ANDREW JACKSON McDANIEL Sr. of RANKINTOWN

            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 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. inherite d 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.  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) To Read More about this couple GOTO

    [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.]
    Another young person, John Duvall McDaniel born 01/14/1867, died
        01/20/1877 aged 10 years is recorded as a three year old in Andrew J
            McDaniel Sr. home in 1870 Fed Census. Must be a grandson.
                Parents not known.

 [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.
    (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.

    Sources:
    '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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