I am constantly looking, exploring, and searching for new data, information, and sources related to my relatives.
A few weeks ago I came across two new pieces of information that conflicted with each other. The data concerned the death date of Lt. Joseph B. Davis, my 1st Cousin 5 times removed.
Joseph B. Davis, son of Benjamin Davis, Sr. and his wife Rachel Port served in the Revolutionary War. In his Revolutionary War record (found on Fold3.com) we find the following data. {1}
Transcription:
“Joseph Davis, William Davis, Maria Fladger, Mary Thomas, & Susan B. Lyles, only surviving children of Joseph Davis, a private and Sergeant of infantry and Lieutenant of Cavalry, in the war of the Revolution. That the said Joseph Davis, died in the District of Marion, on the 13th day of November 1838, leaving no widow but the aforesaid children, to wit Joseph Davis, William Davis, Maria Fladger, Mary Thomas & Susan B. Lyles, and this affiant, that Joseph Davis entered the American ...”
It’s clear that his Revolutionary War Records show that Lt. Joseph B. Davis died on 13 November 1838.
But, there is conflicting data also. First, is a FindAGrave Memorial. My mantra here is “don’t believe it unless there is a tombstone”. In this case, there is no Tombstone but there is a Memorial. {2}
Find A Grave Memorial#88467902
Also posted on this FindAGrave memorial is an Obituary for Joseph Davis but it is not sourced. So we have no way of determining which paper published the Obituary or the date the obituary was published.
On the wonderful website of Marty & Karla Grant there is an extract posting for PROBATE ROLL #218 - Joseph Davis, Sr. 1833 that seem to indicate that Joseph Davis, Sr. died before 14 November 1833.{3}
“!PROBATE ROLL #218 Joseph Davis Senr 1833
Will dated 12 Feb 1828 proven 14 Nov 1833
Dau Susan Davis
Son Daniel H. Davis
Benjamin S. Davis
Abraham G. Davis
Joseph J. Davis
Mary and Elizabeth daughters of Aley Whaley ...
Execs my sons Abraham G. Davis, Daniel H. Davis and Benjamin S. Davis
Wit: John Gibson, James R. Ervin, Jordan Gibson.
John H. Whaley in right of his wife Mary dau of Aley Whale wife of John Williams [makes no sense!]”
With this seemly conflicting information, I had to know when and where Joseph B. Davis died. The Probate documents I requested from the Marion Archives arrived today (19 August 2020). One document from Probate Folder 218A has been transcribed below. It’s clear to me that Joseph B. Davis died on 13 November 1838 and his second wife Aley Whaley Davis died before this date leaving one child a daughter Mary Whaley Williams said to be the daughter of Lt. Joseph B. Davis. {4}
Transcription:
The State of South Carolina} On the twenty-ninth
Marion District} day of September A. D.
Eighteen hundred and fifty-one, Daniel H. Davis personally appeared before me and after being duly Sworn, deposeth and Saith, that his Father Joseph Davis, late of this District, died on the 13th day of November 1838, leaving no widow Surviving him, but leaving the following children to wit, this deponent [Daniel H. Davis], Maria Fladgar, William Davis, Joseph Davis, Mary Thomas & Susan B. Lyles~That his said Father resided in this District, at the time of his death, that himself this deponent, and Maria Fladgar are now residents of said District; Mary Thomas, resided on Marlborough District, and William Davis, Joseph Davis & S. B. Lyles out of the State.
s/ Daniel H. Davis
Sworn and Subscribed before me}
the day above written}
Edward B. Wheeler}
Ordinary}
Lt. Joseph B. Davis, my 1st Cousin 5 times removed.
________________
{1} https://www.fold3.com/image/246/13765834 and https://revwarapps.org/s10534.pdf
{2} Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 19 August 2020); Memorial page for Lieut Joseph Davis; (1760–13 November 1838); Find a Grave memorial # 88467902, Citing Benjamin Davis Cemetery; Davis Landing, Marion County, South Carolina, USA.
{3} http://www.martygrant.com/genealogy/familydata/grpf16506.html
{4} Marion County, SC Probate Roll 218A, Joseph Davis
Courtesy of the Marion Archives, Marion, SC
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