Person:David Darnall (1)

We have found no record of when or where "Dr." David Darnall wasborn. Any one of a number of Darnalls recorded earlier in Maryland,of whom we have practically no family data, could have been hisforebear. Or, he could have been an Immigrant from abroad notpreviously claiming public notice. We first find record of him in St. Mary's (Marie's) Co., Marylandon 4 May 1686, when it was shown that he had been under a Bond to keepthe Peace, by the following petition to his Lordships Privy Council:"John Ryley and Just.(inian) Tennison petitioned the council torelease them from a Bond they had assumed on behalf of David Darnallfor his good behavior and appearance at the next County Court, and tokeep harmless the said County and inhabitants thereof from any chargethat might be brought by the said David Darnall, and his supposed andpretended wife and children & etc.... They said that no breach of goodbehavior can be alleged against him before his departure..." Thepetition was granted. Later he removed to Virginia by officialrequest of the Maryland authorities. Nothing is said as to what theoffense of David Darnall was and it may have been political orreligious, probably both. Later, the inhabitants of Virginia, across the Potomac River,opposite Maryland, got the seemingly well founded rumor that theCatholics and Indians of Maryland were to be sent down to dispossessand massacre them. Not only David Darnall, but men of prominence suchas Burr Harrison, "Parson" John Waugh and others were firmly convincedthat there was truth in the rumors and decided to do something aboutit. They succeeded to the extent that they stepped on some veryprominent and official toes, the owners of which proceeded toprosecute them. Religious and political turmoil existed in both Maryland andVirginia at that time. The Roman Catholic Church was the religiousauthority recognized by the Maryland Regime and the Church of England,that by Virginia. Marriages performed by any other than the clergy ofthe churches recognized by the states were both prohibited and notrecognized as legal. The reference to the "pretended wife andchildren" in David's indictment undoubtedly was due to this fact.Margaret, in her deed of gift, could not have named David as herhusband legally, unless they were actually married. David Darnall was very closely associated with "Parson" JohnWaugh, even to the extent of naming his youngest son Waugh. While"Parson" John Waugh was prominent in the community and had held countyoffices both he and David Darnall were Militant Non-Conformists.Since David seemed to be the one indicted and to bear the brunt of theprosecution, which seems more likely persecution, it is quite probablethat Waugh knew when to stop fighting and David did not. Burr Harrisonand "Parson" John Waugh realized that they were fighting a losingbattle. Burr Harrison evidently "paid up" and "shut up." Probably,"Parson" Waugh did the same as they disappear from the picturethereafter. (The Rev. John Waugh is treated at length in "Landmarksof Old Prince William" Old Domimion Press. "The Historical Atlas ofWestmoreland Co., VA." by Eaton, says "Rev. John Waugh was a ministerof Cople parish as early as 1674... He married Temperance Gerrard ofWilton. John Waugh was a witness to the will of Thomas Garrard in1672.") For some reason or other the prosecution, or persecution, ofDavid Darnall continued until he was practically ruined financially.When it came to collecting their fees, six of the attorneys involvedbrought suit against David and got judgements. He avoided executionof the judgements by moving to Richmond County, VA.

The Darnall, Darnell Family Volume 2 Compiled by Avlyn Dodd Conley Gateway Press, Inc. Baltimore 1979