Jacob Darden

c. 1641: Jacob was born in Upper Norfolk County, Virginia Colony.[1]

20 Apr 1682: Jacob Durdon was granted 100 acres bequeathed to him by Stephen Durdon, plus another 335 acres for the transportation of 5 persons to the colony, most probably by his father Stephen, the decree dated 28 Sep 1681.[2]

1682: Jacob was listed for two tithables in Isle of Wight County.[3]

24 Apr 1684: He sold 100 acres on the southwest side of Branch Swamp in Isle of Wight to William Murfrey for £100 tobacco.[4]

15 Feb 1685: He signed an agreement with Mary Walters that specified service by her son John Walters for 12 years.  Under this apprenticeship contract, Jacob was to feed, clothe, and teach him the trade of cooper.  If Jacob was to marry and then die during the period of the contract, John was to serve his widow only during her widowhood.[5]  Either this contract involved a younger, bachelor Jacob Darden Junior, or was made between wives.

9 Apr 1690: Jacob served as juror in Isle of Wight County.[6] 

6 Aug 1692: He purchased 200 acres in Isle of Wight County from Robert Hooks.

9 Feb 1693: He was called as a grand juror in Isle of Wight but failed to appear.[7] 

9 Oct 1693: Jacob Durden petitioned the court to have F. Biddle appointed constable in his stead.  The petition was granted.[8]

12 Dec 1694: Capt. Thomas Godwin sued Jacob Durden, the court ruling for defendant Jacob.[9]

9 Jun 1695: Simon Everett, William Murfree, and Jacob appraised the estate of Henry Allen.[10]

8 Oct 1697: In return for the transport of seven persons, Jacob received a grant for 330 acres.[11]  The surnames of five of these persons weren't given.  This may be the third time the Dardens benefited from the headright system, transporting five persons each time.

17 Sep 1698: Jacob and wife Ann sold 165 acres in Lower Parish, Isle of Wight County, to Henry Pope.[12]   Jacob had obviously married between 15 Feb 1685 and 17 Sep 1698.  After Jacob's death his widow Ann married a Mr. Leigh. We can't be sure of her maiden name, but it may have been Murfrey.  Weldon Jelks claimed that her maiden name was Hill, while another source gives her name as Ann Bennett Hill.  She could've have been born Ann Bennett and married three times, first to Mr. Hill, second to Jacob Darden, and third to Mr. Leigh; or she could've simply had Bennett as a middle name. 

c. 1700: He assisted in the division of the James Tullagh estate.[13]

1704 Rent Roll, Isle of Wight County, VA: Jacob was shown with 500 acres.[14]

28 Apr 1711: Jacob Durden received a grant of 470 acres in Isle of Wight.[15]  But was it Senior or Junior?

27 Apr 1713: Along with William Murfree, John Watts, and Robert Smelly, Jacob appraised the estate of Benjamin Beele.[16]

16 Jun 1714: Jacob Durden received a patent for 171 acres on the east side of "Black Water, alias Chowan, River" in the Upper Parish of Nansemond for 20 shillings.[17]  But was this Senior or Junior?

14 Apr 1717: Jacob signed his will in Isle of Wight, bequeathing Ann "the negroes, the movables, and the use of the plantation" for her lifetime.  He also named sons Stephen, John, Benjamin, Jacob, Samuel, Henry;and the daughter of Thomas Giles.  Executors: Wife Ann and son Jacob.  Witnesses: William and Sarah Murfrey, and Charles Roberts.[18]

17 Feb 1718: Jacob signed a revocation to his will.  This contained a clause barring "my sons Stephen, Jacob, Joseph, and Thomas Giles' child and their heirs forever . . . except the heirs of John, Henry, Samuel, and Benjamin die without heirs".  Witnesses: William and Sarah Murfrey, Joseph Meredith.   Thomas Giles was the second husband of daughter Eleanor Darden.

22 Jun 1719: Jacob's will and revocation were proved in court.[19] 

28 Sep 1719: Widow Ann turned in the inventory as co-executor of Jacob's will, along with son Jacob.[20]

7 Aug 1732: Ann Leigh signed her will in Beaufort Precinct, NC.  It mentioned only sons Joseph and Samuel Darden, daughters Ann Adams and Jane Watkins, and grandchildren Jacob Darden, James Adams, Sarah Adams, and Mary Watkins.[21]  It was apparently proved in Mar 1733.   Were Ann and Jane her children by Jacob Leigh; or by her possible/hypothetical first husband, Mr. Hill.?

Children of Jacob Darden: As named in the  revocation to his will dated 17 Feb 1718

Eleanor Darden (     - 1734; m. 1st William Smelley; m. 2nd Thomas Giles)

John Darden (m. Elizabeth Powers)

Stephen Darden II (m. Elizabeth Carr)

Benjamin Darden

Jacob Darden (     - c. 1741; m. 1st Mary Williamson; m. 2nd Sarah Lawrence)

Samuel Darden

Joseph Darden (     – 1733; m. Alse ______)

Henry Darden (m. Mary Pope)

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Nancy Denty Breidenthal