Notes
Note N400
Index
Obituary from the Atwood, Kansas "Citizen-Patriot" newspaper: Josephine Fay Conner Hartzell was born on a farm near Grenola, Kansas on May 4, 1892, the 10th of 11 children of Jane Catherine Budd and Joseph F. Conner. All her brothers and sisters have preceeded her in death: Charles, Nell, Roy, Clara, Lida, Rena, Ann and Chester.
She attended school in the Peru, Kansas, area, graduating from Peru High School in 1912. She was employed as a book-keeper for a local hardware store before her marriage to Leland Earl Hartzell, April 7, 1917, in Sedan Kansas.
Two daughters were born to Fay and Leland: Merry June and Virginia Lee. Since her husband was employed by the Magnolia Oil Company, moves were frequent but the family was always together whenever possible. They settled in the Great Bend, Kansas area where they lived until her husband passed away in August 1956. Mrs. Hartzell then moved to Atwood, and has resided here since then.
She was a member of the Christian Church and had been a very active member until the last few years, accepting Christ at about the age of 12 years. She was a Gray Lady, serving many hours in that capacity. She especially enjoyed singing with a group of women who entertained the patients at the Good Samaritan Center here in Atwood. As long as she could drive, she used her car to take ladies to various events around Atwood. Throughout the years she worked diligently on many church projects, especially sewing. Even in her last years when she was in poor health, she undertook a mission project for her church of sewing little shirts and dresses for needy children. Like Dorcas, she often used her sewing talent for the Lord.
Her daughters will always cherish the memory that their Christian Mother always saw to it that they were in church and Sunday school as children and young people. She taught them that homemaking was a woman's primary calling while also encouraging them to seek additional education.
She is survived by her two daughters and their husbands: Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Neely of Laramie, Wyoming and Mr.and Mrs. Wilbur Leebrick of Atwood. She was a loving grandmother to five granddaughters and three grandsons and six great-grandchildren.
She passed away May 31, 1972, at the age of 80 years and 27 days. She leaves a host of her friends who will sadly miss her.
Notes
Note N401
Index
Was a farmer and disabled Revolutionary War soldier.
Following info provided by mccown.l@fs.library.wlu.edu. See sources for full address. Source: Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution 1775-1783 by John H. Gwathmey. Lists Lawrence Conner as a Private in the Continental Line Infantry, Second Virginia Brigade.
Source: Botetourt County Marriages, 1770-1853 by John Vogt. Gives date of marriage between Margaret BLANE and Lawrence CONNER as 3 Feb 1783, with bondsman James Scantland.
Source: Kegley's Virginia Frontier, by F. B. Kegley, page 469. Land transaction dated April 9, 1791 where Lawrence Conner obtains 200 acres adjoining James Scantler and Thomas McGeorge (James River Communities in Botetourt County 1770-1783)
Source: Annals of Southwest Virginia 1769-1800, by Lewis Preston Summers page 355. At a court continued and held for Botetourt County the 12th of April 1782. Ordered that Lawrence Conner, a wounded Continental soldier shall be provided for at present by the County and if Mr. Samuel Woods will maintain him, this court shall make full provision for the same at the next levy.
Page 370 March 14, 1783. John Tatham is allowed five pounds for maintaining Lawrence Conner, a Continental wounded soldier, ten months at ten shillings per month.
Page 388 February 13, 1784. Order by which David McClenachan and Lawrence Conner were to be bound for good behavior, for reasons appearing in Court, is set aside.
Page 408. February 14, 1786, Matthew Amacks considered a pensioner at 12 pounds a year. Laurence Conner the same at 6 pounds a year.
Page 420. April 11, 1787. Laurence Conner allowed 900 pounds as a pensioner.
Page 427. March 11, 1788. Laurance Conner, pensioner, commencing Jan 1, 1786, to be paid six pounds yearly out of the public money.
Page 432. December 9, 1788. Laurance Conner's pension raised to 12 pounds.
