Johnnie Mae Speights

Notes:

The Sabine County Reporter
February 14, 2007, Page 9

Johnnie M. Speights Hughes

Johnnie M. Speights Hughes died Friday, Feb. 2, 2007 in Bossier City. Mrs. Hughes was a beautician for 35 years and a graduate of Guy's Beauty School. Survivors: a daughter, Sharon "Guyann" and husband Wilbur Gayle KEENE; son Mark Mermond HUGHES and wife Cindy FERRAN; grandchildren, Robin KEENE and husband Chuck WILLIAMSON, Brady KEENE and wife Stacy, Benjamin Mark HUGHES, William Maxwell HUGHES, and Andrew Phillip HUGHES; five great-grandchildren; and sisters, Ruth Dorine ROBINSON and Ruby Laverne GELLATLY. She was preceded in death by her husband, Guy M. HUGHES; and parents, Ruth Elvie McLEMORE and Mermond Leon SPEIGHTS. Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 5, at 1 p.m. at Boone Funeral Home with Pastor Al Eden officiating. Interment followed at Forest Park West Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Boone Funeral Home Chapel in Shreveport.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, March 2007)

Johnnie married Guy Marcus Hughes on 5 Sep 1941. Guy was born on 16 Feb 1920 in Joaquin, Shelby County, Texas; died on 4 Nov 1995 in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living

Mermond married Rutha Elvie McLemore on 22 Dec 1913. Rutha (daughter of John F. "Finn" McLemore and Rutha Triphene White) was born on 4 Dec 1893 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; died on 19 Mar 1980 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The following obituary appeared in the 27 March 1980 issue of the SABINE COUNTY REPORTER HEMPHILL, TEXAS (Courtesy of Kay Parker McCary)

Ruth Speights

Funeral services for Ruth Elvie Speights, 86, of Pineland were at 2 pm March 20 in the Starr Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Hemphill Cemetery.

Mrs. Speights died at 12:45 am March 19 in Hines Nursing Home in Pineland.

She was a lifelong resident of Sabine County.

Survivors include three daughters Mrs. Dorine Robinson of Pineland; Mrs. Laverne Gellatly of Beaumont and Mrs. Johnnie Hughes of Shreveport, La; one sister Mrs. Emma Cammack of Hemphill, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Notes:

(Research):
Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Precinct 1
Enumerated 4 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 68 Sheet 1A Stamped 92
4-4
Speights, John W Hd W M Oct 1856 M 16 Tx Miss Miss Farmer
Speights, Sallie Wf W F July 1865 34 M 16 5/5 Tx Ga Tx
Speights, Tom G Son W M Feb 1885 15 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Speights, Dora E Dtr W F Feb 1886 14 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Orin W Son W M Feb 1887 13 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Speights, Mermod L Son W M Dec 1891 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Buford A Son W M Jan 1898 2 S Tx Tx Tx

John married Sallie Wilson on 20 Jan 1884 in Sabine County, Texas. Sallie (daughter of William Cregg Wilson and Bethie "Bettie" H. Lawhorn) was born in Jul 1865 in Texas; died about 1904 in Texas; was buried in Speights Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Some researchers show that they also had a daughter named Emily Ann that died young.

In an article dated September 12, 1963 about Susan Arnold Nichols, Virgie Speights stated that on one trip home "they stopped by the home of a cousin, out on Palo Gaucho Creek, Dr. Johnny Speights and his wife, Sally Wilson Speights." Susan was the daughter of Jim Arnold, and granddaughter of Hanna Davis and J. M. Arnold. He was also a godson of Cadwaller Davis and Amelia Lee. (Speights, Old Timers of Sabine County, p. 21).

Notes:

Finn's middle name could have been Fenton (based on a poll tax receipt from Jasper) or Finerel (based on the middle name of his son, Rufus) or Finn, as he was commonly called.

At the time of the 1880 census, he was widowed, and living in the home of his in-laws with his young daughter.

He was a farmer. On the 1900 Sabine County census, he is shown in household 22, next to the Henry S. White family, his wife's brother. Household 36 is that of Thomas E. McLemore, his half brother.

Finn died in at the home of his son, Vessie McLemore. Vessie and Nina had been caring for him. Granddaughter Evon remembers she and some cousins going out into the woods to gather wildflowers for him while her father built a coffin. Her father and his brothers took the coffin by cart to the Gravel Hill cemetery a few days later.

