Descendants of Jonathan Sutton McClain
Generation No. 1
1. JONATHAN SUTTON MCCLAIN was born May 19, 1817 in Fairfield Cty, SC, and died January 18, 1897 in Catoosa Cty, GA. He married (1) UNKNOWN. He married (2) LEVISA LEEK DUNN April 24, 1856, daughter of MOSES DUNN and MARY PEELER.
Notes for JONATHAN SUTTON MCCLAIN:
Jonathan & Levisa Are buried Tunnel Hill Cemetery, GA
Notes for LEVISA LEEK DUNN:
Born in York Dist, now county, South Carolina between Cherokee and Peeler Fordson Broad River. (Catoosa County Record)
This was a newspaper article submitted by E. O. Dowling:
In Memory of Mrs. L. L. McClain
Mrs. Levisa Leek McClain was born Nov., 4, 1923 in York Co SC. She was the daughter of Moses McElroy Dunn and Mary Leek Peeler, moved to Dogwood Valley, Walker County (now Catoosa County, GA) in 1833. She helped to cook for the guards who were gathering up the Indians, could speak some of the Indian dialect. She was married to Thomas Dowling of West Meath Ireland Jan., 12, 1843 and went to her home on East Chickamuga, near Copeland's Crossing where she spent most of her life. To this union were born four children. Her husband died and after living a widow five years she married Jonathan McClain of Catoosa County, GA formerly of Fairfield, SC on Apr., 24, 1866, this union was blessed with eight children. Mother's death occurred Oct., 12,1911. There are eight children surviving her. She never turned any one from her door hungry in time of war or time of peace except three Confederate Soldiers who were prisoners and eating raw pumpkins and their guard refused to wait until something could be prepared. She tried to accommodate any or all who came in her way among whom was Lieutenant Theodore Roosevelt and General Sherman. Ministers of the gospel always found a place in her home. She confessed faith in Christ in youth and was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church many years.
E. O. Dowling
Article Found in Confederate Veteran Magazine...V20, March 1912 (Dalton Camp pays tribute to a Confederate mother.)
Levisa Leek, daughter of Moses McElroy Dunn and Mary Leek Dunn was born March 4, 1821, on York River in York County, SC. She moved with her parents to Walker Co., GA. (now Catoosa), in 1833. Moses Dunn bought and lived in the house of Indian Chief Hix, which stands yet in Dogwood Valley. Levisa helped to cook for those who gathered and guarded the Indians prior to their departure from Georgia. She went with and cooked for her father while building the first homes in Cross Plains, GA., (now Dalton), and she helped to cook for the contractors and hands who built the Western and Atlantic Railroad, northeast of Tunnel Hill, GA. She was married January 12, 1843, to Contractor Thomas Dowling, and it was he who completed the tunnel at Tunnel Hill. They moved shortly thereafter to the home where she resided the major part of the following sixty nine years. She traveled horseback with her husband to different points in Georgia and Alabama, passing through Atlanta when it was little more than a blacksmith village, and drank water from the good spring now said to be under the W & A Railroad shops. She lived in Augusta while her husband built the lock over the canal, and it was there that her veteran son, John Dowling, was born December 4, 1845. She returned to North Georgia in 1851, a widow with four small children. In 1856 she was married to Jonathan McClain, of Fairfield, SC. She remained at home during the Civil War with her daughters and little children, suffering many hardships and privations in supporting those dependent upon her for support. She often contributed to the relief of soldiers. Gen. Joseph Wheeler's secret service men were frequently visitors to her home, where they were made welcome. She witnessed skirmishes and was in hearing of the battles around Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, Ringgold, Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face and Dalton, and heard the roar of cannon of several battles further south. She had several battles with soldiers and stragglers who went with the Federal wagon train while pillaging her house, and they often succeeded in taking her personal property. The heavy wagons becoming stalled in the deep and miry ford of East Chickamauga, they had ample time to plunder. They often camped on her place, and the officers kept guards at her house, but the fences and crops were destroyed. Excepting pillagers, she treated all kindly; and not withstanding her avowed loyalty to her Southland, she had good friends among the Federal soldiers. An officer admiring the beautiful location of her home, said: "I will lay my land grant here when