Amy Johnson Crow of No Story To Small has started a challenge of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.
From her blog “The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.”
The focus of my blog posting today is Nancy J. Davis Ross. Nancy is my 2nd Great Grand Aunt. Nancy is an enigma that refuses to relinquish her secrets.
Nancy was born 25 June 1844, the fifth child of nine to Michael Davis and Hulda Rivers. A scarcity of records due to burning of the Courthouse and its records during the Civil War presents a challenge for any researcher or genealogists.1 2
Publication of misinformation that seems to grow exponentially presents another problem. For instance:
Info: Harry Alexander Davis in his book "The Davis Family in Wales and America" made the following statement: "Nancy J. b 1845 md 1865 David Richard son of Eliza Davis and Benjamin Teal, 1st cousins: had 2 children in 1870." 3
This is not TRUE.
David Richard son of Eliza Davis and Benjamin Teal, did in fact marry Nancy J. Davis. The Nancy J. Davis that he married was born 17 March 1839 and was the daughter of John Calvin Davis and Charlotte Hurst. John Calvin is the uncle of Nancy J. Davis, b. 25 Jun 1844 to Michael Davis and Hulda Rivers. Nancy, b. 25 Jun 1844 married James Ross abt 1870.4 5
Nancy’s late marriage is another puzzle. I don’t believe a young lady waited until she was 26 years old to marry.
Some researcher say NANCY J. DAVIS was married to GEORGE PARKER had 1 son----- d. young. Before marrying (M #2) 17 Jul 1870, James Ross. B abt. 1850. 6
This is not true; but may be partially right.
There are two PARKER'S listed in the 1860 Census with wives named NANCY. George A. PARKER, age 24 and his wife Nancy PARKER, age 27 and James K. Parker, age 23 and his wife Nancy PARKER, age 16.
I believe the 16-year of wife of James K. Parker was in fact Nancy J. DAVIS PARKER, b. 25 June 1844. James K. PARKER, Private, Co. E. 21st SC Volunteers, Infantry died 14 April 1862 at Georgetown, SC.
I submit these three comments as circumstantial evidence that Nancy was twice married;1) During the Civil War, one deed book was snatched from the pile of books burned by Gen. Sherman’s army in March 1865. That book is on file in the Probate office of the Chesterfield County Courthouse. Within that book is a burnt land deed between George A. Parker to James K. Parker dated February 1861, named within the Deed is Nancy Parker. 7
2) Some researcher say NANCY J. DAVIS was married to GEORGE PARKER had 1 son----- d. young. Before marrying (M #2) 17 Jul 1870, James Ross. B abt. 1850. This is not true; but may be partially right. I believe she married a PARKER; not George but James K. Parker.
3) Nancy is not listed in her parents household in 1860 Chesterfield Census.
1860 CENSUS: Chesterfield County, South Carolina; Roll: M653_1217; Image: 191; Family History Library Film: 805217; Page 94, Line 1, Dwelling/Family 1/1. Michael DAVIS, Farmer, age 54, born SC; Hulda DAVIS, Wife, age 45, born SC; William DAVIS, Son, age 26, born SC; Sarah DAVIS, Daughter, age 21, born SC; Thomas DAVIS, Son, age 20, born SC; Charles DAVIS, Son, age 18, born SC; Elisha DAVIS, Son, age 12, born SC; Jane DAVIS, Daughter, age 10, born SC; Mary Eliza DAVIS, Daughter, age 07, born SC. Film #0805217. Living with Michael & Hulda is Mary DAVIS, age 50 [Michael's sister].
Nancy is not with her parents confirming my theory that she is married and based on her age and the land deed is the Nancy Parker listed in James K. Parker household.
1860 CENSUS: Chesterfield County, South Carolina; Roll: M653_1217;Image: 254; Family History Library Film: 805217, Page: 125; Line 14, Dwelling 449, Family 448; Jas. K. PARKER, age 23, Labourer, Born in SC; Nancy PARKER, age 16, Born in SC and Elizabeth BRITT, age 20 Born in SC.
Nancy absence for her parents household in 1860, her birth year of 1844 (age 6 in 1850 census) and age 16 in the household of James K. Parker in 1860 are all strong circumstantial evidence that she was married.
Nancy’s obituary provides no information on a previous marriage.
Obituary - Mrs. James Ross died at her home on Green Street last Tuesday morning at 6:30 o'clock after a long illness, which she had borne with Christian resignation. Mrs. Ross had attained the age of 75 years and had been a life long member of Zoar church. Before her marriage she was Miss Nancy Davis, and was raised in the Zoar section. She is survived by her husband and a large family connection. The body was laid to rest in the Zoar cemetery Wednesday afternoon. Many beautiful floral tributes attested the love and esteem in which this good woman was held by her friends. 8
Nancy D. Ross died 5 November 1918 and was buried beside her husband in Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield, South Carolina. 9
If you have any information on Nancy J. Davis and her marriage please contact me by e-mail.
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[1] James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995, page 849. Tombstone of Nancy Davis ROSS; 25 June 1844–5 November 1918, Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
[2] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, Page 179B, Line 3, Dwelling/Family 1240/1240, Household of Michael DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 21 July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[3] Harry Alexander Davis, The Davis Family (Davies and David) in Wales and America: genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania (Washington, D.C.: n.p., 1927), page 222.
[4] 1850 U S Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 178A, Line 19, Dwelling 1221, Family 1221, Household of John C. DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 June 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[5] 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #21, Page 108B, Line 75, Dwelling 455, Family 463, .Household of James ROSS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 28 August 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_Roll: 1523.
[6] Minnie Sanders Rivers, A Rivers Family (Chesterfield, South Carolina: self-Published, 1926), Item 95.
[7] Land Deed - George A. Parker to James K. Parker Deed; February 1861; Deed Book #BURNT BOOK; Page(s) 22; Register of Deeds; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; 5 July 1997.
[8] Mrs. James Ross obituary, The Chesterfield Advertiser, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, 7 November 1918, page 1, col. 3:
[9] James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995, page 849. Tombstone of Nancy Davis ROSS; 25 June 1844–5 November 1918, Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
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