52 Cousins~The Daniel Kepley Family

Daniel Kepley was borne 20 June 1809, a son of Killian Kepley and an unnamed wife. Many on line trees have Sarah Crawl as his wife but this is an error. Killian Kepley had  2 children borned into his family before Sarah Crawl was married on 10 May 1798 and he was the Bondsman for her marriage.  

Daniel Kepley borne 20 June 1809 was baptized on 27 August 1809 with his parents as sponsor but only Killian, his father was named. 

[Source: Page 48, Image 114. Organ Lutheran Church Records, 1774-1882, Rowan County, North Carolina; LDS Film #313884]

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-89TT-M

Daniel Kepley had 6 older siblings and 1 younger sister. At age 36, he married Mary E. Shuler on 2 September 1845 in Davidson County, North Carolina. The two oldest children in the 1850 census shows that Daniel was previously married about 1835. 

1850 CENSUS: Southern Division, Davidson, North Carolina; Roll: 628; Page: 326B(Stamped); Line 14; Dwelling 132; Family 135; Daniel KEPLEY, Male, age 39, Carpenter, born in NC; Mary E. KEPLEY, Female, age 21, born in NC; Mary E. KEPLEY, Female, age 14, born in NC; James E. KEPLEY, Male, age 9, born in NC and Margaret E. KEPLEY, Female, age 1, born in NC. 

https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/12692889:8054

After the birth of 2 children, the first wife of Daniel Kepley passed away sometime before September 1845. 

Daniel Kepley married Mary E. Shular on 2 September 1845 in Davidson County, North Carolina. 

Daniel Kepley in the North Carolina, U.S., Index to Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868

Name: Daniel Kepley

Gender: Male

Spouse: Mary Shuler

Spouse Gender: Female

Bond date: 2 Sep 1845

Bond #: 000038799

Level Info: North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868

ImageNum: 007227

County: Davidson

Record #: 02 074

Bondsman: David Hunt

Witness: C. F. Lowe

Source Information

Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Index to Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000.

Original data: State of North Carolina. An Index to Marriage Bonds Filed in the North Carolina State Archives. Raleigh, NC, USA: North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1977.

https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/136655:4802

Mary E. Shuler, age 21, is not the mother of Mary E. Kepley and James E. Kepley

She [Mary Shuler] is the Mother of Margaret E. Kepley, b. 1849 and Daniel Rome Kepley, borne 12 Mar 1854.

  

Daniel Kepley died after June 1853 and before 1860. It is not known what happen to Mary E. Shular. Three of the 4  children of Daniel had families of their own. No information has been found for Margaret E. Kepley, b. 1849.  

If you have information about this family I would love to hear from you. 

 Daniel Kepley is my 1st Cousin 5X Removed. 

________________

1. Bernard Cruse, Records and Minutes of The Organ Lutheran Church: 1774-1955 (Wilmington, North Carolina: Self-Published, 1957), Page 49, Image 114 of 322.

2. 1840 U S Census, Davidson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Davidson, North Carolina;, Page 253B (Stamped), Line 15, Household of Daniel KEPLEY; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : on line March 2024); citing  National Archives Microfilm M704, Roll xxx.

3. 1850 U. S. Census, Davidson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Southern Division, Davidson, North Carolina, Page: 326B(Stamped); Line 14, Dwelling 132; Family 135, Household of Daniel KEPLEY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 12 January 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 628.

4. "Index to North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : on line March 2024), Marriage: Daniel Kepley & Mary Shular; North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1977; Bond date: 2 Sep 1845.

5. 1850 U. S. Census, Davidson County, North Carolina, Population Schedule, Southern Division, Davidson, North Carolina, Page: 326B(Stamped); Line 14, Dwelling 132; Family 135, Household of Daniel KEPLEY.

1800 Birth & Baptism of Mary Salome Kepley

Church records are essential documents in our genealogical research prior to the early 1900's. While some states did documents births, death and marriage pre-1910; most states did not begin this type of documentation until laws were passed around 1910 making it a requirement. You might find a “Death Notice” in the local newspapers but the modern-day obituary as we are acquainted with today were very rare. If a death was documented, it would most likely be within a church.  

Today, I have chosen the Baptism Record of my 1st Cousin 3X Removed, Mary Salome Kepley to share with my readers. 

Mary Salome Kepley was born 15 January 1800, a daughter of  Killian Kepley of Rowan County, North Carolina. She was the 3rd born child of Killian Kepley. The birth of his eight children and their baptism are well documented but nowhere in these documents is the name of Killian Kepley's wife mentioned.  

Mary Salome’s baptism is documented in the St. John’s Lutheran Church Baptismal Records, Concord, North Carolina, His parents and family members were active in this church. The Baptismal Records, 1797-1847 of St. John’s Lutheran were transcribed by Adelaide and Eugenia Lore, Concord, NC, 1977.    

