Aunts and Uncles~Edith “Edy” Sellers (1799 – 1875)

The “Aunts & Uncles” series of biographical sketches are Artificial Intelligence (AI) compiled narratives of selected individuals from my Genealogical database.  The selected AI will used the RootsMagic Individual Summary from my Genealogical Software, Roots Magic. All genealogical data is my research material acquired over the past 46 years of research. Today's Biography of Edith "Edy" Sellers (1799-1875) was compiled with the assistance of Claude Sonnett 4 and is entitled:

 Edith “Edy” Sellers

1799 – 1875

South Carolina • Alabama

Overview

Edith, known to family and friends as “Edy,” was born in 1799 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, at a time when the young United States was still finding its footing as a nation. She lived through some of the most turbulent and transformative decades in American history — the War of 1812, the era of westward expansion, and the Civil War — and she carried her family through all of it with quiet determination. By the time she passed away on October 16, 1875, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at around age 76, she had outlived her first husband and one of her own daughters, and had built a life remarkable in its fullness and resilience.

Edy married twice and raised at least five daughters. She spent her later decades in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, where she was known well enough that her death and estate settlement were announced in the local newspaper. Though she left no grand monument behind — just two cows and calves, some household furniture, and “sundry minor articles” — her descendants spread across Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas, a testament to the family she helped build.

 

Family Background & Early Life

Edy was born to Philip Sellers Sr. (1774–1835) and Mary [LNU] (1774–1848), both of whom lived long and productive lives. Her father Philip was born just before the American Revolution and lived to see Andrew Jackson in the White House. Her mother Mary outlived him by thirteen years, passing away in 1848. The Sellers family was part of the early settlement of Chesterfield County, South Carolina, a largely rural Piedmont region that had been frontier territory just a generation before Edy’s birth.

Chesterfield County in the late 1700s and early 1800s was a farming community, and families like the Sellers were part of the backbone of that world — working the land, raising children, and building communities in the American South. Edy grew up in this environment, and it would shape the practical, hardworking woman she would become.

The exact number of Philip and Mary’s children is not fully documented here, but Edy grew up as part of a close-knit Chesterfield County community where families like the Sellers were well established across the region.

 

First Marriage: James David Weaver

The Marriage

Sometime around 1827, Edy married James David Weaver (1797–1868), likely in Alabama, where the couple had apparently settled after leaving South Carolina. James was just two years older than Edy, born in 1797. He may have been from Lexington County, South Carolina (also called the Ninety-Six District), and like many Southern families of that era, the Weavers and Sellers families made the journey west into Alabama as part of the great migration of settlers moving into the newly opened territories of the Deep South.

This was the era of the “Alabama Fever” — the 1810s and 1820s saw tens of thousands of families pouring into Alabama after it became a state in 1819, drawn by fertile land and the promise of a fresh start. Tuscaloosa itself became Alabama’s state capital in 1826, bringing growth and activity to the region where Edy and James would make their home.

Their Children

Edy and James had at least five daughters together, born over a span of about ten years:

•  Cassandra D. Weaver (1828–1875) — Born when Edy was around 29, Cassandra sadly died the same year as her mother, in 1875. She married and became Cassandra Marion, living in Itawamba County, Mississippi.

•  Louisa Caroline Weaver (1830–1869) — Louisa died young, at around age 39, in 1869. She married a man named West and moved to Texas, where her sons William, George, David, Thomas, and Isaac were living at the time of their grandfather James’s estate settlement.

•  Mary Francis Weaver (1832–1910) — Mary lived the longest of the sisters, passing away in 1910. She married William Loggins and remained in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

•  Nancy Ann Weaver (1833–1914) — Nancy had a remarkably long life, surviving until 1914. She married John Starkie and settled in Itawamba County, Mississippi.

•  Malinda Ann Weaver (1838–1896) — The youngest daughter, Malinda married Asa Wallace and lived in Fayette County, Alabama.

The probate records from James’s estate in 1869 also mention a son, George W. Weaver, who was living in Jefferson County, Alabama at the time — so there may have been additional children not fully documented in this summary.

Life During the Civil War Era

Edy and James raised their family through one of the most defining and devastating periods in American history. Alabama was deeply affected by the Civil War (1861–1865). Tuscaloosa County, where the family lived, saw Union forces raid the area in April 1865, just weeks before the war ended. Many families in the region lost property, livestock, and loved ones. By the time the war ended, Edy would have been in her mid-sixties — an older woman navigating the chaos of Reconstruction alongside her family.

