Cunningham Genealogy
Genealogy: Melinda Ann Cunningham

Melinda* Ann Cunningham Born 12/18/1852. Died 10/7/1907.* Married John Herron McClelland 6/28/1873. Both buried in Harlansburg, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania about 100 feet behind the Unity Baptist Church picnic shelter.
*PA Death Certificate File No 99568, Registered No 677, says Belinda A.

Children of John Herron McClelland and Melinda Ann:
Herbert Leroy (1875-1924) mar. Emma Lenorah Wilson
Walter Edmond (1876-1940), mar. Edith Adella Stoner
Nettie Mae (1878-1963), mar. John Ross Eakin
John Clifford (1879-1935), mar. Julia Gertrude Clark
Floyd Washington (1882-1953), mar. Mable Blanche McCommon
Autha Edna (1884-1924), mar. William Andrew Marshall
Charles Wesley (1887-1957), mar. Emma Grace Dean
William Harold (1889-1970), mar. (1)Lucille Althia Brown, (2)Agnes Clark
Laura Malinda (1892-1968), mar. Jerry Russell Brockway
Vera Ruth (b.1895 died at 10 months.)

Melinda's husband, John Herron McClelland, and her brother Monas W. Cunningham (1860-1925) formed a partnership to become the Cunningham and McClelland undertaking business in Harlansburg, PA.

Obituary for Malinda:

After a lingering illness of nearly a year, Mrs. Malinda A. McCelland [sic] of 259 Croton avenue, passed away suddenly Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Mrs. McClelland, while in poor health for about a year, had been able to be around the house. Yesterday she was up as usual, and shortly before noon became suddenly worse, passing away at 2 o'clock.
Mrs. McClelland was the daughter of Washington Cunningham, and was born in Harlansburg December 18, 1852, being therefore 54 years, 9 months and 19 days old. She had been a member of the Croton avenue M. E. church for a number of years, and during her useful life set an example of christian womanhood to all who knew her.
On June 28, 1873, she was married to John H. McClelland. Their union was blessed by 10 children, all of whom are living with the exception of Ruth who died in infancy. Those left to morn the loss of a kind and loving mother are Herbert L., Nettie M., Clifford, Floyd, Edna, Charles, William and Laura McClelland, all of this city, and Walter E. of Harlansburg. Besides her children and her husband, she leaves also the following brothers and sisters: M. W. Cunningham of Harlansburg, Mrs. David Ramsey of Milton street, and Mrs. Levi Hunt of Crawford avenue.
Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the family residence, and interment will be at Harlansburg.

G. Washington Cunningham Born 10/15/1815. Died 7/25/1890. Married (1st) Mary Jane Stoughton (b.1823, d.1850); Married (2nd) Autha (or Antha) Dean (b.1823, d.1892). Washington Cunningham was one of the early pioneers in Harlansburg, PA.

Children of Washington Cunningham and Mary Jane Stoughton:
Mary Ellen (1843-1891)
Melissa Jane (1847-1919) m. Levi Hunt (1847-1911) (both buried at Harlansburg Unity Baptist Church)

Children of Washington Cunningham and Autha Dean:
Melinda Ann (1852-1907)(above),
Elisa Jeanette (1856-1932)
Monas Wilbur (1860-1925)

James D. Cunningham Born in 1781. Died 2/7/1863. Married 3/5/1812 in New Castle, PA to Mary Ann Cruise (d.11/24/1876). They had 10 children--eight daughters and two sons. James served in the War of 1812 and is listed in the Index To War Of 1812 Pension Files, Vol I, p.518, claim WC-6689, The National Historical Publishing Company, Waynesboro, TN, 1989, transcribed by Virgil D. White.
(Note: 1860 census, Lawrence Co. p.161 shows a James Cunningham (80), and in the household, Mary (68), Jule (23), Sarah (22).

   "James Cunningham, familiarly known as "Uncle Jimmy," was quite an early settler. It is said that he was the first owner of a frow, a broad axe and an auger in New Castle. He was a shingle-maker by trade, but his calling would not be very profitable in New Castle at the present day. Shingles were made in those days, from sections of trees sawed of the required length, which were split into bolts by the frow, and then into an approximate thickness, and afterwards shaved on a "horse" with a drawing-knife. They were made of pine or any durable timber which had a straight grain and would rive well.
   Mr. Cunningham served during the war of 1812. He married, in 1813, Miss Mary A. Cruise, an orphan girl, native of Delaware, who lived in the family of Cornelius Hendrickson. She often assisted at the ferry kept by Mr. H., crossing in a "dug out," which was propelled by an oar or setting-pole as occasion required. She was remarkably skillful, and often crossed when ice was running in the stream to a dangerous extent. Her performances on the "deep" may have first attracted the admiration of Mr. Cunningham. The new-married couple first lived in a log house, which is still standing (weather-boarded), on the northwest corner of the "Diamond." He paid a rental of one dollar per month. The same building has lately rented for seven dollars per month.
   He afterwards built a log cabin of his own on the lot now owned by Webster Justice. In clearing away for the foundation there were found among the bushes growing on the ground a great quantity of flint arrow heads, the remains of a stone chimney, and various other evidences of an Indian encampment or dwelling."
[From History of Lawrence County 1877 and Atlas of County of Lawrence and State of Pennsylvania 1872, published by G.M. Hopkins and Company, 320 Walnut Street Philadelphia. Registered Library of Congress 1872 by G.M. Hopkins.]
Obituary for Mary Ann (Cruise) Cunningham
"Mrs. Mary A. Cunningham, one of the oldest inhabitants, died on the 24th ult. Her exact age is not known, but it is believed that it was about eighty-three at the time of her demise. She came to this city early in the century, from New Castle, Del., where she was born, her parents names being Peter and Nancy Cruise. When she first came to New Castle she lived in the family of Cornelius Hendrickson, one of the first settlers. In 1818 she married Jas. D. Cunningham, and lived with him till February, 1863, when he died aat the age of eight-three years. Mrs. Cunningham was the mother of ten children, eight-daughters and two sons. Six daughters and one son are living. The latter, whose name is Washington Cunningham, resides at Harlansburg, this county, one of the daughters is married to Wm. Bets(?), of Salem, Ohio; another to John McAllister, of Leetonia, Ohio, and a third to Wm. Tamer, of New Brighton, Pa. The remaining daughters are residents of this county. The old lady was well known to every one in this vicinity, and up to near the time of her death was as sprightly as many persons of half her age. There are at present only two persons in New Castle who have the recollections of New Castle in the olden times Mrs. Cunningham had; these are Squire DuShane and Joseph Justice."
[From the Lawrence Guardian, Saturday, December 9, 1876.]
Depreciation Lands (Shows Col. James Cunningham--no known relation.)
More Cunningham's (No known relation.)
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Last changed: 16 Sep 2002