Benjamin Abraham Darnell (1833 - 1919)

Born 12 Jun 1833 in Big Sandy Precinct, Evans Township, Marshall County, Illinois

Ancestors

Husband of Anna Catherine (Neer) Darnell — married 7 Apr 1858 in Kendall, Illinois, USA

Descendants

Died 4 Dec 1919 at age 86 in Plano, Kendall, Illinois [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Karen Wendell [send private message]

Biography

Benjamin Abraham Darnell was born at the Darnell family home at "Fort Darnell" on 12 Jun 1833 in Sandy Precinct, Evans Township, Marshall County, Illinois as the first born son of parents Abram Darnell, aka "Abram" and Susan (Owen) Darnell, aka Susannah.^[1] The area "Fort Darnell" on the "Big Sandy" referred to the property that Benjamin Darnell claimed when settling on the Sandy waterway.^[2] [The waterway, just north, was no more than a small river/creek when I visited in 2015.^[3].)

Siblings Elizabeth (Darnell) James (1836) and Enoch Darnell (1837) were also born at the fort. Thomas Darnell (1839), Fanny Anna (Darnell) Neer (1842), Ruben Darnell (1843), Jane Darnell (1845), James Darnell (1846), and William Darnell (1849) were to follow.^[1][4]

The 26 Aug 1850 US Census shows Abram (44) and Susanna (38) living with their 8 children in Fox Township, Kendall, Illinois. Benjamin was the oldest at age 17; William Darnell, the youngest at age 1.^[4]2009.

His 2 youngest siblings, Alfred Darnell (1851) and Mary (Darnell) Lear (1853), were born in Kendall County.^[1][5]

Benjamin married Anna Catherine (Neer) Darnell in Kendall County, IL on 07 Apr 1858.^[1][6]

By 20 Jul 1860, Benjamin and Anna Catherine (Neer) Darnell had two children Thomas Darnell, aka "Dick" (1) and John Darnell Sr. (1 month) and were living in Little Rock, Kendall, ILlinois. Postal service was through the Bristol Post Office.^[7]

In 1870, "B.A." (37) and Ann C Darnell (31) are living in Squaw Grove, DeKalb, Illinois with their 6 children, Thomas (11), John William (10) George (6), Charles (4), Henry (4) and James (2), where "B.A." continues to farm.^[8]

By 1880, Ben (47) and Anna Catherine (Neer) Darnell (41) had had seven children and were living in Squaw Grove, DeKalb, IL; Thomas Darnell was now 21 and John Darnell Sr. 19. Their four younger children were Henry Darnell (14), Charles Darnell (14), James Darnell (11) and Frank M Darnell (8).^[9] One child, Barton D(born 11 Mar 1874 - 15 Apr 1874) had died at 1 month.^[10]

In Jun 1900 Benjamin (66) and Anna Catherine (Neer) Darnell (60) were living alone in a rented home at 8 11th Street in Little Rock, Kendall, IL. Benjamin continued to work as a farmer.^[11]

In 1910, they were living in their own home on Abe Street in Plano, Kendall, Illinois.^[12]

Rev. Benjamin Abraham Darnell died at age 86, on 4 Dec 1919 in Plano, Kendall, Illinois and was buried at the Little Rock Township Cemetery in Plano<^[1]

Research Notes

This is my great-grandfather. My mother spent a portion of her very young childhood in this home and that of his son, Thomas Darnell. [Wendell-374]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35933374/benjamin-abraham-darnell : accessed 12 June 2022), memorial page for Rev Benjamin Abraham Darnell (12 Jun 1833–4 Dec 1919), Find a Grave Memorial ID 35933374, citing Little Rock Township Cemetery, Plano, Kendall County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by Anne Sears (contributor 47022078) ; Includes memorial links to both parents, spouse, 9 Siblings, 6 children.
2. ↑ History of the Benjamin Darnell and Fannie (Viars) Darnell Family - Source of this copied book page is not shown [[1]]
3. ↑ Personal observance during travels in the area by K Wendell, 2nd great-granddaughter
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch; Original data: Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.; Year: 1850; Census Place: Fox, Kendall, Illinois; Roll: M432_113; Page: 305A; Image: 198
5. ↑ 1860 United States Federal Census
6. ↑ Ancestry.com. Illinois, County Marriage Records, 1800-1940 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016; Original data: Marriage Records. Illinois Marriages. Various Illinois County collections.
7. ↑ 1860 US Federal Census
8. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. Minnesota census schedules for 1870. NARA microfilm publication T132, 13 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.; Note Ancestry.com presents this entire family under an incorrect spelling of Daniell; correct spelling of the family surname is Darnell.
9. ↑ Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site; Year: 1880; Census Place: Squaw Grove, DeKalb, Illinois; Roll: 202; Page: 236C; Enumeration District: 042
10. ↑ Photo of Benjamin A Darnell Family Memorial Stone at Little Rock Township Cemetery [[2]]
11. ↑ 1900 US Federal Census
12. ↑ 1910 US Federal Census

• Illinois Death Certificate #0040546
• (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35933374/benjamin-abraham-darnell)