252. John Selby⁵ Purnell (Lemuel⁴, Elisha³, Thomas², Thomas¹) was born in Worcester Co., MD about 1760. John died about 1818 in Worcester Co., MD. His date of death is not known Henry Peden shows it as 1799. His body was interred in Public Landing, Worcester Co. MD.

He married Aralanta Robins in Worcester Co., MD, January 13, 1785. Aralanta was born in Worcester Co., MD about 1763. Aralanta was the daughter of Thomas Robins(Cpt.) and Aralanta Purnell. Aralanta died 1825 in Worcester Co., MD. Her body was interred in Public Landing, Worcester Co. MD. (Melanie Ayres Merryweather, Genealogy of the Purnell Family)

She made a will in Worcester Co., MD, March 4, 1820. (Ruth T. Dryden, Worcester Co. MD Wills 1822-1833 MH, p.14)

Aralanta's will was probated in Worcester Co., MD, December 16, 1825. Aralanta named her children in her will. 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 had two children who died in infancy: John Selby Purnell born December 21, 1789, died May 12, 1797; and George Purnell born March 3, 1798, died August 3, 1798.

John Selby Purnell and Aralanta Robins had the following children:

436 i. Denny⁶ Purnell was born in Worcester Co., MD December 21, 1785. Denny died February 5, 1806 in Worcester Co., MD. (Melanie Ayres Merryweather, Genealogy of the Purnell Family) His body was interred in Public Landing, Worcester Co. MD. (dates-Melanie Ayres Merryweather, Genealogy of the Purnell Family)

437 ii. Lemuel Purnell was born in Worcester Co., MD June 2, 1787. Lemuel died June 9, 1787 in Worcester Co., MD. His body was interred in Public Landing, Worcester Co. MD. (dates-Melanie Ayres Merryweather, Genealogy of the Purnell Family)

438 iii. Andasia Robins Purnell was born about 1790. Andasia died before December 7, 1864. She married James Bowdoin Robins(Judge) in Worcester Co., MD, May 8, 1823. (Mary Beth & Vanessa Long, Worcester Marriage Records)

James was born in Worcester Co., MD December 7, 1770. James was the son of John Purnell Robins and Anna Spence. James died October 23, 1826. He inherited a considerable amount of real estate from his father, including "Fairfield," where he lived and where he was buried. In 1793, he conveyed to his brother, Littleton, 400 acres and "Robins Addition," He also purchased a great deal of various real estate. He had over 4,000 acres at the time of his death. He was appointed Registrar of Wills in 1799. On February 27, 1806, he qualified as associate judge for the 4th Judicial District. He was ambushed in October of 1807, shot and seriously wounded by a bullet which passed through his shoulder and chest while returning home by horse and carriage from Caroline County. His assailant was one John Worrilow, who had fled to Delaware from Worcester County as a fugitive. His assailant was later captured in South Carolina and executed at Snow Hill in April, 1808. (Leslie P. Dryden, Dryden Family & Descendants, Alamo, TX, 1999, p. 53-55; Matthew Wise, The Littleton Heritage, p. 226) She is shown in the 1850 census with James R. Purnell, 16, Ann M. Gillis, 16, and Elizabeth Gillis, 15, living with her. (1850 census Worcester Co. MD; Matthew Wise, The Littleton Heritage, p. 221)

439 iv. Arlanta R. Purnell was born in Worcester Co., MD August 1, 1795. Arlanta died March 5, 1877. Her body was interred in Public Landing, Worcester Co. MD. In 1850, she was living in her brother, John's, household, age 54. She was living in 1870. (Matthew Wise, The Littleton Heritage, p. 221) (dates of birth & death-Melanie Ayres Merryweather, Genealogy of the Purnell Family)

+ 440 v. John Selby Purnell(Jr.) was born September 11, 1799.

441 vi. Mary Ann Simpson Purnell was born in Worcester Co., MD May 19, 1816. Mary died April 6, 1870 in Worcester Co., MD. She married Josiah Collins in Worcester Co., MD, January 13, 1840. (license date)

Josiah was born January 24, 1814. Josiah died July 20, 1896 in Worcester Co., MD. Her descendants are traced further in Matthew Wise, The Littleton Heritage, p. 227.

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