Baptism entry for Mary Salome Kepley from page 33. 

BAPTISM:  Mary Salome Kepley, b.  15 January 1800, Baptized May 11, 1800, daughter of Killian Keple; Sponsor: Peter Keple.

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Concord, North Carolina; Baptismal Records, 1797-1847; Transcribed by Adelaide and Eugenia Lore, Concord, NC, 1977. Local History Collection, Lore Room, Charles A. Cannon Memorial Library, Concord, NC

https://www.cabarruscounty.us/government/departments/library/Local%20History/1797_1847_Baptismal_Records_St_Johns_Lutheran.pdf // https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-89TL-W >> LDS Film #313884

Mary Salome Kepley is my 1st Cousin 3X Removed. 

52 Cousins~The George W. & Lydia G. Rummage Family

Lydia G. Laton was born about 1830, the first born daughter of John Laton, Sr. and his wife Catherine Dry of Stanly County, North Carolina. She had two older brothers, a younger brother and one younger sister. 

On 27 Nov 1856, Lydia G. Laton, age 22, and George W Rummage, age 20, were married in Stanly County, North Carolina.  

https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/9167927:60548

Their only child, a son, arrived on 30 April 1858. In the 1860 Census we find the family in Stanly County, North Carolina. 

Then on 12 April 1861, we know from history, that our Civil War started taking many young men away from their families to fight a War.

George W. Rummage enlisted on 28 February 1862, at Salisbury, NC as a Private with Company 'C', 42nd NC Infantry. Lydia and baby Robert were left along without their protector. Both of Lydia’s parents were deceased when the war started. There is no indication in George’s service record that he was granted leave between his enlistment and his admission to Winder Hospital on 24 October 1864. So its safe to say that Lydia never saw her husband again once he left home that Friday morning, 28 February 1862.

Private George W. Rummage was admitted to Winder Hospital on 24 October 1864. He died of disease on 6 November 1864 and is buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Richmond City, Virginia; PLOT: Section: Soldiers Section W Lot: 117

Lydia G. (Laton) Rummage died March 1869 and young Robert, age 11, became an orphan.  Lydia’a tombstone shows she was born in 1830 and died in March 18??. I cannot honestly say that it is 1869. See for yourself at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102681955/lydia-g-rummage

In 1880, Robert is abge 21 and can be found in his Rummage Grandparents home; the home of Thomas and Nancy Rummage.

Robert Rummage, the only known child of George W. and Lydia G. Rummage. He was a farmer. I found no indication that he was ever married. At age 57, George F. Rummage died 7 Sep 1915 of heart disease in Albemarle, Stanly County, NC.  

Lydia G. (Laton) Rummage is my 1st Cousin 4X Removed. 

Robert Rummage is my 2nd Cousin 3X Removed. 

1797 Marriage~Peter Cauble and Christina Dry

Christina Dry was borne about 1777 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Owen Ulrich Dry and Eve [LNU]. There is a tombstone in the Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery for Eve Dry but none of the information on her Grave Memorial can be read and verified. 

Her FindaGrave memorial shows her to be the Mother of 2 daughters and one son. I can only verify that Christina Dry is their said daughter and that she married Peter Cauble, Jr. on 17 October 1797 in Cabarrus county, North Carolina. 

The 1830 Census for Rowan County, North Carolina shows 

1 male, age 50-59 – George Cauble, Jr.

1 Female, age 40-49, Christina Dry

2 Males, age 15-19. 

Then there also the issue of many Peter Cauble’s using various variations of the surname.  If you have any information on this Couple I would love to hear from you. 

Christina Dry Cauble is my 1st Cousin 5X Removed. 

_______________________

1. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/42327:4802

52 Cousins~The Benjamin Earnhart Family

 The Family Bible ¹ of George Earnhart and Margaret Keppel shows that they had five children; 3 sons and two daughters. 

Benjamin their oldest son was borne 22 June 1805 in Rowan County, North Carolina.  

In August 1807, George Earnhart and his 2nd wife Margaret Keppel forever quit Claim unto John Kapple of all that parcel of land (116 acres) lying & being in the County of Cabarrus & State of North Carolina & on the waters of little Dutch Buffalow Creek.² Then about 1812 they migrated to Bedford County, Tennessee.  

In an affidavit, dated 26 April 1836, for a Revolution War Pension, George Earnhart stated that he remained [in NC] after the Revolution until about 24 years ago [1812]. I removed into Bedford County State of Tennessee near Shelbyville where I lived about seven years [till 1819] and then removed into this County where I have lived ever since and where I now live [Madison County, Tenn.].

