Joseph Daniel

b abt 1723. d abt 1794. m Mary (Unknown).

Joseph Daniel secured a patent to 367 acres on both sides of Waqua Creek in Brunswick County 20 August 1748.  If we presume Joseph was about twenty-five when he got his land, then he was born about 1723.Joseph added a neighboring 175 acres by patent 25 September 1762.  A 1756-patent and a 1767-deed of Richard Willis to William Willis for land on Waqua Creek identified neighbors as Joseph Daniel, Gilliam, and Parish.   Parish was evidently John Parish of New Kent County who sold his neighboring land, 404 acres, to Joseph Daniel 28 March 1767.  Parish had acquired the tract, then next to Gilliam and Daniel, by patent 12 January 1747/8.  Gilliam was John Gilliam who inherited his land.By these three transaction, Joseph accumulated 946 acres along Waqua Creek where he would live of the rest of his life. Danieltown in northeast Brunswick County is undoubtedly named for Joseph and his descendants.

John Marshall and Henry Morris were securities for the collection of tithables in St. Andrew’s Parish for the year 1762. Thomas Jackson, the acting collector, failed to account for the tithes properly, threatening Marshall and Morris with bankruptcy. In response, several hundred parishioners, including Joseph Daniel, voluntarily released the two men from their obligation in 1773. The tax list for 1782 in Brunswick County shows that neither Joseph nor his son of the same name owned slaves.  The 1788 personal property tax list marked him “tax free,” presumably because of his age. The court again excused Joseph Daniel from levies 10 March 1780. Joseph was likely single when he arrived in Brunswick County around 1748. He married, Mary, whom he named in his will, in the 1750s for their eldest children appear to have been born in that decade. She was likely the daughter of a neighboring planter. One source said she was Mary Willis, but we have no evidence.By 1770 Mary, Sarah, Dianna, Thomas, and Joseph were living at home. Elizabeth, and Martha were born in the 1770s. By 1780 son Thomas and his older daughters were married and son Joseph was on his own. Joseph would live out his days on his plantation with, Mary, and their daughters, Elizabeth and Martha.

Joseph, in his 60s by 1788, was sufficiently infirm that the county no longer taxed him. Wanting to be sure his sons receive part of his land, he gave Joseph 241 acres on Waqua Creek in 1789.  Thomas got 200 acres on both sides of Waqua in 1792. Joseph was perhaps seventy when he made his will on 12 January 1793.  He left to his wife, Mary, the 500 acres remaining from is 946-acre plantation and nearly all his personal possessions. Thomas and Joseph had already received the lands they are living on “as bounds by deeds made to them.” His three married daughters — Mary, Sarah, and Diana — received nominal gifts and he left the remainder of his estate to unmarried daughters, Martha and Elizabeth. Joseph is dead by 27 October 1794 when the justices ordered his will recorded at the Brunswick County courthouse.

Joseph and Mary had at least six children: Joseph, Sarah, Dianna, Thomas, Elizabeth and Martha.