70. Benjamin4 Purnell (Matthew3, Thomas2, Thomas1) was born in Worcester Co., MD 1740. Benjamin died 1796 in Worcester Co., MD. He married twice. He married Elizabeth Marshall in Worcester Co., MD, about 1766. Benjamin Purnell married Sarah Irving after Elizabeth's death. Elizabeth was born about 1753. Elizabeth was named in the will of her grandfather, Robert Nairn, February 3, 1764. Elizabeth was the daughter of Esme Marshall and Mary Nairn. He married Sarah Irving in Worcester Co., MD, July 8, 1771. Sarah was born September 21, 1750. She made a will in Worcester Co., MD, September 3, 1823. (Ruth T. Dryden, Worcester Co. MD Wills 1822-1833, MH f.48-49, p.4) Sarah's will was probated in Worcester Co., MD, October 8, 1823. Sarah married 2nd Charles Bennett, Sr. In her will, she named grandsons James S. Purnell and Charles B. Purnell, granddaughters Martha M. Selby, Susan Robins, Sarah A. Robins, Esther P. Robins, Mary P. Robins, Elizabeth Robins, Margaret Robins, Isabella Robins and Arlanta Robins, and Bennett grandchildren: James, Ann P. John, George J., Charles B. Edward W. Sally E., Thomas and Margaret. Witnesses were George Hayward and William Quinton. (dob-Melanie Ayres Merryweather, Genealogy of the Purnell Family, p. 21) He made a will in Worcester Co., MD, December 10, 1795. (Ruth T. Dryden, Worcester Co. MD Wills 1790-1799 JW f.235, p.23) Benjamin's will was probated in Worcester Co., MD, January 19, 1796. His father left him land at "Purnell's Security." (Ruth T. Dryden, Worcester Co. MD Land Records) Benjamin was an Esign, Worcester Miitia, Sinepuxent Bn., Capt. John Purnell's Co., August 30, 1777, and 2nd Lt. in Capt. Elisha Purnell's Co., August 14, 1779. (Henry C. Peden, Jr., Revolutionary Patriots of Worcester & Somerset Cos. MD, Willow Bend, Westminster, MD, 1999, p. 237) Some Worcester County records indicate he was called "Junior", possibly to distinquish him from Benjamin Purnell d. 1768. In 1775, Edward Franklin sold 65 acres of "Assateague Beach" to Benjamin and Levin Davis. (Ruth T. Dryden, Worcester Co. MD Land Records, p. 26) Benjamin Purnell and Elizabeth Marshall had the following children:
Benjamin Purnell and Sarah Irving had the following children:
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