[87475]
[S11703]
Ginger (Saur) France, e-mail: gefrance@gmail.com
[107121]
[S6720]
An estimate based on age of children
[39306]
[S6988]
Ancestry Family Trees
[39307]
[S6988]
Ancestry Family Trees
[103774]
[S6988]
Ancestry Family Trees
[16513]
Greenwood Township in Perry, Juniata, and Snyder Counties, Pennsylvania
Source: A.L. Guss. 1886. "Chapter XXI: Greenwood Township." Pages 885-891 in F. Ellis & A.N. Hungerford, eds. History of That Part of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Embraced in the Counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Everts, Peck & Richards, Philadelphia.
Edward McCONNELL took out a warrant for land at the Seven Star Tavern about 1763, and built the first hewed log cabin in that section of the country. He had been living in his house but three weeks, when he was compelled to fly with the other settlers to Carlisle. He returned in 1767, and at that time Henry McCONNELL, his brother, took up on warrant, November 2, 1767, one hundred and twenty-two acres of land adjoining Edward McCONNELL, and described as being in the Cocolamus settlement. The Edward McQUINN and Leonard PFOUTZ tracts were adjoining. This tract was patented November 5, 1785, as Mount Pleasant. Edward McCONNELL left a son, Henry, who settled upon the tract and sold it, in 1838, to William COX, whose son Paul now resides upon it, and near the old log house, which is still standing. The sons of Edward McCONNELL were Henry, William, James and Howe. J. H. McCONNELL, now [1886] living in the township, is a son of Henry.
The deed of WILT and DIMM property, near the Seven Star Tavern, was made January 25, 1772, by Michael WILT and Adam WILT, of Bethel township, Lancaster County, and the land is mentioned as being in Penn township, Cumberland County. It was in this year, 1772, that Northumberland County was erected, and Penn township became a part of that county, and that part of Penn township south of Mahantango Creek remained in Cumberland County and was attached to Greenwood, as is shown by the fact that in 1785 the following names appear in the assessment of Greenwood township of persons who resided within the limits of Penn township as it was first erected: Aquilla and Thomas BURCHFIELD, John CREPS (KREPS or GRAPES), Jacob GRAYBILL, grist and saw mills; Edward McCONNELL, Samuel and Peter OSBORNE, John SHELLENBERGER. In 1789 Mifflin County was erected and Greenwood township north of the county line became a township holding the same name in Mifflin County, and the part south remained as Greenwood in Cumberland. In the year 1791, at the June term of Mifflin County court, the following described territory was taken from Fermanagh and annexed to Greenwood, upon the petition here given,--
Upon the petition of Fermanagh and Greenwood Townships, Mifflin County, setting forth that the Inhabitants of these townships labour under much inconveniences on account of the Disporportional extents and bounds of these Townships, Fermanagh being much the Largest, we therefore pray that a line may be struck from the mouth of Delaware run, at Juniata, by the plantations of William THOMPSON, Joseph COOKSON, William STUART and Hugh McELROY, leaving William THOMPSON and Hugh McELROY to the westward, and Joseph COOKSON and William STUART to the eastward, and thence northwest to the Shade Mountain, and that the part of Fermanagh Eastward of the line thus Described may be struck off therefrom and annexed to Greenwood Township.
In 1792 a tax list showed that Henry McConnell owned 150 acres and his brother Edward has 100 acres in Greenwood Twp.
Julie Barnes with e-mail: hounds@pa.net wrote that a will of Edward McConnell dated 1794 only mentions children Henry and Sarah (who married McElroy). The other children are in a history book and were included because of a verbal account that was not accurate. Also, this was Edward McConnell, Junior, so Edward's father was also Edward.
THE JUNIATA COUNTY MCCONNELLS
by Julie Barnes
The McConnell family was a hardy group, seemingly unafraid of frontier life. Our ancestor, Edward McConnell, settled just outside of present-day Seven Stars in Juniata County, PA, most likely as a squatter on Indian lands. He took out a warrant for land about 1763 and built the first hewed log cabin in the area. Three weeks after he took official possession, he was forced to flee to Carlisle with other frontier settlers. He returned in 1767 with his brother Henry who took up warrant November 2, 1767 for 122 acres of adjoining land. Edward left the property to his son Henry in his will dated December 30, 1794.
