Notes

[NI0001] Dennis' last name was sometimes spelled "Connor" but I will use "Conner" thru-out this document for simplicity and clarity.

It is unknown at this writing whether Dennis was born in Botetourt County, VA., or if he migrated to that area from another U. S. area or if he immigrated from overseas.
His parents and siblings are also unknown at this time. Several other Conner families were living in this same area in the same time period and it is possible they were Dennis' brothers or cousins/uncles. They were, (1) Barney, who married Hannah Hurley on Dec. 4, 1781; (2) Lawrence (Laurence), who married Margaret Blane on Feb. 17, 1783 (and who moved his family to Kentucky in the early 1800's); (3) Terrance, who married Anne Boons (Bones?) on Jan. 26, 1786, and (4) Daniel, who married Hannah McDonald on Jan 15, 1786.

We do know that on or about Nov. 11, 1773, Dennis married Sarah Fanning in what was then Botetourt County, VA.

Following is a typed version of their marriage bond:

"Know all men by these presents, that we, Dennis Conner and Nathaniel Evans?, are held and firmly bound unto our Sovereign Lord King George The Third, by the Grace of God, in the sum of fifty pounds, current money of Virginia, for the payment whereof well and truly to be made to our said Lord the King, his heirs and survivors, we bind ourselves, our family, our joint and several heirs, testators and administators, firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated this 11th day of November, 1773.
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be had and solemnized between the above bound Dennis Conner and Sarah Fanning, both of this parish.
If therefore there be no lawful cause to obstruct said marriage, then the above obligation to be void."

Sealed and delivered Dennis (x his mark) Conner
in presence of: Nathaniel (x his mark) Evans?
D. May

The above was transcribed from a certified copy obtained from the Botetourt County, VA Courthouse, Fincastle, VA.

Some land transactions by Dennis Conner:

In 1786, Dennis bought 35 acres of land in the Kerrs Creek area of Rockbridge County, VA. In 1792, he bought another 150 acres, also in the Kerrs Creek area.
During 1799, he sold 124 acres to an unknown purchaser and in 1818 he gave 150 acres to his grandson, Dennis Gaylor. In 1819, he sold 271 acres to one John Gaylor.
It is obvious from the foregoing that my records of Dennis' purchases and sales of land are incomplete, as it appears he sold or gave away more land than he purchased.

Source: Land Records in the Rockbridge County, VA. Courthouse, Lexington, VA.

[NI0002]

Possible ancestors of Sarah Fanning: (but NOT proven yet!)

Bryan F. Fanning Sr., b. 1698, died Jan 1765
....+Elizabeth Echols 1718, Wythe Co. Va.
........1) David Fanning 1720-1754
............1) David Fanning Jr. 1754-3/16/1825
................+Sarah Carr
............2) Sarah Fanning
................+Dennis Alexander Conner, Sr.

[NI0003] Patrick Conner was born circa 1776 in Rockbridge/Botetourt County, VA, the son of Dennis and Sarah (Fanning) Conner. On or about July 26, 1796, he married Sarah (Sally) Clark, daughter of John Clark, Sr.

The following is a typed version of Patrick's and Sarah's marriage bond:

"Know all men by these presents, that we, Patrick Conner, Dennis Conner, and Robert Clark, are held and firmly bound to Robert Brook, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, or to his successors, in the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, to which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents, witness our hands and seals this 23rd day of July, 1796.
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be solemnized between Patrick Conner and Sarah Clark, daughter of John Clark of Rockbridge.
If therefore there shall be no lawful cause to obstruct the same then this obligation to be void or else to remain in force."
Patrick (x his mark) Conner
Dennis (x his mark) Conner
Robert (x his mark) Clark

This certification was attached to the above:

"This is to certify to the Clerk of this County that I, John Clark of Rockbridge County, give full consent to Patrick Conner to obtain license to joyn(sic) in wedlock with my daughter, Sarah, given under my hand this 21st day of July, 1796."
John (x his mark) Clark
Witnesses present:
David Entsminger
Robert Clark

The above transcribed from a certified copy obtained from the Rockbridge County Courthouse, Lexington, VA.

In 1809, Patrick bought 142.5 acres of land from Samuel Clark in the Kerrs Creek area of Rockbridge County, VA. In 1820, he sold 141.5 acres to Robert Davidson.

Source of the above: Land Records in the Rockbridge County Courthouse, Lexington, VA.

[NI0007] Not much is known about John C. Conner, Sr. as of this writing, not even what the "C" in his middle name stands for. The historical data seems to indicate that he was born circa 1797, but the exact date and location is unknown. At the present time, we believe he died circa 1855 in Rockbridge County, VA.

