Thomas
Darnell Stevens was born on 1 August 1745 in Broad Creek, King George's Parish
(also known as St. John's Parish), Prince George's County, Maryland. His parents were William Stevens and Rebecca
Darnall. His surname was also sometimes spelled
Stephens. His middle name is found
spelled various ways - Darnal, Darnel, Darnell, Darnall, etc. On documents that he wrote, however, he spelled the surname as Stevens.
Thomas
Darnel Stevens married Mary Eleanor Webster, daughter of Joseph Poore and
Elizabeth Webster, on 14 Apr 1771 in Prince George's Co., Maryland; the family
Bible entry reads, "Thomas D Stevens was Married to Mary Eleanor Webster
the 14th of April 1771."
On
15 April 1772, Thomas and Mary Eleanor’s first child, daughter Elizabeth, was
born in Prince George’s Co., Maryland. The
Stevens family Bible entry reads, "Elizabeth, Daughter of Tho's X Mary
Eleanor was Born 15th Day of April Anndomini [sic] 1772 about 2 O'Clock in the
fore noon."
It
is not certain, but he might be the Thomas Stevens who fought in the Battle
of Point Pleasant on 10 October 1774.
This battle took place near the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha
Rivers between frontiersmen and Chief Cornstalk. Long recognized as the decisive battle in a
protracted series of Indian wars, the Battle of Point Pleasant was designated
by the U.S. Senate in 1908 as a "battle of the Revolution."
On
1 December 1774, daughter Mary Darnell was born in Prince George’s Co.,
Maryland. The Stevens Family Bible entry
reads, "Mary Darnell Daughter of Tho's & Mary Eleanor was Born
December 1st 1774 about 10 O'Clock in
the fore noon."
Thomas
and Mary Eleanor appeared on the census of 31 August 1776 in
Prince George's Co., Maryland. Thomas
(age 30) and Mary (age 26) appear with the following individuals in their
household: one male age 9 years (born ca 1767), females aged 50 years (born ca
1726), 4 years (born ca 1772) and 1 year (born ca 1775) and one negro. It is uncertain who the 50 year old female is,
but it might be Mary Eleanor’s mother. The
9 year 0ld male is also a puzzle; perhaps a brother of Thomas or Mary? The 4 year old female is probably daughter,
Elizabeth, and the 1 year old is probably daughter, Mary Darnell.
On
20 September 1776, son John Brewis Stevens was born. The family Bible entry reads, "John
Brewis Son of Tho & Mary Eleanor was Born September 20th in the Year of Our
Lord 1776."
Thomas
Darnel Stevens was a constable in 1778 in King George Hundred, Prince George's
Co., Maryland.
On
1 October 1778, son William Rosamond Stevens, was born. The Thomas Stephens family Bible entry reads,
"William Rosamond Son of Tho. & Mary Eleanor was Born October 1st 1778
in the Afternoon."
For
the consideration of 5 shillings, William Stevens conveyed to his son, Thomas
Darnell Stevens, all of a tract of land known as "Wheelers Folley",
in Prince George's Co., Maryland, in a deed dated 19 December 1778. The deed reads in part as follows: "At
the request of Thomas Darnel Stephens the following Deed was recorded February
23, 1779. This Indenture made this Nineteenth Day of
December in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred & Seventy Eight
between William Stephens of Prince George's County and State of Maryland of the
one part and Thomas Darnel Stephens of the Same County and State of the other
part … the said William Stephens for and in
consideration of the sum of five shillings Current money to him in hand paid by
the Said Thomas Darnel Stephens … that part and parcel of Land lying in Prince
George's County called and known by the name of Wheelers Folley enlarged … Signed
Sealed & Delivered
William his mark Stephens
In
the presence of Thomas Clagett Wm Lyles Jr. …”
On
17 February 1781, son, Thomas, was born.
The family Bible entry reads, "Thomas Son of Tho. & Mary
Eleanor, was Born 17th Day February Anno Domini 1781."
On
23 May 1783, son, Levin, was born. The
family Bible entry reads, "Levin -- The Son of Tho. & Mary Eleanor was
Born the 23rd May Anno Domini 1783."
