Featured Random online research

Greetings all,

I was scrolling through listings on the internet, and came across this odd piece. Mainly odd because of the names that came up in my research. I would start by saying the item appears to be plated, so that isn't really my focus. Here's what I was curious about:

One of the names listed on the cup is Robert J. Walker. I think it's this guy, thoughts?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_J._Walker

The other guys listed on the cup is Edward Irving Darling, but here's the odd part, the site below lists his death as 1863, but this cup is a gift in 1867 (unless that's just a strange looking 1 at the end)

https://usdaughters1812.org/mrs-flora-adams-darling/

On to my questions:

1. Do you think I have the people correct (maybe?)
2. How common/uncommon would it be for someone to provide this sort of item after a persons death?
3. Do you think the date on the cup says 1867 or 1861?
4. Does this seem like an item with historical value or junk?

Here's the photo:

 

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Darling-8 maybe for the son?

 

I think you're grasping a straws to try to identify either person with any accuracy.

That's my answer for #1
#2 Totally uncommon
#3 1867
#4 Junk

 

Well it's pretty sure a 7 not a 1 so there's that ...I'm no student of 19th century US history but walker was a unionist and darling a confederate so ...

 

We have absolutely no way to confirm that the 2 names on this item are the people that Nate has picked out of the internet. These names Walker and Darling are entirely too common to be so given a lack of other facts and circumstances to go on.

 

I noticed that too, which caused more confusion about the dates. That could be an explanation. The name Edward Irving Darling is rather unique if combined with the effective date (in my opinion)...Just my thought though

 

Why not a Christmas gift for the 'Junior' Mr. Darling? The other name strikes me as quite common...

~Cheryl

 

I'm just going to put this here. If you see the puzzle pieces like I do, cool. If you don't, well continue to say things like I picked names out of thin air:

https://books.google.com/books?id=jWhoAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA207&lpg=PA207&dq=robert+j+walker+"darling"&source=bl&ots=5Vd6FKY5BY&sig=ACfU3U1j3dtqFE7ezNdsDhCjdP-kDxihbA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj1kezpx7PlAhWLmuAKHWveCrQQ6AEwAnoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=robert j walker "darling"&f=false

 

As a follow up, what are the odds that Flora Darling (widow of Edward I. Darling) just happens to be named in house documents from 1875-76 with a direct connection to Robert J. Walker, the "random" names I picked out. Again, if I'm just grabbing at straws, that's quite a coincidence in my opinion.

 

Well, no way to actually prove it without provenance, but I can certainly see a likely scenario where Mr. Walker, who was practicing law in D.C. from 1864 until his death in 1869, took a liking to young Mr. Darling after his father's death and gave him a nice gift for Christmas...

~Cheryl

 

From the Library of congress, Robert J. Walker and Flora Darling mentioned in an article about the politician John Quincy Adams (not the president). Since a portion is cut out, I can't tell if they are referring to John Quincy Adams as the brother of Flora Darling or Robert J. Walker:

 

Ummm, her maiden name was Adams, and her brother is mentioned in the article you cited, so not sure why any question - but it's interesting that the brother was also associated with Mr. Walker...

~Cheryl

 

Okay, a loose theory and I'll leave it at this since Cheryl is right sadly without provenance no way to prove it. Personally, I don't think this explanation is outside the realm of possible and probable:

1. General Edward I. Darling passes away after the wounds he received during the Battle of Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee. His wife Flora Darling has a legitimate claim for payment from the U.S. government.

2. In her effort to get paid, she seeks the assistance of her brother John Quincy Adams, a politician, who has some sort of previous ties with Mr. Robert J. Walker (former Secretary of the Treasury).

3. Mr. Walker perhaps befriends the widow Mrs. Darling and provides a presentation to her son on Christmas (who knows, but I like the theory).

4. Prior to Mr. Walker tending to the payment, or due to the bureaucratic nature of government, Mr. Walker dies before Mrs. Darling is paid.

5. Mrs. Darling continues her petition to the government, entering into the 1875 record of senate debate and eventually receiving her payment in 1903.

6. Presumably Mrs. Darline would have focused her efforts in Washington DC had they met; my theory is that she hired Mr. Walker as her lawyer/lobbyist to receive payment, he was working in Washington DC from 1864 until his death.

 

The rest of the photos, guess it would matter if it had historical value since the buyer will only sell in person:

 

Tell me this isn't great evidence:

https://books.google.com/books?id=R...page&q="flora adams darling" "walker"&f=false

 

ok well you've convinced yourself - go buy it! Too bad someone "tested" it by filing a v in the base though

 

Sadly I think that's the only person I convinced

 

this is interesting Mr. Nate I have to wonder if there ever was a Edward Irving Darling Sr, a couple of sites say no records have been found for him.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/173185807/edward-irving-darling

 

I saw that one too cxgirl. For context, he would have been 5 years old at the time the goblet was gifted. Certainly, Edward Irving Darling Jr is the son in my theory, and General Edward Irving Darling is the father. To me (and perhaps only me) all the puzzle pieces fit nicely given the names on the goblet, the time frame, the time that these people would have interacted etc. But my mind likes to wander, and find links that others don't see (or aren't actually there). I did contact the Daughters of the American Revolution (they have a museum) to see if they could shed any more light on my research, I'll be interested to see how they respond.

 

where...the line on the rim is a dent...made by a drunk...