Darrington Plantation, Brazora County, Texas

Darrington Plantation

Brazosport Archaeological Society

In the northern part of Brazoria County, Texas lands from a major portion of the David Tally League were purchased to form the Darrington Plantation. Initially owned by David Tally, a member of Stephen F. Austin’s Original 300 Families, acreage on the east side of the Brazos River along Oyster Creek was eventually acquired by Attorney John Darrington of Clark County, Alabama. Though Darrington never came to Texas the plantation would forever assume his name. Passing through several owners, including Sterling McNeel [1], the Darrington Plantation remained in the Abner Jackson Estate [2] through the Civil War. Robert Mills, part owner of R. & D. G. Mills of Galveston, gained control of the property shortly after the Civil War. Convict labor leased from the Texas Prison Commission supplanted the original slave labor and freedmen as the plantation continued to produce cotton and sugar under several different owners. Acreage was added to the plantation property from both the Achilles McFarland [3] and Francis Bingham Leagues. Basset and Bonnie Blakely of Fort Bend County acquired the property in 1917 and January 1, 1918 sold 6747 acres to the Texas Prison Commission for $337,340. The Texas Department of Corrections has operated the Darrington Prison Farm since that time.

Map August 19, 1947 General Land Office Austin, Texas

David Tally and his wife Polly along with 2 sons are listed in the 1826 Census of Stephen F. Austin’s colony.[4] His occupation given as a farmer and stock raiser, Tally must have come to Brazoria County early in the colonial period. He had received his league of land Aug 19, 1824 from the Mexican Government. The firm of McKinney & Williams bought the league of land for $3028 to be held in trust for John Darrington[5] of Clark County, Alabama on March 24, 1835. A reservation of 1400 acres from the southeast corner was held for Tally and Thomas Barnet[6]. This included 400 acres that he previously sold to Thomas Barnet, 1000 acres held for himself and a quarter acre to include a grave yard [Deed B: 19 & Deed B: 22/23]. These deeds indicate that he had a different wife, Mary K. Bradley[7]. The 1838 Tax Records list Tally with 1000 acres of land, 2 oxen, 1 horse, and 100 head of cattle with no slaves.

Indicating that the payments for the land may not been kept up, in 1841 David Tally attempted to sell the league less 400 acres to William Barrett [Deed A: 423/24]. This deed indicates that Tally lived close by since he again reserved “a certain piece of ground say forty feet square of said tract used by said Tally as a burying ground”.[8] William Barrett acknowledged John Darrington’s previous ownership and gave up his right to the land.[9] Tally evidently gave up all ownership to the league shortly thereafter as the 1841 tax record lists him with no land.

John Darrington continued to be the absentee landlord through the mid 1840’s:

Year	Acreage	Slaves	Horses	Cattle
1841	4428	20
1842	4428	68
1847	3928	70	18	130
	4428[10]
1848	3928	71	25	150
	4428
1849	3928	80	25	150
	4428

In 1847, Darrington was sued by one of the heirs of the William Matherson Estate[11] for having removed slaves belonging to the estate in Alabama to his property in Texas; this would account for the sudden increase in slaves in 1842. These slaves[12], the league of land, and 2 labors of land in Matagorda County were sold to Ira Randle Lewis of Matagorda County August 7, 1847 for $40,000 [Deed D: 447/50]. The tax records for 1847 listed Darrington with 3928 acres out of the Tally League and owning all 4428 acres of E. R. Bradley’s League along with 70 slaves, 18 horses, and 130 head of cattle. The next year Lewis, who had moved his family to the plantation, had to convey the property back to Darrington in return for his promissory notes [Deed D: 557/59].

Another Texas land speculator, Nathaniel Newton Wilkinson of New Orleans, Louisiana bought the property from John Darrington April 7, 1848. The league with “plantation in full operation”, slaves, and “ all the horses, twenty mules, eight yoke of cattle with chains and yokes, about two hundred head of cattle, about one hundred hogs and all the brick wagons, carts and tools” was conveyed for $40,000 again [Deed D: 597/600]. Although John Darrington would no longer be the owner of the property it retained the name Darrington Plantation.

Sterling McNeel[13] sold out his interest in most of his family’s land in southern Brazoria County to his brothers and purchased the Darrington Plantation June 23, 1849 from Nathaniel N. Wilkinson [Deed E: 254/58]. The tax records for Sterling McNeel list:

Year	Acreage	Slaves	Horses	Cattle
1850	4428	84	33	300
	1050[14]
1851	4428	117	60	400
	1050
1852	4400	120	41	500
1853	4400	120	48	600
1854	4400	120	48	600

The production of cotton was mentioned in earlier deed references and sugar cane was produced during Sterling McNeel’s ownership. The 1850 Agricultural Census lists 500 acres improved with $15,000 value of the plantation with only $1375 worth of farm machinery. Livestock listed were 20 horses, 25 mules, 80 milk cows, 24 oxen, 300 head of cattle, and 300 hogs. The 1849 crop is listed as 5000 bushels of corn, 300 of Irish potatoes, 2000 of sweet potatoes, 624 pounds of butter, 5 tons of hay, and 296 bales of cotton. Using steam powered equipment and additional slaves the Darrington Plantation[15] produced 235 hogsheads of sugar in 1852, 430 hhds in 1853, and 405 hhds in 1854 making it one of the top producers in the county. Sterling McNeel passed away late 1854-1855 and his estate recorded 452 hhds produced in 1855. The total inventory for his estate was valued at $128,244 with the plantation acreage itself valued at $35000. Additional property listed on the Darrington Plantation:

Farming utensils, such as cane carts, wagons, ploughs & c. $1250

46 Mules & 9 Work Horses 3025

Household & Kitchen Furniture 200

11 Cow Ponies 330

12 Mares & Colts 9 Jacks & Jennies 420

1 Buggy & Harness 200

Stock of Cattle, supposed to be seven hundred head 4200

10 Yoke of Oxen 400

Stock of Hogs 200

The crop of sugar and molasses made in 1854

Consisting of 307 Hogsheads 12000

& 600 Barrels of Molasses 3000[16]

The sole heir to the Sterling McNeel Estate was Sterling McNeel Junior. Born Sterling Blackwell to Sally Ann and Thomas Blackwell who divorced; Blackwell later declared that Sterling was not his child.[17] At Sally Ann Blackwell’s request, Sterling McNeel adopted the child.[18] At age seven he is listed in the 1850 Census on his father’s plantation.

David G. Mills[19] became the administrator of his estate and continued to operate the plantation 1855-1857. Bales of cotton, hogsheads of sugar, barrels of molasses were sold through several firms during this period bringing in a good revenue for the estate (See Appendix F & G). Different families of slaves were also leased out to several neighboring plantations “for ordinary plantation work and not to be employed on works of internal improvement such as railroads cleaning out rivers & c.” earning almost $2500 in 1857.[20]

Abner Jackson Courtesy of the Lake Jackson Historical Museum, Lake Jackson, Texas

Abner Jackson, looking to increase his holdings in addition to the Lake Jackson Plantation and half ownership of the Retrieve Plantation, convinced his children, whose mother had recently passed away, not to seek their inheritance from their mother’s half of his properties so that he could finance the purchase of the Darrington Plantation. For $116,200 Jackson acquired the Darrington Plantation complete with “ all the improvements thereon and farming utensils and stock consisting of 1000 head of cattle about fifty mules eight horses seven Jacks and Jennies fifteen yoke of oxen and stock of hogs” and 97 slaves, May 27, 1857 [Deed H: 159/60]. This was the one of the most expensive piece of property sold in the county before the Civil War. Jackson produced 395 hogsheads of sugar in 1858 and continued to improve the property until his death, August 1861. According to the 1860 Agricultural census there were 800 improved acres with the plantation valued at $69,024 with another $25,000 worth of farm machinery on the plantation. Livestock were listed as 20 horses, 70 mules, 50 milk cows, 30 oxen, 1900 head of cattle, and 200 hogs. The produce for 1849 was 8000 bushels of corn, 50 of Irish potatoes, 1000 of sweet potatoes, 150 pounds butter, 40 tons of hay, 217 bales of cotton, 280 hogsheads of sugar, and 18,000 gallons of molasses. The 1860 Slave Census lists 101 slaves and 25 slave dwellings on the property. The administrator inventoried the following property in addition to the land and slaves:

51 Mules $3315

20 Horses & Mares 800

18 Jennies 180

12 Carts 3 Wagons & one Cary Log 950

83 Bales of Cotton 4150

Supposed to be 138 Bales not ginned 6900

About 400 Head of Hogs 1200

50 Stacks of Fodder 750

20 Bales of Fodder 90

About 1300 bushels of Corn 6500

8 yoke of oxen 320

About 2000 head of cattle 12000[21]

John C. Jackson became the administrator of Abner Jackson’s estate and operated the Darrington Plantation through the Civil War. Though many friends of the family had reservations about John’s character he held the estate together producing cotton and sugar sold through agents in Galveston and Houston.

A written report to the Probate Court on the condition of the Jackson Estate, filed by the County Clerk on May 3, 1867 relates what a poor year 1866 had been:

“He [John C. Jackson] shows that the year 1866 was one of unprecedented disaster to the cropping interest of this county. That he had a great many hands employed off and on during said year on the Darrington plantation but that he only succeeded in saving about 75 hogsheads of sugar and 125 barrels of molasses and syrup and a very little cotton, 25 bales of much he has shipped and sold and credited in his accounts… and estimates there are 30 bales remaining.”[22]

John C. Jackson was shot and killed by his brother George W. in December 1867.The plantation was then handled by the new administrators of Abner Jackson’s estate, William and Thomas W. Masterson. In order to satisfy a court order they auctioned off the major part of the league less 350 acres to John Robert Mills for $5000 January 5, 1869 [Deed L: 574/75]. The 350 acre portion out of the south east corner of the league was owned by John C. Jackons’s estate and was sold to John R. Mills in June of 1869 [Deed L: 520/21]. Mills conveyed the whole property to Sterling Blackwell for $40,000 in August 1869. Sterling Blackwell did not assume Sterling McNeel’s name as he again gained control of the plantation. The household listed in the 1870 Census:

Sterling Blackwell 28 Farmer Texas

Sugar Turner 70 Farm Manager Virginia

Frank Turner 12 Texas

Wade Turner 10 Louisiana

Several of the slave families from the Darrington Plantation can be identified in the 1870 Federal Census as residing in the same Sandy Point area. Many would be assumed to work on the Darrington Plantation as freedmen.

Sterling Blackwell held the property for only a short time before his death in the last months of 1870. In his last will and testament he stated: I Sterling Blackwell being of sound mind and disposing memory but conscious of approaching death indicating an illness that was affecting his health.[23] Three thousand five hundred dollars was bequeathed to Kate E. McNeel[24] colored daughter of Emily (See Appendixes for slave listings) who is the wife of Dick French.[25] There is the indication that Kate may be the half sister of Sterling Blackwell and daughter of Sterling McNeel. The rest of his estate he left to his cousins Mary E., Sally B., Susie, Ella, (Clara) Lula, and William Robinson the six children of Mrs. Clara Robinson of Gerard County, Kentucky.[26] These are the children of his mother’s sister.