In
1787, a Thomas Stevens was listed on Virginia Tax lists in Loudoun Co.,
Virginia with no blacks, no males over 21, 5 horses and 9 cattle, but it is not
certain that this is the correct Thomas Stevens, since it is known that there
was more than one man of that name in Loudoun Co. at that time and other
documents suggest that Thomas Darnell Stevens was still in Prince George’s Co.,
Maryland in 1787. Also, it seems that usually "our" Thomas included his middle name or initial on most documents.
In
the will of John Rosamond dated 12 January 1789, Thomas Darnel Stevens was
willed the use of the Negro boy Moses.
After twelve years, Thomas was to either keep Moses and pay the Rosamond
estate 50 pounds or sell Moses at public auction and put the money into the Rosamond
estate. It is not known what the
relationship was of John Rosamond to Thomas D. Stevens, nor have I found anything to indicate the fate of Moses.
Thomas
D. Stevens was named as the executor of the will of John Bodsrwid which was recorded
in Will Book ST2, page 129, on 4 April 1792 in Prince Georges Co., Maryland.
We
first confirm Thomas Darnell Stevens in Loudoun Co., Virginia when he purchased
a lease on 13 September 1792 from
William Wildman; the deed reads in part: "This Indenture made this 13th
day of September in year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & ninety
two Between William Wildman of County of Loudoun of one part and Thomas Darnall
Stephens of Prince Georges County of other part; Witnesseth that George William
Fairfax Esqr. by one Indenture of Lease bearing date the twelfth day of
September one thousand seven hundred & Sixty five for the consideration
therein mentioned, did demise & to farm let unto William Wildman a certain
lott of land containing One hundred & Ten acres in County of Loudoun as by
said recited Lease doth more fully appear… to
William Wildman during the natural lives of William Wildman, Deborah his Wife
& Abraham his Son, & during the lives of the longest liver of them;
paying every year two pounds three shillings current money of Virginia… And whereas William Wildman by his Indenture
has sold & assigned all his right to said Indenture of Lease together with
the residue of the term therein mentioned & yet unexpired to Thomas Darnall
Stephens, party to these presents. Now
this indenture Witnesseth that William Wildman in consideration of the sum of
One hundred pounds to him in hand paid by Thomas Darnall Stephens by these
presents doth bargain sell assigne & set over unto Thomas Darnall Stephens
his heirs all his right title claim and demand to the same belonging of the
before recited indenture of lease; to have and to hold the premises with the
appurtenances (except as before excepted) to Thomas D. Stephens his heirs
during the term therein mentioned; In Witness whereof William Wildman hath
hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written. William Wildman..."
About
1795, a Thomas Stevens was named in a chancery suit filed by Thomas Moore who
claimed he owed him three pounds, 5 pence, but it is not certain that this is
the correct Thomas Stevens since there were several in Loudoun Co. at that
time.
Thomas and Mary Eleanor’s son, William Rosamond Stevens, died in May
1796. He was 17 years old. I have not found his grave.
An
appraisal and inventory of farm and household items in the estate of Thomas
Phillips was done on 21 November 1796 by Joseph Braden, Thomas D. Stevens, John
Nicklin, and Edward McDaniel.
Thomas
purchased a lot of land from Thomas Pursel
on 25 February 1800 in Loudoun Co., Virginia.
Thomas
deeded land to his son, John Brewis
Stephens on 12 February 1802 in Hillsborough, Loudoun County, Virginia.
On
23 July 1803, Thomas purchased the family Bible per a handwritten note in the
Bible itself. Cost was $8.15. This Bible is now in possession of descendants of his son, Thomas.
Thomas
Darnell Stevens purchased land from Ferdinando Fairfax as recorded in the deed
of on 14 April 1804 in Loudoun Co., Virginia.
