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Monday, June 27, 2022

Who is Gurley Batton?

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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