James David Weaver died in 1868, leaving Edy a widow at around age 69. She stepped up immediately, serving as the administrator of his estate — no small task. In December 1869, she petitioned the Tuscaloosa Probate Court for her dower rights (her legal share of her deceased husband’s land), and the probate records show her navigating a complex legal process involving heirs scattered across Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas.

 

Second Marriage: Hilliard George Sellers

Just weeks after James’s death — on January 6, 1868 — Edy married for the second time. Her new husband was Hilliard George Sellers (1805–1886). Though they share the Sellers surname, Edy and Hilliard were not related — Edy simply took his surname upon their marriage, as was the custom of the time.

The marriage record from the Alabama Select Marriage Indexes lists her as “Eda Weaver” marrying “Hiliard Sellars” in Tuscaloosa County — confirming that Edy took her first husband’s surname after his death, as was common, and then remarried. Hilliard outlived Edy by eleven years, dying in 1886.

Edy and Hilliard were enumerated together in the 1870 U.S. Census for Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, recorded on August 15, 1870, showing them living as a household in their final years together.

 

Later Life, Death & Estate

Final Years

Edy lived out her final years in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, likely at or near the home of her son-in-law L. B. Battle (husband of her daughter Belinda/Malinda). Alabama in the 1870s was deep in the Reconstruction era — a time of significant social and political upheaval in the South. For an elderly widow like Edy, day-to-day life would have centered around family, her small household, and the rhythms of rural Alabama life.

Death

Edith “Edy” Sellers passed away on October 16, 1875, at approximately age 76, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She left no last will or testament. The petition filed for Letters of Administration noted that she “respectfully departed this life” at the residence of L. B. Battle, approximately 18 miles east of Tuscaloosa.

Estate Settlement

Following Edy’s death, L. B. Battle was granted Letters of Administration over her estate on January 7, 1876, by Judge Newbern H. Browne of the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court. The administration of the estate was announced publicly in the Tuscaloosa Weekly Times on February 2, 1876.

On March 15, 1876, Battle placed a notice in the Tuscaloosa Weekly Times advertising a sale of Edy’s personal property, to be held on Friday, March 31, 1876, at his residence 18 miles east of Tuscaloosa. The estate’s assets were modest but practical: two cows and calves, household and kitchen furniture, and various smaller items. The sale terms were cash.

"Administrator's Sale of PERSONAL PROPERTY... the following described property, belonging to the Estate of Edy Sellers, dec, to-wit: TWO COWS AND CALVES, HOUSEHOLD & KITCHEN FURNITURE, together with sundry minor articles, too numerous to specify." — Tuscaloosa Weekly Times, March 15, 1876

A second notice appeared in the Tuscaloosa Weekly Times on April 12, 1876, reminding any creditors or debtors of the estate to come forward promptly, or risk being forever barred from making claims.

 

Historical Context: Edy’s World (1799–1875)

To truly appreciate Edy’s life, it helps to consider the world she lived in. She was born the same year George Washington died (1799), and she lived long enough to see the aftermath of the Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction. Here are some of the major events that shaped the world around her:

•  1803: The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States, opening the continent to westward expansion.

•  1812–1815: The War of 1812 was fought while Edy was a teenager in South Carolina.

•  1819: Alabama became the 22nd state, the same territory Edy would call home for most of her adult life.

•  1826: Tuscaloosa became Alabama’s state capital (it held that status until 1846).

•  1830s–1840s: The forced removal of Native American tribes (the Trail of Tears) opened vast new lands in Alabama and beyond.

•  1861–1865: The Civil War tore through the South. Alabama seceded in January 1861. Tuscaloosa was raided by Union forces in April 1865, just weeks before the war’s end.

•  1865–1877: Reconstruction brought significant political and social change to Alabama and the South. Edy lived through the entire Reconstruction period before her death in 1875.

Through all of this, Edy raised her family, buried a husband, married again, navigated probate courts, and managed a household. She was, in every sense, a woman of her time — tough, practical, and deeply rooted in her family.

 

Family at a Glance

Parents

Philip Sellers Sr. (1774–1835) and Mary [LNU] (1774–1848), Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

First Husband

James David Weaver (1797–1868). Married approximately 1827 in Alabama. Died 1868.