(Research):Census information:

1880 Census
Census Place:Precinct 3, Jasper, Texas
Source:FHL Film 1255313 National Archives Film T9-1313
Page 14 Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
J.F. MCLEMORE Self M W W 25 Texas Occ: Laborer Fa: AR Mo: GA
Vilona MCLEMORE Dau F S W 7 M Texas Fa: Texas Mo: MS
Frances WIGLEY Self M M W 69 GA Occ: FarmerFa: VA Mo: VA
Sarah WIGLEY Wife F M W 67 SC Occ: Keeping House Fa: SC Mo: SC
Martha WIGLEY Dau F S W 31 MS Occ: At HomeFa: GAMo: SC
Alexander WIGLEY Son M S W 25 Texas Occ: Printer Fa: GA Mo: SC

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Pr 1
Enumerated 5 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 68 Sheet 2A Stamped 93
22-23
McLemore, John Head W M Dec 1853 46 M 17 Ga NC NC Farmer
McLemore, Ruth T Wf W F Dec 1859 40 M 17 7/6 Tx Miss Miss
McLemore, Vessie E Son W M Feb 1885 15 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
McLemore, Rufus F Son W M July 1886 13 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
McLemore, Earnest Son W M May 1887 13 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
McLemore, Mellie Dtr W F Feb 1891 9 S Tx Ga Tx
McLemore, Ira Son W M Jan 1896 4 S Tx Ga Tx

1910 Federal Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 1
Enumerated 16 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 131 Sheet 1B
Milam Road
12-13
McLemore, John F. Head M W 51 M2 26 Ga Ga Ga Farmer
McLemore, Ruth T Wf F W 50 m1 26 8/7 Tx Ala Miss
McLemore, Ernest E Son M W 20 S Tx Ga Tx Farmer
McLemore, Mellie M Dtr F W 19 S Tx Ga Tx
McLemore, Elvie R Dtr F W 16 S Tx Ga Tx
McLemore, Ira W Son M W 14 S Tx Ga Tx Laborer Farm
McLemore, Emma L Dtr F W 9 S Tx Ga Tx

John married Rutha Triphene White on 11 Dec 1883 in Sabine County, Texas. Rutha (daughter of Henry Strickland White, Sr and Mary Etta "Polly" Vardeman) was born on 27 Dec 1859 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; died on 11 Jun 1939 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According to her obituary, Ruth White McLemore "slipped in her home in Hemphill, and fractured her left thigh on June 2nd. She was carried to . . . hospital in Jasper (and then) transferred here to the home of her son, Mr. V.E. McLemore of San Augustine, where she passed away on June 11, 1939. She was born December 27, 1859 at Hemphill. She joined the Baptist church when a young girl and was a faithful Christian worker all of her life. She married to J.F. McLemore on December 13, 1883 and was the mother of eight children, four boys and four girls. Six children survive: namely V. E. McLemore, San Augustine; Earnest and Ira McLemore, Miss Mellie McLemore, and Mrs. Herman Commack of Gravel Hill, and Mrs. Mermon Speights of Hemphill. She is also survived by seventeen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. In addition to relatives, local people attending the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. T.F. Read, Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Jacks, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Clark, Mr and Mrs W.F. Stephenson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Burkhalter, Mrs. Rosalie Polly, W.L. Polly, Mr. and Mrs. Rob Horn, Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Mitchell, Mrs. E.M. Boyett, Theo Boyett and others."

Melinda McLemore Strong has a maroon and white quilt made by Ruth circa 1880. At Ruth's death, the quilt was passed on to her daughter Millie. Millie added a calico border to the quilt edges which had apparently frayed. At Millie's death, the quilt was passed to her older brother, Vessie McLemore. After Vessie and Nina died, Evon McLemore Tisdale used the quilt. She later gave it to her niece, Melinda McLemore Strong.

(Research):Triphene is a "pseudo-classical" name, often whimsically given to the third child in a family.

