The Shemwell Family

Based on the records I have been able to find via various sources (FamilySearch, Ancestry, MyHeritage, Rootsweb, etc), I believe that Tennessee McGehee first married David Pruitt and became the "Tennessee Pruitt" who subsequently married William L Durham in 1866. Key Points: 1. Tennessee McGehee was born on March 18, 1843 in Arkansas. She is shows up in the 1850 Census living with her father, John McGehee, in Union Township, Conway, Arkansas. 2. According to the 1850 Census David Pruitt was born in about 1844 in Kentucky. The 1850 Census shows him living with his father, John Robert Pruitt, in Union Township, Conway, Arkansas. 3. The 1850 Census shows that the McGehee and Pruitt families living close together only separated by the Larkin Scoggin family. It is safe to say that David and Tennesse grew up as friends. 4. The John McGehee family stayed in Union Township, Conway, Arkansas and were recorded in the 1860 Census at that location. Tennessee McGehee was NOT listed in that Census. 5. The John Robert Pruitt family moved to Collin, Texas and were recorded in the 1860 Census at that location. David Pruitt was NOT listed in that Census. 6. Upon reviewing all the families in the 1860 Census (Union Township, Conway, Arkansas AND Collin, Texas) .... I could not find a David Pruitt or Tennessee McGehee/Pruitt. I would have expected them to be in the vicinity of their families as was the custom in those times. But, I could not find them. 6, The next time that records for Tennessee McGehee show up is when she married William L Durham on September 9, 1866 in Conway, Arkansas. 7. I have been unable to find any additional records documenting the life of David Pruitt. I even reviewed the Casuality lists for the Civil War; but, could find no credible evidence was the person of interest. 8. I did find a military record for a David Pruitt which seems to be a good match. It indicates that he was a member of the Confederate Army in the 27th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry. Both his beginning and final rank were a Private. This regiment was stationed out of Yell County, Arkansas which is adjacent to Conway County, Arkansas. Supporting Data: Name: John Pruitt United States Census, 1850 Event Place: Union Township, Conway, Arkansas, United States Event Place (Original): Union, Conway, Arkansas, United States Sex: Male Age: 28 Race: White Birth Year (Estimated): 1822 Birthplace: Indiana House Number:544 Household Sex Age Birthplace John Pruitt Male 28 Indiana Nancy Pruitt Female 33 Kentucky Elizabeth Pruitt Female 13 Kentucky David Pruitt Male 6 Kentucky James Pruitt Male 3 Kentucky Nancy Pruitt Female 1 Arkansas David Pruitt Male 60 Indiana Frances Pruitt Female 60 Indiana Name: James Prewit United States Census, 1860 Event Place: Precinct 5, Collin, Texas, United States Sex: Male Age: 39 Race: White Birth Year (Estimated): 1848 Birthplace: Arkansas Household Sex Age Birthplace John Prewit Male 39 Kentucky Nancy Prewit Female 44 Kentucky James Prewit Male 12 Arkansas Nancy J Prewit Female 10 Arkansas John F Prewit Male 7 Arkansas Wm Prewit Male 4 Arkansas Name: John McGehee United States Census, 1850 Event Place: Union Township, Conway, Arkansas, United States Sex: Male Age: 50 Race: White Birth Year (Estimated): 1800 Birthplace: North Carolina House Number: 542 Household Sex Age Birthplace John McGehee Male 50 North Carolina Milly McGehee Female 35 Missouri Emeline McGehee Female 14 Missouri Nancy McGehee Female 12 Missouri Joseph McGehee Male 7 Arkansas Tennessee McGehee Female 5 Arkansas Ranson McGehee Male 3 Arkansas Thomas McGehee Male 2 Arkansas Name: Jno Mc Geehee United States Census, 1860 Event Place: Union Township, Conway, Arkansas, United States Sex: Male Age: 60 Race: White Birth Year (Estimated): 1800 Birthplace: North Carolina Household Sex Age Birthplace Jno Mc Geehee Male 60 North Carolina Matilda Mc Geehee Female 40 Tennessee Ranson Mc Geehee Female 5 Arkansas Sarah Mc Geehee Female 4 Arkansas Thos Mc Geehee Male 2 Arkansas