Keton Jones McLemore b. Abt 1809 Kentucky d. Aft 1873 Bastrop County, Texas: Strong McLemore Ancestry

Abt 1809 - Aft 1873 (~ 65 years)

Name	Keton Jones McLemore [1]
Born	Abt 1809	Kentucky [1]
Gender	Male
Died	Aft 1873	Bastrop County, Texas
Notes	Sometimes shown as being born in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. Melba states that of all the descendants of Keton Jones McLemore that she has interviewed, no on can state with certainty how the city of Louisville, or where the origin of his being born into a family of 13 children originated, so both these are still speculative and may be incorrect. The youngest daughter of Keton Jones McLemore, Rosa, was interviewed by a grandson in 1941, and her detailed description of the family makeup was the starting point for much of the subsequent genealogical research done regarding the Keton Jones McLemore family. Rosa indicated that Keton was born when his mother was 60 years old, and that he was the youngest of 13 children, 11 boys and 2 girls. He was educated in Virginia and worked both as a school teacher and as a Methodist Minister. She further indicated that he died in Bastrop County at the age of 63 of gangrene. When son Felix Harrelson McLemore applied for an insurance policy, he also listed his father's cause of death as gangrene. Keton is thought, but not proven, to be a brother of Nicholas McLemore, to whom he lived next to in Sabine Parish, Louisiana at the time of the 1850 Federal Census. Based on naming patterns, it is also ASSUMED, but not proven, that both are sons of Sterling McLEMORE of Kentucky, and grandsons of Ephraim McLEMORE and Hannah HUDSPETH. Both Rosa and her brother Pleasant instead indicated that Keton Jones McLemore was a son of Samuel McLemore, an immigrant. In a 1954 letter to his grand niece, Ivy, Pleasant McLemore writes that "My grandfather Samuel McLemore was a lord, he disowned nobility, the title also, married and went to Kentucky, bought a Tobacco plantation, and became wealthy and raised 11 sons to manhood, father was the youngest, his dad sent him to Harvard...I know nothing about his brothers, though corespondd for some time with his nephew of Alabama and his youngest son came to see me when he was released from the Navy, his dads name is Carl S. McLemore a farmer in Scottsboro, Alabama." Melba Gene McLemore noted that Pleasant was prone to boasting, and known at times to enhance the truth. One example of this is the fact that there are no records that Keton ever attended Harvard. The family of Carl S. McLemore, born ca 1898 in Alabama, is shown in this index. It appears that Carl is a son of William McLemore of Tennessee, but it is not currently known how William McLemore fits into the larger McLemore family. Melba Gene McLemore writes that "on March 4, 1850 - Many, Sabine Parish, La. a charter is issued for a Masonic Lodge, with K.J. being listed as Worshipful Master." Furthermore, the book titled "Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Louisiana " published by the order of the Grand Lodge, New Orleans, 1852 shows that K.J. McLemore was a member of the Many Lodge, #88, and expelled in 1852. (Perhaps because he moved to Texas?) It was noted in this same book that N.H. McLemore was rejected in 1852. Melba also indicated that on 26 Jun 1851, Nicholas H. McLemore, in consideration of the sum of $150 sold to a third party property that had formerly been owned by K.J. McLemore, in the State of Louisiana, Parish of Sabine. The following letters, written by K.J. McLemore to his son Felix, were provided by Melba Gene McLemore: East Waco May 27th 1867 Written to Felix H. McLemore Dear Son, having just met with Tom and Sam Mays, I avail myself of the opportunity of writing to you by them as I have written repeatedly by mail without getting any answer and I am now in great haste and cannot write much. I have lost two of my mules-John and Kit together with a small mare and I am fearful that they are stolen. I had them day before yesterday and yesterday ------- and jack along. I ----- and have been huting this day and cannot hear anything of them. I have been carrying on a slaughterhouse in East Waco but intend quitting as I am not making anything and I intend coming back as soon as I can if, however I have lost my mules it will be out of my power to come without help and I may want you to com and help me. If I do, I will write soon. We are all well. You have a brother here that you neve saw, born 6th past month named Rufus Walter. "Not Bill Walt" He is a noble specimen of his species. Tom Mays told me he saw you a short time ago which was the first I have heard certain of you since I saw you. I have not tried to write all I wish but it would suffice that I have not seen any country since I left Bastrop that I like as well as Bastrop. There is more horse stealing, murdering, etc. in this than any country I have ever lived in. Bell and Margaret are at work in a large spinning factory at one dollar and ten cents a day and both can soon clothe themselves well. I have ---- $70 due me here and as ---- square with my little affairs. I am determined to leave here. I have not heard from George or Philip, Wright or Thad since I have been here. If you are not engaged come up and see us and bring a work horse or two with you, so that I can come back. If Mrs. BATEY has never got her money from Hunt