The first member of the family to come
to Virginia was Jean de Jarnat. He was born in France probably about
1680, and came to Virginia in the latter part of the year 1700. Jean
de Jarnat was a member of the group of French Protestant refugees brought
to Virginia in the third of four ships which sailed from England in that
year. They were transporting Huguenots for resettlement in Virginia
under a plan proposed the previous year.
The first two ships – the “Mary and
Ann” and the “Peter and Anthony” – brought two hundred seven and one hundred
sixty-seven Huguenots respectively, to Virginia for settlement. The
“Mary and Ann” arrived at Jamestown the last of July, having sailed from
London on April 19, 1700 and the “Peter and Anthony” arrived early in September
of the same year. The third ship came later in the fall of that year.
A brief historical explanation of the
proposed settlement in Virginia is in order at this point. Thousands
of Protestant refugees had fled to England following the Revocation of
the Edict of Nantes. Many of these refugees were destitute as they
had to leave all possessions in France as they fled for their lives.
When William of Orange came to England from Holland three years later,
nearly one-third of the eleven thousand men in his army were Huguenots.
William of Orange favored and encouraged their settlement in his dominions.
The refugees soon became an economic burden to England, however, and several
attempts were made to settle the Huguenots in the American Colonies.
None of these attempts were successfully prosecuted.
Plans were made in 1699 to settle a
large number of the refugees in southeastern Virginia near the boundary
of North Carolina. Under these plans, the Huguenots transported to
Virginia in the year 1700 were destined for settlement in that area.
There occurred in connection with the proposed settlement, however, a bit
of chicanery, or double-dealing, on the part of the colonial Virginia government.
Governor Nicholson, William Byrd and
others in the Colonial government at Williamsburg, changed the proposed
plan of settlement. They conceived the plan of settling the Huguenots
on the western frontier of the colony as a buffer in defense against sporadic
attacks by the Indians. They selected the abandoned Moacan Indian
town on the southside of the James River twenty miles west of the present
Richmond site for the settlement. There occurred, however, a contingency
apparently unforeseen in connection with the proposed settlement at Manakintown.
The leaders of the first group of settlers had come to Virginia with the
apparent understanding that they would settle in a colony of their own
where they would retain there language, religion, and customs. A
foreign colony on the frontier was the last thing members of the colonial
government at Williamsburg wanted and, as a result, a change was made in
the plans for settlement of the refugees.
The Huguenots who came in the first
two ships were settled in Manakintown as the settlement was later called.
Those who came in the third ship were dispersed, at the suggestion
of William Byrd, in small groups through the counties in eastern Virginia.
He stated that since many of the refugees were destitute it would be easier
for the colony to assist them when settled in small groups. The real
reason for this change, however, was the fear of the government at Williamsburg
of a foreign settlement on the frontier.
The fourth ship did not sail from Blackwell,
England until December 1700. This ship – the “Nassau” transporting
one hundred ninety-one refugees – went to New York. Most of these
settled in the North.
There is no known record of the name
of the third ship, nor is there any know list of those embarqued on this
ship. There are many names of Huguenots to be found in the records
of eastern Virginia and they undoubtedly were those who came to Virginia
in the third ship. This ended any further attempts to settle the
Huguenots on any large scale in Virginia, though many more were to come
individually or in small groups.
Jean de Jarnat, as stated, settled in
Gloucester county in eastern Virginia. He married Mary Mumford of
Abingdon Parish, Gloucester County, about 1703. She was the only
known daughter of Edward and Mary (Watkins) Mumford of Gloucester County.
She was born, according to a deposition, in 1683. The children of
Edward and Mary (Watkins) Mumford were Joseph Mumford, the eldest, Mary
Mumford (Born 1683), Edward Mumford (baptized 15 July 1685) and Daniel
Mumford (baptized 22 October 1687). The baptism of Edward and Daniel
Mumford is recorded in the Abingdon Parish Register. No record has
been found of any other children.
