I find that sometimes when the most obvious route (records) are not available to us due to wars or some other means of destruction, then I try to go in a round-about way. One strategy is to dig deeper into the families of the spouses (in this case of the children which you know). By doing so sometimes you can stumble upon your ancestors, particularly if the families knew each other well and were neighbors, for instance.

Another good source of information is published local histories. Even if they don't contain the names of your ancestors, careful study of the history of the area where they lived could yield clues for researching in areas that you had not previously considered.

You could also try to locate and contact the local historical society to see if perhaps they may have a copy of a genealogy donated by another member of the family who perhaps knew the information from Family Bibles, personal letters, etc. The local Historical society might also sometimes have copies of transcripted family Bibles.

Does this look like your family??

United States Census, 1860
Name Delania C Sawyer
Event Type Census
Event Date 1860
Event Place Madison, North Carolina, United States
Gender Female
Age 20
Race White
Birth Year (Estimated) 1840
Birthplace North Carolina
Page 92


Josiah Sawyer M 24 North Carolina
Delania C Sawyer F 20 North Carolina
Nancy N Sawyer F 2 North Carolina
Jackson B Sawyer M 0 North Carolina

United States Census, 1870
Name Dalana C Sawyer
Event Type Census
Event Year 1870
Event Place North Carolina, United States
Gender Female
Age 30
Race White
Race (Original) W
Birth Year (Estimated) 1839-1840
Birthplace North Carolina
Page Number 15

Dalana C Sawyer F 30 North Carolina
Nancy Sawyer F 12 North Carolina
Jacson Sawyer M 11 North Carolina
Sophronia Sawyer F 8 North Carolina
Grant Sawyer M 4 North Carolina

Josiah Sawyer is missing on this census but there is nothing to indicate if Dalana C [Delania C ] is still married or widowed.

North Carolina, Index to Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868

Name: Jehu F Sawyer [Josiah ?]
Gender: Male
Spouse: Delana C Sams
Spouse Gender: Female
Bond Date: 30 Aug 1856
Bond #: 000078980
Marriage Date: 28 Aug 1856
Level Info: North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868
ImageNum: 007003
County: Madison
Record #: 01 005
Bondsman: L. S. Sawyer
Witness: J. Nichols (Clerk
Performed By: Wm. Rees, Minister of the Gospel
.......................................................................................

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: D. C. Sayaur [D. C. Sawyer]
Age: 39
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1880: Marshall, Madison, North Carolina
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: J. F. Sayaur
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Occupation: Housekeeper

J. F. Sayaur 44 Josiah Occupation: Farmer
D. C. Sayaur 39 Delania C
N. H. G. Sayaur 23 Nancy
J. B. Sayaur 20 Jacson
S. A. Sayaur 18 Sophronia
U. G. Sayaur 14 Grant
J. G. Sayaur 9
L. S. Sayaur 4

On the marriage reg it as John Sawyer [Jehu F Sawyer [Josiah ?]

I do have the same info you have now. I did not try the historical society. I forgot that one. I have the same names for him as you. I have tried looking for the names for J.G and L.S. so far nothing on them. They only show up one time that I can find. I will look into the historical society for sure. I know churches is great, so far none says where they went or such. Thank you.