William Coventry, p. 712

WILLIAM COVENTRY, one of the best known and substantial citizens of Hanover township, traces his ancestry to the "Emerald Isle," from whose shores so many of our early pioneers had sailed.

John Coventry was born in 1750, in County Donegal, Ireland, where he learned the trade of a weaver, and when a young man was married to Martha Brown, who was born in 1754. Some years after their marriage this young couple sailed for America. After their landing and securing a temporary home in eastern Pennsylvania, their household effects were moved thence in a churn, and their only child was carried by the parents. John Coventry joined the Continental army, taking an active part in the struggle for independence, and undergoing the terrible sufferings which were the common lot of those heroic patriots. Long and difficult marches were made, their only food consisting of cold potatoes. After the war money was almost worthless, and the most common articles sold for fabulous prices. A little dress which was purchased for a son, cost $60 in Continental currency. In 1782 John Coventry and family concluded to secure one of the cheap homes offered to the settlers in western Pennsylvania, and packing up their few earthly possessions, started on foot to make the long and tedious journey across the mountains. The hardships which they endured can not be imagined, yet on they toiled, carrying their little son Robert, who was at that time about two years of age. At last they arrived at Hanover township, Washington Co., Penn., and purchasing a small piece of land, erected their rude log cabin in the midst of the surrounding woods, and there Mr. Coventry followed his trade of a weaver in connection with farming. This cabin was soon supplanted by one more substantial, which is yet standing. With true Irish enterprise and industry John Coventry struggled on, and prosperity finally crowned his patient efforts. When the need of a permanent piece of ground for a school-house became apparent, he gave the necessary amount of land to be used for ninety-nine years, and the building which was there erected has ever since been known as the "Coventry School." In politics he was a Democrat, adhering to the principles of his party. He and his wife were members of the Seceder Church, which was nearly ten miles from their home, and walked the entire distance. A church was afterward organized at Burgettstown, to which their membership was then transferred. John Coventry died February 5, 1845, in his ninety-fifty year, and was laid to rest by the side of the wife who had gone before him April 8, 1832. Both were buried in the U.P. cemetery at Burgettstown, Penn. The following children were born to this heroic couple: Robert (deceased in Hanover township), William (of whom a sketch follows), James, John (a school teacher, who lived some time at Steubenville, Ohio where some of his descendants are yet living), Jane (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased wife of William Smiley), and Martha (deceased).

William Coventry, son of John and Martha (Brown) Coventry, was born in 782, having been the first member of the Coventry family who was born in Hanover township. He was reared amid the usual scenes of pioneer life, attending a few months in each year at the subscription schools. In 1815 he selected a life companion in the person of Rebecca Ramsey, who was born in 1791, a daughter of Robert Ramsey, who was born east of the mountains and came to Washington county. The children of William and Rebecca Coventry were as follows: Martha, deceased in Carroll county, Ohio, married Thomas Smiley; Mary, Mrs. Hamilton Walker, of Carroll county, Ohio; John, a carpenter of New Brighton, Penn.; Robert R., deceased farmer of Hanover township; James, a citizen of Des Moines, Iowa; Elizabeth, wife of J. H. Lawther, Carroll county, Ohio; William, whose name opens this sketch; and David, living at East Liverpool, Ohio. Mr. And Mrs. Coventry settled on Brush run, two miles from Florence, this county, where he successfully followed farming. He was fond of reading, and had a practical and thorough education. He was a member of the Seceder Church, and in politics was a Democrat, serving in numerous township offices, taking a lively interest in all the political and social questions of the day. He died February 26, 1850, followed, March 25, 1872, by his wife, who rests beside him in the U.P. cemetery at Burgettstown.

William Coventry was born January 2, 1830, on a farm adjoining his present home, and attended the rude schools of those days, with their rude furnishings; wooden benches, an old, rickety door, and a stove which was accustomed to fall down at the slightest provocation, to the great delight of the weary urchins and the discomfiture of the dignified master. On February 18, 1857, William Coventry was married to Sarah Spence, who was born February 16, 1835, in Beaver county, Penn., a daughter of John and Mary (Adams) Spence. The young couple located on the farm on Brush run, where they are yet living, about two-thirds of which Mr. Coventry has cleared, and by incessant toil and labor has succeeded in converting it from an unbroken forest into a fertile, producing tract of land He thoroughly understands every department and detail of agriculture, having won a signal success in this vocation. He votes the Democratic ticket, having been called upon to fill various offices in Hanover township, which he has done with great credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of all. Three daughters were born to this couple, namely: Rebecca J., Mary Agnes and Elizabeth A., all of whom died of diphtheria in October 1864; thus leaving the parents childless, but living in the anticipation of a glad reunion on the other shore. They are both consistent members of the Frankfort U. P. Church.

Text taken from page 712 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed April 1997 by Bobbi Steele of Indianapolis, IN as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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