Person:John Conley (24)

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John Conley (Conly, Connelly) was born in Maryland about 1788, according to the U.S. Census record 1850. (Listed as age 62 years) However, Morton's History states John died in 1852 at the advanced age of 80 years. This would place his birth about 1772. (Morton's information is in error since earlier census records confirm the birth date accuracy of ca.1788) According to Audrey Fraley, it was John's father who emigrated from Ireland to America. No records have been found to substantiate this fact, nor has a ship been discovered with his passage data. John married Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Brown) Smith, on 12/21/1805 in Washington County, Maryland (Washington County MD marriage records) They were married by the Rev. Jonathan Rahauser possibly in the old Elias Church in Emmitsburg, Maryland (German Reformed Congregation). This was the church that Elizabeth would have attended if the Jacob Smith living in District #5 (Taneytown) was her father.

John and Elizabeth, and young sons George and Elias, moved to Preston County, VA during 1811, and settled near the "Grape Thicket Farm," likely along Lick Run, near present-day Camp Ground. (John and Elizabeth's land has been found and the foundation of the original log cabin still exists. Nearby is the foundation of the dwelling of his grandsons, Thornton and Marcellus)

John most likely came to Preston County by way of the trail that led from Elizabeth Town (Hagerstown) by way of Hancock Town (Hancock) to Fort Cumberland (Cumberland). (The oldest roads led through Berkeley Springs, VA and Oldtown, MD.) At Cumberland, the road went southwest through Cresap Town to Paddy Town (Keyser), VA, along the Potomac River. At Paddy Town, the road turned west along current Route 135 through present-day Bloomington, MD to Oakland. It continued west, entering Preston County, VA at Corinth. It continued to Cranberry (Terra Alta), following present-day Route 7, until turning left into the Whetsell Settlement, and crossing the Cheat River at the Trowbridge Ferry near current Preston, WV. At this point, it appears the Conley family went up the hill from Cheat River and settled near to what was then known as Mount Etna, locating their home between the two branches of Lick Run. (Mount Etna was later known as Campground and Camp Chapel) It is most likely that the Conley family moved west to obtain the "unappropriated land" initially designated for soldiers in the Continental Service, and to avoid any payment for land available in Maryland.

John first appeared in the 1820 Census of Preston County, VA, with 3 members of his household engaged in agriculture. He had six children listed, all boys. Also listed were 3 "foreigners, unnaturalized" (John and Elizabeth likely did not appear in the 1810 Census in either Maryland or Virginia since they were traveling westward during the time of the census.)

He (along with Joseph D. Suit and Elijah Nuland) had 500 acres of land on Morgan's Run surveyed by Buckner Fairfax on 12/14/1818. These were two plots of land originally surveyed for the Land Office Treasury Warrants; one for 300 acres (#6429) and surveyed first by Joseph D. Suit on 12/7/1818, adjoining land of Richard Claiborne on the east; and one for 200 acres (#6309) and surveyed by Buckner Fairfax on 6/12/1818. This land was located southwest of Kingwood, possibly near where Morgan's Run enters Cheat River. (Preston County Surveyor's Book # 1, page 2) These three individuals also had a survey performed on 12/20/1818 on 78 acres of another 200 acre Land Office Treasury Warrant (#6430) originally assigned to Buckner Fairfax. (PC Surveyor's Book # 1, page 3) This land adjoined that of Andrew Johnson on the east. John Conly and William Barnet were listed as "Sworne Chain Barers."

He had 240 acres of land surveyed by Buckner Fairfax on August 17, 1833. This land was located on the west side of Cheat River between two branches of Lick Run, adjoining Thomas Ruckles' land. This land was part of an original 1000 acre Land Office Treasury Warrant (#10,011), initially surveyed 7/2/1833. (Preston County Surveyor's Book # 1) This land, which he later purchased, was located between Snider and Campground on the "old Sandy Road." (PC Deeds, book 36, pages 28-30) Prior to 1846, he had deeded a portion of this land to his son, John Conley, Jr. (This land is currently in the possession of the John Amos Conley family.)

In 1835, John had a fine imposed on him of 75 cents for failing to attend muster in Captain Carroll's "L" Infantry, Second Battalion, 10th Company, at his regimental muster. (Green box contents belonging to the John Amos Conley family)

The Conley family children attended the first school in the area, known as the Bonafield School (A History of Bonafield School, Thomas H. Williams)

The following was read at a County Celebration by the Hon. William G. Brown, July 4, 1876: (taken from An Historical Sketch of Preston County and Its Towns) "And within my recollection, the late John Conley, who resided within less than one mile from Kingwood, went with his children to gather chestnuts, and soon came to a very inviting tree, the top of which was dark with opening burs, and at once concluded to fell it. But before the tree was half down, the children discovered a fine bear in the top of it. As a matter of course, the programme was changed: the bear had to be killed and dressed."

His wealth was listed as $800 in 1850. (U.S. Census) He was noted as residing in the 45th District and only his wife Elizabeth, and daughter Elizabeth, were at home. He apparently spent his later years on the Asa D. Squires homestead on Morgan's Run, until his death in 1852. (Asa Squires was the brother-in-law of Ann Conley Squires, John's daughter.) (Morton's History of Preston County) According to hear-say, John was buried in an unmarked grave in the "Riley Cemetery" on "Walnut Hill," near Tunnelton, WV. (See scrapbook) The home foundation nearby was last used by Henry Clay Riley. Several graves are located in this area, including gravemarkers for John's grandson, Benjamin Franklin Conley and family.

(Directions to the Riley Cemetery: Leave Tunnelton driving towards road to Campground. Turn off on Blazer road. Go to T-intersection and turn left, passing Dave Miller property on right. Continue on this road passing sewage treatment plant. Paved road ends in apparent dead end. Continue on dirt road coming to Y-intersection. Take lower road and continue driving next to Pringle Run until you cross metal bridge adjacent to foundation of old Atlantic School. Road comes to T-intersection with Port-a-Potties on right. This road was created by National Guard. Follow left-hand road, passing a military shooting range on right. A small pond appears on the left. The next road to the right goes steeply up a hill and ends at a wooded area with a pavillion on the left. A shooting range (Range 10) is on the right. An old road behind the pavillion goes to the former Henry Riley property. To the left of the foundation of the Henry Riley home is the cemetery.)

With the permission of the National Guard, the cemetery can also be reached by taking Route 72 towards Rowlesburg until you turn sharply right onto the Pringle Road. (This is also known as the "South Entrance"). You continue about 1.5 miles up this road passing the first firing range on the left and continuing until you see a sign for "Range 10." Turn left here and follow the road until you see the pavillion on your left. Follow the road behind the pavillion to reach the Riley Cemetery.

1. ↑ Preston, West Virginia, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M432).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees: (Note: not considered a reliable primary source)
   Database online.

   Record for John Conley