Thomas Guilford McConnell1

b. 13 January 1824, d. 30 November 1900
FatherAbram McConnell2,3 b. 1 Jul 1793, d. 26 Mar 1859
MotherSusanna Berry McChesney2,3 b. 1 Apr 1802, d. 20 Aug 1880
Birth13 Jan 1824 Thomas Guilford McConnell was born on 13 Jan 1824 in Washington County, Virginia.1 
Marriage20 Feb 1855 He married Rachel Elizabeth Beattie, daughter of Robert Beattie and Pauline White, on 20 Feb 1855 in Smyth County, Virginia.4 
  Thomas and Rachel lived in the Abingdon district of Washington County where Rachel gave birth to 11 children, only 4 of whom survived long enough to appear with them on census records. In the early years of their marriage Thomas partnered with Henry McKee in a store on the site of the present County Treasurer's Office. The 1860 census noted that Thomas owned real estate valued at $10,000 and personal property worth $33,000.5,6,7 
  Following Henry McKee's death Thomas purchased the lots but in 1864 the buildings were destroyed by fire. He rebuilt the store in 1869. He was apparently a prosperous merchant as the 1870 enumeration valued his real estate at $50,000 and his personal property at $40,000.8,7 
  By 1872 he had completed construction of the Colonnade Hotel which served the community and travelers well for almost 30 years. It stood 3 stories tall and had 70 rooms. However Thomas did not own the hotel for long. In 1876 it was purchased by Minter Jackson.7 [Minter had married Rachel's sister Isabella Holt Beattie in 1864] 
Cens-18801880  In the latter 1870s Thomas and Rachel's eldest daughter, Laura, married Minter J. Prickett. The young couple made their home with Thomas and Rachel in 1880. The household also included Thomas and Rachel's children Robert (17), Pauline (15) and Charlie (12).9 
Cens-19001 Jun 1900  Laura and Minter moved to Wythe County where they had 7 children before Minter died in the late 1890s. Thomas and Rachel lived in Wythe County with them.6 
Death30 Nov 1900 Thomas died on 30 Nov 1900 at age 76.1 
Burial He was buried at Sinking Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.1 

Family

Rachel Elizabeth Beattie b. 3 Oct 1834, d. 12 Dec 1912
Children
Last Edited21 Jun 2013

Citations

  1. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 86. Stone reported to read: Thomas Guilford McConnell, 13 Jan. 1824-30 Nov. 1900.
  2. [S1486] Katherine Schultz, McChesneys, p. 61.
  3. [S2324] Wealtha Chaplin Scott, McConnell Memorabilia, p. 174.
  4. [S60] Thomas Hockett and Shelia Steele Hunt, Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1851-1891 & 1860 Census, p. 110. Transcript reads: Tho G. McConnell, 31y 1m, b. Washington Co. VA, residing Abingdon, s/o Abram & Susan [books editor added: Susannah B. McChesney] AND Rachel E. Beatie, 20, d/o Robert & Paulina [Paulina White added], marr 20 Feb. 1855.
  5. [S234] T.G. McConnell household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 201 (original script), dwelling 1193, family 1439, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2009, image 203 of 361. Household includes: Thomas G. McConnell, 36, merchant, owns real estate valued at $10,00 and pers. prop of $33,000; Bettie, 25; Laura, 2; all b. VA.
  6. [S1857] Laura B. Prickett household, 1900 U.S. cens., Wythe Co., VA, pop. sched., Rural Retreat, ED 132, sheet 1B, dwelling 17, family 17, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2009, image 3 of 52. Household includes: Laura B. Prickett, 42, b. May 1858, wid, mother of 11 children, 7 are living; Laura E., dau, 20, b. Apr 1880; James M, son, 17, b. Nov. 1886, laborer; Robt W., son, 12, b. Jul 1887; Nancy B., dau, 10, b. Feb. 1890; Lulu _, dau, 8, b. Feb. 1892; Minter J., son, 5, b. May 1895; T.G. McConnell, father, 76, b. Jan. 1824; Rachel E., mother, 65, b. Oct. 1834, mother of 11 children, 3 are living; all b. VA/VA/VA.
  7. [S35] Nanci C. King, Places In Time Vol. II, p. 12-13.
  8. [S635] Thomas J. McConnell|Abingdon township household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., 18 (stamped), p. 101, dwelling 102, family Jul 2009, image 33 of 78. Household includes: Thomas J. McConnell, 46, merchant, owns land val at $50,000 and pers, prop. of $40,000; Rachel E., 35; Laura B., 12; Robert A., 8; Susan P., 6; Charlton L., 4; Taylor Works, 25, black, laborer; Minerva Taylor, 15, mul, domestic; all b. VA, viewed online at Ancestry.com.
  9. [S163] T.G. McConnell|Abingdon district household, 1880 U.S. Cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 93, ED 45A (47 stamped), p. 415, dwelling 415, family Jul 2009, image 45 of 56. Household includes: T.G. McConnell, 55, farmer; Rachel E., 45, wife; Robert, 17, son; Pauline, 15, dau; Charlie, 12, son; Minter J. Prickett, 22, son; Laura Prickett, 22, dau; Laura Prickett, 1/2 yr, b. May; Jenette Harden, 19, black, cook; all b. VA.
  10. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 86. Stone reported to read: Infant son of Thos G. & Bettie McConnell, b/d 23 Sep. 1856.
  11. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 86. Stone reported to read: Infant dau of Thos G. & Bettie McConnell, b. 20 Jun 1857, d. 22 Jun 1857.
  12. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 86. Stone reported to read: Infant dau of Thos G. & Bettie McConnell, b. 14 Jun 1860, d. 18 Jun 1860.
  13. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington County Death Register for the year 1866 originally held by the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics and viewed as Library of Virginia microfilm reel #30: Ada McConnell, d. 14 Jul 1866, age 4m 3d, cause not given, d/o T. G. & Bettie McConnell, reported by father, Thomas G. McConnell. (Mr. Colley notes, from an extensive comparison of the 31 entries recorded under "1866" for the Lower District register of Commissioner Benjamin C. Clark against available headstone readings, that these deaths actually occurred in 1865).