Person:Benjamin Conley (2)

_DCAUSE: Stomach Trouble (possibly cancer) Source:

_PHOTO:

Ben was employed as a carpenter and farmer, and served as a private in the local militia, Captain Joshua H. Cale's "D" Company. He later served in the Federal Service in the Civil War. He enlisted at Philadelphia, PA, on 1/8/1862 in Company K of the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. (Dorothy Bonafield Snyder) He was a private throughout the war with a special duty as a bugler/musician. During the winter of 1863-64, he apparently contracted scarlet fever and was hospitalized at Cedar Springs Hospital in Washington, D.C. He returned to duty that spring and took part in the Battle of Cold Harbor, near Richmond. He and his regiment participated in the battle of the Crater, near Petersburg, VA. In this battle, a tunnel was mined under the Confederates without detection to "blow that damned fort out of exstence." His enlistment expired and he was discharged on 1/28/1865 at Bermuda Hundred. (Dorothy Bonafield Snyder) He apparently suffered the rest of his life from generalized debility from complications of scarlet fever, including decreased eyesight, hearing, and heart and kidney problems. He applied for a pension, which he later received, of $10 per month. He also was listed as having severe piles (hemorrhoids) the size of "pheasant eggs." (Civil War pension applications) He was Methodist by faith.

According to Norvin Castle, Ben Conley built the Number 7 School, located near their home on Walnut Hill, and also taught there for 5 years.

In 1860, Ben acquired 234 acres of land from B. F. Squires. At that time, he was listed as a blacksmith's apprentice living at the home of William Potter, who lived nearby to his parents. (1860 US Census) In 1866, George Conley, Ben's father, deeded over to him the one acre Steam Mill tract of land in Kingwood. At that time, it was worth $400. (PC Land Records) In 1870, he apparently was employed as a sawyer for A. A. Fortney. (Listed under A.A. Fortney in 1870 Census, Kingwood Township.)

PC Journal 3/16/1867: "At Courthouse Hall, Fair and Festival contributions: Mr. B. F. Conley and wife, 2 bus. potatoes, 6 chickens, 10 dozen eggs."

On 6/15/1871, Benjamin Franklin bought land along Pringle's Run from John and Lovilia Castle. (PC Land Deeds) The following year in 1872, this was noted as owning 69 acres of land on Pringle's Run, located 6 miles South of Kingwood. (1872 PC Land Records) In 1875, this was listed as 75 acres worth $325. (1875 PC Land Records) On 11/25/1882, Ben apparently deeded over this land to his father-in-law, William A. Riley to serve as trustee for him. His wife, Julia B., was to have lifetime rights to remain on the property.

In the 1880 US Census, Benjamin was living in Kingwood District and employed as a carpenter. He was living next door to his father-in-law, William Riley on Walnut Hill, at that time.

According to records from Eileen Conley Peters, Benjamin died in 1899 on Tunnelton St., Kingwood, likely at the home of his sisters. He was buried on Walnut Hill in the Conley/Riley Cemetery. His will of 4/22/1899 is on record (PC Wills; F5, P267), with George M. Castle, his son-in-law, listed as executor. (See scrapbook) According to the will, he owned Lot 8 in the Orr Addition in Kingwood. (Currently on Fortney Avenue) This was willed to his daughter, Emma. This possibly might have been the site of the Steam Mill Tract given to him by his father. The land on Pringle's Run and a lot in the Hinle Addition in Elkins, WV, were to be equally divided among his 3 children.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Henry Riley Cemetery, Walnut Hill, near Tunnelton, WV.