Children with James David Weaver

1. Cassandra D. Weaver (1828–1875) — married John Marion; lived in Itawamba County, Mississippi.

2. Louisa Caroline Weaver (1830–1869) — married David West; lived in Texas.

3. Mary Francis Weaver (1832–1910) — married William Loggins; lived in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

4. Nancy Ann Weaver (1833–1914) — married John Starkie; lived in Itawamba County, Mississippi.

5. Malinda Ann Weaver (1838–1896) — married Asa Wallace; lived in Fayette County, Alabama.

Second Husband

Hilliard George Sellers (1805–1886). Married January 6, 1868, in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. He outlived Edy by 11 years.

 

Sources & Further Research

The information in this biography is drawn from the following primary sources:

•  Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Probate Files — Tuscaloosa County Probate Court (via FamilySearch.org)

•  Tuscaloosa Weekly Times newspaper notices (February 2, 1876; March 15, 1876; April 12, 1876) via Newspapers.com

•  Alabama, Select Marriage Indexes, 1816–1942 (via Ancestry.com)

•  1870 U.S. Federal Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

•  FamilySearch.org — Edy Sellers Probate File

For those wishing to explore further, the WikiTree profile (Weaver-11697) and Ancestry.com family tree (Tree #180210056) contain additional linked records and researcher notes.

Edith "Edy" Sellers is my 3rd Great GrandAunt. 

____________________

1. Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Probate Files & Loose papers, ; "Tuscaloosa County Court Minutes," digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: online May 2025).

2. Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Death date Edy Sellers died on 16 Oct 1875, Estate of Edy Sellers -.

3. Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Letters of Administration, Estate of Edy Sellers.

4. Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Administrator's Sale of Personal Property, Estate of Edy Sellers.

5. "Administrator's Notice.," Estate, Tuscaloosa Weekly Times, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 2 February 1876, Page 3, Column 6; Digital On-Line Archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/ : online May 2025); https://www.newspapers.com/.

6. 1820 U S Census, Lexington County, South Carolina, population schedule, Lexington, Lexington, South Carolina, 1820; Microfilm M33; Page#41 (Stamped), Line#9, Household of David WEAVER; digital images, HeritageQuest Online (http://persi.heritagequestonline.com : viewed 1 October 2023); citing  National Archives Microfilm M33.

7. 1840 U. S. Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, population schedule, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Page#239B (Stamped), Line#11,, Household of David WEAVER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed October 2023); citing  National Archives Microfilm M704.

8. 1850 U. S. Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, population schedule, District 2, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Page#260 (Stamped), Line#1, Dwelling#967; Family#967, Household of James WEAVER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed October 2023); citing NARA publication M432_.

9. 1855 Alabama State Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, state census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, page#62, Line#9, David Weaver; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed October 2023); citing NARA publication M432_.

10. 1850 U. S. Census, Non=Population, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, agricultural schedule, District 1, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) Enumeration Date 15 Jan 1850, Page#883; Line#18, Household of David WEAVER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed October 2023); citing  National Archives Microfilm.

11. 1855 Alabama State Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, State Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, page#1, Line#5, , David Weaver.

12. 1860 U. S. Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, population schedule, Pitchers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Page#96/530B(Stamped); Line#4, Dwelling#1250, Family#1169, David WEAVER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed October 2023); citing National Archives Microfilm M653.

13. "Legal Notice," Notice to creditors, The Daily Selma Reporter, Selma, Alabama, 9 February 1839, Page 1, column 3; Digital On-Line Archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/:On-line October 2023); https://www.newspapers.com/.

14. "Alabama,  Select Marriage Indexes, 1816-1942," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : online February 2025), Marriage:  Eda Weaver & Hillard Sellars, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/29647:60000.

 

 

Biography compiled from genealogical records • March 2026

52 Cousins~James M. Sides

 The “52 Cousins” series of biographical sketches are Artificial Intelligence (AI) compiled narratives of selected individuals from my Genealogical database.  The selected AI will used documents and data from my RootsMagic Genealogical Software. All genealogical data is my research material acquired over the past 49+ years of research. Today's Biography of James M. Sides (1848-1919) was compiled with the assistance of Claude Sonnett 4 and is entitled:

James M. Sides

February 7, 1848 – March 18, 1919

Farmer  •  Iredell County, North Carolina

Unmarried  •  Concord Township

Overview

James M. Sides was born in the winter of 1848 in Iredell County, North Carolina — the youngest son of Daniel Sides and Esther Dry. He came into a world on the brink of enormous change: the nation was just two years removed from the end of the Mexican-American War, gold had been discovered in California, and the great sectional tensions over slavery were building toward a breaking point.