John R. Mills, the executor of the estate, employed A. Mussa sugar maker, C. Vissenau engineer, John Barnes overseer, and laborers to keep the plantation running during the fall of 1871. In 1872 credits to the estate still indicated that hogsheads of sugar and barrels of molasses along with cattle sales were the main sources of income for the estate.[27] Mary E. and her husband John A. Hann moved to the plantation. They sold their 1/6^th interest in the property along with their personal property: One set of Blacksmith tools. 6 cane carts, two cane or ox wagons, farming implements…six cows and calves, one ox 60 empty hogsheads and one bell and our household and kitchen furniture for $6000 to A. U. Wright and B. H. Epperson in 1875. Similar purchases were made by Wright and Epperson from Susie and Joseph Garnett and Sallie and James Campbell to control one half of the estate. After a law suit within the family the other half of the league was sold at auction in March 1876 to Wright and Epperson for $30,000 with payments made to Lula, Ella, and William Robinson.[28]

B. H. Epperson & Co. located in Jefferson, Marion County, Texas controlled the Darrington Plantation through several years. Politician, entrepreneur, and railroad executive, Benjamin H. Epperson[29] knew the ins and outs of working with the political establishment in Austin, Texas. With his health failing Benjamin made an agreement with his son E. S. Epperson for a ¼ interest in the plantation to be manager of the Darrington July 1878 [Deed Record R: 406/08]. Epperson had expended sixty thousand dollars on the purchase and with improvements on the property another fifty thousand dollars. Epperson & Co. was able to contract 36 convicts annually to work on the plantation 1878-1880.[30] With the death of his father in September 1878 R. S. Epperson became the executor of his father’s estate and mortgaged the property to P. J. Willis & Brother of Galveston, Texas[31] [Deed Record R: 364/66]. This deed stated that cane was being produced on 335 acres, 7000 bushels of corn were already gathered, and cotton amounting to 60 bales was still in the field.

Several suits were brought against the estate of B. H. Epperson which forced the sale of the property in 1881 [Deed Record T: 346/350, 561/62, 563/65]. As quickly as most of these decrees were written R. S. Willis of Galveston was in position to acquire the property. P. J. Willis & Co. continued to operate the plantation with convict labor. R. S. Willis had 60 convicts leased 1881-1882 with 28 listed on the Darrington Plantation,[32] The lease continued until the end of 1884 with 53 convicts listed on Darrington at the time of inspection and an additional 25 added at harvest time.[33] The property continued to be the hands of the Willis family until after the turn of the century. Thousands of acres were added to their holdings from the Achilles McFarland League just north of the Tally League and a few hundred acres from the Francis Bingham League. The estate passed down to Narcissa Willis and after her death 6747 acres were sold to R. E. Sears in 1908 for $70,548.

R. E. Sears from Marshall County Iowa did not live on the plantation and there are no records of his management of the property. Bassett and Bonnie Blakely purchased the property for a total of $50,000 in July 1917. January 1, 1918 they turned the property over to the Texas Prison Commission for $337,340. Bassett Blakely had been President of the Chenango Corporation and involved with the purchase of the Ramsey Prison Farm. His inside contacts netted a very handsome profit. The Darrington Prison Farm is still in operation.

According to Abner Strobel the “old slave time improvements have long since disappeared. The sugar house, an immense brick structure, was burned down many years ago, and it is operated as a cotton plantation mainly” indicating most of the plantation structures are gone[34].

Appendix A

Darrington Slaves Listed August 6, 1847

1^st Catherine or Katy a woman aged about 36 years old	Pete a boy aged about 10 years
Charly a man aged about 18 years old	Sarah a girl aged about 8 years
Ritter a girl aged about 17 years old	8^th Deborah a woman aged about 50 years
Emily a girl aged about 12 years old	Tom a man aged about 22 years
Rody Girl aged about 10 years old	Narcissa a girl aged about 5 years
Tom a boy aged 6 years	Lydia a girl aged about 1 year
2^nd Armstead a man aged about 40 years	9^th Jack a man aged about 40 years
Lucy his wife aged about 39 years	Jinney his wife aged about 36 years
Young Armstead a man aged about 22 years	Bill a boy aged about 18 or 19 years
Viney a woman aged about 19 years	Lucy a girl aged about 16 or 17 years
Gilbert a boy aged about 16 or 17 years	Walton a boy aged about 12 years
Joseph or Joe a boy aged about 15 years	Washington a boy aged about 10 years
Mandy a Girl aged about 12 years	Mary a girl aged about 8 years
Caroline a girl aged about 10 years	10^th Harry a man aged about 36 years (blacksmith)
Augeline a girl aged about 8 years	Sally his wife aged about 27 years
3^rd Charlotte a woman aged about 35 years	Ben a boy aged about 8 years
Ellen a woman aged about 22 years	Francis a girl aged about 6 years
Delia a girl aged about 4 years	Adam aged about 1 year
4^th Patsy a woman aged about 30 years	11^th Abraham a man aged about 40 years
Wise a boy about 12 years old	Cilvia his wife aged about 35 years (Cilero)
Dan a boy aged about 10 years	Moses a boy aged about 14 years
Adaline a girl aged about 8 years	12^th William a man aged about 35 years
Polly a girl aged about 1 year old	Emma his wife aged about 31 years
5^th Lucy a woman aged about 40 years	Ellen a girl aged about 14 years
Mariah a woman aged about 21 years	13^th Levin a man aged about 45 years
Chany a girl aged about 1 year	Peggy his wife aged about 40 years
6^th Hampton a man aged about 40 years	14^th Fanny a woman aged about 37 years
Tillah his wife aged about 38 years	Debby a girl aged about 10 years
Doss a man aged about 22 years	Charles a man aged about 50 years
Henry a boy aged about 14 years	York a man aged about 60 years
7^th Rhody a woman aged about 39 years	Tom a man aged about 50 years
Hiram a man aged about 20 years	Simson a man aged about 54 years
Elizabeth a woman aged about 19 years	Rose a woman aged about 38 years
Margarett a woman aged about 18 years	Borton a man aged about 40
James a boy aged about 5 years	Solomon a man aged about 45 years
Rebecca a Girl aged about 1 year	Hannah a woman aged about 30 years
Felix a boy aged about 1 year	Lewis a boy aged 10 years
James a boy aged about 15 years
Julia a girl aged about 13 years	76 Slaves Listed

