When a person with a different surname appears on a census with my family members, I always try to see how they are connected to the family. Most of the time, they end up being adopted children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc. Or they only appear on one census and disappear.
Sometimes, the connection is clear as with my great grandparents, Silas and Maggie (McCamey) Mohney, who ran a boarding home. - The men are listed as Lodgers.
But there is one person who I am uncertain about and oh, so curious!
Gurley Batton was born about 1812, 1814, 1815 or 1820 depending on which census you believe! He was born in Pennsylvania or in Ohio, again according to the census record. He lived with the McConahy family for over 30 years!
In 1850 and 1860, he was living with the William James and Mary Ann (Hennon) McConahy family.
1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Gurley Batton
Gender: Male Race: White
Age: 38 Birth Year: abt 1812
Home in 1850: North Beaver, Lawrence, Pennsylvania, USA
Occupation: Farmer Industry: Agriculture
Line Number: 36
Dwelling Number: 296 Family Number: 297
Household Members Age
William McConahey 46 (William James McConahy)
Mary McConahey 46 (Mary Ann Hennon McConahy)
Rebecca McConahey 19
Matilda McConahey 17
Joseph McConahey 15
Mary McConahey 12
Margaret McConahey 10
Isabella McConahey 8
William McConahey 5
Gurley Batton 38
1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Gurley Batton
Age: 46 Birth Year: abt 1814
Gender: Male Race: White Birth Place: Ohio
Home in 1860: North Beaver, Lawrence, Pennsylvania
Post Office: Mount Jackson
Dwelling Number: 538 Family Number: 535
Occupation: Farm Laborer
Household Members Age
Wm McCanady 55 (William James McConahy)
Mary McCanady 55 {Mary Ann Hennon McConahy)
Mary McCanady 21
Margaret McCanady 20
Wm McCanady 15
Gurley Batton 46
In 1870, he is living with Joseph McConahy, Mary Hennon and others, listed as a laborer.
1870 United States Federal Census
Gurly Batter
Age in 1870: 55 Birth Date: abt 1815
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Dwelling Number: 287
Home in 1870: North Beaver, Lawrence, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Post Office: Mount Jackson
Occupation: Laborer
Male Citizen Over 21: Yes
Household Members Age
Joseph Mcconathy 35 Farmer (Joseph Hennon McConahy)
Mary H Mcconathy 66 Keeping House
(This is Joseph Hennon McConahy's mother, Mary Ann Hennon McConahy)
Linville Mcconathy 25 (as I go through this- I'm not sure who this person is either! I believe it may be Isabella)
Willie J Mcconathy 23 farm hand
Martha Hennon 18
Gurly Batter 55 Laborer (Batton)
Robt G Farber 22 Laborer
Gurley
appears on the census in 1880 with George Van Eman and Margaret
(McConahy) Morrow family and is listed as a servant and boarder, age
60 born in PA. I believe he moved to live with them as Margaret's
brother, Joseph Hennon McConah and his family were moving out of the
state.
1880 Census United States Federal Census
North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
p 25 246-255 Morrow, Geo. V. m w 47 married farmer PA PA PA
p 26 Morrow, Margaret f w 40 wife married keeping house PA PA PA
Morrow, Sierea f w 11 daughter single at school att. school PA PA PA
Morrow, Charles L. m w 2 single PA PA PA
Batton, Gurley m w 60 servant single boarder Oh Oh Oh
New Castle News September 24, 1884
Death of Gurley Batton
News was received early Sunday morning of the death of Gurly Batton, at the house of George Morrow, near Moravia. Mr. Batton, as he was known, has made his home with the family of Wm. McConahy for some thirty years or more. Gurley was a quiet, kind and careful man and will be missed by those with whom he has lived so long. He had been ailing but a few days and nothing serious was apprehended, but about 4 o'clock Sunday morning he had an attack of apoplexy and he quietly went to sleep. He will be buried this (Monday) afternoon at Newport.
I would love to know what his relation to the family was. I did send out some feelers to various places and am still hopeful of learning more about him!
Donna E Mohney
26 June 2022
Week 22 (May 27-June 2): Uncertain
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