I am still working on my Rives line, and yet more wills and estate records have popped up. Joseph Darnall was my 6th great-grandfather, born in 1741 in Culpeper County, Virginia. His daughter, Jane or Jennie Darnall, married Nathaniel Cunningham. Joseph died in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in 1812.
Joseph’s wife and Jennie’s mother, Winifred Perry Darnall, also left a will in 1829, which I will post next. She came from a very wealthy family indeed, so it looks like I am going to be busy with that line for a while.
Of course Joseph was a slaveholder, like everyone in this Virginia line. All the enslaved people listed here have been added to my tree on Ancestry and linked to Joseph, as well as those who inherited them.
From North Carolina Wills and Estates on Ancestry.com. Download the PDF here.
In the name of God amen I Joseph Darnell of the County of Mecklenburg and State of North Carolina considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being sick in Body but of sound mind & memory blessed be almighty God for the same Do make & ordain this my last will & testament in manner & form following viz
First I will all my Just debts to be paid
2nd I give and bequeath to my son Joshua Darnall Twenty Shillings in money or the value thereof in property
3rd I give & bequeath to my six daughters Elizabeth Smith, Jenny Cunningham, Sukey Boyd, Polly Cothern, Patsey Darnall & Hannah Person Twenty shillings each or the value thereof in property
4th I give & bequeath to my Daughter Winifred Smith one negro woman named Kizzy & one negro child named Rhoda said negroes now in the said Winifred Smith’s possession
5th I give & bequeath to my son Joseph R Darnall one negro boy now in his possession named Jim
6th I give and bequeath to my son John Darnall one feather bed and furniture
7th I give and bequeath to my son William Darnall one Horse creature the choice of my stock & one rather bed & furniture
the above property is willed that is not divided I wish to be delivered at my death
8th the plantation I now live on I have bequeathed to my beloved wife Winifred Darnall during her life for her my beloved wife’s use therein only during her life after my wife’s death I will and devise the said plantation to my two sons John and William Darnall to be equally divided between them
I also lend to my wife two negro boys named Tom & Adam during her life after my beloved wife’s death I give and bequeath the one named Tom to my son John Darnall & the other named Adam I give & bequeath to my son William Darnall after my wife’s death
And lastly I give & bequeath to my beloved wife Winifred Darnell five negroes to wit: Ned, Jane (?) Dave, Jenny, & Rebecca & the whole of my stock consisting of Horses, Hogs, Cows, Sheep & together the whole of my Crop & in general ___
the rest, residue & remainder of my property of what kind to ____ ______ for her use & disposal
I also nominate Benjamin Persons of the district of York & state of South Carolina & my beloved wife Winifred Darnall sole Executor and Executrix of this my last Will & Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made
In witness where I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twelfth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve
August 12 1812
Joseph X Darnall
Signed sealed & declared in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses
Andrew ?
James ?
John Bennett
A Long Way to Tennessee 