Jean de Jarnat petitioned the colonial
Assembly for Naturalization on April 18, 1705.
The Abingdon Parish Register lists six
of the seven known children of Jean and Mary de Jarnat.
They were:
(1) Elias de Jarnet (baptized
Aug. 20, 1704);
(2) Jean (John) de Jarnat (baptized
Nov. 4, 1706);
(3) Mary de Jarnat (baptized Feb. 5,
1708);
(4) Daniel de Jarnat (baptized
Jan, 24, 1713);
(5) Joseph de Jarnat (baptized
Feb, 3, 1716);
(6) Eleanor de Jarnat, who was born
Sept. 5, 1720.
The register does not name
(7) Elizabeth de Jarnat who may have
been born in 1701. There may have been other children but no records
have been found.
(8) Mumford born ca 1700,
The form of the name de Jarnat now used in Virginia has been changed to
De Jarnette, and this spelling will be used hereafter. Jean De Jarnette,
as well as other Huguenots of the county , did not remain in Gloucester.
The Huguenots removed to King William, New Kent, Essex, and other
counties. It is believed that John De Jarnette, died in King William
County though no record of his death has been found.
Eleanor, the youngest daughter of
John and Mary De Jarnette, married Jacob McGehee of King William County.
Jacob McGhee had acquired land before 1740 in that part of Amelia County
which in 1753 became Prince Edward County in 1741 as a surveyor of a road
indicating that he was n established resident of the County at that time.
Elizabeth D Jarnette married Edward
McGehee, brother of Jacob, of King William County. They subsequently
removed to Cumberland County and his will is recorded in Cumberland County.
Elias and Daniel De Jarnette bought
land in what is now Prince Edward County; and moved there soon after their
sister Eleanor and her husband had settled there. We find them listed
in the Order Books of Amellia County before Prince Edward was cut off from
Amelia.
Mary De Jarnette, following the death
of her husband Jean (John) moved to Prince Edward County to live with her
daughter Eleanor McGehee. Mary De Jarnette died during the summer
of 1765 in Prince Edward County. She left a will, dated April 24,
1765, which was recorded on August 19, 1765 (Will Book 1, page 76) in Prince
Edward County. She named her son-in-law Jacob McGehee executer of
her will, and devised her personal property to him.
Daniel De Jarnette married Martha Ford.
The will of Daniel De Jarnette, September 11, 1754, is recorded in Prince
Edward County. The will names wife Martha and the following children:
Mary De Jarnette, Elizabeth De Jarnette, Christopher De Jarnette,
Lydia De Jarnette, and Matha De Jarnette.
Elias De Jarnette married Elizabeth
Palmer (by inference). Wife Elizabeth is named in his will dated
August 9, 1768, which was recorded in Prince Edward County July 1,
1769. He names children Rebecca De Jarnette, Elias De Jarnette, Jr.,
Marymiah De Jarnette, John T. De Jarnette, and Thomas De Jarnette.
No record has been found by the writer
of John and Mary De Jarnette children of Jean and Mary (Mumford) De
Jarnette. Joseph De Jarnette the youngest son of Jean and Mary Mumford
De Jarnette settled in Caroline County. The De Jarnettes of Caroline
and Hanover Counties are descended from Joseph De Jarnette.
Ann Rebecca De Jarnette, daughter of
Elizabeth Palmer and Elias De Jarnette never married. After the death
of her father, she and her mother moved to Halifax County. Elias
De Jarnette, Jr., and Thomas De Jarnette, her brothers, had purchased land
in Halifax County. The will of Ann Rebecca De Jarnette was recorded
in Halifax County 27 January 1806.
Elias De Jarnette, Jr., married by inference
Sara Hall. He died in Halifax County in 1784 and his will naming
his children is recorded in Will Book 2, page 67. The following children
are named: Frances De Jarnette, Hannah De Jarnette, Reuben De Jarnette,
Elizabeth De Jarnette, Sarah De Jarnette, and Nancy De Jarnette.