The deed reads in part as follows: "This Indenture made this 14th
day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four
between Ferdinando Fairfax of the County of Jefferson and Commonwealth of
Virginia of the one Part and Thomas Darnel Stephens of the County of Loudoun
and Commonwealth aforesaid of the other Part. … that the said Ferdinando Fairfax for and in
consideration of the Sum of one thousand five hundred and fifty five Dollars
Lawful Money of the united States of
America to him in hand paid … doth grant bargain and sell unto the said
Thomas D. Stephens his Heirs and Assigns … to certain Lot of Land situate lying
and being
in the county of Loudoun aforesaid on South Kittoctan (being part of a larger
tract of Land called Piedmont … ) the Lot hereby intend to be conveyed is
bounded as follows viz. Beginning at
white oak and two blackoaks in the line of William Hough and Jonath Lodge
thence with Lodge's Line S50 1/6 W94 4/10 poles to an hiccory corner to the
said Lodge and Edward McDaniel thence with McDaniel's Line S46 * W115 7/10
poles to a stone McDaniels Corner thence with another of his lines S86 W65
poles to a Stone by a small hiccory his corner and Corner to Richard Brown
thence with Browns Lines S4 * East 139 7/10 poles to a stake and pile of Stones
Browns Corner thence with another of his Lines S 67 16 East 77 poles to a Stone
in his Line thence with [unreadable] William Wildman's line [unreadable] East
209 poles to a black oak Wildman's corner and William Houghs Line thence with
his Lines N 67 W31 poles to a scrubby Willow Oak in a branch his Corner thence
with his Line [unreadable] 40 East 67 3/10 po. To the beginning containing one hundred and fifty five and a
half Acres …At
a Court held for Loudoun county May 14th 1804 This Deed was proved by the Oaths
of Wm H. Harding, Edward McDaniel and John H. Canby the subscribing witnesses
thereto and ordered to be recorded
Teste C.Binns CLC."
On
8 September 1804, Thomas and Mary Eleanor Stevens sold a lot in Hillsborough
per the following deed: "This Indenture made this Eight day of September
in the Year of our Lord one thousand Eight teen [sic] hundred & four -
Between Tho's D Stephens & Mary Eleaner [sic] his wife of the county of
Loudoun and Commonwealth of Virginia of the one part & Josiah White Jr of
the said county
of Loudoun & Cwealth [sic] of Virginia of the other part … all that of land laying & being in the
town of Hillsborough and county of Loudoun Being part of the lott of land which
the said Tho's D. Stephens purchased of Thomas Pursel & wife by Deed
bearing date the 25th day of Feby 1800 … Containing by survey five Eighths of
an Acre but the said Tho's D. Stephens hath heretofore conveyed to his son Jn'o
B Stevens two Eighths thereof the lott … three Eighths of an acre upon which
the said Stevens had Erected a stone dwelling & all houses buildings
Orchards ways waters watercourses … "
Thomas’s
wife, Mary Eleanor, died on 9 October 1807 in Loudoun Co., Virginia. I have not found her grave. I suspect, she may be buried in the Catoctin Free Church Cemetery, but there are no records or tombstones to prove that.
Thomas
Darnell Stevens witnessed the deed of Robert Braden and Samuel Garrett on 4 Feb
1809 in Loudoun County, Virginia.
On
27 February 1810 in Loudoun County, Virginia, at the probate filing of Joseph
Braden's will, "Sarah Braden the Widow under hand and Seal renounced all
benefit by the Will, which was proved by William Wright & Thomas D Stephens
and claims her Dower according to Law."
John
Brewis Stephens sold land to his father, Thomas, as outlined in an indenture
deed on 18 July 1810 in Hillsborough, Loudoun Co., Virginia.
On
12 October 1810, "Peter R. Beverley deeded to Robert Braden, Thomas D.
Stevens, and John Braden, as 'Trustees two acres of land for the purpose of
building a Meeting House or Church and a Burying Ground.' This became known as
Catoctin Free Church.... The oldest
gravestone shows a death date of 1808, indicating that there were burials in
the cemetery prior to the conveyance."
This land contains what is now called Catoctin Free Church Cemetery outside Waterford. Though
there are no records to confirm it, I suspect that Thomas is buried in the
Catoctin Cemetery since he was one of the men who bought the land to establish
the burial ground.
Thomas
Darnel Stevens sold to William Claggett,
as listed in the deed dated 6 April 1811, Wheeler's Folly Enlarged,
Prince George's Co., Maryland.
Thomas
sold a lot of land to son, John Brewis Stephens, by deed on 8 January 1812 in
Loudoun Co., Virginia.