The origin of Edward McConnell is unknown at this time, although I have two theories. At the time of this writing, researchers agree that the earliest known McConnell to set foot on American soil was Alexander McConnell who was born in Dubries, Galway, Ireland in the late 1600s and whose will is found in Lancaster County. The will fails to name his children, so direct lineage cannot be proven or disproved. However, due to the proximity of other McConnells owning land, other researchers have concluded that his children included: Adam, James, John, Thomas, Alexander and William. My own search within Lancaster County records in the early 1700s revealed land holdings by Edward, and several deeds that he witnessed in 1733. Therefore, it is possible that he could be an another child of Alexander, doomed to anonymity until we came looking for him. The second theory involves recently surfaced information about a ship that arrived at Cape Henlopen, Delaware in about 1731. This was supposedly a private vessel owned by several families, including BRADY, McCUNE, McCORMICK, CARNAHAN, HEMPHILL, SHARP, McCONNELL, JAMISON, and YOUNG. It is unknown at this time if these McConnells are "our" McConnells, however, the time line appears to be accurate. We may never know Edward's origin, but I do have several clues, including a hand-written McConnell document that provides a list of names with dates of birth for our line, beginning with Henry McConnell, Sr.:
Henery McConnell was born 12/25/1765
Francis McConnell was born 1/20/1763; d. 10/6/1804
------------------
Jean McConnell was born 1787; d. 10/25/1821
Margaret McConnell was born 11/3/1786; d. 12/8/1786
Jonthan McConnell was born 3/20/1788; d. 4/21/1788
Sara McConnell was born 5/14/1789
Meary McConnell was born 12/10/1792
Elizabeth McConnell was born 1/23/1795; d. 9/1871
Phebe McConnell was born 5/31/1797
Henry McConnell was born 3/24/1802 @ 12:00 in the day
He married Esther his wife on 6/15/1824. Esther was born 1/23/1801
William McConnell, 1st son of Jean McConnell, was born 3/13/1807 @ 10 o'clock in the evening
Hannah McConnell was born 9/22/1809
James McConnell was born 9/22/1809
John William McConnell was born 3/8/1812 @ 4:00
Eliza Jean McConnell was born 1/18/1816 @ 7:00
Henry McConnell was married to Mary Macky 10/20/1825
John McConnell was born 1/20/1825
William McConnell was born 7/7/1826
Frances McConnell was born 3/24/1828
Edward McConnell was born 4/16/1830
Elizabeth McConnell was born 3/10/1832
Phebe McConnell was born 4/2/1834; d. 4/3/1834
Meary McConnell was born 3/5/1836
Sarah McConnell was born 5/9/1838
Henry McConnell was born 10/15/1840
Joseph Jobson was born 11/14/1802
Hester Eliza McConnell was born 3/15/1843
John Jobson died 5/3/1832
As you can see, the document names Jean and Francis McConnell and indicates that they were born in the late 1700s around the time of Henry, Sr.'s birth. There is nothing in the records to suggest that they were children of Edward, however, they were important enough for the list writer to mention, so we must conclude that they were closely related. Perhaps cousins? If that is the case, research may reveal a McConnell with children named Jean and Francis and we will have yet another clue.