James spent his entire life in the same patch of North Carolina piedmont where he was born — never married, never moved far, and never sought the spotlight. He lived the quiet life of a farmer, first in his parents' household, then alongside his older brother Noah as the family home aged around them. By the time James died on March 18, 1919 in Statesville, the United States had just fought a world war and his beloved horse was long gone. He was 71 years old, and he was laid to rest — in an unmarked grave — at Concord Presbyterian Church Cemetery on March 19, 1919.

Family of Origin

Parents

James's father, Daniel Sides, was born around 1806 in North Carolina and died in 1881. Daniel was a farmer who built a sizeable household in Iredell County and clearly had deep roots in the Concord Township area. He owned land on the Robin Potts tract and operated a farm that, by his will, he hoped his sons would continue working together. Daniel's wife — and James's mother — was Esther Dry, also born around 1805–1806 in North Carolina. Esther died the same year as her husband, 1881, suggesting either illness or simply that the hardships of farm life caught up with them both in the same season of life. Daniel and Esther raised a very large family together in Iredell County.

Siblings

James was the youngest of at least thirteen children. The 1850 census gives us a vivid snapshot of the crowded Sides household, with nearly a dozen children living under one roof at the same time. His known siblings were:

• Jacob W. Sides — born c. 1826, eldest son known from the 1850 census and named as an executor in Daniel's will (later went by J.W.C. Sides). He and Noah both ultimately renounced their executor duties in 1881.

• Noah Sides — born March 1826 in North Carolina. Noah became something of a second father figure to James in later life. The 1900 and 1910 censuses show the two brothers living together, with Noah as head of household. Noah was 74 in 1900 and still keeping house at 86 in 1910 — a remarkable age for the era.

• Christopher Sides — born c. 1830, present in the 1850 census.

• Charles Sides — born c. 1832, present in the 1850 census.

• Caroline L. Sides — born c. 1834. She is listed as a sibling in both the 1900 and 1910 censuses, still living with Noah and James at ages 67 and 76 respectively.

• Elizabeth C. Sides / Elvina Sides — a daughter born c. 1837–1842, listed in various censuses under slightly different names.

• Esther A. Sides — born c. 1837, twin or very close in age to Elizabeth.

• Daniel M. Sides / Martin Sides — a son born c. 1839–1840, seen in both 1850 and 1860 censuses.

• Sarah E. (Sallie/Salena) Sides — born c. 1841. Still living with Noah and James in the 1910 census at age 70.

• Archibald A. Sides — born c. 1843. Named an executor in Daniel's will alongside James. He too was still living with Noah's household in 1900 (age 59) and 1910 (age 67).

• Margaret (Peggy C.) Sides — born c. 1844. Listed in the 1900 and 1910 censuses as a sister, at ages 54 and 65.

What is striking about this family is how many of the children — James, Noah, Caroline, Sarah, Archibald, and Margaret — never married and spent their entire adult lives together on the family farm. Daniel's will even anticipated this, stating that "as long as the children remain single, the place where I now reside shall be a common home for them all." In a sense, the house Daniel built held his children for generations.

Marriage and Children

James M. Sides never married and had no known children. This was consistent with several of his siblings, who also remained single throughout their lives. Whether this was a personal choice, economic circumstance, or simply the way life unfolded on that North Carolina farm, we cannot say. His father's will specifically carved out a permanent home for the unmarried children, and James appears to have taken full advantage of that provision — he was still living on the family land with Noah in 1910, just nine years before his death.

Life on the Farm

Every census from 1850 through 1910 tells essentially the same story: James Sides was a farmer in Concord Township, Iredell County, North Carolina. That consistency says something meaningful about his character. He didn't chase opportunity in the booming textile towns or head west like many of his generation. He stayed put.

From about 1850 through the 1870s, James lived in his parents' household. The 1860 census shows him as the youngest child still at home, age 12, with his father Daniel (54), mother Esther (54), and several older siblings. By 1870, James was 21 and still under his father's roof — now a grown man contributing to the farm's operation. The 1880 census again finds him there at age 32, as Daniel's health was presumably declining (Daniel died the following year, 1881, as did Esther).

