John McConkey1

Marriage John McConkey married Jane Sharp, daughter of John Sharp and Elizabeth Laughlin.1,2 
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, 1812.3 
  John's whereabouts after 1812 is not known to me. He may have been alive in 1823 when his father-in-law, John Sharp, wrote his will. In that will John Sharp left his grandchildren (the children of John McConkey and Jane (Sharp) McConkey) two slaves who were to remain in Jane's possession until her death. However the will also stated that should Jane's husband John McConkey Sr. "return" or make any claim on the slaves they were to immediately be claimed by Jane's children per the will. John Sharp left his son-in-law John McConnell the token amount of $10 in the same will.2 

Research Comment:

An article by Helen McConkey-Cromwell-Veh appears in the publication Families and History of Sullivan County, Tennessee which states that John was a soldier in the Revolutionary War under Col. William Thompson and fought in the Battle of Quebec. I do not know if this military record necessarily pertains to this particular John McConkey. If it does, he must have been quite a few years older than Jane who was born in 1773. However that is not born out by John's 1810 census entry in which he was noted in the 26-45 year old categoy. If this entry is correct, he was born no earlier than 1865. The Battle of Quebec was fought in Dec. 1775.

The article notes that a McConkey family history described John as one who worshipped at the shrine of Baccus [he drank excessively]. According to the same family history his behavior became intolerable and he was encouraged to return to Ireland. He was reported to have sent word from New York that he would sail for Ireland in a few days and that was the last the family heard from him. I have not reviewed either the article from the History of Sullivan Co., TN article or located the underlying family history.

Family

Jane Sharp b. 12 Jan 1773, d. 8 Mar 1854
Children
  • Samuel McConkey4 (26 Sep 1794 - before Oct 1853)
  • John Sharp McConkey4 (3 Oct 1796 - 18 May 1868)
  • Satina McConkey5 (30 Dec 1798 - before 4 Mar 1852)
  • Maria Theresa McConkey4 (18 Sep 1801 - )
  • Margaret McConkey+4 (16 Oct 1803 - May 1848)
  • Elizabeth Laughlin McConkey4 (3 Oct 1805 - 31 Aug 1892)
  • Melissa McConkey4 (12 Apr 1808 - )
  • Jane Mathews McConkey+1 (13 Dec 1809 - 24 Apr 1892)
  • Clarissa McConkey4 (12 Jun 1812 - )
Last Edited3 Jan 2013

Citations

  1. [S1141] Roger J. Ryburn, "John Ryburn-Jane Mathews McConkey" family group sheet. Source not provided.
  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. [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.
  4. [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.
  5. [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.