William Darke was born on May 6, 1736 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joseph Darke, was descended through his paternal grandmother from John Rush, one of Cromwell’s commanders who became a Quaker and emigrated in 1683 to Pennsylvania. When William was only a few years old, his parents moved to Virginia, settling near Shepherdstown (now West Virginia).
His military career began when he served as corporal in the Rutherford Rangers for a brief period (1758 - 59) during the French and Indian War. There appears to be no proof of the assertion that he shared in Braddock’s defeat. After about fifteen years on the Virginia frontier, as soldier-farmer, he received at the outbreak of the Revolution a commission as captain of a company raised among his neighbors and friends.
Captured at the battle of Germantown in October 1777, he was confined on board a prison-ship at New York until November 1780, when he was exchanged.
In the spring of 1781 he recruited the Berkeley and Hampshire regiment, which rendered effective service at the siege of Yorktown. Some of these troops were discharged a few days before the surrender of Cornwallis, but there is evidence which suggests Darke’s presence on that historic occasion.
He retired from the Revolution with the rank of lieutenant-colonel as the reward of distinguished service.
Darke was a member of the Virginia legislature in the session of 1791-92, but apparently served only three days, resigning to accept a military commission from the United States in order to fight the Indians under General St. Clair.
He commanded the left wing of the army at the defeat of November 4, 1791, on a branch of the Wabash, where he saw his youngest son, Captain Joseph Darke, fall mortally wounded and he himself sustained a severe wound.
He spent the last decade of his life on his estate near Charles Town (now in West Virginia), serving at one time as justice of the peace.
Darke, with his herculean frame, was a striking figure; his manners were rough; his disposition was frank and fearless. Notwithstanding a fiery temper, he was loved as well as respected by his officers and neighbors.
His wife was a widow named Sarah Delayea. She bore him three sons, all of whom died in early manhood, and a daughter who has left descendants.
