In 1929, Harry Alexander Davis published a book entitled "The Davis Family of Wales and America: Genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania". Contained within this book on page 54 is the lineage of my 4th great grandfather Thomas Davis, son of David Davis and Jane Miles.
Thomas Davis, my 4th great grandfather married Nancy Rivers about 1787/1788 per Thomas' pension record (W-8511) from the Revolutionary War.
Thomas and Nancy had 11 children, six (6) boys and five (5) girls. Their sixth child, a son, was Jonathan Daniel Davis, born about 1800 and died about 1839.
Note: I apologize for the inconclusive date but thanks to General Sherman we just don't have an abundance of extant record available for research.
Jonathan Daniel married sometime around late 1817 or early 1818. His son Jonathan Daniel Jr. was born about 1819. Harry Alexander Davis in his book states:
"Born in Cheraw Dist., now Chesterfield Co., S.C. 1800, married prior to 1819 Sarah ______ (Barnes or Rivers), born S. C. 1795. He died sometime between 1831-39. Sarah survived him and died 1870-79. Resided in Chesterfield Dist., S. C."[1]
As stated before surviving records for Chesterfield County pre-civil war is about as rare as The Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis).
One of the 5 elements of Genealogical Proof standard is:
· a reasonably exhaustive search;
In the 1990's, a new document surface that shed some doubt on the foregoing conclusion that Jonathan Daniel Davis married Sarah Barnes or Rivers. That document was a newspaper article related to the division or sale of the Real Estate of George Parker, deceased.
In the interest of clarity I have publish the article in its entirety:
South Carolina
Chesterfield District
Mary Parker, Applicant,
VS
Wm. Parker, Jonathan Davis and wife Elizabeth, Jesse Parker, T. Parker, George Parker, Lewis Parker, Elizabeth Parker, Joseph Parker & Phoeba Parker, Defendants
It appearing to my satisfaction that Jesse Parker one of the Defendants, resides without the State, it is therefore ordered, that he appear and object to the division or sale of the Real Estate of George Parker, deceased, on or before the 28th day of March next, or his consent will be entered on record.[2]
TURNER BRYAN, O.C.D.
Jan. 23, 1837
This article clearly shows that Jonathan Davis wife is Elizabeth. Since we are dividing up the lands of George Parker it seems safe to say that Jonathan Davis was married to Elizabeth Parker, daughter of George Parker.
The evidence is certainly inconclusive as to who or which Jonathan Davis was married to Elizabeth Parker. In the 1860 Census[3], Daniel Davis, age 32, is single; all members of the household are either siblings or grandchildren.
So we have three choices:
· Harry Alexander Davis – Jonathan Daniel Davis married Sarah Barnes or Rivers
· 1837 Cheraw Gazette - Jonathan Davis married Elizabeth Parker
· Which Jonathan Davis married Elizabeth Parker?
Adding to the confusion here is another comment from the 1929 Davis Book. On page 124, the following statement was made "Jonathan Daniel, Jr.: b. 1819, living and unm. In 1850, no further record."
For years, Davis researchers have stated that Jonathan Daniel Davis, Jr. never married; the 1840 census show a young (11-20) year old Jno Davis married and with 3 children. But is this Jonathan Davis or a John Davis?
Taking the newspaper at face value it's safe to say that Jonathan and Sarah are alive and well at the time of publication of the newspaper on 14 February 1837. At that time (1837) there were only two Jonathan Davis in the County or surrounding area. Jonathan Daniel Davis born about 1800 and Jonathan Daniel Davis, Jr. age 18, father and son.
Jonathan Daniel Davis, Sr. , first appears on the 1830 census[4] age 30-39 and his wife is listed as age 40-49; there was 6 children under 20, 1 daughter and 6 sons.
In 1840[5], there is only one Jonathan Davis listed and both he and his wife are listed as age 20-29 [1811-1820]. Also in the household are three (3) young female less than 10 years of age. Clearly, this is the son Jonathan Davis, born about 1819. This suggests that Jonathan, Sr. has passed away.
Looking at the 1850 Census[6], we gather some additional information. We have Sarah Davis, age 55, matching with the information that we have for the wife of the Senior Jonathan Daniel Davis. Sarah at age 55, matches Sarah born in 1795 as stated in the Davis Book.
Also listed is Daniel Davis, age 32. This must certainly be Jonathan Daniel Davis, Jr.
Now we have another mystery - if it is Jonathan Daniel Davis, Jr. where are his wife and three (3) daughters that were in his household in the 1840 Census?
In 1860, we find Sarah Davis[7], age 60, still in Chesterfield County but no listing for either a Jonathan or a Daniel Davis. When the census was taken in 1870, Sarah Davis[8], age 84 was still living. Living next door is her son, Elisha Davis. She died sometime after 1870.
Summary:
The wife of Jonathan Daniel Davis, Sr. was Sarah [LNU] (last name unknown).
Jonathan Daniel Davis, Jr. married Elizabeth Parker, daughter of George A. Parker, Sr. and Easter Brock.
The fate of Elizabeth Parker Davis and her three (3) children is unknown.
Jonathan Daniel Davis, Sr. died between 1830 and 1840 and his wife Sarah did live until after the 1870 Census were taken in August 1870.
Final Comments:
When I started this document I had a single purpose in mind because I had some preconceived ideas about this family. This exercise, putting what I know into a narrative, has dispelled many of these preconceived ideas. It has also left many questions about this family unanswered.
The unanswered questions provide a large field for further research. The absence of extant record in Chesterfield County will leave a lot of these questions unanswered forever.
[1] Harry Alexander Davis, The Davis family (Davies and David) in Wales and America :: genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania (Washington, D.C.: Lancaster Press Inc, 1927; reprint, Lancaster, PA: n.p., n.d.), page 124.
[2] "Division or sale of the Real Estate of George Parker," Cheraw Gazette,, 14 February 1837, .
[3] 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 129A; Line 19, Dwelling 498; Family 497, Household of Sarah DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 28 August 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1217.
[4] 1830 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 239; Line 16, Household of Jonathan Davis; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 10 April 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M19_172.
[5] 1840 U S Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, page 156, Line 09, Household of Jno Davis; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 10 April 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M704_Roll 509.
[6] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 180B, Line 38, Dwelling 162, Family 1262, Household of Sarah DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 28 August 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[7] 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 129A; Line 19, Dwelling 498; Family 497, Household of Sarah DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 28 August 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1217.
[8] 1870 U. S. Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 288A; Line 10,, Dwelling 2, Family 2, Household of Sar[ah] Davis; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 10 April 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M593_1491.
re-check your dates for Sarah (Barnes or Rivers); this blog states that she died 1970-79. And that she was born SC in 1795
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