Thomas
sold land to son, Thomas Stevens, by deed
dated on 13 January 1812 in Loudoun Co., Virginia.
Thomas
owned at least two slaves who were
mentioned in his will: Sook and her
daughter, Kitty.
Thomas
Darnel Stevens left a will in 1814 in Loudoun County, Virginia. It reads: "In the name of God Amen. I
Thomas Darnel Stephens of Loudoun County and State of Virginia do make this my
last will & Testament Revoking all others
all my Just debts of which there are but few and none of magnitude are
to be Punctually and Speedily paid and the Legacies herein after bequeathed are
to be discharged as soon as circumStances will permit and in the manner
directed. It is my desire that all my
sons and Daughters Namely John B Stephens, Thomas Stephens, Leven Stephens,
Elizabeth Braden & Mary D Braden shall all Share nearly equal in my Small
Estate having Sold to my sons John B Stephens & Tho.s Stephens the
plantation Whereon I now reside and divided it Between them by a Survey lately
made by Robert Braden and has given each of them Six Hundred and Seventy
Dollars in the purchaser and taken their Bonds for the Balance and if I should
not make them Deeds for the above mentioned land in my life time I hereby
direct my Executors hereafter named to make them and each of them deeds for
said Land agreeably to an article of agreement entered into Between and myself
and it is my desire that my house & Lott in Hillsborough that I Purchased
of John B Stephens and the Lott of Land I purchased of my son Tho.s Stephens
together with all my personal property be sold as speedily as possible (Except
the Small Legacies hereafter mentioned and out of the Proceeds thereof and the
monies arising from said Sales and the Bonds taken from John B Stephens &
Thomas Stephens for the land sold as above mentioned that my son Leven Stephens
is to have Six Hundred [2nd page] Hundred [sic] and Seventy dollars and that my
Daughter Mary D Braden is to have Six hundred and Seventy Dollars and the
Balance to be Divided Equally amongst my three Sons and two Daughters above
named Reserving a Sufficiency for a Comfortable maintenance of my wife's Mother
Elizabeth Campbell during her life. I
Give to my Grandaughter [sic] Mary Eleanor Braden one half Eagle of the Value
of Five Dollars. I give to my
grandaughter [sic] Mary Eleanor Stephens one Silver Soup Spoon. It is my will that John B Stephens keep my
Clock at whatever it is appraised to It
is my desire that my son Thomas Stephens have my Large Family Bible at the
appraisement. It is my will &
direction Expressly that all disputes if unhappily any should arise shall by
decided by three Impartial and Inteligent [sic] men two to be Chosen by the
Disputants and each having Choise [sic] of one and the third by those two which
three men thus Chosen shall unfettered by Law or Legal construction shall have
power to Settle all such disputes and such Decision is to all Intents and
purposes to be as binding on the parties as if it had been Given in the
Superior Court of the United States and Whereas a Conditional Contract was made
with Sam.l cooke alis [sic] Black Sam, respecting my Negrowoman Sook & he
not having complyed [sic] with said Contract I do
hereby
direct that the said Negro Woman Sook & her Child Kitty be sold as part of
my Estate. I give to my grandaughter
Mary Braden one half Eagle of the value of Five [third page] Five [sic] Dollars
& Lastly I Constitute and appoint John B Stevens and Robert Braden Exor.s
of this my last will & Testament. In
Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this [blank] day of
[blank] In the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & fourteen 1814
Tho.s D.
Stevens seal
Signed
Sealed and Ackn.'
In the presence of
Joseph
Braden
James
McDaniel
Archibald
McDaniel
At
a Court held for Loudoun County the 14 day of Nov 1814 This Last Will &
Testament of Tho.s D Stevens dec'd was presented to the court and duly proved by
Archibald McDaniel one of the Subscribing Witnesses thereto &
Ordered
to be Certified & John Braden [this is an error] one of the Exor/ therein
named took the oath prescribed by Law & entered into & ackn.' a bond
conditioned as the Law Directs whereupon a Certificate is granted him for
obtaining
a probate thereof in due form and At a Court held for the said county the 9 day
of Jany 1815 the same was further proved by Ja.s McDaniel another of the
Subscribing Witnesses thereto and ordered to be Recorded.
Teste
C.
