Hertford-Greene-Northampton County NcArchives Biographies.....Dardens, Early ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cliff Darden cliffdarden@cs.com September 26, 2012, 3:16 pm Source: Personal research Author: Cliff Darden Early Dardens of Maney's Neck, Hertford County, NC The first mention of a Darden in what is today Hertford County, NC is in a grant to Joseph3 Darden who was one of the sons of Jacob2 Stephen1 Darden, ("The Darden Family History", by Newton J. Darden), on August 21, 1727 which was located in the Maney's Neck section of the county. Joseph3 Darden had been mentioned in the Bertie and Chowan Precincts as early as 1719, but this is the first reference that can be traced directly to what is today is Hertford County. His probated will (February 18, 1732-3) (Grimes Abstract of North Carolina Wills, 1690-1760) left the estate to sons Joseph4, Henry4, and West4 and daughters America and Rebec who were all minors. West4 is not mentioned after the will in existing records, and probably died before 1741, the date of the forming of Northampton County. On October 29, 1743, Elisha4 Darden of Nansemond County, son of Stephen3 Jacob2 Stephen1 (again from N.J. Darden's History) bought 250 acres in Maney's Neck north of Buckhorn Creek, joining Robert Brasswell from John Wiggins (DB I p.93). On April 12, 1747, Carr4 Darden (Stephen3 Jacob2 Stephen1) bought 440 acres (DB I p.318) from Edward Barnes adjoining the state line, on the north side of Indian Creek Swamp, joining John Hooks and Robert Braswell which he sold to Jethro4 Darden (Stephen3 Jacob2 Stephen1) (DB I p.408) on July 18, 1749. Both deeds were witnessed by Elisha4 Darden. Elisha is also mentioned as an adjoining landowner to land bought by William Battle on February 6, 1747 (DB I p.334). On November 26, 1750, Jethro4 Darden of Nansemond County bought an additional 90 acres north of Buckhorn Swamp joining Elisha4 Darden and William Battle's property. Robert Carr and Elisha4 Darden witnessed the deed (DB I p.468). Elisha4 Darden witnessed the will of William Whitley on August 15, 1751, (Grimes Abstract). On November 27, 1751, Jethro4 Darden received a grant for 100 acres along Buckhorn Swamp joining James Maney and others (part of the grant has been destroyed) from the Earl of Granville (#1067, NC Land Grant Office). Elisha4 Darden was listed in William Battle's Company of the Northampton Regiment in 1754 as an “Insoign”. On June 22, 1756, Elizabeth Darden (probably the wife of Elisha4 Darden, and possibly the daughter of Joseph Williamson) and James Maney witnessed a deed from Phillip Camerin to John Hollyman (DB II p.298). On February 28, 1758, Elisha4 Darden bought 120 acres of land from Phillip Camarin west of Buckhorn Swamp joining Meadow Branch (DB II p.464). On April 4, 1760, Elisha4 Darden received a grant from John Earl Granville for 700 acres (#1066, NC Land Grant Office) on each side of Buckhorn Swamp joining James Maney and John Hollyman. Henry4 and Joseph4 Darden (Joseph3 Jacob2 Stephen1) were apparently living on their father's grant of 1727, as they each sold part of it in May 1753 (DB II p.111). Joseph4 also sold 75 acres south of the Meherrin River to Nicolas Judgskin on May 2, 1754 (DB II p.156). Henry4 Darden's plantation is mentioned in a deed from Nicolas Judskin to Nicolas Maget on July 4, 1758 (DB II p.478). Joseph4 Darden, who was a Quaker, died in 1757 according to Mrs. M.A. Cross of Suffolk, Va who did considerable research on the Dardens. She also maintained that he was married by a hirling priest. When Hertford County was formed from Northampton in 1760, all Dardens living in the county were in Maney's Neck. In 1762, Jethro4 Darden is listed as surety for William Battle's will. On