We do know he was married twice. On February 12, 1829, he married Jane Tresham, daughter of Robert Tresham. Jane died prior to Oct 1837. On October 10, 1837, John married Margaret Muterspaw, daughter of George Muterspaw and Christiana Agnor.
The minister who performed both marriges was Presbyterian Andrew B. Davidson. This information was taken from the book "Rockbridge County Marriages, 1778-1850" authored by Dorothy and Edwin C. Kirkpatrick, 1985, published by the Iberian Press, Athens, Ga.

His marriage to Jane Tresham produced two sons, James Allen Conner, (my great-grandfather), and John C. Conner, Jr.

The mother of his other eight (8) children was Margaret Muterspaw.

As of this writing, we do not know where John C. Sr. is buried but we assume he is buried somewhere within Rockbridge County, Va. In the New Monmouth Prebyterian Church records, there are references to unmarked graves for a John Conner, Mrs. John Conner, and John Conner's mother, according to Angela M. Ruley's book "Rockbridge County Cemeteries - Kerrs Creek District" published 1989. This may be our John C. Conner but it remains to be proven.

"Old Monmouth Presbyterian Church Cemetery

Located off Rt. 60 at Whistle Creek.
Begun 1741, Organized 1746. The location at that time was on the North branch of the James River (now Maury) in the area known as the Fork of the James. The original structure was a Pole building erected c1748 on Woods Creek. This was replaced by a building of hewn timber on Whistle Creek in 1767 and was then called "Hall's
Meeting House".
In 1789, a stone building was erected and the name changed to Monmouth. A Sunday school was operated thru 1881 and this location also served as a school for black children until the 1890's.
Burials were discontinued about 1885.

Conner, Mrs. John (um)
Conner, John (um)
Conner, John's mother (um)"

[NI0009] James Allen Conner was born March 26, 1833 near Rockbridge Baths, Rockbridge County, Virginia. His father was John C. Conner, Sr. and his mother was Jane "Jennie" (Tresham) Conner, daughter of Robert Tresham.

Not much is known about James' early years. However, it is known that on February 23, 1854 he married Sarah E. Rhea, daughter of George and Mary Rhea. The minister performing the ceremony was William W. Trimble. James' occupation was listed at that time as a "farmer". Sarah's age was listed as 16, making her birth year 1838.
They had one known child, JOHN WILLIAM, born September 7, 1855. Sarah died on April 16 1857 at age 19 in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Her mother, Mary, died just 7 months later, on October 18, 1857.

On April 29, 1861 James Allen enlisted in the Confederate Army, serving in the 1st Rockbridge Artillery. A brief summary of his Civil War record (from Robert J. Driver, Jr.'s book "The 1st and 2nd Rockbridge Artillery") follows:

"Conner, James A.: Pvt B. Rockbridge Co. 1833? Wagonmaker, age 30, 4th Dist., 1860 census. Enl. Lexington 4/29/61, age 27, Wagoner. Present 4/29-10/31/61 and 1-2/5/62. Ab. on leave for 36 days 2/7/62. Present 3/62 until WIA (shrapnel wound right arm) Sharpsburg 9/1/62. Ab. wounded through 12/62. Present 1/63 until WIA (thigh) Gettysburg 7/3/63. Capt. Waterloo, Pa. 7/5/63. Sent to Pt. Lookout. Took oath and joined Co. E, 1st U.S. Inf. 2/21/64. Served in Northwest against the Indians for 9 months. Farmhand, age 37, Kerr's Creek Dist., 1870 census. D. near Rockbridge baths 1/21/03 age 70. Bur. Bethsda Pres. Ch. Cem."
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Point Lookout Prison

Point Lookout Md, was the largest and one of the worst prisoner-of-war camps. It was established August 1, 1863, on the barren peninusla where the Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The prison consisted of "two enclosures of flat sand, one about thirty and the other about ten acres, each surrounded by a fence fifteen feet high, all utterly barren of tree or shrub."

All inmates were enlisted men, and they lived in overcrowded tents, with no barracks to protect them from heat and coastal storms. Water was scarce and polluted and there was never enough food or firewood; both were
strictly rationed. "I never saw anyone get enough of anything to eat at Point Lookout, "recalled one prisoner, "except the soup, and even a teaspoonful of that was too much for ordinary digestion." Rats were a major
source of protein for some inmates, and catching them became a favorite sport in the camp.

A prisoner recorded that the camp was "but a few inches above ordinary high tide, and was visited in the winter by blasts whose severity caused death...the case of the prisoners was pitable indeed. The supply of wood
issued to them during the winter was not was not enough to keep up the most moderate fires for two hours out of the twenty-four and the only possible way of avoiding freezing was by unremitting devotion to the blankets. This, however, became impossible when everything was afloat."

There was much animosity between the prisoners and the guards, who were mostly black troops. One Rebel had managed to purchase his freedom from the prison reported that "Murder was not only [not] scrupled at but
opportunities sought for its commission by the guards, who are known to have been offered by the officer of the day as much as $10 and $15 apiece for every prisoner they could shoot in the discharge of their duty."

