416. Josiah Conger
Josiah CongerPARENTS: John Conger and Mary Ross
MARRIAGE: Josiah Conger, 1780 and Catherine Runyon eloped on horseback when she was 14 years old.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 42a - Maxine Crowell Leonard)RECOLLECTIONS: Josiah Conger was a hunting companion of Daniel Boone in Kentucky, whom he claimed as close kin - probably on his mother's side.
[Note: no source citation. REH]
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 42a - Maxine Crowell Leonard)RESIDENCES: Kentucky; Rowan Co., NC; Preble Co., OH
BIOGRAPHY:
Josiah Conger and Catherine Runyon eloped on horseback, she being only 14 years old. She had hidden her clothes behind a log, tied in a bundle, and these she carried on horseback behind her intended husband. In later years she often related the incident with pleasure, and said she had never regretted it.They emigrated to Preble county, Ohio in 1812, and located near Sugar Valley, where they died. The trip from Tennessee to Ohio was made in a wagon, drawn by four hourses, and required about six weeks.
Josiah Conger owned some fine real estate and a very large and imposing residence for the times, where a cordial welcome awaited the travelers throughout that country.
Josiah Conger was a preacher of the Christian Church.
He was a fine marksman. While in Kentucty he was a hunting companion of Daniel Boone, and it is said that he claimed kin with him. His death was caused by the accidental discharge of a gun on 8 Nov 1846.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 346 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
CONFLICT-DEATH: The date of death listed in the family group sheet date, 8 May 1846 (CFA I, p. 346) is in conflict with the date of death information listed in the biographical sketch, 8 Nov 1846 (CFA I, p. 346).
1043. John Newton Conger
John Newton CongerPARENTS: Josiah Conger and Catherine Runyon
NO_ISSUE: John Newton and Rachel Conger had no issue.
417. Mary Conger
Mary CongerPARENTS: John Conger and Mary Ross
PROBATE: Not mentioned in the Will of her father.
Jesse C. ElstonOCCUPATION: Farmer
418. John B. Conger
John B. CongerPARENTS: John Conger and Mary Ross
PROBATE: Not mentioned in the Will of his father.
RESIDENCES-OCCUPATION: John B. Conger, 1784, wrote in 1839 that he owned 20,000 acres of river bottom land in Mississippi with over 300 Negroes, and had an annual income of over $120,000.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 37a - Maxine Crowell Leonard)RESIDENCES: Rowan Co., NC; Grand Gulf, Mississippi (CFA I, p. 242); Grand Gulch,
TX (?)
RECOLLECTIONS:
John B. Conger moved to Mississippi with the other families of our ancestors about 1808. His marriage probably occurred in Mississippi. He patented large tracts of land where he resided until 1845, when he sold out and moved to Grand Gulch, Texas.In a letter, dated 27 Jan 1839, he said that he had 20,000 acres of river bottom land, over 300 negroes, and an annual income of from $120,000 to $130,000. It is said that he married a young lady whose father had been an officer in the Revolution, and as a reward for his service had some large land grants.
On 16 Apr 1843, he wrote that he had taken one of the granddaughters of his brother, Jonathan, to be a companion for his daughter, Martha. She was about 15 and the daughter of Sally Conger who married Felix Thompson.
He planned a journey for the summer of 1843 for himself and daughter by way of Mobile, and through the states of Alabama, Georgia and to his brother, Eli; South Carolina, Columbia, Canden to Salisbury, NC, Virginia, Maryland and up to Montreal, Canada and back.
In one of his letters, John said, "With all this a man is not entirely happy." It appears that his wife was dead at the time. His son, Fielding, died young of blood poisoning, after being cut by a cotton gin. His son, Isaac W., grew to manhood, was educated at home and abroad, and planned to live in Washington, DC. On a visit home he undertook to cross to an island farm with a slave in a skiff, when they were upset by driftwood and drowned. His daughter, Martha, died without issue in 1857, shortly after he left for Texas. We have no record of his activities in Texas. He was about 65 when he moved, so if he did re-marry he probably did not have another family. (Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 298 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
RECOLLECTIONS: Extraction from a letter written by Sion Iliff Conger, son of Sion Moores Conger and grandson of Isaac Conger, b. 1779 and Mary Moores, dated 26 Jun 1904. He wrote, "I have two letters written by John B. Conger, dated in 1839 and 1843. The first is signed, 'John B. & Elizabeth Conger,' and the second is signed, 'John B. Conger,' his wife having probably died in the meantime. I will make a few quotations from them.""In 1839 he mentions that his daughter, Martha Archer Conger, is a very pretty young woman, about 15 years old, and now at school at Donaldsonville, LA, near New Orleans, and learning music and French, as well as other studies in literature and politeness. He wrote, 'Isaac W. (His son, who later drowned in the Mississippi River.) is a fine looking young man, about 6 feet tall, weight about 1655. Has been home some time. Has been traveling in the Eastern states. Was in Washington at the sitting of Congress, and had an interview with the President.'
"'Brother Jonathan's children are about all dead. Phoebe Jane and Jonathan Lee are about all that remain. Uncle Isaac Ross's family are all no more, pretty much, and the Wade children are taking steps to keep all the negroes in slavery. Also the same with Margaret A. Reed's estate (the daughter of Uncle Isaac, formerly Mrs. Archer.) She had about 130 slaves and willed them to Dr. Stephen Duncan and Zubulan Butler, with a view to having them sent to Liberia.'
"'Eli K. Ross is living in Louisiana, on the Ouchita River, and doing no good.'
