Thomas McConnell1

b. 6 November 1790, d. 6 November 1861
FatherAbram McConnell1 b. 16 Oct 1757, d. 7 Aug 1830
MotherRosanna Fryatt1 b. 8 Mar 1764, d. 8 May 1846
Birth6 Nov 1790 Thomas McConnell was born on 6 Nov 1790 in Virginia.2,3,1 
Military1812 During the War of 1812 Thomas served as an ensign in the company of Nathaniel Dryden under Colonel Francis Preston. He was called into service on 15 Sept. 1813 for 6 months and was discharged 30 Oct. 1813.4 
Marriage23 Mar 1815 He married Melissa Sharp, daughter of John Sharp and Elizabeth Laughlin, on 23 Mar 1815.5,1 
  Thomas and Melissa had an unnamed child who died at birth; Melissa died as well.6 
Marriage4 Feb 1819 He married Sarah Mahaffey on 4 Feb 1819 in Washington County, Virginia.7,5 
  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  Thomas and Sarah 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 
Widowed7 Aug 1833  Thomas was widowed for a second time when Sarah died on 7 Aug 1833. 
Marriage24 Dec 1835 or 25 Dec 1835 He married Elizabeth Willoughby, daughter of Andrew Willoughby and Jenette (?), on 24 Dec 1835 or 25 Dec 1835 in Washington County, Virginia.9,10,11 
Cens-185011 Sep 1850  The first federal census record to list all members of a household by name was enumerated during the summer of 1850. When the census taker reached Thomas's farm in September he found a household that included 59 year old Thomas, 50 year old Elizabeth and 4 children: Abram, 17 [child of Thomas and Sarah], Elizabeth, 13, Susan, 11 and Andrew 9. A 23 year old Jane Rachell [?] was also recorded.12 
Widowed1 Apr 1855  Elizabeth died in April 1855 leaving Thomas a widow for the third time. 
Marriage5 Apr 1859 He married Louisa C. (Minnick) Woods on 5 Apr 1859 in Washington County. Thomas was 68; Louisa was a 38 year old widow.13 
Will24 Aug 1859  Thomas wrote his will on August 24th 1859, 4 months after his marriage to Louisa. He left $10 to his sons John S., Thomas and Abram A. McConnell, as well as daughters Sally Melissa King and Rosanna Pemberton, stating they had each already received a share of his estate. Thomas also left $10 to Robert Cowan, who he stated had been married to his deceased daughter Mary Jane (and $400 to grandson William R. Cowan). Thomas also divided his land in such a way that daughters Elizabeth King and Susan King were to receive the northeast part of the tract. The remainder was left to son Andrew, with a specific section set aside for Louisa during her lifetime. Louisa was left the east end of the house and Andrew the west end. Thomas added a codicil the same day directing that any property Louisa brought to their marriage was to remain hers and not be considered part of Thomas's estate.14 
Cens-186030 Aug 1860  A year after their marriage Thomas and Louisa were enumerated on the 1860 census. Thomas owned real estate worth $5,000 and personal property worth $1,000. The blended household included not only Thomas and Louisa but 18 year old Andrew McConnell [from Thomas's 3rd marriage] and 13 year old Emily Woods.15 [Louisa's daughter] 
Sep 1860  In late September, not long after the census takers visit, Louisa gave birth to a daughter making Thomas a father again at 69. The following year, on November 5th, 1861, the day before his death, Thomas added another codicil to his will. It included his baby daughter in the division of land with Elizabeth and Susan.14 
Death6 Nov 1861 Thomas died on 6 Nov 1861 at age 71.2,1 
Burial He was buried at Green Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.2 

Related Links and Images:

Thomas's will
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed Thomas as the head of household number 1164. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family 1

Melissa Sharp b. 24 May 1788, d. 11 Jul 1816
Child

Family 2

Sarah Mahaffey b. 24 Jul 1790, d. 6 Aug 1833
Children
  • John Sharp McConnell14,16 (11 Feb 1820 - 16 Aug 1892)
  • Sally Malissa McConnell14,16 (9 Feb 1822 - 28 Nov 1877)
  • Rosanna McConnell14,16 (21 Jun 1824 - 8 Dec 1875)
  • Thomas McConnell14,16 (20 Jun 1826 - 18 Mar 1869)
  • Mary Jane McConnell14,16 (22 Mar 1829 - 18 Jun 1850)
  • Abram Alexander McConnell14,16,17 (2 Dec 1832 - 19 Apr 1913)

Family 3

Elizabeth Willoughby b. 3 Nov 1799, d. 1 Apr 1855
Children
  • Elizabeth Caroline McConnell14,16 (15 Dec 1836 - 14 Mar 1869)
  • Susannah Emeline McConnell14,16 (7 Oct 1838 - )
  • Andrew Willoughby McConnell14,16 (11 Feb 1841 - 14 Apr 1881)
  • James Leeper McConnell16 (10 Apr 1843 - 3 Sep 1845)

Family 4

Louisa C. Minnick b. 30 Sep 1821, d. 19 Jul 1904
Child
  • Mary Louisa McConnell14,16 (19 Sep 1860 - Dec 1927)
Last Edited23 Jul 2013

Citations

  1. [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."
  2. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 275. Stone reported to read: Capt. Thomas McConnell, 6 Nov. 1790-6 Nov. 1861, Ensign 5 VA Mil. War of 1812 (NSUSD marker, Capt on original grave stone).
  3. [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.
  4. [S2324] Wealtha Chaplin Scott, McConnell Memorabilia, p. 165.
  5. [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.
  6. [S2324] Wealtha Chaplin Scott, McConnell Memorabilia, p. 185.
  7. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 40. Record reported as: Thomas McConnell and Sally McHaffey; 4 Feb. 1819.
  8. [S2324] Wealtha Chaplin Scott, McConnell Memorabilia, p. 166.
  9. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 41. Record reported as: Thomas McConnell and Elizabeth Willoughby; 25 Dec. 1835.
  10. [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. The entry for Thomas and Elizabeth Willoughby lists the date as Dec. 24, 1835.
  11. [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 Dec. 24th, 1835 as the date of marriage.
  12. [S367] Thos McConnell household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 148 (stamped), dwelling 1164, family 1164, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug 2009, image 161 of 289. Enumeration includes: Thos McConnell, 59, farmer, owns land valued at $5,000; Elizabeth 50; Abram, 17; Elizabeth, 13; Susan, 11; Andrew, 9; Jane Rachell, 23; all b. VA.
  13. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 228. Thomas McConnell, 68, wid., b. Botetourt Co., VA, resid WCV, farmer, s/o Abram & Rosannah McConnell AND Louisa C. Woods, 38y wid, b. & resid WCV, d/o John & Elizabeth Minnick; 5 Apr. 1859.
  14. [S851] Thomas McConnell will and codicils (recorded 1861), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 15: 253.
  15. [S234] Thomas M Connell household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 593, dwelling 1702, family 1646, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2009, image 231 of 361. Household includes: Thomas M Connell, 69, farmer, owns real estate valued at $5,000 and pers. prop of $1,000; Louisa, 38; Andrew, 18; Emily B. Woods, 13; all b. VA.
  16. [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.
  17. [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.