While Edward's origin is currently a mystery, we do know that there were other McConnells living in what is now Juniata and Perry Counties during the mid-1700's. Several books written about the history of the Juniata Valley reference Henry, Edward and William McConnell. Their willingness to settle in the frontier area at this period in time is not only a testament to their stalwartness, but it is also indicative of their unwillingness to yield to English rule. On October 5, 1742, the following proclamation was issued:
WHEREAS, by the express orders of the Hon. the Proprietaries, no Warrant or License has issued out of the Land-Office for taking up or settling any Lands in the County of Lancaster, to the Westward of the Kittochtinny-Hills, otherwise called the Endless or Blue Mountains, so that all such as have presum'd to possess themselves of any Lands there, are manifest Intruders; and, as such, liable by the Laws to be removed, and, in case of refusal, to be committed to Prison and severely fined. AND WHEREAS the Indians at the Treaty made with them in the Month of July last, did complain that they were greatly disturbed and injured by the Peoples settling at Juniata and in other parts of the County of Lancaster to the Westward of those Hills, and became earnest Petitioners that all such persons might be made to remove from thence. I, favouring the request of the said Indians, and to the End that all persons concerned may have sufficient Notice of the Dangers they incur from their resentment, and to the Violation of the Laws, Have thought fit to issue this my Proclamation, hereby strictly requiring all persons who have presumed to possess themselves of any Lands situate in the placed aforesaid, or in any part of the county of Lancaster to the westward of the aforesaid Ridge of Mountains, or those who have seated themselves on any tracts appropriated to the use of the Indians on this side of those Hills, forthwith to leave their possessions and remove off them with their Families and Effects, as they will answer the contrary at their highest Peril. And as by reason of the approaching Winter, some may not be able to provide themselves with fit habitations or with the Necessaries of Life, if they should be compell'd immediately to leave their Houses and Plantations, the Removal of such as are in these Circumstances is respited to the first Day of May next, the longest time that will be allowed any one to continue in the possession of any lands so situate as aforesaid. AND I DO hereby require the Sheriff of Lancaster county to publish this Proclamation at the Court-House of the said county, and to cause Copy's thereof to be affixed at the most publick places, and particularly at Juniata, and from thence all along on the Banks of the River Susquehanna to Wyomen, and at Licking-Creek Hills near the River Patowmeck, that none may pretend Ignorance thereof. Given at Philadelphia under my Hand and the Great Seal of the said Province, the Fifth Day of October, 1742, in the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second, by the Grace of God of Great-Britain France, and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith, &c. George Thomas. God Save the King.
Our emigrating McConnells were almost certainly non-conformist Protestants. They left their native land just as Methodism was taking flight, and indeed, many of our early McConnells were Methodists. Within their native land, they were faced with high rents, warfare, and religious persecution. They were most likely farmers living in Northern Ireland, County Antrim, who, as a final insult, were hit hard by severe weather that made successful farming an impossibility. They, and many other Scots-Irish or "Scotch-Irish" (American terms used to distinguish the Presbyterian/Protestant Irish of northern Ireland from later Catholic emigrants) made their way to the New World in search of religious freedom and fertile land.
Although researching the McConnell line has been difficult, little clues have been left here and there by our McConnell fathers that have made it possible. Juniata County land records indicate a Henry McConnell witnessing deeds early on, some for land along the Cocolamus Creek. Tax records from 1763-1776 within Juniata County indicate that George McConnell owned 140 acres and 4 sheep in Lack Township. In 1771, William McConnell paid taxes on land in Juniata County, and in 1775, both John McConnell and Joseph McConnell paid taxes on land there as well. After the disturbance of the Revolutionary War, during which a Captain McConnell from Juniata County is mentioned (and about whom I can find no further details), the McConnells again show up in the land records, this time in Dauphin County. Census records there (1790) list George and John McConnell in Lebanon Township, Dauphin County. It is unknown if these are our cousins.
For a long time during my McConnell research, I was forced to rely heavily on two things: verbal history and the aforementioned hand-written McConnell document that I swear to the reader was a gift from God. As for the former, I was lucky enough to take interest in our ancestry when some of our now departed elders were alive, and I even wrote down some notes. Regarding the latter, I verified the hand-written dates by visiting cemeteries and swelled with joy to learn that the dates were accurate. Armed with my notes and the old McConnell document, I embarked on what has been a very frustrating search for our McConnell ancestors. The first part of my research was easy, as many of our immediate ancestors are buried at St. James United Methodist Church in Susquehanna Township, Juniata County, and their headstones generously indicate that they are the "son of" and "daughter of" those resting beside them. However, the oldest grave in the cemetery is Henry McConnell, born 1802. Verbal history has always been that Henry was the son of Henry. The hand-written document listed two Henry McConnells, one born 1802 and one born 1763. However, nothing on the hand-written document indicated where these McConnells were born. I began to suspect Blair County, as I found several McConnells there with similar birth dates. However, family members insisted that Henry McConnell was born in Juniata County and fellow researchers indicated that the Blair County McConnells were of Catholic faith. Just as I was about to give up, I stumbled upon the very first Mifflin County Census of 1800 which lists a Henry McConnell and his family as living in Greenwood Township. I grew excited at the realization that the 1800 census was taken before the second Henry was born. I knew it had to be the original Henry, my missing link and what genealogists refer to as "the brick wall." In the census, the children are not named, but they are listed by age and gender and they match exactly with the hand-written document, confirming the family verbal history. This census, in conjunction with my now total trust of the aged McConnell document, guided me to the Juniata and Mifflin County courthouses where I found a wealth of information and an accurate tree.