The most personal — and honestly, the most charming — glimpse we have of James's daily life comes from a small notice in The Concord Times dated June 6, 1890: "Mr. James Sides lost a very good horse on last Saturday night. Old age was the chief cause of her death." It's a tiny window into the life of a 42-year-old farmer, and it suggests that his horse was a prized companion and working partner — the loss worth a mention in the local paper. One imagines James was genuinely grieved.

By 1900 and 1910, the old family farmstead had become a kind of communal home for a remarkable cluster of aging Sides siblings. In the 1900 census, we find Noah (74), Caroline (67), Sarah E. (64), Archibald A. (59), Margaret S. (54), and James (52) all living together under Noah's roof, along with two nieces — Adeline Lewis (64) and Prudie N. Lewis (41). By 1910, the household looked much the same, minus Adeline, but now including two grand-nephews, John S. Lewis and Henry S. Lewis, both age 24.

This is the picture of a family that held together through the decades, through the Civil War, through Reconstruction, through the turbulent turn of the century — siblings who had outlived their parents and chosen, or found themselves, sharing a life on the land their father had farmed.

Father's Will and Family Legacy

On January 9, 1880, James's father Daniel Sides signed his last will and testament. It is a beautifully detailed document that reveals both the family's economic situation and Daniel's affection for his children. Among its provisions, Daniel specifically named Noah, Archibald A., and James M. Sides as the sons responsible for tending the farm and caring for the family after his death. If they failed to do so, Esther would have the power to rent the land to the highest bidder.

Daniel also named all four surviving sons — Jacob W., Noah, Archibald A., and James M. — as executors of the will. However, when the will was probated in April 1881 (Daniel and Esther both died that year), Jacob W. and Noah both renounced their executor duties, leaving the burden to Archibald and James.

The will further stipulated that the family's home place would remain "a home for all the single members of the family as long as they shall live" — a provision that James and several of his siblings appear to have taken to heart for the rest of their days.

Historical Context: The World James Knew

James Sides was born in 1848 and died in 1919 — a lifespan that encompassed some of the most turbulent and transformative decades in American history.

The Civil War Era (1861–1865)

James was 13 years old when the Civil War broke out in 1861. North Carolina seceded from the Union in May of that year and contributed more troops to the Confederate cause than any other Southern state. Iredell County sent many of its men to fight. By 1865, when the war ended, James was 17. The war's devastation was felt across the South, and the Sides family — like every family in the region — would have lived through years of hardship, food shortages, and loss. The records do not indicate whether James served in the Confederate army, but it is possible, given his age.

Reconstruction and the New South (1865–1900)

After the war, North Carolina went through the upheaval of Reconstruction. Formerly enslaved people claimed their freedom, and white Southern farming families like the Sideses had to adjust to an entirely new economic and social order. The 1870 and 1880 censuses find James and his family still farming in Concord Township — holding on, as many families did, by working the land together. By the 1890s, the textile industry was transforming the North Carolina piedmont, with mill towns springing up across the region. Statesville, the county seat just down the road, was growing steadily. James, it seems, watched all of this from his farm.

The Turn of the Century and Beyond (1900–1919)

By 1900, James was in his fifties. The United States had just fought the Spanish-American War (1898) and was becoming a world power. The Wright Brothers flew at Kitty Hawk in 1903 — just 80 miles or so from Iredell County. The first automobiles appeared on North Carolina roads. James lived through all of this, though one suspects he remained focused on the rhythms of farm life that had defined his entire existence.

World War I began in Europe in 1914, and the United States entered the conflict in April 1917. James was nearly 70 years old by then — far too old to serve. On November 11, 1918, the armistice was signed. James Sides died just four months later, on March 18, 1919, in Statesville, as the country was still celebrating the end of the war and trying to process the devastating flu pandemic of 1918–1919 that had killed hundreds of thousands of Americans — including, possibly, many of his neighbors.

Death and Burial

James M. Sides died on March 18, 1919, in Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina, at the age of 71. His death certificate — recorded under certificate number 7215 — lists his father as Daniel Sides and his mother as Ester Dry, confirming the family connections established throughout his life. His race is listed as white, consistent with the census records.

He was buried the very next day, March 19, 1919, at Concord Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Statesville, Iredell County. The undertaker was Crawford-Burch of Statesville. His grave is unmarked — a quiet ending for a quiet life. A Find A Grave memorial (#127378295) was created in his honor on April 3, 2014, by researcher Mark Lawson.

