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Note: ANDREW JACKSON McDANIEL Sr. of RANKINTOWN by Carol Ann Claffey Mounts (This is an article published Keyhole October 1995) Andrew Jackson McDaniel Sr. was born March 13, 1809. He lived most of his life in Rankintown, Washington County, Pennsylvania, now West Washington. He died of pneumonia 10/01/1890. He was a tavern keeper, blacksmith and farmer. He purchased the 'RANKINTOWN TAVERN' in 1845, for $2,200 (see accompanying article). As in most genealogical research, there are discrepancies in information found. This is also true of our subject because his name on earlier documents was listed as Andrew McDonald. He explains this dilemma for us by way of an official document when he deeds over land to the National Road. Excerpts from Washington County, Pa deed -- "Volume 156, pp. 663, 664. Andrew McDaniel et ux (and wife) to Cumberland Road. Whereas on the 19th day of April 1843, Richard Mounts of Canton township Washington County Pa. ... delivered to Andrew McDonald of the same township a deed for a tract of land ... in ... said township of Canton, ... "Book C Volume 3 page 225 Recorder's office" Washington Pa ... having received the deed of Richard Mounts ... above named Andrew McDonald before the year 1850 ... delivered to Joseph Doak commissioner of that part of the Cumberland Road in Washington county ... a deed for the tract of land conveyed to him by ... Richard Mounts. And whereas this deed cannot now be found is desirous to have ... evidence placed upon record to show that Andrew McDonald's estate ... is the said tract ... conveyed as above set forth. Therefore ... to confirm the deed of himself and wife ... the said Andrew McDonald whose name should have been written Andrew McDanel ... do release and quit claim unto the said Cumberland Road all the estate right and title ... be held by the ... Cumberland Roads and assigns forever. Witness ... Andrew McDanel and Elizabeth McDanel his wife this 2nd day of June. A. D. 1890 Andrew McDanel seal Attest: D. M. Donehoo Elizabeth McDanel seal "
Andrew Jackson McDaniel Sr. is buried beside his first wife Eliza Mounts, just inside the Washington Cemetery gates, directly across from the Administration Building. His tombstone is an eight foot spire of red granite engraved at the top with the emblem of anvil and hammer, denoting a blacksmith, along with his name, birth and death dates. Andrew married twice. His first wife was Eliza (Elizabeth) Mounts, b. 08/13/1806, died 07/04/1875 and was buried on their 40th anniversary. She was the mother of his 10 children and is buried beside him (Washington Cemetery, Washington, Pa. Sec. B, Lot 35, Site # 8). Eliza Mounts McDaniel was the daughter of Richard Mounts Sr. and Mary Kelly. Eliza's mother Mary Kelly was born on the Atlantic Ocean, (Beers p 1430), birth date unknown, to William Kelly and Martha McCourtney Kelly (Beers p 631). Mary Kelly Mounts died in 1841 and was probably buried in the 'Old Hoge Cemetery.' Records show that Mary's husband Richard Mounts Sr., who died 1864, aged 92 years, and mother, Martha (McCourtney) Kelly who died in 1827 aged 70 years were both buried there. Eliza's paternal grandparents were John Mounts and (Elizabeth Rentzel?) who came to Pennsylvania from Maryland around 1780 (Beers p 647). Two years after Eliza Mounts McDaniel's death in 1875, Andrew married again. His second wife was (Sara) Elizabeth Davis, b. 1821 in Belmont Co. Ohio d. 10/31/1897. She had previously been married to a Mr. Perkins. Her obituary states that she lived alone in the 'old stage house ... mostly dilapidated' (by 1897) that once caught fire from a passing train destroying much of her household property along with her marriage license. Her only son, Thomas Perkins, had preceded her in death leaving two sons as her only descendants. She is buried in Washington Cemetery Sec B, lot 55, a short distance from the McDaniel family plot. [Last will and testament of Andrew McDaniel Sr. (Will Book # 13 page 272, 273, 274, 275) states that his wife had agreed (Deed book G, volume 5, page 200) to relinquish all claim to any part of his estate, but was (1) to have "the right to use and occupy ... the Mansion House" (the old Rankintown Tavern) ... for as long as she lives" provided she does not remarry. (2) to receive for the same period, the rent of the most easterly of the seven houses (These seven known as the Claffey property are deeded to his son Robert L. McDaniel). (3) to receive the interest from $2400.00 held by his executor. This money was later to be divided between several of his children.] We can ascertain some measure of the man by the official documents that he left for us. He appears to have had a very strong sense of responsibility as evidenced by the above clarification of a deed. He also left a lengthy and detailed last will and testament, which determines the division of his estate while trying to hold it together as long as he could control events. Excerpted portions of his will are captioned below in brackets [Will of AJM] as they pertain to each recipient. You will observe that the estate seems quite large with several detailed instructions for it's final determination.