Benjamin Earnhart was 5 years of age when his parents moved from Rowan County, NC to Madison County, Tennessee. 

At age 26, he married Harriett McIntosh, age 18, of Tennessee. Based on the birth of their first born, John Earnhart in 1832; this marriage most likely took place in 1831. 

Benjamin Earnhart and Harriett McIntosh had the following children:

i. John Earnhart was born about 1832 in Bedford County, Tennessee. 

ii. George W. Earnhart, born abt 1833, Bedford County, Tennessee; married Mary Ann [LNU].

iii. Mary Earnhart was born about 1835 in Bedford County, Tennessee. 

iv. William A. Earnhart, born abt 1839, Bedford County, Tennessee; married Mary A. Nichols, 14 Feb 1866, Bedford, Tennessee; married Eliza [LNU], bef 1897; died bef 15 May 1897.

v. James Earnhart was born about 1848 in Bedford County, Tennessee. 

vi. Green L. "Doctor" Earnhart was born on 14 Mar 1852 in Bedford County, Tennessee. He died on 11 Mar 1918 at the age of 65 in Marshall, Tennessee. 

This is the Benjamin Earnhart family in 1850. Another son will be born in 1852.

Sometime after the birth of their son Green L. Earnhart, 1852; Harriett (McIntosh) Earnhart passed away.  Benjamin, a farmer, with 6 children needed a wife to take care of the children. He married a lady named Susan, age 35. No record of this marriage has been found; thus, Susan last name is unknown.  

Benjamin Earnhart and Susan [LNU] had the following children:

 i. Amy Earnhart, born 19 Aug 1860, Bedford County, Tennessee; married John Henry Newton Liggett, 29 Aug 1878, Bedford County, Tennessee; died 9 Dec 1897, Hanford, Kings, California.

ii. Martha Earnhart was born about 1865 in Bedford County, Tennessee.

Benjamin Earnhart died Oct./Nov. 1882. He wrote his Last Will and testament on 2 October 1882 and we know he died before 6 November 1882 ³

Benjamin Earnhart Last Will and Testament ⁴

I, Benjamin Earnhart of the County of Bedford State of Tennessee do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made—

1.   And first- I direct that my body be decently interred in the grave yard at Daniel Earnhart’s in this County in a manner suitable to my condition in life--.   

2.   And as to such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to entrust me with I depose of the same as follows (viz) I direct that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon as possible out of any moneys that I may die possessed of or may first come into the hands of my executor, from any portion of my estate.—

Item (3) I direct that Thirty acres or more be sold off of the Northern Boundary of my land including the house now occupied by Powell Sweney. And I give my Aden [administrator], the former to sell this land publicly or privately in one or two year, credit.

Item (4)- I direct that my Ex {Executor] or Aden [Administrator] sell to the highest bidder on a credit of twelve months.

Item (5) I leave to my wife my perishable property ???? – my household and kitchen furniture and direct that all property not set aside or excepted bylaw for her use be sold as stated.

Item (6) It is my will and desire that Susan my wife have my Sorrell and Horses and the proceeds arising there from during her natural life and it is my desire that my daughter Amy Leggett return with her Husband J. C. Leggett and live with Susan my wife –

Item (7) At the death of my wife Susan it my will that the farm household and kitchen furniture all and every things appertaining, thereunto be sold and equally divided between my children (viz) G. W. Earnhart, Wm. A. Earnhart, Doc Earnhart, Amy Earnhart Liggett and in case of dec death of any of these, then, their children are to inherit their parents part of said Estate – Betty Swiney is to receive five dollars of my estate her bodily heirs are to receive one fifth of my Estate at their majority. The County Court appointing a guardian for them, and I hereby nominate and appoint my friend Herman Harris my Executor with my Will attached.

Signed and delivered in the presence of us on 2 October 1882.

Herman Harris                                          Ben Earnhart

H. P. Baxter

N. B. It is my will and I so ordain that all the property goods and Chattels that my wife Susan possesses at our marriage should be hers to do with as she sees proper – it is her‘s and I will that she have it and control it and I here sign and acknowledge the same in the presence of       on the 2 October 1882.

A. P. Baxter                                      Ben X his mark Earnhart

J. M. Cunningham

 

State of Tennessee}

Bedford County} I, Will J. Muse, Clerk of thee County Court of said County hereby certify that thee above and foregoing is a full true and perfect copy of thee Last Will and testament of Benjamin Earnhart as proven and admitted to probate at thee November term 1882 of the County Court of Bedford County as appears and thee original now on file in my office.

Witness my hand at office this Dec. 4th 1882.

                                                Will J. Muse

                                                                    Clk.

If you have any information on this family or their descendants I would like to hear from you. 

Benjamin Earnhart is my 1st Cousin 5X Removed. 