Appendix B

Slaves Listed Sterling McNeel Purchase June 23, 1849

Katey 35	Peyton 12
Charles 17	Sarah 10
Ritter 16	8^th Deborah a woman aged about 50 years
Emily 14	Tom Debly 25
Rody 11	Narcissa 8
Toney 5 1/2	Lucinda 2
Old Armstead 55	Jack 50
Lucy Armstd 55	Jane 36
Young Armstead 25	Bill 19
Viney 20	Lucy 17
Gilbert 18	Walton 12
Joseph or Joe 13	Wash 10
Amanda 11	Mary 7
Caroline 10	Harry Blacksmith 40
Angey 7	Sally 26
Charlotte 25	Ben 9
Big Ellen 23	Frances 6
Delia 4	Adam 3
Patsy 28	Abram 50
Wise 12	Sylvia 40
Dan 10	Moses 15
Adaline 8	Big Bill 35
Parthenia 3	Emma 50
Lucy Harry 38	Ellen 15
Maria 20	Leven 50
Chancy 3	Peggy 50
Hampton 48	Fanny 30
Tillah 45	Debley 10
Doss 37	Old Charles 70
Henry 12	Yok 70
Old Rhody 50	Old Tom 60
Hiram 23	Serning 70
Elizabeth 22	Rose 40
Margaret 20	Boston 50
Jim Ray 6	Solomon 60
Beckey 3	Hannah 30
Felix 3	Lewis 7
Jim 15	Edy 1
Julia 14	Louisa 1
	Infant 1
	Infant Hamp 6M
	Infant 6M
	Infant 6M
	Gracey 3M
	Infant 2M

Appendix C

List of Slaves According to Sterling McNeel Probate Listing May 1, 1855

York 88 $100	Hiram 28 $900	Rose 50 $100
Armstead 35 900	Mariah 29 800	Hannah 40 400
Margaret 26 800	Chancy 8 400	Madison 45 400
Felix 8 200	Rhody 5 200	Minea 40 500
Edy 6 300	Abram 65 400	Ben (Cooper) 34 1000
Dennis 5 200	Sylvia 60 100	Zo 25 800
Hiram 2 100	Moses 24 1000	Anderson 6 300
Sam Tucker 35 900	Rhody 55 500	Lemmon 2 100
Lucy 22 900	Jim 24 900	Henry 50 700
Lavinia 4 200	Peyton 20 900	Ellen 48 500
Lyddy Infant 100	Sarah 17 500	Tom 18 800
Jane 60 200	Elizabeth 28 700	William 14 600
Bill Jack 20 900	Jim Ray 11 500	Martha 12 500
Walton 17 800	Becky 9 400	Virgil 8 400
Washington 15 700	Betsy 2 150	Patsy 4 300
Mary 13 400	Fanny 40 400	Priscilla 2 100
Armstead 8 300	Louisa 6 300	Levi 36 800
Doss 45 800	John 3 200	Lisey 48 400
Malvinia 28 700	Charlotte 35 500	Butch 45 700
Barbara 9 400	Delia 10 400	Deva 45 400
Hampton 7 300	Lucinda 8 300	Attala 40 700
Doss 5 200	Ang 3 200	Willis 50 1000
Armstead 68 500	Jove (African) 35 800	Dorcas 45 500
Lucy 66 100	Debly 18 800	Abram 15 700
Gilbert 26 1000	Milton 25 800	Dennis 12 400
Jasper 22 900	Ellen 20 600	Paulina 7 300
Amanda 16 700	Pinky 4 300	Charles 25 1000
Caroline 15 700	Sophy 2 100	Jane 19 800
Angeline 13 400	Foster 24 900	Willis 2 200
Harry 50 500	Ellen 20 800	Emily Infant 100
Sally 35 500	Alexander Infant 100	Granville 27 800
Ben 16 500	William 50 500	Caty 50 600
Francis 14 500	Emma 50 100	Emily 19 800
Adam 9 500	Eleven 57 200	Anthony 45 1000
Harry 7 400	Peggy 45 300	Rhody 15 800
Pallis 5 200	Patsy 37 500	Toney 10 300
Cristiana 1 100	Wise 19 900
Tilly 60 300	Dan 17 800
Henry 20 1000	Adeline 15 500
Sam 16 500	Earnest 6 300
Narcissa 14 600	Boston 63 100	Slaves not in original purchase
Tom Delby 28 900	Tom 80 100
Joe 35 700	Solomon 95 100
Writta 21 200	Sammony 90 100
Elley 4 200	Charles 80 100

Inventory Appraisal, May 1, 1855, Record of Wills Book B: pp. 349-53.