"'I am building a fine house on my plantation on the Mississippi River, where I expect to spend the remainder of my days. I have 14,000 acres of rich bottom land and 6,000 acres equally as rich above. More than 300 negroes, as likely as I ever saw. Will make probably 2,000 bales of cotton, which, together with sales of cord-wood to steamboats, should make an income this year of about $130,000. With all this a man is not entirely happy.'"
"In 1843 he mentions a visit just paid by his sister, Hannah, and husband John Railsback, and their appreciation of his magnificent estate."Sion Iliff Conger goes on to say, "I have heard my father (Sion Moores Conger) speak of the visits of himself and his father (Isaac Conger) to John B.'s and of a visit that he and his daughter made to my grandfather's, and my father's overseer says he remembers when they drove from Memphis, he thinks, and Martha caused her father to remain in the carriage while she ran in the house, and covering grandmother's eyes with her hands, made her guess who the visitor was. This was some time in the [18]40's."
Sion Iliff continues, "My grandfather (Isaac) was a Methodist minister and used to make journeys throughout the South and visit his relatives in Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina. In some of his journals he would make reference to these occasions. I have none of them at hand at this time to refer to."
Returning to the letters he continues, "John B. Conger also mentions, in a letter to my grandfather, Isaac Conger, that he had one of his brother Jonathan's grand-daughters with him for company for Martha Archer [Conger, his daughter], 'a daughter of Sally Conger, who married Felix Thompson.'" [Probably Mary Thompson.]
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 285 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
1060. Isaac W. Conger
Isaac W. CongerDEATH: Drowned in the Mississippi River, CFA I, p. 298
George WoodsOCCUPATION: Planter
1062. Fielding Conger
Fielding CongerDEATH: Cut by cotton gin; d. young, CFA I, p. 298
1063. Martha Archer Conger
Martha Archer CongerSPOUSE-NO_ISSUE: Martha Archer Conger was the 2nd spouse of Tiglman Tucker.
There was no issue.RESIDENCES: As of June 1853, Clairborn County, Mississippi
RELATIONSHIP-STEP-CHILD: Mrs. William McWillie of Jackson, Miss., was the daughter of Governor Tucker by his first marriage. [She was the step-daughter of his second wife, Martha Archer Conger.] She had a large and very beautiful portrait of her step-mother. Her face is expressive of the fine character that Mrs. McWillie said was hers. No real daughter could speak of a mother in more endearing terms than did Mrs. McWillie in telling about this, the only mother she really remembered, her own having died when she was quite young.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 298 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
PROBATE: Will of Martha Archer Conger Tucker
I, Martha Archer Conger, of Claiborn county, State of Mississippi, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, and anxious to dispose of all my property and expectancy do make and publish this my last will and testament.It is my wish that all just debts which have been recognized by me and which are legally provable against the estate of my Father and Brother Isaac shall be paid and also my own debts.
It is my wish that Miss Mary C. Compton shall remain at Elidon, my present residence, if she desires, and that she shall have possession of the slaves, Sophia, Phil, Lucinda and Allison, and also to have $250.00 paid to her annually until the debts shall have been paid. Also during the period I wish her to remain in possession of one third of the stock of cattle and hogs which I desire her to hold. Finally and when the debts of my Father and Brother and my own debts shall have been liquidated, I wish her to have altogether eight (8) negroes of such as will be considered average value and also the residence and land known as Eldon, as her property, together with every article upon it and convenience of every kind belonging to the premises except such as shall hereafter remain. (Mary Compton may have been Mary Thompson.)
"Third" [sic, no First or Second were listed in the will extraction] I wish Mr. Franklin F. Thomas, who resides with me, after his salary is paid to devise to him the tract of land bought from David Lee, guardian of his infant child. I bequeath him also two negroes.
"Fourth" to Rev. Zebulon Butler, I give and bequeath one Negro.
"Fifth," to Mrs. Mary A. Morene, I give and bequeath one Negro and also a pair of painted china flower-vases that ornament the front parlor mantel piece.
"Sixth" request [sic] to Mrs. Nancy Hughes, I give my mother's gold spectacles.
"Seventh" to Benjamin H. Moorhead, I give the books used in classical course of studies by my brother Fielding.
"Eighth" to Julia T. Moorhead I give my elegant center table books.
"Ninth" to Emma McAlphin, I give my watch.
"Tenth" for Agnes McAlphin, and Mary Sessions, I wish two handsome rings bought costing at least $50.00 each.
"Eleventh" to Mrs. Eliza M. Ingraham, wife of Alfred Ingraham, I give my copy of Humes' "History of England," 12 volumes; also 45 volumes of the writings of the British Essayist and the writings of Josephus as a token of my recollection of her unceremonious tenderness to me on first acquaintance.
"Twelfth" to Dr. Robert W. Harper, of Port Gibson, I give as a testimonial of my friendly regards, my brother Isaac's gold-headed walking cane.
"Thirteenth" to William Sidney Wilson, Esq., of Port Gibson, I give my father's watch and rocking chair, being a low hair-covered one sitting in the front parlor, and also my Mother's sofa, it being a very large one standing beneath the mirror in the front parlor, and also the oil painting on the mantle piece of the same apartment, as a mark of my high esteem, it being a pet ornament with me.
I also give to Mr. W.H. Wilson all the land not already mentioned, to which I may have any claim, either legal or equitable, and the other third of cattle and hogs and other 21 slaves, and all increase of the whole from this time. 11 Jun 1853 (Signed) Martha Archer Conger Tucker
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 298-299 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
AKA: Gov. Tiglman Tucker, CFA I, p. 298
CHILD: Mrs. William McWillie of Jackson, Miss., was the daughter of Governor
Tucker by his first marriage. She had a large and very beautiful portrait of
her step-mother, Martha Archer Conger Tucker. Her face is expressive of the
fine character that Mrs. McWillie said was hers. No real daughter could speak
of a mother in more endearing terms than did Mrs. McWillie in telling about
this, the only mother she really remembered, her own having died when she was
quite young.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 298 - Maxine Crowell
Leonard) .