__________________________________

1. https://sharetngov.tnsosfiles.com/tsla/BibleRecords/Earnhart%201/Earnhart%201.pdf

2.Land Deed - Division of the Estate of Peter Kapple Sr.; 8 August 1807; Deed Book #6; Page(s) 168; Register of Deeds; Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; 12 December 2020.

3.Bedford County, Tennessee, Wills and Probate Records, Benjamin Earnhart; digital images, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com (http://www.Ancestry.com: viewed 3 December 2021); Benjamin Earnhart.

4.https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9176/images/004776092_00257

5. Land Deed - George Earnhart to his Son Benjamin Earnhart; 18 September 1835; Deed Book #FF; Page(s) 13; Register of Deeds; Shellyville, Bedford County, Tennessee; 10 January 2021.

6. Tennessee, United States, "Early Tax List Records, 1783-1895, 1836, Benjamin Earnhart, Early Tax List; page 211, Tennessee Archives, Nashville, Tennessee.

7. Tennessee, United States, "Early Tax List Records, 1783-1895," page 283, Benjamin Earnhart, Early Tax List.

8. Tennessee, United States, "Early Tax List Records, 1783-1895," page 101, Benjamin Earnhart, Early Tax List.

95. Tennessee, United States, "Early Tax List Records, 1783-1895," page 106, Benjamin Earnhart, Early Tax List.

6. 1850 U. S. Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 18, Bedford, Tennessee, Page: 188A (Stamped), Line 35, Dwelling 49, Family 49, Household of Benjamin EARNHART; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 22 October 2021); citing  National Archives Microfilm M432.

7. 1860 U. S. Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, population schedule, Shelbyville PO, Western Division District 18, Bedford, Tennessee, Page 251 (Stamped), Line 15, Dwelling 1295; Family 1248, Household of Ben EARNHART; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 22 October 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm M653.

8. Land Deed - John Lentz Deed to Benjamin Earnhart; 4 May 1868; Deed Book # GGG; page(s)80.

9. 1870 U. S. Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 18, Bedford, Tennessee, Page 328A & B (Stamped), Line 38, Dwelling 146, Family 150, Household of William EARNHART; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 22 October 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm M593_.

10. 1880 U. S. Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 18, Bedford, Tennessee, enumeration district (ED) 012, Page: 306A(Stamped), Line 35, Dwelling 3, Family 9, Household of Ben EARNHART; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 22 October 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm T9_.

11. Benjamin Earnhart (1882), WILL BOOK: Last Will & Testament; WB 1, Pages 449 & 450; Probate Office, Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee.

12. Bedford County, Tennessee, Wills and Probate Records, Benjamin Earnhart; digital images, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com (http://www.Ancestry.com: viewed 3 December 2021); Appt of Adminstrator of Benjamin Earnhart Estate.

Wordless Wednesday~Spanish Treasure Ship ‘Atocha’~Gold Bar

Gold Bar

 

Last Will and Testament of David Davis, Jr.

David Davis, Jr. was the brother of my 4th Great Grandfather Thomas Davis. Thus he is my 4th Great Grand Uncle.

David was borne about 1758 in Craven District, South Carolina. He was the son of David Davis, Sr. and his wife, Jane Miles. He was the 2nd youngest of 7 children with his brother Thomas being the youngest. He had one known sister, Jane, who took care of her father in his waning years. Family folklore claims that David left home at the age of 12 years and went to N. C. where his brother John Davis lived. He did eventually settle down in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. There he married a young lady named Jane Sloan on 26 February 1788. 

He served in the Revolutionary War and applied for a pensions before his death; never to live to see his pension.  

Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters Pension application of David Davis W6962   Jane  fn67NC ¹   

Transcribed by Will Graves    2/18/10 

[Methodology:  Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database.  Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations.  Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote.  Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. Folks are free to make non-commercial use this transcript in any manner they may see fit, but please extend the courtesy of acknowledging the transcriber—besides, if it turns out the transcript contains mistakes, the resulting embarrassment will fall on the transcriber.] 

 State of North Carolina Mecklenburg County January 31st day 1846  Personally appeared before me William Barnett -- an acting Justice of the peace in and for the State and County aforesaid Jane Davis after being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July seventh 1838 Entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.  That she is the widow of David Davis who was a private in the North Carolina Militia in the war of the revolution, and as such served the United States against the Common Enemy and never drew a pension owing to his death taking place before his name was inscribed on the pension roll.  She further declares that he had filed a Declaration for between two and twelve months, service and that before it was final he [was] taken sick and died and that the Declaration has been misplaced or destroyed so that I can [not] produce who he served under.  She is not able to say nor the time he went in service nor the time he left.  She further declares that she was married to the aforesaid David Davis sometime in the year 1788 and that her husband the said David Davis died on the 17th of September 1832.  That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794 viz. at the time above stated.  Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written.