Designed for 10,000 prisoners, Point Lookout at times, held twice that number.
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While serving in the Northwest, according to another source, James Allen was injured in the spine by a tree felled by a fellow soldier.

The Rockbridge Artillery was one of the most elite companies formed in Virginia, at the beginning of the Civil War. Many of their original compatriots came from Rockbridge County, in the upper end of the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.

Four six-pounder, smoothbore cannon had been given to the VMI campus by President Zachary Taylor in 1850. These weapons became their prize artillery pieces and were christened Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John by the Episcopal rector, Colonel William N. Pendleton and the seminary students.

The "Rockbridge Artillery" was attached to the brigade in the valley that was commanded by General Thomas J. Jackson's famous 1862 spring Shenandoah Valley Campaign.

After being discharged from the U.S. Army, he returned to Rockbridge County, Va. On September 23, 1866 he married Susan Johnson, the ceremony being performed by William A. McDonald. This marriage is recorded in the official marriage records at Rockbridge County Courthouse, Lexington, Va., Book 1A, Page 136. Susan was born June 18, 1848. As of this writing Susan's parents and siblings have not been identified.

James did not own any land but in June, 1902, his wife Susan purchased two tracts of land from Howard M. Harrison. One tract consisted of 23 and 1/4 acres, the other contained 3 and 1/4 acres. The total price paid for both tracts was $600. This land transaction is recorded in Deed Book 92, Page 302, Rockbridge County Courthouse, Lexington, Va.

James Allen died January 21, 1903 and is buried in the Bethesda Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Plot 53, Rockbridge Baths, Va. Susan died January 11, 1919 and is also buried in the Bethesda Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Plot 53.

James Allen's tombstone inscription reads:

CONNER, Jas. A. 26 Mar 1833-21 Jan 1903; Fedl. Soldier Co E 1st US Inf; Wounded at Sharpsburg, & Gettysburg.

[NI0011] I believe the following Civil War record is for John C. Conner, Jr. (from Robert J. Driver, Jr.'s book "The 1st and 2nd Rockbridge Artillery":

"Conner, John C., b. 1835, Pvt b. Lexington Co 1836? Enl Lexington 4/29/61, Wagoner. Present 4/29-10/31/61 and
1/2/7/62. ab on leave for 36 days 2/8/62. Present 3/62-12/31/64. Surrendered Appox. 4/9/65. Hotel employee, age 32, Kerr's Creek Dist., 1870 census. Wagonmaker, Buffalo Forge, 1880-87. D. Greenville 7/15/09. Bur. Greenville Meth. Ch. Cem."

however, I don't know what the "b. Lexington Co 1836?" means. It is my belief that John C. Conner, Jr. was born near Rockbridge Baths, Rockbridge County, VA in the year 1835.

[NI0018] Sarah M. Conner is buried in the New Monmouth Presbyterian Church cemetery in Rockbridge County, VA. Her stone was erected by Florence Conner Johnson.

[NI0022] FitzAllen Y. was killed in action on June 6, 1862 at Harrisonburg, VA during the Civil War. He was a Pvt. in Company G, 58th VA Infantry. He is buried in the New Monmouth Presbyterian Church cemetery in Rockbridge County, VA.

[NI0024] Thomas Conner, born circa 1783 in Rockbridge County, VA., married his first wife, Elizabeth Standoff, daughter of John Standoff, on or about Dec. 22, 1803. The following is a typed version of their marriage bond:

"Know all men by these presents that we, Thomas Conner, Dennes Connor, and John Standoff, of Rockbridge, are held and firmly bound to John Poage, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, or his successors, in the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, to which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Witness our hands and seals this 20th day of December, 1803.
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas a marriage is shortly intended to be solemnized between the above bound Thomas Conner and Elizabeth Standoff, daughter of said John Standoff.
If therefore there shall be no lawful cause to obstruct the same then this obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force."
Thomas (x his mark) Conner
Dennes (x his mark) Connor
John (x his mark) Standoff

Transcribed from a certified copy obtained from the Rockbridge County Courthouse, Lexington, VA.

In 1809, Thomas Conner bought 116 acres of land from Samuel Clarke, in the Kerrs Creek area of Rockbridge County, VA. In 1817, he sold 116 acres to Andrew Davidson. In 1822, he and Elizabeth Barnett, his second wife, whom he married on September 29, 1813, inherited land in Augusta County, VA., from her father, John Barnett.

Source: Land Records in the Rockbridge County Courthouse, Lexington, VA.

[NI0025] As of this writing, it is believed that Dennis, Jr.'s middle name was "Alexander", but this is unproven. It appears that Dennis Alexander, Jr. was also married earlier, to Mary Beers, on May 10, 1808. Their marriage bond, dated May 4, 1808, was signed by John Gaylor and John Clark. It is unknown at this time what happened to Mary (Beers) Conner. She must have died sometime after 1808 and before 1819, when Dennis, Jr., married Mary Armentrout (sometimes spelled Armintrout).