William Darke Collection

Archive

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Jefferson County Museum

Name/Title

William Darke Collection

Entry/Object ID

ARC140

Scope and Content

Original papers and copies of research materials related to William Darke (1736-1801), a general in the Virginia milita. He commanded a wing of St. Clair’s army at its defeat in the Northwest Territory by the Miami Native Americans on November 4, 1791. In 1793, the Virginia General Assembly elected Darke to represent Berkeley County almost continuously until his death in Jefferson County, Virginia (now West Virginia). He was buried in the Darke-Engle-Ronemous family cemetery near what is now Duffields, Jefferson County, West Virginia. Includes correspondence to and from William Darke; correspondence to Sarah Darke Briscoe (William Darke's granddaughter); William Darke's wills and estate papers; and Rush/Darke family genealogy papers. Correspondence: William Darke ARC140-1 to ARC140-10: Letters pertaining to St. Clair's Defeat, the United States' defeat against the Western Confederacy of Native Americans in the Northwest Territory of the United States on November 4, 1791. Arthur St. Clair, the governor of the Northwest Territory, ordered the construction of forts in western Ohio to protect settlers and advance against nearby Native Americans. The men were poorly trained and supplied, leading to the worst defeat of the United States Army at the hands of Ohio's Native Americans. ARC140-1: St. Clair's Defeat: Letter from William Darke to George Washington updating on status of Virginia officers and troops and complaints against Richard Butler, 7/24/1791. Includes typed transcription of letter. ARC140-2: St. Clair's Defeat: Letter from George Washington to William Darke in response to Darke's letter (ARC140-1), 8/9/1791. (Letter is not original. It is a transcription from George Washington papers at Library of Congress). ARC140-3: St. Clair's Defeat: Letter from Richard Butler to William Darke regarding previous correspondence, 7/27/1791. Includes typed transcription of letter. ARC140-4: St. Clair's Defeat: Letter from Robert Buntin to John Francis Hamtramck regarding horses to be allocated to Army unit commanded by Hamtramck, 9/3/1791. ARC140-5: St. Clair's Defeat: Letter from William Darke to George Washington describing the events of St. Clair's Defeat, 11/9/1791. (Letter is not original. It is a transcription from Gilder Lehrman Collection Documents.) ARC140-6: St. Clair's Defeat: Letter from Arthur St. Clair to William Darke regarding wounded soldiers, 11/20/1791. Includes typed transcription of letter. ARC140-7: St. Clair's Defeat: Letter from William Lewis to William Darke regarding a watch from Fort Jefferson, 11/27/1791. Includes typed transcription of letter. ARC140-8: St. Clair's Defeat: Letter from William Darke to Arthur St. Clair regarding the terrible conditions at Fort Jefferson, 12/10/1791. Includes typed transcription of letter. ARC140-9: St. Clair's Defeat: Letter from Samuel Hodgdon to William Darke regarding supplies to be sent to Fort Jefferson, 12/11/1791. Includes typed transcription of letter. ARC140-10: St. Clair's Defeat: Letter from David Zigler to William Darke regarding condition of officers, 12/13/1791. Includes typed transcription of letter. ARC140-11 to ARC140-13: Miscellaneous letters ARC140-11: Letter from John Kearney to William Darke asking for William Blue to be considered for the army, 3/3/1792. Includes typed transcription of letter. ARC140-12: Letter from unknown to William Darke, 8/9/1796. ARC140-13: Letter from Benjamin Rush to Sarah Delayea Darke, widow of William Darke, regarding William Darke's death, 12/18/1801. Correspondence: Sarah Darke Briscoe (William Darke's granddaughter) ARC140-14: Letter from Nath. Massie to Sarah Darke Briscoe regarding William Darke's will, 4/11/1839. ARC140-15: Letter from Nath. Massie to Sarah Darke Briscoe potentially regarding William Darke's Kentucky land, 3/14/1840. ARC140-16: Letter from Nath. Massie to Sarah Darke Briscoe potentially regarding William Darke's Kentucky land, 12/6/1839. Wills: William Darke ARC140-17: Will: William Darke, August 29, 1792. ARC140-18: Will: William Darke, October 12, 1801. Includes copy of will from Jefferson County Courthouse records. Estate: William Darke ARC140-19: Estate of William Darke in account with George North and Richard Baylor, 1801-1830. Genealogy: Rush/Darke family ARC140-20: Two pieces of paper that made up a large Rush/Darke family tree beginning with Benjamin Rush, dates from 1600s to 1800s.

Acquisition

Accession

325

Source or Donor

Miller, Frances and Paul

Acquisition Method

Gift

Archive Details

Date(s) of Creation

1791 - 1840

Archive Notes

Date(s) Created: 1791-1840