419. Hannah Conger
Hannah CongerPARENTS: John Conger and Mary Ross
AKA: Rosa Railsback in the Will of her father.
AKA: Mrs. Sarah Collier
AKA: Mrs. Elizabeth Henderson.
428. Elias Darby Conger
Elias Darby Conger Sr.PARENTS: David Conger, Sr. and Mary Darby
BIRTH: 8 Jun 1763, Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., NJ
DEATH: Abt. 13 Sep 1843 in Adams Twp., Monroe Co., OHBIOGRAPHY:
Elias Darby Conger enlisted in the Revolutionary War but was too young to fight, so he "ran bullets." His granddaughter, Elizabeth Conger Henkle, remembered him as a good sized man, sitting in his arm chair reading, and that he had quite a library.Elias and wife, Mary Goble, accompanied his brother, David, and wife, Sarah, from New Jersey to Western Pennsylvania in 1791. After Mary's death, in 1804, Elias married Mary Gregory and they moved on into Monroe county, Ohio, where they both died. Family tradition says that Mary Darby Conger, mother of David and Elias, went with them to Pennsylvania.
To prove that you can't believe everything you read in print or what family traditions says, the following article from the "Centerville Iowian," 10 January 1934, is given in full.
The following Conger family data is furnished by J.C. Harvey of Seymour: "Appanoose county's history may not be complete without the mention of the name Conger. This family dates its beginning in America in the year 1669, landing at Plymouth Rock. They were of French-Hugenot descent. Hence in years each generation emigrated westward until you find the name Conger in all parts of the United States. They are all related, as the original name, was Koniger, and was changed to Conger by John Conger, the first. (This has not been proved nor disproved.)
The Congers were first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of their countrymen. They furnished soldiers in every war from Colonial wars down to the World War. The first death recorded at Camp Dodge in Des Moines was Conger from Appanoose county.
John Conger, III, was a captain in the Revolutionary War. His son, Gershom, was George Washington's orderly at Valley Forge, and he became the grandfatheer of the sons and daughters of the Congers who emigrated to Appanoose county in pioneer days. (There is no record of a John Conger having a son named, Gershom, other than John Belconger. Capt. David Conger of the Pennsylvania Militia had a son, Gershom born 1792, after Valley Forge. A Gershom, born about 1763 in N.J., son of Enoch and Berzillah, might possibly have been an orderly to George Washington, but no Gershom in this line could have been.)
Gershom resided and ended his days in Green county, PA. (Son of Elias Darby Conger) His descendants moved over into Monroe county, Ohio, and his grandchildren moved on into Iowa later (this Gershom evidently confused with his father, Elias Darby). Enos and Jane Strayer Conger came first, in 1845 (brother and wife) and homesteaded on the Charlton River. Then came Elias and John in 1849 (brothers) and they homesteaded claims in Caldwell township. They were followed in the early 50's by Benoni, James, Morris, Moses, Max, Mark and Stephen (brothers and nephews), with cousins Charles, Elias and William.
At one time, prior to the Civil War, all these Conger families resided in Appanoose county, Iowa, and Putnam county, MO, and each of these families furnished soldiers in the Civil War -- they were abolitionists and were interested in the underground route in getting slaves north to freedom.
John Conger (John B. 1808) was progressive in the early day movements. At one time he lived in Centerville and built one of the first brick residences in the town. He helped to organize the first bank in Appanoose county, and later was among the founders of Seymour, Iowa. In the early days he owned and operated one of the first tread-powered threshing machines ever run in this section of the state, This was an advancement over the old chaff-piler and flailing system.
Benoni took to growing blooded cattle, and at one time had one of the best herds of Shorthorns (Durhams) in the state.
Elias (Elias Gregory 1806) drifted into growing blooded horses, and Enos was noted in the county as a horticulturist and farmer. All the other Conger boys became thrifty farmers, and their children likewise took up agricultural pursuits, at which most of them were successul.
Many of the Conger descendants moved westward and became great benefactors in building up the great west. However, at this time possibly over 500 of the Conger descendants live in Appanoose and adjoining counties."
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 142-143 - Maxine Crowell Leonard).EMIGRATION: The Conger family left Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., NJ in 1790, moving to Washington Co., PA. In the party were: 1) Elias Darby Conger, Sr. and his wife, Mary Goble and their five children (Sarah, Mary, Ruth, Hannah and David); 2) David Conger Jr., and his wife, Sara (Welch) and son (Elias); 3) the mother of Elias and David Conger, Mary Darby (Green) Conger and their sister, Mary E. Conger.
CENSUS: 1800, in Greene Co., PA, Morris Twp., page 87
Elias Congar [Conger]; Males: 3 - - 1 -; Females 2 1 1 1 -
(Furnished by Joyce Posey)TAX_LIST: 1801, in Morris Twp. Greene Co., PA; Elias Conger. Page 258 of Mrs. Hennen's Cemetery Record Book.
(Furnished by Joyce Posey)LAND: 6 Sep 1806
Deed: William Rogers and Cartrey, wife, to Elias Conger, all of Greene Co. [PA]
Dated Sep. 6, 1806; Deed Book 2, p. 409; $300.00; 102 acres
Part of "Rogers Fancy," Morris Twp., on Bates Fork of Tenmile. Patented to said William Rogers Nov. 27, 1805. Adjoins Frederick Lughman, Grantee, Wm. Green and Reuben Wright.
