Sarah Mahaffey1,2,3

b. 24 July 1790, d. 6 August 1833
Birth24 Jul 1790 Sarah Mahaffey was born on 24 Jul 1790 according to several family Bible records, however her headstone is reported to use July 1st. It is likely the stone was worn and difficult to read.1,4,5,6 
Marriage4 Feb 1819 She married Thomas McConnell, son of Abram McConnell and Rosanna Fryatt, on 4 Feb 1819 in Washington County, Virginia.3,7 
  Thomas and Sarah were the parents of 3 sons and 3 daughters. They named their first child after the father of Thomas's deceased first wife Malissa. Their second child, a daughter, was named Sally Malissa. Child number 3 was named for Thomas's mother while child number 4 was given the name Thomas. 
1827 In 1827 Thomas built the first brick house south of Abingdon. It was a fine home for its day.8 
1830  Sarah and Thomas were members of Green Spring Presbyterian Church. The minutes from the church indicate that they did not always follow the rules imposed by the church leaders. In 1831 they were "excluded from the communication of the church" for square dancing following a wedding celebration the previous year.8 
Death6 Aug 1833 Sarah died on 6 Aug 1833 at age 43.1 
Burial She was buried at Green Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.1 

Family

Thomas McConnell b. 6 Nov 1790, d. 6 Nov 1861
Children
  • John Sharp McConnell9 (11 Feb 1820 - 16 Aug 1892)
  • Sally Malissa McConnell9 (9 Feb 1822 - 28 Nov 1877)
  • Rosanna McConnell9 (21 Jun 1824 - 8 Dec 1875)
  • Thomas McConnell9 (20 Jun 1826 - 18 Mar 1869)
  • Mary Jane McConnell9 (22 Mar 1829 - 18 Jun 1850)
  • Abram Alexander McConnell2,9 (2 Dec 1832 - 19 Apr 1913)
Last Edited27 Sep 2012

Citations

  1. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 275. Stone reported to read: Sarah Mahaffey McConnell, 2nd w/o Thomas McConnell, 1 Jul 1790-6 Aug 1833.
  2. [S2169] Donald Helton, compiler, "Washington County Virginia Abstracted Death Records 1912-1939" (manuscript shared by author), p. 41. Entry reported as: Abram A. McConnell, 80y 4m 17d, December 2, 1832 d. April 19, 1913; s/o Thos. McConnell b. WCV & Sarah McHaffey.
  3. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 40. Record reported as: Thomas McConnell and Sally McHaffey; 4 Feb. 1819.
  4. [S2324] Wealtha Chaplin Scott, McConnell Memorabilia, p. 166-167; includes image of Bible page showing the birth of Thomas McConnell and his first 2 wives (Malissa Sharp and Sally Mahaffey). The original owner of the Bible is not clear, but the author notes that it begins with entries for the Laughlin family. The entry reads: "Sally Mahaffey wife of Thomas McConnell was Born July 24th 1790."
  5. [S2324] Wealtha Chaplin Scott, McConnell Memorabilia, p. 186-187; includes image of Bible pages showing data for the Ireson and McConnell families, suggesting it may have initially belonged to John Sharp McConnell. The first McConnell entry is for Thomas, followed by "Sally Mahaffey, his wife was born July 24th, 1790."
  6. [S2440] McConnell Family Record, John Alexander Chapter, DAR - Virginia Genealogical Records - Misc. 1940 - Vol. 4, typed abstracts/transcriptions. The McConnell pages are annotated: "This is a record of the McConnell Family which was formerly owned by Abram Alexander McConnell of the Green Spring section of Washington County and now owned by Mrs. Robert Berry". Entry reports "Sally Mahaffey born July 24, 1790."
  7. [S2324] Wealtha Chaplin Scott, McConnell Memorabilia, p. 166-167; includes image of the Bible page listing the marriages of Thomas McConnell and his first 3 wives, as well as the marriage information for 8 of their children. The original owner of the Bible is not clear, but the author notes that it begins with entries for the Laughlin family.
  8. [S2324] Wealtha Chaplin Scott, McConnell Memorabilia, p. 166.
  9. [S2324] Wealtha Chaplin Scott, McConnell Memorabilia, p. 166-167; includes image of Bible page showing the births of Thomas McConnell's children with 3 of his wives. The original owner of the Bible is not clear, but the author notes that it begins with entries for the Laughlin family.