Page 438. February 11, 1790. Matthew Amacks, Laurence Conner a Florence Blair summoned to appear at next court respecting their continuance on the pension list.
Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution, 1775-1783, by John H. Gwathmey reports: Laurence Conner, Inf., nbll (Name appeared on Army Register but had not received bounty land. An extensive compilation in the War Department). In another place it reports: Lawrance Conner, 2 Va. Brigade, 4, 8, and 12 CL, 8CL, 12CL (CL preceeded by a numeral. Probably a reference to the 15 Virginia Regiments of the Continental Line. Thus 10CL refers to the Tenth Virginia Regiment, Continental Line). In yet another place is reported the following: Lawrence Conner, PVT., invalid pension list.
Also, a family history has been written regarding Lawrence Conner by Eva Burchett Conner and Luther C Conner, Jr of Albany, Ky.
Lawrence moved from Tazewell Co, Va in 1802 to Cumberland Co Ky. per Cleston Conner in Genealogy.com posting cleston19321783az@msn.com
Margaret and Lawrence were both buried in the Indian Creek Cemetery on Indian Creek. When the Lake Cumberland reservoir was built in the 1940s, their graves were removed to the Hickory ridge (also known as Grider Hill) Cemetery in Clinton County, Ky. At Indian Creek, they had no tombstones, but a monument for Lawrence and Margaret was installed at the Hickory Ridge Cemetery in October 1993.
Following is quoted from "Perry-Webb Families in Tennessee/Kentucky" found at http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=rap1996&id=I5733
:
I was amazed that the Alexander and Cornelius Conner DNA's were identical. The two mutations occur in the Joseph B. Conner line. It is good to see it posted and available to all. For all you that do not keep up with this Alexander, Cornelius and Joseph B. Conner were all brothers and sons of Lawrence Conner the emigrant from Dublin Ireland and his wife Margaret Blane. There was one more brother but he his family line has never been found........Harold
http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/conner/results.html
He was wounded in the war. Also states that he served with Col. Campbell's regiment, under Capt. Jewett for 18 months and was in battles at Germantown and Monmouth, Gilford Court House; Camden (where he was wounded) and Stony Point.
The Battle of Germantown was October 4, 1777. Pvt. Conner was one of about 11,000 American troops commanded under General Washington, that attacked the 9,000 British troops who were stationed at Germantown, PA commanded by General Sir William Howe. General Washington's strategy was to completely surround the town and attack from four sides at dawn, but the surprise raid failed as it was a complicated plan and the morning of October 4 brought dense fog to the area. British losses were set at about 535 and American losses were about twice that number . Even though the battle was lost to the Americans and General Washington, it was credited with influencing the French to aid Americans in the war. That winter (Dec. 19, 1777 to June 19 , 1778) the continental army, led by General Washington, camped at Valley Forge on the west bank of the Schuylkill River, 22 miles northwest of Philadelphia. This area was occupied by the British, but the site was defensible as it was located on trade routes and near farms for supplies. The army suffered through a harsh winter and starvation due to mismanagement in the commissary. Much-needed supplies began to arrive after the Franco-American Alliance in Spring of 1778. Many men were lost over that winter, but the army reorganized and was ready for battle by June. The encampment grounds are now the Valley Forge National Historical Park.
On June 28, 1778, Pvt. Conner was in the battle of Monmouth Court House, Monmouth NJ. The Bri tish, commanded by Sir Henry Clinton, left Philadelphia and marched through New Jersey, stopping for almost 2 days at Monmouth. Upon leaving, the British army left a small number of its forces at the Monmouth Court House. General George Washington ordered Charles Lee to attack the British rear as they were retreating into NJ. Lee attempted to surround the small force at the Monmouth Court House, but was surprised by the arrival of Lord Cornwallis' rear guard. Lee ordered a retreat. General Washington arrived and rallied his troops, stopped the British advances, and Cornwallis withdrew his troops that night. Camden Co. NJ is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia and was often held by the British.
