John Selby Purnell

John served in the Lower House of the Maryland Legislature from Worcester Co. 1787-1789 and in the Senate, Eastern Shore 1796-1799. He was an Associate Judge, Fourth District in 1791 and a Captain in the 9th Militia Regiment 1794-1796. He was a Private, Worcester Militia, Sinepuxent Bn., Capt. William Purnell's Co., 6th Class. (Henry C. Peden, Jr., Revolutionary Patriots of Worcester & Somerset Cos. MD, Willow Bend, Westminster, MD, 1999, p. 238; Matthew M. Wise, The Littleton Heritage, p. 221)

John married Arralanta Purnell (Lanta) Robins, daughter of Thomas Robins and Arralanta (Aralanter) Purnell, on 13 Jan 1785 in Worcester Co., MD. (Arralanta Purnell (Lanta) Robins was born about 1760 in Worcester Co., MD, died on 20 Nov 1825 in Worcester Co., MD and was buried about 23 Nov 1825 in Lemuel Purnell Cemetery, Bayside Road, Worcester Co., MD.)