"Colonel" William Rountree Darlington, (CSA)

Civil War Veteran - William R Darlington, 1st SC Infantry, 2nd SC Artillery, CSA

At the beginning of the Confederate war, he volunteered and was mustered into the First South Carolina infantry in Charleston.

He served gallantly until the cessation of hostilities, the last three years as orderly or top sergeant.

He was in Charleston at the time of the attack on Fort Sumter. Later he was with the Army of the West, taking part in the fight at Belmont, Missouri and Corinth, Mississippi, and other engagements in the upper Mississippi Valley.

In 1862, he was returned to his native state, where he became a member of the Second South Carolina artillery under Colonel Lamar, and was in the combined artillery and infantry service during the remainder of the war period.

He was in Battery Reid, which was cited for conspicuous bravery at the Battle of Secessionville. As part of General Hardee's corps, he was in the engagements at Cheraw, and Averysboro and Bentonville, NC. He was with General Johnston's army at Greensboro when the surrender came.

During the trying days from 1867 to 1876 he was most active in the reconstruction of the State of SC.

Note: The title, "Colonel" was given out of respect by the people of SC in gratitude for his service to the State of SC during the Reconstruction Period.
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Note: Family Search has his parents as a Thomas Darlington and Emily Boyd (neither have I been able to find any information on.)

Obituary:

Allendale, Jan 8 [1922] - Col William R Darlington, "Grand Old Man" of Allendale county, died at his home here this morning at 4 o'clock. His death was not unexpected, as he had been a sufferer the last seven months from a stroke of paralysis received last June.

The funeral will be held at the Methodist church here Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock, followed by interment in the Swallow Savannah cemetery. The services will be conducted by the Rev S W Henry, pastor.

Colonel Darlington was in his 80th year. He was born near Dunbarton in Barnwell County in 1842 and up until the last year of his life, took an active interest in all affairs pertaining to the welfare of his community.

He was in many ways the most influential citizen in this section of the state. he was the first chairman of the board of commissioners which directed the efforts to form the county of Allendale, efforts which came to fruition in 1919. At the time of his death he was chairman of the county pension board and also a member of the county board of commissioners.

The vigor which Colonel Darlington directed to civic affairs was also reflected in his keen business acumen ad driving power and accumulated for him much valuable city and plantation property.

He acquired his early education at Barnwell Male academy.

Twice married, Colonel Darlington is survived by his widow and three children.

In the late 1860s he married Miss Lucy Allen, the family from which the county took its name. He became a planter and lived in Barnwell county. From this marriage, four children were born: Thomas D Darlington, Miss Laura Stoney Darlington, Miss Lucy O'H Darlington and William R Darlington Jr. Miss Laura Stoney Darlington died in 1917.

After the death of his first wife, Colonel Darlington married Miss Elizabeth Porcher Stoney, daughter of Peter Gaillard Stoney of Charleston.

An upright citizen of strong convictions, Colonel Darlington was a man of wide influence, and his death brings a sense of grief and personal loss to many people throughout this section of the state.

Burial in Swallow Savannah Cemetery, Allendale, Allendale County, SC.

Source:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113280765/william-rountree-darl...