Jane Sharp1

b. 12 January 1773, d. 8 March 1854
FatherJohn Sharp2,3,4 b. 30 Aug 1745, d. 1 Dec 1823
MotherElizabeth Laughlin4 b. 1748, d. 5 Jan 1825
Birth12 Jan 1773 Jane Sharp was born on 12 Jan 1773 in Virginia.5 
Marriage She married John McConkey.6,2 
7 May 1812  By 1812 John and Jane's marriage had deteriorated and they decided to separate. Jane was 8 months pregnant with her 9th child when her father John Sharp executed a deed to John McConkey whereby the elder man purchased 228 acres on the Tennessee-Virginia state line from McConkey for $250. John Sharp stipulated that he would will the land to Jane and her children. Jane agreed that she would not claim any property owned by John McConkey at that time or in the future [if they remained legally married she would have otherwise been entitled to a dower third interest in any land John McConkey held or purchased in the future]. The deed and associated agreement were recorded in Washington Co., Virginia on May 7th, 1812.7 
Legatee2 Jun 1823  John Sharp died in 1823 leaving a very long and complex will. As agreed, he left Jane's children the land on which Jane and the younger children resided although the land was to remain in Jane's possession during her lifetime. Jane's daughter Maria was excluded from a share of the land, but her husband James Gray was devised a separate plantation. The share of Jane's son John McConkey was left to his children although John was living at the time. John Sharp also left two Negroes (Jack and Jane) to: "James Gray, married to my granddaughter Maria Terissa McConkey", "Samuel McConkey, Satina McConkey, James Gray (married to Maria Terissa McConkey), Jane McConkey, Clarissa McConkey, and the children of grandson John McConkey". The will stipulated that Jane was to have the benefit of the Negroes unless her husband John McConkey Sr. should return or make claim to them in which case the legatees were to immediately claim them. John also left "daughter Jane McConkey $100. Interestingly, he left his son-in-law John McConkey $10.2 [perhaps to deter him from protesting the will?] 
Cens-185018 Sep 1850  As the years went by Jane's children married and left home. In 1850, when the first census to record all members of a household was taken, Jane was enumerated as the head of a household that included herself and [her daughter] Jane (McConkey) Ryburn, along with Jane's husband and their 4 children.8 
  Jane's daughter Margaret and her husband John Caldwell also lived in Washington County. Jane's daughter Satina appears to have died prior to the 1850 census.

However, by the time of the 1850 census sons Samuel and John, and daughters Theresa, Elizabeth and Melissa (with their husbands and families) had all settled in Edgar Co., Illinois. Most of the couples had lived in Illinois for 10 years or longer.

Jane's youngest daughter Clarissa and her husband John Craig settled in Kentucky.9,10,11,12,13,14 
Will6 Oct 1853  Jane wrote her will on Oct. 6, 1853 in Washington County. She noted that the disposition of her land and slaves had been fixed by her father's will. Jane directed that the balance of her estate, except for her beds and clothing, be sold and the proceeds divided among her children or their heirs. Son John S. McConkey and daughters Theresa Gray, Elizabeth Neely and Melissa Maxwell and the children of her deceased daughter Margaret Caldwell were each to receive a share. She stipulated that the shares of her daughters Jane Ryburn and Clarissa Craig were to go to their children. In addition, the share of Jane's deceased son Samuel McConkey was left to Samuel's second daughter Sarah Jane McConkey and was to managed by Samuel's second son James McConkey for his sister's benefit.

Jane also asked that her slaves Jack and Jane be liberated if they were willing to leave the state and if her heirs were in agreement. She left them each $40 which they were to receive regardless of whether they were freed or not. Jane appointed her nephew David O. King as her executor.1 
Death8 Mar 1854 Jane died of palsy on 8 Mar 1854 in Washington County, Virginia at age 81.3 
Will-Recd27 Mar 1854 Jane's will was recorded on 27 Mar 1854 in Washington County.1 
Jane's will
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed Jane as the head of household number 1415. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family

John McConkey
Children
  • Samuel McConkey1 (26 Sep 1794 - before Oct 1853)
  • John Sharp McConkey1 (3 Oct 1796 - 18 May 1868)
  • Satina McConkey15 (30 Dec 1798 - before 4 Mar 1852)
  • Maria Theresa McConkey1 (18 Sep 1801 - )
  • Margaret McConkey+1 (16 Oct 1803 - May 1848)
  • Elizabeth Laughlin McConkey1 (3 Oct 1805 - 31 Aug 1892)
  • Melissa McConkey1 (12 Apr 1808 - )
  • Jane Mathews McConkey+1,6 (13 Dec 1809 - 24 Apr 1892)
  • Clarissa McConkey1 (12 Jun 1812 - )
Last Edited3 Jan 2013