After the death of her husband Sarah
Hal De Jarnette moved with her children to Pendleton District, S. C., where
some of her Hall relatives had previously moved. She married (2)
in South Carolina Israel Pickens.
Reuben De Jarnette, the only son of
Elias and Sarah Hall De Jarnette, married Eleanor Pickens, a daughter of
Esrael Pickens by his first wife. Reuben De Jarnette died intestate in
1804 in Pendleton District, S. C., and his widow qualified on his estate.
The children of Reuben and Eleanor Pickens De Jarnette were: Elias
De Jarnette, Israel De Jarnette, and Eleanor De Jarnette.
Thomas De Jarnette, the youngest son
of Elias and Elizabeth Palmer De Jarnette, as has already been said, purchased
land in Halifax county. He lived here until 1788. He married
Nancy (surname unknown) and 3 rd December 1788 he and his wife sold this
land to Joseph Terrell (Deed Book 14, page 366). Thomas De Jarnette
and his family then moved to Henry County, Kentucky. His children
were: John De Jarnette, Byrd Nicholas De Jarnette, Elias De Jarnette,
Mildred De Jarnette, Mary De Jarnette, Harriett De Jarnette, and a daughter
(unnamed) mentioned in a deed in Henry County, Kentucky. (Deed Book
5, page 206).
Marymiah De Jarnette, second
daughter of Elias, Jr., and Elizabeth Palmer De Jarnette married James
Hines of Prince Edward County (M. B.7 January 1765)
They resided in Charlotte County.
John Thomas De Jarnette, second son
of Elias and Elizabeth Palmer De Jarnette, married Millasant Hall (Bradshaw):
history of Prince Edward County, page 78)
The children of John Thomas and Millasant
Hall De Jarnette were: Reuben De Jarnette, John De Jarnette, Bowler De
Jarnette., Stephen De Jarnette, Elias De Jarnette, Elizabeth De Jarnette,
Nancy De Jarnette, Millicent De Jarnette, Dicia De Jarnette and Mary
De Jarnette.
Reuben, the oldest son of John Thomas
and Millasant Hall De Jarnette moved to Georgia. He married Nancy
Reid.
John De Jarnette lived in Prince Edward
County (Will Book 2, page 91)
Bowler De Jarnette married
Keziah Wooten (M. B. 11 January 1790) Bowler De Jarnette died
in Nottoway County (Will Book 3, page 258)
Stephen De Jarnette lived in Prince
Edward County.
Elias De Jarnette removed to Putman
County, Georgia.
Elizabeth De Jarnette married Robert
Flippen of Prince Edward County, 27 May 1793. Nancy, Millicent, Dicia,
and Mary De Jarnette were under age when their father died and Robert
Flippen was appointed their guardian.
Nancy De Jarnette married Stephen Hall
of Prince Edward County 21 October
1795.
Millicent De Jarnette removed with her
brother Elias to Georgia
Dicia (Dicey) De Jarnette married
Benjamin Allen Watson of Prince Edward County 5 October 1803.
Mary De Jarnette, the youngest daughter
of John Thomas and Millasant Hall De Jarnette died in Prince Edward County
in 1796 and Robert Flippen, her guardian, filed an account with the Prince
Edward County Court.
NOTE: The above account of the
De Jarnette family written by Mr. Herbert A. Elliott of South Hill, Va.,
was published in the History and Genealogical Section of “The Huguenot”
Publication No. 20 for the years 1961 – ’63, and Publication No. 21 for
the years 1964 – 66.
We who are among the many descendants
of John and Mary Mumford De Jarnette are most appreciative of the scholarly
work done by Mr. Elliott.
Copied by
M. H. M.
The Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia.
I, Mary Hodnett Mathews, hereby apply
for membership in the Society by right of lineal descent in the following
line from Jean De Jarnat (John DeJarnette), who was born in France
circa 1660, and died presumably in Gloucester County, Virginia Circa 1760.
