William Perry McLemore

Notes:

When he registered for the draft during World War I, his occupation was shown as a laborer for T. E. Owen in Minto, Sampson County, North Carolina. His nearest relative was Joel McLemore, his father. He was listed as age 18, of medium heighth and build, and he had gray eyes and light hair.

Was living with his brother, Elijah Franklin, at the time of the 1920 census.

Name: William Perry Mclemore
Gender: Male
Burial Date: 13 Dec 1964
Burial Place: Roseboro, N.C.
Death Date: 11 Dec 1964
Death Place: Roseboro, Sampson, North Carolina
Age: 64
Birth Date: 27 Jun 1900
Birthplace: North Carolina
Occupation: Parts Manager
Race: White
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Lila Hall Mclemore
Father's Name: Joel Mclemore
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Arleah Simmons
Mother's Birthplace:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: B01431-4
System Origin: North Carolina-EASy
Source Film Number: 1953569
Reference Number: v 39B cn 39793
Collection: North Carolina Deaths and Burials, 1898-1994

Family/Spouse: Lila Jane Hall. Lila was born on 29 Jul 1907 in Sampson County, North Carolina; died on 22 Nov 2004 in Roseboro, Sampson County, North Carolina; was buried in Roseboro Cemetery (Hollywood Cemetery), Roseboro, Sampson County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. William McCoy "Toot" McLemore was born on 22 Feb 1926 in Sampson County, North Carolina; died on 11 Feb 2012 in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina; was buried in Roseboro Cemetery (Hollywood Cemetery), Roseboro, Sampson County, North Carolina.
2. Matrilla McLemore was born on 5 Aug 1947; died on 28 Jul 2003; was buried in Roseboro Cemetery (Hollywood Cemetery), Roseboro, Sampson County, North Carolina.

Notes:

Name Joel Mclemore
Titles and Terms
Event Type Death
Event Date 01 Mar 1934
Event Place Roseboro, Little Coharie Twp., Sampson, North Carolina
Birth Year:
Birth Year (Estimated) 1854
Burial Date 02 Mar 1934
Burial Place
Cemetery Horne
Funeral Home
Residence Place
Address
Gender Male
Age 80
Marital Status Widowed
Race (Original) White
Occupation
Birth Date
Birthplace Sampson Co.
Father's Name Raeford Mclemore
Father's Titles and Terms
Father's Birthplace Sampson Co.
Mother's Name Polly Horne
Mother's Titles and Terms
Mother's Birthplace Sampson Co.
Spouse's Name Arle...H Alice Mclemore
Spouse's Titles and Terms
Additional Relatives X
Informant's Name
Reference ID fn 1698 cn 65
GS Film number 1943083

Citing this Record:
"North Carolina, Deaths, 1931-1994," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FPJS-24S : accessed 6 December 2014), Joel Mclemore, 01 Mar 1934; citing Roseboro, Little Coharie Twp., Sampson, North Carolina, fn 1698 cn 65, State Department of Archives and History, Raleigh; FHL microfilm 1,943,083.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Federal Census
North Carolina, Sampson, McDaniels, ED 97
McLemore, Joel Head W M Jan 1850 50 M 25 NC NC NC Day Laborer
McLemore, Arleah A Wife W F Jan 1861 39 M 25 5/3 NC NC NC
McLemore, Elijah F Son W M Jul 1879 20 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Mattie E Dtr W F July 1884 15 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Lela M Dtr W F Nov 1896 3 S NC NC NC

1910 Federal Census
North Carolina, Sampson, McDaniels Twp, ED 88
McLemore, Joel Hd M W M1 34 NC NC NC Farmer
McLemore, Alie Wife F W 49 M1 34 6/4 NC NC NC
McLemore, Lela M Dtr F W 12 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Wm. P Son M W 9 S NC NC NC

1920 Federal Census
North Carolina, Sampson, Little Coharie, ED 90
McLemore, Frank Head M W 40 M NC NC NC Lumbering Saw Mill
McLemore, Mary V Wife F W 35 M NC NC NC
McLemore, Lottie M Dtr F W 14 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Joel Father M W 68 M NC NC NC
McLemore, A.A. Mother F W 52 NC NC NC
McLemore, W. Perry Brother M W 19 S NC NC NC
Horn, J.W. Brother in Law M W 53 S NC NC NC
Johnson, B.L. Boarder M W 37 S NC NC NC

Joel married Arleah Alice Simmons about 1876. Arleah was born on 16 Jun 1861 in Sampson County, North Carolina; died on 23 Jun 1928 in Roseboro, Sampson County, North Carolina; was buried in Horne Family Cemetery, Roseboro, Sampson County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her North Carolina Death certificate shows her as a daughter of John M. Simmons and Caroline Owen.

