec'd which settlement ??? above drawn. (Signed by) Thos. D. Miller, Jas. Headly, and J. Bucker.

Melba lists the inventory of his estate, dated 17 May 1814, as follows:

1 Cupboard 13.00
One Bureau 13.00
One Dining Table 5.00
One Chest 3.00
One Table 1.50
11 chairs, some without bottoms 3.00
One bed and furniture & bedstead 14.00
One do 16.00
One do 14.00
3 Coverlids 9.00
One bed & underbed 8.00
One lot of knives and forks 3.50
Cupboard ware 5.00
2 pewter dishes and spoons 2.00
One womans saddle and small bridle 5.00
One dutch over 1.25
One pot and pothooks?? 1.50
One pott rack 2.00
One small pot & hooks 0.50
One pair of shovel and ??? 2.00
One small churn 0.25
One Shado??shade?? 1.25
2 cotten wheels 3.00
One Hachell? 1.75
One ritrh? 2.50
One Loom & Packing 7.50
2 Water Partes? 0.75
One Jack S??? 7.00
4 barrels 1.50
One Grindstone 2.00
One logg chain 2.00
One plow and strechers 7.00
One cuting bo??? 3.00
Two Halter Horns and a pair of Harns 1.50
Bridles & Hip Strap 1.75
Carpenter Tools 7.50
3 Sickels 0.50
One trow 1.00
One rasp 1.00

One lot of old irons 1.75
2 pair of cotten cards 1.00
One flat iron ??? & nippers?? 0.75
One bell and currecombe?? 0.75
Wood 1.75
One plow cl?? and swing?? 4.00
Two hoes 1.50
One Bay Horse 40.00
One do do 20.00
One Bay Mare 25.00
4 Sheep 6.00
6 Hoggs 7.00
One Red Cow calf & Bell 11.00
One do do do 6.00
One Brown Yearling 3.00
One lot of old books 1.75
One bound duo> on Reuben?? Cave?? 23.50

Total Amount 356.75/100
Thomas D. Miller, James Healey??, James P. Rucker Compliers
Wedo here by acknowledge the atwo appraisement to be true and correct this 13 day of February 1815 Rebeccah x McElmore her Mark
Joel McElmore
Fayette County

Sterling married Rebecca ??? before 1782 in North Carolina. Rebecca was born between 1760 and 1770 in North Carolina; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Some researchers suspect her maiden name was WRIGHT.

Notes:

Married:
The Heritage Book of Coffee Co TN 1836-2004, article 867
Sterling McLemore
Sterling McLemore, son of Ephraim McLemore and Hanna Hudspeth, first appears on the NC tax lists of 1784-1787 in Surry Co showing one male age 21, two males under 21, and over 60, and three females of all ages.
He is found on the 1790 census for NC in Surry Co but is not shown in 1800.
He is found on the insolvent Tax List of 1790 Montgomery Co NC.
He received a land grant from the State of N.C., Grant
# 2081, for 100 acres. By 1810, he is found on the census of Rockcastle Co KY. He is shown as male age 45 and up. His wife is in same age bracket. His household has two males and two females under age 10, two males and two females ages 10-16,, and three males and one female ages 16-26.
Sterling McClemore born by 1765, probably in NC, died May 1814 in Fayette Co KY. Married by 1782 to Rebecca ____ born abt 1764 in NC. According to 1850 Mortality Schedule for TN. Their known children [as assumed from the intestate
probate papers, lawsuits and deeds found in Fayette Co KY are;
1. Joel b 1780-90 in NC
2. John
3. Abner b ca 1785 in NC, died between 1860-70 in AL md unknown wife abt 1811 in Rockcastle or Fayette Co, KY.
4. Sterling C. Jr. b 1775-91, died abt. Mar 1825 in Lincoln Co TN, married Martha [Patsy] Whitaker on 5 Oct. 1811 in Fayette Co KY. Martha then married Mr. Pegram and died abt 1881.
Their son, S. J. McLemore, is found on the 1850 census of Davidson Co TN. He was born 29 Dec, 1822 in Lincoln Co TN and died 20 June, 1896 in Coffee Co TN. His 8 children are named in Case #1072 of Probate Papers of Coffee County, TN.
5. Rebecca b 1780/90, married Signor Allen on 13 Mar 1815 in Fayette Co KY. Consent of her mother, Rebeccah McLemore, is given. They appear on the 1820 census of Lincoln Co TN.
6. Hannah b 1780/90, married Benjamin Wright on 19 Sept, 1814 in Fayette Co KY. They appear on 1820 & 1830 Lincoln Co TN census. Her mother, Rebeccah, consented to the marriage.
7. Martha [Patsy] b 1780/90 married James R. Brown ib 30 Nov, 1816 in Fayette Co KY.They appear on the 1820 & 1830 census of Lincoln Co TN and on the 1850 census of Coffee Co TN. James R. Brown died abt Feb 1855 in Coffee Co TN.
Sterling and Rebeccah McLemore probably had more children but their names are not known at this time.

