Children of Stephen Darden IV

c. 1775: Zachariah was born in Virginia.[1] Micajah and Zachariah were both born c. 1775. Were they twins, "Irish twins" born less than twelve months apart, or were they actually cousins rather than brothers?

7 Sep 1787: Nancy O. Ellington was born in Lunenburg County, VA. According to John Goff, Nancy was the daughter of David and Jane Ellington.[2] This couple was also supposed to have been the parents of Ann ("Nancy") Ellington, wife of our Stephen Darden, father of Zachariah. Yet there was 25 years difference in the ages of the two Ellington women. Were their names perhaps confused in ascribing descent from David and Jane? And would two sisters both be called Nancy?

1805 Tax List, Warren County, GA: Jesse Davidson was listed as trustee for Zachariah Darden with 1 poll, 298 acres adjoining Dewberry.[3] Where was Zachariah?

1803: Zachariah and Nancy Ellington, the latter "of Crawfordsville" in Taliaferro County, were married.[4] Although there seems to be great disagreement regarding their marriage year, daughter Cynthia's date of birth, if correct, would support 1803, Newton Jasper Darden believed that Zachariah and Nancy were married in 1817; Gordon Wallace Darden claimed they married in 1807.[5] Whatever the year might have been during that first decade of the nineteenth century, surely this must have been Zachariah's second marriage?

5 Feb 1816: Zachariah witnessed the will of Irby Dewberry Senior in Warren County.[6] The Executor of the Dewberry estate was William Darden.

1818 Tax List, Warren County, GA: Joseph Johnston [Zachariah's brother-in-law] was listed as trustee for Zachariah Darden with 1 slave, 210 acres on Redlick Creek in Capt. Roger's District and 1 poll, 2 slaves, 200 acres on Beaverdam Creek adjoining Dewberry in Capt. Grier's District.[7] Judging from the birth places claimed for his children, Zachariah had apparently moved to Taliaferro County, GA, but was obviously still the owner of inherited property in Warren County.

1820 Census, Warren County, GA (Capt. Richard Gunn's District): Zachariah Darden was shown with 1 male under 10, 1 26-45; 1 female under 10, 1 16-26; 3 slaves; 3 "free colored persons"; 2 persons engaged in agriculture. He was enumerated close to Jethro Darden, not far from "Willy" Darden. The family seems to have been temporarily back in Warren County.

2 Jul 1821: He was surety for Mary Barksdale, administratrix of the William Barksdale estate.[8]

1840 Census, Taliaferro County, GA (District 172): 1 male 10-15, 1 15-20, 1 20-30, 1 60-70; 1 female under 5, 1 20-30, 1 50-60. Close by is the household of James Darden, age 40-50.[9]

28 Oct 1850 Census, Taliaferro County, GA: Zachariah Darden age 75, born MD, can't read or write; Nancy 65, born VA, can't read or write.[10] Born Maryland?

3 Dec 1851: Zachariah Darden, "aged 75", died in Taliaferro County. He was buried in South Liberty Burying Ground. The graveyard is located near Raytown in woods off a dirt road following roughly the old Wrightsboro-Raytown-Greensboro Stage Line.[11]

2 Jul 1860 Census, Taliaferro County, GA (Crawfordville P.O.): Nancy Darden, age 70, born GA, was enumerated in the household of merchant Brant Ivey, born NC, with real and personal property worth $30,000 and $10,850 respectively, with: Elizabeth 4__ [second digit is illegible] born GA; John W. 16; Simeon 7; and William 6. This is almost certainly the family of daughter Elizabeth.

Micajah was born c. 1775. Gordon Wallace Darden claimed that Micajah was born in GA, yet earlier in his genealogy he had stated that the first 3 children of Stephen and Ann were born in VA. Micajah himself claimed VA in the 1850 Census.

c. 1782: Laodicea, nicknamed "Dicy", was born in NC. She may have been the daughter of Jacob Darden, the sister of Abner, David, Eady, and Jesse Darden, and therefore Micajah's first cousin.[12]

18 Jul 1801: He purchased 129 acres on the waters of Williams Creek from John Saxon for $315 or $350. The deed was witnessed by William Darden.[13] Micajah's cousin William was the son of Moses Darden.

1805 Tax List, Warren County, GA (Capt. E. Baker's Dist.): 1 poll, 3 slaves, 129 acres on William's Creek adjoining Chapman.[14]

1811 Tax List, Warren County, GA (Capt. E. Baker's Dist.): 1 poll, 4 slaves, 129 acres on William's Creek adjoining Rogers.[15]

1830 Census, Warren County, GA: Michajah Darden was listed with 2 males under 5, 1 5-10, 1 10-15, 1 15-20, 2 20-30, 1 50-60; 1 female 5-10, 1 10-15, 1 15-20, 1 40-50. The family was enumerated next to Elisha Darden. The young children must be grandchildren.