County, if you or any of you come properly authorized by Power of Attorny, I will go with you out there. I must stop. Good Bye your affectionate father, K.J. McLemore P.S. Ma and the children all send their love to all KJM May 30th As Tom and Sam Mays have not come yet, but are camped some 4 miles back I now proceed to add that I have found my mules but I do not know how long I may keep them as horse stealing is the order of the day here. There has been a good many stolen from East Waco since I have been here. We are having a great abundance of rain and I look for sickness and feel anxious to leave here. In fact I would do so immediately if I could and shall be sure to do so in a month. If I can possibly close with my business. Algerine PERKINS comes to see me occasionally. Preaches ----- Sunday, he is still the same akward -----. I do no see much improvement, if any. They are trying to hold district court here but I do not think they have qutie got their jury made up. They have summonded a great many negroes. God! I pity my country. Tell Walt I saw his friend John DAVIS some time ago. He was trafficking round with a wagon said he had not home. I think he will never pay Walt though he spoke of the debt. I want you to write immediately on the receipt of this. I have written to you several & rec'd no answer. I wrote to BACHMAN about a month ago to inquire after you, but have no answer from him either. I now no nothing more to write that may interest you. You can ride here in 2 or 2 days and if you are not too closely engaged I hope you will do so and I repeat if Mrs. BATEY or any of you come I will go with you to Hunt County. Your Ma says tell Walt that his namesake is the finest boy in Texas. I must stop and get up my mules and harness them to the wagon os I will only -----. Truly. Your Aff't Father K.J. McLemore Sept . 7th 1868 Seguin , Tx. To Felix H. McLemore, Dear Son, After waiting until my patience has become exhausted, I again resume the pen, hoping to be more fortunate in obtaining an answer than I have been here tofore. You will see that I am still at Seguin, simply from the fact that I have not been able to get away, tho I am still determined to go on West, or rather South. I have truly but little to write that can interest you, let it suffice we are all well or tolerably so. Just now Rufus has been quiet sick, is now quite pert again. Bob still has the 3rd day chills, but they do not seem to hurt him much. I have only had one letter from you since I left your house & none from any other source. Amanda red'd on from Thad about 2 weeks since. He was then well, but had been sick some. He was then at Wright's in Clinton, but was going the next day to Lavacca with his team. Hauling is now a good price. $2.00 per 100 lbs. from Lavacca to Seguin & 2 to Austin. Phillip will start in a day or two. He would perhaps be gone now, but was kept home on account of Amanda. She had a daughter born day before yesterday. I may make a trip below myself before I go on South. If I do I will drive an ox team & let Bob drive my mules. I could get stocks here to manage or carry West if I would rather gather them, but I sould not undertake to do that, as it would almost be impossible owing to the mesquite brush. You would be surprised to see how this country has grown up. It is next thing to an impossibility to gather stock here-ther has been an abundance of rain here during the last 4 or 5 weeks and the grass indeed fine. Crops are very good as a general thing, tho the cotton worm has been preying on the cotton crop for some time. Most of the cotton that I see is now bare of foilage. I am indeed very anxious to hear from you & know how you are getting along & what you intend or think of doing. I am told there will be no difficulty in getting stocks to manage out West & I will use every effort in my power to get a good stock to manage in the spring. If you was here with a good team, I suspedt you could make more in one or two trips than you will make in your whole years hard work-What is Walt doing? And what does he talk of doing.-I must close as (Babe) Amanda's little girl is waiting to carry my letter to the office. I shall expect an immediate answer & if I don't get it, I shall be a little ashy. The family all join me in best wishes to you & yours, together with kind regards to Walt & Family. Meanwhile, I remain Truly your aff't Father, K.J. McLemore P.S. Can my little grandson walk & talk-You must kiss him for Grandpa-Goodbye. Direct to care of Ebner and I will get it. (Notes from Melba Gene McLemore: The letter above was written to my Great-great Grandfather, Felix Harrelson McLemore from his father, Keton Jones McLemore. Walt (to whom Keton sends his regards at the end of the letter) is most likely Walter Worsham BATEY, Felix McLemore's Father-in-Law. Felix's little grandson is my great grandfather, Walter Keton McLemore, who was one year old on the day this letter was written. Walter Keton McLemore would raise my father after the death of my grandfather, Eugene Allen McLemore. Seguin, Texas Nov 21, 1868 To Felix H. McLemore My dear son, having written 3 letters to you without obtaining any answers and having become weary on that account I now . . . once more, hoping ... successful in obtaining an answer to it. . I have only but little to write of interest, let it suffice, we are all tolerable well