(Received from: Greene County Historical Society; R.D. #2, P.O. Box 127; Waynesburg, PA 15370 - furnished by Joyce Posey)CENSUS: 1810, in Greene Co., PA, Morris Twp.
Elias Conger, males 3,0,0,1,0; females 2,1,1,1,0
(Furnished by Joyce Posey)LAND: 8 Apr 1812
Deed: Elias Conger and Mary, wife, to Benjamin Lyons of Greene Co. [PA]
Dated Apr. 8, 1812; Deed Book 2, p. 649; $628, 102 acres
Part of "ROGERS FANCY" in Morris Twp. patented by Wm. Rogers, Nov. 27, 1805.
Witnesses: John Han, J.P; Richard R. Iiams.
EMIGRATION: According to Joyce Posey and Bob Guilinger: Elias Darby Conger Sr. and his family later left Morris Twp., Greene Co., PA removing to Monroe Co., OH about 1812/1813, probably about the time of the 8 Apr 1812 land sale in Morris Twp., Greene Co., PA. According to Maxine Crowell Leonard this was after Elias had remarried in 1804/1805.
Early Records of an Elias Conger in Monroe Co., OHCHURCH_AFFILIATION:
Baptists organized in 1813, the first ministers were Rev. Phillip Skinner and Elias Conger.
(Source: History of Monroe Co., Ohio, 1813, page 16)COMMENT:
19 Dec 1815: Road from Woodsfield, [OH] to Elias Conger's viewed: The Commissioners have entered into bond with James Henthorn and Phillip Nolan to pay the expenses of the cost should fall upon petitioners. Mitchel Atkinson surveyor. The road beginning at Woodsfield and ending near or at Elias Conger in Center township.
(Source: Monroe Co., Ohio: The First Twenty Years, Commissioners Journal 1815-1835, Transcribed by Carolyn Zogg Wolf for the Monroe Co., OH Historical Society - furnished by Joyce Posey)COMMENT:
4 Sep 1816: Road from Woodsfield to Elias Congers. Commissioners viewed where line crosses the road that runs from Woodsfield to Sunfish Creek and proceed to view the ground for a road from thence on eastward course to intersect a road near H. Jackson's leading from Woodsfield to Elias Conger's. Mitchel Atkinson, surveyor.
(Source: Monroe Co., Ohio: The First Twenty Years, Commissioners Journal 1815-1835, Transcribed by Carolyn Zogg Wolf for the Monroe Co., OH Historical Society - furnished by Joyce Posey)TAX_LIST:
Monroe Co., Ohio Tax List, 1816, page 55; Elias Conger, R4, T3, S24COMMENT:
Adams Twp., Monroe Co., OH was organized on 6 Mar 1826. Elias Conger Sr. was among the early settlers.
[Note: Elias Conger's land was in Center Twp., Monroe Co., OH until the formation of Adams Twp. after which it was in the new township.]
(Source: History of Monroe Co., Ohio, 1813, page 22)COMMENT:
17 Mar 1817: Road from Woodsfield to Elias Conger's established: Commissioners agreed an order to view a road beginning at Woodsfield, thence to Elias Conger's. Commissioners consider the road to be of Public Utility and recorded the same a Public Highway.
(Source: Monroe Co., Ohio: The First Twenty Years, Commissioners Journal 1815-1835, Transcribed by Carolyn Zogg Wolf for the Monroe Co., OH Historical Society - furnished by Joyce Posey)
RESIDENCES: A Brief History of Adams Township, Monroe Co., OH
Adams Township was organized on 6 Mar 1826. Sunfish Creek flows through the middle of Adams Twp. Piney Forks is a tributary of Sunfish Creek. The township is bordered by Sunsbury, Switzerland, Salem, Green and Center townships.Early settlers of Adams township were Charles and James Atkinson, Gilbert and Mitchell McCoy, Elias Conger, Christian Hartline, Phillip Noland, Robert Norris, Samuel Bracey and the families of Mellott and Powell.
The village of Cameron was established in 1837 by James and Mary (Brown) Atkinson. James was an early settler and a Revolutionary War veteran. Cameron was originally named Jamestown.
The first church in Adams Twp. was built near Cameron in 1825. Other churches: Mt. Zion Church of Christ (formerly known as the Bracey Church), Goudy Church of Christ, Mellott Ridge Church of Christ, Pleasant Grove Methodist Church, Cameron Church of Christ.
(Source: The Navigator, Monroe County Chapter OGS, June 1991, Vol. 4, No. 2 - furnished by Joyce Posey)
Census: 1820, in Monroe Co., OH, Centre Twp, #17
Elias Conger, agriculture (living next to Abner Powell)
3 males under 10; 2 males between 10-16; 1 male between 16-26;
1 male over 45; 1 female under 10; 1 female between 16-21; 1 female
over 45
(Early records furnished by Joyce Posey)Census: 1840, in Monroe Co., OH, Adams Twp.
Elias D. Congar (sic)
Males:
00-05, 0; 05-10, 0; 10-15, 0; 15-20, 0; 20-30, 1; 30-40, 0;
40-50, 0; 50-60, 0; 60-70, 0; 70-80, 1; 80-90, 0; 90-100, 0; 100&up, 0
Females:
00-05, 1; 05-10, 1; 10-15, 0; 15-20, 0; 20-30, 1; 30-40, 0;
40-50, 0; 50-60, 0; 60-70, 1; 70-80, 0; 80-90, 0; 90-100, 0; 100&up, 0
(Source: The Federal Census Monroe County, Ohio 1820-1830-1840 - Monroe County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society)
CONFLICT-DEATH: Was the date of death, 3 Sep 1845 or 13 Sep 1845 or 13 Sep 1843? Maxine Crowell Leonard lists, 3 Sep 1845. Robert Guilinger believes the date should be 13 Sep 1845. Joyce Posey obtained two records from Page 485-486 of the Tuesday, 26 Sep 1843 Journal of the Monroe County, Ohio Common Pleas Court which indicate that the death probably occurred in 1843, Abt. 13 Sep 1843. The Ancestral File lists, 3 Sep 1845 in Adams Twp., Monroe Co., OH.
