War of 1812
John Conkin

Introduction

Ann Conkin Persinger Crawford is my great grandmother. (See Persinger/Crawford pension record). I have tried to determine who were her parents.

In the 1850 Sullivan County Census, there are four households of Conkins.

In the book, THE COMPLETE BOOK OF EMIGRANTS IN BONDAGE 1614-1775, written by Peter Wilson Coldham, published by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore 1988, George Conkin is listed as coming to America on the ship Justitia September 1764. He was from Middlesex of England.

In January 1786, the court records in Augusta County, VA noted an orphan son of George Conkin was placed under the guardianship of John Campbell. Possible three of George Conkin’s sons came to Washington and Sullivan County. The three Conkins who are near the same age were George, Moses and John. (Information via e-mail from Paul Conkin).

Moses Conk(in) is listed in Captain Jacob Hartsell’s Company (12 October 1812 to 12 January 1814). On the Sullivan Co., TN 1796 Tax list, George Conkin is listed. John, I suspect, is in Washington County.

According to Paul Conkin, (conkinpd@ctruvax.vanderbilt.edu), John Conkin, born 1776, married, 16 April 1812, Mary "Polly" Jackson as his second wife. From his first marriage, he had John Conkin born 1810. This John married Sarah Watts, (in Washington County marriage records, Sarah Watts married John Konken 12 February 1832). With his second wife, Mary, he had Hagen born 1817 and he married Barbary Molten, 17 August 1837. Also, Paul suggested the elder John (who married Mary Jackson) named his second born son Hagen after "a rather prominent farmer in Washington County, Arthur Hagen" who lived near the elder John. Also, John, Jr (who married Sara Watts) named his oldest son after "a beloved half brother".

To the best of my understanding, this is my lineage:

I. George Conkin born before 1764 died ca 1786

II. John Conkin born 1776 died July 29, 1862. Married first unknown.
A. John Conkin born 1810 married Sarah Watts 12 February 1832.

Married second Mary "Polly" Jackson 16 April 1812
A. Hagen Conkin born 1817 married Barbary Molton.

 

III. Children of John and Sarah
A. Hagans born 1835
B. Mary born 1838
C. Ann born 1840
D. Henry born 1842
E. William born 1845
F. John born June 1850

Children of Hagen Conkin and Barbary Molton
A. Amy born (27 June) 1838
B. Mary (Ellen) born 1840
C. William (Jefferson) born (30 April 1841) 1842
D. John (Wesley) born 1843 (1844)
E. Rachel (C.) born 1845 (1846)
F. George (W.) born 1846 (1847)
G. Andrew (J.) born 1846 (1847)
H. Hannah (E.) born 1848
I. James Poke born 1852
J. Nancy E. born 1852
K. Solomon B. born 1857
L. Noble born 1859
M. Thomas born 1868

 

IV. Ann Conkin (daughter of John and Sarah) born 1840 died ca 1900 married William Persinger July 5, 1860. William died August 13, 1863. In November 1868, Ann married Lewis Crawford.
A. Thanddeaus Preston Persinger born February 1866 died early 1900 married first Molly Dykes, I suspect daughter of Jasper and Mary Phillps Dykes in 1885. On the marriage record, Sallie Dykes was listed as parent
Thaddeaus married second Frances Compton. Thad and Frances did not have children. Children by first wife.
A. Zeke Persinger
B. Dave Persinger
C. James Persinger
D. Charlie Persinger
E. Ernest Persinger
F. Mary Persinger
G. Preston Persinger
H. Neal Persinger

 

V. James Persinger born August 22, 1897 died May 13, 1946 married Dona Simpson born June 6, 1894 died March 27, 1984
G. John Preston Persinger born January 13, 1915 died January 13, 1915
H. Jessie Herman Persinger born August 19, 1917 died 1997
I. James Marian Persinger born June 15, 1921 died August 8, 1997
J. Juanita Mildred Persinger
K. Ernest Clyde Persinger born June 23, 1923 died June 6, 1981
L. Paul Edward Persinger
M. Margaret Nannie Persinger
N. Glen Donald Persinger born August 6, 1936 died May 31, 1979
O. Harold Wayne Persinger born June 26, 1938 died March 3, 1953
P. Harce William Persinger born May 25, 1933 died August 2, 1972
Q. Jack David Persinger

 

VI. Ernest Clyde Persinger married Mary Kate Housewright, daughter of William Robert and Emma Christian Housewright.
A. Gladys Marie Persinger married Kenneth Michael "Johnny" Owens
B. Stella Louise Persinger married Kenneth Elbert Greer
C. James William Persinger

I would like to hear from any of the Conkin/Watts/Persinger/Simpson descendants. There are some missing pieces to this picture and any help in putting it together is appreciated. Please contact me, if you have any suggestions, corrections or information. gladysowens@hotmail.com