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 my 4th Great Grandfather Thomas Davis.
Thomas Davis was born 22 March 1760 to Davis Davis and Jane Miles. He was the youngest of seven (7) known children. His parents migrated from Pencader Hundred, New Castle Delaware to the Welsh Neck area of Chesterfield County South Carolina.1
Thomas married Nancy Rivers in 1787or 1788. Over the next 24 years they would have eleven children; six sons and five (5) daughters. Their first born a son, Samuel was born on 13 August 1790 and their last born also a son, John Calvin was born on 14 December 1812. 2
Thomas served as a patriot in the Revolutionary War. He was a private in 5th Company, Capt. Thomas Hall, Marion's Regt. 1779, The following account of his service is in his own words from his Revolutionary Pension application. 3
“That he entered the Service of the United States under the officers named & served as stated in the following account that he was drafted a short time before Christmas in the year [blank space] and serves as a Private under Capt. Morris Murphy & Maj. Robert Lloyd, that he does not recollect the regiment to which he belonged; that he was marched to a place called the "Long Bluff" on Pee Dee River in the State aforesaid, from there to Sea Wee Bay from there to Haddrells Point - and from there to James island near Charleston from which place he returned home having served in this tour nine weeks. That he was again drafted and marched as a Private under Capt. John Dewitt and Col. George Hicks to Cheraw in the District and State aforesaid where he remained one month & returned home. That he was again drafted as a Private & that on the 8th day of Feb'y (year not recollected) he marched under Capt. Ellerbe & Col. George Hicks cross Black River at Benbow & crossed Santee at Lenud’s Ferry & proceeded to Charleston - That he was in Charleston at the time it was taken by the British under Chiston where he was taken prisoner on the 11th day of May after his march & was discharged and paid on the 19 of same month having served this tour up to the time he was taken prisoner three months & four days.
That he served two tours, of two weeks each, as one of a scouting party.That he was again drafted and marched as a Private under Captain William Presswood to McCord's Ferry on the Congaree River in the State aforesaid, when Col. Washington took Command - that he returned home from McCord's Ferry having served this tour one month and remained at home two months.
That he was drafted again and served as a Private under Capt' Benton & Maj. Tristam Thomas for one month. That he never received a discharge. He hereby relinquishes any claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any other State.
Thomas X Davis
Sworn to in open Court
the day &
Year above written
Richard Gantt
Presiding Judge
[17 Mar 1836]
After the war, Thomas returned to life as a farmer, caring for and raising his growing family. Starting in 1809, the children are reaching the age of majority, finding mates, moving out and raising their own family. The youngest, John Calvin married Charlotte Hurst on 31 January 1836 making the home an “empty nest.” Thomas is 76 years of age and Nancy is 69 years old.
Thomas died on 20 March 1845 leaving his widow and 9 children surviving his passing. His son Jonathan Daniel had passed away sometime in 1839-1840 and daughter Hulda was last found in the 1830 census. Nancy Rivers Davis died 15 December 1853.
Thomas and Nancy are buried in the Davis Family Cemetery, Chesterfield, South Carolina. 4
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[1] Thomas DAVIS and W-8655, compiled military record (1779-1783), Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty Application Files, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), NARA microfilm publication M804, Roll 766.
[2] Family data, John C. Davis Family Bible, Holy Bible, (New York: n.p., 1844); original owned in 2004 by Old Darlington District Genealogy Archives, [address for private use].
[3] Thomas DAVIS and W-8655, compiled military record (1779-1783), Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty Application Files, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), NARA microfilm publication M804, Roll 766.
[4] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 1 January 2010); Memorial page for Thomas Davis; (26 March 1760–20 March 1845); Find a Grave memorial # 45431028, Citing Davis Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.GPS coordinates N34 46 067', W 080 02 744'
[5] 1790-1840 Censuses for Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
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