William Daniell Munn

November 25, 1743

Grandson of Governor Robert Daniell | Father of 6 ministers and 27 children

(FS #L2QP-SWY)

William Daniell was the son of John (born March 29, 1707) and Sarah (Raven) (born 1716) both born in Charleston, So. Carolina. He was the grandson of Colonial Governor Robert Daniell of South Carolina. Six of William’s sons became ministers.

William was born in the old family home, on the west bank of Lockwood River, in New Hanover County, North Carolina, November 25, 1743. Unfortunately, nothing is known of his childhood nor his early manhood, but his father was John Daniell Esquire (born March 29, 1707) and his mother, Sarah Ravens (born 1716) both in South Carolina. One follows the other and only stands to reason that his parents set excellent examples. His father was well educated, being “a very prosperous, wealthy and influential planter, owning many plantations and possessions.” This later enabled William to be closely associated with splendid men who were instrumental in making the very stirring and interesting history of our grand old state of Georgia.

Robert Daniell (one day he would be governor) sailed from Plymouth, England, in August 1669, for America with a fleet of three ships. Robert served King William in his wars by land and sea. He died May 1, 1718, and is buried in Charleston, South Carolina. A memorial tablet stands on the wall at the back of St. Phillips Church.

Robert Daniell served as the Colonial Governor of North Carolina from 1703-1705. He also served as Colonial Governor of South Carolina from April 25, 1716 until April 30, 1717. King George II organized the Colony of Georgia as a Royal Province and granted Head Rights to each new settler of Georgia Territory. William was deeded 200 acres in Wilkes County, Georgia, in November 1773. On March 7, 1775, William Daniell was granted 300 acres on Little River in St. Paul Parrish, called Wrightsboro, Georgia. In 1775 William signed the Wrightsboro Protest. He served in the Revolutionary War under Col. Elijah Clarke.

In 1784 William Daniell received 287 1⁄2 acres in Franklin County, Georgia. This site is believed to be a part of that grant. Franklin County was created February 25, 1784 from Cherokee cession of May 31, 1783, and Creek cession of November 1, 1783. William served as a Representative from Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia, when the Constitution of the State was ratified in 1786.

He was married the first time at a very youthful age, much under than the legal twenty-one of today, to Rachel, supposed to have been the daughter of Colonel Robert Howe, a Loyalist. There were 11 children in this marriage. The family moved from North Carolina into the Marr district in South Carolina. September 1769, we find William with his brother, John, in Charleston, South Carolina probably in probate business, relative to the will of their father, John Daniell, which was dated December 23, 1755. William and John were the executors of this will, and William had been given the old home place on Lockwood River, New Hanover, North Carolina.

A little later to induce immigration and to the settling up of the Georgian territory, the government was granting “Head right” to each new citizen, and William Daniell, evidently attracted by what he had learned of the wonderful possibilities of this state, according to the old Colonial Law, “Prayed” for 200 acres on Little River in Wilkes County.

This application was dated October, 1773. The land was not immediately granted to him, because he had already taken up 200 acres in Wrightsboro Township, which he said he did of necessity, until the deeded lands in Wilkes County were opened for settlement. However, the award was very quickly made, as in the Augusta Land Court Journals, there is a record dated November 1773 showing that William Daniell, with his wife and six children, four sons and two daughters, ranging from 12 to 2 years, arrived from South Carolina and settled on this land.

In 1784, he acted as Attorney for Benjamin Davis of Burke County, receiving in his behalf, the Bounty grant of 287 1⁄2 acres of land for Revolutionary service. In 1786 he was a Representative from Washington, Wilkes County Georgia, when the Constitution of the State was ratified in 1786. About 1783, his wife Rachel died, and he began to sell the Wilkes County land. A transfer dated November 11, 1784 titled him as William Daniell “Yeoman”, a term much in use then, which meant he was a free man and entitled to vote. In April 1789, he gave to his son, Thomas, power of attorney to sell the land in the (blank) District which had been granted to him in 1777.

William Daniell had been a staunch Loyalist. This was shown when he signed the Wrightsboro (now McDuffy County) Protest in 1775 at the action of Mass in precipitating trouble between the King and his Colonies- for-what-the-Georgia citizens considered a trivial tax on tea. Georgia was the youngest, the most remote, the most sparsely settled of the 13 colonies, and had not suffered from the unreasonable acts of the British Parliament although the people had endured all of the hardships incident to pioneer life, and the great dangers of the deprivation of the Indians and the Spanish.

When the King actually invaded the Carolinas, these same men, the signers of the Protest, saw so clearly the future of the American citizens under the harsh and arbitrary rule of England, and realizing the necessity of immediate and stern resistance, no longer hesitated and, regardless of the savage Indian Allies of the Royal Government, they with just as much, perhaps more enthusiasm, rallied to the cause of the Colonies, and their Patriotism was so soon and so undeniably established.

These men were termed “Refugee Soldiers” and sometimes “Minutemen.” When Savannah fell, these men left their homes and fought so valiantly, under Marlon, Pickins, Sumpter and General Elijah Clark. As a result of this action on their part, the people of Georgia suffered more than those of any other State during the war of the Revolution.

The Certificate of the service of William Daniell may be found in the Archives of the State, and reads as follows:

State of Georgia:

These are to certify that William Daniell was an inhabitant of the State, prior to the reduction there- of, by the British Arms, and was a Refugee, from the same, during which time he cheerfully did his duty as a soldier and a friend, to this and the United States. Given under my hand, this 2nd day of February, 1784. Elijah Clark-Col.

