Roberts and Robertson are patronymic names that come from the first name Robert. The name has Old German origins coming from ‘hroth’ and ‘berht’ which mean “fame” and “bright,” similar to how our word “illustrious” is used today. [i] Had I known 50 years ago that my biological father was a “Roberts,” I probably would have adopted the illustrious surname for myself. But instead, I adopted “Taylor” as my surname, which is a story in itself.
I was pretty sure I was a Roberts long before I could prove it. After, I learned that I was most likely “a Roberts,” I purchased a Roberts tartan at a Scottish Fair. I don’t know if my Roberts’ are Scottish, as I still need to track down the origins of my Roberts line, but I like the tartan.
Geographical
Today, Roberts has its highest frequency of use in Wales where one in 124 people have the surname. However, by far the greatest number of people with the Roberts surname live in the United States where over 50% of the people in the world with the surname currently live. Among the States, the greatest number of “Roberts” live in the great state of Texas. Worldwide, Roberts is the 658th most common name; approximately 793,774 people bear the surname.[ii]
My Roberts Ancestors
My earliest known Roberts ancestor is my 4th great-grandfather, Edward Roberts. I haven’t tracked down where Edward was born, yet, but his son, Elias, was born in South Carolina and died in Tennessee. Elias was born in 1767, so this Roberts line goes back to at least colonial times.
Elias Roberts married Rebecca Brashears; they had nine children including John Calvin Roberts.
John Calvin Roberts was born in the Southwest Territory (Tennessee); he married Elizabeth Blackwell and they had fifteen children, including Asa Ellis Roberts.
Asa, who was born in Tennessee, had sixteen children with two wives including a son, Hugh Ellis Roberts, with his second wife.
Hugh, who was born in Illinois, had four children including my paternal grandfather, Bert Allen Roberts.
My known relatives.
I have five half-siblings, all of whom have the Roberts surname.
My records have 272 direct descendants of Edward Roberts identified, so far.
Do you think you are a related Roberts? Test with FTDNA and see.
For this week’s Treasure Chest Thursday, I’m looking at a clipping from the Donna Darling Collection
I have cropped and resized this photo for the web.
I love Google Search. A quick search for “ *stnut “Opera House” *nbury “ quickly found the Chestnut Street Opera House in Sunbury, PA. The clipping from Donna’s collection provides the other information.
The venue is the Chestnut St. Opera House in Sunbury, PA
The date was February 6, 7, & 8, 1922.
The show is “Miss Donna Darling”
Also on bill
Lane & Whelan
Coogan & Casey
Jones & Crumley
The theater was part of the B. F. Keith’s Vaudeville.
Conclusion
Added another new venue for Donna – February (6, 7, & 8) 1924 – “Donna Darling Presenting Her Newest Vaudeville Revue,” at the Chestnut Street Opera House in Sunbury, PA.
A life lived simply is a life well lived. Florence Reid overcame the early death of her father, married for 40 years until widowed, and continued living in the same house for another 30 years until her death at age 93.
Bradley-Hingston Project – Ancestor #7
List of Grandparents
Grandmother: Florence (Reid) Hingston
1st Great-grandfather: Samuel Reid
2nd Great-grandfather: James E. Reid
Florence (Reid) Hingston (1891-1984)
Florence was born on 28 May 1891 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts. She was the first of eight children born to Samuel and Sarah J. (Locke) Reid. Her siblings include:
James E Reid b. 1893
George S Reid b. 1895
Mary E Reid b. 1899
Thomas L Reid b. ~ 1901
William Reid b. ~ 1903
Sarah J Reid b. ~ 1905
Margaret Reid b. ~ 1908
The 1900 Census shows Florence living with her parents and her first three siblings at 29 Summit Street.
On November 21st, 1909 tragedy struck. Her father, William Robert Hingston, died leaving a widow and eight children. The 1910 Census shows mom as keeping house and 18-year-old Florence working as a Stenographer for a hat bleacher. Sixteen-year-old James is working as a leather worked at a leather shop and 14-year old George is an apprentice in the bleaching industry. None of the children were attending school.
Marriage
On 24 February 1914, Florence married William Robert Hingston. William was a machinist who was also a reserve police officer. William already had a house at 250 Washington in Peabody and the young family settled there, It was the only house that William ever lived in and Florence would live there for 70 years.
The couple had three children
Barbara Reid Hingston born 11 September 1914.
Pricilla Ann Hingston born 12 June 1923,
Allen R Hingston b. c. Jan 1926.
Florence’s husband died in 1954 and Florence survived him until her death on 20 October 1984. I have been unable to find an internment location for either Florence or her husband.
Sources
1900 Census, 1900 Census – Samuel Reid – Salem, Exxes, MA (FS). “United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9RD-W5N : accessed 18 March 2018), Florence Reid in household of Samuel Reid, Salem city Ward 4, Essex, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 451, sheet 2A, family 34, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,647.