PROBATE: Elias D. Conger Will Recorded
Common Pleas Court Record, Journal 3, p. 485
Monroe County, Ohio
September Term A.D. 1843
Tuesday September 26, 1843
The last will and testament of Elias D. Conger late of the county of Monroe, deceased, was this day presented in court for probate.Whereupon John M. Boughner and Benjamin Trimbly the two subscribing witnesses to said will being severally duly sworn, the said John M. Boughner deposeth and saidth that he saw the testator sign and seal said will as and for his Last Will and Testament, that he was at the time of signing and sealing of the same, of sound mind and memory of full age & under no restraint and that he, said Boughner, signed the same as a witness in the presence of said testator and at his request and the said Benjamin Timly saith taht he heard the said testator acknowledge the signing and sealing said will as and for his Last Will and testament that he was at the time of sound and disposeing mind and memory of full age and under no restraint and that he in the presence of said testator and at his request signed the same as a witness thereto which testamony the court order to be reduced to writing which is done and the same ordered to be certified and the same together with said will ordered to be recorded.
Common Pleas Court Record, Journal 3, p. 486
Monroe County, Ohio
September Term A.D. 1843
Tuesday September 26, 1843
Stephen Conger, Elias Conger and Benoni Conger the executors named in the Last Will and Testament of Elias D. Conger Late of Monroe County deceased, appeared in open court, accepted said trust and gave Bond in the sum of six thousand dollars conditioned according to Law with which the Court accept. The Court appoint John D. Glenn, William Alexander and Stephen Atkinson appraisors of the personal property of said testator.
(Furnished by Joyce Posey from copy of the record in her possession, obtained for her by Shirley Neiswonger, researcher of Monroe Co., OH, Oct 1996)
PROBATE: 17 Jul 1847, Stephen, Benoni, Elias Conger Executors of the Estate of Elias Conger, deceased.
[Note: Joyce Posey reports that Catherine Fedorchak wrote, "a general rule of thumb seems to have been that a person's estate notice was carried (in the newspaper) about a month after the death, it was customary for such notices to be carried for several successive weeks and sometimes months." Since the estate notice was found in the July 17, 1847 issue of "The Spirit of Democracy" it appears that the settlement..."]
Mary GoblePROBLEM: The Ancestral File lists the place of death as, Green Co., OH.
HEALTH_HISTORY-DEATH: Died from cancer of tongue.
(Furnished by Joyce Posey)
1083. Rhoda Conger
Rhoda CongerPARENTS: Elias Darby Conger, Sr. and Mary Goble
RELATIONSHIP: Rhoda Conger, who married James Atkinson, was the half-sister of John B. Conger who married the sister of James Atkinson, Elizabeth Atkinson.
James AtkinsonPARENTS: Charles Atkinson and Elizabeth Stephens
BIRTH: Ancestral File lists, Abt. 1789, maybe in Greene Co., PA
BIRTH: James Atkinson was born in Dauphin county, PA, at the mouth of the Juniatta river.
AKA: James was called, "Blue head'" to distinguish him from another James, according to Hardesty. Ulysses Grant Ross said the name was "Bluebeard."
AKA:
The oldest son of Charles Atkinson was known as "Blue-Head Jim," and he won many a bout at fisticuffs and claimed to be champion of the county at that sport.
(Source: Catherine Fedorchak, Vol. II, p. 61 - furnished by Robert Guilinger)RESIDENCES-EMIGRATION: He lived for many years on Sunfish creek, on the farm known as the Maury farm, but he moved from there to the State of Indiana, where he died at an old age.
Mary GregoryBIRTH: Ancestral File lists the birth as, Abt. 1777 in Ireland.
EMIGRATION: She came to America from Ireland with her parents at the age of 16.
(Source: The Conger Family of America - Maxine Crowell Leonard)SPOUSE: Mary Gregory was the 2nd wife of Elias Darby Conger.
DEATH-CONFLICT: Did she die in Greene Co., PA or Monroe Co., OH? Maxine Crowell Leonard lists, Greene Co., PA. Robert Guilinger writes, "Mary was living as the elderly wife of Elias D. Conger in Monroe Co., OH at the time of the 1840 Federal Census. It seems extremely unlikely that she died in Greene Co., PA."
1094. William Green Conger
William Green CongerPARENTS: Elias Darby Conger, Sr. and Mary Gregory
Problem: His birth place has been given as, Greene Co., PA. This does not seem to be correct in light of the fact that it is believed that the family moved to Monroe Co., OH about 1813. It seems more likely that he was born in Monroe Co., OH. Can anyone cite a source for the place of birth?
BIRTH: 28 Dec 1816 in Monroe Co. OH per Ancestral File of Jan 1996.
429. David Conger
David Conger Jr.PARENTS: David Conger, Sr. and Mary Darby
EMIGRATION: Elias Darby Conger Sr. and his first wife, Mary Goble were in the party with David and Sarah (Welch) Conger that came from Middlesex Co., NJ to Greene Co., PA in 1790.
RESIDENCES: For many years David Conger, husband of Adeline Cook and David Conger, husband of Hannah Crumrine lived on the farm place of David and Sarah (Welch) Conger.