 S/ William Barnett, JP     S/ Jane Davis, X her mark  

State of North Carolina Mecklenburg County: Personally appeared before me the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in said County and State aforesaid Silas Davis, aged fifty eight years and after being first duly sworn according to law saith on his oath that he has known the above attached record evidence since his earliest recollection as the family Record of his father and mother.  Three first oldest children [indecipherable word or words or perhaps a figure] he is the ages of David Davis & Jane Davis three first children to wit Elizabeth Sloan Davis, Silas Davis and Jane Davis the last mentioned age on said Record being his mother's own age and that the said record has always been kept in the said family and that it is the original and genuine family Record of the ages of the Children of the said David Davis and Jane Davis.  Sworn to and subscribed this eighth day of October 1851 before me 

S/ Caleb Erwin, JP    

S/ Silas Davis 

[fn p. 8] 

Eliza Sloan Davis was born may 31 1787

Silas Davies was born April 6 1792 

Jane Davies was Born September 13 1795 

Polly Davies Was Born June 16 1797 

Jane Sloan was Born March 15 1768  

State of North Carolina Mecklenburg County: Personally appeared before me William Barnett [indecipherable word or words] Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid Silas Davis after being duly sworn according to law and saith on oath that the above attached record is the old original family record of David Davis and Jane Davis his wife and that he has known it to be as the family recorded for 40 years or more and he thinks it probably is in the hand writing of Joseph Fasure [sic Fraser?] and that it has been in the possession of the family ever since he could recollect and that he is about 58 years of age. Sworn to and subscribed January 31st 1846  

S/ Silas Davis 

S/ William Barnette, JP 

"I David Davies & Jane Sloan was Married February 26th A. Domini 1788 

Elizt Sloan Davis was born May 31st A. Domini 1789 

Silas Davis was Born Aprel 6th 1793 

Jean Davis was born September 13 1795 

Polly Davies was born June 16, 1797  

I William Barnette of the State of North Carolina Mecklenburg County after being duly sworn do hereby certify that I lived a near neighbor to David Davis and his wife Jean for more than fifty years that from my first recollection, the said David Davis was known as one of the Soldiers of the Revolution, and I have often heard him talk of his services in the said war, that a short time before the said David Davis died he made application for a pension, and I, who was then as now, and acting Justice of the Peace for Mecklenburg County, drew up his declaration in his own house, in which declaration is set forth his services in full, and I swore him to the statement therein set forth, and I also qualified the Reverend Dr. John Robinson and the Reverend Walter S. Pharr then present to an affidavit prescribed by the Department to be observed in such cases the is = that they believe said David Davis to be a revolutionary soldier as set forth in his Declaration, and that was his reputation in his neighborhood -- that said declaration was sent to the Honorable Henry W. Connor then a representative in Congress from this district, to be presented to the Department, that said declaration was sent back marked with red any where it was required to be corrected -- accompanied with the information that if those corrections were made the claim would be allowed, -- that I attended again at the house of said David Davis, who was then on his deathbed, to make the required corrections but the said Davis was so far gone that he was unable to attend to it, that the heirs of the said David Davis after his death leaving that nothing more could be done with the claim, gave the papers to a Justice of the Peace named Doherty, who afterwards burnt them with some old papers -- That I have no doubt from what I have heard the said David Davis said of his Revolutionary services, from his reputation as a soldier in this community -- that he was a soldier of the Revolution and that he was the identical David Davis whose name appears on the books of the Comptroller of North Carolina -- Sworn to and subscribed this 15th day of October A.D. 1852 before me 

S/ Wm Davidson, JP    

S/ William Barnette  

State of North Carolina Mecklenburg County: Personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said County Reverend W. S. Pharr and after being first sworn according to law, saith on his oath that he was well acquainted with David Davis for some time before his death & that in conversation heard him as speak of being out in the Western part of North Carolina after the Cherokee Indians & the Reverend James Hall or Captain Hall of revolutionary memory being in company & he assembled them altogether around a large tree and had prayers before they attacked an Indian town after prayers the Reverend Hall said Come on boys the Lord is with us & they proceeded on the Indians had sensibly left the town & I further certify that I am now well acquainted with Jane Davis who is applying for a pension for the services of her late husband & the said Jane Davis is the identical widow of the said David Davis.  Sworn to & subscribed this 7th day of June 1852. 

