Cunningham Family

A-1 Matthew Cunningham, born ca 1730, died before 1803, married Mary , died before 1805.

Mathew Cunningham, of the township of Hanover in Dauphin, purchased 300 acres of land Northwest of the River Allegheny from James Cunningham a deputy surveyor of the Borough of Lancaster and Jennet his wife, (doubtful a relation). The land had been sold at public auction to the highest bidder, Mathew McConnell , who released the same to James Cunningham, who sold same to Matthew Cunningham for 100 pounds 12-28-1786. Recorded Westmorland Co, PA

Matthew Cunningham does not show owning land in Dauphin Co, but it was formed 1785 from Lancaster. He was in the Dauphin Co 2^nd Militia 1786, under Capt John Barnet & Col Robert Clark. P383 of Dauphin Co Military Rolls 1784-178

There is a Matthew Cunningham in Capt Andrew Irvine’s Co 1777, p 626 under Continental Line. Matthew Cunningham, a soldier of the late army of the United States, who for those services received 10-25-1786 a warrant of 200 acres in Westmorland Co. He sold this same land the next day, 10-26-1786, to Manuel Antonio for 6 pounds. Antonio sold the land 10-28-1786 for 100 pounds. This land was in Depreciation Lands Dist #2, which is in what is now Beaver Co. (Two months later, 12-28-1786, Mathew bought 300 acres in Butler Co from James Cunningham, for 200 pounds.)

Matthew Cunningham shows 1800 census Middle Essex Twp, Butler Co, PA: The “History of Butler County ,” 1895, has the following for Penn Twp, page 454 “Matthew Cunningham was one of the first settlers in the eastern part of the township. He came prior to 1805, took up 300 acres of land, and passed through the usual hardships and privations of pioneer life. At his death his land was divided equally among his six children."

Mary Cunningham paid tax on the 300 acres in 1803, no horses, one cow. Land value was $408.

The recordings of Sheriff's sales and all circuit court records have not been kept. Likewise, marriages, deaths and other vital statistics have not been preserved. Some deeds exist which prove known chi were:
(1) George (2) Sarah (Martin) (3) Mary (Johnston) (4) Jane (Negley), but no conveyance to (5) Mathew or (6) John has been seen. Since George's dau received 1/6th of the estate of Mathew, Sr, indications are that there were just the six chi.

The James Cunningham, who sold Matthew his land, was a deputy surveyor, who surveyed Depreciation Lands Dist 4 - part of Butler Co. His will recorded Book A/175 list sons John, Samuel, David C. (probably Cochran) and Robert. This Robert was a doctor in Lancaster Co, David C. an attorney in Lancaster Co, Samuel, Esq., Butler County Recorder, and John d 1805 Co. Samuel and his bros sold many pieces of property. A judgment is filed against David C.; Robert is also named.

Deed Book A, 83-84, shows William Martin and Sarah his wife sold for $100 by James Cunningham our interest in Matthew Cunningham's property in Middlesex Twp. Date is 1-15-1805.

Deed Book A, p 187, 1805, Andrew Speers and Nancy , wife, of North Huntington Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA sell to Hamilton Cunningham of Butler Co interest in estate of Mathew Cunningham, dec’d in Butler Twp, She child of Isabella Cunningham (now wife of Andrew Speers), who was wife of George Cunningham, dec'd.

    Deed Book B, p 143, 1807: We, Brice Ragan and Jane Ragan, wife, sell for $160. to John Neigley her interest in lot #289, which descended to us by decree of Matthew Cunningham, father of the said Jane Cunningham.

Deed Book B, p 144, 1809: I, John Neigley, for $160 sell to Hamilton Cunningham my claim, etc., in the written deed.

B-1 Sarah Cunningham, b ca 1780, m William Martin, went to Cincinnati area of Ohio
B-2 George Cunningham, b ca 1780, m Nancy, she m 2^nd Andrew Speers
   C-1 Isabell Cunningham
   C-2 John Speers
   C-3 Jane Speers
   C-4 Mary Speers
B-3 Mary Cunningham, m Andrew Johnston
B-4 Jane Cunningham, m Brice Ragan
B-5 unknown

B-6 Matthew Cunningham , b ca 1760 PA, m ca 1795. They bought 100 acres from Andrew Johnston (see B-3 above) in Ohio Twp, Beaver Co, PA 1809. Book C/15. This property bordered that of McLane and Hunter. The property had been patented to Andrew Johnston (his bro-in-law) 3-17-1810 and he sold it to Matthew 6-8-1810. 1810 census 21-1- (Matthew b 1765-1795)   (the 1820 says he b before 1775) It is thought that Matthew and Elizabeth are with the elder Matthew in Butler Co, PA in 1800, and showing on their own in the 1810 in Beaver Co. Matthew and Elizabeth sold 50 ac, part of the 100 acres, in 3-20-1817 to Francis Smith What he did with the other 50 ac is not known at this time.
They moved to where they purchased land in Wooster Twp, Wayne Co 1819, which he bought from Peter Mille. He transferred this land to son, Matthew, Jr. in 1825. Matthew, Jr. sold this same land in Wayne Co, OH to brother William 1827. Deed witnessed by Francis H Foltz (Matthew approved an apprenticeship of his son Samuel to Hiram H. Foltz 1826 for 3 yrs, 6 months, 10 days along with a Hyrum Foltz. Francis Foltz was acting Justice of the Peace)

The 1820 census shows Wayne Co, OH: Mathew Cunningham 1111-1 // 21--1 with 3 in agriculture. (he b before 1775) His son Robert is next door: ---1-- // 111-- with 1 in agriculture.

