Congrove Family

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Congrove Family

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William Congrove, Sr., born 1753 in Prince William County, Virginia, is one of the earliest ancestors of many Congrove descendants found in Virginia, West Virginia, and southern Ohio.  Prince William County, Virginia was divided on May 1, 1759 to create Fauquier County, which is cited in records below. 

Per Ancestry.com, the CONGROVE name is probably an altered form of the English habitional name CONGREVE (or variants CONGREAVE and CONGRAVE) and came from CONGREVE in Staffordshire, England or CONGREAVE in Deberyshire, England. CONGREAVE is also an Old English word meaning "a road cut through the forest".
 

William Congrove Sr. is listed in the 1810 U.S. Census as living in New Point, Wood County, (W)VA.  Per William's Pension Application Hearing in 1833, he had moved to Wood County, (W)Virginia about that time.  He is found living in Ohio in 1820 and 1830.  William Sr. does not show up in the 1840 census. It is presumed that William died about 1836.

There is mention of 2 others named CONGROVE that may have a connection to William Congrove, Sr. in this time period, but no concrete direct relation is known between them.

  • A Moses Congrove was paying taxes as early as 1747 in this area of Virginia and was listed in several court cases from 1737, 1770, 1771, 1786, 1788, and 1790. William Congrove is also listed with Moses in court cases dealing with debts owed.

  • A James Congrove is mentioned as the 2nd husband of Mary Pottenger Smith, the daughter of Robert Pottenger & Anne Evans, and the widow of Archibald Smith.

    • Per the August 28, 1766 Prince George's County, Maryland Administration Accounts, Zach Lyles, the administrator of Archibald Smith (Mary Pottenger's 1st husband), stated:  "Mary, widow of said Archibald, has since married James Congrove".

    • Per the will of Robert Pottenger, Mary Pottenger's father, (Prince George's County, Maryland, dated 20 Mar 1735, proved 5 Jun 1738):

      • Item. I give unto my daughter, Mary Pottenger, two hundred acres of land called Green's Delight near the eastern branch to her and her heirs forever.

      • Item. I give unto my daughter, Mary Pottenger, an equal part of whats before left amongst my four daughters as above and on the same conditions these interlinings made the 22nd day of April 1738 in the sight of me.

    • Per the will of Ann Pottenger, Mary Pottinger's mother, (Prince George's County, Maryland, dated 15 May, 1767, proved 3 Feb 1768):

      • Ann Pottenger is listed as a widow

      • Children Listed: Elizabeth Camphin, Anne Beall wife of James Beall, Rachel Magruder wife of Zadock Magruder, Eleanor MacGill wife of Thomas McGill, and Mary Congrove. 


Based on fragmented documentation, it is believed that William Congrove, Sr. and his wife, Elizabeth, had at least 8 children.  Probable children of are:

  • John -----------born between 1770-1774

    • an "older" brother to William Congrove Jr. is mentioned in the 1833 American Revolution Pension Statements for William Congrove Sr.

    • the tithe records of Congroves in Fauquier Co. VA show William Congrove Sr. paid tithe taxes for John Congroves in 1791 and 1792

    • married Tasie Goar on 16 Feb 1796 in Frederick County, Virginia (just north of Fauquirer County), per marriage record

  • Elizabeth-----born about 1770-1785

    • possibly married Bartley Burroughs on 3 Jan 1803 in Fauquier County, Virginia 

  • William, Jr.---born about 1775 - died after 1850

    • married Elizabeth

    • tithe records of Congroves in Fauquier Co. VA show William Congrove Sr. paid tithe taxes for William Congroves Jr. in 1799

    • lived in Jackson County, (W)Virginia in 1840 and 1850

  • James---------born about 1775-1777

    • tithe records of Congroves in Fauquier Co. VA show William Congrove Sr. paid tithe taxes for James Congrove in 1793

    • the 1800 U.S. Census shows a James Congrove living in Philadelphia Cedar Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with 5 people living in the household

    • the 1820 U.S. Census shows a James Congrove living in Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania with 9 people living in the household

  • Lucinda "Lucy"---------born about 1783 - died 3 Nov 1870

    • married Abraham Hickman on 23 Jul 1807 in Harrison County, (W)Virginia per marriage record

