Sons of Stephen Darden III

c. 1750: Stephen Darden, the father of Mary Darden Johnston, was born in Virginia.[1] There is little doubt that he was the grandson of Stephen and Elizabeth Carr Darden. Although I'm uncertain which of their many sons might, in fact, be his father, my guess would be Stephen Darden (III) and I've assigned him as such - with reservations - in this genealogy.

To complicate matters further, the date of his marriage to Ann [Nancy] Ellington hasn't been established, although John Bennett Boddie, in Historical Southern Families supplied a marriage year about 1775.[2] If correct, Ann would have been his first and only wife and the mother all his children, There's a possibility, however, that she was his second wife since at least one researcher claims their marriage occurred after 1795. We don't really know Ann's age, except that she was listed as "over 45" in the 1820 Census; vague indeed, and of little assistance. Some researchers believe that her parents were David and Jane Ellington, others that her father was Enoch Ward Ellington, son of the aforementioned David and Jane. We can't even be sure that she wasn't the widow of an Ellington. In an age when children were named after parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, none of Stephen's children were given the name of Ann, Nancy, or Ellington as part of their names. Son Zachariah Darden did name a son David Ellington Darden, but he was married to Nancy Ellington, who was definitely the daughter of a David Ellington. Son Jacob also named a son David, but that David's middle name isn't known. Only son Jethro, however, the son with whom Ann Ellington Darden lived during her widowhood, named a daughter Ann. When Joseph and Mary Darden Johnston named a daughter Nancy, the full name was allegedly Nancy Partridge Johnston. (No one knows where the Partridge originated.) Despite all these unknowns and because she may well have been the mother of one, several, or all of Stephen's children, Ann's information is included in the events below.

c. 1760: This is the year given for Ann ("Nancy") Ellington's birth by John Bennett Boddie.[3]

1783 or 1784: Stephen was paid £18 Virginia Currency in Hillsboro District, NC for "Patriotic Service", perhaps militia duty performed or supplies furnished.[4] Mrs. Leila Darden claimed that Stephen settled first in Wilkes County, GA about 1783. If so, then who was the Stephen Darden in NC and/or the Stephen Darden who appeared on the Tax List of 1783 in Nansemond County, VA with 4 whites, 8 blacks; and the Tax List of 1784 with 5 whites and 8 blacks? This researcher believes that Stephen IV was the Stephen Darden in NC and that he didn't move to GA until 1785.

February 1785: Stephen Darden sued Robert Russell for debt in Chatham County, NC, with the verdict for the plaintiff.[5]

1785 Tax List, Wilkes County, GA (Capt. Alexander's District): 3 polls, 4 slaves, 0 land.[6]

18 Nov 1785: Stephen purchased 200 acres on William's Creek in Wilkes County, GA from Mark Holloman.[7]

22 Dec 1787: Stephen was one of the 37 charter members of the William's Creek Baptist Church. He was reportedly both a deacon and clerk. At founding, it was known as "The Church of Christ on William's Creek". Amazingly, the church is still in use today.[8]

4 Mar 1794: Stephen purchased 200 acres on the waters of William's Creek adjoining [brother] Jacob Darden, John Campbell, Robert Cary, and Robert Hill from Solomon Lockett for £100. Witnesses: T. Luckett and Jacob Darden.[11]

1794 Tax List, Wilkes County, GA: 3 polls, 4 slaves.[12] In addition, Jacob Darden was the trustee for 200 acres in Wilkes County (Capt. Campbell's Disrict.) for Stephen.

3 Mar 1795: Stephen "of Washington County" sold 200 acres in Warren County to Ignatius Few.[13] This confusion of counties was not simply the result of county formation. Warren County had been formed from Wilkes in 1793, Washington County from Indian lands in 1784, and Wilkes County predated them both, so one can only conclude that Stephen owned various parcels in various locations.

31 Mar 1795: He bought 60 acres in Warren County from [brother] Jethro Darden.[14]

1805 Tax List, Warren County, GA (Capt. E. Baker's District): 1 poll, 6 slaves, 200 acres on William's Creek adjoining Harris.[15]

He died between 16 Feb 1806 when he was mentioned in church minutes and 4 May 1807 when his estate was appraised.[16]

Stephen was reportedly buried at William's Creek Baptist Church, but the grave had not been found as of 1960. Neither was any grave located in the family graveyard on the plantation at William's Creek. On the lawn of the courthouse in Warrenton, GA is a bronze tablet erected by the local chapter of the D.A.R. which states: "To the soldiers found to date buried in Warren County who fought in the War for American Independence, 1776-1783". The list of names which follows includes both Stephen and Jacob Darden.[17] Jacob's grave has also never been found.