Notes:

Sharon Speights Varney quotes Virgie Collier Speights as writing "John was a small child when the family moved to the Mississippi Delta along with his brothers and sisters. John married Emily Scott. To this union were born Tom, John "Doc" and Dora. His wife died and her amrried a Miss (Rebecca) Holbert. To this union were born Mandie in 1866, an infant that died, and Robert Joel on September 11, 1870. The second wife died and he married Lizzie Davis. To this union were born Exa in 187, Mattie, Minnie, and an infant that died. Johns third wife died and he lived a widower approximately 35 years. John hired a man to take his palce in the confederate army, however after one year he was assigned to making salt. John joined the Campbellite Church during his old age. He died in 1912 and was buried in Lowe Cemetery in Sabine County, Texas."

Jonathan married Emily Ann Scott on 1 Nov 1853 in Woodville, Tyler County, Texas. Emily was born on 20 Mar 1832 in Mississippi; died on 10 Jan 1862 in Texas; was buried in Speights Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Said to be a daughter of John and Martha Scott.

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1880 Census
Texas, Nacogdoches, Chireno Beat No. 4
Page 7 SD 1 ED 50 Stamped 237
61-61
Wilson, William C M W 36 Saddle and Harness Maker Disability Lost left Leg Tx Tenn Ala
Wilson, Bettie H W F 32 Wf Keepig Hous Ga Unk Ga
Wilson, Sallie W F 14 Dtr At School Tx Tx Ga
Wilson, Dolly C W F 12 Dtr Tx Tx Ga
Wilson, Martha W F 9 Dt Tx Tx Ga
Wilson, Allen A W M 4 Son Tx Tx Ga
Wilson, William K W M 21 Son Tx Tx Ga

William married Bethie "Bettie" H. Lawhorn. Bethie was born about 1848 in Georgia; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

It is assumed that since John McLemore, at a relatively young age, was married to Sarah Morgan of Sampson County, NC that he was also almost certainly a native of Sampson County, NC himself. It further appears, based on the 1840 head of household census, that he was probably already living with the Morgan family by 1840, when he would have been just 18. It is not known if he and Sarah were already married, or if he was simply a farm hand. Furthermore, an analysis of all the McLemore families in Sampson County, NC (both through and examination of census enumerations and land transfer deeds) indicate that if John McLemore was indeed from Sampson County, he would almost certainly have to be a son of Tobias McLemore. There is no other family into which he would fit. This relationship is therefore based on circumstantial evidence, and is not absolutely certain. Any additional information, which would either help prove or disprove this relationship, is most welcome. Please email: strong@texas.net

In a letter written by Johnnie Mae Speights, she recounted a story told by her Uncle Ira "...his father ran away from home at age 14 in the dark of night because he was smoking in the barn and set it on fire and it burned up, horses and all." Henry McLemore heard a slightly different version of this story. As told to him by Ira's son, DeFord "...the father was a mean drunk. He came home with a group of men after a night of heavy drinking. He woke him up in the middle of the night and ordered him to go tend to the horses. He stumbled out in the dark to the barn to do this. As he was working, one the horses kicked over a lantern, and the barn started on fire. Scared to death of his facing his father's wrath, he jumped onto a horse and took off, never looking back."

According to Nan McCoy Kittell of Jasper, a descendant of John McLemore, it was actually John McLemore (our common ancestor), and not his son John Finn, "who ran away after burning down the barn." Nan also thinks John may have had the middle initial "M", but does not know what that stood for. Nan's mother, who also did much research on this branch of the McLemore family, noted that "John left S. C. (sic) with an older brother when he was 16 years old."

Jim White, also a McLemore family researcher,stated that a databse he had access to noted a Philadelphia Insurance company (Pioneer) which had records of a claim on a Barn owned by Tobias McLemore for $203 around 1830. He also referenced the Draper papers for this claim.

John and Sarah McLemore can first be positively identified on the 1850 Decatur County, Georgia federal census. John McElmore, a 28 year old Farmer born in North Carolina, is shown with wife Sarah (age 24, also born in North Carolina) and children William (age 5), James (age 3), and Sarah (11 months), (household #516-516). All the children were shown on this census as being born in Georgia. Based on the relatively young ages of John and Sarah at the time of the birth of their eldest son William, it was likely a first marriage for them both. It is not known if they married in North Carolina, Georgia, or elsewhere. It further appears they were in Georgia by about 1845, based on William's age. No other McLemore's were found on the Decatur 1850 census.