[Here is a six line paragraph that can not be read, even with a magnifying glass, but it only pertains to how land was given to soldiers that served, and mentions Washington and Wilkes counties.]

Clark County was originally (blank) County, and was settled chiefly by soldiers of the Revolution.

In 1784 William Daniell received 287 1⁄2 acres in Franklin County, Georgia. Military Bounty Grant; Roster of the Revolution, certified list of Georgia Troops, page 874. (Franklin county created on February 25, 1784 from

Cherokee cession of May 31, 1783; Elbert County was created December 10, 1790 from Wilkes County) Land deeds record William Daniell bought and sold many different locations, as well as land he owned, converted to create a new county.

In 1786 Elizabeth, William and Rachel’s daughter, married Benjamin Davis, a Revolutionary soldier. Their eldest son, William Jr., married Benjamin Davis’ sister. Martha. Recorded in 1784, William Daniell acted as attorney for Benjamin Davis of Burke County, Georgia, receiving in his behalf, bounty grant of land for Revolutionary Service.

After the death of William’s first wife, Rachel, in 1783, and after the birth of her last child, George, William moved his children from Chatham County, North Carolina, to his home on L ittle River in the Dry Creek area of Jefferson County (then Burke), Georgia. This is where son-in-law Benjamin Davis pastored some of the earliest Baptist churches in the state. Jeremiah Moses Melton, Sr., William’s neighbor from Chatham County, North Carolina, followed William Daniell in his move to Georgia.

In the same area of Burke County and on June 1, 1787, William Daniell, Sr., married Jeremiah Melton’s daughter, Mary, known as “Polly”. William was 27 years older than Polly. He built a new home for his bride in 1790 on Barber Creek, Jackson County, land included when Clarke County was created December 5, 1801, the original ceded by Indians. This house stands today exactly as it was originally built. The present owner, Mrs. Kinne has it registered on the National Historical Register. This land was in Clarke County until Oconee County was created on February 25, 1875.

Their new home became part of Mars Hill community, known as “The Cedars,” placed on the National Register of Homes, and still stands today only a short distance from the cemetery and the church where the family was so actively involved. The Mars Hill Church was organized in 1799, located across Barber Creek (south) and a short distance from the William Daniell home (lay of the land.) In 1802, William Daniell joined Mars Hill Church by letter. Minutes show him as a Deacon January 16, 1824. Early church minutes have many entries for these family members and are noted in each individual record. The family’s deep religious convictions is evidenced by the fact that six of William’s sons, including grandsons and other descendants, became Baptist ministers: George, Jeremiah, Beaton, Alfred, Moses, Robert.

As was his father, John Daniell and his grandfather, Governor Robert Daniell, William was very concerned in the affairs of this new state of Georgia. When the Constitution of the state was ratified, in 1786, he was a representative from Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia. Many records show his involvement in political affairs.

We can only form an opinion of the personal characteristics of William Daniell from the influence he had in the character building of his children. Spirituality, lntegrity and Patriotism were the standard for the family. He so carefully guarded the spiritual welfare of his family, that six of his sons were ministers, while his daughters brought up their children “in the fear and admonition of the Lord”, which influence has continued “into the third and fourth generations”. The influence of his Integrity so impressed his children and the people at large, that with the passing of time, there grew to be an adage, “a Daniell’s word was as good as his bond”.

The story was told by family members and found in other records:

“When William was 90 years-old, he invited all his children and their families to spend two weeks wth him for a family reunion. They came in covered wagons with their bedding. Each day they had beef,

hogs, and turkeys. He had a large playground on the creek bottoms which was under a fence. He would lay down one corner of the fence for the children to pass thru; then he would put up the fence and jump over like a young buck.”

It has been said that he did not believe in slavery and this may have been the case in the latter part of his life, as there is no mention of slaves in his will. However, on August 26, 1795, he made a deed of gift to his daughter Elizabeth, who lived in Elizabeth County, of a slave girl. Also, on November 5, 1812, he gave to his daughter, Rebecca Peacock, a widow, another slave girl.

William Daniell died September 5, 1840. His will, which is of record in Athens, Clark County, is dated November 20, 1837.-Codicil added January 27, 1839. Probated October 5, 1840. Josiah and Jeremiah are named as Executors. The will named his wife, Mary, and their children but of his first marriage, only the youngest, George is mentioned. Possibly he had given to them already as is indicated in a record dated April 1789 “he gave his son, Thomas, Power of Attorney to sell the land in Naptha District, which had been granted him in 1777.” Copies of will, inventory and distribution are available.

William Daniell, Sr. lived a long and vigorous life. He died September 5, 1840 approaching the age of 97. His wife died three years later October 3, 1843. William and Polly are buried at Mars Hill Church Cemetery. Together they left a rich legacy of many descendants and religious dedication. William Daniell was honored by the Elijah Clarke DAR Chapter (Athens) at a grave marking 1937.

Sons who were ministers: Rev. George Daniell, Rev. Beaton Daniell, Rev. Alfred Daniell, Rev. Moses Daniell, Rev. Robert Daniell, Rev. Jeremiah Melton Daniell.

(It is undetermined the actual number of children William had. Also, there are two spellings for Beadon: Beaton or Beadon.)