Appendix D

Slaves Listed in Abner Jackson Purchase May 26, 1857

Katy 50	Peyton 22
Charles 27	Sarah 19
Ritta 22	Tom Derby 30
Silvey 22	Narcissa 16
Rody 18	Lucinda 10
Toney 12	Jack 50
Armstead 61	Jane 60
Lucy 66	Bill Jack 22
Armstead 37	Lucy 24
Melvinia 28	Walton 19
Gilbert 28	Washinton 17
Joseph or Joe 24	Mary 15
Amanda 18	Harry 50
Caroline 17	Sally 37
Angeline 15	Ben 18
Charlotte 37	Francis 16
Ellen 32	Adam 12
Delia 12	Abram 66
Patsy 38	Sylvia 40
Wise 21	Moses 26
Daniel 19	William 52
Adaline 18	Emma 50
Parthenia 12	Ellen 22
Lucy 50	Eleven 59
Maria 30	Peggy 46
Chancy 10	Fanny 42
Hampton 48	Deby 20
Tillah 62	Charles 80
Doss 46	York 90
Henry 22	Tom 80
Rhody 56	Simmony 70
Hiram 30	Rose 50
Elizabeth 30	Boston 66
Old Margaret 28	Solomon 90
Jim Ray 13	Hanna 42
Becka 12	Sam 18
Felix 10	Edy 8
Jim 26	Louisa 9
Julia 24	Hampton 10

Children Since 1849 List, although 5 were listed as Infant at that time
Andrew 11	Liddy 3
Harry Jr. 10	St. Anna 3
Betsy 9	Emaluel 1
Doss Jr. 8	Dicey 1
Pallas 8	Peyton 1
Rodey 8	Virginia 1
Earnest 8	Lewis Infant
Dennis 7
Pinky 6
Levinia 6
Elsey 6
John 5
Ary 5
Sophy 4
Hiram 4

Appendix E

List of Slaves According to Abner Jackson Probate Listing November 10,1861

Little Peyt 7 $500	Viney 32 $1000	York 90 $ 0
Hiram 7 500	Charlotte 45 750	Ben Harry (one leg) 20 0
Virginia 7 500	Caroline 20 1400	Tilla 70 0
Alex 4 250	Chancy 14 1100	Emma 60 100
Soth 2 200	Deby 26 1200	Peggy 60 300
Alsey 8 500	Delba 14 500	Rhody 60 400
Dicey 5 350	Rose 70 0	Silvy(one leg) 55 50
Martha 3 350	Jane 50 50	Patsy 40 800
Betsy 7 500	Parthenia 14 1000	Patsy 70 300
Sophy 9 500	Pallais 10 1000	Andrew 14 1000
John 8 550	Felix 14 800	Little Rhody 10 750
Arie 8 500	Felix 12 1000	Pinkey 10 700
Ellen 24 + Infant Emma 1250	Boston 80 0	Lavinia 8 700
Margaret 27 + Infant Andy 1250	Armstead 34 1250	Harry 50 1000
Julia 26 + Infant Marshall 1250	Gilbert 30 1500	Charles 100 0
Narcissa 18 + Infant Lidy 1350	Adams 14 1250	Soloman 100 0
Ritta 27 + Infant Charles 1350	Bill Jack 28 1300	Armstead 65 300
Rhody 24 + Infant Katy 1350	Jim Mitchel 26 1500
May 16 1200	Jim Ray 19 1400
Amanda 24 1200	Mose 24 1500
Maria 32 1000	Peyt 22 1500
Big Ellen 36 900	Joe 25 1500
Elizabeth 39 900	Wise 23 1500
Eda 12 1000	Walton 23 1500
Francis 17 1250	Wash 21 1400
Fanny 60 0	Sam 19 1200
Hanah 46 500	Henry 24 1500
Sally 40 300	Little Henry 14 1000
Sarah 18 1000	Hamp 12 1000
Angeline 17 1400	Dan 21 1500
Adaline 18 1200	Hiram 40 1000
Becky 14 1200	Dennis 10 800
Louisa 14 1200	Dosse 10 800
Lucy Ira 65 500	Big Dosse 46 1000
Little Lucy 28 1000	Toney (Blind) 15 300
Lucinda 12 1000	Charles 29 1500

Inventory Appraisal, November 10, 1861, Record of Wills Book C: pp. 440-447.

Appendix F

1855	By amt received from sale of (122) Hogsheads of sugar by Hennings, Muller & Gosling	$5147.73
1855	By amt received from sale of (39 barrels of Molasses) by D. Colden Murray	$325.32
1855	By amt received from sale of (65) Hogsheads of sugar by Hennings, Muller & Gosling	$3701.73
1855	By amt received from sale of (30) Hogsheads of sugar by D. Colden Murray	$1852.91
1855	By amt received from sale of (54) Hogsheads of sugar by Hennings, Muller & Gosling	$3185.59
1855	By amt received from sale of (100) barrels of Molasses by D. Colden Murray	$931.40
1855	By amt received from sale of (120) barrels of Molasses by D. Colden Murray	$1257.34
1855	By amt received from sale of (69) barrels of Molasses by H. Martin	$743.75
1855	By amt received from sale of (93) barrels of Molasses by John Dickenson & Co.	$640.82
1855	By amt received from sale of (82) barrels of Molasses by D. Colden Murray	$929.06
1855	By amt received from sale of (62) barrels of Molasses by D. Colden Murray	$696.98
1855	By amt received from sale of (15) barrels of Molasses by D. Colden Murray	$169.75
1855	By amt received from sale of (16) barrels of Molasses by D. Colden Murray	$128.81
1856	By amt received from sale of (67) barrels of Molasses by J. Dickenson & Co.	$650.00
1856	By amt received from sale of (10) Hogsheads of sugar by D. Colden Murray	$776.21
1856	By amt received from sale of (6) Hogsheads of sugar by D. Colden Murray	$471.13
1856	By amt received from sale of (20) Hogsheads of sugar by D. Colden Murray	$2129.39
1856	By amt received from sale of (51) Hogsheads of sugar by D. Colden Murray	$3744.05
1856	By amt received from sale of (39) Hogsheads of sugar by D. Colden Murray	$2863.12

