Finding Mary Ann Pyles...

Mary Ann Pyles was the wife of John G. O'Connell.  The family lore is that she was an orphan.  Today, I think I eliminated one possible record for her.

In the 1850 Federal Census for Scioto Conty, Ohio, there is a Mary Piles living with William E. Crabtree and wife Matilda. In this census, Mary Piles' age is given as 10.  Close enough to the 1842 given in other records to make this Mary a possibility.

Further digging on the internet, however, gave more info about William E. Crabtree.

Generation No. 9
9. WILLIAM EDWARD9 CRABTREE (EDWARD E.8, WILLIAM7, JAMES B.6, WILLIAM H5 CRABTREE I, THOMAS JR.4 CRABTREE, WILLIAM (THOMAS)3, WILLIAM2, JOHN1) was born September 10, 1804 in Jefferson County Ohio134,135, and died December 24, 1882 in Scioto Co. Ohio136,137. He married (1) MATILDA JEFFERIES 1823138. She was born June 21, 1801 in Ohio138,139, and died March 16, 1857140,141. He married (2) MARY PYLES (BROWN) December 28, 1862142. She was born 1836142,143, and died 1915144,145.
Notes for WILLIAM EDWARD CRABTREE:
(Coming from Dewey Crabtree) William E. very small man probably four feet five inches with light har and blue eyes. Family saying that he had the bluest eyes anyone had ever seen. He owned around 3 thousand acres of land at one time in addition to a general store at a place called Molly‘s corner (located on 776 Scioto County and Glade Road). He had a lot of compassion for poor people and he often took them groceries when they were in need. In the fall he would take a gunny sack and go into a shoe factory in Portsmouth. He would fill up the sack with shoes and distribute them to the poor children in time for school. Donated land for Providence Church and Cemetery. 
1850 Census Scioto twp. Jackson Co. Ohio Page 353 B. September 24, 1850 J.M. Laird 104-108
Wm E. Crabtree 45 MW Farming 5,000 Ohio
Matilda 49 49 FW Ohio Mary Pyles 10 FW OH
1860 Census Scioto Twp, Jackson Co. Ohio Page 49 June 21, 180 James Nelson 347- 345
Willliam Crabtree 54 MW Grocer 4 ,000 1500 Ohio
More About WILLIAM EDWARD CRABTREE: Burial: Providence Cemetary146,147
More About MATILDA JEFFERIES: Burial: Providence Cemetary148,149
Notes for MARY PYLES (BROWN): was a young orphan whom William E. and Matilda raised. Mary was named in his will dated Oct. 18,1881 along with his three sons and his granddaughter, Sarah Crabtree.

So, onward.  Mary Piles does appear in the 1860 Federal Census in Brown, Delaware, Ohio.  She is living with the Thomas McDonald family and is listed as "servant". John G. O'Connell & Mary were married in April, 1861.

  In the St. Mary's Church records, McDonalds appear several times as sponsors to John G. & Mary A. O'Connell's children.