Post by Virginia KEEFER on the McLemore Family Genealogy Forum (http://www.jenforum.org/mclemore/messages/1146.html)

Notes:

James L. McLemore, III writes that "It is possibly the younger Ephraim who is listed in 1768 on the Rowan County tax list. Rowan County, NC lies about halfway between Charlotte and Winston-Salem, hence it is in the west-central portion of the state, far from the centers of early McLemore settlement. He is known to have died in 1798, at age 60, in Surry County, North Carolina, which lies northwest of Winston-Salem, along the Virginia line. He probably arrived there by 1781, when he witnessed the will of Joseph MASTERS dated June 14th of that year. Ephraim Macklemore Jr. owed certain monies to the estate of one Robert WALKER in 1784, which remained unpaid as late as 1786, all in Surry County. The first U.S. Census places him in Surry County in 1790, and his will was probated in that county in 1798.
(James L. McLemore, III, pp 47, 48).

James McKinney shows an earlier arrival date to Surry County than James L. McLemore does. Mr. McKinney states that Ephraim was on the 1775 Surry County, NC Tax List. He also noted that in 1778 he entered 570 acres of land on the county line on a small branch of Hunters Creek, being the land "he now lives on."

James L. McLemore indicates that "In his will, he names his wife Hannah (who was left the use of all of his property while she remained a widow), sons Sterling, Wright, William, John, and Gilliam, and daughters Martha JONES, Kersey CONNA, Hannah McLemore, Rebecca McLemore, Fanny McLemore, and Sally McLemore. One of his executors was a Nicholas MASTERS; recalling that Ephraim Jr witnessed the will of Joseph MASTERS in 1781, it is possible that we have here a connection between the Masters family and Ephraim Jr."

Dr. Leverett also notes that Ephraim was listed in Captain Jeffrey's Company in 1754 of the Granville Co Militia (Colonial Granville Co and its People, Worth Ray). Vol. 22, p. 370-380 N.C. State Records: Ephraim McLemore Private in Captain Osborne Jeffrey's Company, Co. C. William Eaten's Regt, Granville Co., N.C, Oct 8, 1754. James McKinney instead shows that he served as a Private in the Reg. of Col. William Eaton of Granville Couny.

The 1790 Surry Co NC census shows 1 white male 16+, 3 white males 16-; and 5 females. The 1810 N.C. census shows an E. McLemore in Bladen Co. (Source: Dr. Rudy Leverett note card on Ephraim McLemore).

More information about this family can also be found in the Collections of Dubie Hudspeth:

http://www.geocities.com/blsa44/Ralphhudspethjr.html

Ephraim married Hannah Hudspeth about 1760 in Surry County, North Carolina. Hannah (daughter of Ralph Hudspeth, Jr. and Catherine ???) was born between 1740 and 1745 in Virginia; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
James McKinney writes that Ephraim's will listed his wife, Hannah and 11 children. The children were: Sterling, Wright, William, Martha, Cary, Hannah, Rebecca, Fanny, Gillum, John and Sally. He cites Surry Co N.C. Will Abstracts as his source.