Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Participant

The Kemp Sketch

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DARLING, SOCRATES -- Born in Boston, Massachusetts April 24, 18O6. On February 13, 1836 he was issued title to a league of land in Austin's Fifth colony in what is now Bastrop County, but it was not patented. On February 2, 1838 he received a Headright Certificate for a league and labor of land from the Board of Land Commissioners of Fayette County and in the certificate it is stated that he came to Texas in December, 1834.

In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 6518 General Stephen F. Austin and Captain R. Goheen certified that Mr. Darling served in Captain Goheen's Company from September 28 to November 24, 1835. Captain Goheen certified that Mr. Darling continued in his company until December 15, 1835. He was issued Donation Certificate No. 905 for 640 acres of land May 4, 1838 for having participated in the Storming and Capture of Bexar, December 5 to 10, 1835. At San Jacinto he was a member of Captain James Gillaspie's Company. He did not receive the land due him for his services immediately prior to or after the Battle of San Jacinto.

On January 25, 1840 Mr. Darling was elected Coroner of Fayette County. The Deed Records of Bastrop County show that on September 22, 1852 he deeded to the trustees of Baylor University 320 acres of land situated in Bastrop County.

Mr. Darling married a Miss Woodward in Massachusetts. There were no children by this marriage. Mrs. Darling died and on February 9, 1854, Mr. Darling was married to Mrs. Louranie Jones Lester, widow of David Lester, brother of James S. Lester, a San Jacinto veteran.

Mr. Darling died April 6, 1870. Mrs. Darling was born near Lebanon, Tennessee, June 10, 1810 and died June 8, 1870 and was buried beside her husband at Jedde, Fayette County, nine miles north of Waelder.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Socrates Darling were: James; Albert, who married Nancy Terrell; Danile, who married Caroline Orchard; and Josephine Darling who married W. D. Cowan.

Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: Private
  • Company: Capt. James Gillaspie

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Daling
  • Date of Birth: 1806 Apr 24
  • Birthplace: Massachusetts, Boston
  • Came to Texas: 1834 Dec
  • Date of Death: 1870 Apr 6
  • Burial Place: Hallmark Cemetery, Jedde, Fayette Co., Texas
  • Other Battles: Bexar
  • Wife: 1. Miss Woodward; 2. Louraine Jones Lester
  • Children: James Darling; Albert Darling; Daniel Darling; Josephine Darling Cowan