Statement of Administrator David Mills, July 2, 1856, Record of Wills Book B: pp. 506-510.

Appendix G

1856
Oct	31	By Proceeds 29 Hhds Sugar Pr. South	$1629.92
Nov	5	By Proceeds 31 Hhds Sugar	$1814.57
Dec	10	“ “ 45 Hhds Pr. North	$2778.60
	12	“ “ 25 Bbls Molasses	$362.30
	21	“ “ 18 Hhds Pr S. Clark	$1070.41
	22	“ “ 5 Hhds Pr. Kenough	$302.25
	24	“ “ 1 Hhds Pr. J City	$70.64
July	12	“ “ 16 Bbls Molasses sold in Galv.	$173.13
Nov	13	“ “ 85 Bbls Mols. Pr E. V.	$1213.81
July	22	“ “ 8 Bbls Mols. Sold in Galv.	$90.84
	4	“ “ 2 Bbls Mols. Sold in Galv.	$22.26
	7	“ “ 91 Bbls Pr. Eonvest (?)	$5501.54
	7	“ “ 80 Pr. East	$5331.28
June	30	“ “ 19 Beef Hides	$35.88
Sept	27	“ “ 16 Bales Cotton	$956.51
Oct	14	“ “ 22 Beef Hides	$86.85
	22	“ “ 24 Bales Cotton	$1412.85
	17	“ “ 4 Bbls of Mols sold in Galv.	$58.80
	21	“ “ 2 Hhds sugar sold in Galv.	$178.66
	25	“ “ 4 Hhds sugar sold by P & B	$326.23
	27	“ “ 250 Bbls Mols. Pr. Francis	$3923.52
Nov	6	“ “ 45 Bales Cotton sold in Galv.	$2501.02
	22	“ “ 24 Bales Cotton sold in Galv.	$1365.34
	28	“ “ 3 Bbls Mols sold in Galv.	$51.39
	16	“ “ 142 Bbls Mols Pr. Robinson	$2213.61
	16	“ “ 13 Bbls Mols Pr. J City	$208.52
	16	“ “ 41 Bbls Mols Pr. Nuacus	$649.69
	16	“ “ 139 Bbls Mols Pr. Gutavia	$2122.60
Dec	8	“ “ 1 Hhds sugar Pr. East	$56.07
	8	“ “ 32 Bales of Cotton	$1718.41
Jan/57	1	“ “ 39 Bales of Cotton	$1990.27
	27	“ “ 21 Bales of Cotton	$1053.12
	27	“ “ 14 Beef Hides	$76.58

Statement of Administrator David G. Mills, February 27, 1857 Record of Wills Book B: pp. 602-605.

Appendix H

Chain of Title

GRANTORS	GRANTEES	Kind of Instrument	Book	Page	Month	Day	Year	Acres	Survey
Mexican Gov.	David Tally	Deed	1	28	Aug	19	1824	4028	David Tally League
David Tally	John Darrington	Deed	B	19	Mar	24	1835	4028	$3028 for league less 1400 acres SE corner containing 400 already sold to Thomas Barnett
David Tally	Samuel May Williams & Thomas McKinney for John Darrington	Deed	B	22/23	Mar	24	1835	4028	24 March 1835 League had been conveyed to McKinney and Williams for use by John Darrington/reserved 1400acres for himself and Thomas Barnett formal deed filed Mar 1,1841
David Tally	William Barrett	Deed	A	423/24	Feb	16	1841	4028	Less 400 acres previously sold Thomas Barnett and 40 foot square used as family cemetery
William Barrett	John Darrington	Deed	A	425	Feb	25	1841	4028	$1.00 His interest to Darrington
John Darrington	Ira Randal Lewis Matagorda County	Mortgage	D	447/50	Aug	7	1847	4028	League less 400 acres now owned by John Stamps & list of all the slaves & 2 labors of land in Matagorda Co. $40000
Ira R. Lewis	John Darrington	Deed	D	557/59	April	3	1848	4028	League and all the slaves/by mutual consent
John Darrington	Nathaniel Newton Wilkinson of New Orleans	Deed	D	597/600	April	7	1848	4028	League less 400 acres & list all the slaves $40000/$25000 mortgage
Nathaniel N. Wilkinson	Sterling McNeel	Deed	E	254/58	June	23	1849	4028	League less 400 acres and list all slaves $42500/ $27500 mortgage
John & Henrietta Stamps	Sterling McNeel	Deed	E	396/98	Jan	1	1850	506	$2000 506 Acres
B. F. & A. J. Terry	Sterling McNeel	Deed	E	398/99	Mar	1	1850	506	$200 Their interest in same
Estate Sterling McNeel	Abner Jackson	Deed	H	159/60	May	5	1857	4028	League and slaves $116200
A. S. Lanthrop	John C. Jackson	Deed					1860		350 Acres
Abner Jackson	Robert Mills	Mortgage	J	388/89	Feb	7	1869	4028	$59,730
Estate Abner Jackson	Robert Mills	Deed	L	574/75	Jan	5	1869	4428	$5000 David Tally League less 350 Acres

