The Oldest Branch of Our Family Tree: Davis Darling
The oldest photographs in the box from Jean Marquardt are those of Davis Darling, the oldest branch of our family tree.
Davis Darling, Mid-1800s
Davis Darling was born in New York State in 1794. Both of his parents came from Massachussetts (names unknown). His wife Phebe was born in Hardwick, Mass. I researched numerous census records from Ancestry.com and was able to find quite a bit of information on Davis. (You can go to their website and purchase a free 14-day trial membership and view the actual Census records. Fascinating!!).
According to the 1820 Federal Census records, Davis Darling lived in Cohocton, Steuben County. The 1830 Census shows him settled in Geneseo, Livingston County. During this time period, the census only showed the number of children per age group. There were 2 children under 5 years of age, 1 child ages 5-10, 1 child ages 10-15, and another adult ages 30-40 (presumably his wife Phebe Darling). The 1850 Census actually lists the names of the Darling family. Besides Davis (age 56) and Phebe (age 55), living at home were 4 boys: Davis Jr (age 32), Amos (age 26), Albert (age 23), and Riley. (age 22). Their occupations were listed as shoemakers, which Diane Marquardt LeClair verifies since the family found many antique shoemaking tools in the garage when they cleaned out the Farm. Diane even has an old wooden shoe farm on display in her Livonia house! The 1870 Census lists Davis Darling's occupation as a farmer. By 1880, the Census lists Davis as a widower and a retired farmer. Davis lived to be a very old man, as evidenced by his oldest portrait which is labeled "Age 97" on the back by Mabel Sleggs Carmichael. According to the Temple Hill Cemetery Association Record of Burials, Phebe died at age 83 in June 1878 from "dropsy".
Phebe Darling
Diane Marquardt LeClair remembers very large portraits of Davis and Phebe Darling over the settee in the parlor at the Farm. She also vividly remembers a large flowered rug, twin gold velvet chairs and many antiques that were unfortunately burgled during a break-in during the 1970's.
After cleaning out Herbert Marquardt's house, Linda Marquardt brought home to Rochester a hand-carved chest that had been in Herb and Jean's bedroom for many years. Upon closer inspection, she found an inscription that read: " Davis Darling-his chest 1836"!! How special that she now owns her great-great-great grandfather's chest that he made with his own two hands!
Davis Darling, age 97. So robust and healthy looking!
