Valda Louise McLemore

Notes:

(Research):Census Records:

1910 Census
Tennessee, Shelby County, Memphis
Enumerated 26 Apr 1910
SD 10, ED 144, Sheet 12B
Pontotoc and ??? Streets
Beckham, Harry M Hd M W 32 M1 2
Beckham, Dessie Wf F W 24 M1 0/0
McLemore, Sallie Boarder F W 65 Wd 5/5 Tn Tn Tn Own Income
McLemore, Mary Boarder F W 24 S Tn Tn Tn Stenographer
McLemore, Valder Boarder F W 12 S Tn Tn Tn

Despite some discrepencies, the census record above appear
s to be for the widowed Sarah Thomas McLemore, her daughter-in-law, the widowed Mamie (Jones) McLemore, and granddaughter, Valda McLemore. Sarah Thomas was the widow of John Coffee McLemore, and Mamie Jones was the widow of James Valdor McLemore. The 24 year old Mary might instead be Valda's Aunt and not her mother.

James + Mamie Jones. Mamie was born about 1870 in Tennessee; died about 1900. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Was said to have first been married to Mary Louise NELSON on 22 July 1851 in Mississippi. No children appear to have been born to this union.

Said to be buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis, TN.

(Research):Census Information:

1870 Federal Census
Tennessee, Shelby County, 10th Civil District, Collinsvill
e P.O.
Enumerated 18 July 1870
Page 4
21-21
McLeemore, John C 52 M W Farmer $1700 $1000 Tn
McLeemore, Sarah 30 F W Housekeeper Ala
McLeemore, Elizabeth 12 F W Ten
McLeemore, Leane 9 M W Ten
McLeemore, John 7 M W Ten
McLeemore, Melvin 5 M W Ten
McLeemore, Baby 2 M W Ten
Ketchim, T??? M W Ga
Randolph, Wm 19 M W Ga
Gun, Nancy 40 F B Miss
Robinson, Lewis 50 M B Miss
Jones, Edward 30 M B Miss
M???, Caroline 28 F M Ten

1880 Federal Census
Household:
Name RelationMarital StatusGenderRaceAgeBirthplaceOccupationFather's BirthplaceMother's Birthplace
J. C. MC LEMORE ?sup?1?/sup? Self M Male W 62 TN Farmer TN NC
S. L. MC LEMORE Wife M Female W 42 AL Keeping House AL GA
Lucy MC LEMORE Dau S Female W 20 TN TN AL F. L. MC LEMORE Son Male W 18 TN TN AL
J. C. MC LEMORE Son Male W 16 TN TN AL
M. L. MC LEMORE Son S Male W 12 TN TN AL W. ... MC LEMORE Son S Male W 10 TN TN AL Valde MC LEMORE Son S Male W 7 TN TN AL M. F. MC LEMORE Dau S Female W 5 TN TN AL
Source Information:
Census PlaceDistrict 10, Shelby, Tennessee
Family History Library Film 1255278 NA Film Number T9-1278
Page Number 282B

John married Sarah Thomas Lane before 1858. Sarah was born on 9 Aug 1838 in Alabama; died on 14 May 1912. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Census Records:

1910 Census
Tennessee, Shelby County, Memphis
Enumerated 26 Apr 1910
SD 10, ED 144, Sheet 12B
Pontotoc and ??? Streets
Beckham, Harry M Hd M W 32 M1 2
Beckham, Dessie Wf F W 24 M1 0/0
McLemore, Sallie Boarder F W 65 Wd 5/5 Tn Tn Tn Own Income
McLemore, Mary Boarder F W 24 S Tn Tn Tn Stenographer
McLemore, Valder Boarder F W 12 S Tn Tn Tn

Despite some discrepencies, the census record above appear
s to be for the widowed Sarah Thomas McLemore, her daughter-in-law, the widowed Mamie (Jones) McLemore, and granddaughter, Valda McLemore. Sarah Thomas was the widow of John Coffee McLemore, and Mamie Jones was the widow of James Valdor McLemore. It is also possible that Mary is Sarah/Sallies daughter and not daughter-in-law.

Notes:

866. Smith and Owsley, eds., "The Papers of Andrew Jackson" , vol. I: 1770-1803, p..125. .. (Courtesy of Robert McLemore Butler)

William Christmas's double-nephew, John Christmas McLemore became a clerk in his office in 1806 at the age of sixteen. On the death of his Uncle (1811?), McLemore succeeded to his office which he held for many years. It was said McLemore had more Tennessee land "on the books" than any individual person at any time.

In the course of his wheeling and dealing, many towns were named by him, including a town on the north side of the South fork of Obion river, at or near the place called "McLemore's Bluff," on the land of John C. McLemore, and the said town to be known by the name of Christmasville.