Quick Reference: Key Dates

Birth:   February 7, 1848 · Iredell County, North Carolina

Parents: Daniel Sides (c.1806–1881) and Esther Dry (c.1805–1881)

Census:  1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 — in parents' household, Iredell County

Will:    Named executor of father's estate, January 9, 1880 (probated April 1881)

Census:  1900, 1910 — in brother Noah's household, Concord Township

Notable: Lost a "very good horse" to old age, June 1890 (The Concord Times)

Death:   March 18, 1919 · Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina · Age 71

Burial:  March 19, 1919 · Concord Presbyterian Church Cemetery · Unmarked grave

Marital: Never married · No known children.

 

James M. Sides is my 1st Cousin 4X Removed.

— End of Biography —

The Case of File W6962: Jane Davis & The Fight for a Revoluntionary War Pension

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Aunts & Uncles~ David Davis Jr. (1758-1832)

 

The “Aunts & Uncles” series of biographical sketches are Artificial Intelligence (AI) compiled narratives of selected individuals from my Genealogical database.  The selected AI will used the RootsMagic Individual Summary from my Genealogical Software, Roots Magic. All genealogical data is my research material acquired over the past 46 years of research. Today's Biography of David Davis, Jr. (1758-1832) was compiled with the assistance of Claude Sonnett 4 and is entitled:

David Davis Jr.

1758 – 1832

Soldier, Farmer, and Patriarch of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Overview

David Davis Jr. was born in 1758 in Marion, Craven District, South Carolina, into a family with deep roots in the colonial South. He lived through some of the most dramatic years in American history — from the early rumblings of revolution to the nation's first decades as an independent republic. A private in the North Carolina Militia during the Revolutionary War, a farmer, and a devoted family man, David spent most of his adult life in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, where he raised five children with his wife, Jane Sloan, and became a well-known and respected member of his community. He died on September 17, 1832, at approximately 74 years of age, leaving behind a legacy that his family continued to honor long after his passing.

 

Parents and Early Family

David was the son of the Reverend David Davis Sr. (1717–1793) and Jane Miles (1720–1772). His father was a minister, which likely shaped David's strong sense of community and moral conviction. His mother, Jane Miles, passed away in 1772 when David was only about 14 years old, so he grew up without her during his formative teenage years.

 

Sadly, we don't have a complete list of David's siblings, but we do know he had at least one brother, John, who had already made his way to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. It was to John's household that young David went when he left home around 1770 at the age of 12 — quite the adventure for a boy that age! Moving from South Carolina to North Carolina as a child, David would have experienced the full sweep of colonial frontier life firsthand.

 

Growing Up in Colonial America

David's childhood and teenage years coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in American history. By the time he was a teenager, tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain were reaching a boiling point. The Stamp Act (1765), the Boston Massacre (1770), and the Boston Tea Party (1773) were all events that would have been the talk of every household in the colonies, including the Davis family home in Mecklenburg County.

 

North Carolina was particularly stirred up during these years. In fact, Mecklenburg County — the very county where David was living with his brother — famously adopted the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence in May 1775, one of the earliest formal declarations of independence from British rule in the colonies. It's easy to imagine that living in such a politically charged community helped shape the young David Davis into the patriot soldier he would become.

 

Revolutionary War Service

When the Revolutionary War broke out, David Davis Jr. answered the call. He served as a private in the North Carolina Militia, fighting against British forces and their allies. Though the full details of his service were unfortunately lost — more on that in a moment — family and neighbors later testified to his role as a soldier of the Revolution.

 

One particularly colorful account comes from the Reverend Walter S. Pharr, who knew David well in his later years. Pharr recalled a story David had told him about a campaign in the western part of North Carolina against the Cherokee Indians. According to Pharr, the Reverend James Hall (also known as Captain Hall) was with the troops, and before they attacked an Indian town, he gathered all the men around a large tree, led them in prayer, and then declared: "Come on boys, the Lord is with us!" As it turned out, the Indians had wisely abandoned the town before the troops arrived. It's a vivid glimpse into what frontier military service looked like in those years.