December 5, 1764, Elisha4 Darden bought 2 parcels of land (300 acres) in Northampton County along Bear Swamp (DB III p.346, 361). The deeds were witnessed by David5 and William5 Darden (B. January 28, 1748), probably Elisha's4 eldest sons. In May, 1768 the parcels were sold by Elisha4 and Elizabeth Darden (DB IV p.156, 164), at which time Lewis Williamson relinquished her right of dower. In about 1774, William5 Darden married Claodeshia Stephenson, daughter of Abraham Stephenson. David5 Elisha4? Jethro4 and William5 are all mentioned at least once in the North Carolina Treasurer and Comptroller's records of the Revolutionary War. William5 and Elisha4 received 3205 pounds and 500 pounds, respectively, in September, 1781 for clothing (Vol. #47 p.30, Treasurer's and Comptroller's Records). The 1779 Hertford County Tax List provides the first census of the County. All Dardens are listed in District #1. There are 2 John Dardens, one with no land or slaves and John Darden the Elder with 75 acres. It is possible that the first above John Darden moved to Gates County as there are 2 John Dardens listed in the 1790 census of Gates, and a marriage bond for John Darden and Theresa Hinton on December 20, 1790 also. One would not assume that John Darden the Elder in 1779 would marry in 1790. The second John Darden is possibly son of Jacob4 Jacob3 Jacob2 Stephen1 (J.N. Darden's History). There is an Elisha Darden I with 224 acres and 3 slaves and a second Elisha Darden II with no land and 5 slaves who is probably the same as Elisha Darden, executor of Elish Darden. It is possible that one of these is the son of Elisha4 or Jethro4 Darden. David5 Darden has 480 acres and 8 slaves. William5 Darden has 185 acres and 6 slaves and is listed directly above Joseph Darden who has 240 acres of land. Jethro4 Darden has 750 acres, 11 slaves and is executor for and guardian of Elisha4 Darden's children with 212 acres and 1 slave. He seems to have profited from his brother's death. David5 Darden bought and sold a parcel of land in Martin County in 1779 (DB A p.213, 380). In the 1782 Tax List of Hertford County, all Dardens are again listed in District #1. A John Darden (possibly John5 mentioned above) is listed with 105 acres and 3 slaves. The distinction between Elisha Darden I with 273 acres and 3 slaves and Lisha Darden II with 247 acres and 3 slaves is based on the ages of the slaves and number of livestock. David5 Darden has 825 acres and 8 slaves, probably due to the final settling of his father's estate and taking in a younger member(s) of his family and his/her/their share of the estate. The same may be said for William5 Darden, who has 185 acres and 8 slaves. Joseph Darden has 135 acres and 1 slave. He may possibly be a son of Henry4 Joseph3 Jacob2 Stephen1 Darden. Jethro4 Darden has 800 acres and 10 slaves. On September 14, 1782, David5 Darden bought land in Northampton County from Jesse Williams (DB VII p.79). Jethro4 Darden witnessed a deed from John Stephenson to James Barran of Northampton on March 11, 1782 for land in Edgecombe County (DB E p.282). The 1784 Hertford County Tax List again shows all Dardens listed in District #1. John5? Darden has 176 acres and 2 slaves polled. Elisha5? Darden has 165 acres of land and 4 slaves polled. David5 Darden has 825 Acres and 4 Slaves polled. Will5 Darden has 289 acres and 4 slaves polled. Listed directly below him is Willis5 Darden (Elisha4 Stephen3 Jacot2 Stephen1) with no land and 3 slaves polled. Jethro4 Darden has 930 acres and 6 slaves polled. Shown also for the first time are Martha Darden with 147 acres and Redick5 Darden (Elisha4 Stephen3 Jacob2 Stephen1) with 100 acres. On April 18, 1784, Claodeshia S. Darden died and on April 4, 1785, William5 