Estate John C. Jackson	John R. Mills	Deed	L	520/21	June	9	1869	350	350 Acres $200
Robert Mills	Sterling Blackwell	Deed	L	638/39	Aug	7	1869		$40000 Tally League less 350 acres
John R. Mills	Sterling Blackwell	Deed	L	639/40	Aug	7	1869		350 Acres
James B. & Sallie B. Campbell Cooke County	B. H. Epperson & A. U. Wright	Deed	P	119/21	Sept	29	1875		1/6 Interest for 2 notes of $1666.67(These notes filed in Harris County don't match sums from Brazoria County
Joseph H. & Susie R. Garnett Cooke County	B. H. Epperson & A. U. Wright	Deed	P	121/23	Sept	29	1875		1/6 Interest for 2 notes of $1666.67(These notes filed in Harris County don't match sums from Brazoria County
John A. & Mary E. Hann Brazoria County	B. H. Epperson & A. U. Wright	Deed	P	179/80	Oct	1	1875		1/6 of Darrington Plantation $6000
Joseph H. & Susie R. Garnett Cooke County	B. H. Epperson & A. U. Wright	Deed	P	285/87	Sept	29	1875		1/6 of Darrington Plantation $5000 less 3 acres in SW corner residence of H.J.B.Cash
James W. & Sallie B. Campbell Cooke County	B. H. Epperson & A. U. Wright	Deed	P	287/88	Sept	29	1875		1/6 of Darrington Plantation $5000 less 3 acres in SW corner residence of H.J.B.Cash
Lula, William & Clara E. Robinson	B. H. Epperson & A. U. Wright	Deed	S	691/95	Mar	7	1876		1/2 of Darrington $30000
A. U. Wright	B.H. Epperson	Deed							Purchased A. U. Wright's share by 31July1878
B. H. Epperson	E. S. Epperson	Agree	R	406/08	Jul	31	1878		Agreement for his son to manage Darrington Plantation
E. S. Epperson	P. J. Willis & Brother of Galveston	Mortgage	R	364/66	Oct	15	1878		Crops & land deed of trust
		Decree	T	346/50	May	24	1881		Suit 2750 Marion County Texas
E. H. Campbell	R. S. Willis	Deed	T	561/62	May	24	1881		E. H. Campbell $10441 his interest in judgement
W. D. Crawford	R. S. Willis	Deed	T	563/65	Nov	14	1881		All interest of W. D. Crawford for $100
Estate of Narcissa Willis	R. E. Sears	Deed	75	581/88	Feb	19	1908		$70,548.47 Darrington Plantation
R. E, Sears	Basset & Bonnie Blakely	Deed	146	137/41	Jul	26	1917		$10000 for 212 acres/ paid off 4 notes of $6000 each & 1 note $16000 on plantation
Basset & Bonnie Blakely	Texas Prison Commission	Deed	146	136/37	Jan	1	1918	6746.8	6747 acres total 2522 & 205 acres David Tally tracts $337,340

Brazoria County Tax Records on microfilm Brazoria County Historical Museum Library, Angleton, Texas.

Freeman, Martha Doty, An Overview of the Development of an Historic Landscape on the San Bernard River, Brazoria County, Texas, and a History of the Levi Jordon Plantation, TBG Partners, Inc. Austin, Texas,

Glenn, Lon Bennett, The Largest Hotel Chain in Texas, Eakin Press, Austin, Texas, 2001.

Strobel, Abner J., The Old Plantations and Their Owners of Brazoria County Texas, Revised Edition, The Union National Bank, Houston, Texas, 1930.

Tyler, Ron ed., Sterling McNeel. The New Handbook of Texas, Volume 4, The Texas State Historical Association, Austin, Texas.

Walker, Donald R., Penology For Profit-A History of the Texas Prison System 1867-1912, Texas A&M University Press, College Station, Texas 1988.

White, Gifford, The 1840 Census of the Republic of Texas, Pemberton Press, Austin, Texas.

Williams, Charles R., ed., The Diary and Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes, Nineteenth President of the

United States

, Vol. I, Ohio State Archeological and Historical Society, Columbus, Ohio, 1922.

[1] Sterling McNeel’s brothers John Greenville, Leander H., and Pleasant Duke McNeel all owned plantations in the southern part of Brazoria County.

[2] Abner Jackson also owned the Lake Jackson Plantation and was part owner of the Retrieve Plantation.

[3] His name is spelled Archilles McFarlan in many Brazoria County documents.

[4] The First Census of Texas, 1829-1836, Compiled by Marion Day Mullins, National Genealogical Society, Washington D. C., 1959, p. 51.

[5] Born April 29, 1786 in Sumter County, South Carolina and died September 12, 1853 Clark County, Alabama.

Wife Rebecca aged 57, daughter Mariah aged 18 and son Robert aged 13 all born South Carolina listed 1850 Federal Census.

[6] No record of the 400 acre sale has been located.

[7]Brazoria County Deed Record B: 22/23 records that Mary K. Bradley was only able to make her mark “X” and not able to sign her name; her father may have been Edward R. Bradley, the overseer of the plantation for John Darrington.

[8] This family graveyard may contain his first wife, Polly and possibly children by his first marriage. Due to the limited surveying that took place in the early years of the Republic of Texas this cemetery may be the Sandy Point Cemetery just south on the Chester S. Gorbet League.