S/ W. G. Barnett, JP      

s/ Walter S. Pharr 

State of North Carolina Mecklenburg County March 17th old Mrs. Jane Davis aged 83 years this day personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace and Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions for said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, deposes as follows to wit in reply to the report of the Commissioners letter of pensions the 8th of January 1852 she cannot speak of facts of her own knowledge as an eyewitness the services of her deceased husband David Davis but from the best reliable evidence the troops mentioned by her said husband of his services in said war -- She is led to believe that he served four tours of three months each as a private in the militia of North Carolina and was under Captain Robert Smith as she has some faint recollection of hearing him speak of said officer as being under him & that her said Husband died on the 17 day of September 1832 and she has remained his widow ever since.      S/ Jane Davis, X her mark 

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 17th day of March 1852  

S/ W. Barnette, JP 

David and Jane (Sloan) Davis had 5 known children; 3 daughters and 2 sons. They were

John Davis, b. ?

Elizabeth Sloan Davis, b. 31 May 1789

Silas Davis, b. 6 Apr 1792

Jane Davis, b. 13 Sept. 1795

Polly Davis, b. 16 June 1797

John was not mention in the Revolutionary War pension application but was named in David Davis, Jr. Last Will. 

David Davis, Jr. wrote his Last Will and Testament on 23 June 1828. 

Be it known to all whom it may concern that I divide my plantation into three parts To my son John I divide that part of my land, lying on the West side of the hollow below his fields, crossing the Creek a little above, the lock ford to Joseph Ewarts line. The other two divisions lying on the North & South sides of the Clarks Creek running by my spring. This Creek to be the dividing line of these parts. Silas my son to have choice of the last divisions. 

Many on-line trees have these two sons listed as one, named John Silas Davis. They are wrong David and Jane had two sons; John and Silas.  

As stated previously, David Davis, Jr. wrote his Last Will on 23 June 1828. It was probated in 1832.

Last Will and Testament of David Davis, Jr. ²

Mecklenburg County North Carolina June 23d 1828

Be it known to all whom it may concern that I divide my plantation into three parts To my son John I divide that part of my land, lying on the West side of the hollow below his fields, crossing the Creek a little above, the lock ford to Joseph Ewarts line. The other two divisions lying on the North & South sides of the Clarks Creek running by my spring. This Creek to be the dividing line of these parts. Silas my son to have choice of the last divisions. The other to be equally divided in valuation between my daughter Elizabeth S. & my grandson Thos. Green Barnet. To Elizabeth and her heirs, should she have any, I allow the half of the proceeding parts. The Smith tools & wagon I wish to be a common stock for the use of all the members of my family; all at the same time contributing their proportional part of labor or expense to repairing them when necessary; or forfeit their right to the use of one or both.  My Wife Jane I allow to hold my mansion house during her life and them to have the disposal of all the household furniture.

Signed in                                                             David Davis

the presence of us

Walter S. Pharr Jur’t

Jane B. Pharr

David Davis, Jr. died on 17 September 1842 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The last mention of his wife Jane (Sloan) Davis was in a documement attempting to get the Revolutionary War Pension of her deceased husband, David Davis. The document (enclosed in this blog post) was dated 21 October 1853. ³ 

__________________________________

1. Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters Pension application of David Davis W-6962   Jane  fn67NC    Transcribed by Will Graves    2/18/10 

1a. https://www.fold3.com/image/13766097/davis-david-page-1-us-revolutionary-war-pensions-1800-1900

2.  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9G4-M15

3. https://www.fold3.com/image/13766326/davis-david-page-56-us-revolutionary-war-pensions-1800-1900evolutionary-war-pensions-1800-1900

52 Cousins~Martin Laton and Mary Ann Smart Family

Martin Laton (also spelled Layton) and Mary Ann Smart were  married on 3 October 1850 in Montgomery County, North Carolina. Martin was borne about 1836, a son of John Laton, Sr. and his wife Catherine Dry. Mary Ann Smart, age 22, is in the household of Nathaniel Wilson Smart and Darutha Annie Harper on the 1850 Stanly County census. 

I would like to add a “Caution” here: there is a huge amount of misinformation on the FindAGrave Memorial for Mary Ann Smart Laton. The husband of Mary Ann Smart died of disease in the Civil War and she never remarried so the surname on the memorial is the first problem.  

Martin Laton enlisted on 2 March 1863 with the 17th Infantry. On 5 August 1864, Martin decided he wanted to go home and went AWOL (Absent Without Leave). He was arrested, Court martialed and Sentence to Death. His sentence was commuted and he died of Disease on 31 December 1864.  

LATON, MARTIN, Private

Enlisted in Montgomery County on March 2, 1863, for the war. Present or accounted for until he deserted on August 5, 1864. Apprehended on August 26, 1864, Court-martialed and sentenced to death; however, his sentence was commuted. Died in hospital at Richmond, Virginia, December 31. 1864, of Disease. NC Troops, Volume 6, page 291, left column

Mary Ann Smart was left a widow. No children had been borne of this union between October 1859 and his death in December 1864. Mary Ann Smart Laton remained a widow until her death. 

