Flora Adams Darling
Encyclopedia
Flora Adams Darling was an American author. She is primarily noted for playing a role in founding the Daughters of the American Revolution
in 1890.
She was born in Lancaster, New Hampshire
to Harvey Adams, a member of the Adams political family
, and Nancy Dustin Adams, née Rowell. Flora had a brother, John Quincy Adams, and a sister. After an education at Lancaster and Sanbornton
, she was married to Edward Irwin Darling in 1859, a man 22 years older than her. The couple had an only son, Edward Irvin Darling. Her husband was killed December 2, 1863 from wounds received on November 29 at the first Battle of Franklin, Tennessee
; where she claims that Edward was serving as a brigadier-general in the Confederate Army. Flora then attempted to travel north to her home and son under a flag of truce, but was taken as a prisoner of war. Later, following an appeal lasting 30 years, she won a case against the government for false imprisonment and theft of her possessions, and was awarded $5,683.
Despite growing increasingly deaf following the war, Flora became a prolific writer who was published in magazines and journals, and wrote a number of novels and short stories. In 1886, based on the merits of her writing, she earned an honorary A. M. from Western Maryland College. She was also awarded an honorary degree from the Kentucky Military Institute
.
She lived in Washington, D. C. for forty years, where she was socially active and developed an interest in founding patriotic societies. Flora played a role in founding the Daughters of the American Revolution
on October 11, 1890, although the society does not recognize her as one of its founders. She then founded the General Society of Daughters of the Revolution on June 18 1891, and the National Society, United States Daughters of 1812
on January 8, 1892. Each society was founded in turn because of disagreements she held with members of the previous organization.
In 1910, while visiting her brother in New York
, she died of apoplexy
. Female members of the National Society, United States Daughters of 1812 between the age of 18 to 35 are termed "Flora Adams Darling Daughters" in her memory.
Daughters of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership organization for women who are descended from a person involved in United States' independence....
in 1890.
She was born in Lancaster, New Hampshire
Lancaster, New Hampshire
Lancaster is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, USA, on the Connecticut River named after Lancaster, England. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 3,507, the second largest in the county after Berlin. It is the county seat of Coos County and gateway to the Great North Woods Region...
to Harvey Adams, a member of the Adams political family
Adams political family
The Adams family was a prominent political family in the United States during the late 18th century through early 20th centuries. Based in eastern Massachusetts, they formed part of the Boston Brahmin community.-Members:...
, and Nancy Dustin Adams, née Rowell. Flora had a brother, John Quincy Adams, and a sister. After an education at Lancaster and Sanbornton
Sanbornton, New Hampshire
Sanbornton is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,966 at the 2010 census. It includes the villages of North Sanbornton and Gaza.-History:...
, she was married to Edward Irwin Darling in 1859, a man 22 years older than her. The couple had an only son, Edward Irvin Darling. Her husband was killed December 2, 1863 from wounds received on November 29 at the first Battle of Franklin, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
; where she claims that Edward was serving as a brigadier-general in the Confederate Army. Flora then attempted to travel north to her home and son under a flag of truce, but was taken as a prisoner of war. Later, following an appeal lasting 30 years, she won a case against the government for false imprisonment and theft of her possessions, and was awarded $5,683.
Despite growing increasingly deaf following the war, Flora became a prolific writer who was published in magazines and journals, and wrote a number of novels and short stories. In 1886, based on the merits of her writing, she earned an honorary A. M. from Western Maryland College. She was also awarded an honorary degree from the Kentucky Military Institute
Kentucky Military Institute
The Kentucky Military Institute was a military preparatory school in Lyndon, Kentucky and Venice, Florida, in operation from 1845 to 1971....
.
She lived in Washington, D. C. for forty years, where she was socially active and developed an interest in founding patriotic societies. Flora played a role in founding the Daughters of the American Revolution
Daughters of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership organization for women who are descended from a person involved in United States' independence....
on October 11, 1890, although the society does not recognize her as one of its founders. She then founded the General Society of Daughters of the Revolution on June 18 1891, and the National Society, United States Daughters of 1812
United States Daughters of 1812
The United States Daughters of 1812 is an American "volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving and increasing knowledge of the history of the American people." In its early years the group served "fraternal interests [of] women whose lineal ancestors...
on January 8, 1892. Each society was founded in turn because of disagreements she held with members of the previous organization.
In 1910, while visiting her brother in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, she died of apoplexy
Apoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
. Female members of the National Society, United States Daughters of 1812 between the age of 18 to 35 are termed "Flora Adams Darling Daughters" in her memory.