John Christmas McLemore

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:

Said to have died ca 1873. Buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis.

Mary married James M. Walker on 20 Feb 1834. James was born on 15 Sep 1804; and died. [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:

At the time of the 1850 Shelby County, Tennessee census, an A.J. McLemore, age 27, born in Tennesse, and listed as a Lawyer with $2,000 in Personal Property, was a boarder in the home of A.F. and Eliza Gibbs. They were living in the fourth ward of Memphis. Also boarding in the home were two other attornies, James LAMB and Thos. GHOLSON, and with R.F. BROWN, a Physician.

Obituaries and article below copied from his FindAGrave memorial page, created Mary and Kent

DEATH OF ANDREW J. McLEMORE

The telegraph from Richmond on Saturday night last, brought us the sad intelligence of the death of this gentleman, by drowning, in that city, on the Wednesday previous. No particulars of the melancholy casualty are given.

Mr. McLemore was the son of Col. John C. McLemore, of this ciy. He was of a noble and generous nature, a warm friend, and a true man. He leaves, both in this city and throughout the State, a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his melancholy fate and untimely end.

Memphis Daily Appeal
October 17, 1861
Death of A.J. McLemore--We find the following notice of the drowning of our late friend Andrew J. McLemore in the Richmond Examiner of the 11 inst.:

A young gentleman, named Andrew Jackson McLemore, from Tennessee, inspired with a patriotic desire to join the Confederate forces, either as a private or under commission, arrived in this city some two or three days last past, and, on last night, about half past seven o'clock, walked into the canal, and was drowned. A coroner's inquest was held, at which the jury returned the following verdict" "The deceased came to his death by accidental downing in the James River and Kanawha canal, near Eighth Street, in the city of Richmond" There is a brother of the deceased in a Tennessee company commanded by Capt. Bennet, at Manassas, to which place he was desirous of going, and, side by side with his brother, battle with his country's foes; but, alas! the wire's winged messenger wafted to his fond parents the melancholy tidings of his death and blighted hopes. His remains were cared for by his friends from his gallant State now in the city.

Nashville Union and American
October 18, 1861
Andrew J. McLemore, Esq.
The Richmond correspondent of the Petersburg Express gives the following account of the death of Andrew J. McLemore, Esq. of Memphis, who was accidentally drowned in Richmond on the 9th inst. We knew Mr. McLemore from boyhood, and we knew him to possess one of the warmest of hearts, a bright intellect and high toned honor. He was graduated, with the highest honors, at the University of Nashville, and soon after located in Memphis, where he has ever since resided, with the exception of a few years in San Francisco, California. Mr. McLemore was on his way to Manassas, to join the army, at the time of his death. He has three brothers in the army, at the time of his death. He has three brothers in the army, two at Columbus and one at Fairfax Court House. He was a son of Col. Jao. C. McLemore who, for many years, resided in this city. The following are the remarks of the Richmond correspondent:

Another gallant young soldier has gone to the tomb before he had an opportunity of serving his country on the battlefield. Andrew Jackson McLemore, from Memphis, Tenn., reached this city some three or four days ago and stopped at the Spotswood House, intending to proceed to Manassas at an early day, where he has a brother serving in Captain Bennett's company. Night before last, while endeavoring to grope his way to the Petersburg depot, he accidentally fell into the canal and was drowned. his body was found yesterday, and a key bearing the number of his room at the hotel disclosed his identity. He had letters from his father to President Davis, and other distinguished public functionaries, which had never been presented. An inquest was held by the coroner, & verdict of death by accidental drowning rendered, and his body placed in a metallic burial case and deposited in the vault at Hollywood to await the requisition of friends.

Notes:

GENEALOGICAL ABSTRACTS FROM REPORTED DEATHS
THE NASHVILLE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE 1847-1849
By Jonathan Kennon Thompson Smith
Copyright, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 2003
July-December 1848
Page 45

CATHARINE DONELSON youngest daughter of Colonel John C. McLemore; wife of Thomas Gholson [or Gholston]; died near Nashville, Tenn., of consumption, July 2, 1848 in the 27th year of her age.
http://www.tngenweb.org/records/davidson/nca/nca47-08.htm

Notes:

Said to have died ca 1882.

(Research):Census Information:

1860 Census
Tennessee, Shelby County, 4th Civil District
Enumerated 20 Aug 1866
Page 217
1369-1411
W.C. McLemore 32 Farmer $100 Tenn
A.D. McLemore 30 Farmer $100 Tenn

Notes:

Census Information:

1860 Census
Tennessee, Shelby County, 4th Civil District
Enumerated 20 Aug 1866
Page 217
1369-1411
W.C. McLemore 32 Farmer $100 Tenn
A.D. McLemore 30 Farmer $100 Tenn

Notes:

Said to have been in the CSA, Co. B, First Infantry Regiment, Tennessee.

John married Elizabeth Hemphill Pope on 9 Oct 1895 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. Elizabeth was born about 1868 in Tennessee; died about 1921. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Census Information:

1910 Federal Census
Tennessee, Shelby County, 19 Ward Memphis City
Enumerated 19 Apr 1910
SD 19, ED 239, Sheet 7B
N. Somervilles Street
33-109-110
McLemore, Donelson Hd M W 42 M 16 Tn Tn Al Warehouseman
McLemore, Lena P Wf F W 32 M16 1/1 Tn Tn Tn
McLemore, Donelson Jr Son M W 1 7/12 S Tn Tn Tn

Donelson married Nena West Palmer on 5 Jan 1904 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. Nena was born about 1878 in Tennessee; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mamie Jones. Mamie was born about 1870 in Tennessee; died about 1900. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The image of her actual Texas Death certificate can be viewed online at FamilySearch.org, Texas Deaths, 1890-1976. Her name at the time of her death was shown as Elizabeth McLemore Hewitt, and she was shown as born in Memphis, Tennessee to John C. McLemore and Elizabeth Pope. Prior to her death, she was a resident of the Christian Home for the Aged in Houston. She died as a result of a fractured hip some five months prior to her death. She was shown as divorced, and although she died in Houston, Texas, her body was removed to Memphis, Tennessee for burial at the Elmwood Cemetery.

(Medical):See attached sources.

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.