John Francis Darnell (abt. 1750 - abt. 1780)

Born about 1750 in Rowan County, North Carolina

Ancestors

Husband of Rachel (Van Noy) Darnell — married 1776 in Rowan Co,, North Carolina

Descendants

Died about 6 Aug 1780 at about age 30 in Battle of Hanging Rock; South Carolina, USA

Biography

John Francis Darnell was born in 1750.

Not much is known of Captain John Rogers (surname ?), but it is known that he was wounded on August 6, 1780 and that he led a small band of unorganized patriots to meet the "Prince of Wales" regiment at Hanging Rock and captured both British soldiers and munitions; however, he was wounded and soon expired.

Only 13 months before his death he had entered 500 acres of land on Fisher Creek in Wilkes County, North Carolina. He received Deed to the land on May 25, 1780, two months and 11 days before his death.^[1]

His wife, Rachel (Van Noy) Darnell, aka Rachel Darnell, was the administratrix of his estate, and bond was signed as surety by one Andrew Vannoy. This was most likely Rachel's younger brother, Capt. Andrew Vannoy (1742-1809), who served the 10 NC Regiment under Col Abraham Shepard (or Sheperd), prior to his retirement from service on 19 Apr 1777^[2] and marriage into the Shepherd family on 18 Oct 1779 in Wilkes, NC.^[3]

He was a young man, still in his thirties, and was the father of three children at the time of his death on August 6, 1780; Abner (the oldest) and Joseph and Benjamin, twins, were born on May 6, 1780, only three months before the death of their father. Joseph died in early infancy and Abner died when still a young man, having never been married. Therefore, the widow Rachel and the son, Benjamin, were sole survivors of the little family. ^[4][See research notes below regarding possible discrepancies regarding children]

Research Notes

NAME: Where did the surname "Rogers" get substantiated ...or was this a typo? Still trying to figure out how "Rogers" came into the bio in the 2nd sentence.

Birth Date: Is there any substantiating source for the 1750 DOB?

Death Date: The date of 6 AND 16 Aug 1780 have both been seen for his death. The Battle of Hanging Rock took place 6 Aug 1780 ... did Captain John get wounded AND die on that date? Does anyone know where the 16 Aug 1780 is cited and/or why it perpetuates?

Historical Notes on Statehood: South Carolina received statehood status: March 26, 1776 North Carolina received statehood status: November 21, 1789

Additional Discrepancies: Children of Captain Darnell Son: Possibility of a first born son, Jonathan or John Darnell (1774-1820)

Son: Abner Darnell

Abnerhas been seen as born abt or before 1776-1778 in NC AND may have died in Knox County, IL in 1860.

Could he have married Matilda Thurman (1821-1849)? Could he have 2 children, Arminda Darnell (1845 - ) and Caroline Priscilla "Carrie" Darnell (1838-1917)?

NOTE that this is in conflict and incompatilbe with "dieing at a young age, never having married" shown as sourced in the bio..

Son: Joseph Darnell (Benjamin's twin) is seen with a "different" scenario in some Darnell histories in KY and TN areas ... I can't substantiate because I was not aware that Benjamin had a twin at the time that I saw the info. I expect others know or have seen or that these items will resurface at some time.

Question: There is a William Darnell (1760-1790) that has also been seen as a possible sibling to Captain John Francis Darnell - I believe that info may have come from a Mocavo item before Mocavo was sold. I don't have access to my "shoebox" info at Mocavo. If anyone can properly identify the parents of this William Darnell, it would help resolve that discrepancy.

Sources

1. ↑ Recorded at the office of the Secretary of State at Raleigh, NC. among Land Grants, Book 42, page 72
2. ↑ SOURCE IS NEEDED
3. ↑ Ancestry.com, Yates Publishing; U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, Source number: 3983.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: CDV
4. ↑ Benjamin Darnell, Fort Darnell, and the Early Settlers of Marshall County by C.A. Darnell; Published in Journal of The Illinois State Historical Society, October, 1934, Volume XXVII, Number 3.

• See Early Settlers of Reddies River by Paul Gregor, Published by Wilkes Genealogical Society, 1976