Maj. Amos McLemore

Notes:

Henry Lee writes that the Leaf River Baptist Minutes show that Amos McLemore was baptised on June 20, 1830. Minutes show he became a leader in the church, a close affiliated of the Providence Baptist Church now in Forrest County, Mississippi.

The following Biographical information was excerpted from Everett Roy Hammond's complilation titled MAJOR AMOS McLEMORE, Published by the Jones Co. Genealogical & Historical Organization, Laurel, MS, 2002.

"Amos moved with his family to Perry County, Mississippi [around 1836] when they settled on the old homeplace out from Estabuchie. At the time of his marriage to his cousin, Rosa Lavinia McLemore, Amos was a Methodist-Episcopal minister in the Leaf River Circuit encompassing Jones and Perry counties. He was also working as a school teach in Ellisville where he and Rosa lived. How long Major McLemore worked as a teacher and minister is not known. The 1860 census gives his occupation as "merchant." He was engaged in the merchantile business with Dr. John McCormick Bayliss near the old Bayliss home, on the west side of the Leaf River and west of Eastabutchie, MS. John Bayliss was a son of wealthy slaveholder and Methodist minister, George Bayliss. This is the same John Bayliss who was a secessionist candidate in the Jones County election held Dec. 20, 1861. His opponent was John H. Powell, Jr. a Unionist candidate. It is known that Amos was involved in land speculation during this period and had increased both his wealth and status. Thus at the beginning of the War Between the States, Amos and Rosa were quite prosperous. They owned at least 700 acres of land and a half interest in the mercantile business. However, like the majority of most Southerners, Amos's wife apparently lost almost everything during the War except the land, site of the old homeplace, which Amos's mother, Anna Maria, had inherited from her husband John when he died in 1854.

Confederate law provided for receipt of organized units as well as individual recruits into military service. Amos McLemore wrote the Confederate States President, Jefferson Davis, requesting permission to raise a company on May 27, 1861. Permission was granted, and on August 10, 1861, the company raised by McLemore was enlisted in Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi. McLemore called his company the Rosinheels (sometimes written as Rosin Heels) and that is the name that appears on the first muster roll of the company. It was eventually replaced by the official designation, Company B, 27th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. The original 99 officers and men were drawn primarily from Jones and Perry counties. They marched from Ellisville to Marion Station, Lauderdale County where they were mustered into service on September 10, 1861 and Amos was commissioned as Captain.

The Rosinheels were first sent to Pensacola, Florida and assigned to the defense of Fort McRee. In 1862, they were sent by train to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Some six weeks after their arrival they, along with the rest of Bragg's command, embarked to Perryville, Kentucky and on Oct. 8, 1862 some 16,000 Confederate troops engaged and defeated a Yankee army of 60,000 men. The battle of Perryville is remember for its intensity and fury and lasted only about six hours. At the end of the day, some 7,5000 men on both sides were dead, wounded or missing. Half of the Rosinheels were either killed or wounded, with Capt. McLemore himself seriously wounded. In late December, barely recovered from their last battle, the 27th Mississippi Regiment was ordered to form a line of battle before Murfreesboro, flanking to the right of Walthall's Brigade in an open field swept both by freezing rain and intense Union artillery and rifle fire. Virtually two-thirds of the Confederate's effective foreces were destroyed on a piece of ground less than an acre in size. In spite of this, they swept the Union troops back 1200 yards, caputuring six artillery pieces and an entire company of Union Sharpshooters. Many men were sent to the rear suffering form exhaustion and exposure, but Capt. McLemore remained in command of the Rosin Heels throughout the engagement. After the battle, their duty consisted mainly of working on fortification and patrolling roads facing the enemy. On March 26, 1863, Amos McLemore was promoted to the rank of Major and third in command of the 27th Regiment. In July, 1863, his regiment, along with the rest of Walthall's Brigade, was sent to Atlanta to protect the supply depots and ordinance shops there from the Union Army.