 

Sadly, David's formal pension application was never completed. His neighbor William Barnette — who served as a Justice of the Peace and drew up David's pension declaration — described how the paperwork was sent to Congressman Henry W. Connor to be presented to the pension department in Washington. The papers were returned with corrections needed, but by that time, David was on his deathbed and could no longer attend to them. After David's death, the papers were given to another justice of the peace named Doherty, who accidentally burned them along with some old papers. It was a heartbreaking end to what should have been a well-deserved recognition of his service.

 

David's widow, Jane, later declared under oath that he had served between two and twelve months, and that he had been a private in the North Carolina Militia. She believed, based on what David had told her over the years, that he served four tours of three months each under Captain Robert Smith. His service was widely known and respected in the community — neighbor William Barnette testified that from his earliest recollection, David Davis "was known as one of the Soldiers of the Revolution," and that he had often heard David talk about his wartime experiences.

 

Marriage and Family

On February 26, 1788, David Davis Jr. married Jane Sloan, who was born on March 15, 1768, in what appears to have been South Carolina. Jane was about 20 years old at the time of their marriage, and David was around 30. They would remain together for 44 years, until David's death in 1832. Jane outlived her husband by more than two decades, passing away in 1853 at the remarkable age of 85.

 

Together, David and Jane had five known children:

 

Elizabeth Sloan Davis (May 31, 1789 – 1857)

Elizabeth was the eldest child of David and Jane. Her middle name "Sloan" honored her mother's maiden name — a touching family tradition. She later appears in the estate records as Elizabeth S. Davis, signing the property settlement after her father's death. She lived to age 68.

Silas Davis (April 6, 1792 – 1857)

Silas was the second child and played an important role after his father's death, co-signing the estate administration bond and later providing sworn testimony in support of his mother's pension application. He was about 58 years old when he gave that testimony in 1850–51, confirming the family records he had known since childhood.

Jane Davis (September 13, 1795 – 1868)

The third child, Jane, was named after her mother. She later married a man with the surname Burnett, appearing in the estate records as Jane Davis Burnett. She lived until 1868, the longest-lived of the siblings.

Mary "Polly" Davis (June 16, 1797 – date of death unknown)

Polly, as she was known, was the fourth child. She married a man with the surname Barnett, appearing in estate records as Mary Davis Barnett. Her Barnett husband (Hiram Barnett, based on the estate records) also signed the property settlement. No death date has been located for Polly.

John H. Davis (1803 – 1886)

John was the youngest child and the one David specifically named in his will to receive the western portion of the family land. John took on the significant responsibility of administering his father's estate after David's death, and he lived to the impressive age of 83 — the longest life of all the children.

 

Life in Mecklenburg County

After his wartime service, David settled into life as a farmer in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The 1810 Federal Census found him in the Captain Duglas district of Mecklenburg County — at that time, he would have been around 52 years old. The census record listed him as head of household, with several younger family members living under his roof.

 

David owned a plantation along Clarks Creek, which he divided among his children in his will. The property included his "mansion house" (the main farmhouse), fields, springs, and the creek itself — all the hallmarks of a working farm of that era. He also owned smith tools and a wagon, which he directed to be shared among all family members as common property.

 

Life in early 19th-century Mecklenburg County was demanding but rewarding. The county seat, Charlotte, was a small but growing town. Farming was the backbone of the local economy, and communities were tight-knit, bound together by church, neighbors, and shared work. David's neighbor William Barnette described living "a near neighbor to David Davis and his wife Jane for more than fifty years" — a testament to the stability and rootedness that David built for his family.

 

Notably, the 1810 census also recorded a "David Davis" household in Marion, South Carolina, with five slaves — however, based on the research in this file, that entry appears to refer to a different David Davis, not our subject. Our David Davis was clearly living in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina at that time.

 

Historical Context: A Life Spanning a Revolution

To truly appreciate David's life, it helps to put it in historical perspective. He was born the same year as the last major conflict of the French and Indian War (1758) and died just three years before the death of President James Madison (1836). The span of his 74 years saw the birth of the United States, the drafting of the Constitution, the Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, and the rise of Andrew Jackson — a fellow Carolinian who became president in 1829, just three years before David's death.

 

David was 18 years old when the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. He was a young man in his twenties when the Constitution was ratified in 1788 — the same year he married Jane Sloan. He would have experienced the building of the new nation alongside the building of his own family. By the time he was writing his will in 1828, the United States was 52 years old — still a young country, but one that had survived wars, political upheaval, and rapid westward expansion.