I can't begin to describe the emotions I felt as I held Edward McConnell's original will, dated December 30, 1794. The 200+ year old document contained the original wax seal and is in declining condition. It has been stored folded, so copying it was a painstaking event. However, I did manage to snag a copy and reproduce it here, spelling errors included:
In the name of God Amen, I, Edward McConnel, of Greenwood Township, Mifflin County and State of Pennsylvania, being sick and weak in body, but in perfect mind and memory thanks be to Almighty God calling to mind the mortality of my body do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner following. I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that give it and my body. I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to blefs me in this life I give and devise and dispose of the same in the following manour and form. First, I give and bequeath unto Mary McElroy my daughter her heirs and +++ one hundred pounds of the State aforesaid to be paid in way and manner following. Sixty pounds of said sum to be paid on the first day of October in the year of one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, forty pounds the residue of said hundred to be paid on the first day of April in the year eightene hundred. I give and bequeath unto Sarah McConnel my granddaughter bed and bedding, and spinning wheel, and my chest, and unto Mary McConnel my granddaughter my little pot and pot rack and hooks and a chick reel, and my pewter to be divided between my two granddaugthers, viz. Sarah and Mary McConel equally to each. And unto Henry McConnel my son I do give and bequeath all my estate real and personal lands and tenants unto him, his heirs or assigns for ever whom I also constitute make and ordain the sole executor of this my last will and testament. In Witnifs Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four. Signed Sealed and published and declared by the said Edward McConnell as his last will and testament in presence of us, James Castles, Samuel Reed. /X/ Edward McConnel mark
Later, the following language is added:
Be it remembered, that on the Sixteenth Day of March, Anno Domini, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, the last will and testament of Edward McConnel, deceased, was legally proved of which the foregoing record is a true copy and letters testamentary with a copy of the will thereunto annexed, issued to Henry McConnell, Executor in the said will mentioned, Inventory and Accounts to be rendered and exhibited unto the said Register's office at Lewistown agreeably to Law. /s/ Samuel Edmiston, Register
Henry McConnell, son of Edward, was appointed Executor of the estate and on April 13, 1796, he filed an inventory of the goods and chattels of the estate:
£ S ð
Tennaments of land 300 37 10
One Mare 11 0
1 Cow and calf 6 19
1 Sheep 10
1 table 15
1 dough chest 10
2 Beds and bed cloths 3 5x
1 chest 15
1 little wheel 7x6
1 reel 2
1 large pots and hooks 10
1 pot and 2 pair of hooks 3x9
1 pot rack 6
1 pair of tongs and shovel 5x
1 log chain 10
1 cuting bose 5
Sundrys of pewter 1 2.6
Canister tea pot and tan cabinet 3+
1 churn and washing tub 1.6
1 chair 3
1 wollen wheel 26
3 barrals 6+
1 arces 26
1 Matock 26
2 colars and pair of chains and 2 pairs of haims 12+
1 harrough and 2 cheveses 10
2 hilling hoes 2
2 biddles and 1 sifter 6
2 pitch forks 2+
tine for wagon wheels 1
Sundry of carpenter tools 6
Savings after hangring 1 16
374 00 109
next page of inventory
1 sadle 1 11 0
a quantity of tobacco 10
1 pease of cloth 1 7 6
1 deer skin 10
Sundrys of body clothes 4 0 0
To a bedcard 1
Toahalf bushel 2 6
Two grinestones 1
Sundry of books 5
8 3 0
Notes and Credited 100 00 7
374 10 9
486 7 3
Before me one of the Justes of the Peace in and for Mifflin County perfonaly apeared William Cox and Samuel Reed and apon there solam oath sayeth that they have praysed the estate of Edward McConnel Deceased acording to the best of there judgment. Sworn and subfcribed March the 30, 1796 before me, Samuel Osborne. /s/ Samuel Reed /s/ William Cox.
Since I had now verified that Edward McConnell was the father of Henry (b. 1765), I was able to look more actively for details on Edward's life. He appears to have witnessed several deeds in Lancaster County as early as 1733. In 1758 and 1759, he was taxed on lands at "the West end of Derry" in Lancaster County.
