John McGAUGHY

Father: Samuel McGAUGHY
Mother: Jane LAUGHLIN

Family 1: Hannah ROBINSON

(1) Source: Tennessee, U.S., Marriage Records via Ancestry.com.

  1. David Robinson McGAUGHEY
  2. Samuel McGAUGHEY
  3. Jane Laughlin McGAUGHEY
  4. William Sevier McGAUGHEY
  5. John E. McGAUGHEY
  6. Richard Wiley McGAUGHEY
  7. Margaret McGAUGHEY
  8. Nancy J. McGAUGHEY
                                         _William McGAUGHEY _
                    _William McGAUGHEY _|
                   |                    |____________________
 _Samuel McGAUGHY _|
|                  |                     ____________________
|                  |_Elizabeth LACKEY __|
|                                       |____________________
|
|--John McGAUGHY
|
|                                        _John LAUGHLIN _____
|                   _John LAUGHLIN _____|
|                  |                    |_Jane MATHEWS ______
|_Jane LAUGHLIN ___|
                   |                     _Thomas PRICE ______
                   |_Mary PRICE ________|
                                        |_Mary CAWOOD _______

Notes

Updated April 7, 2026. Compiled by Howder (www.howderfamily.com) from the following source(s):

(1) Tennessee, U.S., Marriage Records via Ancestry.com: Greene County

- Page: 210
- Record: 1489
- Date: February 12, 1812
- Groom: John McGAUGHY
- Bride: Hannah ROBINSON
- Recorder: V. SEVIER

(2) 1830 United States Census for Tennessee, Greene Co.

- Name: John McGAUGHEY
- Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
- Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 2
- Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
- Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
- Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
- Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
- Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
- Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
- Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
- Total Free White Persons: 8
- Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 8

(3) 1840 United States Census for Tennessee, Greene Co.

- Name: John McGAUGHY - Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
- Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 2
- Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
- Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
- Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1
- Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1
- Free White Persons - Under 20: 4
- Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
- Total Free White Persons: 6
- Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 6

(4) 1850 United States Census for Tennessee, Greene Co., The 9th Division E. District: Pages 559-560; December 27, 1850.

John McGAUGHEY is head of household, married to Hannah [ROBINSON] McGAUGHEY. He is 58 years old, born in Tennessee and is a farmer with real estate value at $3,000. Children in the household are Richard W. (age 24, b. Tennessee, a farmer), Margaret (age 19, b. Tennessee), and Nancy J. (age 11, b. Indiana).

(5) 1860 United States Census for Tennessee, Greene Co., District No. 13 (Greeneville Post Office): Page 56; June 26, 1860.

John McGAUGHEY is head of household, married to Hannah [ROBINSON] McGAUGHEY. He is 68 years old, born in Tennessee and is not working although he has real estate valued at $11,00 and personal estate valued at $4,000. Their daughter Nancy S. McGAUGHEY (age 21, b. Indiana) resides with them.

(6) 1860 United States Agricultural Census for Tennessee, Greene Co., District No. 13 (Henderson Mills): June 1, 1860.

- Farmer: John McGAUGHEY
- Acres (Improved): 170
- Agres (Unimproved): 161
- Cash Value of Farm: $11,000
- Value of Farming Equipment: $100
- Horses: 2
- Milch Cows: 2
- Other Cattle: 2
- Swinge: 4
- Value of Live Stock: 400
- Wheat (Bushels): 60
- Indian Corn (Bushels) 150
- Oats (Bushels) 150
- Sweet Potatoes (Bushels): 30
- Buckwheat (Bushels): 14
- Wine (Gallons): 2
- Butter (Pounds) 100
- Cheese (Pounds): 5
- Hay (Tons): 2
- Molasses (Gallons, and from what made): 40; sorghum
- Honey (Pounds): 40
- Value of Homemade Manufactures: $17
- Value of Animals Slaughtered: $83

(7) 1870 United States Census for Tennessee, Greene Co., Civil District 13 (Greeneville Post Office): Page 4; June 16, 1870.

John McGAUGHY is head of household. He is 77 years old, born in Tennessee and is a farmer with real estate valued at $8,000 and personal estate valued at $3,000. Other residents in the household are Eliza ALEXANDER (age 28, keeping house) and James RANKINS (age 9), who are probably grandchildren.