Maj. Amos McLemore's temporary and final assignment for the confederacy was not on the battlefield. Gettysburg and Vicksburg had been lost with an appalling number of casualities.The Confederate forces were in desparate need of men to replace those they had already lost. In mid-August, 1863, McLemore was sent by General Bragg to return to the area in which his original regiment had been raised in order to both encourage new enlistment and to return stragglers to the ranks of their regiment. He was to persuade if possible, and compel if necessary, the return to service of the large number of deserters and stragglers in the area. With the help of an Amnesty offer from General Bragg, Major McLemore had had considerable success, and was known to have returned some 119 soldiers to battlefield. However, on October 5, 1863 his mission and his life was cut short by fatal shots reported to be fired by Newt Knight. Maj. McLemore died in the home of State Representative Amos Deason's home in Ellisville, Mississippi, surrounded by his officers and good friends. Newt Knight was said to have have confessed his complicity in the crime to his son, Thomas Jefferson Knight. In a much later interview with Meigs Frost, he stated that "We stayed out in the woods minding our own business until the Confederate Army began sending raiders after us like bloodhounds...then we saw we had to fight." No individual, however, was ever charged with McLemore's murder, and no one was prosecuted, no official justice ever rendered. Newt Knight died as an old man of ninety-two years of age in 1922.

His Tombstone reads: "Major Amos McLemore, 27th Regt. Miss. Volunteers, C.S.A. Born Aug. 23, 1823, Assassinated while in the discharge of his duties as a Soldier, Sept 14, 1863. He was a bright Mason, a devoted Confederate Soldier, and a M.E. Minister." An inscription on the base of the marker reads "By Leaf River Lodge No. 19, A.F. and A. Mason."

A government issue flat confederate marker is also located at the foot of his grave. The date of death on the tombstone contradicts the one found in his official military records, and is therefore assumed to be incorrect. The date of birth also is about four years earlier than census records would indicate. It appears he may have actually been born in August 1827.

(Research):
Census Information:

1850 Census
Mississippi, Jones County
Enumerated 20 August 1850 by G. B. Harvey
62-62
Amos McLemore 23 M School Teacher Miss
Rosie McLemore 21 F Miss

1860 Census
Mississippi, Jones County, Page 21 P.O. Ellisville
Amos McLemore 34 M Miss Merchant
R.V. McLemore 25 F Miss
S.R. McLemore 9 F Miss
John C.C. McLemore 7 M Miss
Jane McLemore 4 F Miss
R. McLemore 3 F Miss
Bud McLemore 6/12 M Miss
(Transcription courtesy of Everett Hammond)

Amos married Rosa Lavinia McLemore about 1850. Rosa (daughter of Josiah McLemore and Sarah Jane Fairchild) was born about 1831 in Jones County, Mississippi; died about 1900 in Perry County, Mississippi; was buried in McLemore Cemetery, Forrest County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sebelle married Abraham Lundy Fairchild, Jr. on 3 Nov 1870 in Copiah County, Mississippi. Abraham (son of Abraham Lundy Fairchild, Sr. and Lavinia McLemore) was born on 2 Feb 1852 in Perry County, Mississippi; died on 13 Mar 1920 in Forrest County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

His tombstone reads:

John C. McLemore
Jul 19, 1854
Apr 3, 1888
How many hopes lie buried here

Anna married J. P. Bennett on 16 Nov 1887 in Lauderdale County, Alabama. J. was born about 1841 in Mississippi; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Also shown by Merritt Mullen as Roseland Lavinia. She married Lofton Fairchild PITTMAN.

Her tombstone reads: R.V. McLemore Pittman Apr 2, 1861 Mar 11, 1811 Wife of L F Pittman. We loved you, yes we loved you, but Jesus loved you more, and has sweetly called you to yonder shining shore.

