These Photos Graciously Submitted by Tom Dickerson.
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L-r: Rufus Jefferson, James Riley, Bertha, Eldora and Nancy.
The surname, Kemp, is believed to go back to the Saxons that lived in northern Germany in the 5th and 6th
centuries. The name denotes great skills in contests and on the battlefield. It is listed in the Dictionary of
Surnames as an English name with the occupational title for a champion at jousting or wrestling.
James Riley Kemp was born in 1846 in the Defeated Creek area of Smith County and died Nov 26, 1916.
He was the son of Larkin Kemp.
James Riley Kemp married Eldora (Ella) Sloan Kemp who was born in 1860 in the Pleasant Shade area.
She was the daughter of John Milton Sloan, son of Jason R.Sloan, son of John Sloan. Their Son Rufus
Jefferson Kemp is pictured on this website:
Larkin Kemp was the great grandson of Henry Kemp. Henry was born in Queen Anne County,
Maryland June 18, 1751. Later, he migrated to Johnston County, N.C. After Wake County was
created from Johnston County, Henry, in 1806, migrated from Wake County to Wilson County, TN.
and then later to the Defeated Creek area of Smith County.
As an older lady, Eldora lived with her son, Rufus Jefferson, and
enjoyed sitting by the fireplace and smoking her pipe.