The Shemwell Family

James Henry McGehee and his Parents (Ransom and ??) CONCLUSION: I have reviewed the family records of Ransom McGehee and did an exhaustive search for others. I believe that after Lucinda Woodrell (1st wife) died in 1868, Ransom fathered James Henry McGehee in 1869 with an unnamed spouse until he married Mary Ellen Etheridge in 1870. DETAILS: James Henry McGehee was born on November 17, 1869 in Conway, Arkansas. James Henry McGehee's father was Ransom B McGehee; but, exhaustive searching has not revealed his mother. Ransom and his first wife, Lucinda Woodrell, were married on Oct 17,1866. She died on April 12, 1868. Ransom and his second wife, Mary Ellen Etheridge, were married on Dec 5, 1870. Records support their children were Daniel Martin McGehee (1873-1934), Sarah Elizabeth McGehee (1879-1960), Autie Beulah McGehee (1880-1952), and Robert Augustus McGehee (1993-1918). It would seem reasonable to expect Ransom and Mary would have married in early 1869 if James was her son. Ransom is listed in the (August 18) 1870 Census as a Single, Domestic Servant living in the household of "Andy Sheumate". It is interesting to note that there is listed a "James H Sheumate" who is a 1 year old male in that household. The other children in the family are 7, 9, 10, 12, and 18 years old. It seems odd that there is a 6 year gap between James H and the next youngest child. It seems probably that "James H Sheumate" could actually be "James Henry McGehee" when viewed in the context of Ransom's marriages and Lucinda's death.