 

Last Will and Testament

On June 23, 1828, David Davis Jr. sat down and wrote his last will and testament, witnessed by Walter S. Pharr and Jane B. Pharr. The will gives us a wonderful window into both his practical nature and his warm concern for his family.

 

David divided his plantation into three parts. His son John received the land on the west side of the hollow below his fields, running to Joseph Ewart's line. The other two portions, divided by Clarks Creek, were offered to Silas (who had first choice) and one portion to be equally divided between daughter Elizabeth and grandson Thomas Green Barnett. He also made a special provision for Elizabeth, allowing her half of the proceeds from her portion should she have heirs.

 

The smith tools and wagon were to be shared among all family members — but with a practical condition: if anyone didn't contribute their fair share of labor or expense to maintain them, they would forfeit their right to use them. You can almost hear David's no-nonsense, hardworking character coming through in those words!

 

Most touchingly, David directed that his wife Jane be allowed to remain in the mansion house for the rest of her life and to have the disposal of all the household furniture. After 40 years of marriage, his first concern was making sure Jane would be taken care of.

 

Death and Estate Settlement

David Davis Jr. passed away on September 17, 1832, at approximately 74 years of age, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He died before his pension application could be completed — a genuine loss, given his years of service during the Revolutionary War.

 

On April 1, 1833, his children and their spouses gathered to sign a formal agreement settling the parts of the estate not covered by the will. The document was signed by Elizabeth S. Davis, Silas Davis, Wm. (William) Barnett (husband of one of the daughters), Jane Davis Burnett, Hiram Barnett, Mary Davis Barnett, John H. Davis, and Thomas G. Barnett. Son John was named administrator of the estate, and in February 1835, he and his brother Silas signed a formal administration bond before the governor of North Carolina.

 

His widow Jane continued to live in Mecklenburg County and pursued a pension based on David's Revolutionary War service for many years. She gave sworn testimony in 1846 and again in 1852, at the age of 83 — remarkable persistence from a remarkable woman. Though the original service papers had been destroyed, her testimony and that of neighbors like William Barnette painted a vivid picture of David's service and his standing in the community. Jane Davis died on 1 September 1853, having outlived her husband by 21 years.

 

Legacy

David Davis Jr. lived a full and meaningful life during one of the most extraordinary periods in American history. He helped win independence for his country as a young man, then spent the rest of his life building a home, a farm, and a family on the frontier of the new nation. His children and grandchildren carried his name and his values forward into the 19th century, and the records they left behind — wills, deeds, pension applications, and sworn affidavits — give us a surprisingly rich portrait of who he was.

 

William Barnette, who knew David for more than 50 years, perhaps said it best: he had no doubt that David Davis was a soldier of the Revolution and "that was his reputation in his neighborhood." For a man who lived humbly and worked hard, that's a legacy worth celebrating.

 

David Davis Jr. is my 4th Great Grand Uncle.

 

My 4th Great Grandfather, Thomas Davis, is the youger brother of David Davis, Jr.  

_________________________

1. 1810 U S Census, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, population schedule, Capt Duglas, Mecklenburg, North Carolina, Page: 573 (Penciled); Line 11, Household of Davy DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : online July 2025); citing  National Archives Microfilm M252.

2. David Davis , Jr., WILL BOOK: Last Will Book "G"; page 106; Probate Office, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

3. Ancestry, "Revolutionary War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (https://www.fold3.com : accessed July 2025), entry for David Davis, ; Date of Death - 17 Sept 1832; south.

4. Land Deed - Heirs and Legatees of David Davis decd; 1 April 1833; Deed Book #Deed Book 23,; Page(s) page 114; Register of Deeds; Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina; July 2026.

5. Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Probate Files & Loose papers,  Legatees of David Davis decd ; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: online July 2025); David Davis.

6. Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, administrator of all and singular the goods and chattels  rights and credits of David Davis, deceased  do make or cause to be made, David Davis.

7. Ancestry, "Revolutionary War Pension" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed January 2024), entry for David Davis, Pvt;; America.

8. Ancestry,Military Service Records, database entry for  David Davis, LT; https://www.fold3.com/image/13766343/davis-david-page-61-us-revolutionary-war-pensions-1800-1900; South.

 

Sources: Revolutionary War Pension Application W6962 (Jane Davis, widow); Mecklenburg County Will Book G, p. 106; Mecklenburg County Deed Book 23, p. 114; 1810 U.S. Federal Census; FamilySearch and Fold3 military pension records.