Children of Andrew Jackson McDaniel Sr. and Eliza Mounts: 1. William McDaniel, born 1832, m. Malissa Lindley, b. 1834, children: Andrew Jackson, b. ____, Mary J., b 1861, Frank F., b. 04/01/1862, d. 01/05/1942, m. Elizabeth Lutes, b. 6/11/1868, d.11/06/1961 [Will of AJM -- (1) Five hundred dollars in addition to advancements already made, (2) $1000.00, part of which to be paid after death of 2nd wife]. 2. Matilda McDaniel, b. 1836 (m. June 1858) Enoch Prigg, b. 1821, d. 08/26/1901 [Will of AJM -- (1) one dollar in addition to advancements already made (2) 1/4 of house hold furniture except few personal possessions of 2nd wife.] 3. Sarah J. McDaniel, b. 1837, d. ____ m.____ Montgomery. One child Andrew J. [Will of AJM -- (1) $1700.00 and (2) 1/4 of household furniture except few named personal possessions of present wife] 4. Joseph McDaniel, born 1838 m. Hester ______, b. 1845 [Will of AJM -- (1) 1/2 acre lot in Franklin Twp. at Pittsburgh and Baltimore railroad crossing, (2) lot partly in Washington Borough and partly in Franklin Twp. near Chartiers Valley railroad property and on his decease to be given to children of Joseph. (3) $1000.00 part of which to be paid at death of 2nd wife] (4) 25 acres in FraklinTwp. 5. Andrew Jackson McDaniel Jr., b. 06/21/1841, d. 04/11/1912 m. Mary Ophile, b. 1845, d. 1917. Andrew Jr was a blacksmith like his father. Children: Emma, b. 1872, m. Donald Hart, Lida, b. 1878, m. Frank Sprowls, Mary, b. May 1880, Ester b. 1882, m. Martin Yoders, Matilda, b. 06/30/1884, d. 03/21/1949 [Will of AJM -- (1) Andrew Jr. was named Executor of his father's will and was to act under the advice of Andrew Sr.'s friend and neighbor John Aiken. After all conditions of will were met, Andrew Jr. inherited the remainder of the estate] 6. Francis (Frank) McDaniel, b. 1846, no further information. * 7. Mary Mounts McDaniel, b. 04/07/1847 d. 07/30/1948, lived to 101 years (my great grand mother) married William Claffey Sr. b. 07/06/1836, d.3/05/1901, children: William Jr., Wilse, Andrew (Jack), Matilda, Robert L (Doc), and Harry. Their story appears in Keyhole July, 1995, pp. 131-135. William and Mary were married on February 28, 1868, three years after his return from four years of Civil War Service in the 100th Reg., Pa. Volunteers. (Roundheads) [Will of AJM -- (1) Held by executor, $1700.00, Mary only to receive the interest annually and when she died, money was to be divided equally among her children]. Perhaps due to her husband's deteriorating mental state by 1890. (2) 1/4 of household furniture except personal property of 2nd wife.] 8. Robert L. McDaniel b. 1850 m. Mary _____, b. 1855, d. 05/14/1909. Robert L was a fireman & engineer for B & O Railroad, children are 2 daughters Ona? b. 1874, Susan, b. 1877. [Will of AJM -- (1) a certain tract of land in Franklin Twp. containing about one acre and known as the Claffey property upon which there are seven dwelling houses. (2) Brady lot with blacksmith shop and (3) all the tools in the blacksmith shop (4) $1000.00 part of which to be paid at death of 2nd wife.] 9. Susan, b. 1853 m. Asa Wood, b. 1848 later m. R. H Short. One son Robert. [Will of AJM -- (1)House and lot on Jefferson Ave. (2) 1/4 of household furniture except personal possessions of present wife (3) $1000.00, paid after death of 2nd wife.] 10. John Duvall McDaniel born 01/14/1867, died 01/20/1877 aged 10 years [Two other items in Will of AJM, (a. the sum of $50.00 left to each of three grandchildren Andrew Claffey, Eliza McDaniel, and Andrew J. Montgomery. and (b) if any recipient challenged his will, that person was automatcally to receive one dollar only.]
Personal Note: ......My great great grandfather, Andrew J. McDaniel Sr. was a prominent citizen, a prosperous West Washington tavern owner and a substantial land holder. He was also patriarch of a large and well-known West Washington family. The research that is done to complete a biographical sketch, gives one a 'sense of the man.' He appears to have been a very private person. No evidence can be found that he ever held public office nor do writings about him appear in the Washington County histories by authors of his day such as Beers, Crumrine, McFarland, Horn, etc. He appears to have been just concerned about the responsibilities of running an estate and holding a family together. A good man to know.
'Mounts- Claffey Obituaries', 1994 Glenn W. and Carol Ann Mounts 'Washington County, Pennsylvania' 1893 Beers Washington County Federal Census, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870 1880, 1900 Washington County Courthouse Records, Washington Pa. (Deeds and Wills)
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