Dennis CONNER

of Mercer Co, Illinois

DENNIS CONNER was born on 9 Dec 1783 in Virginia and died on 9 Feb 1854 in Mercer Co, Illinois, at age 70. He was buried in Candor-Pope Creek Cemetery in Mercer Co, Illinois. Dennis married MARY aka 'Polly' BEERS, daughter of William and Mary (DOUGLAS) BEERS on 10 May 1808 in Rockbridge Co, Virginia. Mary was born 20 Aug 1787 in Virginia/Pennsylvania and died 8 Jan 1852, at age 64, and was buried beside her husband in Candor-Pope Creek Cemetery, Mercer Co, Illinois.

Some researchers have stated that the Dennis who married Mary BEERS in 1808, remarried to a Mary ARMINTROUT in 1818. Based on the information found in Mercer Co, Illinois, this cannot be correct. The Rockbridge Co tax records for years 1782 through 1836 indicate there were at least 3 Dennis's, beginning with Dennis Sr who was married to Sarah FANNING. Dennis who married Mary BEERS was probably the Dennis who first appeared on the tax rolls in 1806, and assuming him to be at least age 21 at that time, he would have been born before 1785. In 1822, another Dennis appeared on the tax rolls of Rockbridge Co with a notation next to his name that he was “P. son”. Since the same notation is shown next to John Conner’s name and in previous years the “P” is more clearly noted at “Patrick’s son” and “Patk’s son”, it is evident that the Dennis appearing in 1822 and probably born before 1801 (based on the age of 21 when first appearing on the tax rolls) is Patrick’s son. It is this last and third Dennis, the son of Patrick, who married  Mary ARMINTROUT.

In looking at the census records of 1830, 1840 and 1850, it is evident that the Dennis who married Mary BEERS, left Rockbridge Co. and moved first to Washington Co, Pennsylvania where their ninth child was born, and then a few years later to Mercer Co, Illinois.

Dennis and Mary had the following children:

1.    Beers CONNER born 2 Mar 1809 in Virginia, and died 7 Nov 1851 in Mercer Co, Illinois and was buried in Candor-Pope Creek Cemetery, Mercer Co, Illinois. Beers died unmarried as is shown in Mercer Co, IL Probate File #58 for Beers Conner which states that Beers died Nov 7, 1851 leaving no widow, but leaving parents, brothers and sisters. Only his parents - father Dennis Conner- and a brother Wm. B. Conner were left his property. Thos. Cabeen and John H. Caldwell are witnesses. John Caldwell was Beers’ brother-in-law, married to Sarah Ann Conner. The estate file has an additional document which reads: "I, the father of Beers Conner late of said county, deceased do hereby relinquish my right to administer on Said estate in favor of William B. Conner. This 17th day of December A D 1851. /s/ Dennis Conner"

2.   Female born about 1810. This child either died or married in Washington Co, Pennsylvania and remained there when her family moved to Illinois. No marriage record or other information can be located to determine what became of this child who appears in the 1820 and 1830 censuses.

3.  Thomas C. CONNER born 12 Dec 1813 in Virginia and died 6 Jan 1859 and was buried next to his parents in Candor-Pope Creek Cemetery, Mercer Co, Illinois. He married Abigail F. BURNETT, daughter of Andrew and Mehitable BURNETT on 2 July 1846 in Mercer Co, Illinois. Their children were Mary M. born 1845 and died 1849, Edwin born 1849, and Florence Frances born 9 November 1851 in Mercer Co and died 27 Apr 1884 in Adams Co, Iowa; Ellis born about 1855 and died before 1865; and Ira born about 1857 and died before 1865. Abigail was born about 1827 in New York and died 1 Oct 1861 and is buried in Candor-Pope Creek Cemetery beside her husband.

4.  Benjamin Franklin CONNER born 17 Nov 1814 in Rockbridge Co, Virginia and died 1857 in Lee Co, Virginia. He married Martha Margaret HOLMES 7 Aug 1836 in Washington Co, Pennsylvania, daughter of William HOLMES and Elizabeth McNIELAGE. Their children were William born 1838, Franklin born 1842, Elizabeth born 1844, Mary D born 1846 and Martha born 1848.