Binns CLK x
x
[note written in margin] At a court held
for Loudoun County the 13th day of March 1815.
On the motion of John B Stevens one of the Executors named in the last
will & testament of Thomas D Stevens dec'd who made oath
according
to law & together with Wm Smith his security entered into &
acknowledged bond in the penalty of ten thousand dollars with condition as the
Law directs, Certificate is granted herein for obtaining a probate whereof in
due form
Teste
C.
Binns CLK."
Thomas
Darnel Stevens was mentioned in the deed of Robert Braden and Burr Braden on 10
May 1824 in Hillsborough, Loudoun County, Virginia, as the former owner of the
land being sold.
Thomas
Darnel Stevens died before 14 Nov 1814 in Loudoun County, Virginia when his
estate was probated in Loudoun County,
Virginia. His grave has not been found.
Children of Thomas Darnel Stevens and Mary
Eleanor Webster were as follows:
Elizabeth Stevens was born on 15 Apr 1772 in King George's Parish,
Prince George's Co., Maryland. Elizabeth
Stevens married Robert Braden, son of Joseph Braden and Sarah Wright, on 29 Jan
1795 in Loudoun Co., Virginia. The Stevens Family Bible entry reads,
"Elizabeth Stevens was Marryed [sic] to Robert Braden January 29th --
1795." Elizabeth died on 22 Feb 1831 in Loudoun Co., Virginia,
at age 58. She was buried in Catoctin Free Church Cemetery,
near Waterford, Loudoun Co., Virginia.
Mary Darnall Stevens was
born on 1 Dec 1774 in St. Johns Parish, Prince Georges Co., Maryland; the
Stevens Family Bible entry reads, "Mary Darnell Daughter of Tho's &
Mary Eleanor was Born December 1st 1774 about 10 O'Clock in the fore
noon." She married John Braden, son
of Joseph Braden and Sarah Wright, on 7 Jan 1806 in Loudoun Co., Virginia, by
Rev. John Littlejohn. Mary
died on 11 Mar 1848 in Loudoun Co., Virginia, at age 73. She was buried in Catoctin Free Church Cemetery, near
Waterford, Loudoun Co., Virginia.
John Brewis Stephens was
born on 20 Sep 1776. The family Bible entry reads, "John Brewis Son of Tho
& Mary Eleanor was Born September 20th in the Year of Our Lord
1776." He married Sarah Ann Ogden,
daughter of Robert Ogdon, on 27 Mar 1800. The family Bible entry reads,
"John Brewis Stevens was Marryed [sic] to Sarah Ogdon March 27th ----
1800." The minister who married
them was John Littlejohn. John Brewis
Stephens died in 1860. He was buried in
Bruce Chapel Cemetery, Mason Co., West Virginia.
William Rosamond Stevens
was born on 1 Oct 1778; The Stephens
family Bible entry reads, "William Rosamond Son of Tho. & Mary Eleanor
was Born October 1st 1778 in the Afternoon." He died in May 1796 at age 17. The Bible
entry reads: "William R. Stevens Died May
in the Year 1796."
Thomas Stevens was born
on 17 Feb 1781. The family Bible entry reads, "Thomas Son of Tho. &
Mary Eleanor, was Born 17th Day February Anno Domini 1781." He married Anne Heaton Purcell on 6 Mar 1809
in Loudoun Co., Virginia. Bond was
posted by Joseph Purche, who also attested to the bride's age. They were married by Rev. John Mines. He died 15 March 1873 in Thornville, Thorn Twp., Perry Co., Ohio.
Levin Stevens was born
on 23 May 1783 in probably Prince George's Co., Maryland; Bible entry reads,
"Levin -- The Son of Tho. & Mary Eleanor was Born the 23rd May Anno
Domini 1783." He married Harriet
Reed, daughter of Joseph Reed and Agnes Rust, in Mar 1807 in Loudoun Co.,
Virginia; the Bible entry reads: "Levin Stevens was Marryed to Harriot
Reade March [no day recorded] 1807."
The minister was John Mines. The
date of the marriage is not definite; it was sometime between 25 December 1807
and 25 December 1808. Levin Stevens died
after 1865 in Mason Co., Kentucky.
No comments:
Post a Comment