Just a few homes away from them in 1850 were Sarah's parents, Daniel and Mary Morgan. The Morgan family can be found in Sampson County, North Carolina at the time of the 1830 and 1840 census. Additionally, when the 1840 Sampson County census was taken, Daniel and Mary Morgan had an otherwise unaccounted for "male between 15-20" living with them. It is presumed this was their son-in-law/son-in-law to be, John McLemore, who was said to have "run away from home" circa 1836.

John McLemore and family followed the Morgan family from Decatur County, Georgia to Newton County, Texas sometime after 1850. Sarah died either enroute, or shortly after arriving to Texas.

Per a marriage license on file in Jasper County, "John McLemore married Sarah Ann Boit (Boyett) on July 26, 1859". Based on the ages of the five children listed with them on the 1860 Newton County, Texas Census, they would have all been his from his first marriage to Sarah Morgan. The children shown on the 1860 census were William H (age 14), James H (age 12), John F (age 7), Daniel F (age 3), and Mary A (age 2). William and James had both appeared on the earlier 1850 Decatur County, GA census. Sarah, who had been shown as an 11 month old toddler in 1850, but not on this subsequent census, had apparently died.The family was located in adjacent Jasper County, Texas at the time of the 1870 census.

Nan Kittell located the following land record from Newton County:

No. 79, Vol. 29 In the Name of the State of Texas. To all to whom these presents shall come, know ye, I Sam HOUSTON, Governor of the State of Texas aforesaid by virtue of the power vested in me by law and in accordance with the laws of said State in such case made and provided do by these presents grant to John MacLAMORE assignee of James A. WALTERS his heirs or asigns forever, 160 acres of land situated and described as follows. In Newton County on the waters of Slaydons Creek a tributary of Sabine river 17 mile S.16 degree W. from Newton by virtue of Premption Certificate No. 5 issued to John MacLEMORE as assignee of James A. WALTERS by the Chief Justice of Newton County 20th day of December 1858. Beg. at a stake on the W. line of H. KELLY's 160 acre survey...and on the N.line of L. DONAHOS 1/2 league survey..... Hereby relinquishing to him the said John MacLEMORE and his heirs or assigns forever all the right and title in and to said land, heretofore held and possessed by the said State, and I do hereby issue this Letter Patent for the same. In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the State to be affixed as well as the seal of the Genral land office. Done at the City of Austin on the 6th day of February 1860. Francis M. WHITE, Comm. G.L. Office Sam HOUSTON, Gov. Filed--Sept 24th, 1860 at 2 p.m. Recorded--Vol. "C" p 534

On October 7, 1874, John sold this same 160 acres of land to James R. RICHARDSON for $1 an acre. John apparently could not write, as he signed the land conveyance with his mark. His name on this document was spelled as "McClemore."

Even after his second marriage to Sarah Ann Boyett, there continued to be a close connection between John McLemore and the Morgan family. Robert Lee McLemore sent me copies of deeds from the late 1860's in which Malichi Morgan, Kizzie Kelly, and John McLemore transfered property they jointly held to Dunkin and Eliza Morgan. Furthermore, J.F. and Mary Ann McLemore were mentioned by name as grandchildren of Daniel and Mary Morgan in a deed dated January, 1889. Dorine Speights also wrote that "Aunt Julie Morgan was closely related to Pap (Finn McLemore). He and mother used to go by buggy to Jasper to see her." From Jasper Cemetery records, it appears numerous members of both the McLemore and Morgan family are buried near each other at the Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Jasper. The Zion Hill Baptist Church is the oldest Protestant Church in Jasper County.

John McLemore died in January 1891. In 1899, Sarah Ann applied for a Widow's Pension, based on John's service in the C.S.A. Her application stated that John served in Co K, Speights Regiment, 21st Texas from the fall of 1864 to the Spring of 1865.

The War Department indicated, however, that there were "no rolls on file in this office of Company K, 21st Texas Infantry, C.S.A., and no record has been found of the service, capture or parole of a man named John McLemore, as a member of this organization." Sarah's original application (File No. 2267) was rejected on September 28, 1899. Sarah reapplied for a pension almost 10 years later, in October of 1907. On this application she indicated that John served for about 3 years, from April 1862 to 1865. Both J. W. Claud and M. Morgan testified that they had served alongside him. This application (File No., 13383) was approved in March, 1908. Sarah Ann died sometime shortly thereafter.