Matthew Cunningham, Jr. bought land in Sugar Township and his father and brother, William, joined him. They show together in the 1830 census. This land was east of the first parcel, in Wooster Twp, and perhaps had more water as it was bottomland whereas the 1^st land was high and rolling. In 1834 in Sugar Twp Matthew, (Sr?) paid tax on 2 horses & 2 cows.

There were three other groups of Cunninghams in the county at this time:

1. John & Susannah Cunningham, who were of Washington Co, PA. Sold land twp , range 15, section 20.
2. Margaret Cunningham and her sons: James, John, & William -origin unknown. They lived twp 11, range 16, sections 23& 26.
3. William, wife Nancy Forsythe, sons: W’m, wife Harriett Bailey; James, wife Hannah Finley; Robert, wife Mary Catherine Peairs. They lived Salt Creek twp. This line belongs to Mrs. Myrtle Hawken of Wooster and is pretty well documented. They were from Coleraine twp in Lancaster Co. and Washington twp Fayette Co, PA. They at twp 15 range 12 section 31 and twp 16 range 12 sec 36.
(Myrtle Hawken belongs to DAR and I have visited her at her home in Wooster, OH .)

4. Matthew and his sons were from Beaver Co, PA and were in twp 15 of range 13 in section 20 and moved to twp16 of range 11 in section 5.

C-1 Robert Cunningham , born ca 1795 PA, died before 1850, married 9-19-1819 Wayne Co, OH Abusilla (Isabella) Barnes, born 1801 PA, daughter of Aaron Barnes. Barnes does not show as a land owner, but did show in the school records. The Barnes, Vogans, Stanturfs and Cunninghams came from Butler Co PA. Robert and Isabella Cunningham married immediately after his arrival from Beaver Co. Cousins living in Carroll Co, MO, where the family has lived for 150 years have Bible records stating that Aaron Barnes is the parent.

The 1820 census shows: Robert Cunningham ---1--, he 16-26 // 111--, she 16-26, with 1 in agriculture.

Robert sold SW 1/4 sec 20, twp 15, range 13 to John Rosser in 1823. This property was along the line of his father's land. They came to Chariton Co, MO ca 1840. They are not located that year in the census. He died before the 1850 census, but she shows.

Robert owed money on his property when he died. Appraisers were appointed to value the land. Isabella was high bidder and retained the property, which was in Prairie Twp in Chariton Co, MO. She sold the land to son, Matthew, 1857 and lived with him as shown in the 1860 census.

She was with her son, William, in the 1850 Chariton County census. William moved to Grundy Co, MO before 1860.

Isabella Barnes Cunningham

D-1 Dau

D-2 Elizabeth Cunningham , born 1822, married 6-25-1843 Moses Garrett, son of Isaac and Nancy Goin Garrett of Madison Co, KY. He was born 1823 either Howard or Chariton Co, MO .

E-1 Nancy Jane Garrett, born 2-18-1846 Chariton Co, MO, d 1-6-1906 Benton Co, OR, married 6-6-1860 Chariton Co. John H. Stanturf (Stanturfs were of Butler Co, PA, where the Barnes and maybe the Cunninghams had been located.

E-2 Thomas B. Garrett , born 1849, d before 1875, married Sarah . His chi raised by his sister, Sarah Dannels

E-3 Mary Ellen Garrett , born 1-7-1854 Chariton Co, MO, d 3-29-1935 Benton Co, OR, married 4-25-1870 Chariton Co, MO Ransom Oakes, of Shelby Co, MO, born North Hero, Grand Isle Co, VT and son of John & Sarah Oakes of Shelby & Knox Cos. (see Oakes genealogy)

E-4 Sarah Elizabeth Garrett , born 1858/9 Chariton Co, MO, married Clenny Dannels, lived Carroll Co, MO.

(I have a page of a letter she wrote to her sister, Nancy Garrett Stanturf.)

E-5 Leonard Garrett , born 1864 Chariton Co, MO, lived Benton Co, MO (Sarah's daughter said Leonard lived Benton Co, but am unable to find him in county records. This was in a letter written to her sister, Nancy Stanturf, ca 1900.)

