Zachariah Connell
| Zachariah Connell | |
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| Born | 1741 Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia |
| Died | August 26, 1813 (aged 71–72) Connellsville, Pennsylvania |
| Burial place | Connellsville, Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | Surveyor, land speculator, businessman, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founding of Connellsville, Pennsylvania |
| Spouse(s) | (1) Rebecca Rice (2) Margaret Wallace |
| Children |
Children with Rebecca Rice: Hiram John Rice Rebecca Nancy Mariah Children with Margaret Wallace: Eliza Margaret Rice (m. John Wesley Phillips) |
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Zachariah Connell (1741–1813) was a Revolutionary War soldier and the founder of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, United States.
Born near Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia in 1741, the son of James Connell (son of Thomas Connell of St. Mary's County, Maryland and Mary Ogden) and Anne Williams. Zachariah's earliest "Connell" ancestor to settle in America was James O'Connell (d. 1700) who emigrated from Ireland in 1678 and settled in St. Mary's County, Maryland.
Growing-up in Frederick County, Zachariah's family was acquainted with the Washington's. In 1771, George Washington' brother, Samuel Washington, purchased 212 acres, near the "North Mountain" from Zachariah. Margaret Wallace, a Virginian and Zachariah's second wife, was also acquainted with the Washington family. During the American Revolution, Zachariah was appointed captain of the Yohogania County militia in 1776 and a member of the Virginia Court of Gentlemen Justices Yohogana, Co. (1776-1777). During the Revolution, he also served as associator, frontier ranger and soldier.
It is much to be regretted that no picture or silhouette of Zachariah exists. He was described as a typical Scotch Sandy with red hair, brown eyes and a florid complexion. He stood about five feet, nine inches tall, straight "as a popular, wrong and muscular and possess of a constitution that could endure the severest hardship." He was a man of considerable intellectual ability, "gifted with splendid business judgement, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all his fellow citizens." He was considered eccentric, primarily because he never registered to vote in the Borough. His refusal to vote, however, was not due to any lack of interest in politics or town affairs, but to his desire that the citizens of the town might feel free to govern themselves without interference or influence from himself. Zachariah refused to consume alcohol, even though it was freely imbibed by all classes of people (especially whiskey).
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