Lt. Col. Darby Lux II (1737–1795) was an active patriot of the American Revolution. Darby was the son of Capt.

Darby Lux I Capt. Darby Lux I (1695–1750) was a mariner, merchant, and Justice of Baltimore County, Maryland. The son of an English clergyman, was born in Kenton Parish, Devonshire, England, on June 15, 1695. He was christened on June 30, 1696, in Kento ...

(1695–1750) and Ann Saunders (1700–1785).

Early career

Darby was born in

Anne Arundel County Anne Arundel County (; ), also notated as AA or A.A. County, is located in the U.S. state of Maryland. As of the 2020 United States census, its population was 588,261, an increase of just under 10% since 2010. Its county seat is Annapolis, whi ...

in 1737. He resided in Baltimore Town until about 1753. He became a merchant in

Barbados Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands. It occupies an area of and has a population of about 287,000 (2019 estimate). ...

until about 1764, when he moved back and became a partner in the firm of Ridgely, Howard & Lux, and was involved with the Ridgely family ironworks. Prior to 1773, Darby was a dealer in convict servants from America to the West Indies, and a partner in the rum importing business with William Russell, brother of James Russell (1708–1788) in London. Lux also became involved in a lead mining operation in Baltimore County.

American Revolution

Darby was an active patriot and was of the Gunpowder Battalion of Maryland Militia in 1775. Lt. Col. Lux was a member of the Committee of Observation and Safety in the same year. In November 1775 he was appointed by the

Continental Congress The Continental Congress was a series of legislative bodies, with some executive function, for thirteen of Britain's colonies in North America, and the newly declared United States just before, during, and after the American Revolutionary War. ...

on a secret Committee to secure arms and ammunition, and he was authorized to sign money. He was a signer of the Maryland Declaration of Independence on July 6, 1776. Col. Lux inherited "Derbyshire" from his father. It was located on the Reistertown Road, from Baltimore. He resided at "Mt. Airy" near

Towson Towson () is an Unincorporated area, unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 55,197 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Baltim ...

, and this estate is now the Sheppard Pratt Asylum. At the time of his death on April 10, 1795, Darby had accumulated over of land in

Baltimore County Baltimore County ( , locally: or ) is the third-most populous county in the U.S. state of Maryland and is part of the Baltimore metropolitan area. Baltimore County (which partially surrounds, though does not include, the independent City of ...

, where he died. His estate was valued at 1,027.19.5 pounds current money, including 24 slaves and 42 oz. plate.

Marriage

Darby married Rachel Ridgely (1734–1813). Rachel was born in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland on December 5, 1734, and died in Baltimore County in 1813. Rachel, was the daughter of Col.

Charles Ridgely II Col. Charles Ridgely II, "Charles The Merchant" (1702–1772), of "Ridgely's Whim", was a Justice, planter, merchant, ironmaster, and member of the General Assembly of Maryland's lower chamber, House of Delegates and one of Baltimore County's com ...

, "Charles The Merchant" (1702–1772) of "Ridgely’s Whim", and his first wife, Rachel Howard (ca. 1696–1750).

Children

[Rachel Ridgely Lux (1762–1810), who married James McCormick Jr. (1763–1841). #Ann Lux (1770–1847), who married 1) George Risteau, Gent. (ca. 1763–1789) 2) Col. Thomas Deye Cockey Sr., Esq. (1762–1813). #Capt Darby Lux III (ca. 1772–1812), who on 20 Feb 1798 married Mary Nicholson, daughter of Col. Benjamin Nicholson Sr., Esq. (d. 1792).

Ancestry

Darby II, was the son of Capt.

(1695–1750) and Ann Saunders (1700–1785). Ann was the daughter of Robert Saunders (d. 1755) and Rebeckath Groom (d. 1752). Capt. Darby Lux I, was the son of William Lux II, Vicar (ca. 1657–1714) and his wife Elizabeth. William II, was the son of William Lux I and his wife Wilmot (d. 1703).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lux II, Darby Maryland militiamen in the American Revolution People from Baltimore People from Anne Arundel County, Maryland 1737 births 1795 deaths Ridgely family