David Marvel, Sr.

THE FOLLOWING IS FROM LEVIN WILSON'S ADDRESS TO THE KNOWLES FAMILY REUNION ON SEPTEMBER 24, 1896

In giving the history of any family the surroundings make it necessary to give a partial history of other families. Especially is this true in America, where they marry and intermarry in all families and among all nationalities.

The Knowles and Marvel families have long been connected. Both were English. Andrew Marvel was a Member of Parliament about the middle of the seventeenth century and did his whole duty. There was not gold enough in the King’s exchequer to make him swerve from the right. He was an author and poet of considerable note. It is a well known fact that the Marvels and Knowles came at or about the same time, constituting a part of the colony of Sussex County, Delaware. The Marvels turned their attention to the raising of peaches and fine horses. From the first they made their brandy which became an indispensable article for the family and for public gatherings. They were fond of a well-trained saddle horse and in their estimation speed was an addition to his other good qualities. And no young man in all that country rode a finer horse and more richly mounted saddle than did David Marvel, who was himself dressed in the finest blue broadcloth.

There was also living in the same country a wealthy French family by the name of Prettyman, whose daughter was the prettiest girl in all the land. To her, after obtaining the consent of her parents, young David made suit and Miss Comfort Prettyman became the wife of David Marvel. Their family occupied the front in society, being composed of daughters, with only one son who was born in 1760, and they named him Prettyman. This boy when he grew to manhood was very small and an expert rider of race horses which he made profitable as a business. And when he wished a wife he sought and obtained the hand of Miss Lavina Rogers, whose near relative was Governor of Delaware. His cousin Elisha married her sister Orpha.

18. DAVID MARVEL, SR. (THOMAS M., JOHN, THOMAS MARVELL, JOHN, JOHN, THOMAS, JOHN) was born Jan 05, 1728/29 in Sussex Co., DE, and died Feb 09, 1796 in Sussex Co., DE. He married (1) COMFORT PRETTYMAN Abt. 1756. She was born 1725. He married (2) SARAH "SALLY" PRETTYMAN Jan 05, 1789 in Somerset Co., Md., daughter of THOMAS PRETTYMAN and ELIZABETH ENLOE. She was born 1762 in Sussex Co., DE, and died 1801 in Sussex Co., DE.

Notes for DAVID MARVEL, SR.: David Marvel is the oldest son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Huggins) Marvel and was born in Sussex County, Delaware, Jan. 5, 1721. Some records gave conflicting dates of 1727 and 1729. We feel 1721 is the most plausible. It is the date used in this account.

David's sweetheart, Sarah (Sally) Prettyman, was the daughter of Thomas, Jr. and Elizabeth (Enloes) Prettyman. John and Mary (?) Prettyman, her emigrant ancestors, came from England to Maryland about 1663. By July 1643, they had migrated to Northampton County, Virginia. They owned extensive tracts of land here and in Accomack County. Later their descendants went to Delaware and became wealthy land owners.

The will of David Marvel dated January 4, 1796, is recorded in the Hall of Records in Dover, Delaware, as are the wills of his brothers, Thomas Jr., Phillip and Robert.

Note: David Marvel grew to manhood on his father's plantation in Delaware. Peach growing was the main industry in Delaware and the Marvels gave much care and attention to their orchards. From this luscious fruit the Marvels made exceptional brandy. A decanter of peach brandy always graced the Marvel table.

Another vocation that merited much care and attention among the Marvels was the raising of fine horses. Of Thomas II's four sons it was said that David was the most avid respecter of those fine horses. When he went courting as a young man, no young man in the country rode finer horses.

David's will, dated 4 Jan. 1796, is recorded in the Hall of Records in Dover, Delaware. His brother's wills are recorded there also. David's will was probated 9 Feb. 1796. In it he bequeathed all his lands and livelihood to his wife, 'Salla', to be at her disposal during her life or widowhood. At her decease or remarriage his land was to be divided between his sons David and Burton. To his daughter, Elizabeth, he left one cupboard, one dozen pewter plates and one spinning wheel. To daughter-in-law, Polly Prettyman, he bequeathed one feather bed and furniture, one spinning wheel, one chest and pewter dish, four pewter plates, six pewter spoons, two chairs, one earthen pan and one basin. To his daughter, Patience Knowles, he bequeathed one shilling sterling. Toson, Prettyman Marvel, he bequeathed one shilling sterling and thirty-five dollars. The money was due Prettyman for his part of said land. (In the estate inventory he received an amount of thirteen pounds, four shillings and six pence.)

After paying funeral charges and other expenses, the rest of his estate was to be divided among the three youngest children, Elizabeth, David, Jr. and Burton. The inventory of the estate of David Marvel (except the land) amounted to 98 pounds, 16 shillings and 6 pence. The amount left was 58 pounds, 11 shillings and 5 pence to be given to Elizabeth, David, Jr. and Burton. Since daughter, Prudence, is not mentioned in her father's will it is assumed that she had died before 1796. Soon after David Marvel's death his widow married Moses Daisy. Sarah (Prettyman) Marvel Daisy died in 1801 in Sussex county, Delaware.

Several people are questioning the marriage of David and Sarah (Sally) These dates are comparable to their births, children and deaths. I see no reason to assume anything other than these are the true facts from American Compendium Vol 4; Hall of Records, Dover, Delaware; Marvel History pg 9-10; 1790 Delaware census; Prettyman Letter by Ethel Prettyman; Prettyman Genealogy; Joan Knowles, corresp.

Source; American Compendium Vol 4; Hall of Records, Dover, Delaware; Marvel; History pg 9-10; 1790 Delaware census; Prettyman Letter by Ethel Prettyman; Prettyman Genealogy; Joan Knowles, corresp.

More About DAVID MARVEL, SR.: Jan 04, 1796, Will made. Feb 09, 1796, Will probated. Occupation: Planter

Notes for SARAH "SALLY"; PRETTYMAN: I question the following: Sara Prettyman Marvel by September 12, 1797 Moses Dazey as she appeared in court as Sara Dazey and widow of David Marvel. Sarah Prettyman Marvel Dazey had son Prettyman Marvel Dazey born December 5, 1997 (Wright p158). The Sussex Co., DE Orphans Court Records show that in 1803-4 that David and Burton Marvel were under guardianship of Eli Pepper, so they were still underage at that time. There is no way Prettyman Marvel Dazey's birth could be to Sara (Sally) at her age.

Children of DAVID MARVEL and COMFORT PRETTYMAN are:

22. i. PATIENCE MARVEL, b. Jan 21, 1758, Sussex Co., DE; d. May 05, 1817, Mount Station, IN.

23. ii. PRUDENCE MARVEL, b. 1759; d. Abt. 1790.

24. iii. PRETTYMAN MARVEL, SR., b. Jan 29, 1763, Dagsboro, Sussex County, Delaware; d. Oct 01, 1856, Waynesville, Dewitt Co., Illinois.

Children of DAVID MARVEL and SARAH PRETTYMAN are:

iv. POLLY MARVEL.

v. BURTON MARVEL, b. 1769, Sussex Co., DE; m. ELIZABETH PRETTYMAN, Abt. 1789.

vi. DAVID MARVEL, JR., b. 1775, Sussex Co., DE; m. POLLY PRETTYMAN, Jan 05, 1789, Sussex, DE.

vii. ELIZABETH MARVEL, b. Oct 25, 1789.