The Many and Confusing Elisha Dardens

There were apparently only two Elisha Dardens who might have been the son of Stephen Darden of William's Creek, but there's enough confusion in the secondary sources for any ten men.  To make matters worse, Stephen may not have even had a son named Elisha.

According to Bennett Boddie in his Historical Southern Families, Stephen Darden of William's Creek had a son named Elisha who married Miss Weaver and died in Monroe County, GA.  His children were Green Darden (m. Luroney Darden 24 May 1826), Henry Weaver Darden (c. 1801 -     ), Bolivar Green Darden (c. 1834 -     ), James Darden (c. 1837 -     ), James Roambus Darden (2 Jun 1834 - 6 Apr 1903), Louisa Weaver Darden (c. 1836 -     ), Martha Ann Darden (c. 1837 - Jul 1892), Lucinda Warren Darden (c. 1838 -     ), Permelia Darden (c. 1842 -     ), and William Henry Darden (8 Jul 1843-     ).  But this list seems suspect on its face.  Wouldn't Green Darden and Bolivar Green Darden be the same individual, as would James and James Roambus?  And wouldn't the Green Darden who married Luroney in 1826 have been rather old to be the brother of Henry Weaver Darden, born 1843?

In searching for Elisha in Monroe County we find . . .

1830 Census:

●    Jethro Darden was listed with 1 male under 5, 1 20-30, 1 60-70; 1 female 10-15, 1 20-30, 1 50-60.  This man, born between 1760 and 1770, was the brother of Stephen Darden.  The 20-30 year old male would have been born between 1800 and 1810 and was obviously the father of the under 5 male and the 10-15 female.

●     William Darden with 2 males under 5, 1 5-50, 1 10-15, 1 15-20, 1 40-50; 2 females under 5, 1 30-40.

●     Wilson Darden with 1 male 30-40.

●     Zachariah Darden with 1 male 10-15, 2 30-40; 1 female under 5, 1 10-15, 1 30-40.

            1840 Census: Elisha Darden was listed with 1 male 15-20, 1 70-80; 1 female 60-70.[1]

1850 Census:

●     Farmer William F. Darden 30, born GA, with property valued at $500; Catherine O. Darden 24, born GA; Hiram6; James 5; John 4; Sarah 1.  They were enumerated in the household of Timothy and Amanda Chambliss.[2]  Henry Weaver Darden reportedly married Martha Simms Chambliss.

●     Farmer Wilson Darden 61, born GA, with property valued at $1,800; Frances 59, born GA; Ellena 15; Ann 13.[3]  Jethro Darden also had a son named Wilson.

                That doesn't resemble the man described by Boddie. 

                Then in Walton County, we find . . .

1830 Census, Walton County, GA: 2 males under 5, 1 5-10, 1 30-40; 1 female under 5, 1 5-10, 1 30-40.  He's enumerated next to Henry Conner. 

1850 Census, Walton County, GA (Division 88): Farmer Elisha Deurden 54, born GA, no amount for real property listed; Nancy 53, born GA; farmer William 25, Martha 15; Nancy A. 12; Wilson 11.  Wilson also was the name of a son of Jethro Darden, brother of our Stephen; but lest we think there was a father-son connection, Jethro did not name a son Elisha.  Wife Nancy was born Nancy Connor.

29 Jun 1860 Census, Walton County, GA (Northern Division, Monroe P.O.): Farmer Elisha Dearden 70, born GA, with real and personal property worth $375 and $224 respectively; Nancy 64, born GA; Martha 22; Nancy 20.[4] 

1 Aug 1870 Census, Walton Co, GA (Brooks District): Farm laborer Elisha Darden, age 83, born GA, with personal property valued at $100; Martha 34, born GA; Mary A. 32, born GA.  They were enumerated next to farmer [and son] Wilson Darden 29, born GA; Sarah 29; Elizabeth 4; Lumpkin 3; Nanie 8/12.  Close by is Julia A. Dearden, age 80, born GA; Eugenia 18 and Martha 15.[5]

So based on the above censuses, the Elisha residing in Walton County had children William Darden (c. 1825 -     ), Martha Darden (c. 1835 -     ), Nancy A. Darden (c. 1838 -     ), and Wilson Darden (c. 1839 -     ; m. Sarah _______)

While in  Marion County . . .

       1850 Census, Marion County, GA: Farmer Henry W. Darden 49, born GA, with property valued at $1,200; Green B. 16, James 13; Louisa 14; Martha 13; Lucinda 12; William 10; Palmina 8.  They obviously fit the children  listed by Boddie, but their father would seem to be Henry W. Darden, not Elisha.

                And finally, in Warren County . . .

                        1830 Census: Elisha Darden with 2 males under 5, 1 50-60; 1 female 50-60.  He's there along with our Jethro and Micajah, his presumed brothers, both also 50-60.

                So who are each of these Elishas?  If you can shed any light on the Elisha problem, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadrelatives.com.