Carrico Researchers,
I have followed this latest discussion regarding the confusing Carrico line with great
interest. My question to you all is this: "Has anyone ever found evidence leading to
the identity of the parents of John Conley Carrrico?" I hesitate to even list the
various possibilities for fear of contaminating any response you may give, but I would
like to know your thoughts. I have had several "suggestions" over the past
fifty years.
My great great grandfather, John Conley Carrico, was supposedly born in what is today
known as Rowlesburg, Preston County, West Virginia, August 8, 1779, and died in Greene
County, Illinois, November 10, 1862. The various census records indicate John Conley
Carrico was born in Maryland. John Conley Carrico married Elizabeth Halbert, ca. 1798,
possibly in Athens County, Ohio, but more likely in Maryland. Elizabeth Halbert was born
in Maryland, October 25, 1778, and died September 9, 1862. John Conley Carrico is buried
in Richwoods West Cemetery in Bluffdale Twp, Greene County, as is Elizabeth.
John and Elizabeth had at least eight children, that being the number listed in family
records.
Known children include:
Henry Carrico, the child of John Conley Carrico and Elizabeth Halbert, was born ca. 1808,
in Virginia, married Sarah S. Elkenton, February 19, 1831, in Greene County, Illinois.
Reuben Carrico, the child of John Conley Carrico and Elizabeth Halbert, was born ca. 1809,
in Virginia. Reuben Carrico is in the 1840 Greene County, Illinois Census, Carrollton
Precinct, pg 85. This name is sometimes spelled Reubin Carrico.
Alexander Carrico, [my great grandfather] the child of John Conley Carrico and Elizabeth
Halbert, was born April 8, 1816, in Canaan Township, Athens, Athens County, Ohio, and
married Cassandra Margaret Smith, September, 15, 1864, in Macoupin County, Illinois. It
is not known that he was married prior to this or not, but it is suspected.
According to the Carlinville Democrat for Thursday, September 10, 1874, "Mr..
Alexander Carrico, who lived three miles east of town, after returning home from town
Friday evening in getting out of his buggy stumbled over a can and fell to the ground
striking on his head and breaking his spinal column.. He died in a few hours. He was
born in 1816."
Because of the poor record keeping in the early years, and due to the proliferation of the
Carrico name, I have dozens of references to the name, but no solid evidence at this time.
We are still looking for some information which will be somewhat definitive. It would be
of great assistance if we could find a will for John Conley Carrico, or one that mentioned
him. The letter from Samuel T. Carrico about John Conley Carrico was a great help. It
sort of illustrates the idea that information will come to those who search. I had been
looking for many years when that document came into my possession.
Silas Carrico, the child of John Conley Carrico and Elizabeth Halbert, was born April 18,
1818, in Athens County, Ohio, went to Greene County, Illinois, in 1828, married Catherine
Decker, January 19, 1840, and had Samuel Truitt Carrico. Silas Carrico died May 5, 1905,
in Alva, Wood County, Oklahoma. Catherine Decker Carrico was born May 4, 1821, in Ohio,
died July 23, 1900, Greene County, Illinois, and was buried in City cemetery.
Caroline Carrico, the child of John Conley Carrico and Elizabeth Halbert, was born between
1810 and 1820, Athens County, Ohio.
John Carrico, the child of John Conley Carrico and Elizabeth Halbert, was born ca. 1812,
in Athens County, Ohio, married -?-, had a boy, born ca. 1836, Catherine Carrico, born ca.
1838, Caroline Carrico, born ca. 1840.
Elisha Carrico, the child of John Conley Carrico and Elizabeth Halbert, was born ca. 1815,
in Athens County, Ohio, married Catherine H. Shipman, June 8, 1837, in Greene County,
Illinois. Another record indicated that Elisha Carrico married Julia Gone on November 16,
1837. It is possible that these are different people, but I have no reason to believe they
are not the same person.
Malinda Carrico, the child of John Conley Carrico and Elizabeth Halbert, was born ca. 1810
to 1820, in Athens County, Ohio.
Henrietta Carrico, the child of John Conley Carrico and Elizabeth Halbert, was born ca.
1821, in Athens Country, Ohio. We have no evidence to add this female name to the family
of John Conley Carrico other than the fact that she appears in a list of the other
children. We are still missing the name of the eighth boy in this family.
John Sissom