In Zion Hill Cemetery is a double tombstone reading simply: McLemore
John Sarahan E.
Father Mother
Age 70 Age 70

Written by Melinda McLemore Strong, circa 1998 and revised periodically

(Research):Census Information:

1830 Census (p 186) Tobias MacLemor
Sampson County, NC

2 males under the age of 5 <---Maybe Redden and Tobias, Jr.
1 male between 5-10 <---(Appears to have been the John McLemore b. ca 1822 who married Sarah Morgan of Sampson County and later moved to Texas with the Morgans)
1 male between 15-20<---Could be either Amos (b ca 1813) who married JEMIMA SIMMONS or Raiford (b ca 1815) who married Polly UNDERWOOD
1 male between 40-50 <--Tobias (born between 1780 and 1790)

1 female under 5 <---Sarah?
2 females between 5-10
2 females between 10-15
1 female between 15-20
1 female between 40-50 <--his wife (born between 1780 and 1790)

1840 Census, Sampson County, North Carolina
(p. 9) Danl Morgan
1 male between 5-10 (Owen)
1 male between 10-15 (James)
1 male between 15-20 (This appears to have been JOHN McLEMORE, son-in-law of Daniel, who married his eldest child, Sarah. The date of their wedding is not known, so John may have actually been living with the family prior to his marriage to Sarah)
1 male between 40-50 (Daniel)
2 females between 5-10 (Dorcus, Elizabeth)
1 female between 10-15 (Sarah)
1 female between 40-50 (Mary)
Why isn't there a listing for a male, under the age of 5? (Daniel/David, born ca 1838)

1850 Census
Georgia, Decatur County, District 22
Enumerated 28 Aug 1850
Stamped 63
576-576
John McElmore 28 M Farmer N. ca.
Sarah McElmore 24 F N. ca.
Wm. McElmore 5 M Ga
James McElmore 3 M Ga
Sarah McElmore 11/12 F Ga
577-577
G. and Martha Boyet, Occ Miller, both born in Georgia
578-578
Daniel and Mary Morgan (the parents of John's wife, Sarah Morgan)

1860 Census
Texas, Newton County, Post Office Newton
Enumerated 3 July 1860
Page 25 Stamped 258
159-159
McLemore, John 37 M Farmer $470 $400 North Carolina
McLemore, Sarah A 23 F Alabama
McLemore, William H. 14 M North Carolina (?)
McLemore, James H. 12 M Georgia
McLemore, John T(F?) 4 M Georgia
McLemore, Daniel F. 3 M Georgia
McLemore, Mary A. 2 F Texas


1870 Census
Texas, Jasper County, Subdivision 23
Enumerated by T.J. Carraway on 9 July 1870
Page 16
#116-118 McLamo, John 48 M W Farmer $250 $100 North Carolina Can't read or write
" , Sarah E. A. 33 F W Keeping House Georgia Can't write
" , John F. 16 M W Farm Laborer Georgia Can't write
" , Daniel F. 14 M W Georgia Attended school, Can't write
" , Mary A 12 F W Texas Can't read or write
" , Thomas E 9 M W Texas
" , Samuel M 7 M W Texas
Enumerated by T.H. Carraway on 8 and 9 Aug. 1870
page 56
#428-430
" , Earnest E 6 M W Texas
" , Noah 4 M W Texas
" , Martha A 3 F W Texas
" , Julia 1 F W Texas

Note: The family was listed in two separate households, as shown above. It appears that this was simply a transcription error.

1880 Federal Census Census Place:Precinct 3, Jasper, Texas
Source:FHL Film 1255313
National Archives Film T9-1313 Page 14
RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
John MCLEMORE Self M M W 61 NC Occ:FarmerFa: NC Mo: NC
Sarah Ann MCLEMORE Wife F M W 44 GA Occ:Keeping HouseFa: SC Mo: SC
Daniel MCLEMORE Son M S W 23 GA Occ:Works On FarmFa: NC Mo: NC
Thomas MCLEMORE Son M S W 19 TX Occ:Works On FarmFa: NC Mo: GA
Samuel MCLEMORE Son M S W 16 TX Occ:Works On FarmFa: NC Mo: GA
Earnest MCLEMORE Son M S W 15 TX Occ:Works On FarmFa: NC Mo: GA
Julia Ann MCLEMORE Dau F S W 11 TX Occ:At SchoolFa: NC Mo: GA
Eliza Jane MCLEMORE Dau F S W 9 TX Occ:At SchoolFa: NC Mo: GA
George W. MCLEMORE Son M S W 8 TX Occ:At SchoolFa: NC Mo: GA
Josephine WILSON Other F S W 14 TX Occ:At HomeFa: GA Mo: LA
(Josephine is a niece of John's first wife, Sarah Morgan)