Citations

  1. [S745] Jane McConkey will (recorded 1854), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 13: 139. Jane's will was written 6 Oct. 1853 and recorded March 27, 1854. She named her nephew David O. King as her executor.
  2. [S618] John Sharp will (recorded 1824), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 5: 179. The will was dated 2 June 1823 in Sullivan Co., Tennessee, with a codicil added 8 Sept. 1823. It was first exhibited and recorded at the Feb. 1824 session of court in Sullivan County where Ireson Longacre and Jonathan King posted bond for $50,000. The will was then recorded in Washington Co., Virginia on 12 Dec. 1824 where Jonathan King took the oath of executor and posted bond in the amount of $8,000.
  3. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington County Death Register for the year 1854 originally held by the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics and viewed as Library of Virginia microfilm reel #30; entry states: Jane McConkey, d. 08 Mar 1854, age 81y, palsy, d/o John & E. Sharp, reported by daughter, Jane Ryburn.
  4. [S1141] Roger J. Ryburn, "John Anderson Sharp Jr.-Elizabeth Laughlin" family group sheet.
  5. [S2994] Sharp Family, The Holy Bible (Edinburgh, Scotland: Mark and Charles Kerr, His Majesty's Printers, 1789); original held in 2012 by DAR Library, Washington DC. Entry transcribed as: Jane Sharp born January 12, 1773.
  6. [S1141] Roger J. Ryburn, "John Ryburn-Jane Mathews McConkey" family group sheet. Source not provided.
  7. [S2411] Tom and Jane Colley, Washington Co., Virginia District Ct. Deed Book B, 1801-1840, p. 144, abstracting Washington Co. VA District Ct. Deed Bk B: 322.
  8. [S367] Jane McConkey household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., District 67, p. 164b (stamped), dwelling 1415, family 1415, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2005, image 194 of 289. Enumeration includes: Jane McConkey, 77, value real estate: $1,200; John Ryburn 33; Jane 40; John 5; Ma__ (f) 4; (cont. top next page) Saml Ryburn, 2; Margaret 2/12; all b. VA.
  9. [S2707] Samuel McConkey household, 1850 U.S. census, Edgar Co., Illinois, pop. sched., District 19, dwelling 202, family 202, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2012. Household includes: Samuel McConkey, 55, farmer, owns land worth $600, b. Washington Co. VA; Elizabeth, 54, b. Sullivan Co., TN, cannot read or write; Jane, 25, Carter Co., TN, "idiot", cannot read or write; James, 24, carpenter, b. Sullivan Co., TN; Margaret, 22, b. Sullivan Co., TN; Grandenon, 20 (male), laborer, b. Anderson Co., TN; Maria T., 12, b. Anderson Co., TN; John S., 10, b. Anderson Co., TN.
  10. [S2707] John S. McConkey household, 1850 U.S. census, Edgar Co., Illinois, pop. sched., District 19, p. 210 stamped, dwelling 1264, family 1297, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2012. Household includes: John S. McConkey, 54, farmer, owns land worth $4,200, b. Washington Co., VA; Mary, 43, b. Barren Co., KY; Elkana, 23 (male) miner, b. Washington Co., VA; Harvey, 21, miner, b. Edgar Co. IL; Sydey E., 19, miner, b. Edgar Co. IL; Rosannah, 17, b. Edgar Co., IL; Rosannah, 17, b. Edgar Co., IL; Leonidas, 14, b. Edgar Co., IL; Stephen White, 24, miner, b. KY.
  11. [S2707] James Gray household, 1850 U.S. census, Edgar Co., Illinois, pop. sched., District 19, p. 210 stamped, dwelling 1233, family 1264, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2012. Household includes: James Gray, 60, farmer, owns land worth $1,600, b. Washington Co., VA; Terrissa, 56, b. Sullivan Co., TN; Anner, 24, b. Sullivan Co., TN; Jane, 29, Washington Co., VA; Nancy, 20, b. Washington Co., VA; Clarissa, 18, b. Washington Co., VA; John, 12, b. Edgar Co., IL; Orvill, 8, b. Edgar Co., IL.
  12. [S2707] Isaac Neeley household, 1850 U.S. census, Edgar Co., Illinois, pop. sched., District 19, p. 210 stamped, dwelling 973, family 974, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2012. Household includes: Isaac Neeley, 46, farmer, owns land worth $2,200, b. Washington Co., VA; Elizabeth, 45, b. Washington Co., VA; the following born Edgar Co., IL: William, 15; Satina, 13; Mary, 11; Adaline, 9; Amanda, 7; Charles, 5.
  13. [S2707] John D. Maxwell household, 1850 U.S. census, Edgar Co., Illinois, pop. sched., District 19, p. 127 stamped, dwelling 173, family 173, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2012. Household includes: John D. Maxwell, 41, farmer, owns land worth $1,000, b. Washington Co., VA; Melissa, 42, b. Washington Co., VA; all born Edgar Co., IL: John N., 15; Clarissa G., 12; Margaret R., 10; Mary A., 7; Alexander C., 3.
  14. [S2995] John S. Craig household, 1850 U.S. cens, Knox Co., Kentucky, pop. sched., p. 336 stamped, dwelling 231, family 233, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2012. Household includes: John S. Craig, 41, farmer, b. KY; Clarissa S., 37, b. VA; William L., 13, b. KY; Samuel M., 11, b. KY; Jane S., 6, b. IL; Margaret E., 3, b. KY; Elizabeth Glenn, 68, b. VA, can't read or write.
  15. [S618] John Sharp will (recorded 1824), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 5: 179. The will was dated 2 June 1823 in Sullivan Co., Tennessee, with a codicil added 8 Sept. 1823. It was first exhibited and recorded at the Feb. 1824 session of court in Sullivan County and then recorded in Washington Co., Virginia on 12 Dec. 1824 where Jonathan King took the oath of executor and posted bond in the amount of $8,000.