28 Sep 1839: Micajah purchased land in Sumter County from Elizabeth Johnson.[16]

1840 Census, Sumter County, GA: 1 male under 5, 1 30-40, 1 60-70; 1 female 50-60. Enumerated next to them is [son] Jesse Darden with 1 male under 5, 1 5-10, 1 20-30; 1 female 20-30.[17]

29 Sep 1850 Census, Sumter County, GA: Farmer Micajah age 75, born VA, with property valued at $75; Leodicia 68, born NC; Simeon Battle 12, born GA.[18] Simeon Battle was Micajah and Dicy's grandson.

20 Nov 1854: Micajah signed his will. In it, he left wife Dicey one slave girl by the name of Luizar, $1,500 in cash, bedstead and furniture. Although he mentioned "several children", only Sarah Edge was named.

Elbert Darden (26 May 1801 – ; m. Mary B. Stephens 4 Mar 1823; m. Mary ______ 8 Dec 1844; m. ______ ______ 26 Aug 1853)

24 Sep 1850 Census, Sumter County, GA (District 27): Farmer Elbert Darden 49, born GA, with property worth $1,100; Mary 29, born GA; Joseph 12; James 10; Elisha 7; Mary 4; Benj 2; Leodicia 1. All the children were born in GA.[18a]

c. 1789: Jethro was born in Warren County, GA. He is often referred in records to as "Junior" to distinguish him from his Uncle Jethro.

1797: Edith "Eady" Darden was born in Warren County, the daughter of [Jethro's uncle] Jacob and Luraney Hill Darden.

15 Oct 1809: Jethro was admitted to membership in the Williams Creek Baptist Church. He was listed as "clerk" there in 1830.

9 May 1815: Jethro and Eady were married, with Abner Darden as witness.[19] Abner was Eady's eldest brother.

1818 Tax List, Warren County, GA (Capt. Grier's Dist.): Jacob is listed as trustee for [mother or stepmother] Ann Darden with 0 polls, 2 slaves, 200 acres on William's Creek adjoining Morris; and as trustee for [brother] Moses Darden with 0 polls, 1 slave, 0 land.[20]

1820 Census, Warren County, GA (Capt. Richard Gunn's District): Jethro Darden is shown with 1 male under 10, 1 16-26, 1 26-45; 1 female under 10, 1 26-45, 1 over 45; 9 slaves; 5 persons engaged in agriculture. The family was enumerated close to [brother] Zachariah Darden, not far from "Willy" Darden.[21] Who are the older male and female? Are they Luraney's parents as Jethro's mother Nancy Darden was enumerated in her own household?

13 Dec 1828: Jethro, along with William Castleberry, witnessed a deed of gift in Warren County from [Eady's brother] Jesse to [daughter] Betsey Darden of "a certain negro girl by the name of Amanda".[22]

2 Mar 1829: Jethro was appointed the executor of the estate of Ann Darden in Warren County.

1830 Census, Warren County, GA: 1 male 5-10, 1 10-15, 1 40-50, 1 50-60; 1 female under 5, 1 5-10, 1 30-40.[23]

18 Aug 1831: Eady was received "by experience" into the Williams Creek Baptist Church.[24]

16 Aug 1839: He witnessed the will of Benjamin Wynne Senior in Warren County.[26]

1840 Census, Warren County, GA (Barksdale District): Jethro Darden is listed with 1 male 5-10, 1 50-60; 1 female 5-10, 1 10-15, 1 15-20, 1 40-50.[27]

25 Sep 1850 Census, Warren County, GA (Subdivision 90): Planter Jethro Darden 66, born GA, with real property worth $7,000; Edith 60, born GA; student Christopher C. 16; merchant William Baker 27, born GA; Jesse Darden 76, born NC.[28] Jesse was Eady's brother.

1859: Eady mortgaged 1,073 acres of land and 12 slaves at Double Wells, Talliaferro County, GA to protect several sureties on bond of $64,000 dealing with the estate of her husband Jethro.[29]

13 Jun 1860 Census, Warren County, GA (Warrenton P.O.): Mrs. Darden age 68, born GA, engaged in farming with real and personal property valued at $5,500 and $45,000 repectively; William Thompson 28, farm laborer.[30]

1861: Eady sold the land upon which she and Jethro had resided at the time of his death to Thomas I. Pilcher for $5,365. This tract comprised 1,073 acres "lying on both sides of the Georgia Railroad and around Double Wells".[31]

Eady's death date isn't known, nor is the burial site of either she or Jethro.

31 Aug 1800: Moses was born in Warren County, GA, the youngest child of Stephen Darden.[32] This late birth date supports the theory that Ann Ellington Darden was his mother.

6 Oct 1810: Elizabeth, daughter of Theophilus and Celia Devane Stephens, was born.

13 May 1813: Ann Darden was named guardian of Moses, who was said to be over 14.[33]

1818 Tax List, Warren County, GA (Capt. Grier's Dist.): Jethro Darden was shown as trustee for Moses Darden, minor, with 0 polls, 1 slave, 0 land.[34] Jethro was, of course, his brother. Brother Zachariah was also absent from his land that year, almost certainly residing in Taliaferro County. Was Moses there also?