(Medical):Y DNA Results, FTDNA Haplogroup:

R1b1c (R-M269)

A direct male descendant volunteered to have his DNA tested. The results can be found at www.ysearch.org, under the user ID #4E4HJ. The FamilyTreeDNA kit number is 33104.

A direct male descendant of John McLemore was a participant in the Morrison DNA study. This DNA was a high definition match to two other McLemore's (not previously proven to be related), as well as to a McElmurry from Kentucky. See the results for Group O at the following website:

http://www.geneticousins.com/morrison/

The McLemore's that he matched were (1) a descendant of Keton Jones McLemore, whom in 1850 lived just across the border from Sabine County, Texas, where some of John's descendants later settled and (2) Wright McLemore, born in North Carolina and living in Arkansas, next to Keton Jones McLemore, at the time of the 1830 census. The two matches are one-step and two-steps removed, respectively, at twenty five markers. The differences in both cases are on 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 12 marker Y DNA matches to a proven descendant of Abraham Macklemore, the immigrant, thought be a brother to James Macklemore, immigrant. This 12 marker match was through the line of Robert McLemore, born 1769 in North Carolina, a grandson of Abraham's.

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.

Edwin Holcombe writes that "the marker values...are close enough to modal values for Haplogroup R that there are matches to this family in Scotland, Ireland, England, and other locations in Europe even at 67 markers. The family's haplogroup is projected in the project Results listing to be R-L21, but this has not been confirmed by a SNP test. With the common values that this group has for its STR markers, SNP testing may be the key to learning more about the origins of this family through DNA research."

John married Sarah Morgan before 1844. Sarah (daughter of Daniel Morgan and Mary ???) was born about 1826 in North Carolina; died before 1859 in Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

No record of John and Sarah's marriage has yet been located. However, it can be proved by a Deed to John McLemore by the Heirs of Daniel Morgan, dated the Seventh day of January, A.D. 1889, Jasper County, Texas. It was filed for record Jan'y 8th 1889 at 10 o'clock am and recorded January 16th 1889 at 5 pm by AJ Rigsby, Clk. (Vol P, Page 367). This deed indicates that the "heirs at law of DANIEL MORGAN and MARY MORGAN deceased . . . . (include) the grandchildren of the said decedents, viz: J.F. McLEMORE and Mary Ann (McLemore) HORN and her husband Elma HORN... " John Finn and Mary Ann were apparently the only two of John and Sarah's six children still surviving in 1889.

Sarah apparently died sometime before John's remarriage in 1859, Nan Kittell indicated that she might have died in Alexandria, Louisiana, on the way to Newton County. As her youngest daughter, Mary Ann, was said to be born in Newton County, it would appear Sarah probably died shortly after the family arrived in Texas.

In a letter provided to me by Kenneth Morgan, written by Carolyn Lockhart, she indicated that Sarah's parents, Daniel and Mary Morgan, were "100% Cherokee Indian." She said that Sarah's sister, Elizabeth, instructed her children not to mention their heritage. Elizabeth, however, always wore fringe on her dresses to secretly remind herself of her Cherokee forebearers.

Her paternal line were said to have emigrated to the United States from Ireland or Wales, so the Native heritage was presumed to be maternal. Jo Ann Lee Gartig suggests she might actually have been associated with the Creek tribe, not Cherokee. However, mtDNA testing shows her direct maternal line was HV, a very common European marker, and not one associated with native heritage. It is possible she did indeed have some Native American ancestry, but if she did, it was not through either her direct paternal or direct maternal lines, and she was certainly not "100%."