30 Mar 1807: Nancy Darden was appointed temporary administratrix of Stephen's estate in Warren County.

4 May 1807: Along with [brother-in-law] Jethro Dardin Senior, Ann Dardin was named co-administrator of her late husband's estate. The bond was $8,000, with Jacob and William Darden as securities.[18]

7 May 1810: Anna Darden chose her [dower] 1/3 of Stephen's estate in Warren County.[19]

1811: The final returns on the Stephen Darden estate were filed in Warren County by Ann and Jethro Darden Junior. This included a payment to Dr. Weatherly.[20] Ann's co-administrator was Jethro Darden Senior, but "Junior" would seem to have been son Jethro, then aged about 24.

1812: The return of estate accounts listed expenses for the boarding of Zachariah, Nicholas, and Moses Darden; the payment of William Darden Senior's account; and the hiring of slaves by Jethro and Micajah Darden. It did not mention Ann. Was it filed by her? Nicholas and Moses were the youngest sons of Stephen, but Zachariah was the eldest. In fact, he was already married, so why was he listed as needing "boarding"? Micajah was the second eldest son.

1 Mar 1813: John Baker, Solomon Lockett, and Aaron Greer were appointed to divide the personal property of Stephen Darden, deceased. They turned in their report on 7 Feb 1814. The estate was divided among Ann Darden, Zachariah, Nicholas, Jethro, Micajah, and Moses Darden, [son-in-law] John Chaffin, Matilda Clower, and Joseph Johnston, husband of Mary Darden.[21] Where is son Elisha?

3 May 1813: Ann was appointed co-guardian not only of her own minor children Nicholas and Moses, but also of Martha Clower, her granddaughter. Moses and Jethro Darden were her co-guardians according to Boddie, but securities per Darden.[22]

1818 Tax List, Warren County, GA (Capt. Grier's District): Jethro Darden, as trustee for Ann, was listed with 0 polls, 2 slaves, 200 acres on William's Creek adjoining Morris.[23]

1820 Census, Warren County, GA (Capt. Richard Gunn's District): Jethro Darden was shown with 1 male under 10, 1 16-26, 1 26-45; 1 female under 10, 1 26-45, 1 over 45; 9 slaves. The household was enumerated close to Zachariah Darden, not far from "Willy" Darden". I'm assuming that Nancy is the older female in the household. But there's also a Nancy Darden listed with 2 males 16-26 and 2 females over 45; 6 slaves; 4 persons engaged in agriculture.

Ann died intestate before 2 Mar 1829.[24] The Administrator of the estate was Jethro Darden, with Septimus Torrence and James Bailey as sureties. Was that Sarah Johnston Bailey's James, who was, after all, residing in Madison County, AL at that time?

8 May 1829: An inventory of her estate was filed with Samuel Torrence, John Atcheson, and Robert Sheffield as appraisers. The estate sale that same day included a "family bible" that went to Micajah Darden.[25]

Jethro Darden (c. 1789 – c. 1859; m. Eady Darden, the daughter of Jacob and Luraney Hill

Moses Darden (31 Aug 1800 – 19 Apr 1881; m. 1st Nancy Wynn 13 Jul 1820, m. 2nd Elizabeth Stephens)

1793 Tax Digest, Wilkes County, GA (Capt. Campbell's District): 1 poll, 8 slaves, 300 acres adjoining Hill and 100 acres adjoining Baker. Also listed that year were Moses, Elisha, and Josiah Darden.[27]

1794 Tax Digest, Warren County, GA (Capt. Campbell's District): 1 poll, 8 slaves, 370 acres on William's Creek, 200 of which adjoined Hill and Rogers, 100 Baker. He was also listed as trustee for Stephen Darden for 200 acres on William's Creek adjoining Cary and Hill.[28]

13 Jul 1795: Jacob witnessed a deed from Willis Perry to James Elliot in Warren County.[29]

17 Sep 1796: Jacob sold land on William's Creek to John Bustin for $230.[30]

10 Dec 1804: He was surety for Henry and Mary Dewberry as administrators of the estate of Jesse Dewberry.[31]

1805 Tax Digest, Warren County, GA (Capt. E. Baker's District): 1 poll, 19 slaves, 300 acres on William's Creek adjoining Hill and 183 acres on White's Creek adjoining Hardin.[32]

1 Oct 1808: Jacob sold 200 acres "on the waters of Childer's Creek" to Jonathan Smith for $300.[35]

13 Feb 1809: He purchased one slave woman with 3 children for $550 from William Slater.[36]

4 May 1809: Along with William Darden, Jacob was security for [the widow] Nancy Darden and [Jacob and Stephen's brother] Jethro Darden Senior as co-administrators of the Stephen Darden estate.[37] There's a discrepancy in dates. Boddie and Darden give the year as 1809, Austin and Georgia Genealogical Magazine as 1807.

