James S. Strein of White County, TN, and Gasconade County, MO (born bet. 1760-1780 - d. 1844) represented by Sample # 4444

James S. Strein was born between 1760 -1780.  His wife, Eleanor, was born ca. 1785 in South Carolina.  There is documentary evidence that they were in White County, TN, in 1823, and in Gasconade County, Mo, by 1833.  There is strong circumstantial evidence that they are also the same couple who was in Cocke County, TN, in 1808-9, and Sangamon County, IL, in 1830.  James made his will in Gasconade County, MO, on 20 December 1844 and it was proved 2 January 1845.  He left his entire estate to his youngest son, John Strein, with the exception of 1/2 of his carpenter tools which were given to his son, William, and $1.00 to each of his remaining named children, provided that John maintain his mother "Elener" until her death.  John Strein was John C. Strein, born 3 October 1826 in Tennessee, who married Abby Jane McKinney on 1 January 1846 in Gasconade County.  William was William P. H. Strein, born 22 October 1823 in White County, TN.  Eleanor apparently remarried after the death of James, because she is enumerated in John's household as Ellender Mason, on the 1850 Bates County, MO, census.  John C. and Abby Jane Strein are buried in the Callaway Cemetery in Vernon County, MO, and inscribed on the back of their large tombstone is "Eleanor, mother of John C. Strein, Died Nov. 11, 1859."   The children mentioned in the 1844 will of James S. Strein are John, William, Thomas, Mary, Rhoda, James, and Louisa.  The surnames of the married daughters are not given.  This family is the subject of a comprehensive DNA study of the four sons and three daughters listed in their father's will.  A report can be seen at: http://members.aol.com/maryferns/myhomepage/.

Sample # 4444 was contributed by a great, great grandson of James S. Strein.  (Four transmission events).

Return to Strain DNA Project