Stony Point, Rockland County, is located in southeastern New York on the west bank of the Hudson River. In July 1779, General Anthony Wayne's troops attacked and captured the British post.
The Shawnee Expedition (Dunmore's War)
As the new settlers grew in numbers and migrated ever westward, the Shawnee Indians began attacking these advancing settlers. Governor Dunmore of Virginia and the VA Assembly took action by creating a line of defense at the Ohio River. The Shawnee nation was headquartered in the Scioto River Valley (now Ohio). Per the book Lawrence Conner of Dublin, Ireland, Virginia and Kentucky, by Eva B. Conner and Luther C. Conner, Jr., Governor Dunmore sent a letter to Colonel Andrew Lewis of Botetourt Co. on July 12, 1774 in which he stated:
"I am sorry to find there is so great a probability of your being engaged in a war with the Indians. Wait no longer for them to attack you, but raise all the men you think willing and able to go down immediately to the mouth of the Great Kanaway, and there build a fort, and, if you think you have forces enough that are willing to follow you, proceed directly to their towns and if possible destroy their towns and magazines; and distress them in every way that is possible; and if you can, keep a communication open between you [and] Wheeling Fort [Fort Fincastle] and Fort Dunmore [at Pittsburg]. I am well persuaded [you] will prevent them from crossing the Ohio any more . . ."
Matthew Arbuckle was an Indian scout who lived on the James River, near the mouth of the Cowpasture River, who was enlisted in Co. Lewis' army as a captain, serving as the guide and scout in the Shawnee campaign.
Governor Dunmore, marched the right wing of the army (over 1000 men), while Col. Lewis marched the left wing from Botetourt Co. The Botetourt army joined units from other counties at Camp Union. The entire left wing then marched 160 miles to the junction of the Great Kanawha and the Ohio Rivers, arriving October 6, 1774. (The troops named this area Point Pleasant) Dunmore's troops were positioned a short distance up the Ohio River, while Lewis' troops remained at the junction of the two rivers. Shawnee Chief Cornstalk attacked Lewis's 1000 plus men on the morning of October 20, 1774.
According to the book: Lawrence Conner of Dublin, Ireland, Virginia and Kentucky, by Eva B. Conner and Luther C. Conner, Jr., Col. Lewis ordered two detachments (150 men/detachment) to be formed with men from Augusta Co. and men from Botetourt and Fincastle Counties. The Virginia troops soon determined that they were far outnumbered and retreated. At this time Col. Lewis sent reinforcements, some led by Capt. Arbuckle. The Shawnee were driven back to the river, and after a day of battle, the Indians retreated and crossed the Ohio River at dark. Fatalities suffered by the Virginians were thirty privates and eleven officers.
This battlefield is now a state park known as the Point Pleasant Battle Monument State Park situated in West Virginia. According to a brochure published by the Division of Tourism and Parks, West Virginia: The Battle of Point Pleasant has become officially known as the first battle of the revolution.
Cumberland Co. KY was formed at 1798 from Green Co. All the area was once a part of Kentucky Co. VA, which was divided into 3 counties: Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln. Lincoln Co. was split and part became Green Co. in 1792.
The first white settlers arrived in what is present day Washington County in the 1760's. Daniel Boone explored this area during his expeditions to Kentucky. His dogs were attacked by wolfs near present day Abingdon., as a result he called the Abingdon area, Wolf Hills. Washington County was formed from Fincastle County in 1777, the county seat, Abingdon was formed in 1778. The original Washington County, VA in addition to containing some of the other present day surrounding counties also contained what is today, Sullivan County, TN.
Per the Conner book there was a baptism in Dublin for a Lawrence Conner April 5, 1752 at the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Archdiocese of Dublin, Meath Street, Dublin, Ireland . It is not known if this is Lawrence Conner who immigrated to VA. A Patrick Conner also immigrated aboard the brig Fanny. He too was in Botetourt Co. VA at the same time as Lawrence, enlisted as a soldier for the Shawnee expedition and also fought at the battle of Point Pleasant, VA.