I was born November 20, 1909 at Chatham,
County of Pittsylvania, State of Virginia.
1. I am the child of James Asa Hodnett,
born September 26, 1870, died August 20, 1939 and his wife Nancy Elizabeth
Slate, born March 25, 1882, died October 3, 1947; married March 1909.
2. The said James Asa Hodnett was the
son of George Andrew Hodnett, born March 2, 1836 in Pittsylvania county,
Virginia, died Chatham, Virginia, November 22, 1890; and his wife Mary
Jane Kelly, born January 22, 1838 at Pittsylvania County, Virginia, died
December 8, 1911 at Chatham, Virginia; married April 20, 1865.
3. The said George Andrew Hodnett was
the child of James Hodnett, born after 1792 at Pittsylvania County, Virginia,
died after June 20, 1862; his wife Mary (Polly) Jones born around 1800
in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, died after 1862; married May 3, 1819.
Polly Jones was not of age when married, and her Father, Thomas Brooks
Jones gave his consent.
4. The said James Hodnett was the child
of John Hodnett, born June 30, 1767 at Pittsylvania County, Virginia,
died at Pittsylvania County, Virginia in 1807, and his wife Lucy Davis,
born circa 1772; married November 9, 1792.
5. The said John Hodnett was the son
of Ayers Hodnett, born circa 1738 at Buckingham County, Virginia, died
at Pittsylvania County, Virginia between August 1,1779 and September 21,
1779; and his wife Mary McGehee, born circa 1740, died at Pittsylvania
County, Virginia between November 28, 1817 and December 31, 1817; married
April 9, 1760, Cumberland County, Virginia.
DEJARNETTE FAMILY HISTORY
DeJarnette Data from Wm. & Mary
Quarterly Vol. XXV pg. 272
Ellenor DeJarnette b. Sept. 5, 1720;
d. June 4, 1775, Dau. Of John and Mary, sister to Elizabeth, md. Oct, 30,
1737 Jacob McGehee (b. 1707; d. Dec. 6, 1783), son of Thomas, brother of
Edward McGehee (son of Thomas, immigrant).
Issue: John McGehee b. Nov.
14, 1738; d. Dec 16, 1763.
William McGehee b. Dec. 17, 1740; md.
1st Forrest 2nd Mrs. Sarah (Walker) Harris
Mary McGehee, b. Nov. 10, 1742; md.
Joseph Truman
Elizabeth McGehee b. Sept. 5, 1744;
d. Nov.18, 1800; md. 1760 Brackett Owen
Eleanor McGehee b. Nov. 21, 1746; md.
1st Jonathan Smith 2nd Francis Rice
Ann McGehee b. Jan. 16, 1748; d. March
1748
Martha McGehee b, Jan 12, 1750; md,
1st James Alwood; 2nd Wm. Collins
Anness McGehee b, May 7, 1752; d. Sept.
13, 1801; md. Abraham Foster
Jacob McGehee b. July 7, 1754; d. Sept
1810 – 16
Sarah McGehee b. Mar. 19, 1757; d. June
13, 1828; md. Geo. Cardwell
Drusilla McGehee b. Mar. 16, 1759; md.
Moore Weaver
Agnes McGehee b. Nov. 2, 1763; d. May
17, 1821; md. Thomas Clark
(NOTE: Above taken from Jacob
McGehee’s Family bible in Filson Club Hist. Quarterly, April 1935.)
William & Mary Quarterly Vol.25,
pg. 283
Jacob McGehee md. Ann
(no issue)
Elizabeth DeJarnette b1709 dau.of John
and Mary, md.Edward McGehee (d.1771) son of Thomas
Issue:
1 McGeheee, John (1735) md. Louise
– Prince Edward Co.
2. Micajah (1745-1811) md. Ann Collie
Scott (b. 1753) – Wilkes Co., G
3.
Daniel (1747) md. Jane Hodnett (1756-1775) – Richmond Co.
4.