    • marriage record shows her father to be William Congrove

  • Sussanna "Susan"-----born about 1785 - died 26 Jun 1855

    • married John Sheets on 9 Apr 1806 in Harrison County, (W)Virginia per marriage records

    • death record shows her father as William Congrove and mother as Eliz. Congrove

  • Elijah----------born about 1787 - died 1 Jan 1846

    • lived in Harrison County (W)Virginia in 1810 and 1820

    • married Mary Hardman on 22 Jul 1807 in Harrison County (W)Virginia per his marriage record

    • married Elizabeth Taylor on 2 Feb 1838 in Meigs County, Ohio per his marriage record

  • Nancy---------born 13 May 1796 - died 29 Jun 1823

  • married Isaac Larrick on 21 Apr 1816 in Ross County, Ohio per her marriage record
  • buried in Old Lutheren Cemetery, Adelphi, Ross County, Ohio
William Congrove, Sr. applied for a pension for the Revolutionary War. As can be seen in the document, William was residing in Wood County (W)Virginia in the early 1830s and had drawn a pension.

Click on the document picture to see the whole document and a transcribed copy.		  

The working theory is that Elijah Congrove (1787-1846) had at least 8 children, 5 boys and 3 girls. This is based on the combination of the 1810, 1820, 1830 and 1840 census records.

Not all the names are known, however, the theory indicates that Thomas, Henry, George Washington, Benjamin and Harrison are the sons and Margaret and Elizabeth are two of the daughters. A marriage record for Henry states his father is Elijah. The connection between the rest of the children and Elijah is by deduction from several records. (See doumentation time line below).

  • Thomas Congrove (Abt 1808-1859) - assumed son of Elijah

    • marriage bond signed in Harrision County, (W)VA on 3 Jan 1829 included Elijah Congrove and John Collins

    • married Sarah Collins in Harrison County, (W)VA on 9 Jan 1829

    • lived in Olive Township, Meigs County, Ohio in 1840 and 1850

     

  • Henry Congrove (Abt 1810-Bef 1900) - assumed son of Elijah

    • born in (W)Virginia per census documents

    • married Mary Miers in Harrison County, (W)VA on 20 Aug 1827 & listed Elijah Congrove as his father on the marriage record

    • married Rebecca Taylor in Meigs County, Ohio on 8 May 1840 per marriage record

    • lived in Wood County, West Virginia in 1850, 1860, 1870, & 1880

  • George Washington Congrove (1813-1893) - assumed son of Elijah

    • born in Clarksburg, Harrison County, (W)VA per his death certificate, the same county as Elijah Congrove lived when George W. was born

    • married Julia Coleman on 15 Jul 1841 in Meigs County, Ohio per marriage record, the same county as Elijah Congrove was remarried in 1838

    • lived in Olive Township, Meigs County, Ohio in 1840, 1850, 1660, 1870 & 1880. Elijah Congrove also lived in Meigs County in 1840

  • Margaret Congrove (1814-1904) - assumed daughter of Elijah

    • in 1820, Elijah Congrove is living in Harrison County (W)VA and listed as having 1 female under 10 years old (1811-1820) living in the household - Margaret would have been 6 years old
    • married William Chaney 5 Feb 1835 in Meigs County, Ohio
    • birth place for Margaret listed as "Virginia" in 1850
    • lived in Olive Township, Meigs County in 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 and 1900

  • Benjamin Congrove (1819-1886) - assumed son of Elijah

    • born in Clarksburg, Harrison County, (W)VA per death record, the same county as Elijah Congrove lived when Benjamin was born

    • married Mary Roller on 28 Apr 1847 in Meigs County, Ohio

    • lived in Meigs County in 1850, 1870 and 1880 

  • Elizabeth Congrove (1822-After 1870) - assumed daughter of Elijah

    • in 1830, Elijah Congrove is living in Wood County, (W)VA and listed as having 1 female between the ages of 5 through 9 (1821-1830) living in the household - Elizabeth would have been 8 years old

    • married David Thomas on 4 Feb 1836 in Meigs County, Ohio

  • Harrison Congrove (1831-1895) - assumed son of Elijah

    • born in Belleville, Wood County, (W)VA per death record - the same county as Elijah Congrove lived when Harrison was born per the 1830 Census

    • married Debrorah Roller

    • lived in Meigs County, Ohio in 1860, 1870 and 1880

Below is documentation time line for Elijah Congrove from Harrison County to Wood County (W)VA to Meigs County, Ohio to show the relationship between Elijah Congrove and his assumed children.