Notes:

Married:
At the time of the 1900 census, she was shown as the mother of five children, three still living. At the time of the 1920 census, Joel and Arleah were living with their son Elijah Franklin McLemore.

Notes:

Census records show he was born circa 1815.

Robert McLemore Butler listed him as a son of the elder Raiford McLemore. This would seem to be a logical assumption, especially as they both have the same first name and both resided in the Southern District of Sampson County at the time of the 1850 census.

However, it appears that Raiford is more likely a son of one of Raiford's older brothers, Hezekiah, Henry or Tobias.

The older Raiford McLemore (born ca 1785-1790) did not have any male children enumerated in the proper age categories on either the 1820 or 1830 Head of Household Census. Additonally, when the elder Raiford's drew up the division of his lands in 1864, these lands were distributed to "Nancy Lockamy, Rachel McLemore, Kizzia (MAYBE a nickname for Hezekiah??) McLemore, Susanna McLemore, Edith Simmons, (and) Daniel Carter's wife, Luanna." No land was transferred to the Raiford McLemore whom was born in 1815, although it is clear from census records he was still living. And finallly, at the time of the 1850 census an even younger Raiford, this one born ca. 1835, was listed in the home of the elder Raiford. It seems unlikely he would have two living sons by the same name. However, The youngest (born 1835) Raiford did not inherit land either.

As stated above, if Raiford was not be the son of the elder Raiford, then he is likely the son of one of Raiford's brothers.

Brother Henry moved to Bladen County and later to Houston County, Georgia. Unlike Raiford, he did have sons born in the time period of 1815 to 1820, but his sons were named in his will as John Wright and Willson. Therefore, he can also be ruled out.

This leaves the potential fathers of Raiford as Hezekiah or Tobias. James L. McLemore III argues that based on later family naming patterns, he is more likely the son of Hezekiah, who appears to have left North Carolina for South Carolina. Raiford likely lived in South Carolina as a youth, and then moved back to Sampson County, North Carolina.

Tobias McLemore, a brother of the elder Raiford, did have a son who was born between 1810 and 1815, as shown on the 1830 census. His unidentified son could have been either Raiford, or Amos McLemore. Amos was born ca 1813, and married Jemima SIMMONS. However, census records he only had one son in this age category, so he could only be the father of one of the two men yet to be firmly attached to their prospective father.

(Research):
Census Information:

1840 Sampson County Census
R(aiford) McIlmore (p 22)
1 male between 20-30 (born between 1810 and 1820)
2 females under 5
1 female between 20-30


1850 Census
North Carolina, Sampson County, Southern District
392-392
Raiford McLemore 35 M Farmer NC Can't read or write
Mary " 35 F NC Can't read or write
Martha " 14 F NC Attended School
Ann " 10 F NC Attended School
William " 9 M NC Attended School
Sarah " 7 F NC
Hezekiah " 5 M N
Joel " 1 M NC

1860 Census
North Carolina, Sampson County, McDaniels
Raiford McLemore 46 M Farmer NC Can't read or write
Mary " 46 F NC Can't read or write
Martha " 22 F NC "
Ann " 20 F NC "
Sarah " 19 F NC
William " 18 M NC Attended School
Hezekiah " 16 M N "
Joel " 14 M NC "
John " 5 M NC
Charles " 1 M NC
Mary E " 2/12 M NC

1870 Census
North Carolina, Sampson County, McDaniels Township, Post Office Clinton
Enumerated 29 June 1870
Page 5, Stamped 309
McLEMORE, Raiford 55 M W Farmer North Carolina
McLEMORE, Polly 60 F W Keeping House North Carolina
McLEMORE, Angelina* 25 F W Keeping House North Carolina
McLEMORE, Joel 20 M W Works Turpetine North Carolina
McLEMORE, John 15 M W Works Turpetine North Carolina
McLEMORE, Allen 12 M W Works on Farm North Carolina
McLEMORE, Mary 9 F W At Home North Carolina

*Where was Angelina in 1850 and 1860? Could this be Sarah, with Angelina being her middle name? Could this be a widowed daughter in law?

1880 Census
North Carolina, Bladen, White Oak, District 13
McLemore, Raiford W M 65 Laborer
McLemore, Margaret W F 42 wife Laborer

Raiford married Mary "Polly" Horne before 1835. Mary was born between 1810 and 1815 in North Carolina; died after 1870. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Robert McLemore Butler showed her maiden name as UNDERWOOD, however her last name shown as HORNE on the death certificate of son Joel.

Notes:

Married:
It is noted that there is a signficant gap in age between the six oldest children and three youngest. They might simply be "change of life" babies, or their could have been infants that died or were still born in between, or they might even be grandchildren.