D-3 Martha Cunningham , born 1823 Wayne Co, OH, married ? James Nickerson, born 1842 VA, son of Hyram, born 1793 VA

E-1 Anna Nickerson, born 1869 MO

D-4 William Cunningham, born 11-26-1826 Wayne Co, OH, died 1-28-1876 (buried 1-31-1871/6) Half Rock, MO, married 2-1-1846 Chariton Co. Mrs. Elizabeth Jane (Barnes) Bailey, born 10-11-1928 PA. They moved to Grundy Co, MO before 1860 census. Desc are buried in a Mercer Co Cemetery with members of the Barnes family. According to 1971 history of Spickard, MO Elizabeth Jane's maiden name was Barnes and she was born PA.

An Eliza Jane Cunningham filed for divorce from a William Cunningham and the case was heard May 1856. This is another William. William Cunningham brought suit against D. Bentley and Jacob Cunnings. Security. was Vincient Glasgow. The case was lost in the March term of 1843. William filed case against Vincient Glasgow in April 1843. He sued May 1845 Caleb Jackson and Ann Cummings. It was continued to Oct 1845. He conveyed several tracts of land to her in 1856, probably as settlement.

D-5 Nancy Cunningham , born 1829 Wayne Co, OH, died at over 100 years of age in Washington State, married 1st Samuel Garrett, 2nd Moses Garrett. (for more information see Garrett line)

D-6 Matthew Cunningham , born 1830 Wayne Co, OH, died before 1870, married 2-28-1850 Chariton Co, MO Catherine Craig, born 1832 VA, daughter of George W. and Mary Craig . His wife is living with his brother, William, and his mother, Isabella, in 1850 census Chariton Co. William Evans, age 10, is living with her in the 1860 census.

E-1 William Austin Cunningham , born 1851 Chariton Co, married Sarah J., born 1851 MO.

E-2 Mary Isabel Cunningham (named for two grandmothers), born 1854

E-3 Robert Briant Cunningham , born 1857

D-7 Sarah Cunningham , born 1833 Wayne Co, OH

D-8 Eleanor (Ellen L.) Cunningham , born 6-11-1839 Wayne Co, OH, died 4-25-1915 Lena, Morrow Co, OR, married 1st William R. Redding 1852, when 13 years old. Ellen's mother thought Redding was coming to court her at first. The marriage book for Chariton Co, MO is missing for the early 1850's. Redding would not let Ellen have children and `ruin her figure,' and when William Clark came to do some carpenter work for Redding she left him to go with Clark. Redding filed for divorce 1864 and it was granted in 1865 after notices had been placed in newspapers, as described by law. She was held responsible for the cost by the courts. It is doubtful that she ever returned to Chariton Co, much less paid the cost.

Redding married again in 1865, but was murdered the same year. See county history. Ellen married 2nd William B. Clark 1860 in Adams Co, IL. Clark did work on Pullman cars and his sons could remember quite a trip to see him. Clark died 3-6-1870 when his youngest son was a year and a day old. (Redding was shot to death same year he was divorced and remarried - 1865). Ellen told her descendants that she knew Jesse James' mother, Mrs Samuels. Mrs Samuels lived only Kansas City and the farm in Clay Co, MO. Dr. Samuels' brother lived near the Cunninghams in Chariton Co, MO. We can only guess where they met.

Ellen married 3rd Hezekiah Tippett 11-14-1877 Wasco Co, OR. Ellen claimed to be a `mail order bride,' but the Tippetts were neighbors of the Cunninghams in Chariton Co, MO

She brought her youngest two children when she came and the other two came some time later, after staying with relatives in ? Indiana. The story goes that Robert said George would cry when it came to leaving for Oregon and the trip was put off several times. (see Clark line)

E-1 Robert Samuel Clark , born 12-10-1862 IL/IN, died 6-17-1947, married 2-27-1899 Pendleton, OR Mary Ella Cummings , born 9-18-1880, died 12-27-1964.

E-2 George Brinton Clark , born 12-12-1864

E-3 William Henry Clark , born 10-27-1867, died 12-30-1950 Heppner, Morrow Co, OR, married 2nd 12-3-1925 Laura Pettyjohn, born 1906. His 1st wife was the mother of Laura, whom he married `late in life.'

E-4 Matthew Esom Clark , born born 3-4-1869 Jefferson, MO, died 3-7-1948 Glendale, CA, married 1st Margaret Oakes, 2nd her sister Lilly Bell Oakes, daughters of Ransom and Mary Ellen Garrett Oakes. (see Matthew(1), Robert(2), Elizabeth(3)

C-2 William Cunningham , born ca 1802,married 1st 4-2-1832 Wayne Co, OH Catherine Hatfield, married 2nd Rebecca . He left Wayne Co, OH and bought land in Chariton Co, MO 1843. When he died ca 1845 the courts appointed appraisers - no will. The estate was put for sale and Rebecca was the only bidder. Perhaps a method of saving widow's rights. Appraisers were Isaac Garrett, James Scrivner, and Robert Moore. (All closely associated).