now. I wrote you about the death of your little brother Rufus which I suppose you got, we have all been sick and at the time Rufus died we were expecting Adaline to die, but she has recovered and is as playful today as usual. I am still living at the . place, & I reckon will be compelled to stay untill I can raise a crop as any sickness has put me in debt and I do not see how I can get out without raising a crop of cotton. I have not .. the place yet but think I can do so. There is two concrete houses of 2 rooms each and 3 log cabins . . . good lots . . of land under . . . If I . I will be compelled to hire some help unless you will come & join me in cultivating it. I would much prefer going on out to Bee or Nueces counties. The people out there I learn are all doing . . good crops there this season and have a market for their beef at St. Mary's or Rock Port & Corpus Christi. There is a man now stopping in sight of me who lives out there near Page's [?] Store, he says they have twice the money in circulation out there than we have here with no clashing & fussing about politics. Here it is a continual clash. Enough to turn a man's brain. Since the elections the Negroes have become more self important and impudent than before and that will be the finale of the matter God only knows.---- I saw Pat ..'s wife in Seguin not long since, but did not have time to talk much with her. She begged me to come back to Papalota , she said they were all getting sick out there. Old Dave Calahan still lives at the same old place, has a very large stock & is entirely independent. Bill Miller is said to be rich in stock & money. Sam Smith is shipping beeves and I learn is doing well. Old Anderson Williams lives at his old place on the Medio, Peter Degat [?] at his old place. Major Stein is merchandising on Popalota, Old Billy .. Is back there. Charly Megesly [?] lives at the reef near Corpus. I now know of nothing more to write. If I was not so hard run [?] I would come immediately to see you, but it is out of my power. I am trying to get loading to start to the Post. I will go as soon as I can. Prob.[?] will start tomorrow or next day. I heard from Thad not long since on his way to Austin & was sick. I have been thinking he might be at your house now I expect you to answer this immediately Your father K.J. McLemore I have written to George & Lucretia but no answer. Randolph Branch, Texas March 21st, 1870 Written to Felix H. McLemore Dear Son, Yours of the 4th Inst. is received and agreeable to my usual custom of promptitude in my correspondance. I hasten to reply. Have nothing of great interest to write. Let it suffice we are all well and have had last night and today a fine rain Which we thought we were needing very much as the ground was so dry that we were unable to plow or plant. I have been coinsaratively idle for 2 weeks or near that time, have not planted anything but a few vegetables. Irish Potatoes, Peas, Sowed Cabbage Lettuce, Mustard KC and a little Corn for early roasting ears. The corn is killed and if I could have plowed I should have been done planting corn & perhaps cotton which would no doubted have been labor in vain.-I now think I will not plant corn for 10 days yet. Say the last of this or 1st of next month as I feel sure we may expect a cold spell about 17th next month, being Easter Sunday and full moon 2 days before. It will be very apt to come, and in planting any corn I wish to plant, so as to secure my crop against any severe weather we may have about that time and it is a matter of great importance with the farmer to secure a good stand at the first planting. I am indeed quite uneasy on account of Thad, his trip to La. Particularly in company with the Characters he is with is unsafe & I shall suffer on his account untill I find he has returned in safety. You said that your country had filled with desperados and horse thieves and I learn that such is the case here and am credibly informed that there have been some 6 or 7 hanged by mobs for horse stealing on the San Marcos and in Caldwell County. Mexicans generally I believe. I should feel no fears of John Wilson, he is no doubt a bad man and mean enough to murder, or do anything, but he is no doubt a great coward, but as caution is the parent of safety, I should not find myself in his way, but be prepared and if I could prove his threats and meet with him I would certainly take care of myself if possible--If you hear from Thad, don't fail to let me know immediately, --- I rec'd. a letter from your cousin Jack yesterday, he was then at your cousin Eliza Thompsons in Travis Co. & I have just answered his letter, directed my letter to Onion Creek, care of Sterling J. Wright, and if Jack should be at your home, as he spoke something in his letter of coming there, you can inform him of that fast. Amanda & her children are at my house. Ebner having gone below. They are not well. Manda and two of the children have been having chills. I must now close & do not know when you will hear from me again as I am writing on my last paper, using my last envelop & no money to buy more, with gloomy prospects for provisions, but having worked through so long I still expect to make out. I am very anxious to have Mag at home, but see no way of getting her here. I suppose if Thad gets back he will come out here before long & I want him to bring her home--you