Mary Ann (Hennon) McConahy

2022 03 01 Week 9  Females

Mary Ann (Hennon) McConahy

Mary Ann Hennon was born in 12 January 1805, a daughter of Joseph Hennon and Margaret Morrow.  She was born in Moravia, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.  Moravia is south of New Castle in North Beaver township. It has a an interesting history and many legends passed on to the present generation. 

Years ago away before the Europeans arrived in this part of the country, the Native Americans had possession of the forests which ranged on either side of the Beaver river.  The original town of Moravia was formerly located on the east side of the river. That is where the old Moravian Missions once stood.  The mission began about the year 1755.

Missionaries going up the Beaver river in 1772 were surprised to find an Indian village composed entirely of girls, who were pledged never to marry. It was located between the present-day towns of Newport and Moravia, on the west side of the Beaver River.  In 1772, everyone moved across the river to the west side.  The Moravians left this part and went to Gnadenhutten, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where many were massacred a short time afterward by a party of whites,  accused of being spying on them.

About 1798, William Forbes settled just what is now Moravia and built a grist and saw mill.   The history of the Moravian Missions allows us to identify East Moravia as the oldest settlement in the county.

In the 1803 and 1805 tax records of North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania (In 1849, this became Wayne Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania) Joseph Hennon's property consists of 157 acres, 1 horse, and 3 cows.  

Mary is born on this property on `1 January 1805. 

In 1806, the family had gained 2 oxen.  Joseph was practicing the trade of a saddler. 

Joseph and his wife, Margaret, along with William and Mary (Smith) Cunningham, William and Nancy Cairns, Jesse Bell, Jonathon and Elizabeth Peppard, Andrew Elliot and his wife, and Jacob Van Gorder,  were instrumental in founding Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church. The church members first met for prayers at Allen's Grist Mill on Slippery Rock Creek.  The first log church was later built on the banks of the Slippery Rock.  Two other buildings were later erected.   He was one of the first three elders and was again appointed elder on 11 April 1811. On 25 October 1812, he was ordained 1st elder.   I am certain that Mary must have, as a young girl, attended in the old log church. 

This marks the "Location of the First Log House
of Worship."

In 1810, the Hennon family appear on the census of North Sewickley, Beaver County, PA: 

1810 Census North Sewickley, Beaver, PA  page2 

Joseph Hannon      3 1 0 0 1/1 2 2 1 0

1820- I can't locate Joseph's family in 1820.

On 16 April 1829, Mary Ann married William James McConahy, son of Thomas McConahy and Agness McKay.  William was born on 32 July 1804 in the Parish of Ballintoy, Diocese of Connor, Craige, Antrim, Ireland.  He came to America with his mother and siblings to join their father in 1816. 

According to the 1830 census, they had a son under 5.  However, his oldest known son is Thomas born 1835- who is the male 5 and under in this census?  The census could be incorrect and the family should include 1 female (Martha- born 1830).  

1830 Census Shenango Township, Beaver County, PA page 1 

William McConaha 1 male five and under, 1 male 20-30; 1 female 20-30

On 8 September 1837 (Beaver County, PA Deeds Volume 16 page 398-9),  William James and Mary sold land to Abigail Maynard.  It was 112 acres which Joseph had inherited from his father, Thomas.  Located in Shenango Township, Beaver County, it was part of a larger tract called “Chester;” that Benjamin Chew deeded to Charles Morrow.   (Charles Morrow was Mary's grandfather. Her mother was Margaret Morrow.

1840 US Census North Sewickley township, Beaver County, PA 

Wm. McConaha 1 0 00 1 1/2 2 0 1 0 1

On 23 April 1840, land was bought by William James and Mary ( Beaver County, PA Deeds Volume 19 p 201-2) from Thomas Morrow.   It was 3 acres for 30 dollars. The land was in Shenango Township, adjacent to land of Thomas Morrow, Peter Book, the North Sewickley/Shenango Township line, and that it was once part of “Amsterdam,” deeded by Benjamin Chew to Thomas Morrow. 