13 Jul 1820: Moses married Nancy Wynne in Warren County.[35] The surname is often spelled without the "e" at the end.

19 Jun 1834: Moses married Elizabeth Stephens.[36] Elizabeth had been born on 6 Oct 1810 in NC.[37]

Based upon the birthplace of their eldest son, Moses and Elizabeth moved to AL in 1835 or 1836.

1840 Census, Chambers County, AL: Moses Darden was listed with 3 males under 5, 1 5-10, 1 30-40; 1 female 20-30.[38]

23 Nov 1850 Census, Chambers County, AL: Farmer Moses Durden age 49, born GA, with real property worth $200; Elizabeth 40, born NC; Stephen 14, born AL; William 13; James M. 11; Thomas J. 10; Francis M. 8, born AL; Joseph J. 5; Celia A. M. 3; infant Hubbard 10 months.[39]

16 Jun 1860 Census, Russell County, AL: Farmer Moses Darden 59, born GA, with real and personal property valued at $1,500 and $2,700 respectively; Elizabeth 49, born NC; farmer T. J. [Thomas] 21, born AL; male F. M. [Francis] 18; male J. J. [Joseph] 15; female S. A. [Celia] 13; female Mary 9; female V. E. 7; Hubard 11; and with a separate family number but the same household number, Mary Darden age 15, born AL.[40]

1870 Census, Lee County, AL (Beat 9, Opelika P.O.): Farmer M. Darden 75, born GA, with real and personal property valued at $600 and $380; Matilda 60, born GA: farmer Hubbard 21, born in AL; Mary 20; Virginia 17.[41] This must be our Moses. Look at Hubbard, Mary, and Virginia's ages from 1850 to 1870. Yet who is Matilda? She's the correct age to be Elizabeth.

19 Apr 1881: Moses died near Opelika, Lee County, AL. He is buried in the Union Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Russell County, AL.[42]

Uriah Addison Darden (23 Sep 1825 – 17 Jul 1903; m. Mary Logan 18 Mar 1847)

Children of Moses and Elizabeth Stephens Darden: There are some discrepancies between John Bennett Boddie and the children enumerated on the 1850 and 1860 Censuses.

James Madison Darden (Oct 1837 – ; m. Mahulda Chadwick 25 Dec 1859) Are we to conclude that William C. Darden died very shortly after the wedding, and James Madison married his widow?

Thomas Jefferson Darden (27 Feb 1840 – 15 Apr 1908; m. Mary Lucilla Eckles)

Joseph Johnston Darden (25 Aug 1844 – 13 Mar 1912; m. 1st Saphronia E. Maynor 21 Jan 1866, m. 2nd Laura Perry Radney 5 Oct 1890)

Celia Ann Darden (c. 1847 – ; m. 1st Charlie Culpepper 6 Dec 1868, m. 2nd John H. Leonard)

Virginia Elizabeth Darden (Jul 1854 – ; m. Charles E. Culpepper 20 Dec 1877) Did Culpepper marry sisters, or were the two sisters confused with each other?

If you have any material about, or photos of, 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] Boddie, Historical Southern Families, Vol. 8, p. 179

[2] Goff, 'Neath Georgia Sod, p. 181, copy provided by Constance Hutchinson

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

[4] Goff, p. 181, copy provided by Constance Hutchinson

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

[6] Lucas, Some Georgia County Records, Vol. 1, p. 343, from original p. 31

[7] Darden, p. 171

[8] Lucas, , p. 315, from original p. 88

[9] Taliaferro County 1840 Census

[10] Taliaferro County 1850 Census, p. 339/677

[11] Goff, p. 181, copy provided by Constance Hutchinson

[12] Boddie, p. 180; Lucas; Darden, p. 171

[13] Lucas, p. 258, from Book E, p. 46

[14] Darden, p. 171

[15] Boddie, p. 181

[16] Boddie, p. 181, from Book E, p. 272

[17] Sumter County 1840 Census, p. 9

[18] Sumter County 1850 Census, p. 354

[18a] Sumter County 1850 Census, p. 178

[19] Darden, p. 173; Boddie, p. 185, from Marriage Book B, p. 59

[20] Darden, p. 172

[21] Warren County 1830 Census, p. 200

[22] Boddie, p. 185, from Book A-A, p. 243. Another citation in my own notes source has the year as 1836! Both citations have the same source.

[23] Warren County 1830 Census, p. 200

[24] Boddie, p. 185

[25] Boddie, p. 182

[26] Lucas, p. 363, from original p. 118A-120

[27] Warren County 1840 Census, p. 38

[28] Warren County 1850 Census, p. 153

[29] Boddie, p. 185, from Deed Book AA, p. 162

[30] Warren County 1860 Census, p. 10

[31] Boddie, p. 185

[32] Darden, p. 172

[33] Austin, Georgia Intestate Records, p. 77, copy provided by Constance Hutchinson

[34] Darden, p. 172

[35] Boddie, p. 183; Darden, p. 172

[36] Boddie, p. 183

[37] Darden, p. 172

[38] Chambers County 1840 Census, p. 191

[39] Chambers County 1850 Census, p. 359

[40] Russell County 1860 Census, p. 33/1009

[41] Lee County 1870 Census, p. 4

[42] Darden, p. 172

[43] Darden, p. 272

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