see I have only room to say good bye, Your Father ...K.J. McLemore PS I have not heard of your Bro. Wright in some time. don't hangle & quarrel with George. It is no credit to either of you .I know him perhaps too well. Give him what he has got and let go. KJM (Research): Census Listings: 1830 Census-Richland, Arkansas Territory Enumerated alone, but living next door to Wright McLemore Arkansas Territory, Arkansas County, Richland Township Series: M19 Roll: 5 Page: 76 Year: 1830 Household consists of one male under the age of 20, and listed as McLemore, Reten J 1840 Census Macklamoer, K.J. State: LA Year: 1840 County: Natchitoches Parish Record Type: Federal Population Schedule Township: No Township Listed Page: 180 Database: LA 1840 Federal Census Index In Kathy Casagranda's 1850 Sabine Parish Census Transcription, she indicated that in 1846 K.J. McLemore was Assessor and that an R.J. (sic) McLemore was Captain of Police Jury Ward Two. As of 1850, K.J. was shown as Sheriff. (p. 14). She has the family transcribed as follows: 619 McLemore, H.J. 41 M Kentucky (Note by Melba: Occupation was listed as Sheriff) 619 McLemore, Rebecca 30 F Mississippi 619 McLemore, Wright 15 M Mississippi 619 McLemore, Lucretia 10 F Mississippi 619 McLemore, Amanda 9 F Louisiana 619 McLemore, Felix 6 M Louisiana 619 McLemore, Thaddeus 4 M Louisiana 619 McLemore, Rebecca 1 F Louisiana Listed immediately after K.J. McLemore's family was that of Nicholoas McLemore. The relationship between the two families is not known with certainty, but they appear to be related based on their migration patterns and proximity. 620 McLemore, Nicholas 39 M Farmer Tennessee 620 McLemore, Jane 31 F Tennessee 620 McLemore, Chas 1 M Mississippi 620 McLemore, Sterling 14 M Mississippi 620 McLemore, Evaline 11 F Tennessee 620 McLemore, William 10 M Tennessee 620 McLemore, Jas 8 M Tennessee 620 McLemore, Laura 5 F Mississippi 620 McLemore, Robt 4 M Mississippi Casagranda notes that the Nicholas McLemore family was living in the 1860 census with children James, Robert, Richard and Martha still at home. After 1860, there were no further records for this family in the Parish. However, she noted that a large number of individuals named McLemore lived in Union Parish. Keton and family were in Bee County, Texas at the time of the 1860 census Texas, Bee County, Papalote #290-229 Enumerated 3 July 1860 By A S Thurman PAGES 146b and 147 a R.J. Mclamore 50 M Farmer KY Nancy J Mclamore 23 F Tenn Felix H Mclamore 16 M La Thadeus R Mclamore 14 M La Rebecca E Mclamore 11 F La Margaret F Mclamore 8 F Tex Rob J Mclamore 3 M Tex Emily M Mclamore Age 8/12 F Tex 1870 Census Texas, Guadalupe County, Seguin, Pr 4 Enumerated by James M. Thornton Stamped 422 #65-69 K.J. age 60 Farmer $300 KY Nancy - age 33-Wife Keeps House Tennessee R.J. Age 20 F W La Sarah Age 14 F W Tex Robert age 12 M W Tex Emaley age 8 F W Tex Adaline age 5 F W Tex Rosa age 11/12 F W Tex (Census listings courtesy of Melba Gene McLemore) (Medical): Y DNA Results, FTDNA Haplogroup: R1b1 A direct male descendant of Keton McLemore was a participant in the Morrison DNA study. The kit number was 35844, and this DNA was a high definition match to two other McLemore's (not previously proven to be related), as well as with a McElmurry from Kentucky See the results for Group O at the following website: http://www.geneticousins.com/morrison/ Keton's descendant was a match to a descendant of Wright McLemore of Arkansas, matching in 24 of 25 markers. Wright and Keton lived in adjoining households at the time of the 1830 Richland County, Arkansas census. Keton's descendant was also a high resolution match, 24 of 25 markers, with a direct male descendant of John McLemore, born 1822 in North Carolina, who later migrated to Georgia and Texas. He moved to Jasper and Newton Counties, Texas, just across the border from Sabine Parish, Lousiana, where Keton McLemore lived for some period of time. The markers that differ are, in each case, rapidly mutating markers. According to FamilytreeDNA in Houston, the probability that the two DNA donors share a common ancestor, is as follows: In comparing 25 markers, the probability of sharing a common ancestor within the last... 4 generations is 27.54% 8 generations is 58.22% 12 generations is 78.24% 16 generations is 89.3% 20 generations is 94.93% 24 generations is 97.66% In addition to this above matches, the Wright McLemore, John McLemore, and Keton Jones McLemore descendants were also matches to two proven descendants of Abraham Macklemore, the immigrant, and John McLemore, born 1762, the Revolutionary soldier who left descendants in Knox County, Tennessee; Dade County, Missouri; Illinois; Mississippi; and Alabama. Each of these matches, including the McElmurry, can be found indexed in these files. The members of R1b are believed to be the descendants of the first modern humans who entered Europe about 35,000-40,000 years ago. Those R1b forebearers were the people who painted the beautiful art in the caves in Spain and France. They were the contemporaries (and perhaps exterminators) of the European Neanderthals. R1b is the most common Y haplogroup in Europe - more than half of men of European descent belong to R1b. Fourteen of the 30 most common haplotypes in the YSTR.org database are typical of R1b.
Person ID	I24457	Strong Family Tree
Last Modified	17 Aug 2014