(8) Obituary via Newspapers.com: Republican Banner; Nashville, Tennessee; Sunday, May 24, 1874; Page 2

"From the Greenville American we learn that Major John McGAUGHEY, an old and universally respected citizen of Greene County, died at his residence two miles east of Greeneville, on Wednesday evening. He was about eighty-two years old. He was the father of Hon. W. S. McGAUGHEY, Speaker of the last Tennessee House of Representatives. The deceased was a soldier in the war of 1812, and has been borne on the pension rolls for several years. He served in many honorable public positions. He was a member of the State Constitutional Convention in this State in 1834, where he served with Willie BLOUNT, Francis B. FOGG, Hon. R. J. McKINNEY and others. He also served in the Tennessee Legislature, honorably to himself and acceptably to his constituents."

(9) Find a Grave

- Name: John McGAUGHEY
- Birth: 12 Jul 1792
- Death: 20 May 1874 (aged 81)
- Burial: Mount Bethel Cemetery; Greeneville, Greene County, Tennessee, USA
- Note: "Veteran of the War of 1812. Served as a Private in the East TN Militia in both Capt Joseph KIRK's Company and Capt Christopher COOK's Company, 3rd Regt."
- Memorial ID: 21944641

(10) William and Margaret McGaughey/y, Supplement 1991, Polly Sutton, p. 88.

- Nickname: "Major"

(11) Known children and source(s):

- David Robinson McGAUGHEY (1812-1845) m. Jane WILSON (1815-1850) from DAR Membership 139717
- Samuel McGAUGHEY (1816-1870) from Find a Grave
- Jane Laughlin McGAUGHEY (1818-1886) m. Thomas ALEXANDER (1814-1896) from DAR Membership 147137
- William Sevier McGAUGHEY (1821-1889) m. Margaret DOBSON (1833-1904) from DAR Membership 96467
- John E. McGAUGHEY (1823-1876) from Find a Grave
- Richard Wiley McGAUGHEY (Abt. 1826-) from 1850 Census and Find a Grave
- Margaret McGAUGHEY (Abt. 1831) from 1850 Census and Find a Grave
- Nancy J. McGAUGHEY (Abt. 1839) from 1850 Census

(12) Sevier County, Tennessee, Genealogy & History

"John McGAUGHEY, State Senator. Born 1792; died 1874. Member of the Tennessee House, 17th, 18th, and 19th General Assemblies, 1827-33; representing Greene County; SENATE, 21st General Assembly, 1835-37 (1st session only; replaced by Orville BRADLEY); representing Greene and Hawkins counties; Unionist. Born in Sevier County on July 12, 1792; son of Major Samuel and Jane (LAUGHLIN) McGAUGHEY. Farmer, near Greeneville, Greene County; trustee of Tusculum Academy, Greene County, 1818; orator, politician; one of the original directors and active in construction of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad. Married in Greene County on February 12, 1812, to Hannah ROBINSON; children -- Richard W., Margaret (Mrs. Robert RAKIN), Nancy L., and (apparently) William S. McGAUGHEY. Member of Constitutional Convention of 1834; ensign in Blount County militia, 1811. Member Presbyterian Church. Died at his home near Greeneville on May 20, 1874; buried at Mt. Bethel Presbyterian Churchyard, Greeneville. Father of William S. McGAUGHEY, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly."

(13) Memorial via Newspapers.com: Greeneville American; Greeneville, Tennessee; Wednesday, June 09, 1875; Page 3