1910 Census, 1910 Census – Sara Reid – Salem, Essex, MA (FS). “United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2JJ-BM8 : accessed 18 March 2018), Florence Reid in household of Sara Reid, Salem Ward 4, Essex, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 465, sheet 16A, family 328, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 588; FHL microfilm 1,374,601.
1930 Census (FS), Family Search, William R Hingston – Peabody, Essex, Massachusetts. “United States Census, 1930,” database with images, FamilySearch : accessed 8 December 2017), William R Hingston, Peabody, Essex, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 228, sheet 2A, line 12, family 28.
1940 Census (FS), Family Search, William R Hingston – Peabody, Essex, Massachusetts. “United States Census, 1940,” database with images, FamilySearch: accessed 9 December 2017), William R Hingston, Ward 1, Peabody, Peabody City, Essex, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 5-302, sheet 1B, line 67, family 22, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 – 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 1588.
Boston Herald (GB), Genealogy Bank, 1954-02-09, Page 7 – Genealogy Bank Ex-Policeman Dies in Peabody, Fireman Aiding Him Collapses.
Massachusetts Births, 1841-1915, Family Search, Barbara R. Hingston – 11 Sep 1914. “Massachusetts Births, 18411915,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXV1VS4 : 11 March 2018), William R. Hingston in entry for Barbara R. Hingston, 11 Sep 1914, Peabody, Essex, Massachusetts; citing reference ID #p 721, Massachusetts Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 2,409,800.
Massachusetts Death Index, 1970-2003, Family Search, Florence Hingston – Death 20 Oct 1984. “Massachusetts Death Index, 1970-2003,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZTD-5BR : 4 December 2014), Florence Hingston, 20 Oct 1984; from “Massachusetts Death Index, 1970-2003,” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Peabody, Massachusetts, death certificate number 051024, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Health Services, Boston.
Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915, Family Search, William R Hingston – Florence Reid – 24 Feb 1914. “Massachusetts Marriages, 18411915,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N46B91L : 18 January 2018), William R Hingston and Florence Reid, 24 Feb 1914; citing Peabody, Essex, Massachusetts, United States, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 2,409,947.
United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, Family Search, William Robert Hingston. “United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V12FSTV : 9 March 2018), William Robert Hingston, 1942; citing NARA microfilm publication M1936, M1937, M1939, M1951, M1962, M1964, M1986, M2090, and M2097 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
Henry W Darling (The brother of Rufus Holton Darling)
52 Ancestors – Week 2018-12
By Don Taylor
Continuing with my study of the siblings of Rufus Holton Darling is his next younger brother, Henry W Darling. After the death of their father, Henry went west to help settle the Wisconsin Territory.
One-year-old Henry appears to be enumerated in the 1820 census as one of the males less than ten years of age in the household of Abner Darling in Paris, Oneida, New York. His siblings are all accounted for however there is one unknown female age 10 to 16 in the household. She may be an older sister, aunt, cousin, or family friend.
In the 1830 census, it appears that Henry was enumerated as one of the children in the household of Abner Darling. The family seems to have moved 155 miles west from Paris to Clarkson, Monroe County, New York. Abner’s household includes Abner, his wife, and eight children, five boys and three girls.
In 1839 disaster struck with the death of Henry’s father, Abner. Abner had a will, signed three days before his death, and Henry was named.
Rufus Holton Darling then took over as the head of the household. The 1840 Census shows Rufus as the head of the household with two other males and three females. A review of the record suggests the family consisted of 29-year-old Rufus with his 55-year-old mother, Sally Ann and his siblings, Henry (22), Franklin (13), Sally Ann (18), and Hannah (15).
In 1846, Henry headed west. He supposedly left New York with only $5 in his pocket and walked all the way to Racine, Wisconsin Territory, 625 miles away. Later, that same year Henry located west again 90 miles north-west to Fox Lake, Dodge County Wisconsin. Henry was part of the massive influx of people who settled the area. In the 1840 Census, Dodge County had a population of only 67 people; in the 1850 Census, Dodge County had increased its population to over 19,000. In 1848, Wisconsin became a state,
Marriage
It is not clear exactly when, but probably in 1849 or 1850, Henry married Adaline Learned/Leonard; Henry is ten years older than his bride. They are found living together in Trenton, Dodge County, Wisconsin with no children, yet. Trenton is immediately east of Fox Lake, Wisconsin.
Adulthood
The 1860 Census finds the family together in Fox Lake with a household consisting of Henry, his wife Adeline, two children, and what appears to be a hired farm laborer, from Maine, John Weymouth. The children are:
Reuben H Darling, Age 10
Nancy D Darling, Age 4
The 1870 Census finds the family with a new addition, 6-year-old Abner M. Darling. All three children are attending school, Henry is farming, and “Adalin” is keeping house.