One can readily see that the town was named by him in honor of his family, as was the nearby West Tennessee town of McLemoresville.

File: McLemore, John C. .. Andrew Jackson Papers.1770-1803.docRMB

West Tennessee land speculator John C. McLemore was born January 1, 1790, in Orange County, North Carolina. In 1809 he moved to Nashville, where he became a surveyor's clerk. Five years later, he succeeded his uncle William Christmas as surveyor general of the Tennessee Military Tract. His name appeared in most county land books as a grant or land locator or as an official. Because of his character, generosity, and business acumen, contemporaries considered McLemore a potential gubernatorial or senatorial candidate, but he never ran for either office. Both Nashville and Memphis named an early street in his honor, an indication of his community status.
In addition to his popularity and impressive good looks, McLemore's rise to prominence benefited from his marriage to Elizabeth Donelson, daughter of John Donelson, a longtime friend of Andrew Jackson. Before 1820 Jackson and McLemore cooperated in land development in northern Alabama with fellow brother-in-law and Jackson favorite General John Coffee.

McLemore invested heavily in West Tennessee's development. Evidently he lent his name to McLemoresville and Christmasville in Carroll County. More importantly, the Jackson-McLemore tie resulted in the latter's early interest in Memphis and made him the fourth founding father of the city, along with Jackson, John Overton, and James Winchester. In competition with Overton and Winchester, McLemore speculated in risky ventures, namely Fort Pickering and the LaGrange and Memphis Railroad. Nearly bankrupt, he tried to recoup his losses in California's gold boom of 1850. Within a decade, McLemore returned to Memphis, where he died May 20, 1864.

The following bio by Mary and Kent, was copied from his FindAGrave memorial page, created by Marjorie Gurley:

Land Surveyor and Speculator. Though not as well known as his counterparts, McLemore was one of the original founders of Memphis playing a large if not larger role than John Overton, Andrew Jackson and James Winchester. At the age of 16 he moved to Nashville and began clerking as a land surveyor. Five years later he was appointed surveyor general of the military district by the Tennessee state legislature, a job formerly held by his uncle, William Christmas. In 1815 McLemore married Elizabeth Donelson, a niece of Andrew Jackson. Jackson and McLemore partnered together and enjoyed great success in land deals in Alabama and Tennessee. The two owned quite a bit of land in Memphis and when Jackson ran for president he traded his 625 Memphis acres to McLemore in exchange for land in Madison County making McLemore one of the largest land holders in Memphis. In addition he had land holdings throughout the state, mostly in West Tennessee, and at least two towns were named for him, McLemoresville and Christmasville. McLemore moved to Memphis in order to promote the town, sell lots and make money. He placed his name on the 1828 deed giving public access to the Memphis river front including Court Square, Market Square, Auction Square and the riverfront promenade. Through his land deals McLemore became extremely wealthy but his gamble on the failed Memphis and LaGrange railroad cost him most of his wealth. The project was an abject failure and a financial panic in 1837 decimated his holdings further. In an attempt to make a financial comeback McLemore went to California in the 1849 gold rush. He stayed there for about 12 years returning to Memphis before his death. Of all four founders of the City of Memphis, John Christmas McLemore is the only one buried in Memphis.

John married Elizabeth Donelson on 6 Apr 1815 in Tennessee. Elizabeth was born on 22 Nov 1796 in Davidson County, Tennessee; died on 2 Jul 1836 in LaGrange, Fayette County, Tennessee; was buried in Nashville City Cemetery, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The bio below was copied from her FindAGrave memorial, created by Mary and Kent

Mortuary Notice
National Banner and Nashville Whig
July 11 1836
Died in Lagrange Ten., on the 2nd inst., Mrs. Elizabeth McLemore, wife of John C. McLemore, of Nashville.

Elizabeth was the daughter of John Donelson and Mary Purnell. Mary Purnell was the sister-in-law of Andrew Jackson. Elizabeth married John Christmas McLemore in 1815. He was a well known surveyor in the southeast succeeding his uncle as Surveyor General of the Tennessee Military Tract. McLemore and Elizabeth's uncle, Andrew Jackson, worked together in land development deals resulting in towns like McLemoresville.


Tombstone inscription

Inscription:
Elizabeth
Wife of
John C. McLemore
Born November 22nd 1796
Died July 2nd 1836

This stone is sacred memory of her
who lives beneath this sod?
A dedicated wife and affectionate wife
? Christian
She filled the office of Daughter
won the affection of all
who approached her.
She died beloved.

Notes:

Married:
MaryLynn Santa shows the location of their marriage as Davidson, Tennessee. Rootsweb shows a Davidson in both Fentress and Pickett counties.