Re: Conkey's Tavern & Wm Conkey
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In reply to:
Re: Conkey's Tavern & Wm Conkey
David Davies 9/10/06
David,
Just days after I posted the query to you, I received a package in the mail from a distant relative in Ohio.She included a family history that has a note in it stating it was written by Homer McConkey from 'other records' for all information prior to 1805, but that all information dating from that year on was supplied to Homer by his grandfather, Enos McConkey, at Homer's request in August, 1897.
In the history, the tale of Alexander McConkey and his wife Margaret McDonald are related.Several others on this forum have posted the story also.
Alexander was one of the five sons (and several daughters whose names are unknown) born in Ireland to Thomas McConkey (b. Scotland 1722) and his unknown wife: Alexander, b. in Belfast 1743; William, b. 1750; James, b. 1752; John, b. 1754; Hugh, b. 1757.
Alexander fell in love with the daughter of Lord Archibald McDonald.Archibald had been the second son of his father, and though the law decreed that the eldest son should inherit the father's land, Archibald's father bought a large estate near Belfast in County Antrim for his second son .He and his wife Jane had three daughters, Margaret, Jane, and Elizabeth.Lord McDonald was not at all happy that his daughter Margaret had fallen in love with a tenant farmer, and forbade her to have any contact with Alexander.In spite of this, Margaret carried on a secret love affair with Alexander, and eventually married him in secret.When Archibald learned of the marriage, he refused to sanction it.He wouldn't let her come home, and threatened disinheritance.
Eventually Alexander and Margaret had three children, Robert, Archibald, and Jane.Not even the naming of the two youngest children after her parents placated Margaret's father.He conceived of a plan -- he arranged for Alexander to be drafted into the army and be shipped to a foreign posting.Alexander, however, slipped overboard in the shadow of the ship during the night before the ship was to sail.He made his way back to Margaret.They made their plans -- he would go to America and send for her.He took young Robert with him, while Archibald and Jane stayed with Margaret.Alexander and Robert landed in Baltimore, MD in 1770, along with one of Alexander's brothers.
[Here is where there is a problem.Family lore says that the brother was named William and that he made his way to the shores of the Delaware River and owned a ferry and inn on the NJ shore.It was from this ferry that Washington launched his ships on Christmas Eve in 1776 before his surprise attack on Trenton.However, the park service operating the ferry site today lists the owner as a Samuel McConkey.Samuel did have a son, William, who did help row the boat that Washington crossed in, and later owned the ferry, so it is possible that the story is basically true, just a little convoluted in the generations of telling.William MConkey is buried at York, PA.]
Alexander worked in Baltimore for two years before sending for Margaret and the two other children.The name of the ship is not known, but the captain's name is still remembered in the family as Captain Usher.Sadly, the little girl, Jane, became ill on the voyage and died.She was buried at sea.
After the family was reunited, they continued to live in Baltimore.Another little girl was born to them, also named Jane.While Jane was just a baby, Archibald and Margaret became ill and died, and then just ten days later, according to the family lore, Robert died also.They are buried in Baltimore in unmarked graves.The two orphans were apparently split up, with Jane being raised by a family of German descent, and twelve-year-old Archibald apparently apprenticed to a shoemaker.Whe he turned 18, Archibald hunted up his sister, who was unable to speak English, having been raised in the German family's household.Archibald established a home for the two of them.In his early twenties, the two headed west to KY, where Jane married Samuel Hillis and had seven children - Margaret, Archibald, John, William, Robert, Jane, and Mary.
Archibald married in KY on Dec. 21, 1797 in Campbell Co., to Nancy Mickey/Michie, daughter of a Revolutionary War officer, Lt. Daniel Mickey of the 8th Continental Regiment.
In April of 1805 Archibald and Nancy moved to Pleasant Township, Clark Co., OH along with Nancy's father and seven of their eight children - Elizabeth, Alexander, Daniel, Robert, Jane, Margaret, and Nancy.Mary (my ancestor) was born after their move.She was the first white child born in Clark Co.Beer's "History of Clark County, OH" tells the tales of the Indians coming to their homestead to see the little baby and play with her.
Robert died in infancy and was the first person buried in McConkey Cemetery on January 3, 1807.The cemetery exists to this day.The land was given by Alexander and Nancy and their neighbor, William Metsgar/Metzger.In 1815, Jane was buried close to her brother.
Archibald died Sep 18, 1851, and Nancy died Apr. 12, 1855.Both are buried in McConkey Cemetery.
In 1895, a family reunion was held on the family homestead, and the idea that some inheritance must still be waiting to be claimed in Ireland came about.A family member who had served as a county auditor was sent to Ireland, and though he was unable to get cooperation from the authorities regarding any inheritance, he did meet McDonald family members, still there on the family land,who verified the family story of the marriage of Alexander and Margaret McDonald McConkey.
I realize this is long -- and I have abbreviated it as much as I could! -- and without sources, but it is all I have at the moment.I only got this the other day, so I haven't had time to research this in depth, or see what records I can find to verify anything, except the Beer's history.That much is true -- the family is mentioned there, along with the story of the trip on horseback from KY and the Indians.
I doubt that this means that our lines are related, since there is no hint of any other children of Alexander and Margaret, much less having gone to MA.It would be interesting to have some McConkey men from each line do a DNA test, though.
Thanks for responding to my query.If by any chance this story does tie into the McConkey's there in Pelham, I look forward to corresponding with you further.
Cindi Allen Schmerber
Thomas McConkey > Alexander McConkey > Mary McConkey Neer Lafferty Allen > Edward Allen > Joseph Allen > Robert Allen > Me
More Replies:
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Re: Conkey's Tavern & Wm Conkey
Neil Morgan 2/25/07
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Re: Conkey's Tavern & Wm Conkey
Cindi Schmerber 2/25/07
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Re: Conkey's Tavern & Wm Conkey
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Re: Conkey's Tavern & Wm Conkey
David Davies 9/11/06