the South is confiscated." She answered: "You may lay it between here and Atlanta only six feet long and three feet wide." She saw the race of the Andrew's raiders on the engine General, pursued by the engine Texas. She lost two stepsons in the Confederate army. Lieut. E. R. McClain enlisted in the first Confederate regiment at the beginning of the hostilities and went to Pensacola, FL., where he enlisted for six months. Re enlisting for the war, he went to Mobile, AL., and from thence back to Rocky Face, GA., and on to Kennesaw, where he was wounded, from the effects of which he died later and was buried in Mobile, AL. W. S. McClain enlisted in 1862 and served in Company B, 11th Georgia Regiment, in the Virginia Army, Until General Longstreet was sent to Chickamauga. He here received wounds from which he died, and was buried in Knoxville. Her son John D. Dowling enlisted in Company E, 1st Confederate Regiment, Georgia Volunteers, at Fort Gaines Garrison. In January, 1864, he took part in the battle of Rocky Face and went through the Atlanta Campaign. He was in the battle of Franklin and was by the side of Colonel Smith when he fell. He was among the few who went over the breastworks in the charge. He went between the lines to rescue his Company's colors. Three had fallen in the attempt. He was in the battle of Nashville and was captured December 16, 1864 sent to Camp Douglas, IL., and released in June, 1865. Mrs. McClain opened her doors to all who called or needed her hospitality, regardless of circumstances of station. Among her guests was Col. Theodore Roosevelt, of the Spanish-American War, who on taking his leave said: "I've been across the water and in almost every State of the Union, and in no country have I eaten such bread as prepared by you." Her last act of patriotism was that of making a flag quilt for her veteran son in 1908, the Jefferson Davis Centennial year. She planted cotton in her garden, cultivated it, picked and ginned it with her fingers, batted it and made in into the flag. She cut and started the quilt in 1908, finished it in 1909, and quilted it in 1910. It had embroidered i white letters: "B. D. Dowling, Company E, 1st Confederate Regiment, Georgia Volunteers." It is lined with gray satin, and is considered a work of art. She made many pretty silk and velvet quilts, and the best butter on the market. She died at her home between McClain Ford and McClain Gap, October 12, 1911. She was the mother of twelve children, four of whom predeceased her. She was a member of the Baptist Church for many years. The following resolution was passed by the Joseph E. Johnston Camp, U.N., at Dalton., GA.
"Resolved, That the officers and members of the Joseph E. Johnston Camp, U.N., Dalton, GA., have with deep regret heard of the death of Mrs. McClain, and that this Camp hereby extends its sincere sympathies to the bereaved family. "W. W. Batey, B. B. Moore, R. B. Fox, Committee."
Children of JONATHAN MCCLAIN and UNKNOWN are: i. EDWARD R. MCCLAIN.
Notes for EDWARD R. MCCLAIN: Edward R. enlisted in the first Confederate regiment at the beginning of hostilities and went to Pensacola, FL., where he enlisted for six months. Re enlisting for the war, he went to Mobile, AL., and from thence back to Rocky Face, GA., and on to Kennesaw, where he was wounded, from the effects of which he died later and was buried in Mobile, AL. Edward R. McClain, Company B, 1st Confederate Infantry, Rank in 2nd Lieutenant, Rank out 1st Lieutenant - Source: National Archives Microfilm Box, Poll & Record 000818,016,00000375
ii. WILLIAM SANDERS. MCCLAIN.
Notes for W. S. MCCLAIN: Enlisted in 1862 and served in Company G 11th Georgia Regiment in the Virginia Army, until General Longstreet was sent to Chickamauga. He here received wounds from which he died and was buried in Knoxville, TN.
Children of JONATHAN MCCLAIN and LEVISA DUNN are: iii. LOU ANNIE MCCLAIN, b. September. iv. JOSEPH ADOLPHUS MCCLAIN, b. March 11, 1857; d. December 23, 1938, Catoosa Cty, GA. v. ROBERT E. MCCLAIN, b. October 29, 1858. vi. THOMAS AARON MCCLAIN, b. September 23, 1860; d. July 30, 1861. vii. CHARLES WALTER MCCLAIN, b. January 14, 1862; d. September 24, 1923, Tunnel Hill, Ga. viii. RICHARD LEE MCCLAIN, b. September 05, 1865, Catoosa Co., GA; d. September 25, 1890, Tunnel Hill, Ga. ix. WILLIAM WASHINGTON MCCLAIN, b. December 26, 1866; d. January 06, 1938, Ringgold, Catoosa Co., GA; m. ELLA CATHERINE MANNING, May 29, 1895, Chattanooga, Hamilton Cty., TN.
x.DAVID COLEMAN MCCLAIN (JONATHAN SUTTON) was born November 12, 1867, and died July 05, 1945 in Tunnel Hill, Ga. He married MARY LOUISA CAIN January 18, 1893, daughter of JOHN CAIN and MARY EDWARDS.
