Just when I thought I had hit a brick wall with finding information on this original land deed from 1878, I noticed the front of the document identifies the page number where it's recorded in the Lake County, Tennessee Land Deed Book. After an exhaustive search, I found an online copy of the Land Deed book, went to Page 620, and there it was.
I was surprised to find on Page 620, there was another Deed transfer from W. M. to Virginia Darnall. I had so many questions and no idea what I would find.
The transfer of property that started my research
On July 4, 1877, W. M. sold a portion of his property to his father, H. M., for fifteen hundred dollars. His brother, R. M. signed as a witness. On February 18, 1878, he sold a portion of his property to his mother, Virginia, for one dollar with the promise to pay her four hundred dollars by January 1, 1882 or the property defaults to her. This property was adjacent to his sister's (Anna Elisa).
In other words, he sold a portion of his property to his father at current value and gave his mother the remaining land to 'hold' until he paid his debt to her.
A bit of family and location information
W. M. is Dr. Walter Maury T Darnall.
H. M. is General Henry McKinney Darnall Sr., W. M.'s father.
Virginia is Virginia B Wright Darnall. W. M.'s mother.
W. M. had several brothers and sisters. My research shows that he is the youngest of seven.
Mary Elizabeth Darnall
Marth Virginia "Mattie" Darnall
Judge Henry McKinney Darnall Jr.
George Marr Darnall
Richard Marr Darnall (R. M.)
Anna Elisa Darnall
The geography of area is significant because it's on the Mississippi River and borders Kentucky and Missouri. Different States. Different laws. There's a really interesting state line that happens on the Peninsula, which surrounds part of Kentucky by Missouri and Tennessee, with no land connecting it to Kentucky.
This part of the country was aligned with the Confederate States during the civil war. This has significance for two of W. M.'s brothers.
United States War Dept.: Map Showing the System of Rebel Fortifications on the Mississippi River at Island No. 10 and New Madrid also the Operations of the U.S. Forces Under General Pope Against These Positions. Source: Library of Congress
Here's a close-up view to show Darnell's (Darnall's) property. Just North of the family farm is the Kentucky state line and across the Mississippi River is Missouri (both to the left and the right).
United States War Dept.: Map Showing the System of Rebel Fortifications on the Mississippi River at Island No. 10 and New Madrid also the Operations of the U.S. Forces Under General Pope Against These Positions. Source: Library of Congress
Mark Twain wrote about the Watson-Darnall feud in his book Life on the Mississippi.
If you pick up a copy of Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain, be sure to read Chapter 26. It contains mention of the Watson-Darnall feud and Number 10 Island. From what I've researched, it was a bit embellished. Or, maybe not . . .
It seems as though H. M. Senior and his sons were very much respected members of their
communities. When trouble came their way, they didn't shy away from it. From what I've researched, none of the Darnall family mentioned here were convicted even after they escaped authorities and had rewards for their capture issued.
1869 - Number 10 Island
Source: newspapers.com
Source: Nashville Union and American Newspaper 25 May 1869 newspapers.com
1874 - Not-so-Friendly Competition
Source: newspapers.com
Source: newspapers.com
H. M. Senior
He was born in South Carolina and moved to Maury County, TN with his family when he was a young boy. From there, he settled in Obion County, before Lake County was formed, in the Northwest Corner of Tennessee. He seemed to be a well respected but feared man. He died in 1880 from complications due to a wound received in 1874 during an altercation with a Ferry Boat captain.
Source: The Cincinnati Daily Star. newspapers.com
H. M. Junior
From my research, H. M. Junior fought for the Confederacy in the civil war until his capture at Cat Creek on November 26, 1863. He was transferred to Louisville, KY and then to Rock Island, IL Confederate prison camp. In an undated document, he swore an oath of allegiance stating his home was within Federal Lines and he believed the Southern cause was unjust. He returned to Lake County, eventually moving to Missouri and becoming a Judge there. H. M. Junior was killed by his tenant after being lured across the River to Tennessee with a cry for help.
US, Civil War Service Records (CMSR) - Confederate - Tennessee, 1861-186. Source: Fold23
Source: Ancestry.com
George Marr Darnall
George seemed to meet his fate near the end of the civil war when he was killed by Federal Marauders in 1965 at just 18 years old. He was born and lived his short life in Lake County, TN.
Richard Marr Darnall
After his 'restless' early years, Richard ultimately became a Judge across the Mississippi River in Missouri. He was both loved and feared by his neighbors. He was killed in 1901 by a Mr. Beasley after an argument from Mr. Beasley's treatment of Richard's wife over the phone.
Source: newspapers.com
W. M. Darnall
Walter was the youngest child of H. M. and Virginia. The 1880 census shows he is living with his in-laws and prior to 1880, he and his family made their way to Texas and he lived there until his death in 1889 at the age of 31.
I hope you enjoyed this bit of fascinating history of West Tennessee and life on the River.
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