Following the children sometimes is the key.

By Don Taylor

This week I looked at the life of Deidamia Darling. She is the daughter of Abner Darling (1780-1839) and Sally Ann Munsell (1784-?). Through researching Deidamia, I learned that Sally Ann (Munsell) Darling didn’t vanish after the death of Abner. Instead, she was living with Deidamia and Lawrence Limbocker in 1870. By following the life of Deidamia, a 2^nd great-grandaunt, I learned more about 3^rd great-grandmother Sally Ann. I find following the descendants of an individual much more difficult than researching ancestors from the more recent to the further back than. But, through doing so I am able to discover new information.

Howell-Darling 2017 Research

List of Grandparents

• Grandfather: Robert Harry Darling (1907-1969)
• 1^st Great-grandfather: Rufus Harry Darling (1857-1917)
• 2^nd Great-grandfather: Rufus Holton Darling (1816-1857)
  • 2^nd Great-grand Aunt: Deidamia Darling

Bio – Deidamia Darling (1813-?)

Deidamia Darling was born between 1812 and 1814. Probably 1813[i]. It is possible she was born on the Beekman Patent in Dutchess County, New York, but I believe she was more likely born in Paris, Oneida County, New York to Abner and Sally Ann (Munsell) Darling.

Deidamia grew up with seven siblings. They were

• Andrew W. Darling(1805-1864)
• Rufus Holton Darling(1816-1857)
• Sally Ann Darling
• Abner Darling
• Henry W Darling
• Hannah Darling
• Franklin C Darling

Abner moved his family west, first to Paris, Oneida County New York (before 1820) and again to Clarkson, Monroe County, New York.

About 1833, Deidamia married Lawrence G Limbocker[ii] It isn’t clear if they were married in New York or Michigan. Lawrence and Deidamia appear to have had three children. [iii].

By 1934, Lawrence and Deidamia moved west to Michigan where their first son was born.

In 1837, Lawrence purchased 40 acres of land began farming it. The legal description of the property is Michigan, MICHIGAN-TOLEDO STRIP, Range 001E, Township 0035, Section 3, NW1⁄4SE1⁄4.

The 1840 Census finds Lawrence Limbocker living in Leoni Township, Jackson County, Michigan with 2 males & 1 female under 5 and 1 female 20 to 29.[iv] This fits the known family perfectly. Leoni is just east of Jackson, MI and about 30 miles west of Ann Arbor, MI.

The 1850 Census portrays a household consisting of Lawrence (L.B.), apparent wife “Drodana,” and three children, Abner, Apollos and Sarah A. Lawrence is farming the land and the three children are attending school.[v]

The 1860 Census show Lawrence and Deidamia living in Batavia, Branch County, Michigan. Their two sons are still living with them.[vi] Also living with them is Betsey Darling, age 70, born in New York. Who Betsey was is unknown. With the same surname as Deidamia, I presume Betsey is an unknown aunt of Deidamia.

In March of 1870, Lawrence and Deidamia’s son Apollos married Almena Rose Boylson. They were living with Lawrence and Deidamia during the 1870 census taken in June. Also living there was son Abner, who was working as a farm laborer. There is a 13-year-old girl, Dora Willie residing with them. I suspect she is Rose’s child from another marriage. Finally, there is Sally A Darling the 85-year-old mother of Deidamia living with them.[vii]

The last record I have found for Deidamia is 1880 Census which shows Lawrence and Deidamia living together in Batavia, Branch County, Michigan.[viii]

I have not discovered a record of Deidamia’s death. Nor have I found any evidence of her in the 1900 Census, I suspect Deidamia may have died between 1880 and 1900.

Further Actions / Follow-up

• Determine Sally Ann’s death information. (high)
• Determine Sally Ann’s location in 1860. (medium)
• Determine who Betsey Darling (1790-?) is in relation to Deidamia.
• Determine Deidamia’s death date and burial (low)

 Endnotes & Additional Sources

[i] The 1850 and 1860 Censuses indicate the was 36 and 46 respectively, and the 1870 and 1880 Census indicate she was 57 and 67 respectively. Because of the cultural stigma regarding the age of women, I believe the older age suggested is more likely. Thus, I believe she was born in 1812 or 1813.

[ii] Cross Index to Wills of Monroe County, New York, Monroe County Library, Page 54 of 98. Limbocker, Lawrence; Mich, wife, Diadema heir of Abner Darling, Clarkson. https://www.libraryweb.org/~digitized/books/Cross_index_to_wills_of_Monroe_County_1821-1863_Vol._1B.pdf.

[iii] In various records the Limbocker name is spelled different ways—Limbocker, Limbacker, and Lemboekor. I have standardized on Limbocker.

[iv] 1840 Census (A), Ancestry, Lowrence Limbocker (Lawrence Limbocker). Year: 1840; Census Place: Leoni, Jackson, Michigan; Roll: 206; Page: 160; Family History Library Film: 001479. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/8057/records/3579923.

[v] 1850 Census (A) (NARA), Ancestry, L G Limbacker (Limbocker) – Giard, Branch, Michigan. 1850; Census Place: Girard, Branch, Michigan; Roll: M432_347; Page: 300B; Image: 66

[vi] 1860 Census (A), Ancestry, Lawrence Limbocker – Batavia, Branch, Michigan. Source Citation Year: 1860; Census Place: Batavia, Branch, Michigan; Roll: M653_538; Page: 734; Family History Library Film: 803538

[vii] 1870 Census (A), Ancestry, 1870 Census – Lawrence Limbocker – Batavia, Branch, Michigan.

[viii] 1880 Census (A), Lawrence Limbocker – Batavia, Branch, Michigan. Year: 1880; Census Place: Batavia, Branch, Michigan; Roll: 573; Family History Film: 1254573; Page: 462B; Enumeration District: 024