James McGehee (1770 - 1826)

Born 26 Nov 1770 in Prince Edward, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Johns) Green — married 26 Nov 1795 in Ogelthorpe County, Georgia, United States

Descendants

Died 26 May 1826 at age 55 in Putnam, Georgia, United States

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Biography

James moved with his parents to Georgia in 1783. He married Mary Johns, who George Gilmer described as a "busy, bustling little woman." Gilmer also wrote that James lived south of his brother, Thomas, near Broad River, and that when a boy, he had been smart, but after his horse threw him, he was a bit confused. He once got the better of Gov. Mathews in a horse trade, though the Governor was acknowledged by everybody to be the best judge of a horse in the State James later moved to Putnam Co., where he operated a ferry across the Oconee River.^[1]

Birth

Birth Date: 26 NOV 1770

Birth Place: Prince Edward County, VA

Marriage

James and Mary were married on 26 Nov 1795 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia.

They had eleven children, two were named Edmund, but the first one died in infancy. John also died in infancy and Harriett was only 16 when she died.

Residence

1800 Oglethorpe County, GA census:

1 male 26-45, 2 males under 10, 1 female 16-26 4 slaves

Deeds

Deed Book C, page 83

30 Apr 1798. John Thurman(little)? of Wilkes Co. to James MCGEHEE of Oglethorpe Co. for $775, 2 tracts in Ogle. Co. on branches of Clouds Creek, 450 acres adj. each other was granted to James Sheppeard by 2 different grants July 4, July 16 1784 and sold to above John Thurman. Wit: Micajah MCGEHEE and Thomas M. Gilmer.

Deed Book E, page 305

28 Oct 1807. James MCGEHEE to Thomas W. SCOTT for $2000 450 acres on Clouds Creek

Deed Book F, page 52

Micajah MCGEHEE give to my son James MCGEHEE all tract where he now lives 230 acres on Goose Pond Creek. Signed Micjah Wit: E. MCGEHEE, Thomas MCGEHEE, and William MCGEHEE

Deed Book H, page 147

28 Dec 1811. James MCGEHEE to Charles L. Matthews for $1500 230 acres

Gravesite

The gravesite for James and Mary and their children James and Mary Ann is in danger of being destroyed. It is now on the property of a gated subdivision with golf course and lake. Everything is overgrown. Vandals have made off with the gate to the enclosure, as well as most of the iron fence decorations. Mary Ann's stone was broken by a tree that fell across the grave. There are two distinct depressions at one end of the rectangular enclosure which are probably graves also, probably the first Edmund for one.^{[2] [3]}

Overgrown MCGEHEE family cemetery in Putnam Co, GA:^[4]

Grave 1: MARY GREENE

Grave 2: JAMES McGEHEE

Grave 3: MARY ANN McGEHEE

Grave 4: JAMES McGEHEE

Estate Records of James McGehee

https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/838945:8635?tid=&pid=&queryId=e8aa1c0332e36526eab14087a353ee4b&_phsrc=1310&_phstart=successSource
His administrators appear to be his wife Mary and sons James, Jr and Abner. ^[5]

Inventory and Sales: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/838939:8635?tid=&pid=&queryId=e8aa1c0332e36526eab14087a353ee4b&_phsrc=1312&_phstart=successSource

Sources

1. ↑ Our McGehees, A History of One Branch of the McGehee Family from 1659 to the Present, Elizabeth McGehee Johnson, 1993.
2. ↑ This information was found by Reg Smith. He also took pictures of the gravestones and the general area.
3. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images, memorial page for James McGehee (26 Nov 1770–16 May 1826), Find A Grave: Memorial #26475450, citing McGehee Cemetery, Putnam County, Georgia, USA
4. ↑ from the Ancestry.com website of Eleanor Colson "McGehee Family"
5. ↑ Probate Records, 1800-1964 Etc., 1809-1964; Author: Georgia. Court of Ordinary (Putnam County); Probate Place: Putnam, Georgia

See also:

• Georgia Bible Records: Micajah McGehee Bible of Broad River (1985) Note: Transcribed and put out on a Rootsweb site for McGehee researchers on June 14, 2005 Austin, Jeanette Holland, Owned by Mrs. Lamar Smith of Como, MS. https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/139151248

• Frost, E. C. and M., DeJarnette and Allied Families in America (1699-1954), pp. 54-56

• Gilmer, G. R., First Settlers of Upper Georgia, pp. 130-131.

• Sims, A. N., Frances Morgan, An Early Virginia Burgess and Some of His Descendants, pp. 78-80.