Kirby Smith's Valet

[Pollaco]

While doing some digging for some info on Gen. Kirby Smith I came across an interesting article.In 1855 then Captain Kirby Smith transferred to Texas and took his Valet with him. This valet remained with Smith for 10 years. The surprising part is that this valet may have been Smith's half brother. The mixed race man's name was Alexander Darnes. After the war his education was partially provided for by a Mrs.Frances Smith Webster (half sister?). He graduated from Lincoln University in Pa.He then got his medical training at Howard and went on to be a Doctor. Has anyone else heard of this "valet"?

 

[Pollaco]

Darnes was the 1st black Dr. in Jacksonville, Fla.

 

[Kurtlg]

Darnes was the 1st black Dr. in Jacksonville, Fla.

This is very interesting though I know nothing about it.

 

[Pollaco]

This is very interesting though I know nothing about it.

Likewise but by searching "Alexander Darnes" it appears his name has been on this forum before. Just not the part of his possibly being a half brother.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

While doing some digging for some info on Gen. Kirby Smith I came across an interesting article.In 1855 Captain Kirby Smith transferred to Texas and took his Valet with him. This valet remained with Smith for 10 years. The surprising part is that this valet may have been Smith's half brother. The mixed race man's name was Alexander Darnes. After the war his education was partially provided for by a Mrs.Frances Smith Webster (half sister?). He graduated from Lincoln University in Pa.He then got his medical training at Howard and went on to be a Doctor. Has anyone else heard of this "valet"?

Dr Alexander H Darnes (1846-1894) - Find a Grave...

Alexander H. Darnes (1846 - February 9, 1894) was an African American born into slavery in the city of St. Augustine, Florida who became one of the first black physicians in the state of Florida. Darnes was the son of Violet Pinckney a black slave owned by the parents of Edmund Kirby Smith who...

www.findagrave.com

 

[Pollaco]

I have read about that sculpture that is mentioned in the link. I wonder if it has been vandalized lately?

 

[Pollaco]

He was owned by Judge Joseph Lee Smith, Edmund Kirby Smith's father.

 

[JackADriscoll]

it looks like Joseph Smith died in 1846. General Smith was born in 1824. Could this doctor have been his son?

 

[Pollaco]

I'm going by memory but Darnes was born in either 1845 or 1846.But something is wrong, one biography stated that he accompanied Smith to Texas in 1855 when he was 15. In 1855 he'd have only been 9-10 years old.

 

[JackADriscoll]

The wikipedias agree with your recollection. Says born 1840. Which one is wrong?

 

[JackADriscoll]

New Data Concerning Alexander H. Darnes - St Augustine Historical Society

Many of you are aware that the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library has two life-sized, bronze statues in its garden. These represent two

staughs.com

I think your 1840 date is most correct. It says here he even when to Mexico when he was 7. His actual birthday is unknown.

 

[uaskme]

New Data Concerning Alexander H. Darnes - St Augustine Historical Society

Many of you are aware that the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library has two life-sized, bronze statues in its garden. These represent two

staughs.com

I think your 1840 date is most correct. It says here he even when to Mexico when he was 7. His actual birthday is unknown.

Excellent. Thanks for posting your article!

 

[gjpratt]

Dr Alexander H Darnes (1846-1894) - Find a Grave...

Alexander H. Darnes (1846 - February 9, 1894) was an African American born into slavery in the city of St. Augustine, Florida who became one of the first black physicians in the state of Florida. Darnes was the son of Violet Pinckney a black slave owned by the parents of Edmund Kirby Smith who...

www.findagrave.com

The implication of the carefully worded neutral biography is that the elder Smith is the father.

 

[Pollaco]

Has there ever been an attempt in proving who the father is through DNA possibly?

 

[Pollaco]

Has there ever been an attempt in proving who the father is through DNA possibly?

Did Dr. Darnes ever marry and have descendants?