Person:Washington Conley (1)

In 1852, Washington was paid $330 for right-of-way for the Kingwood and West Union Turnpike. This section connected Kingwood to Morgantown. (Annual Report of the Board of Public Works to the General Assembly of Virginia)

Washington Conley lived in Pleasant Valley in 1855 and owned 332 acres of land in 1860. (32 acres on Hether Run 3 miles Southwest of Kingwood and 300 acres on Dillon's Creek, 8 miles Northwest of Kingwood.) He sold 300 acres on 8/21/1863 to his brother, Elias Conley. (Preston County Land Deeds Book 28, page 108). This land was situated next to Peter Menear's land. Washington Conley died prior to 1870 and was last listed in the 1860 Preston County Census. His wealth in 1860 was: Land $500. He was noted to be unable to read or write.

His two sons, Solomon and Thomas, were working as laborers on the farm of William Conley in 1870. (U.S. Census). This land was adjacent to their mother's home on Dillon's Creek between current-day Indian Rocks and Masontown. Washington and Elizabeth's first child, Matilda, died at an early age of an unknown cause. (Eileen Conley Peters).

PC Journal 7/28/1866: William Brown vs. Washington Conley to sell tracts of land: 1) one acre plot at West High Street, Kingwood adjoining old sawmill property; 2) 40 acres, 5 miles southwest of Kingwood on Hether Run, formerly owned by Peter Flinn. PC Journal 9/14/1867: Delinquent taxes: Washington Conly, on 32 acres on Hether Run: 1865: 38 cents, 3 cents interest; 1866: 40 cents, 2 cents interest.

1. ↑ United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432).