[9] Brazoria County Deed Record A: 425.

[10] Edward R. Bradley League, Brazoria County

[11] In 1836, William Matherson of Clark County, Alabama died. His attorney, John Darrington, was appointed administrator of his estate. According to Matherson’s will, his real estate and personal property (including slaves) were to be divided among his four children.[Brazoria County Museum File Darrington Plantation]

[12] See Appendix A for slave listing.

[13] The only personal description of Sterling McNeel we have at this time is by Rutherford B. Hayes: “A shrewd, intelligent, cynical old bachelor “full of wise saws and modern incidents”; very fond of his own experience and talking of his own affairs. Living alone, he has come to think he is “the be-all and end-all here.” The haughty and imperious part of a man develops rapidly on one of these lonely sugar plantations, where the owner rarely meets with any except his slaves and minions.” January 30, 1849, The Diary and Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes, Nineteenth President of the United States, Vol. I., Charles R. Williams, ed., Ohio State Archeological and Historical Society, Columbus, Ohio, 1922, p. 254. Another vignette by Abner Strobel: “In an early day Sterling McNeel was traveling in his carriage through Fort Bend County and applied to a settler there for accommodations for the night. It was pouring down rain and he had a lady with him in his carriage. He told his driver to tell the man of the house the situation and asked him for his hospitality for the night. He was refused. The following winter the same gentleman of Fort Bend County came down to Brazoria County on some business, and it was bitter cold, and he applied to Sterling McNeel for the privilege of staying all night and gave his name. McNeel met him cordially, had the best of meals prepared, a good warm fire, the best of liquor to drink; his horse well fed and groomed. He had the servant shine his guest’s boots, and in fact spread himself as a generous host. The guest on leaving next morning wanted to know what the charges were for his accommodations. McNeel told him, “Nothing, Sir, except this—the next time a gentleman, especially with a lady, asks accommodations for the night on such a night as he made application, never turn them off.” The roads were in such a condition when McNeel made the trip in Fort Bend County that it took him until midnight to travel the distance of five miles to the next house, where he was taken in and cared for, as was the custom in those days.” Strobel, Abner J., The Old Plantations and Their Owners of Brazoria County Texas, Revised Edition, The Union National Bank, Houston, Texas, 1930, p.41.

[15] An additional ~30 slaves are listed in the Probate Case which were not on the original purchase list from John Darrington which may have come from his original holdings with his brothers. [See Appendix C]

[16] Record of Wills Book B: pp. 349-352, Brazoria County Courthouse, Angleton, Texas.

[17] “I declare…hereby that Sterling Blackwell is not my child, and I hereby disinherit him. This written by my own hand this 1^st May 1850.” Last Will and Testament of Thomas Blackwell, Record of Wills, Vol. A. p. 629, Brazoria County Courthouse, Angleton, Texas.

[18] Freeman, Martha Doty, An Overview of the Development of an Historic Landscape on the San Bernard River, Brazoria County, Texas, and a History of the Levi Jordan Plantation, TBG Partners, Inc. Austin, Texas, p.101. “…appoint Mr. Sterling McNeel executor of my estate and guardian of my son until he arrives at the age of twenty one” June 19, 1849, Last Will and Testament of Sally A. Blackwell, Record of Wills, Vol. A. p. 625, Brazoria County Courthouse, Angleton, Texas.

[19] Robert and David G. Mills operated R. & D. G. Mills of Galveston with David overseeing operations in Brazoria County while living on Lowood Plantation in the southern part of the county.

[20] Record of Wills Book B: pp. 629-30, Brazoria County Courthouse, Angleton, Texas.

[21] Record of Wills Book C: pp. 440-447, Brazoria County Courthouse, Angleton, Texas.

[22] Abner Jackson Probate Case 764, Brazoria County Courthouse, Angleton, Texas

[23] Record of Wills Book E: p. 184, Brazoria County Courthouse, Angleton, Texas.

[24] 1876 Kate McNeel now Katie E. Davis wife of John L. Davis received payment from the other heirs. Record of Wills Book F: p. 166-67, Brazoria County Courthouse, Angleton, Texas.

[25] 1870 Federal Census lists Emily French black aged 34 born in Alabama and Kate aged 17 mulatto born in Texas living in Galveston, Texas.

[26] Record of Wills Book E: p. 185, Brazoria County Courthouse, Angleton, Texas.

[28] James W. Campbell & wife et al vs. John A. Hann & wife Suit No.3372 Brazoria County District Court, Angleton, Texas

[29] Home in Jefferson, Texas called the House of the Seasons, B. H. Epperson died September 6, 1878.

[30] Governor’s Records, State Archives, “Biennial Reports of the Directors and Superintendent of the Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville, Texas with the Report of the Prison Physician, 1878-1880”, p.51.

[31] Peter J. Willis died in 1873 and R. S. Willis assumed full control of the partnership. R. S. Willis served as president of the Galveston National Bank, The Texas Guarantee and Trust Company, and was one of the founders of the Gulf, Colorado, and Sante Fe Railroad.

[32] Governor’s Records, State Archives, “Biennial Reports of the Directors and Superintendent of the Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville, Texas with the Report of the Prison Physician, 1880-1882”, p.8 & 36.

[33] Governor’s Records, State Archives, “Reports of the Superintendent and Financial Agent of the Texas State Penitentiary Years Ending 1884”, p.29& 41.

[34] Strobel, Abner J., The Old Plantations and Their Owners of Brazoria County Texas, Revised Edition, The Union National Bank, Houston, Texas, 1930, p.41.

Go to Home Page