"MAJ. JOHN McGAUGHEY. A brief sketch of the Life of Maj. John McGAUGHEY as given by Rev. W. B. RANKIN, at the Decoration of the graves at Mt. Bethel, May 22nd, 1875. Maj. John McGAUGHEY, was born July 12th, 1792 and died May 20th, 1874, in the 82nd year of his age. His parents were of Scotch-Irish descent -- a race justly noted for piety and patriotism. His father served as an officer in the American Revolution under the command of General MARION, and drew a pension of $333 per year. His mother was a good woman... At the close of the war the parents came from Pennsylvania to Boyd's Creek, Tennessee, where John was born. In common with those early settlers they suffered much -- More than once young John was carried to a Fort called Fort McGaughey to save him from the Tomahawk of the Indians... Mr. McGAUGHEY often enlivened his old days in giving humorous anecdotes to eager listeners and rehearsing incidents of his early life, when the 'Sugar Camp,' the 'quilting,' the 'corn-husking' and 'log-rolling' brought young people together -- 'when in the plainness of backwoods life, the people spun, wove and made their own clothes, loved their neighbors, worshiped God sincerely, and served their country faithfully.' His opportunities for early education were limited. Occasionally he attended the Common School for a few months in Winter, where his instruction did not extend beyond 'Reading, Writing, and Ciphering to the Rule of Three.' In 1812 he was married to Miss Hannah ROBINSON... They lived in 'great simplicity' near where Mt. Bethel church now stands. At his Nation's call, he joined the army under Gen'l JACKSON, and served as a soldier until the close of the War, Jan., 1815, when he returned home and soon by patient industry and strict economy gained a competency. This year, 1815, the first house of worship was erected on the present site of Mt. Bethel church. It was built of logs and was singular in form, having eight corners. The house stood until 1850, when the present brick building was erected. Mr. McGAUGHEY contributed liberally of his time and means, and interested himself deeply in the construction of these two houses of worship. It was in 1815 that he connected himself with his 'Mother's loved and favorite church,' under the ministry of Rev. Stephen BOVELL and consecrated his oldest child to the Lord in Baptism. 'At this time,' he says, 'there was a large congregation at Mt. Bethel, and a flourishing Sabbath School, in which there was a large class of Blacks taught by Mr. LINCOLN of Greenville.' In those time, the Red Man roamed through the forests, and the little baptized David had his dinner taken from him more than once, as he was going to school. It was about this period of time that Mr. McGAUGHEY, moved to the farm two miles from Greeneville, where he lived and died. This home was very dear to him... He endeavored to train up his children in the 'fear and admonition of the Lord'... of seven children who grew up to maturity, (two having been taken away in infancy) all professed Christ early. Of five sons, three became Elders and two Deacons in the church. At his death, his immediate descendents numbered one hundred. -- Nine children, forty-seven grand-children, and forty-four great-grand-children..."

"As a public man, Mr. McGAUGHEY occupied high positions of honor and trust. Between 1820 and '27 he held several offices in the old State Militia, where he obtained the rank and title of Major. In '27 he was sent by the people of Greene County to the House of Representatives. In '29 and '31 he was re-elected to the same position. In the call session of '32 he took a bold stand in opposition to the re-chartering of the old U. S. Bank. He introduced resolutions in which both Houses concurred, sustaining President JACKSON's celebrated Veto Message which abolished the Old Bank. He was equally decided in his support of the General Government against the heresy -- the doctrine of Nullification. In August, 1833 the people of Tennessee called a Convention to amend the State Constitution. He was chosen delegate. Memorials poured in upon that body, from every part of the State, asking that a clause be embodied in the Constitution, providing for the gradual abolition of involuntary Slavery, within twenty years. The Convention refused to discuss the subject. Maj. McGAUGHEY stood with the people on the side of liberty, and with his accustomed firmness, entered his solemn protest, with two other members against, the actions of the Convention, -- boldly expressing the sentiment that Slavery was an evil, and that, when the true spirit of the Gospel should prevail (which would be sooner or later) then the institution would be banished from the whole world. In 1835 he was elected to a seat in the Senate without opposition. During the session he voted for the first R. R. Charter in the State. Again in '36 he was called to Nashville. He had now entered the ninth year of public service. -- The long rides on horseback, to and from the Capitol, together with the cares of State, impaired his health, and he was obliged to resign his seat in the Senate, and retire to the quiet of his rural home. For the ten succeeding years, he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, and made himself as useful in society by inspiring greater interest and love for farming -- the noblest calling for man. The year '47 is memorable as the origin of the East Tenn. and Va., R. R. Maj. McGAUGHEY favored this enterprise with his usual fervor. Some called him a 'silly old daydreamer,' 'fit subject for a Lunatic Asylum.' But when the cause gained favor, he was appointed Director, and for seven years labored assiduously in its interests. In after years with a just pride, he referred to the consummation of the work, when he was permitted to assit in driving the last spike in the iron rail, that bound together Bristol and Knoxville. In our late great struggle, he took a decided stand agains Secession. During the dark years of the Rebellion he was loyal to the Flag under which he fought in '12 and '14. In his feelings, and in his judgment he was a thorough Presbyterian. Firm in his convictions of duty, he never swerved from it, for the fear, or the favor of the man. Always cheerful and pleasant, he never grew old at heart. As a business man, he was methodical and prompt. As a friend and neighbor, he has left a void in mourning hearts. As a father, he was revered by loving children. During his last illness, many witnesses testify to the heavenly charm of his conversation, and the calm serenity with which he waited and longed for his departure -- having all things ready, 'he made his bed in peace.'"