Family 1 Rebecca Jane Harrelson, b. Abt 1820, Mississippi , d. Between 1852 and 1853, Jefferson County, Texas (Age ~ 32 years)

Married 28 May 1833 Hinds County, Mississippi

In a March 1, 1955 letter to his niece, Pleasant McLemore, the youngest son of Keton by his second wife, recalls that the names of his fathers descendants by his first wife, as far as he knew, were "Lucreacia, Wright, Mandy, Isabel, Felix before Isabel (my error), Maggie, and then Thad, as for Harrison, I never heard of him.....I never did see Wright, saw Thad once, when we stopped at Felixes a few minutes, he didn't talk to me, and I didn't know who he was."

Children

	1. Wright K. McLemore, b. Abt Jan 1835, Mississippi , d. 24 Dec 1883, McDade, Bastrop County, Texas (Age ~ 48 years)
	2. Lucretia Jane McLemore, b. 10 Nov 1838, Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi , d. 7 Mar 1930, Yselta, El Paso County, Texas (Age 91 years)
	3. Amanda F. McLemore, b. 13 Feb 1840, Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana , d. 14 Jul 1922, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas (Age 82 years)
	4. Felix Harrelson McLemore, b. 16 Mar 1843, Sabine Parish, Louisiana , d. 16 Nov 1919, St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri (Age 76 years)
	5. Thaddeus Kociusko McLemore, b. 8 Nov 1846, Sabine Parish, Louisiana , d. 24 Dec 1883, McDade, Bastrop County, Texas (Age 37 years)
	6. Rebecca Isabella "Bell" McLemore, b. 15 Mar 1850, Sabine Parish, Louisiana , d. 16 Jan 1918, Houston, Harris County, Texas (Age 67 years)
	7. Margaret F. McLemore, b. 8 Jan 1852, Texas , d. 25 Nov 1890, Hico, Hamilton County, Texas (Age 38 years)
	8. Infant McLemore, b. Abt 1853, Jefferson County, Texas , d. Abt 1853, Jefferson County, Texas (Age ~ 0 years)

Documents

» Slide Show

McLemore, Keton Jones family info pg1
Rosa McLemore Dunkerly (1869-1954) dictated this family history to a grandson in 1941. She was the youngest daughter, and fifteenth child, born to Keton Jones McLemore. Census and other records confirm her recollections to be very accurate. Page 1 of 4.

