Born in Florida in 1840 to Smith Family in St. Augustine, FL.
At age 15, became valet for Edmund Kirby Smith - traveling with him to various US Army posts, mostly in Texas, also served through the WBTS. Had a bent for 'heading' that Gen. Smith encouraged.
After the war, Smith family sent him to medical school.
Darnes would became Jacksonville’s first black physician.
Provided great service during small pox and yellow fever epidemics in Jacksonville
Died
in 1894 – 3000+ attended funeral - black and white alike
110 years later, 1st statute to Black in St. Augustine erected on the site of his birth and childhood