McConnell Ancestry – The Story of James McConnell (1783-1827) and Margery Moncrief (1800-1872)

Shamrock - Symbol of Ireland

It is estimated that James McConnell was born about 1783 in Currin, Monaghan,Ireland. At his time, his parents are unknown, but our family history research continues. For example, the Northern Ireland church records show that a James McConnell was baptized on May 30, 1784 and that his father was James McConnell and his mother was Mary. As well, the RootsIreland website offers a unique database of more than 20 million Irish family history records which have recently been made available in an online search facility.

James McConnell Military Discharge 1820

According to his military discharge papers (shown above - click to enlarge), James McConnell joined the British 65th Regiment of Foot in 1800 as a teenager and served as a Private until 1820. Apparently, the British 65th was nicknamed The Boy Regiment because a large number of parish boys were enlisted to replenish the regiment after its first West Indies posting. The Pensioner Records show that James served in the military for many years in India and briefly in Canada. He was discharged from Chelsea Royal Hospital in 1820 with failing health at the age of 38. The military records show that he had asthma and had been wounded in the hip. Since he was a Chelsea Pensioner, he may have taken his pension in land in Canada.

St. Andrews Church ,Currin Parish, Scotshouse, Monaghan, Ireland

The Roots Ireland - Church Marriage Record shows that James McConnell married Margery Moncrief on October 8, 1821, at St. Andrew’s Church of England (built in 1810), Parish of Currin, village of Scotshouse, County Monaghan, Ireland. The church records indicate that James and Margery had two children baptized in Briscarnagh, Currin, Monaghan, Ireland: a daughter named Ann McConnell (1822-1895) and a son named James A. McConnell (1824-1892) who is our direct line ancestor. Another son named Donald McConnell (1826-1827) is also mentioned in the family records but died as an infant.

James McConnell Family Tree (early in 1827)

The Roots Ireland - Church Burial Record shows that James McConnell died on April 16, 1827, in Briscarnagh,Currin, Monaghan, Ireland, at the age of 44 and is buried there. 

The McConnell family history notes that, during the summer of 1827 (following the death of James), his wife Margery Moncrief, their three children and other members of the Moncrief family emigrated to Canada. They sailed from Belfast, Ireland to Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It took six weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a sailing ship. James Allen McConnell was only about three years old. It is presumed that Donald McConnell died during the crossing and was buried at sea.

Some of the Moncrief family members settled in Cavan Township, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. A few years passed before Margery (Moncrief) McConnell (at this time, her parents are unknown) married John Robinson. Four Robinson children were born of this marriage: Eliza Robinson (1834-1911), Mary Ann Robinson (1836-1879), Thomas Robinson (1838-1916) and Margery Jane Robinson (1840-1866).  There is speculation that John Robinson drowned in Rice lake while fishing in 1849 and that his wife Margery passed away about 1872, but genealogy records have yet to confirm these events.