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   James L. Conley, Jr. was the son of James Connelly, Sr. and the grandson of the Irish
pioneer, John O'Connelly who came to Burke County in 1743. James L. Conley, Jr. was
born in 1783/1784. He married Mary (Polly)Sherrill in 1803, who was also born in Burke
County. They lived near his parents until 1808; At this time both of their parents left Burke
County. The 1850 U.S. Census shows James and Polly's first three children being born in
Kentucky. Tradition says James' father removed to Kentucky. By this time the Connelly
name had been shortened to Conley. James and Mary (Polly) were called Jimmy and Polly
by their friends and relatives. Jimmy's wife Polly was the daughter of "Ute" Uriah Sherrill
and Francis Dobson, whose father was Dr. Joseph Dobson, the first physician in Burke
County. Edward W. Phifer, Jr. in his book The History Of North Carolina, describes Dr.
Joseph Dobson as being the physician in Rowan County (Burke County) educated in England
and a man of great wealth. He moved into Rowan (Burke) County in 1768.

   Jimmy and Polly settled near her father "Ute" Uriah Sherrill, who had moved into the
Soco area. They lived here between 1815 and 1819. They in the Qualla area before the
Indian removal in 1819. Tradition says that Polly and Jimmy were friends with the Indians
and carried on trade with them. She helped the Indian women with the birthing of their babies,
attended their sick and their dead. She helped nurse many back to health. The Indians looked
upon Polly as having great knowledge, and they loved and respected her. Qualla Town
meant Polly's Town. The definition of the word Qualla in John Preston's book. Western North
Carolina A History 1730-1913, is Qualla: a Name given a locality where there was a trading
post because a women named Polly lived there, the Indians pronounced it Qually, being
unable to articulate the letter P (noted genealogist will remind you Polly Conley's grandfather
was Dr. Joseph Dobson, the first physician in Burke County).

   Land deeds in Jackson county and Swain County (primarily Haywood County) place the
Conleys on Camp Creek, the Tuckasegee River and Wesser Creek (Conley Creek). The Conley
Creek area was once called Wesser Creek.

   There were two descendants of Jimmy and Polly Conley who kept their land and remained
on Conley Creek. Two Conley brothers, Lyndon Conley, born April13, 1908 died Jan-
Uary 30, 1987 and was buried in the Whitter Cemetery. He taught school in Swain County
School System for 43 years and was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church on Conley Creek.
He gave years of devoted service to the Boy Scouts and held the most coveted award
in scouting, The Beaver Award. At the present time there is only one descendant of
Jimmy and Polly Conley living on Conley Creek (the brother of the deceased Lyndon Conley),
Clyde Ray Conley, born July 22, 1910. He retired from the N.C. State Prison Department in
1966. He is an active member of the Whitter Missionary Baptist Church in the Town of
Whitter and is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Ocono Lodge 0427. He is also a World
War II veteran. He has two daughters, four Grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He
is a great, great grandson of Jimmy and Polly Conley. Jimmy died in 1882 at age 99.
Polly died in 1862. They were both buried in the Campground Cemetery in Jackson County.
Their children were:

   Cynthia Conley born 1810, Kentucky, Married William Cornelous Cooper.


   William Hollen (Billy) born 1812, Kentucky, Married Elizabeth Cocherham Starnes.


   John Wesley born 1813, Kentucky, married Lavisa A. Shook (daughter of Peter Shook and
  Mahalia Evans). John and Mahalia organized the first Methodist Church in the Qualla Community.


   Francis Conley (Fannie) born 1815, HayWood County, married William Hamilton Farley.


   Samuel W. Conley born February 2, 1819 in Haywood County, married: (1) Mary (Polly)
  Elimara Cooper (daughter of George M. Cooper and Catherine Shook) and (2) Aloyse Gertrude Wright.


   Nancy Conley born 1821, married Samuel W. Gibson, Haywood County.


   Jason Conley born 1825, married Mary Ann Bryson (daughter of Maj. William Holmes Bryson
   and Magedline Cunningham).


   Jessie born 1830, died in the Civil War, 1863.


   Mary Elizabeth (Polly) born 1827, married:(1) George Washington Bryson (son of Maj.
   William Holmes Bryson and Magedline Cunningham), he was killed in the Civil War;(2)Issac Fisher


 


Sources: N.C. Division of Archives and History.
(Preston) Western North Carolina A History 1730-1913.
Conley Family Bible. Genealogist Elaine Beck, Bryson City,
N.C., and Wilma Bradshaw, Springton, TX.


 
-Maxine Conley Cline