5.  Sarah Ann CONNER born about 1817 in Virginia and married John W. CALDWELL 24 Mar 1836 in Warren Co, Illinois. Their only child, John Franklin, was born 1836. They remained in Monmouth and are found in the 1860 and 1870 census records there. John W. CALDWELL died in Monmouth on 22 Apr 1892 and his obituary mentions only his son, so it is assumed Sarah had preceded him in death. He is buried in Monmouth Cemetery in Monmouth, Illinois.

 6.     William B. CONNER born about 1820 in Virginia. William is named Beers' brother in Beers’ estate records. William married Mary Ann HOME of Hancock Co, Illinois on 12 Sep 1852 in Warsaw. He is enumerated in the 1860 census in Keithsburg Twp, Mercer Co, but his wife’s name is given as Amanda which is a puzzle not yet solved. Children born to this marriage were Thom M., born Jul 6, 1857 and died Oct 7, 1857 and Mary A. born Jul 6, 1857 and died Oct 7, 1857. Both are shown as children of W. B. and M. A. in the Candor-Pope Creek Cemetery records.

 7. Mary Douglas CONNER born about 1823 in Virginia and married Samuel BROWNLEE 9 Nov 1843 in Warren Co, Illinois. Their children were Mary I. born 1845, Augustus F. born 1847, Jefferson/Jackson born 1849 and lived in Nemaha, Kansas, Adeline Coloma born 1851, Marshall N. born 1857, Elzy Carson born 1857, Anna I. or Jennie born 1859 and George born 1863. The Brownlee family was living with Beers and Adeline Conner in Twp 13, Mercer Co in the 1850 census but were living in Senora Twp, then Carthage in Hancock Co when the 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900 and 1910 censuses were taken. It is believed both Mary and her husband Samuel died and are buried in Carthage.

 8.  Adeline CONNER born 15 Sep 1827 in Rockbridge Co, Virginia, and died 20 Apr 1917 in Hutchinson, Reno Co, Kansas. Adeline married William Mason GLOVER 10 Feb 1853 in Monmouth, Warren Co, Illinois, son of Silas Glover and Mary Robertson. William was born 14 Nov 1828 in Generostee, Abbeville Co, South Carolina and died 16 May 1903 in Hutchinson, Reno Co, Kansas. Their children were Sarah Ann born 20 Jul 1861, Emma Agnes born 12 Feb 1865, Elizabeth Alice born 23 Aug 1866, John Franklin born 3 Oct 1867 and Clara born 1885.

Adeline was living with Beers Conner in the 1850 census, and since Beers’ estate records state he died leaving no widow, it is presumed Adeline and Beers were brother and sister. Her birth year fits into the list of females living in the Dennis Conner household in both the 1830 and 1840 censuses. Her death certificate gives no good information regarding the names of her parents as it indicates “unknown” for her father’s name, and gives her mother’s name as “Adaline Conner.” The Civil War Pension Certificate 796935 filed by her husband states her maiden name was Conner.

 In addition, Past and present of Warren County, Illinois by H.F. Kett & Co. Publishers, 1877 -- Sumner Township, lists: “Glover, M. M. Farmer; Sec 22; P.O. Little York; born in Abbeyville Dist. S.C., Nov 14, 1828; came to this Co. in 1846; Rep; U.P.; 80 acres; value $3,000; married Miss Adaline Conner, Feb. 10, 1853, who was born in Rockbridge Co., Va, Sept 15, 1827.”

 9.  Eliza CONNER born 27 Jul 1830 in Washington Co, Pennsylvania and married Joseph DALZELL (sometimes shown as Delzell) 21 Sep 1848 in Warren Co, Illinois. Their children were Mary Alice born 1848, William Glover born 1853, John Franklin born 1855, Charles Alvah born 1859, Clara A. born 1863, and Thomas Conner born 1867. Her obituary stated she died 18 Jun 1899 and was buried in the Monmouth Cemetery in Monmouth, Illinois. It further states that her "maiden name was Eliza Connor. She was born July 27, 1830, in Washington County, Pa. When five years old she came west with her parents, making the entire trip in a wagon, as railroads were then unknown in this part of the country. They settled in the northwest corner of the county, and Warren county has been her home ever since. At the time of her death she was one of the oldest settlers in the county. She was the youngest of a family of nine children. W. B. Connor, who lives in this city..." being her brother.