James Clements was born between 1757 and 1758 (estimate
based on deeds and census records - 70-80 in 1830 and 80-90 in 1840) in Orange County, North Carolina. He was in Pendleton County, South Carolina
with his family by 1792 (probably before) and then in Jackson County, Georgia by 1801. While in Jackson County, Clements three daughters were married by Justice of the Peace Benjamin Watts. Before 1820, James Clements was living in Gwinnett County,
Georgia (formed in 1818 from Cherokee lands) and then Carroll County, Georgia in 1830 (formed in 1826 from Cherokee lands). In or before 1837, James Clements continued his westward migration and crossed the Alabama state line. His arrival in Randolph County, Alabama (recently formed from Creek lands) was associated with the purchase of several tracts of land in Townships 20, 21, and 22. He probably moved with his son William who bought land in the same location and at the same time. In 1840, James Clements was living in Randolph County with his son William Clements.
Between 1830 and 1840, James Clements wife died (unknown location, she was 70-80 in the 1830 census). One website lists his wife as Elizabeth Emerson, married circa 1775 in Pendleton County, South Carolina (this is unsubstantiated). In 1840, James Clements passed away (from Report of Cases Argued and Determined by the Supreme Court of Alabama, Vol 17, January term case 1850). According to the 1800 census he had one son born 1774 to 1784, two daughters born 1784 to 1790, and one daughter born 1790 to 1795. A family tradition passed down for William Clements (who married Winifred Horton) states William’s father was James Clements who was from VA and moved to GA before the Revolution in which he fought with General Washington. James Clements did not move from Virginia and did not arrive in Georgia anywhere near the Revolution. His participation during the Revolution has not been determined. Children are listed below (determined with Report of Cases Argued and Determined by the Supreme Court of Alabama, Vol 17, January term case 1850):
Between 1830 and 1840, James Clements wife died (unknown location, she was 70-80 in the 1830 census). One website lists his wife as Elizabeth Emerson, married circa 1775 in Pendleton County, South Carolina (this is unsubstantiated). In 1840, James Clements passed away (from Report of Cases Argued and Determined by the Supreme Court of Alabama, Vol 17, January term case 1850). According to the 1800 census he had one son born 1774 to 1784, two daughters born 1784 to 1790, and one daughter born 1790 to 1795. A family tradition passed down for William Clements (who married Winifred Horton) states William’s father was James Clements who was from VA and moved to GA before the Revolution in which he fought with General Washington. James Clements did not move from Virginia and did not arrive in Georgia anywhere near the Revolution. His participation during the Revolution has not been determined. Children are listed below (determined with Report of Cases Argued and Determined by the Supreme Court of Alabama, Vol 17, January term case 1850):
1.
William Clements, born circa 1775-1780 in North Carolina, married Winifred Horton (daughter of Prosser Horton) about 1800. They were in Gwinnett County, Georgia in 1820, Carroll County, Georgia in 1830, and Randolph County, Alabama in 1840. He died before December 1843 and may have died 13 Jul 1841 (according to an unknown source, he died on this date in Lonoke County,
AR, no evidence). His wife Winifred (Winnie) lived until at least 1860 when she was a member of her son James Monroe Clement's family in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. Known children were Sarah (bc1804, m Jos T Harkins), Elizabeth L (b1805, m John Dorris), Prosser L (bc1807, unmarried), James Monroe (b1809, m Mary C. ?), Nancy (b 1811, m Thos B Wafer), Martha L (bc1814, m Wm Cooper), Benjamin Asbury (b1820, m Tempy ?), Jesse Monroe (b1822, m Charity ?), Permelia Emaline (b1826, m Henry Smith) *A William Clements descendant DNA links this family to Benjamin Clements of Pendleton County and his ancestors from King William and Gloucester County, Virginia.
2. Mary "Polly" Clements, born circa 1786 in NC/SC, married Thomas McAdams (son of James McAdams of Pendleton Co SC) on 5 January 1809 in Jackson County, Georgia. Was in Gwinnett County, Georgia in 1830 and Cass County, Georgia in 1840. Polly died 29 November 1844 in Bartow County, Georgia and is buried in Cassville Cemetery. Her husband Thomas died in 1852 and was also buried in Cassville Cemetery. They had no children.
3.
Sarah "Sally" Clements, born 21 July 1788 (unknown source) in NC/SC, married Richard Ivey Watts on 18 May 1809 in Jackson County, Georgia (married by father Benjamin Clements). Was in Gwinnett County, Georgia in 1820 and 1830 and Heard County, Georgia in 1840. Before 1850, Sarah moved to Bienville Parish, Louisiana where she died 15 February 1850 (unknown source). Her husband was living in Bienville Parish alone in 1850. They had at least eight children.
4. Elizabeth Clements, born circa 1790 in Pendleton County, South Carolina, married Samuel G. Hamilton on 31 January 1813 in Jackson County, Georgia. Was in Coweta County, Georgia in 1830, Cass County, Georgia in 1840, and Tippah County, Mississippi in 1850 and 1860. Samuel died in Tippah County between 1860 and 1870 and Elizabeth was living with her son Thomas in 1870 Tippah County. She died between 1870 and 1880. They had at least seven children, six of whom were boys.
4. Elizabeth Clements, born circa 1790 in Pendleton County, South Carolina, married Samuel G. Hamilton on 31 January 1813 in Jackson County, Georgia. Was in Coweta County, Georgia in 1830, Cass County, Georgia in 1840, and Tippah County, Mississippi in 1850 and 1860. Samuel died in Tippah County between 1860 and 1870 and Elizabeth was living with her son Thomas in 1870 Tippah County. She died between 1870 and 1880. They had at least seven children, six of whom were boys.