Mumford (1744-1816) md. Sarah Moore(d. 1793) – Person Co., N.C
5.
William (1749) md. Cathrine
6. Samuel (1752) md. Olivia Muse,
Amite Co., Miss., Baldwin Co. G
7. Jacob (1750) md. 1st
Sarrah Collier; 2nd Mary Ann
8. Elizabeth (1734 d 6/22/1821) md Thomas
Wright, 27 Sept. 1794, Cumberland Co. Va
9. Mary (1737) md Ayres
Hodnett, (April 9, 1760) – Pitts Co. V
10. Anna (1754) md
Charles Womack – Prince Edw. Co., Va.
DEJARNETTE
Elenor Lexington in An Old Cincinnati
(Ohio) Enquire
The DeJarnette family is of Huguenot
descent; settled in Pr. Edw. Co., Va., In 1754 Daniel and Mumford Dejarnette,
brothers had 400 A. each in Amelia Co.,Va,; their sister was the wife of
Edward MacGehee who had a plantation of a thousand acres in the same county.
Edward was father of two daughters and seven sons, who married into the
families of Hodnett, Urquhart, Jeffreys, Olary, Wall and Chambers and their
homes were in N. C., GA., Ala., Tenn. (Wm. & Mary Quarterly Vol. or
XXV, pg. 268)
DeJarnette, John of Abingdon Parish,
Gloucester Co., Va. Fled from the French land about 1700. He petitioned
for naturalization April 18, 1705. He was a French Huguenot from
Roechell, France and married Mary Their issue: Elias, baptized Aug.
20, 1704; John, baptized Nov. 4, 1706; Mary, baptized Feb. 5, 1708; Elizabeth,
baptized 1709; Daniel, baptized Jan. 24, 1713; Joseph, baptized Feb.
5, 1716; Ellenor, baptized Nov. 20, 1720 But born 1719; and Mumford
baptized after 1720.
6. The said Mary McGeehee was the child
of Edward McGeehee, who was born circa 1705 in King William County, died
January 1771 in Cumberland County, Virginia; and his wife Elizebeth DeJarnette,
born 1709; died after 1783; married in 1735 in Virginia.
7. The said Elizabeth DeJarnette was
the daughter of John DeJarnette, born in France circa 1680, died presumably
in Gloucester County, Virginia and his wife, Mary Mumford, born 1683 in
Abington Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia, died 1765 in Prince Edward
County, Virginia.
PROOF
2. Gen. Family Bible, Bureau Vital Statistics,
Newspaper account of marriage. Tombstone inscriptions at Chatham,
Virginia Burial Park, Marriage Register, Danville Virginia for year
1909.
3. Family Bible with dates of birth,
death, and marriage. Tombstone inscription at Family Burial ground
three miles West of Chatham, Virginia, Marriage Register #2, at
Chatham, Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
4. Marriage Register #1; Will Book#2,
page 400, names son George Andrew Hodnette; Records in Clerks Office, Chatham,
Virginia.
5. Family Bible, Marriage Register #
1; Court Records Book #34, page 184, Court Order Records, Book 17, page
78; Book 19, page 46, 129, 227.
6. Marriage Register #1, Cumberland
County, Virginia; Court Record Book 34, page 124, Chatham, Pittsylvania
County; Deed Book #5, page 450; Will and Deed Book 11, page 488, Deed Book
#3 page 498 of Pittsylvania County, Va.
7. Will Book II, page 63 of Cumberland
County, Virginia. Names wife Elizabeth and daughter Mary McGehee
Hodnett also William and Mary Quarterly’s Vol. 25, page 279.
8. “DeJarnette and Allied Families in
America” (1699 – 1954} by Frost; page 1 and page 34, no 318 (of same book).
Note: If any other member of the related families wishes to join the Huguenot Society these names and dates will perhaps be of help.
Mary Hodnett
Mathews
Transcribed by Tommy
Goodwin Unquint@aol.com from notes of Blandford Towler Anderson,
deceased