On 16 December 1843, they bought 36 acres of land from Jesse Morrow and Caleb Jones for $50.  The deed mentions the towing road above Hardscrabble dam and the North Sewickley Township line. 

On 26 August 1847,  Charles Morrow sold land (Beaver County, PA Deeds Volume 25 P 188-9) to William James and Mary.  For 80 dollars, they received  4 acres of land adjacent to Charles Morrow and Tindall, which had been part of “Amsterdam”. 

On 8 September 1847, (Beaver County, PA Deeds Volume 25 p 187-8) for 200 dollars, they purchase 8 acres from John and Barbary (Book,) McConahy, part of the land granted to Peter Book by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1806 and left to his daughter Barbara, in his will. This land was bounded by land of John Book, the village of Staylesville and Book Town.  (Book Town was laid out in one of the wills of Peter Book, and was made up of lots and land left to his children and grandchildren.)

On 21 September 1847, William James and Mary sold land to Samuel Haso (Beaver County, PA  Deed Book 25, page 202) for 400 dollars. This land was lot 1 and lot 19 in the village of Staylesville,  Mentioned are lot #2, East Main Street, Water Street. This was land of Peter Book and his wife Margaret.

1850 US Census, Roll 790 Page 64

North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, PA 

296-297 McConahey, William 46 Farmer $6000 Ireland

Mary 46 PA  Rebecca 19 PA 

Matilda 17 PA

Joseph 15 PA school 

Mary 13 PA school

Margaret 10 PA school 

Isabella 8 PA school 

William 5 PA school

Guiley Batton 38 Pa

1860 US Census Mount Jackson, North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, PA

enumerated 21 June 1860 James Stewart, ass't Marshall page 75 (ancestry 47/50)

538-535 McConachy, William (indexed as McCanady) 55 farmer $5350 $1500 Ireland

Mary 55 PA

Mary 21 Pa

Margaret 20 Pa

William 15 PA

Gurly Button 46 farm labor Ohio

William James died in 1866, without leaving a will.

  

In his estate were 8 horses, 2 cows, 154 sheep and lambs, 3 hogs, wagons, horse carriages, carts, tools, beehives and bees, ploughs, land planted in wheat and corn,  Charles and George Van Eman Morrow were among those paid money due to them. Gurley Batton was paid “on Account”  $210.   It appears that all of his belongings were sold and Mary kept the house and property, along with money from the sale. 

1870 Census North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

Hennon, Joseph 35 PA

Mary H. 66 PA

Lisabella 25 PA

Willie J. 23 PA 

Hennon, Martha 18 PA

Batton, Gurley 55 PA laborer 

Parker, Robert J. 22 PA laborer

1880 United States Federal Census 

Name: Mary H. McConahy

Home in 1880: North Beaver, Lawrence, Pennsylvania

Age: 76 Estimated birth year: abt 1804 Birthplace: Pennsylvania Relation to head-of-household: Mother

Father's birthplace: PA Mother's birthplace: PA Marital Status: Widowed Race:White Gender: Female 

Household Members: Name Age

Joseph H. McConahy 45

Mary E. McConahy 35

Lydia M. McConahy 8

Rebecca W. McConahy 6 

William A. McConahy 4 

Relief McConahy 3 

Mary H. McConahy 76

Party plans were afoot despite the weather forecast for the month of January 1892.

Warmest, 50 deg. on the 1st.   Coldest 12 degs. below zero on the 20th.   

Snowfell on 16 different days.

Prevailing winds, northwest and southwest. There were only five clear days.

The ground has been covered with snow since January 2d, and there has been good sleighing since the 6th.

The mercury was below zero on the 10th and 20th, being 5 deg. and 12 deg.respectively. The ground was covered with snow at the close of the month.

From the 13th to the 23d.  the trees were covered with a heavy coating of ice. 

Lewis E. Stunkard, East Brook, PA.