(Furnished by Joyce Posey)COMMENT:
It is of interest to note that there is a Morris Twp. in Greene Co., PA and that Mary Darby Green Conger died there. There is also a Morris Twp., in Washington Co., PA and her son David Conger Jr. died there.LAND: It has been reported that David Conger built or rebuilt Lindley's Fort in 1790, which earned him a 500 acre land grant in the area around his homestead. Very little information has been found to substantiate this report.
(Furnished by Robert Guilinger)LAND: 20 Jan 1820 David Conger of Green Co., PA and Sara, his wife, to their son, Greshoren (sic) Conger, R4, T4, S25
(Source: Monroe Co., OH Records, Deed Book C, p. 96 - Furnished by Joyce Posey)CENSUS: 1820, in Morris Twp., Greene Co., PA
David Conger, males 2 1 - 1 - 1; females 1 1 - - 1
(Furnished by Joyce Posey)
PROBATE: David Conger Estate, Ca 1833, Greene Co., PA Will Book, William Lindley Admr. - Iams Collection - furnished by Joyce Posey)LEGAL_MATTER: 1833, David Conger's children
Elias; Gersham; Aaron; Modis; David; Sarah married to William Day; Ephraim; Larina married to Stephen McCloud; Harrison; Mary married to John Fonner with the following children: Sarah Fonner married to Joshua R. Paudale; William; Experience married to Adam Sirfees.
(Source: Orphan Court, November Term, 1833, Book 2 - Morris Twp., Greene Co., PA - Iams Collection - furnished by Joyce Posey)LEGAL_MATTER: Orphan's Court Record, Sept. Term 1836, Book 2, Morris Twp., Greene Co., PA - Iams Collection - furnished by Joyce Posey)
CEMETERY: Ethel C. Heagler in her Conger History 1664-1941 stated that David and Sarah Conger were people of faith. For a time he was the minister of the Ten Mile Valley Presbyterian Church. When they passed away they were taken down the valley a few miles and buried in Bates Fork Cemetery. [Note: She did not indicate an exact location. Joyce Posey suggests it was probably in Washington Co., PA. JoNelle Linnaus has been there and says it is in northern Greene Co., PA]QUESTION-CEMETERY: Can anyone prove that both David and Sarah Conger are buried at Bates Fork Cemetery in Washinton Co., PA?. JoNelle Linnaus says they are buried at the Old Bates Fork Cemetery, Morris Twp. Greene Co., PA, with stones on the site. Robert Guilinger writes, "I have been in the Bates Fork Cemetery near Prosperity, Washington County, PA and did not find the graves of David and Sara Conger. JoNelle Linnaus showed me photos she took of the two graves; if she said "Old" Bates Fork Cemetery was in Greene Co. (Morris Twp.) then that could explain it, "two" different cemeteries."
CEMETERY: Capt. David Conger; 1767-1833 and Sarah, his wife; 1769-1844 are buried in the Old Bates Fork Cemetery, Morris Twp., Greene Co., PA. The cemetery is located above Swarts, on Fonner Run, former location of the Bates Fork Baptist Church.
(Source: Cemetery Records of Greene County, Pennsylvania, compiled by Dorothy T. Hennen, Vol. 5, 1976, Franklin and Morris Townships, page 267 - furnished by JoNelle Linnaus)COMMENT: JoNelle Linnaus writes: The Bates Fork Cemetery site in Greene Co., PA
is the site of the graves of David and Sarah Welch Conger. Morris Township of Greene Co., PA lies next to Morris Township of Washington Co., PA. The David Congers and their sons, David, Ephraim and William Henry Harrison lived in this Ten Mile Country in the two counties.PROBATE: According to JoNelle Linnaus the will of David Conger, Jr. was probated in Greene Co., PA.
BIOGRAPHY:
David Conger, 1767, and wife, Sarah and baby Elias, came from New Jersey to western Pennsylvania in 1791. They were accompanied by his brother, Elias Darby Conger, his wife, Mary Goble, and their five children. Tradition says that David and Elias' mother came with them, but this has not been proven.David and Sarah took up their home in the hills and valleys of Washington county on the extreme southern edge. He cut down the trees and built their home and hewed the logs and made all their furniture on a hillside overlooking a beautiful valley and stream. He was an Indian fighter and was a captain of a company for the protection of the settlers.
David and Sarah were people of faith and he supplied for a time the Ten Mile Valley Presbyterian Church as its minister. This was the first church in the valley. Their children, with the exception of the last one, all had Bible names.
On this farm of 500 acres, [later called "Conger Station," now called "Plumbsock,"] the family grew to maturity -- seven boys and three girls. The mother and father passed away here and were taken down the valley a few miles and laid away in Bates Fork Cemetery.
The son, David, stayed on the old farm and raised a family, and then his son David and wife, Hannah, raised their family; their son David and wife, Adeline, are now living on the old homestead (1940). This old home is beautifully located on a bluff over [Conger] road, and the view from the veranda across the stream to the wooded hills beyond is charming. (Ethel Conger Heagler, 1941)
The tax list for George's Twp., Fayette Co, PA recorded an assessment for David Conger for the first time in 1799, taken for the year 1798. He was a farmer with 1 cow and a cabin; in 1801 he had 3 cows and 1 horse. In the year of 1806 the record stated "David Conger moved out." He was dismissed from Great Bethel Baptist Church of Union Town, PA on 9 Feb 1805. David Conger was also a school teacher.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 102-103 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
[Note: There seems to be some confusing and contradictory information in this account. Information in [] added by Robert Guilinger. REH]
Sarah WelchBIRTH: Listed as Sara Welch, b. Abt. 1772 and Sarah Welch b. Abt. 1771 in the Ancestral File.
DEATH: Sarah Welch died from cancer of the tongue.
