Lemuel McCracken Mystery

Nathaniel McCracken was born 1788 with inconsistent information on his birth location.  The 1850 census states that he was born in Ireland, but there are claims that he was born in Westmoreland County, Pensylvania.  He married Elizabeth Crane in Columbiana County, Ohio, which is on the Ohio – Pennsylvania border.  They stayed and raised their family in Columbiana County.

These DNA matches are of particular interest in that the 1840 census shows a male in the household of the age of Lemuel.  Some people claim this is an Andrew McCracken, but I have not found proof that Andrew was Nathaniel’s son.  It is also possible that this boy was not a son of Nathaniel or that the son died.  No grave, however,  has been found in Columbiana County, Ohio for a McCracken of the approximate age that predeceased Nathaniel. This boy is not listed in Nathaniel’s will.

Nathaniel lists the following children in his will: William C, James W, Eliza J Entriken, Nancy A Hanna, Susan B Huston, Rachel M. McCracken, and Tabitha M. McCracken.

DNA matches that have Nathaniel McCracken or his family in their tree include:

• Nancy Ann McCracken (b. 1816) m. Joseph Hanna.  SAR records and Nathaniel’s will show Nancy as the daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth.  Nancy and Joseph were in nearby Mahoning County, Ohio in 1860.  Then, they moved to Henry County, Illinois, which is not far from Peoria, Illinois, where dad believes the family had relatives.  Several of Nathaniel’s other children also move to Henry County and neighboring counties.  Note:  We have matches to at least 2 descendants of Nancy Ann.

• Eliza Rachel McCracken (b. 1868) m. William Teagarden.  She appears to be the daughter of William Crane McCracken, son of Nathaniel McCracken.  I did not find “proof” of her parents.   However, William McCracken had a younger female Eliza R and later Rachel living with him.  The Teagarden family had resided in the same area as Nathaniel.  Additionally, the marraige date is shortly after William McCracken died (Rachel was living with him in the last years of his life).  Note: We have matches to at least 2 descendants of Eliza.

• Laura McCracken (b.1863) m. Frank Sprowl.  She is also the daughter of William Crane McCracken.  See Eliza Rachel McCracken for William’s ancestry.  Note:  We have matches to at least 6 descendants of Laura.

There are a good number of DNA matches that may be descendants of Nathaniel or of his siblings.

This family is listed in my tree on ancestry with supporting records.