By the 1880 Census, Reuben and Nancy have moved on and the household then consisted of Henry, Adaline, and son, Abner M.
Henry was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is presumed to have been a Baptist.
Death & Burial
On 12 April 1890, Henry W. Darling died leaving his wife, two sons and a daughter. His service as at a Baptist church. He was buried two days later in Plot 299 at Riverside Memorial Park, Fox Lake, Wisconsin.
In May and in June of 1890, “Notices to Creditors” ran in the newspaper indicating that Henry W. Darling had probate.
Further Actions / Follow-up
Find the probate records for Henry W. Darling.
Find a record of Henry and Adaline’s marriage.
Research town and county history, looking for Henry and his family.
Find original death record for Henry W. Darling’s death.
Sources
1820 Census, 1820 Census – Abner Darling – Paris, Oneida, New York
1830 Census (A), Abner Darling – Clarkson, Monroe, New York – Page 271. Source Citation 1830; Census Place: Clarkson, Monroe, New York; Series: M19; Roll: 94; Page: 271; Family History Library Film: 001715 4. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/8058/records/1556647/.
1840 Census (FS), Family Search, New York, Monroe, Clarkson, Page 177 – Rufus H Darling.
1850 Census (FS), 1850 Census – Henry W Darling – Trenton, Dodge, Wisconsin. “United States Census, 1850,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4DF-7G8 : 12 April 2016), Henry W Darling, Trenton, Dodge, Wisconsin, United States; citing family 245, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4DF-7G8.
1860 Census (FS), Family Search, 1860 Census – Henry W Darling – Fox Lake, Dodge, Wisconsin. “United States Census, 1860”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWM5-QGT : 13 December 2017), Henry W Darling, 1860. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWM5-QGT.
1870 Census (FS), Family Search, 1870 Census – Henry W Darling – Fox Lake Village, Dodge, Wisconsin. “United States Census, 1870,” database with images, FamilySearch ( : 12 April 2016), Henry W Darling, Wisconsin, United States; citing p. 15, family 126, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 553,209. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MN9H-1DM.
1880 Census (FS), Family Search, 1880 Census – Henry Darling – Fox Lake, Dodge, Wisconsin. “United States Census, 1880,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MN4D-R6B : 15 July 2017), Henry Darling, Fox Lake, Dodge, Wisconsin, United States; citing enumeration district ED 12, sheet 157A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1423; FHL microfilm 1,255,423. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MN4D-R6B.
Find a Grave, Henry W Darling (1818-1890) – Death – Memorial 61525205. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 18 March 2018), memorial page for Henry W. Darling (18 Sep 1818–12 Apr 1890), Find A Grave Memorial no. 61525205, citing Riverside Memorial Park, Fox Lake, Dodge County, Wisconsin, USA ; Maintained by Steve Seim (contributor 47256753). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61525205/henry-w.-darling.
The Representative (Fox Lake, Wisconsin, ), Com, 1890-04-18 – Henry W. Darling Obituary. See file: Obituary – Henry W Darling 1890 (N).PDF.
“Wisconsin, Death Records, 1867-1907,” database, FamilySearch ( 10 March 2018), Henry W. Darling, 1890; citing Death, Fox Lake, Dodge, Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Historical Society, Madison; FHL microfilm 1,310,179.
Today was a DNA day. That is to say, I tried to take some time and go back through various DNA matches; today I looked at my half-sister Glennis’ Ancestry results.
On Ancestry DNA her closest match is, of course, me sharing 1977cM of DNA. Next is newly discovered half-aunt, Aunt Phyllis (See OMG – Another Half-Sibling).
Her next closest match is D.W. I’m not sure who that is or how that person fits in, so I emailed her administrator.
Next is C.D. the daughter of Aunt Phyllis, a newly discovered half first cousin.
J.M. appears next on her list. I don’t know who that is either, but she is related to me as well as Glennis so we know it is on our mom’s side. I messaged her too.
2nd cousin T.L. is next on the list; she is a descendant of Cora Brown, my grandfather’s sister.
Next was R.B. He is a new match on Ancestry DNA, there is a blue ball next to his name. I did the “Shared Matches tab and found he was not a match to me or anyone else on my mother’s line. I thought, “Oh my,” and with another click I learned that he and Glennis share 271 centimorgans of DNA – Enough to be second cousins. R.B. is Glennis’ closest match on her paternal side. That’s something to get excited about, and I did – almost giddy in my excitement. Although he didn’t place himself on a tree, he did have a tree on Ancestry. Assuming that he was the home person, I learned found his great-grandparents were on my notional tree as well.
I’ve contacted R.B.; hopefully, he will respond quickly (He last logged into Ancestry on Feb 25th). In any event, I have a new area to focus my research on my Peterson Paternal Project – The descendants of John Huber (1872-1946) and his wife Viola Cline (1879-1953). I suspect they just might be Glennis’ great-grandparents.