Botetourt County, VA Marriage Bonds, 1783. Located at the Botetourt County Courthouse, Fincastle, VA.
Marriage bond for Laurance Conner and Margaret Blane, 3 Feb 1783. "Know all men by these presents that we, Laurance Conner and James Scantland, are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Virginia in the sum of Fifty Pounds currency, to the payment whereof well and truly to be made, we do bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals this 3rd day of February, 1783, and the seventh year of our Independence. The condition of this obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be had and solemnized between the above bound Laurance Conner and Margaret Blane of this parish. If therefore there be no lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage, then this obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue."
Sealed and delivered Laurance (x his mark) Conner in the presence of: James (x his mark) Scantland
The following is from "Early Times in Clinton County" by Jack Ferguson.
"Lawrence Conner was born about 1753, in Dublin, Ireland. He sailed from that city to America , arriving at Philadelphia in 1773. Indentured to a Cyrus Copper of Alexandria, Virginia for a period of four years. About the year 1774 he enlisted as a revolutionary war soldier in an expedition against the Shawnee Indians for a term of two years, but before the expiration of the two years, he re-enlisted in Capt. Andrew Wallace's company of the Eighth Regiment of the Virginia Continental Line. Sometime in the spring or summer of 1777, he was stationed with the garrison at the mouth of the Kanawah.
His company muster rolls show that he was at Valley Forge during April and May of 1778; his company left Valley Forge in June 1778, leaving him behind sick. After his recovery, he rejoined his company at Camp White Plains. Apparently, after serving three years at the Eighth Regiment he served 18 months in another regiment. He took part in 5 major battles - Germantown, Monmouth, Guilford, 'Campdell', where he was wounded, and Stony Point. His wound was in the shoulder or the arm, resulting in permanent loss in the use of that arm, a condition that incapacitated him for the rest of his life, requiring the care of others. He married Margaret Blane , 2-3-1783. He was drawing a pension as an invalid veteran in Botecourt County, Virginia when he moved to Kentucky. At that time he had six children; two or more were born after moving to the Indian Creek area of Clinton County, KY. The proof of his county of origin is in the military records of Virginia. In the year 1802 Lawrence Conner came to Indian Creek.
"Lawrence Conner was born about l753, in Dublin, Ireland. He sailed from that city to America, arriving at Philadelphia in 1773, indentured to a Cyrus Copper of Alexandria, Virginia for a period of four years. About the year 1774 he enlisted as a revolutionary war soldier in an expedition against the Shawnee Indians for a term of two years, but before the expiration of the two years, he re-enlisted in Capt. Andrew Wallace's company of the Eighth Regiment of the Virginia Continental Line. Sometime in the spring or summer of 1777, he was stationed with the garrison at the mouth of the Kanawha.
His company muster rolls show that he was at Valley Forge during April and May of l778; his company left Valley Forge in June 1778, leaving him behind sick. After his recovery he rejoined his company at Camp White Plains. Apparently after serving three years at the Eighth Regiment he served 18 months in another regiment. He took part in 5 major battles - Germantown, Monmouth, Guilford, 'Campdell', where he was wounded, and Stony Point. His wound was in the shoulder or the arm, resulting in permanent loss in the use of that arm, a condition that incapacitated him for the rest of his life, requiring the care of others. He married Margaret Blane, February 3, 1783. He was drawing a pension as an invalid veteran in Botetourt County, Virginia when he moved to Kentucky. At the time he had six children; two or more were born after moving to the Indian Creek area of Clinton Co., Ky. The proof of his country of origin is in the military records of Virginia in the year Lawrence Connor came to Indian Creek.
One of his son's, Cornelius Maguire Conner, later became one of the large landowners of Clinton Co. On July 23, l822 he purchased a large farm on the west fork of Indian Creek at public auction which remained in the lands of the Conner family until near the present day. In the early Cumberland records is an interesting agreement between Lawrence Conner and his son. On September 23, 1825 he deeded the son the 200 acre farm on the middle fork of Indian Creek. In return, the son leased the farm back to his father, the consideration or rental being one ear of corn to be paid annually. The agreement was made in November, 1825 just a short time before the elder Conner's death."
