Here is a followup message to Carolyn Russell: Carolyn, Are you aware of David DARLING (b. 1789/1795) and Cathaine LAKE? They are likely an uncle and aunt (or perhaps brother) of Ezra Darwin, Almira and the other siblings. David appears to be the brother or son of Jabez DARLING. Based on the birthdates, etc., it is doubtful that David and Catharine are Ezra and Almira's grandfather and step-grandmother. At the very least, we know they are cloely related. In May 1871 he wrote a letter from Lime Creek Township, Washington County, Iowa requesting a pension for service during the War of 1812. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find his grave site. He lived in Seneca County, New York for years and I'm sure going to Iowa was quite a trip. He may have also visited Almira in Johnson County, Nebraska. Have you ever found a David DARLING grave? One DARLING researcher Sean Furniss found the letter. On his site he writes, "The fact that David shows up in Lime Creek Township, Washington Co., Iowa, in 1871, where Ezra Darling (married to Caroline Northrup) resided in 1860 and 1870 seems to indicate another possible family relationship." "Based upon the census and military records, it appears that David Darling was a resident of Lodi, Seneca Co., New York, from at least 1821 to 1860. Where he was during the 1870 census is not known at this time but he did not appear in the 1870 census records for Lodi, New York, Canton or Le Roy, Pennsylvania, or in Lime Creek, Iowa. In May 1871, he was residing in Lime Creek Township, Wassonville Post Office, Washington Co., Iowa." I will check the 1870 Johnson County, Nebraska census to see if he is there. http://members.aol.com/seanbarry/Darling1.html http://members.aol.com/seanbarry/Darling-Index.html http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/IAKEOKUK/1998-11/0911967877 Hope we can make all of these connections. With so many Ezra's and so forth it can certainly be confusing. Aaron