In 1870, Mary Smart can be found the household of Nathaniel Wilson Smart and his wife Ruth. [Note: I believe Darutha Annie Harper and Ruth A. Smart are the same individual.]  

In 1880 Stanly County Census, she is in the household of Ruth A. Smart.

Mary Ann (Smart) Laton wife of Martin Laton died before 2 December 1893. No one was left to give her a burial so no tombstone has been found. 

Martin Laton is my 1st Cousin 4X Removed. 

__________________________________

1. 1850 Census, Stanly County, North Carolina, population schedule, Harris, Stanly, North Carolina, Page:#31B (Stamped); Line:#6, Dwelling:#270, Family:#271, Household of  John LATON; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : online January 2024); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 645.

2. 1860 U. S. Census, Stanly County, North Carolina, population schedule, Stanly, North Carolina, Page:#31B (Stamped); Line:#8, Dwelling:#430, Family:#433, Household of Martin LAYTON; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : online January 2024); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 914.

3. Matthew Brown Editor, BOOK: NORTH CAROLINA TROOPS:1861-1865: A Roster (Raleigh, NC 27699-4622: Historical Publications Section, 1997), Martin LATON, Volume 6, page 291.

4. Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (https://www.fold3.com/ : accessed January 2024), entry for Martin LAYTON, Private; Company "L", 17th Infantry Reg't, NC; Confederate.

5. Stanly County, North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979, Martin LAYTON/LATON; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: online February 2024); https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9061/images/007661557_01321.

6. "North Carolina, Index to Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 January 2022), Marriage: Martan Laton & Mary Smart, Marriage Date: 3 Oct 1850.

9. 1870 U. S. Census, Montgomery County , North Carolina, population schedule, Uwharrie, Montgomery, North Carolina, Page:#475B (Stamped); Line:#7, Dwelling:#9, Family:#9, Household of N. W. SMART; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : online January 2024); citing National Archives Microfilm M593.

10. 1880 U. S. Census, Montgomery County , North Carolina, population schedule, Uwharrie, Montgomery, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0130, Page:#196(Stamped); Line:#16,, Dwelling:#69, Family:#69, Mary SMART in Household of Ruth Smart; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : online January 2024); citing National Archives Microfilm T9,.

11. Stanly County, North Carolina, Probate of Mary Ann Smart, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9061/images/007661557_01327.

It’s Family Time~Morgan David and Catherine Howell

In 1927, Harry Alexander Davis published the family history of Morgan David of Wales in a book entitled “The Davis Family (Davies and David) in Wales and America : genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania.  

Some believe the book is a glorious gift while others believe it to be a curse. The book contains errors but from my point of view it an excellent guide book to places my ancestors lived after their arrival in America. 

Morgan David was borne about the year 1622/23. He migrated to America from Pembrokeshire, South Wales to Welsh Settlement, Merion Township, PA. 

Morgan David married Catherine Howell about 1680 and migrated in 1684. Their first child, John, was borne in Wales about  1680/81. The other four were borne in Pennsylvania.  

From a Deed executed on 17 March 1700 we can identify the 3 sons of Morgan and Catherine – John, Evan and David. 