Notes:

Married:
In a letter that Edythe McLemore McCoy wrote Sam McLemore in June, 1982, she indicated that "Your information was most helpful in that I went to the Genealogical Library in Beaumont and researched the 1850 Census in Decatur County, Georgia, where I found John McElmore (sic) and his wife, Sarah. They had three living children and may have had another one who died in infancy (before Finn was born in 1853). That would account for seven children including Dan and Mary Ann (the three that came to Texas). I will look for marriage records around 1844-1845 in Alexandria, La. Also, I plan to get in touch with a man in Crossett, Ark., who says his great granddad may have been a brother of John Mclemore who came to Texas."

Notes:

On the Sabine County 1854 Scholastic Census, H.S. White was shown as of household with five (5) children between the ages of 6 and 16 enrolled at School District No. 6. They were: Edward, Vardamenn, Mary, Hanibal, and Arrilla. Who was Arrilla, and who was her mother? Could this have been Hanzel, his daughter by Eliza Jones?

Henry S and Mary E White (third wife) were among the 11 founding members of the First Baptist Church of Hemphill, all of whom gathered on the banks of the Housen Bayou, drawing up 12 articles of Faith and 24 articles of Decorum. Henry served as the clerk to the church, recording all church proceedings for a period of some 12 years (from 1858 to 1870), as a delegate to church conferences, and as the moderator of church proceedings. In November, 1868, he was ordained as a Deacon of the Church. The MINUTES 1858-1890 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HEMPHILL, TEXAS were transcribed and indexed by Di Ann Vick in 1982, and are available for purchase from both Ingmire Publications, 10166 Clairmont Dr St. Louis MO 63136 and Ericson Books 1614 Redbud St Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.

In 1876, H S and Mary E White left the First Baptist Church and were among the founding members of the Antioch Baptist Church in the Gravel Hill Community of Sabine County. According to a plaque on the front of the Antioch Church, J. S. Lambert and J J Roundtree were the organizers. Other founding members included: George Conn, John Anderson, T.D. Burkhalter, John De Weese, L.W. Hoard, Hosie Baldree, Ann Mason, Sophie H. Wallace, Mrs. C.A. Hoard, C. Baldree

Per the book "Sabine County Historical Sketches and Genealogical Records" by White and Toole, "Henry S. White Sr. was Judge of Sabine County from 1869-1875, serving with Solomon Arthur. (They were called Chief Magistrates until the new State Constitution went into effect at the end of their term). Henry S. White was also a member of the Littleton Fowler Masonic Lodge. As the White Plantation lay just west of Hemphill, he was one of the last of the "Paderos" for the return of run-a-way slaves."

I have been unable to locate a CSA service record for Henry. It is probable that he was considered too old for service, he was almost 50 at the outbreak of the war.

His tombstone indicates he was a Mason.

Note in the 1920 Sabine County, Texas federal census, there was a 50 year old mulatto farmer named Jesse White (#594-616). He noted that his father was born in Mississippi and his mother in Georgia. What is his relationship, if any, to the other White's in Sabine County, Texas?

(Research):
Census Listings:

1850 Census
Louisiana, Sabine Parish
13 Sept 1850
305-307
Henry White 37 M Farmer 900 Ga
Anne White 26 F Miss
H J 13 M Miss
Mary White 11 F Miss
Will White 8 M Miss
A. V. White 6 La
Edward White 3 M La
Jno. White 3/12 M La

1880 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Pr. No 1
Page 15C and 16D SD 1 ED 85 Stemped 231\\
Enumerated 26 and 28 Jun 1880
155-156
White, Henry S. W M 68 Farmer Ga Va Ga
White, Mary E W F 59 Wf Keeping House Miss Tn NC
Wallace, Sophia W F 30 StpDtr Farm laborer Miss --- ---
White, Eunice W F 28 Dtr Farm Laborer Tx --- ---
White, Ann E W F 25 Dtr Farm Laborer Tx --- ---
White, Ruth T W F 19 Dtr Farm Laborer Tx --- ---

Henry married Mary Etta "Polly" Vardeman after 1852 in Sabine County, Texas. Mary (daughter of Amaziah Vardeman and Una (Eunice) Carter) was born on 22 Sep 1820 in Mississippi; died on 9 Nov 1898 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According the 1854 Sabine County Scholastic census, Mrs. Wallice had one daughter, Mary, enrolled in school.