Notes:

1801 Sampson County NC Court Order Public work 10 Aug 1801 Little Coharie Ezekiah McLEMORE and Archibald McLEMORE plus others work on river (Courtesy of Robert McLemore Butler)

Sampson County Deed Book Book 13, page 64 Abstract of Deed

" ... I Archibald Maclemore of the county of Sampson and state of North Carolina for the love and affection I bear to my son Hezekiah Maclemore of the aforementioned county and state....do give unto the said Hezekiah part of the tract of land where I now live which I purchased of Lewis HOLMES and part of another tract I purchased from the same person. The said land I now give is on the east side of Little Cohara above where I now live including the plantation where he now lives beginning at an agreed corner from between the said HOLMES and me and betwixt the said Hezekiah Maclemore on the bank of the Little Cohara creek and running out through...an agreed line of marked trees to my back line and corner at a pine and...said line to the...branch now called Hudson Branch and down said Branch...to the run of said Cohara and Corners at a Birch Willis Mayes (?) corner and down the creek as it meanders to the beginning for one hundred acres of land...more or less...to have and to hold unto him the said Hezekiah Maclemore on the said land...I the said Archibald Maclemore as bind myself my heirs Ex. and assign firmly by these presents...unto him the said Hezekiah Maclemore his heirs Ex. and or assignees forever...In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this 9th of June in the year 1804. Archibald (his mark) Maclemore Sampson County Witnesses Thomas FISHER and Elizabeth FISHER Registered December 11, 1804, Owen HOLMES Reg.

(Abstracted from the original by Melinda McLemore Strong 26 May 2005)

1805 Sampson County NC Court order Child bond 12 Aug 1805 Evan BROOKS, age 7, to Ezekiah McLEMORE until age 21 (Courtesy of Robert McLemore Butler)

1805 Sampson County NC Court Order Deed 13 Nov 1805 Alice ROBINSON to Hezekiah McLEMORE, 200 acres, proved by Archibald McLEMORE (Courtesy of Robert McLemore Butler)

1806 Sampson County NC Court Order Public work 11 Aug 1806 River work on Little Coharie Ezekiah McLEMORE Henry McLEMORE plus others (Courtesy of Robert McLemore Butler)

Sampson County Deed Book Book 16, page 114 Abstract of Deed
State of North Carolina, Sampson County Be it known that Hezekiah McLEMORE of the State and County aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of three Hundred and twenty five Dollars...paid by Jno. HANEY....do hereby...sell...two parcels of Land lying and being as follows...on the East Side of the Little Cohary above where Archibald MACLEMORE now lives and Running out through a Marsh on an agreed line of Mark'd trees to Archibald MACLEMORE's back line and corner at a pine and with the said line to the Ba? Branch...known by the name of Hudson's Branch, and down said Branch as it Meanders to the run of said Cohary and corners at a Birch formerly Willis MAGU's corner but now Tobias MACLEMORE's and down the Creek as it Meanders to the Beginning for one hundred acres of land...Second tract begins...at McLEMORE's Corner at the head of Hudson's Branch and turn thence along a line of mark'd trees nearly a west corner to the Hollow Branch...down the Branch to a stake formerly Willis MAGU's line but now Tobias and Henry MCLEMORE's line, thence along said line to Hudson'g Branch to a bay tree, thence up the said Branch to the Beginning for two hundred acres of land more of less...
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the fourteenth day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eleven Hezekiah (his mark) MACLEMORE
Signed, sealed and delivered In presence of us Dickson TATOM and J.G. MORRIS
Sampson County May Term 1813...Deed proved in Court for Registration H. HOLMES
Registered June the 23rd 1813 Owen HOLMES Reg.

(Abstracted from the original by Melinda McLemore Strong 18 July 2005)

Not found in the North Carolina census index from 1810-1850. Could he have died before 1820?

James L. McLemore, III noted, that while browsing through Leverett's book, "Ole Rosinheels", he ran across the following entry in the Appendix, page 172:

"1818, May 22 - Hezekiah McLemore's will was administered in Richland County, South Carolina. No list of heirs is given."

James L. McLemore, III intially showed Hezekiah as the father of only Hezekiah McLemore, Jr. with no other known descendants of either man. Jim later believed that there was no namesake son, and Hezekiah probably never had a family or children.

However, on October, 15, 2007, Jim proposed the following theory to the Sampson County, NC research group, that Hezekiah had a family later in life, and was the father of Raiford McLemore born ca 1815, who resided in Sampson County, NC in the 1840's through 1880's. Hezekiah may also have had one of more other children, yet unidentified.