Page 38

To all whom these presents shall come John Davis of Philadelphia Carpenter, lawful heir and survivor of Evan David his brother deceased, the third day of the sixth month 1700 send greeting whereas Evan David late of Marion in the County of Philadelphia, husbandman hath bin possessed and seized in fee and in a certain tract of Land situate on the West side of Schuyikill in the County of Philadelphia Beginning at a stake by the Land of Morris Llewellyn, thence So. So. east by the land of David David his Brother ninety perches to a post thence West So. West by the same land fifty perches to a black Oak marked thence So. So. East Eighty Eight perches to a stake, thence West So. West by the Land of Richard Walter one hundred and sixty perches to a marked tree thence No. No. West by Land of Robt Loyd one hundred and seventy Eight perches to a stake thence Est. No. Est. by the land of Mos Llewlyn aforesaid one hundred and sixty perches to the place of beginning Containing two hundred acres of Land given and bequeathed to him the said Evan David in and by the last will and Testament of Morgan David their father deceased to wit the 25th day of the 12th month in the year 1694 being part of seven hundred and fifty acres of Land, sold and conveyed to him the said Morgan David & his Heirs forever by a deed duly executed under the hand and seal of Christopher Penock bearing date the twenty fifth day of ye ninth month in ye year 1693 acknowledged in open Court held at Philadelphia the ninth of the first month 9 3/4, granted and confirmed to sd Penock, and his Heirs forever by Patent from the Commissioners of property, dated the thirteenth day of ye first month in the year 1689 Recorded in the Rolls ( 3 patent Book A folio 194, The fifteenth Day of Twelfil month (1691) Now know ye that ye sd John David for ye consideration of sixty pounds current money of Pennsylvania to him payed by David Llewellyn  of in Township of Haverford in the Welsh tract, the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge and thereof doth acquit and discharge the sd David Llewellyn, and his Heirs and assigns forever by these presents hath given granted aliened sold and enfeoffed and confirmed and hereby doth give grant alien sell enfeoff and Confirm unto the said David Llewellyn all the first two hundred Acres of Land be it more or less with all its appurtenances, and all the Right Title and Interest of the sd John Davis, of in and to the same And the Reversions Rents and Profits thereof and all Deeds evidences and writings concerning the same To have and to hold the said two hundred acres more or less and all other the premises, hereby granted with the appurtenances unto the sd Llewellyn his Heirs To the use of him the said Dad Llewellyn his Heirs and assigns forever (over)(pg 39) Under the Yearly Quit rent thereof accruing to the Chief Proprietary for ye same And the said Four Hundred acres of Land be it more or less by the said John David and his Heirs granted with the appurtenances unto the said David Llewelyn his Heirs and assigns, against him the sd John [David] and his Heirs and against the heirs of the sd Evan David and against the Heirs of the sd Morgan David and against all other persons whatsoever Lawfully claiming or to claim by from or under him them or any of them, shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents and hath made Evan Thomas his Attorney to delyoor those presents in Open Court according to Law. In Witness whereof he hath hereunto set his hand and seal ye seventieth day of ye first month Anno Domini 1700/3. 

                                          John David {seal}

Sealed and Delivered in the presence of 

          Ellis Ellis, Dowell Humphreys, Morris Llewellyn Acknowledged in the Court of Common Pleas held at Philadelphia the 5th Day of June 1701 Certified under my hand & County Seal 

         Recorded the 11th Day of May Anno Domini 1780.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSXB-XFX4

The Haverford Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 of Births and Burials provides us with the actual birth dates of the last three children borne to Morgan and Katherine David. 

Morgan David and Catherine Howell had the following children:

i. Capt. John David, born 1680, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales; married Ann Thomas; died 1753, Pencader Hundred, New Castle, Delaware.

ii. Evan David Sr., born 1685 or 1686, Merion, Montgomery, Pennsylvania; married Jane Rees, 12 Jan 1711, Merion Townshp, Bucks, Pennsylvania; married Jane Morgan, 1724, New Castle, Delaware; died aft 21 Aug 1748, Pencader Hundred, New Castle, Delaware.

iii. Catherine David, born 18 Oct 1688, Merion Hills, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; married Griffith Lewis; died bef 1 Apr 1747, Pencader Hundred, New Castle, Delaware.

iv. Elizabeth David, born 1 Oct 1691, Merion Hills, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; married John Morris, abt 1712, Chester, Pennsylvania; died Pencader, New Castle, Delaware.

v. David David, born 20 Apr 1694, Merion Hills, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; married Sarah Dickenson, 31 Mar 1716, Pencader Hundred, New Castle, Delaware; married Martha Thomas, bef 4 Feb 1717; died 11 Aug 1759, Princton, New Jersey.

Morgan David wrote his Will on 15 February 1694/5.

He had lived his life as a Husbandman, a farmer, until later in life when he became affluent enough to be called "yoeman". 

[#149]

The will of David Morgan, "of Merion, yeoman," marked 15. 12mo. 1694, in presence of Robert Owen, Robert Powell, and of John Humphreys, proved 18. 7. 1695, by wife Catherine, sole executor. William Howell, Morris Llewellyn, Francis Howel and David Lawrence, overseers. His estate to go to his two eldest sons, John and Evan, mentions son David. Legacies to daughters Katherine and Elizabeth, and to the Meeting House in Haverford. By deed of 8. 3 mo.1695, the relict and the overseers conveyed David Morgan's 100 acres to James Thomas, who willed the same to his second son, Nathan Thomas. In 12 mo. 1701, James Thomas had 100 acres of the Richard Davies patent located in Merion, and altogether, at this time, he held 300 acres in the Welsh Tract." [Welsh Settlement of Pennsylvania, Browning, Page 227]

Morgan David died 17 February 1694 in Montgomery, Pennsylvania. After his death, his Widow, Katherine married Evan Harry on 3 November 1697. To this union no children were borne. Evan Harry died about 1719. Then in 1720 Catherine married a James Thomas. Katherine (Howell)(David)(Harry) Thomas died, a widow, on  25 May 1741 in Pencader Hundred, NewCastle County, Delaware.   

Morgan David and Catherine Howell are my paternal 7th Great Grandparents