History of My Family

Nathaniel L. (Nathan) Kemp is our oldest known ancestor at this time. He was born about 1774 in North Carolina. He married Nancy Waters and moved to Georgia. Six children were born to them there, Allan H., Edward D., Elemuel G., Joseph W., Susanna, and Prudence. About 1812, Nathan moved to Madison County Alabama. Nancy died around this time. It is not known if she died in Georgia, Alabama or during the journey. About 1814 Nathan married Margary Brashears who was born in North Carolina in 1794. Seven children were born to this marriage, Thomas, John Coffey, George Washington, Betty, Nancy Caroline, Elgin, and James H.. Nathan lived in Alabama approximately 15 years then moved to McNairy County, Tennessee where he resided for almost 30 years. It was here that his children began to scatter. Allan H. and Edward moved to Tishemingo County, Mississippi, raised their families and died there. Elemuel moved to Scott County, Arkansas. Susanna and Prudence married and moved to Texas. Joseph, Thomas, and George Washington stayed in Tennessee. Elgin moved to Bradly County, Arkansas. John Coffey and James H. moved to Hot Spring County, Arkansas. Nathan remained in McNairy County until late 1857 or early 1858. He and Margary visited Elgin in Bradley County then went on to Hot Spring County to see John Coffey and James. Nathan died there on April 6, 1858 and was buried in Antioch Cemetery one mile east of John Coffey's home. A headstone placed there by James Wallace Kemp has the name Nathan Z. Kemp on it but I am assured by Patricia Kemp Waddell co-publisher of the Kemp Family Chronicles that the Family Bible and documents signed by Nathan clearly show that his initial is L. Margery was listed in the 1860 Census living in Fenter Township Hot Spring County. with her son James H. Kemp and his family. She died on Apr. 15, 1869 and is said to be buried at LoneHill Cemetery west of Malvern, Arkansas.

John Coffey Kemp homesteaded 320 acres of land one mile west of the Antioch Cemetery, in Hot Spring County. The initial records were recorded at Malvern Arkansas in 1856. Completed records were filed in Little Rock as follows. "John C. Kemp Vol. Ar1310-342 Land office Ar. at large 01, Jul. 59 Dock #11241 Cash entry Part #1W Sec. 12, Twp. 5S, RR19 320 Ac.." John Coffey and his grown sons worked in the timber industry for many years. He fought in the Civil War along with sons George W. and James Taylor. George was killed in Mississippi in 1862. In the mid 1880s, John Coffey and his wife Mary moved to the Sunshine Community in Garland County where he died on Sep. 26, 1888. His wife Mary died on April 20, 1889. Both are buried at Oak Grove Cemetery.

James Taylor Kemp second Son of John Coffey Kemp was born in 1841 in McNairy County Tennessee. He married Rebecca Jane Thornton the widow of his brother George who was killed in the Civil War. A son named John was born to George and Rebecca. Five more children were born to James Taylor and Rebecca, Mary Delilah, George C., Rosanna (Rosa), Jennie, and Margret Bell. Rebecca died in the mid 1870s and James Taylor married Sarah Page. Six children were born to them: Volley, James Taylor Jr. Etta, Della, Carrie, and W.C. (Dock). James Taylor lived for many years about two miles north of Caney on what is now Hwy. #128. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge at Old DeRoche, Rockport, and Oma. About 1890 James Taylor and Sarah moved to Garland County near Oma. It is not known when they died. They are buried together at Oma Cemetery in Hot Springs County, Arkansas.

Volley Kemp was born April 21, 1877 in Hot Spring County, Arkansas. He married Louella Duncan born April 8, 1875 Calhoune County, Arkansas. Five children were born to them: Ollie, Marvel, Tennie, Audie, and Ethel. Volley and John Montgomery operated a sawmill at the old Johnson Mill place on the north bank of the Caddo River. Volley also operated a sawmill on the south bank of the Caddo at what is know known as Caddo Valley. In 1927 Volley moved his family, except Marvel, to Oak Grove and later to Lake Providence Louisiana There he ran a blacksmith shop and cotton gins. Louella died in an auto accident on Nov. 23, 1942. Volley never remarried and lived at Lake Providence until his death on April 7, 1965.

Marvel Garrett Kemp was born on Feb. 24, 1900 at Bismarck, Arkansas. He married Emma Arenna Keeton born July 1, 1905 at Bismarck. Three children were born to them, Clinton, Cecil, and Lonnie. Marvel lived in the same area except for a brief time at Oak Grove, Louisiana in 1929. He worked at construction jobs, sawmills, and Arkansas Highway Dept. until his retirement in 1965. It was very difficult raising a young family during the late 1920s and 1930s. Jobs were almost nonexistent. I remember in 1931-32 Marvel and, I believe, Ira Flowers got the contract cutting the rebar for the new bridge across the Caddo river on Hwy. #7 north of Arkadelphia, Arkansas. I have wondered so many times how two people could cut that much steel with hand hack saws. Marvel died on Mar. 6, 1970. Emma died on Sep. 19, 1988. Both are buried at Old DeRoche Cemetery. Bismarck, Arkansas.

Clinton R. Kemp (deceased)