In researching the Revolutionary War records, I found that an Edward McConnell served in the Delaware Militia, specifically Hall's Delaware Regiment of Foot. However, his name also appears as a Private in the 29th PA Regiment, of which I have found no records. History records that Edward served in the Cumberland County Militia. A short biography of Edward McConnell was included in The Snyder County Pioneers:
Edward McConnell was assessed in what is now Snyder County in 1771, but owing to indefinite lines at the time, he probably lived in Greenwood Township, Cumberland County. In 1785, he was granted a warrant of survey for additional land there. He served in the Cumberland County Militia during the Revolutionary period.
Edward appears in the 1780 Pennsylvania Census in Greenwood Township, Cumberland County. His name appears five years later in the 1785 assessment of residents living in Penn Township, Cumberland County, but he disappears from the census after that. In 1790, the census for Mifflin County shows that Henry McConnell had 2 adult men living in his household. The second man is most likely an elderly Edward McConnell, for this was not long before his death.
In accordance with his father's wishes, Henry McConnell inherited his father's real estate and he continued residence in the log house erected thereon. The house was used as the first voting place for Greenwood Township. Unfortunately, I have lost the citation for the following, but I think it is worth noting:
By the Act of 9/29/1789, it was provided that the part of Greenwood Township lying in Mifflin County, be a separate district, and hold elections at the house of Henry McConnel, in said district
From 1815-1831, Henry was listed as having a saw mill in Greenwood Township. Nothing is known of the wife who bore his children, but she must have died prior to 1835. It was then that he married Mary Mackey. By the time of his death in July 29, 1839, he had acquired quite a bit of land and personal property. Because he died intestate, there was no will to probate. However, his widow, Mary, filed a renunciation August 15, 1839:
Joseph Baugs, I do certify that I have chosen Paul Cox William McConnel as administrators to settle the estate of my late deceased husband Henry McConnel August 14th A.D. 1839. /s/ Mary McConnell
On October 30, 1840, letters of administration were granted to William McConnel
[16512]
[S2972]
The Juaniata County McConnells
[16505]
[S2725]
Query by CGeorgen, e-mail: cgeorgen@wavecom.net
[16506]
[S5319]
Appeared in tax list for Greenwood Twp, Cumberland Co., PA
[16507]
[S9119]
Pennsylvania land warrants
[16508]
[S9119]
Pennsylvania land warrants
[16509]
[S5319]
Appeared in tax list for Greenwood Twp, Cumberland Co., PA
[16510]
[S1238]
Edward McConnell's will, dated 12/30/1794.
[16511]
[S1238]
Edward McConnell's will, dated 12/30/1794.
_James MCCONNELL ____+
| (1766 - 1817) m 1787
_Edward MCCONNELL ___|
| (1789 - 1847) m 1812|
| |_Rachel ANTRAM ______
| (1759 - 1841) m 1787
|
|--James MCCONNELL
| (1820 - ....)
| _David TOWNSEND _____
| | (1760 - ....) m 1780
|_Lydia TOWNSEND _____|
(1795 - 1860) m 1812|
|_Lydia _____ ________
(1762 - ....) m 1780
[3664] Moved to Pleasant Plain, Iowa from Chesterfield Meeting.
[3663]
[S5545]
1850 Census, Penn Twp, Jefferson Co., IA
__
|
_Thomas MCCONNELL ____|
| (1869 - ....) m 1891 |
| |__
|
|
|--Jesse Earl MCCONNELL
| (1894 - 1856)
| __
| |
|_Lenora Alice PETERS _|
(1861 - ....) m 1891 |
|__
[83211]
[S6988]
Ancestry Family Trees
[83212]
[S2221]
1900 Census, Locust Twp, Christian Co., IL
[83213]
[S6988]
Ancestry Family Trees
[79909]
[S10092]
1880 Census, District 13, Marshall Co., TN
[106504]
[S2383]
Based on birth date of first child.
[61129]
[S7039]
1870 Census, Valley Twp, Stark Co., IL
[61130]
[S12301]
1870 Census, Mendota Ward 3, La Salle Co., IL
[61131]
[S12303]
1880 Census, Cheever, Dickinson Co., KS
[105185]
[S2052]
Illinois state marriage index.