McLemore, Keton Jones Family info pg2
Rosa McLemore Dunkerly (1869-1954) dictated this family history to a grandson in 1941. She was the youngest daughter, and fifteenth child, born to Keton Jones McLemore. Census and other records confirm her recollections to be very accurate. Page 2 of 4.

McLemore, Keton Jones Family info pg3
Rosa McLemore Dunkerly (1869-1954) dictated this family history to a grandson in 1941. She was the youngest daughter, and fifteenth child, born to Keton Jones McLemore. Census and other records confirm her recollections to be very accurate. Page 3 of 4.

McLemore, Keton Jones Family info pg4
Rosa McLemore Dunkerly (1869-1954) dictated this family history to a grandson in 1941. She was the youngest daughter, and fifteenth child, born to Keton Jones McLemore. Census and other records confirm her recollections to be very accurate. Page 4 of 4.

Last Modified 9 Dec 2006

Family ID F8149 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Family 2 Nancy Jane Johnson, b. 21 Mar 1835, Tennessee , d. 7 Dec 1926, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California (Age 91 years)

Married Aft 1853 Texas [1]

In his March 1, 1955 letter to a niece, Pleasant McLemore enumerated his own sibling group "Elisabeth, Emma, Bob, Addie, Rose, Pleasant."

Children

	1. Mattie McLemore, b. Abt 1853, Texas , d. Abt 1853, Texas (Age ~ 0 years)
	2. Sarah Elizabeth McLemore, b. 15 Oct 1854, McDade, Bastrop County, Texas , d. 18 Aug 1941, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California (Age 86 years)
	3. Robert "Bob" Johnson McLemore, b. Abt 1857, McDade, Bastrop County, Texas , d. Abt 1911, Caddo Parish, Louisiana (Age ~ 54 years)
	4. Emily "Emma" Mary McLemore, b. Jun 1859, Texas , d. Aft 1920, Boerne, Kendall County, Texas (Age ~ 61 years)
	5. Nancy Adaline "Addie" McLemore, b. 25 Sep 1864, Texas , d. 12 Jan 1923, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas (Age 58 years)
	6. Rufus Walter McLemore, b. 26 Apr 1867, East Waco, McLennan County, Texas , d. Bef Nov 1868, Seguin, Guadalupe County, Texas (Age 1 years)
	7. Rosa Ann Vernetta McLemore, b. 27 Jul 1869, Seguin, Guadalupe County, Texas , d. 9 Dec 1954, Houston, Harris County, Texas (Age 85 years)
	8. Pleasant Cornelius McLemore, b. 11 Nov 1873, McDade, Bastrop County, Texas , d. 19 Sep 1955, Houston, Harris County, Texas (Age 81 years)

Documents

» Slide Show

Last Modified 9 Dec 2006

Family ID F8159 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Event Map

	Born - Abt 1809 - Kentucky
	Married - 28 May 1833 - Hinds County, Mississippi
	Married - Aft 1853 - Texas
	Died - Aft 1873 - Bastrop County, Texas

= Link to Google Earth

Pin Legend : Address : Location : City/Town : County/Shire : State/Province : Country : Not Set

