|
|
1788, William Purnell (?-1798), was apparently
too young to have served in 1773-1774 or in the
third Convention.
PURNELL (PURNALL), WILLIAM (1739-17%).
BORN: in 1739, probably in Worcester County.
NATIVE: fourth generation. RESIDED: in Worces-
ter County. FAMILY BACKGROUND. FATHER: Elisha
Purnell (1706-1767), son of Thomas Purnell (?-
1723). MOTHER: Mary Ann, daughter of William
Selby (1683-1762). UNCLES: John Purnell (?-1755);
John Selby (?-1754). BROTHERS. Lemuel (?-1772),
who married Dennis (?-1776), widow of David
Johnson (?-1753), daughter of Nathaniel Hopkins
(?-1739/40); Cheseed (?-by 1772), who married
Mary, and had moved to Virginia by 1772. SIS-
TERS: Luranah; Sarah, who married (first name
unknown) Franklin. FIRST COUSINS: Zadock Pur-
nell (?-1805): William Purnell (?-1777), a pos-
sible legislator; Thomas Purnell, of John (?-1796);
Thomas Purnell, of Thomas (?-1790); and Ar-
ralantar Purnell (?-1782), who married Thomas
Robins (ca. 1702-1766). NEPHEW: John Selby Pur-
nett (?-1799). MARRIED by 1762 Mary (1743-1809),
daughter of Thomas Robins (ca. 1702-1766) and
wife Arralantar Purnell (?-by 1782). Mary was
the granddaughter of John Purnell (?-1755). She
was the niece of Zodock Purnell (?-1805); William
Purnell (?-1777), a possible legislator, and Thomas
Purnell, of John (?-1796). Her brothers were John
Purnell Robins (ca. 1742-1780); Littleton; and
Bowdoin (?-by 1786). Her half brother was
Thomas (1740-1776). Her sisters were Elizabeth;
Andasiah (Andasia); Easter (Ester); and Arra-
lanta. Her first cousins were Ann Purnell, who
married first, Henry Dennis (?-1785), and sec-
ond. William Polk (1752-1812); William Purnell
(?-1798). CHILDREN. SONS: Elisha; Thomas Rob-
ins (?-by 1794); John (?-ca. 1800), a physician,
who married Henrietta; Littleton Robins (1770-
1824). who married Mary Ironshire; and George
Washington (?-1844). DAUGHTERS: Esther Ro-
bins, a minor in 1794; Mary Selby, a minor in
1794. PRIVATE CAREER. EDUCATION, literate. SO-
CIAL STATUS AND ACTIVITIES: Esq., by 1792. OC-
CUPATIONAL PROFILE probably planter. PUBLIC
CAREER. LEGISLATIVE SERVICE: Lower House,
Worcester County, 1773-1774; 3rd Convention,
Worcester County, 1774. LOCAL OFFICES: justice.
Worcester County, 1786-1795. MILITARY SERV-
ICE: captain, Sinepuxent Battalion, Worcester
County Militia, commissioned 1777; major, Si-
nepuxent Battalion. Worcester County, commis-
sioned 1782. WEALTH DURING LIFETIME. PERSONAL
|
PROPERTY: assessed value £1,011,8.4, including
24 slaves, 1783; 16 slaves, 1790. LAND AT FIRST
ELECTION: at least 1,385 acres in Worcester County
(at least 400 acres inherited from father; 543 acres
through marriage; 442 acres through personal ac-
quisition). ADDITIONAL COMMENT: Purnell inher-
ited 100 acres from his grandfather William Selby
(?-1762), but sold it before his first election. SIG-
NIFICANT CHANGES IN LAND BETWEEN FIRST ELEC-
TION AND DEATH, resurveyed all of his lands in
Worcester County into one 1,524-acre tract, 1794.
WEALTH AT DEATH. DIED: will probated On De-
cember 2, 1796, in Worcester County. PERSONAL
PROPERTY: TEV, $3,884.10 (including 19 slaves
and 3 oz. old silver); FB, $3,876.42. LAND: 1,524
acres in Worcester County. IDENTIFICATION PROB-
LEMS. There were two candidates for the legis-
lative service of William Purnell in the Lower
House from 1773-1774 and in the third Conven-
tion of December 1774. Both men, who were first
cousins, were large landowners and military men.
It was not possible to determine which one served,
hence both biographies have been included and
the same legislative service is assigned to both.
See also William Purnell (?-1777). It is also pos-
sible that William Purnell (1739-1796) held part
of the legislative service 1785-1788, 1792, 1793,
which has been assigned to William Purnell (?-
1798).
PURNELL (PURNALL), WILLIAM (?-1798)
BORN: probably in Worcester County, of age by
1783; possibly only son. NATIVE: fifth generation.
RESIDED. Crappers (Croppers) Neck, Worcester
County. FAMILY BACKGROUND. FATHER: Capt. John
Purnell (?-ca. 1761), son of John Purnell (?-
1755). MOTHER: Euphame (1734-?), daughter of
Gen. William Arbuckle (1689-1751), of Virginia.
UNCLES: William Purnell (?-1777), a possible leg-
islator; Zadock Purnell (?-1805); and Thomas
Purnell, of John (?-1796). AUNT. Arralantar Pur-
nell (?-1782), who married Thomas Robins (ca.
1702-1766). SISTER: Ann, who married first, Henry
Dennis (?-1785), and second, William Polk (1752-
1812). FIRST COUSINS: John Purnell Robins (ca.
1742-1780); Mary Robins (1743-1808), who
married William Purnell (1739-1796), a possible
legislator. MARRIED by 1791 Gertrude (?-1831).
daughter of Robert Jenkins Henry (ca. 1712-1766).
CHILDREN. Five. PRIVATE CAREER. EDUCATION: lit-
erate. SOCIAL STATUS AND ACTIVITIES: Esq., at
death. OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE: probably planter.
PUBLIC CAREER. LEGISLATIVE SERVICE: Lower
House, Worcester County, 1785, 1786-1787, 1787-
666
|
|
