Daniel M. Darne

Daniel M. Darne was born about 1810 in Fairfax County, Virginia to George and Susanna Darne.  He married Artamesia Magruder on April 23, 1829, in Montgomery County, Maryland¹.

Their children were:

James H., born about 1831

Elizabeth Ann, born June 30, 1832 who married Elias J. Tharp

Susannah Virginia L., born about 1834 who married Charles L. Wells

Rebecca M., born 1836 who married William J. Weldon

Sarah Frances, born about 1838

Mary Jane, born about 1840 who married Lambert Van Booven

Richard, born unknown

It appears from other records that members of the Darne family came to Missouri in 1831 or 1832, Daniel among them.

On September 9, 1835, Daniel M. Darne purchased 40 acres of the US Public Lands - SWSW, Section 14, Twp. 46N, Range 7W - in Callaway County, Missouri².  This property is southeast of the small village of Readsville.

On September 7, 1838, Daniel bought another 40 acres of US Public Lands - NENW, Section 32, Twp. 47N, Range 7W - in Callaway County, Missouri³.  This land is also very close to or in Readsville.

Daniel M. Darne is listed as the Administrator for the estate of Martin Donohoe⁴, deceased in the probate record #118 dated September 1, 1834.  Simon Darne and George Darne are shown as Sec.  Martin Donohoe was apparently married to Anna Darne (who later married Lewis Bolton) as George's will stated that Martha M. Donohoe was his grandchild, a child of Anna Bolton.

Sometime between 1836 and 1844 Artamesia apparently died and Daniel married a Martha. 

Daniel M. Darne is listed in the 1840 Missouri census in Callaway County, Auxvasse Township (page 191).  His household includes

1 male from 5-10             James, 9

1 male 15-20                   Richard?

1 male 20-30                   Daniel, about 30

2 females under 5             Rebecca, 4, and Sarah?

2 females from 5-10         Elizabeth, 8, and Virginia, 6 

1 female 15-20                 [possibly Martha or Sarah Frances]

Daniel likely passed away in Callaway County in the summer of 1844 and there is no record of him in the 1844 Missouri census.  [I also have not found his young family.]  He was a young man of approximately 34 years of age.  Daniel's probate record⁵ is dated August 19, 1844.  James Gill is the Administrator, and John Coats and Simon Darne were the "Sec."  It is this document that more clearly identifies Daniel's children and points out that Martha was a second wife.

"This day personally came before me J. B. Grant, Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Callaway and  State of Missouri, the undersigned James Gill who being by me duly sworn upon his oath deposeth and saith that to the best of his knowledge and belief there are 8 heirs or legal representatives of Daniel M. Darne Deceased to wit James Darne, Elizabeth Darne, Virginia Darne, Rebecca Darne, Sarah Darne, Mary Darne, Richard Darne, and Martha Darne, the widow of said Deceased and that the Dec'd without a Will to the best of his knowledge and belief and that he will make a perfect inventory of and faithfully administer all of the Estate of said Deceased pay the debts as far as the assets will extend and the Law directs account for pay and deliver all money and property of said Estate that shall come to his hands knowledge or possession."

Sworn before me this 19th day of Aug 1844."

The inventory valued the farm animals and items at $139.74 and there is no mention of real estate.

Source Notes

1.      Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, October 1980, page 1034 [from Maryland Archives].

2.      General Land Office of the United States, Certificate No. 3196, page 188, issued September 9, 1835, to Daniel M. Darne.

3.      General Land Office of the United States, Certificate No. 5453, page 188, issued September 7, 1838, to Daniel M. Darne.

4.      Callaway County, Missouri, Probate Record #118 [Martin Donohoe] dated September 1, 1834.

5.      Callaway County, Missouri, Probate Record #374, [Daniel M. Darne] dated August 19, 1844.