20 Jan 1810: He was received into membership of Williams Creek Baptist Church "by experience", and at one time was church "doorkeeper".[38]

3 Apr 1817: He was surety for Solomon Lockett and Nancy Wright as administrators of the Lewis Wright estate.[39]

3 Nov 1817: Sons Abner and David Darden were appointed co-administrators of the Jacob Darden estate in Warren County, with John Harris as security. On that date also, wife "Phoebe Rogers Darden, relict of Jacob Darden", chose her 1/3 of his estate.[40]

1 Dec 1817: Phoebe Darden, widow of Jacob Darden" appeared in court to choose her dower from the estate.[41] But hadn't she already done that in November?

According to the D.A.R. plaque in front of the county courthouse, Jacob Darden, a Revolutionary War soldier, was supposedly buried in Warren County, but the exact location of his gravesite was not known in 1964.

David Darden (m. Matilda Clower, daughter of Jacob and Sally Darden Clower, 23 Dec 1819)

Eady Darden (1797, Warren Co, GA - ; m. Jethro Darden, son of Stephen Darden, 9 May

Another possible child is Laodicia Darden (c. 1779 - c. 1865). She married Micajah Darden, son of Stephen Darden (IV) and thus the brother of Mary Darden Johnston, on 10 Nov 1800, Warren County, GA)

1793 Tax Digest, Wilkes County, GA (Capt. Campbell's District): 1 poll, 3 slaves, 100 acres on William's Creek adjoining Baker.[43]

1794 Tax Digest, Warren County, GA (Capt. Campbell's District): 1 poll, 3 slaves, 100 acres on William's Creek adjoining John Baker and George Harris.[44]

15 Mar 1798: Moses purchased 2 parcels on Hart's Creek at auction from tax collector Elisha Pruitt: one parcel of 200 acres for $110, and one of 400 acres for $91.25. He then sold 200 acres on Hart's Creek to Elisha Pruitt for $21.50 and entered into a trust deed for 600 acres on Hart's Creek. The end result was Moses owing Pruitt on a mortage of $43.00.[45]

17 Jan 1805: He bought 100 acres on William's Creek from Asa Cox for $520.[46]

1805 Tax Digest, Warren County, GA (Capt. E. Baker's District): 1 poll, 10 slaves, 200 acres on William's Creek adjoining Baker.[47]

3 May 1813: Along with Jethro Darden, Moses was security for Ann Darden as guardian to the minors and orphans of Stephen Darden and Jacob Clower in Warren County.[48] Or was all mention of Moses after 1806 actually his son? Or the son of Stephen and Nancy?

6 Nov 1815: He was security for John Flinn of Jones County as guardian of Thomas Flinn Junior. Once again, Jethro Darden was his fellow security.[49]

20 Oct 1817: Moses and [probable son] Jesse Darden witnessed the will of George Harris.[50]

1818 Tax List, Warren County, GA: 1 poll, 12 slaves, 200 acres on William's Creek adjoining Harris.[51]

John Bennett Boddie believed that Moses died between 1818 and 20 Dec 1827, when 202½ acres of the "estate of Moses Darden, deceased" was sold in Monroe County, GA by Willis and Micajah Darden, both of Warren County.[52] Newton Jasper Darden believed that Moses may have died in or before 1806 because he was not mentioned in connection with brother Stephen's death or estate from 1809. That claim was erroneous. See above.

William Darden (c. 1780, VA - c. 1842; m. Polly Dewberry 20 Jan 1828 or 20 Jan 1806)

Another son may have been Micajah Darden who signed the deed of 20 Dec 1827 as "Manager of the Estate of Moses Darden, dec'd".

There's a remote possibility that this Jethro may instead have been the son of Jethro Darden, and therefore a first cousin to Stephen of William's Creek, rather than his brother.

22 Dec 1787: Jethro was one of the original members of Williams Creek Baptist Church. He remained active in the church until he moved to Monroe County, GA in 1825/1830.

11 Jan 1805: He sold 4 parcels: 1) 18 acres on Williams Creek to Timothy Mathews for $60; 2) 87 acres on Hart's Creek to Thomas Fountain for $350; 3) 27 acres on Williams Creek to James Mathews for $51; and 4) 117 acres on Williams Creek adjoining Few, Parker, and Wilkins to John Fountain for $230.[54]

1805 Tax List, Warren County, GA (Capt. E. Baker's District): 0 polls, 3 slaves, 246 acres on William's Creek adjoining Few.[55] If no polls, where is Jethro?