Documents		McLemore, Keton and Nicholas Mason Record, 1852 For reasons unknown to this compiler, in 1852 N.H. McLemore was rejected--and K.J. McLemore was expelled--from the membership of the Many, Louisiana Masonic Lodge #88, by order of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.
Documents		yDNA results for Direct Male Descendant of Keton Jones McLemore b. 1809 Kentucky, third row, m049 The main purpose of this study was to prove that the immigrant founders of this family in America, James Macklemore and Abraham Macklemore, were brothers. If brothers, then the y-DNA of the direct male descendants of both men would match. However, instead of confirming this, it appears that we have AT LEAST two distinct yDNA groups, with three additional potential lines. The first cluster of matching yDNA has ten members, who are part of the R1b1a2 haplogroup (highlighted on the spreadsheet in salmon). The R1b DNA haplogroup, is the most common in Western Europe. Two of the ten participants can trace their lines back to the immigrant Abraham Macklemore, the husband of Mary Young. Another member (m268) can trace himself back to Moses McLemore b. ca. 1738 who is thought to be a son of Wright McLemore, grandson of William Macklemore, and great-grandson of the immigrant James Macklemore. If both these members are correct in their paper trails, AND if Amos can be proven to be a great-grandson of James Macklemore, then the assumption that James and Abraham have a common paternal ancestor is correct as descendants of both men share the same yDNA. The other seven members of this first cluster all have the McLemore surname, and all can trace their lineages back to McLemore men who predate the Civil War, but have not conclusively linked themselves back to either James or Abraham. The second cluster in the study have three members to date (this group is highlighted on the spreadsheet in green). They are all in the E1b1 Haplogroup, which is rare in Western Europe. All of them match each other, but do not match any other McLemores yet tested. All three of these members can trace their ancestry to John Macklemore of Virginia, the husband of Faith. Two of them descend from his son Burwell, and the third from his son Joel. But, as discussed above, IF we have also proven that the immigrants Abraham and James Macklemore are brothers, then it follows that John Macklemore could not be the biological son of the immigrant James, as the yDNA of these two clusters is very different. Our current thinking is that John was likely a son of Fortune?s and a stepson of James Macklemore, who raised him as his own. Alternatively, it may still be proven that James and Abraham were not brothers. They may share the same surname, but not the same paternal ancestry. More proven descendants of James and Fortune Macklemore will need to be tested to confirm or refute either theory. As an interesting side note, it had long been assumed that the Revolutionary War Soldier John McLemore, who lived for a time in North Carolina and died in Tennessee, was a son of Burwell MacLemore and Amy Gilliam. However, current DNA evidence indicates this could not be correct. This is because two descendants of Archibald McLemore of Knox County, TN, a son John McLemore the Revolutionary Soldier, are both part of the larger R1b1a2 cluster (highlighted in salmon). They do NOT match the DNA of Burwell?s other descendants in the E1b1 cluster. Therefore, it is evident that the John McLemore who moved to Tennessee and was the father of Archibald McLemore CAN NOT be the same John McLemore who was a son of Burwell McLemore. In addition to the two groups discussed above, there are three McLemore DNA volunteers who don?t match any of the McLemores in either of the first two groups, OR match each other. One of these men (highlighted in purple on the spreadsheet) is a descendant of Hiram McLemore of Lee County, VA and later Breathitt County, KY. Hiram has been speculated to be a son of John McLemore and Ruth Steelman, a grandson of Ephraim McLemore, and great grandson of the immigrant James. However, if James and Abraham Macklemore are brothers, then Hiram could not be a biological descendant of James. He would have to match the group of ten McLemore?s in the first group. Although Hiram McLemore's descendant is also part of the R1b1 Haplogroup, he is more than 10 markers removed (based on 25 markers tested) from being a match to any of the other R1b1 McLemore?s, and therefore could not share a common ancestor in a genealogically significant time period. The second unmatched volunteer (highlighted in blue) is a direct descendant of the McLemore family that moved from North Carolina to Jones County, GA and then onto Montgomery County, AL. He is part of the R1a haplogroup, common in many parts of Eurasia and Scandinavia. He can trace his line back through four generations of James McLemore?s to James Macklemore Jr, thought to be the son of James and Fortune. But again, if James and Abraham are brothers, then he could not be a biological descendant of James Macklemore, the immigrant. The third unmatched volunteer (highlighted in brown) descends from James Madison McLemore born 1861 in Louisiana and died & buried 1918 in Van Zandt County, Texas. He is thought to be a son of William Kearney McLemore b. 1825 and d. 1889, also buried in Van Zandt County, Texas. He is in the I1 haplogroup, which is the most common group in Scandinavia. It is currently not known why these McLemores do not yet match any other study members. It is possible that there were several founding McLemore lines, instead of just one as has been long assumed. Or another possibility could be that undisclosed adoptions have occurred through the generations of descendants of both James and/or Abraham. Please help us to continue to unravel these DNA mysteries by volunteering to take part in this study. Email me for more details (stxstrong@gmail.com), or you can enroll directly at this websites listed below. http://www.geneticousins.com/morrison/ or here http://www.familytreedna.com/project-join-request.aspx?group=Morrison Also, if you have had your yDNA tested outside of the Morrison group, please let us know. We would be glad to add your results to the spreadsheet. If you have trouble viewing this spreadsheet, email me at stxstrong@gmail.com and I can send you an excel spreadsheet or PDF.

Sources

[S501] McLemore, Melba Gene-Family Researcher/Family Group Sheets, Correspondence, Email (maddoxyellowrose@hotmail.com) ; http://www.mclemoregenealogy.org/index.php, (http://www.mclemoregenealogy.org/index.php).