John Purnell

He made a will in Worcester Co., MD, 1755. (Sharon A. Jones, Worcester Co. MD Wills JW2 f.146-148) John received "Adams Full Quality" in his father's will and his father named his wife, Elizabeth. He sold to his grandson, John Purnell Robins "Fairfield" and "Fern Hill." (Ruth T. Dryden, Worcester Land Records, p. 222) John was a Burgess for Worcester County from 1744 to 1748 and from 1751 to 1754. He served as Captain of the Maryland Militia in 1746 and was County Commissioner from 1742 to 1754. (Melanie Ayres Merryweather, Genealogy of the Purnell Family, p.10)

Major John Purnell had the home at "Genesar" built about 1730 on the south end of Sinepuxent Neck and across from the Sinepuxent Inlet, one of the few navigable openings in the barrier islands. For the time, "Genesar" had an impressive house and an extensive complex of support buildings. His estate inventory of April, 1755 showed at least 37 slaves and crops of tobcco, wheat, Indian corn, oats and 110 bushels of salt, along with substantial numbers of livestock and domestic animals, "17 gees" and 5 hives of bees. His movable estate was estimated at 2425.7.6 pounds "well within the wealthiest class of Somerset planters." "Genesar" was divided among John's sons. (Paul B. Touart, Along the Seaboard Side, Worcester County, MD, 1994, p. 239)

John Purnell, Sr.
WoW-JW2:146
07 Jan 175506 Mar 1755
To son Zadok Purnell: part of GENESAR running across the Neck of Whaleys and ORTNEY running to the line of Edward Whaley and then to a small ditch cut by John Kelly. This to sons Thomas and William if Zadok dies without issue. Also part of two tracts called STRIFE and MILL ANGLE and 450 ac on the west side of the Pocomoke River called PENEWELLS CHOICE and 50 ac being the part of GENESAR bought from Samuel Holland. Also Negro man Tom Watson, Negro Ben, woman Dinah, Negro Young Will, girl Nelly. Also desk, silver handle sword.
To son William Purnell: part of tract GENESAR that runs to the creek that divides Charles Ratcliff and John Purnell and if William dies without issue, this to his brothers Zadok and Thomas. Also 100 ac out of STRIFE and MILL ANGLE. Also CONCLUSION lying on the Ninepin Branch and also tract bought from Moses Wilson. Also Negro man Hazard, girl Tabb, man Ben, girl Dinah, boy Valentine. Also 99 ac [should be 91 ac = BROAD NECK] bought from William Prideaux from GOSHEN AND MAYFIELD
To son Thomas Purnell: remaining part of GENESAR excepting that bought from Samuel Holland and if he dies without issue this to his brothers. Also part of STRIFE and MILL ANGLE which runs to the horse road and then as the main road goes from Bradford=s line. Also Negro Peter, girl Lydia, man Daniel Tull, Negro Feebey, boy Occoroh
To Elizabeth Morris - use of half the land where she formerly lives called CROPPERS NECK and Negro man Old Will, boy Quash, girl Rachel.
To son John Purnell: SPRING GARDEN which was Thomas Prideaux=s and CHARLES CHOICE containing 100 ac and 700 ac called ASSATEAGUE FIELDS, PURNELLS ADDITION and tract PLEASANT GROVE and all the land bought from Edmond Cropper. If he dies without issue this to my son William. Also Negro man George, Old David, woman Phillis, boy Jacob, boy Harry.
To daughter Elizabeth Purnell - part of STRIFE and MILL ANGLE beginning at Nathaniel Bradford=s lane and to where the saw mill is. Also part of tract on St. Martin=s River called SCANDARON and TANTON containing 200 ac. Also Negro man Toney, woman Sarah, boy Caleb, boy Capewell, mulatto girl Sarai.
To daughter Zipporah Purnell - BOWENS CHOICE and 100 ac of WINKFIELD and tract DEEP SWAMP
To daughter Levinah Fassitt - part of tract SPITTLEFIELDS formerly belonging to John Truitt and Isaac Mitchell, tract TRUITTS LOT
To daughter Arralanta Robins and grandson John Purnell Robins - land devised to me by my father Thomas Purnell called FAIR FIELDS and FERN HILL
To my five children - 35 cattle each, 35 sheep each, two bed and furniture each..
Executor: son Zadok with Thomas Robins and John Purnell as overseers.
Witnesses: Matthew Purnell, Sr., Robert Craig, Matthew Purnell, Jr., Joseph Jones

John married Elizabeth Rackliffe about 1720 in Somerset Co., MD. (Elizabeth Rackliffe was born about 1704 in Somerset Co., MD and died about 1755 in Worcester Co., MD.)