Pension info found at revwarapps.org/s35853.pdf, as followsa;
Pension Application of Lawrence Conner S35853 VA
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris. Revised 22 Feb 2013.
[14 Sep 1818] Lawrence Connar states on oath that in or about the year 1774 he enlisted as a Soldier under Capt. [Matthew] Arbuckle, to go on an expedition against the Shawnee [sic: Shawnee] Indians, for two years, and before said two years had expired he reenlisted as a Soldier under Capt. [Andrew] Wallace, of the 8th Regiment, of the Virginia Continental State line; the aforesaid Regiment was commanded by Colo. Woods [sic: James Wood]. He further states that he served the aforesaid three years under said Colo. Woods in the revolutionary war & at the expiration of said 3 years he was honorably discharged by said Colo. Woods; that he has lost his said discharge, and is unable to find it. He further states that he now
resides in Cumberland County, State of Kentucky, is sixty five years of age, very infirm in body, and from his reduced circumstances in life needs the assistance of his Country for support.
Lawrence Connar
District of Kentucky Cumberland County Sct.
On this 12 day of October 1820 personally appeared before us C. Daugherty W Frogg & L Stockton being three Justices of the peace in & for the county of Cumberland Kentucky (it being the number required by law to hold a Court called the county court of Cumberland County & which said court is a court of Record created by Statute & which said court in its proceedings is governed by the Rules of the common Law) Lawrence Conner, at his own house in the said County, (he being a cripple, weak & emaciated by the wounds received in the Revolutionary War and in consequence of such debility unable to attend at the courthouse in the county of Cumberland where the said court is usually held. Aged 67 years resident in the District and county aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, served under Col. Woods 12 Regt. for three years Capt Andrew Wallace same time Col [Richard] Campbell 2 Regt Capt Jewet [sic: Robert Jouett] 18 months and was in battles as follows. the first in Jarmantown [sic: Germantown, 4 Oct 1777] 2d Monmouth [28 Jun 1778] 3 Gilford [sic: Guilford Court House NC, 15 Mar 1781] 4 Campdell [sic: Battle of Hobkirk Hill near Camden SC, 25 Apr 1781] where I was wounded 5 at Stony Point [16 Jul 1779] And
on the 18th day of March 1818 & that I have not since that time, by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof
with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of the act of Congress entitled ``an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18th day of March 1818. And that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me: Nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed & by me subscribed. Sworn to and declared before us the aforesaid Justices of the peace this 12 day of October 1820 Schedule of the property of Lawrence Conner given in an oath at the same time of the foregoing Certificate & Declaration
ToWit
two hundred acres of land
two horses 9 head of Cattle
30 head of hogs The whole estimated at $200
I Larrence Conner by Occupation am a farmer the names of my Children are as follows 3 daughters one of them is helpless Ester Conner 30 years of age Jinny Conner 16 years old Marget Conner 13 years old Cornelias Conner 18 years old and a farmer all the debts due me is nine dollars of any kind given from under my hand and this 12 day of October 1820 Larrence hisLmark
[The following is among the pension applications in the Library of Virginia:]
I do with the advice of Council hereby Certify That Lawrence Conner aged about [blank] years, late a private in the 8th Virg´a. Regiment, & whose pay was at the rate of £24 pr annum, was wounded in the
service of the United States, and that he is allowed the sum of Six Pounds yearly, to commence from the first day of January 1786.
Given under my hand as Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia at Richmond this 23d day of October 1787 Edm. Randolph T. Meriwether
Please deliver Major Patrick Lockhart a Warrant or Warrants on the Treasurer for any Money due me as a Pensioner for being Wounded in the United States Service
Auditor of Public Accounts/ Richmond
[Documents similar to the above were dated 28 May 1787 and 14 Nov 1789.]
