William Darling
William Darling, another soldier of the war of 1812, settled in Monroe in 1817. He acquired by purchase 1,185 acres of land in one body, and also owned a number of other farms not connected with that tract. This land lies along the Clearfork, below Newville and is very fertile. This valley is often called the Darling Settlement or the Darling Valley. The following is a copy of an appendix to William Darling's will: "Having been one of the pioneers of this part of Ohio, the maker of this will, having emigrated from Hardy County, Va., in the year 1806, in company with his father and family, to Muskingum County, Ohio, and endured all the hardships, trials and privations incident to the settling and improving of a new country. I do give an bequeath my love, respect and good will to all my old associates, and hope that, by the intelligence, energy and untiring industry of growing posterity, the prosperity of my beloved country may continued to increase as surely and rapidly as though we pioneers were still here to look after our country's welfare; for, next to my love for my God and my family, is my love for my country these blessed United States. May prosperity and peace be the lot of our happy, happy land.
Bellville Messenger: April 2, 1903, Vol. 11, No. 13