On January 12th (1892), the children and grandchildren of Mrs. Mary McConahy gathered at the home of James McConahy near Moravia to celebrate her 87th birthday. They all enjoyed themselves and wished her more glad birthdays.   (Thursday, Feb. 25 1892 page 3 New Castle Democrat)  

 Mrs. Mary MCCONAHY, mother of Joseph MCCONAHY, of the west side, is the oldest settler in the neighborhood. It is said that she came there about 1807 at the age of two.    Her father, Joseph HENNON, was one of the earliest settlers in these parts, and a number of his descendants still live in the area

Mary died on 27 January 1892, only 2 weeks after her party.  How lovely that she got to see so many of her family.

Mrs. Mary M'Conahy

One of the oldest, if not the oldest, citizens of near Moravia, died on Wednesday, aged eighty seven years.  The deceased, whose maiden name was Hennon, was born in what is now known as Wayne township.  For sixty or seventy years she has been an earliest and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and her life, was an example to the young and old.  She was beloved by a large circle of friends, and her death has caused deep sadness in the neighborhood in which she lived and died.  She was the mother of Mrs. Samuel W. Smith, of New Castle, Mrs. Charles Morrow, Mrs. George Morrow, both of near Moravia, James and Joseph McConahy of Moravia, and Mrs. Martin Ritchie of Beaver Falls, and was the grandmother of William Wilkinson, the Second ward groceryman.  Funeral Friday morning at ten o'clock from the homestead at Moravia.  Interment at Slipperyrock Presbyterian cemetery. 

Mrs. Mary McConahy, one of the best known residents of near Moravia, died on January 27th in her 87th year.  Deceased's maiden name was Hennon. She was born in Wayne township and has resided continuously in the southern part of the county. Early in life she joined the Presbyterian church and besides being a conscientious Christian was a person of many sterling traits of character and was beloved by a large circle of relatives and acquaintances. Grandmother McConahy was a friend to both old and young and will surely be missed by many. The children who survive are: Mrs. Samuel W. Smith of this city, Mrs. Charles Morrow and Mrs. George Morrow of Moravia, James and Joseph H. McConahy of Moravia and Mrs. Martin Ritchie of Beaver Falls.. She was also the grandmother of Wm. C. Wilkinson, the Second ward grocery man of this city.  The funeral services were held Friday morning at the homestead near Moravia.  Interment at Slipperyrock Presbyterian cemetery,

Lawrence Guardian 4 February 1892 p8

Mrs. Mary McConahy, a highly esteemed woman, died at her home near Moravia, on the 27th ult., aged 87 years. The deceased, whose maiden name was Hannon, was born in Wayne township. She was the mother of Mrs. Samuel W. Smith, of New Castle; Mrs. Charles Morrow and Mrs. George Morrow, of near Moravia; James McConahy and Joseph McConahy, of Moravia, and Mrs. Martin Richie, of Beaver Falls. She was the grandmother of William Wilkinson, the groceryman of the Second ward, this city. The funeral services were held at her late residence on the 29th ult. The remains were interred at the Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church. 

McConahy Monument at Slippery
Rock Cemetery

Mary Ann (Hennon) McConahy

William James McConahy

        

Mary did not leave a will but there is an intestate record which reads as follows: 

Intestate File Mc No. 112 In Estate of Mary H. McConahy

Late of North Beaver Twp., Lawrence Co., PA Deceased See Register Docket No. 6, page 365

To. J. G. Gleason, Esq. Register of Wills, of the county of Lawrence

We the undersigned being all the sons and daughters of Mary H. McConahy deceased, and entitled to take letters of administration upon her estate do hereby renounce our right to administration upon said estate and request that you appoint Jno. G. McConahy of New Castle as administrator of said estate. (John Glass McConahy was her nephew.)

Signed: 

Belle Ritchie     W J. McConahy    J. H. McConahy    Matilda Morrow

Margaret Morrow   Mary M. Smith

( So Isabelle, William J., John Hennon, Matilda, Margaret, and Mary M. are the 6 surviving of her 13 children. Abel, Sarah, Ruth, Joseph,  Rebecca, Margaret Eleanor, Martha and Elander are already gone.)