Notes:

His tombstone, a double marker with his wife, reads Walter Scott McLemore Jan 10, 1863 Feb 16, 1927 s/o Major McLemore

(Research):
Census Information:

1900 Census
Mississippi, Perry County, Beat 2
Enumerated 21 June 1900 by T.E.H. Robinson
SD 6 ED 88 Sheet 16A Stamped 113
#294-295
McLemore, Walter Hd W M Jan 1863 37 M12 Miss Miss Miss Farmer
McLemore, Mary Wf W F Apr 1872 28 M12 5/5 Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, Stella Daugh W F June 1891 8 S Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, Carrie B Daugh W F Apr 1895 S Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, E.H. Son W M Jan 1897 3 S Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, L.P. Daugh W F Jun 1899 11/12 Miss Miss Miss

1910 Census
Mississippi, Forrest County, Beat 2
Enumerated 12 May 1910
SD 6 ED 15 Sheet 23B
328-330
McLemore, Walter Hd M W 46 M1 22 Miss Miss Miss Farmer
McLemore, Mary Wf F W 39 M1 22 8/6 Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, Amos Son M W 20 S Miss Miss Miss Farm Laborer
McLemore, Howard Son M W 13 S Miss Miss Miss Farm Laborer
McLemore, Leroy Son M W 8 S Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, Celeste Dtr F W 5 Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, Elma Dtr F W 3 Miss Miss Miss

1920 Census
Mississippi, Forrest County, Beat 2
Enumerated 26 Jan 1920
SD 6 ED 14 Sheet 13A Stamped 153
235-235
McLemore, Walter S Hd M W 52 M Miss Miss Miss Farmer
McLemore, Mary E Wf F W 49 M Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, William A Son M W 18 S Miss Miss Miss Laborer Saw Mill
McLemore, Leeray Son M W 18 S Miss Miss Miss Laborer RR Section
McLemore, Celestian Dtr F W 14 S Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, Elma Dtr F W 13 S Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, Inse Dtr-in-law F 21 M Miss Oh Oh Oh
McLemore, Emaline Grnddtr F W 2 S Ok Miss Oh

1930 Census
Mississippi, Forrest County, Beat 2
April 29, 1930 by Mrs. Clayton Allen
ED 18-9 SD 11 Sheet 24AS Stamped 220
State Highway 11
456-467
McLemore, Mary E Hd Own $2000 F W 58 Wd Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, Leroy Son M W 26 S Miss Miss Miss Car Inspector Southern RR
Mitchell, Leslie (sic) Dtr F W 23 M19 Miss Miss Miss
Mitchell, James E GS M W 0/12 S Miss Miss Miss
Wallace, Elma Dtr-H F W 22 M16 Miss Miss Miss
Wallace, Jimie F GS M W 3 10/12 S Miss Miss Miss
Wallace, Harold H GS M W 2 4/12 S Miss Miss Miss
Moore, Wilma J GD F W 5 S Miss Miss Miss
457-468
McLemore, William Hd Rent $3 M W M20 Miss Miss Miss Carpenter Southern Railroad
McLemore, Inez Wf F W M 15 Oh Oh Ind
McLemore, Emmaline Dtr F W 12 S Ok Miss Ohio
McLemore, Helen L Dtr F W 9 S Miss Miss Ohio
McLemore, Walter F Son M W 7 S Ok Miss Ohio
McLemore, Eugene E Son M W 5 Miss Miss Ohio
McLemore, Lorena F Dtr F W 3 1/12 S Miss Miss Ohio

Family/Spouse: Mary Etta Lee. Mary was born on 15 Jun 1870 in Mississippi; died on 9 Jun 1939 in Petal, Forrest County, Mississippi; was buried in McLemore Cemetery, Forrest County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In December, 2011, a descendant emailed that "Minnie Belle....is buried in Stone County, Mississippi, a Wiggins cemetery. Minnie married Reuben W. Lowery [and had two daughters].
Minnie and Ruben and the two girls were living in Wiggins at the time that Minnie died after the birth of a son; the baby died too. Minnie and the baby are buried in Wiggins. Ruben and the two girls took a train up to the Seminary area where some of his older children lived. Ruben died soon after. They said he was an old man and grieved himself to death. Fletcher, one of his grown sons, and his wife took in the two younger children, Gladys and Audrey, ages 4 and 2, and raised them."

