The loss of records in Chesterfield County, during the Civil War, makes it very difficult sometime to accurately document the lives of our ancestors from this area. My genealogical database contains way more general dates than I so desire. I’m tired of using “before, after, about, between” to document marriages, births and deaths. For instance, let take a look at William Blakeney Davis, Sr.
William Blakeney Davis, Sr. is a son of William Davis and Julia Thurman. Based on the 1860 population census for Chesterfield county, William Blakeney Davis was age 37, making his birth year to be 1823. My genealogical database has his birth year as about 1823, Chesterfield County, South Carolina. William Blakeney has not been found in 1850 Census. He was not in his father’s household. We also find in the 1860 Census that William Blakeney has married and has a growing family. Research shows that he married Mary Jane Martin abt 1855. This date again is an estimated date based on the age of the oldest child in the household, G. W. M. Davis, male, age 3. George Washington Martin Davis was actually born 1 November 1856. William B. and Mary Jane may have married as late as Jan-Feb 1856.
1860 CENSUS: Chesterfield County, South Carolina; Roll: M653_1217; Image: 243; Family History Library Film: 805217; Page: 120, Line 4, Dwelling 368; Family 367; W. B. DAVIS, male, age 37, born in SC; Mary J. DAVIS, female, age 25, born in NC; G. W. M. DAVIS, male, age 3, born in SC and Jam. W. K. DAVIS, male, age 1, born in SC.
William B. and Mary Jane had an additional 8 children between 1860 and 1875 even though William Blakeney enlisted and served in the Civil War. There is a three year break in children between 1862 and 1865. He was a member of Company “E”, 21st SC INF CSA.
Mary Jane (Martin) Davis died 15 September 1885 leaving four sons and a daughter under the age of 21. Her youngest, a daughter was age 10. The other six children were age 21 or older.
It is not known when William Blakeney Davis died. We know that on 1 November 1892 he executed a land deed to Owen A. Davis, selling him 50 acres of land on Bear Creek for the sum of four hundred dollar. Until another document is found all we can say is that William Blakeney Davis died after 1 Nov 1892.
If you have any information related to the demise of William Blakeney Davis I would love to hear from you.
William Blakeney Davis is my 1st Cousin 4X Removed
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1. Land Deed - W. B. Davis To Owen A. Davis Deed; 1 November 1892; Deed Book #11; Page(s) 691-692; Register of Deeds; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, SC; 3 February 2023.
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