1818 Tax List, Warren County, GA (Capt. Parkam's District): 0 polls, 4 slaves, 438 acres on Williams Creek adjoining Alexander.[56]

23 Mar 1818: Jethro Darden Senior was named administrator of the William White estate in Warren.[57]

1 Nov 1819: Jethro Darden Senior served as administrator of mother-in-law Sarah Perkins' estate in Warren County.[58]

3 Jul 1837: Jethro's will naming wife Ellender and the children was probated in Monroe County, GA. Executors: Wilson and Stephen Darden.[59]

Luroney Darden (m. Green Darden, son of Elisha Darden and grandson of Stephen Darden, 24 May 1826)

If you have material about any individuals included in Nancy's Dead Relatives, can add well-documented family lines, have corrections and/or comments, or wish to establish a link to or from this site, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadrelatives.com. However, the decision whether or not to include any submitted material is the webmaster's (mine) alone.

Any information is only as reliable as its source. Evaluate the following sources accordingly.

[1] Darden, Darden Family History, p. 171

[2] Boddie, Historical Southern Families, Vol. 8, p. 179

[3] Boddie, p. 179

[4] Boddie, p. 178, from NC Historical Commission, Book C, p. 128

[5] Jackson and Laird, Chatham County, North Carolina Court Minutes, Vol. III, p. 5

[6] Darden, p. 170; Boddie, p. 178

[7] Boddie, p. 178, from Book D, p. 89-90

[8] Boddie, p. 180; Swain

[9] Boddie, p. 180

[10] Boddie, p. 180

[11] Book A, p. 521

[12] Boddie, p. 180

[13] Darden, p. 170, from Book D, p. 89

[14] Boddie, p. 179, from Book D, p. 91

[15] Darden, p. 171; Swain

[16] Boddie, p. 179; Book B, p. 57 records the division of the estate

[17] Boddie, p. 179

[18]Austin, Georgia Intestate Records, p. 77, copy provided by Constance Hutchinson; Georgia Genealogical Magazine, v. 19, p. 1240, Jan 1966

[19] Boddie, p. 180, from Miscellaneous Records, p. 82; Darden, p. 171; Austin, p. 77, copy provided by Constance Hutchinson

[20] Darden, p. 171, from Book B, p. 24

[21] Austin, , p. 77, copy provided by Constance Hutchinson; Darden, p. 171, from Book B, p. 57

[22] Boddie, p. 180; Darden, p. 171

[23] Darden, p. 172

[24] Weldon Jelks, copy provided by Louise Ryan; Austin, p. 77, copy provided by Constance Hutchinson. Gordon Wallace Darden merely states "about 1829".

[25] Austin, p. 77, copy provided by Constance Hutchinson

[26] Boddie, p. 183

[27] Darden, p. 173

[28] Darden, p. 170; Blair, Some Early Tax Digests of Georgia, p. 156

[29] Lucas, Some Georgia County Records, Vol. 1, p. 208, from p. 92-93

[30] Lucas, p. 223

[31] Lucas, p. 205, from p. 68-69

[32] Darden, p. 173

[33] Boddie, p. 184, from Marriage Book B, p. 106 The date given is 1817, but Boddie believes 1807 is the actual year.

[34] Darden, p. 173

[35] Boddie, p. 183, from Book G, p. 586

[36] Lucas, p. 207, from p. 84-85

[37] Darden, p. 173

[38] Boddie, p. 179, who supplies a date of 2 Jan on p. 184, from original Church Minutes

[39] Lucas, p. 322, from p. 26

[40] Darden, p. 173; Boddie, p. 179, 184, from Miscellaneous Records, p. 45

[41] Boddie, p. 184, from Miscellaneous Records

[42] Boddie, p. 185

[43] Darden, p. 173; Boddie, p. 186

[44] Darden, p. 173; Blair, p. 156

[45] Book A, p. 457, 460-462

[46] Lucas, p. 294

[47] Darden, p. 173

[48] Darden, p. 174, 171, from Book A, p. 87

[49] Darden, p. 174

[50] Lucas, p. 345, from p. 62

[51] Boddie, p. 186; Darden, p. 174

[52] Darden, p. 173, 174; Boddie, p. 186 -187, from Monroe County Deed Book E, p. 107

[53] Boddie, p. 179, from Book D, p. 91

[54] Lucas, p. 290, 292, 287, from Deed Book B, p. 375, 405, 339, 404; Boddie, p. 189

[55] Darden, p. 174

[56] Darden, p. 174

[57] Lucas, p. 322, from p. 50

[58] Lucas, p. 320, from p. 69

[59] Boddie, p. 190, from Book A, p. 110

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