Jim noted that it significant that Hezekiah's death in 1818 occurred IN RICHLAND COUNTY, SC. Richland County was the home of a major branch of his line, the line descending from the immigrant James' second son John and his wife Faith. They had three sons (and two daughters), the youngest being son Joel who was in the same generation as Wright McLemore, but was over twenty-five years younger than Wright, who was five or six years older than Joel's older brother John Jr. Joel was born in January 1739/40, and moved to South Carolina sometime in the mid 1760's dying there in 1795, and leaving behind a family consisting of several children who were only slightly older than was their cousin (third cousin once removed), Hezekiah. Could it have been possible that Hezekiah went there to visit , liked what he saw and stayed. Could he have even gotten his wife there, from amongst those cousins or more likely from among their neighbors, and when he died there in 1818, his wife stayed there in SC and raised his minor children there, accounting for the fact that Raiford (b. 1815) appears in NO census in the southeast NC area that we have found until he is an adult, age 35, with a wife and growing family of his own?

This hypothesis is consistent with the information discussed above and elsewhere, but it is not conclusive by any means. To it Jim added two or three more specific pieces of data that also does not prove it conclusively, but strengthens it considerably. Look at the family, the children, of Raiford (b. 1815); like the elder one, he had a son named Hezekiah of his own, which to me would indicate that he was the son of either the elder Raiford or the latter's brother Hezekiah (d. 1818); there are no other Hezekiahs among the descendants of Archibald except among the children of the two Raifords (b. 1790 and B. 1815) and their issue. That' s one piece of data. Second, and what Jim thought was even more telling: Only among the descendants of the immigrant James' second son John McLemore and his wife Faith do you find the given name "Joel" before the Civil War, that name being an almost sure give-away that its holder was a member of that family. ... Until now, when we find this one exception: right after Hezekiah (b. ca. 1844) in Raiford's (b. 1815) family is his son Joel (b. 1845), the only Joel of whom I am aware who can definitely be associated with another McLemore family besides that descending from John and Faith McLemore back in Sussex County, Virginia. It is a name that is most likely explained by this contact by Hezekiah with his cousins in Richland County, South Carolina, the Family of Joel McLemore, b. 1739/40 to John and Faith back in VA, d. 1795 in Richland County, SC, where Hezekiah himself died in 1818. And the third piece of evidence is that Raiford's next son is John McLemore, a name we do not find often in Southeast North Carolina until this time, yet every one of Joel's (died 1795, SC) children who had children, every single one, had a son named Joel AND a son named John! Is this where those two names come from?

So there you have it...Raiford (b. 1815) was the son of Hezekiah (b. 1780-83, d. 1818), and by process of elimination that leaves Tobias to be daddy of Amos (b. 1813). If you don't like this theory, fine; you are left with the alternative of accepting that Raiford had two-sons-named-Raiford theory, and that the older one does not show up on early census records, or of coming up with an hypothesis of your own that is more plausible than either. That is also possible. But this as a potenial working theory as it does explain a lot and gets us that much further down that road of identifying the links between Wright McLemore (b. 1813) and his children with so many of the McLemores who can be traced to the Southeast portion of North Carolina, around Duplin/Sampson/Bladen Counties a generation or two later, but who have posed such problems to all of us and others in trying to make the connections in the past. All we have to do at this point, I suspect, is find just a bit of data of some sort that will help us tie down Melinda's ancestor John McLemore (b. 1822) as the son of Tobias of that same approximate age, and we will have about filled out Archibald's descendants.

Then we can try to deal with the stubborn problems of the descendants of the other descendants of Wright (besides Archibald and his prodigy) who lived in that same area.

On October 21, 2007, Jim emailed the Sampson Research Group and addendum and correction to his theory above:

I have recently run across one other exception to the "Joel" Christian name rule being an indication of a connection to the family of the Immigrant James' second son John of Sussex County, VA, "Without Exception" (as a Lawyer, I should know better than to make "absolute" statements, instead of leaving myself an out with "Weasel Words"!).

Apparently there seems to have been a Joel in the family of Sterling McLemore (son of Ephraim Jr.) who was probably born sometime in the mid 1780's, and was a contemporary of the only Joel (in John's family) whose later life I have not discovered elsewhere, Joel the son of James (B. ca. 1762 VA, D. 1796 SC), oldest son of Joel (B. 1739/40 VA, D. 1795 SC), and who I had hoped I had found married to a Rhoda in Yalobusha Co., MS, but that Joel now seems to be Sterling's, not James', according to Melinda' posting to the herein referred to Rootsweb site.

However, after making that correction to "almost without exception" instead of "without exception", I still think the "Joel" rule is a good indicator of descent from John and his wife Faith, as stated below, so I'm not coming back in too far from the end of that limb quite yet.