RECOLLECTIONS:
On Sunday, 26 Jul 1992, Vern and I visited the Upper Ten Mile country on the border between Washington and Greene Counties, Pennsylvania. We had visited the Prosperity Upper Ten Mile United Presbyterian Church and Cemetery in October, 1987. There David Conger, 1804-1892, son of David and Sarah (Welch) Conger, and his third wife, Mary Bell, are buried as well as some of his children.On this trip we were looking for the graves of David Conger, 1767-1833, and his wife, Sarah Welch, 1769-1844, in the Bates Fork Cemetery in Greene County and of his sons, Ephraim and William Henry Harrison Conger in the West Union Cemetery.
We followed the winding road west toward Prosperity after turning off the interstate at Ten Mile. At Conger Road we turned left (southward) toward Dunn's Station. There we asked for directions. We continued on the winding road in a southwesterly direction, until we reached the top of a hill with a road marker that said, "Morris Township, Greene County."
Immediately south of here we turned left up a short rural road to West Union, a small village of about a dozen homes, a Presbyterian Church, and the West Union Cemetery. The lane inot the cemetery took us in the back way behind the church. In the neatly-mowed cemetery we found the graves of many Congers, Dunns, McVeys, Mattoxes, Days, and other names of families who intermarried with the Congers.
We took pictures of a tall brown marble obelisk monument of Ephraim Conger, 1809-1893, and his wife Eleanor, 1814-1907 (Mary Ellen in the Conger History). An older thin rectangular stone may have been the marker for William Henry Harrison Conger (1813-1852). The name was almost unreadable and did not seem to match the three given names, but the death date matched the information given in the "Cemeteries of Greene County" material I had. There were graves of several Congers born in the 1840's and 1850's who were probably the sons of Ephraim or possibly William Henry Harrison Conger.
A Mr. Dunn walked over to the cemetery from the churchyard to visit with us. He was quite knowledgeable about the Congers; he told us no Congers remain in the area, but one female descendant lives in Morgantown, WV. He gave us directions to the old Bates Fork Cemetery. Leaving the West Union Cemetery, we returned to the winding road which had entered Greene County at the top of the hill. We traveled on it to Deer Lick, where we turned left to Swarts. At Swarts, which had a house or two and a Methodist Church, we asked directions again to the Bates Fork Cemetery. We had to backtrack a half mile or so to Fonner Road where we turned and drove up a hill. Near the top we found the small cemetery which was overgrown with weeds.
No sign told us that we had reached the Bates Fork Cemetery, but it was in the right spot. There were two or three dozen stones hidden among the ferns and weeds. Several were broken or unreadable. The encouraging thing was that practically every stone had been decorated for Memorial Day when the weeds were small or had been mowed. Near the fence which we had climbed over, the area around six or seven Clutter graves had been cleared of weeds at some time since Memorial Day because they were small there.
We stumbled through the weeds looking for a Conger monument. Near the far end of the cemetery we found the marker for Capt. David Conger and his wife, Sarah. The gray granite shaft appeared to be the newest and best stone in the cemetery. A floral cross rested against the monument which leaned slightly to the north. An American flag flew bravely at the side of the marker. By trampling the weeds around the marker so that we could take pictures, we found the original small square stones for David and Sarah with the names and dates for them at the right or east of the newer stone. There was also part of a broken flat stone lying between the two older stones, but nothing was readable on it. Undoubtedly one of the sons or a grandchild had erected the newer, larger stone some years after their deaths.
(Written by JoNelle Linnaus)
1096. Gershom Conger
Gershom CongerPARENTS: David Conger, Jr. and Sarah Welch
LAND: 20 Jan 1820 David Conger of Green Co., PA and Sara, his wife, to their son, Greshoren (sic) Conger, R4, T4, S25
(Source: Monroe Co., OH Records, Deed Book C, p. 96 - Furnished by Joyce Posey)TAX_LIST: 1820 Tax List of Monroe Co., OH
Gershom Conger, R4, T4, S25 SW, 80 acres
Elias Conger, Jr., R4, T4, S25, SW, 80 acres
(Furnished by Joyce Posey)LAND: Monroe Co., OH Deed Book C, page 155 - Gershom Conger and Mahala his wife sold to George Roush - 1824 (no other dates)
(Furnished by Joyce Posey)RECOLLECTIONS:
Julianna Conger Walton wrote that her father, Elias, and Uncle Gershom entered land together in Monroe county, Ohio. They built their houses and improved the land by clearing it. Elias bought out Gershom a few years later. Gershom went west, but spent the winter of 1847 with relatives in Ohio.
(Source: The Conger Family of America - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
1099. Mary Levina Conger
Mary Levina CongerPARENTS: David Conger, Jr. and Sarah Welch
NAME-CONFLICT: Mary Levina Conger; Larina Conger
Stephen McCleodNAME-CONFLICT: Stephen McCleod; Stephen McCloud
430. Mary E. Conger
Mary E. CongerPARENTS: David Conger Sr. and Mary Darby
PROBLEM-BIRTH: Ancestral File lists her birth twice as, Abt. 1765. CFA II, p. 459 lists the date as, 11 Oct 1769, NJ. Others have listed 10 Nov 1769.
Reuben WrightPARENTS: Reuben Wright and Hannah Graves
Problem: Was he born Abt. 1765 or Abt. 1771? Robert Guilinger believes the date should be Abt. 1765 or earlier, based on the fact that he was listed "as age 45 & up" in the 1810 Greene Co., PA census. He also points out that his son, John C. Wright lists the birth place of his father and MD and of his mother as NJ in the 1880 census of Appanoose Co., IA. Dortha Walters lists, b. 1771 at Northfield, Maine. She did not list a source for this information.