Minnie married Reuben F. Lowery between 1917 and 1918 in Mississippi. Reuben was born in Mar 1862 in Alabama; died about 1923 in Covington County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The SSDI has a William McLemore, born 11 Aug 1889 with his card issued in Mississippi, and dying in July 1964 in Missouri. It is not known if this is the same William Amos McLemore.

(Research):
Census Information:

1920 Census
Mississippi, Forrest County, Beat 2
Enumerated 26 Jan 1920
SD 6 ED 14 Sheet 13A Stamped 153
235-235
McLemore, Walter S Hd M W 52 M Miss Miss Miss Farmer
McLemore, Mary E Wf F W 49 M Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, William A Son M W 18 S Miss Miss Miss Laborer Saw Mill
McLemore, Leeray Son M W 18 S Miss Miss Miss Laborer RR Section
McLemore, Celestian Dtr F W 14 S Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, Elma Dtr F W 13 S Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, Inse Dtr-in-law F 21 M Miss Oh Oh
McLemore, Emaline Grnddtr F W 2 S Ok Miss Oh

1930 Census
Mississippi, Forrest County, Beat 2
April 29, 1930 by Mrs. Clayton Allen
ED 18-9 SD 11 Sheet 24AS Stamped 220
State Highway 11
456-467
McLemore, Mary E (Widow) and family
457-468
McLemore, William Hd Rent $3 M W M20 Miss Miss Miss Carpenter Southern Railroad
McLemore, Inez Wf F W M 15 Oh Oh Ind
McLemore, Emmaline Dtr F W 12 S Ok Miss Ohio
McLemore, Helen L Dtr F W 9 S Miss Miss Ohio
McLemore, Walter F Son M W 7 S Ok Miss Ohio
McLemore, Eugene E Son M W 5 Miss Miss Ohio
McLemore, Lorena F Dtr F W 3 1/12 S Miss Miss Ohio

1940 Census
Mississippi, Forrest County, Beat #2
Enumerated 8 Apr 1940
SD 6 ED 18-20A Sheets 2A and 2B
Highway 11
32 R $5
Mitchell, Lessie Head F W 30 M No 8 Miss Residence in 1935 Bogalusa Washington LA Seamtress WPA Sewing Room
Mitchell, James Edward Son M W 10 S Yes 4 Miss Residence in 1935 Bogalusa Washington LA
Mitchell, Charles Adaire Son M W 4 S La Residence in 1935 -----
33 R $6
McLemore, William A Head M W 50 M No 7 Miss
McLemore, Inez S Wf W F 41 M No 6 Oh R Forrest Miss Farmer
McLemore, Helen Dau F W 19 S Yes H-2 Miss R Forrest Miss
McLemore, Walter Son M W 17 S No H-1 Okla R Forrest Miss
McLemore, Eugene Son M W 15 S Yes 7 Miss R Forrest Miss
McLemore, Rowena Dau F W 13 S Yes 6 Miss R Forrest Miss
McLemore, Alice Dau F W 8 S Yes 2 Miss
McLemore, Leroy Lodger M W 8 S No 7 Miss Same House

Family/Spouse: Inez Smith. Inez was born about 1899 in Mississippi; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In 1930, two of Stella's three sisters were living with their mother, along with their own children. Also in the home was another 5 year old granddaughter, Wilma J. MOORE. Perhaps this was a daughter of Stella's or Carrie's?