Darden married Susanna Speight, daughter of Joseph Speight of Gates County and Ann Gatling. On September 15, 1786, David5 Darden and Zilphia, his wife sold 100 acres of land he bought in 1782 to his brother Riddick5 Darden in Northampton County (DB VII p.40). Witnesses were Willis5 and Abraham5 Darden (Elisha4 Stephen3 Jacob2 Stephen1). On November 12, 1787, Abraham5 Darden bought 350 acres from Jethro Gatling in Northampton County (DB VIII p.68). The North Carolina Census of 1784-7 shows Abraham5 Darden alone and Reddick5 Darden with 4 slaves and 2 other whites in Northampton. Hertford and Dobbs counties list only numbers and no names. The 1790 North Carolina Census shows the majority of NC Dardens in Hertford County. Willis5, John5?, Elisha5?, David5, Elisha, Allen (possibly a son of Jethro4 Stephen3 Jacob2 Stephen1), Henry5?, Jethro5? (Jethro4 Stephen3 Jacob2 Stephen1), and Jet4? Darden are listed. According to J.B. Boddie, "Southern Historical Families", Vol. V, p.263; Jet Darden moved from NC to Georgia, so very possibly old Jethro4 Darden, who must have been born before 1727 died between 1784 and 1790. Since Jethro5 Darden is listed in the 1810 Hertford County Census as 26-45 years of age, Jethro4 Darden could not have died before 1784. Abraham5 and Reddrick5 Darden are listed in Northampton County, and William5 Darden has moved to Dobbs County where he bought land from Benjamin Bryant between his marriage in 1785 and 1790. David5 Darden sold a slave to Benjamin May of Pitt County, probably while visiting his brother who lived on the Pitt- Dobbs border on January 5, 1790 (DB M p.312). He also sold slaves in Martin County in 1790 (DB C, p.29). On February 21, 1791, David5 Darden of Hertford County sold 320 acres of the Northampton land he purchased in 1782 to Reddick5 Darden of Northampton (DB IX, p.13). Abraham5 Darden witnessed the deed. During the years, 1793, 1794, 1796 and 1797 Jethro5 Darden was a member of the House of Commons from Hertford County (Wheeler's "History of North Carolina", p.211). William5 Darden was appointed Justice of the Peace in Glasgow (formerly Dobbs) County in 1793 (G.O. 147 p.257). Willis5 Darden bought land from John Futrell in Northampton on January 24, 1795, witnessed by Reddick5 Darden (DB X p. 143). In 1798, Willis5 and David5 Darden sold slaves in Martin County (DB C p.521) to John Taylor. Reddick5 Darden witnessed the deed. David5 Darden died about 1799 and William5 Darden was his executor and conducted his estate sale as attested by Reddick5 Darden in Northampton County on December 7, 1801 (DB XI p.192-3). The 1800 North Carolina Census shows in Hertford County: Lisha5? Darden over 45 and 15 slaves, Henry5? Darden 26-45 with no slaves, Jethro5 Darden 26-45 with 12 slaves, Pleasant Darden 16-26 with 7 slaves, Robert Darden (possibly Robert5 Darden, son of Robert4 Stephen3 Jacob2 Stephen1 who married Sarah Goodman of Gates County on March 10, 1794), 26-45 with 9 slaves, and Allen5? Darden 26-45 with 4 slaves all in Captain Wiggins District. William5 Darden 45 and over with 25 slaves was in Greene (formerly Glasgow) County. Abraham5 Darden 26-45 with 3 slaves, Riddick5 Darden 26-45 with 11 slaves, Willis5 Darden 26-45 with 4 slaves, Elias Darden 16-26 with 6 slaves, John Darden Jr. 26-45 with 13 slaves, John Darden Sr. 26-45 with 3 slaves and Isaac Darden (formerly of Gates County) 26-45 with 7 slaves are listed in Northampton County. Carr Darden, who had been listed in Northampton in 1790 in 1790 with no slaves supposedly moved to Tennessee in 1796. By the census of 1810, Jethro5 Darden 26-45 with 29 slaves is the only Darden listed in Hertford County, in the Maney's Neck area. 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