 

Many of the Congrove families migrated to Ohio in the mid 1800's. Below in a map to show that migration.

Map Courtesy of Digital-Topo-Maps.com

George Washington Congrove (1813-1893) married Julia Coleman on 15 July 1841 in Meigs County, Ohio. George and Julia are known to have 10 children:


There is another George Washington Congrove born in 1825 and married Deborah Taggert.  They lived in Jackson County West, Virginia in 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880.  Jackson County borders Wood County, WV and Meigs County, Ohio.  It is assumed that he is the son on William Congrove, Jr. (b1775).  This connection is by deduction and not by actual documentation.

There are two THOMAS CONGROVEs born in 1808. One is the son of Elijah Congrove (cited above). The relationship and parentage of the other Thomas Congrove is not known. The second Thomas Congrove has many descendants.  He was born in Meigs County, Ohio and lived in Meigs County, Ohio. See below for more information.

  • Thomas Congrove----------(1808-1872)

    • born about 1808 in Ohio (per U.S. Census)

    • married Mary Elizabeth Coleman on 8 Jul 1833 in Meigs County, Ohio

    • lived in Olive Township, Meigs County, Ohio in 1850

    • lived in Salt Creek Township, Hocking County, Ohio in 1860

    • served in Civil War with Co. B 63rd OVI from 27 September 1861 to 19 August 1862

    • lived in Colerain Township, Meigs County, Ohio in 1870

    • died 24 Oct 1872 and buried in Meigs County, Ohio

There is a William R. Congrove (1800-1845) that lived in Bullitt County, Kentucky. His parentage is not known and cannot be connected to the William Congrove Sr. (b1753). He married Elizabeth Irons, the daughter of Jonathan Irons and Agnes Critchlow of Bullitt County, Kentucky.

FAMILY INFORMATION

Click on the following links to view information on the descendants of the William Congrove, Sr. family. The PDF reports are generated by the Legacy Genealogy program. (Reports with documentation also available)

Congrove Family Descendant Book (1753 - Present) - a privatized (dates & places of living people omitted) 10 Generation Descendant Book (PDF), starting with William Congrove, Sr. - 247 pages plus index.

Descendants of George Washington Congrove (1813 - Present) - a privatized (dates & places of living people omitted) 7 Generation Descendant Book (PDF), starting with George Washington Congrove (1813-1893) - Grandson of William Congrove Sr., Son of Elijah Congrove - 57 pages plus index.  (Included in Congrove Family Descendant Book)

Descendants of George Washington Congrove (1825 - Present) - a privatized (dates & places of living people omitted) 6 Generation Descendant Book (PDF), starting with George Washington Congrove (1825-Aft 1900) - Grandson of William Congrove Sr., Son of William Congrove, Jr. - 19 pages plus index. (Included in the Congrove Family Descendant Book)

Descendants of Thomas Congrove (1808 - Present)  (Son of Elijah) - a privatized (dates & places of living people omitted) 6 Generation Descendant Book (PDF), starting with Thomas Congrove (1808-1859) - 34 pages plus index. (Included in Congrove Family Descendant Book)

Descendants of Thomas Congrove (1808 - Present)  (Parentage Unknown) - a privatized (dates & places of living people omitted) 8 Generation Descendant Book (PDF), starting with Thomas Congrove (1808-1872) - 17 pages plus index. (Not included in the Congrove Family Descendant Book)

Descendants of William R. Congrove (1800 - Present)  (Parentage Unknown) - a privatized (dates & places of living people omitted) 4 Generation Descendant Book (PDF), starting with William R. Congrove (1800-1845) - 3 pages plus index. (Not included in the Congrove Family Descendant Book)


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Last modified: October 21, 2022