Name Stella Mclemore Doerner
Titles and Terms
Event Type Death
Event Date 18 Jun 1949
Event Place Plaquemine, Iberville, Louisiana
Gender Female
Age 56
Race (Original) White
Birth Year (Estimated) 1893
Birthplace Hattersburg, Mississippi
Father's Name Walter Mclemore
Father's Titles and Terms
Mother's Name Mary Lee
Mother's Titles and Terms
Spouse's Name
Spouse's Titles and Terms
Certificate Number 7145
Page
GS Film number 1418363
Digital Folder Number 004215552
Image Number 01210



Citing this Record:
"Louisiana, Deaths Index, 1850-1875, 1894-1956," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FSBT-FXB : accessed 25 Sep 2014), Stella Mclemore Doerner, 18 Jun 1949; citing Plaquemine, Iberville, Louisiana, certificate number 7145, State Archives, Baton Rouge; FHL microfilm 1418363.

Family/Spouse: Alma Mae Hogan. Alma was born on 31 Mar 1901; died on 16 Jun 1984; was buried in El Toro Memorial Park, Lake Forest, Orange County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Could the 1900 listing be in error (as to age and sex) and might this actually be Leroy?

Notes:

A Leroy McLemore is listed on the SSDI, with a birthdate of June 25, 1902. However, he was assigned a number (425-10-7724) through a Request for E/R Action rather than completing an application for a number, and no further identifying information, other than his name and birthdate, is shown.

Rebecca Mullinix reports that he was killled in a robbery in Eastabuthie, MS.

Notes:

She appears to have been living with her mother at the time of the 1930 census. Although she was listed as married, no husband was present in the home. She was shown as the mother of James E. MITCHELL, a newborn.

Rebecca Mullinex emailed in July, 2009 that she never knew her grandmother to go by the name Celeste, but instead knew her always as Amelia Lessie McLemore. Rebecca added that "Lessie was born in 1905. She married James Herman Mitchell (born 1907) and had my father, James Edward Mitchell April 5, 1930. She was living with her parents when the 1930 census was taken. She died sometime in the 1940's according to a living nephew - Gene McLemore (he remembered he was away in the army when he recieved the news) but does not know where she is buried or what year she died. The only siblings I knew as a very small child were Walter Amos McLemore (when I was a child, he was referred to as "Uncle Amos") and his wife Inez, and a sister Elma McLemore that we called "Auntie" who lived in the same town as we did for a few years. But being a child, never thought to ask about family history. I remember LeRoy McLemore being killed when I was very young. He was shot in a robbery, I believe, Eastabuthie, MS. down the road from what was called the "Old Place" on Hwy 11.

(Research):
Census Information:

1930 Census
Mississippi, Forrest County, Beat 2
April 29, 1930 by Mrs. Clayton Allen
ED 18-9 SD 11 Sheet 24AS Stamped 220
State Highway 11
456-467
McLemore, Mary E Hd Own $2000 F W 58 Wd Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, Leroy Son M W 26 S Miss Miss Miss Car Inspector Southern RR
Mitchell, Leslie Dtr F W 23 M19 Miss Miss Miss
Mitchell, James E GS M W 0/12 S Miss Miss Miss
Wallace, Elma Dtr-H F W 22 M16 Miss Miss Miss
Wallace, Jimie F GS M W 3 10/12 S Miss Miss Miss
Wallace, Harold H GS M W 2 4/12 S Miss Miss Miss
Moore, Wilma J GD F W 5 S Miss Miss Miss

1940 Census
Mississippi, Forrest County, Beat #2
Enumerated 8 Apr 1940
SD 6 ED 18-20A Sheets 2A and 2B
Highway 11
32 R $5
Mitchell, Lessie Head F W 30 M No 8 Miss Residence in 1935 Bogalusa Washington LA Seamtress WPA Sewing Room
Mitchell, James Edward Son M W 10 S Yes 4 Miss Residence in 1935 Bogalusa Washington LA
Mitchell, Charles Adaire Son M W 4 S La Residence in 1935 -----
33 R $6
McLemore, William A Head M W 50 M No 7 Miss
McLemore, Inez S Wf W F 41 M No 6 Oh R Forrest Miss Farmer
McLemore, Helen Dau F W 19 S Yes H-2 Miss R Forrest Miss
McLemore, Walter Son M W 17 S No H-1 Okla R Forrest Miss
McLemore, Eugene Son M W 15 S Yes 7 Miss R Forrest Miss
McLemore, Rowena Dau F W 13 S Yes 6 Miss R Forrest Miss
McLemore, Alice Dau F W 8 S Yes 2 Miss
McLemore, Leroy Lodger M W 8 S No 7 Miss Same House