A Court held for Botetourt County the 9th day of December 1788. On the Motion of Lawrence Conner a Pensioner, who, produced a Certificate from under the hand of Doctor [illegible] certifying that he is
disabled by his wound, and also proved by the Oaths of Sundry Wit[nesses] that his wound broke out, and there was a Considerable discharge from the same [illegible word] the last Summer by which he was disabled from working for his family. It is therefore ord[ered] that it be certified to the Executive of this State that it is the opinion of this Court that the said Lawrence Conner´s Pension ought to be raised to twelve pounds.
NOTES:
A document in the file states that Connar died March 17, 1828.´´
The file includes the following letter:
Albany K.y./ July 6th 1841
Sir [James L. Edwards, Pension Commissioner] - At the request of my friend Cornelius M. Conner I will suggest that Lawrence Conner who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and who was a pensioner
invalid in Botetourt County Virginia drew as he stated a pension under the Invalid Law until he left that state and removed to Cumberland County Kentucky during five or six years previous to 1818 which
elapsed after his removed he drew nothing. After which he drew a pension under the act of 1818 until his death in 1826
If there is any thing due his heirs I hope you will give me information thereof
Yours Respectfully/ A. A. Swope
Information found at rondan.blogspot.com/2011/08/family-displaced.html:
The Conner family were early pioneers in Russell and Clinton County, Kentucky. My grandfather, Alonzo Conner and his wife, Millie Ann Guffey-Conner were born and raised in this part of the country where Lake Cumberland is now located. Alonzo came from a long line of property owners here where his great-grandfather, Lawrence Conner, received a land grant for 200 acres. It was in the fertile river valley of the Cumberland River on Indian Creek tributary. The land was handed down from Lawrence to his son, Cornelius Maguire Conner to his son, William Lawrence Conner and finally to Alonzo and siblings.
Alonzo Conner was born March 13, 1885 and wife, Millie Guffey, was born November 1, 1890. They were married November 6, 1907 and had eight children. They began their life along the river in the rich bottom lands farming and raising their family. Their youngest daughter, Mary Anna Grider Conner, was my mother and this is where she was born and raised. By the time all the children were of age and left home Alonzo received a letter in the mail, one that he had been dreading. He had heard that this big government project was coming, but was hoping they wouldn't decide to do it on his ancestral home. The letter read:
War Department, Wolf Creek Dam & Reservoir, December 12, 1947.
Dear Sir: It has been determined that your property located in the 2nd Magisterial district, Russell County will be acquired for the Wolf Creek Dam & Reservoir. It will be acquired prior to 30 April 1948 and negotiations toward purchase will be initiated in the very near future.
By the time all was said and done Alonzo received $850 for 30 acres and a house, and had to be out within four months. If he wanted to keep his home he only had a very short time to tear it down and/or move it somehow to another location. Fortunately his family had more land in which to move to. Some were less fortunate. With time being too short it was decided to build a new home elsewhere. All the memories, the old home place, and the beautiful river valley would soon be lost forever.
It's quite sad when I think about it, I will never be able to see where my mother grew up. Their old home place along with all the others in this community that were left behind were numbered by the government and put on a list. They were torn down and the land was cleared of all the farm fields, woods, and any traces of the community were erased. Fortunately the Conner's have handed down a lot of family photos which is all that is left of their heritage there. Each year the Conner's hold a family reunion on Labor Day weekend in Albany, Kentucky. There is also one held the following weekend for all the residents who formerly lived there, the Indian Creek Reunion, which is held at the park below the Wolf Creek Dam. Many families lost their ancestral homes as well, some being the Stearns, Griders, McWhorters, Tallents, Cooks, and Agees. The burials in the cemeteries in the valley were relocated to higher ground and many you will find now in the Government Cemetery, or sometimes the Hickory Ridge Cemetery. Whenever I drive across the Wolf Creek Dam I look down on the river side and try to see what little is left of the river valley they lived along. Possibly I'll get a glimpse of some memory that was left behind.
Alternate place of death is Clinton county, KY