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Archiver > MA-MENDON > 2001-07 > 0994652606


From: "Jim Bullock" <>
Subject: [MA-MENDON] Darling Family
Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2001 22:23:26 -0600


The following was posted to the RI list, , 7/7/01.
Beth Hurd, the transcriber, kindly gave me permission to copy it here.

Jim B.
Littleton, CO
-------------------------------------------------------

from
"Illustrated History of Pawtucket, Central Falls and Vicinity" (Rhode
Island, USA)
by Henry R. Caufield, 1897

"Biographies of Prominent Citizens"
pp. 282 - 283:

"The DARLING FAMILY is one of the oldest in New England. There are numerous
branches, which are all supposed to have a common origin. The Massachusetts
and Rhode Island branches are descended from Dennis and Hannah (Francis)
Darling, who were married at Braintree, Mass., by Peter Brackett, Nov. 3,
1662. The removed from Braintree to Mendon, Mass., in 1680. Their son,
known as Captain John, b. at Braintree 1664, settled at Bellingham, Mass,
was the father of thirteen children and the ancestor of all the Rhode Island
Darlings. He d. in 1754. His son Captain Samuel, was b. in 1695, and d.
Feb. 17, 1774. Deacon Samuel Darling (2d) the son of Capt. Samuel, was b.
in 1719, d. June 12, 1814; he was married to Esther, a sister of Col.
Eliphalet Slack, and she d. Feb. 18, 1816, at the age of 80. Col. Slack
bequeathed to her legal heirs the 'old Bank house', on Main street and other
property in Pawtucket, Mass. Samuel Darling (3d) the son of Deacon Samuel,
was b. in Bellingham, Mass., Aug. 8, 1759, d. Jan. 16, 1851, and his wife
was Sarah Burr, who was b. at Bellingham, June 14, 1764, and d. Jan. 31,
1826; they had ten children.

Samuel (4th) the third son and fifth child of Samuel (3d), and Sarah (Burr)
Darling, was also b. in Bellingham, Aug. 15, 1793, and d. in 1874. He was a
man of sterling character and stood so well with the community in which he
lived that when the neighbors had disputes which could not be settled
amicably they were referred to 'Sam' Darling or 'Squire' Lewit, and their
decisions were so wise and just that they were rarely ever appealed from.
Squire Darling was the father of eight sons, a number of whom became
distinguished citizens: George, b. Aug. 16, 1815, d. Jan. 7, 1877; Charles,
b. Jan. 21, 1816, d. Jan. 31, 1835; Gilbert, b. Jan. 21, 1818; Samuel (5th),
b. March 2, 1825; Lucius Bowles, b. Oct. 3, 1827, d. Jan. 3, 1896; Ruel
Smith, b. May 2, 1830, d. June 14, 1883; Edwin, b. June 1, 1834; Lyman
Morse, b. May 5, 1850. Collins Darling, an older brother of Samuel (4th),
was b. in Bellingham, Mass., Oct. 14, 1795, and d. in Pawtucket, Dec. 27,
1843; he was a well known lawyer in the Bristol country courts.

All of the Darling brothers are men of substance, possessed of the qualities
of mind which carry success in whatever they undertake to accomplish. The
family, both past and present, are fine specimens of physical manhood and
good types of the sons of the New England yeomanry. The name Samuel seems
to have been a favorite one with this branch of the Darlings, the first
Samuel having been a great-great-grandfather of the present generation, and
the name has been borne by the heads of the family for four generations."

illustration on page 283:
photo, Samuel Darling (4th), of Bellingham, Mass., father of the Darling
Brothers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Hurd
Johnston, RI USA

http://www.the-hurds.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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