Celeste married James Herman Mitchell before 1930. James was born about 1907 in Mississippi; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She appears to have been living with her mother at the time of the 1930 census. Although she was listed as married, no husband was present in the home. She was shown as the mother of Jimie F WALLACE, age 3 years 10 months and Harold H. WALLACE, age 2 years 4 months.

She was also the mother of Dr. Rudy LEVERETT, who did extensive research relating to the McLemore family in general, as well as to the role of Maj. Amos McLemore during the Civil War.

(Research):Census Information:

1930 Census
Mississippi, Forrest County, Beat 2
April 29, 1930 by Mrs. Clayton Allen
ED 18-9 SD 11 Sheet 24AS Stamped 220
State Highway 11
456-467
McLemore, Mary E Hd Own $2000 F W 58 Wd Miss Miss Miss
McLemore, Leroy Son M W 26 S Miss Miss Miss Car Inspector Southern RR
Mitchell, Leslie Dtr F W 23 M19 Miss Miss Miss
Mitchell, James E GS M W 0/12 S Miss Miss Miss
Wallace, Elma Dtr-H F W 22 M16 Miss Miss Miss
Wallace, Jimie F GS M W 3 10/12 S Miss Miss Miss
Wallace, Harold H GS M W 2 4/12 S Miss Miss Miss
Moore, Wilma J GD F W 5 S Miss Miss Miss

Notes:

After her mother died, Emma and Audrey were raised by her older half-brother and his wife, Fletcher and Evie Lowery, in Covington County, Mississippi.

Family/Spouse: William David Travis. William (son of Archie M. Travis, Sr. and Willie Olivia Odom) was born on 2 Feb 1920 in Forrest County, Mississippi; died on 19 Jan 1971 in Forrest County, Mississippi; was buried in Forrest Memorial Gardens, Petal, Forrest County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Sennett Riels. Sennett was born on 29 May 1919 in Jones County, Mississippi; died on 23 Mar 1997 in Forrest County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

James Cumberland writes that she was born in Ponca City, OK, that she was the mother of James Cumberland, Gerald Cumberland (dec'd), David Cumberland, Ronald Boado and Doloras Boado.

Notes:

Obituary

Eugene Edwin McLemore

Petal, MS

Services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday at Eastabuchie Baptist Church for Mr. Eugene Edwin McLemore, 86, of Petal.

He died Monday, November 28, 2011 at Forrest General Hospital.

Burial will be in Highland Cemetery with military honors.

Mr. McLemore retired from the U.S. Postal Service and was an U.S. Navy Veteran of WW II.

He was a member and deacon of Eastabuchie Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by a son, Arthur McLemore, a daughter, Shirley Sue McLemore, and parents, William & Inez Smith McLemore. He is survived by his wife, Juanita Brown McLemore of Petal; a son, Charles Eugene McLemore of Petal; two daughters, Evelyn O'Neal of Petal and Debra Jean Pitts-Greer of Moselle; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon Friday at Eastabuchie Baptist Church.

Hattiesburg American.com
Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home Inc

Notes:

Shown as Lorena on the 1930 census. James Cumberland, a son of her sister Emmaline, reports that her name was actually Rowena.

Notes:

James Cumberland reports that his mother's youngest sister was named Alice, and was born after the 1930 census, probably around 1935.

Notes:

Military inscription, from his FindAGrave memorial page created by Robert E. Lee:

MISSISSIPPI PFC OM CORPS WORLD WAR II