Problem: Was his first name, Reuben or Ruben? Robert Guilinger states that Reuben is the most common usage.
OCCUPATION: farmer
MARRIAGE: Abt. 1791, in Morris Twp., Washington Co., PA
CHILDREN: Reuben and Mary Wright had 9 children over a 20 year period.
RESIDENCES: Abt. 1796 in Morris Twp., Greene Co., PA
COMMENT: Sometimes there is confusion about where events took place, before and after 1795, in Greene and Washington counties in Pennsylvania. Greene Co., PA was formed by splitting Washington Co., PA in two in 1795. The county seat of Greene county is Waynesburg and of Washington county it is Washington.
(Furnished by Robert Guilinger)Census: 1800, in Greene Co., PA, Morris Twp.
(Furnished by Tom Stevens)Census: 1810, in Greene Co., PA, Morris Twp.
Reuben Wright, listed as age 45 & up
1 female, listed as age 26-44
1 male 0-9; 1 male 10-15; 1 male 16-25; 1 male 45 & up
1 female 0-9; 1 female 10-15; 1 female 16-25; 1 female 26-44
(Furnished by Delma Bayley; 3223 So. 296th Place; Auburn, WA 98001, in 1992 to Joyce Posey)EMIGRATION: The family moved to Ohio about 6 weeks after the birth of John C. Wright on 16 May 1811
RESIDENCES: Abt. 1812 in Monroe Co., OH, Adams Twp.
(Furnished by Tom Stevens and others)CHILDREN: Children according to Tom Stevens were:
Elizabeth, David, Nancy, Gersham, Catherine, Mary, Reuben, Hannah, John C.BIOGRAPHY:
The rolling hills of Green County, PA, were a stopping point for Reuben Wright. There he met and married Mary Conger, the Conger family having arrived in Washington County/Greene County in 1790, led by Elias D. Conger his wife and 5 children who were accompanied by: David Conger, Jr., his wife and 1 child; Mary E. Conger the sister of Elias and David; and their mother, Mary (Darby) Green Conger.They lived in Morris Township. Several of their children were born in Green County, including my great-great-great-grandfather, John C. Wright, who was their ninth child, born 16 May 1811.
A frontiersman, Reuben Wright seemed to have an urge to move on. The family probably boarded a flatboat and went down the river to Marietta. From there, they traveled north over hilly terrain, squatting in Monroe County, Adams Township in 1812. It is not clear if all nine children accompanied them. Elizabeth, the oldest may have been out of the home by then, as well as David, the second child. The only record we have is that of John.
We speculate that Reuben squatted in Monroe County, which he could legally do in those days, for there seemed to be an adequate amount of government land available. ...
(Source: Monroe County Ohio Families, p. 317, submitted by Eric A. Stevens, with modifications to the first paragraph made by Robert Guilinger for REH)COMMENT-DEATH: It has been reported by some that a Reuben Wright died in 1845 at Wayne Twp., Warren Co., OH. According to researcher Joyce Posey that Rubin Wright was a negro with 22 people living in the household. She believes that Reuben Wright who married Mary Conger died in Monroe Co., OH.
1106. David Wright
David WrightPARENTS: Reuben Wright and Mary E. Conger
QUESTION: Did David Wright marry both a Miss Green and a Miss Nicols?
Unknown NicholsProblem: What is the surname of this person, Green or Nichols?
1107. Nancy Wright
Nancy WrightPARENTS: Reuben Wright and Mary E. Conger
1108. Gershom Wright
Gershom WrightPARENTS: Reuben Wright and Mary E. Conger
1109. Mary Wright
Mary WrightPARENTS: Reuben Wright and Mary E. Conger
1110. Catherine Wright
Catherine WrightPARENTS: Reuben Wright and Mary E. Conger
SPOUSE: Sam Rush
1112. Reuben Wright
Reuben WrightPARENTS: Reuben Wright and Mary E. Conger
Hannah RuhlQUESTION: Was her surname, Ruhl or Ruhf?
432. Azariah Conger
Azariah CongerPARENTS: John Conger and Mary Dunham
RECOLLECTIONS: Azariah Conger died with the soldiers of 1812 during an epidemic, leaving a family of nine children (only seven listed) on the Hill Farm in the woods north of Hammondsport, NY. He was buried in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Steuben county, NY.
His widow, Polly, later married Thomas Auls, of Wheeler, NY, whose wife had died leaving him with nine children, mostly boys. Some of the Conger girls were taken into the Auls family and some lived with relatives.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 33 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
Polly YoungloveAKA: Mary Younglove
436. Jonathan Conger
Jonathan CongerPARENTS: John Conger and Mary Dunham
DEATH: Jonathan Conger sickened and died while visiting his sister, Nancy Younglove in the northern part of New York.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, 332 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
Mary Duell ShaylorQUESTION: What was the maiden surname of this person, Duell or Shaylor?
1123. Cornelius Conger
Cornelius CongerCOMMENT: May have been the Cornelius Conger, 1822, living at Otsega, MI in 1880.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 333 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)PARENTS: Parents may have been, Jonathan Conger and Mary Shaylor. His wife and children are listed in CFA II, p. 72.
1124. John Conger
John CongerCOMMENT: May have been the John Conger who married Martha McMorris and lived at Otsega, MI in 1880.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 333 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
439. David Conger
David CongerPARENTS: John Conger and Mary Dunham
Problem: Was the date of birth, 25 Feb 1785 or as listed in CFA II, p. 75, 25 Feb 1784? 25 Feb 1785 in Ancestral File.
1133. Ann Eliza Conger
Ann Eliza CongerProblem: Birth date listed as, 27 Nov 1820 in CFA II, p. 75. Maybe it should have been Abt. 27 Nov 1828?