Children of DAVID MCCLAIN and MARY CAIN are: i. WILLIE GRACE MCCLAIN, b. February 15, 1894; d. December 28, 1980; m. December 24, 1916. WILLIAM SEABORN NORRELL, d. May 23, 1916. ii. ERNEST COLEMAN MCCLAIN, b. June 11, 1896; d. March 06, 1950; m. NELLIE KATE WALRAVEN, May 09, 1920. iii. BERNICE LOUISA MCCLAIN, b. September 03, 1906; m. ALTON BAXTER, March 12, 1927.
Generation No. 2
JOSEPH ADOLPHUS MCCLAIN (JONATHAN SUTTON) was born March 11, 1857, and died December 23, 1938 in Catoosa Cty, GA. He married ROBERT EMILY "Bobbie" JONES, daughter of ROBERT JONES and SARAH STEWART.
Notes for JOSEPH ADOLPHUS MCCLAIN: Bobbie & Joseph are buried Anderson Co, Georgia
Joseph was a prominent merchant in Catoosa Co, Ringgold, GA Obituary Catoosa County record 12/1938
Mr. Joseph Adolphus McClain 81, one of Ringgold's most prominent and oldest citizens, passed to his reward at his home at an early hour last Friday morning. Mr. McClain was born 3/11/1857 on what is known as the John Dowling place about four miles south of Ringgold. He came to Ringgold on 1/1/1880, and went to work for Judge T. M. Gordon as a clerk in a General merchandise store. He went into Business for himself the next year as a partner with Capt. W. J. Whitsett in the building now occupied by the Dixie Cafe and the following year bought out the entire business. a few years later he bought the building now occupied by Clark Brothers Hardware Co. where he successfully conducted a mercantile business for more than 35 years, making a total of about 50 years in business in Ringgold. Mr. McClain also had interests in the cotton buying business and lumber business and for some time operated the old lime kiln at Graysville. He served several terms as mayor of the town. Me. McClain's most outstanding activities in his community were along religious lines. He was a member of the Ringgold First Baptist Church for fifty-seven years and was one of the church's strongest supporters and a faithful attendant. He was superintendent of the Sunday school for a period of thirty-one years, and practically all of the time he was a member he served as a deacon. In an interview with Mr. McClain last summer, the writer was very much impressed with his keen memory. He was able to recall most all of the old citizens of the town, even to their initials, and told us many interesting experiences. He was married to Miss Bobbie Jones, step-daughter of the late H. G. Henslee and his faithful companion passed to her reward in 1937. He was an outstanding and valuable citizen and will be greatly missed in his church, his home and his community, but the influence of this good man will live on in the hearts of those who knew him so well. He is survived by three daughters; Mrs. A. W. Waters of Rome, Mrs. A. F. Martin of Athens, Ga.; and Mrs. Sallie Joe Buckholz of Wilmar. CA; four sons, C. R. McClain, Chattanooga; J.L. McClain of ; seventeen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Funeral services were Held from the Baptist Church Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, with Rev. Geo. Lewis officiating, who paid a beautiful tribute to the life and character of the deceased, stating that a man who had served his church and community as faithfully as had Mr. McClain, left little for him to say. Interment was in the Anderson cemetery. Active pallbearers were J. H. Clark, J. E. Evitt, B. R. Harris, Claude Turpin, I. C. Williams, J. L. Yates; honorary R. A. Calhoun, J. W. Clark, J. R. Emberson, T. S. Emberson, Albert Greene, James Moreland, Dr. C. W. Stephenson, DeWitt Storey, J. H. Trimmier, C. C. Vosburg, W. O. Yates, Augustus Jay and the deacons of the First Baptist Church.