Know Ye Men By These Presents, That we, Jno. G. McConahy, Thomas McConahy and Samuel A. Winternitz all of Lawrence County, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, are held and bound to the Commonwealth aforesaid, in the sum of five hundred dollars, to be paid to said commonwealth, to which payment well and truly to be made, we do, and each of us doth hereby bind ourselves and each of us our heirs, executors, and administrators, and the heirs, executors and administrators of eachof us, for and in the whole, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated the 22nd day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety two.

The Condition of this Obligation is Such, That if the above bounden, Jno. G. McConahy Administrator of all and singular the goods, chattels, rights and credits of Mary H. McConahy, deceased, make or cause to be made, a true and perfect inventory of all and singular, the goods and chattels, rights and credits of the said deceased which have come or shall come to the hands, possession or knowledge of him the said John G. McConahy or into the hands or possession of any other person or persons for him, And the same so made, do exhibit or cause to be exhibited into the register's office, in the County of Lawrence,within thirty days from the date hereof, and the same goods and chattels, rights and credits, and all others the goods and chattels of the said deceased, at the time of her decease, which at any time after shall come into the hands or possession of him the said John G. McConahy, or any other person for him, do well and truly administer according to law; and further to make or cause to be made, true and just account of his administration, within one year from the date thereof,  or when thereunto legally required, and all the rest and residue of said goods chattels and credits which shall be found remaining upon the said administrators account the same being first examined and allowed by the Orphan's court of the county, having jurisdiction, shall deliver and pay unto such person and persons as the said Orphan's Court, by their decree or sentence, pursuant to law, shall limit and appoint, and shall well and truly comply with the laws of this Commonwealth relating to collateral inheritance, and if it shall hereafter appear that any last will and testament was made by the said deceased, and the same shall be proved according to law, if the said Jno. G. McConahy, being thereunto required to surrender the said letters of administration into the Register's office aforesaid, then this obligation is to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.

Jno.G. McConahy

Thos. McConahy Samuel A. Winternitz

Signed, Sealed and Delivered in Presence of B. A. Wintermitz

Lawrence County SS:

I, Jno G. McConahy, do swear that as Administrator of the estate of Mary H. McConahy, deceased, I will well and truly administer the goods and chattels, rights and credits of the said deceased according to law,and diligently and faithfully regard and well and truly comply with the provisions of the law relating to collateral inheritances.

Jno. G. McConahy

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 22nd day of August 1892 

J. F.  Gleason, Register

The children of William James McConahy and Mary Hennon are: 

Martha McConahy  (1827-1881)  m, Alfred Aley 

ch. Joseph Morrow Aley  

Rebecca McConahy (1831-1887) m. Samuel Willkinson  

ch. James Crawford, John McConahy, William Galbraith, Charles, Mary Isabelle, Cora  Nancy, Margaret Rebecca, Matilda Lenora 

Matilda A. McConahy   (1833-1895) m. Charles Morrow

ch.  Mary Catherine, Frank George, George Van Eman, Susan Rose, Lida, Lena, Margaret, Rose

Joseph Hennon McConahy (1836-1895)  m. Mary L. Phillips 

ch. Lydia M, Rebecca W. , William A., Relief Lillian, Margaret, Leuth, Myrtle, Wells

Mary  McConahy (1838-1918) m. Samuel W. Smith

ch. Clara M., Frank W. 

Margaret Jane (McConahy) Morrow

Margaret Jane  McConahy  (1840=1893)  m. George Van Eman Morrow 

Sierra Nevada, William Lamont, Charles Lee, Matilda Gertrude, Mary Rebecca

Isabella (McConahy) Ritchie 
Photo from B. Caposell

Isabella McConahy  (1842-1916)  m. Martin Watson Ritchie

ch. David Watson, Mary Matilda, Jane B., Cora Emily

William James McConahy, Jr. 
Photo from Sherry Slater

Willliam James McConahy, Jr.  (1845-1907) m. Elizabeth E. Alford

ch.  Anna Mary, Samuel Luther

The above is what I have learned about the life of Mary Ann (Hennon) McConahy.  I sure wish that Mary had kept a journal.  How nice would it be to read, in her own words, the little tidbits of her life.  

Donna E. Mohney

30 June 2022