Children of JOSEPH MCCLAIN and ROBERT EMILY "Bobbie" JONES are: 5. i. JOSEPH ADOLPHUS MCCLAIN, JR., b. May 01, 1903, Ringgold, GA; d. March 18, 1970, Tampa. FL. ii. FANNIE GRACE MCCLAIN, b. March 1883. 6. iii. IDA LOU MCCLAIN, b. May 1885. iv. SALLY JO MCCLAIN, b. June 1887; m. BUCKHOLZ. 7. v. CHARLES ROBERT MCCLAIN, b. January 08, 1890, Catoosa CTY, GA; d. 1958, Hamilton Cty, TN. vi. JOHN LOUIS MCCLAIN, b. January 1893; m. CATHERINE EVELYN PLEMONS. 8. vii. JEFFERSON STEWART MCCLAIN, b. December 1898, Catoosa CTY, GA. viii. MARY MCCLAIN, b. January 1880.
3. RICHARD LEE MCCLAIN (JONATHAN SUTTON) was born September 05, 1865 in Catoosa Co., GA, and died September 25, 1890 in Tunnel Hill, Ga.
Notes for RICHARD LEE MCCLAIN: Killed in a train wreck. Western & Atlantic Railroad at McIvers Station, Cobb Co., GA. The steam from the engine burned him to death. On his tombstone at Tunnel Hill Cemetery: "We find no fitting words to say our feeble utterance our hearts doth smather. The last tribute of respect we simply say to the lifeless form of our son and brother Richard "Dick" McClain
4. DAVID COLEMAN MCCLAIN (JONATHAN SUTTON) was born November 12, 1867, and died July 05, 1945 in Tunnel Hill, Ga. He married MARY LOUISA CAIN.
Child of DAVID MCCLAIN and MARY CAIN is: 9. i. GRACE MCCLAIN.
Generation No. 3
5. JOSEPH ADOLPHUS MCCLAIN, JR. (JOSEPH ADOLPHUS, JONATHAN SUTTON) was born May 01, 1903 in Ringgold, GA, and died March 18, 1970 in Tampa. FL. He married LAURA ELIZABETH BURKETT.
Memorial Markers for Joseph A., Jr and Laura B. McClain have been placed in the McClain plot at Anderson Cemetery. Joseph met Laura while attending Mercer University in Macon, GA. She had attended Wesleyan College in Macon. In 1921 Joe entered Mercer University and graduated in 1924 with an LLB Degree and in 1924 with an AB Degree. In the spring of 1926, he returned to Mercer to teach in the Law School. In the summer of 1926, he started graduate work at Yale University and graduated with the SJD Degree in 1929. May 6, 1970, republican State Senator, Florida. Joseph McClain, Jr. an old friend of President Nixon, died in his sleep at his Tampa, FL home. Funeral services were set at 2:00 p.m. Friday at a Davis Island Church. McClain, a large red faced man, and an attorney, had been Dean of Law Schools, at Mercer University, Washington University, The University of Louisville and Duke University. He was a Law Professor at the University of Georgia. It was at Duke University that President Nixon once studied and that McClain became acquainted with Nixon, when he returned to make speeches. They became close friends.
Children of JOSEPH MCCLAIN and LAURA BURKETT are: 10. i. JOSEPH ADOLPHUS MCCLAIN III. ii. DAN MCCLAIN. iii. DAVID HOLLINGSWORTH MCCLAIN.
6. IDA LOU MCCLAIN (JOSEPH ADOLPHUS, JONATHAN SUTTON) was born May 1885. She married AUGUSTUS F. MARTIN, JR June 26, 1907.
Children of IDA MCCLAIN and AUGUSTUS MARTIN are: i. ROBERT DENSON MARTIN, m. MARGARET MURPHEY, 1936. ii. FRANCES LOUISE MARTIN. 11. iii. AUGUSTUS F. MARTIN III.
7. CHARLES ROBERT MCCLAIN (JOSEPH ADOLPHUS, JONATHAN SUTTON) was born January 08, 1890 in Catoosa CTY, GA, and died 1958 in Hamilton Cty, TN. He married BERTHA SARAH MINOR April 13, 1913, daughter of JOHN MINOR and NANCY KERR.
Children of CHARLES MCCLAIN and BERTHA MINOR are: i. CHARLES ROBERT MCCLAIN, JR, b. May 16, 1915; d. July 1994, Hamilton Cty, TN. 12. ii. SARA EVELYN MCCLAIN, b. October 30, 1917; d. April 1970, Hamilton Cty, TN. iii. BETTYE MINOR MCCLAIN, b. May 10, 1923; d. January 23, 1994, Hamilton Cty, TN; m. WAYLAND DUNBAR MOORE, September 13, 1947. 13. iv. EMILY SUE MCCLAIN, b. January 04, 1927; d. February 19, 2000, Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN v. DOROTHY JEAN MCCLAIN, b. August 13, 1929; d. December 1947; m. FRANK KNIGHTON, September 1947. vi. BARBARA ANN MCCLAIN, b. February 26, 1933; d. March 1933.
8. JEFFERSON STEWART MCCLAIN (JOSEPH ADOLPHUS, JONATHAN SUTTON) was born December 1898 in Catoosa CTY, GA. He married ELIZABETH SEIFRED.
Child of JEFFERSON MCCLAIN and ELIZABETH SEIFRED is: i. STEWART MCCLAIN.
9. GRACE MCCLAIN (DAVID COLEMAN, JONATHAN SUTTON). She married WILLIAM SEABORN NORRELL 1916.
Notes for WILLIAM SEABORN NORRELL:
Obituary - The Birmingham News - 5/23/63
Wm. Seab Norrell, 74, died Thursday at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, saturday at Roebuck Chapel, Dr. W. Landon Miller officiating. Funeral will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Mr. Norrell, was a retired employee of Birmingham Terminal Company. A member of the Rubama Baptist Church and the Baraca Class. He had lived here for thirty seven years and was a native of Sugar Valley, GA. Survivors include his wife, a daughter, Mrs. N. J. Odom, Birmingham; three sons, Robert Norrell, Leawood, Kansas; Howard Norrell, Frankfort, KY; and Joe Norrell, Baltimore, MD; a sister, Miss Daisy Norrell, Birmingham, six grandchildren.
Children of GRACE MCCLAIN and WILLIAM NORRELL are: i. DOT NORRELL, m. NEWTON J. ODOM. ii. ROBERT NORRELL. iii. HOWARD NORRELL. iv. JOE NORRELL.
Generation No. 4
10. JOSEPH ADOLPHUS MCCLAIN III (JOSEPH ADOLPHUS, JOSEPH ADOLPHUS, JONATHAN SUTTON). He married (1) ANN TANKERSLEY, daughter of DAN TANKERSLEY and MARY. He married (2) BARBARA CLAIRE JACKSON, daughter of LEO JACKSON and MARIE VOIGHT.
Child of JOSEPH MCCLAIN and ANN TANKERSLEY is: i. JOSEPH ADOLPHUS5 MCCLAIN IV.
11. AUGUSTUS F. MARTIN III (IDA LOU MCCLAIN, JOSEPH ADOLPHUS, JONATHAN SUTTON). He married EDITH OLSEN.
Children of AUGUSTUS MARTIN and EDITH OLSEN are: i. FRANKLIN STEWART MARTIN. ii. MARY LOUISE MARTIN. iii. JEAN EDITH MARTIN.
12. SARA EVELYN MCCLAIN (CHARLES ROBERT, JOSEPH ADOLPHUS, JONATHAN SUTTON) was born October 30, 1917, and died April 1970 in Hamilton Cty, TN. She married JAMES WILLIOUS JOHNSON in Hamilton Cty, TN, son of JERRY JOHNSON and LENA KELLEY.
Children of SARA MCCLAIN and JAMES JOHNSON are: 14. i. JAMES WILLIOUS JOHNSON, JR, b. April 29, 1939, Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN; d. April 13, 1987, Elberton, Elbert Cty, GA. ii. NATHAN ROBERT JOHNSON, 15. iii. LINDA GAIL JOHNSON,
13. EMILY SUE MCCLAIN (CHARLES ROBERT, JOSEPH ADOLPHUS, JONATHAN SUTTON) was born January 04, 1927, died February 19, 2000, Chattanooa, Hamilton Co., TN. She married ROBERT LANSING THOMPSON December 01, 1945 in Hamilton Cty, TN.
Children of EMILY MCCLAIN and ROBERT THOMPSON are: 16. i. ROBERT LANSING THOMPSON, JR ii. CHARLES RADFORD THOMPSON
