1791 Land Deed~Benjamin Davis to Rachel Godfrey

Benjamin Davis to Rachel Godfrey

South Carolina} To all whom these presents shall come, or may in anywise Concern I, Benjamin Davis of the County of Liberty in the District of Georgetown and State of South Carolina Send Greeting Know Ye that I the said Benj. Davis for and in consideration of the great love good will and affection which I have and for and to bear to my daughter Rachel Godfrey wife of Richard Godfrey of the County & State aforesaid have given and granted and by these presents do give freely clearly and absolutely give and grant unto my Said Daughter and their lawful Ifsue of her Body three negroes Viz: Jockey Roxanna and Phillis together with all their increases until to have and to hold the said negroes Jockey, Roxana and Phillis together with their increases unto my Said Daughter Rachel Godfrey and her lawful Ifsuse to her and there only proper use and behoof forever but for the Want of Such Ifsuse the said Negroes and their increases must return to my other Children Viz: Ann, David, Joseph, Benjamin William and Henry and their lawful Ifsue of their bodied, and by them to be equally Divided share & Share alike and in farther Testimony whereof I have this day delivered my Said Daughter Rachel Godfrey and put her in possession of Roxana & Phillis in the name of the whole for the above purpose without conditions. In witnefs whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal the twelfth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred & ninety one and in the fourteenth year of American Independence.

Signed Sealed and Delivered}                            Benj. Davis {seal}

In the presence of }

Ann Giles

Abraham Button

State of South Carolina}

Georgetown District}  Before me John Dozer one of the Justices of the Said District personally appeared Ann Dozer formerly Ann Giles who being duly Sworn declareth that She was Present and did see Benj. Davis Sen'r. Sign Seal and deliver the within instrument of Writing to the within names Rachel Godfrey for the uses and purposes therein contained inscribed and that the also Abraham Britton subscribe his name to the Same as a witnefs with her Self. Sworn before me this 27 Day of May 1799. 

John Dozer Ann Dozer

[Register of Deeds; Marion County, SC; DEED BOOK "G", Page 35 and 36, Image 454

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLV-5KSB?i=453&cat=472601]

Benjamin Davis was borne 17 July 1719 in Merion Township, Pennsylvania. Family members left Pennsylvania migrating into Delaware and finally to the Welsh Tract and Marion District of South Carolina. Benjamin arrived in the Cheraw District in 1739. 

On 21 February 1748/1749, William Davis married Rachel Port, daughter of Joseph Port and his wife Ann.  Benjamin Davis and Rachel Port had a family of twelve (12) children. 

When this Deed was executed on 12 April 1791, we can see by the children named that only  7 of their twelve children were named; the other having already passed away. Not named were sons, John, David, James and Francis; daughters, Mary Ann and Margaret.   

Benjamin A. Davis, Sr., died 27 September 1797. Rachel (Port) Davis died between 1800 and 1810. NOTE: Her FindAGrave memorial show that she died in Oct 1823 at the age of of 91. No source is given for this information. Her actual death date is currently unknown. 

Benjamin and Rachel are my 5th Great Grand Uncle and Aunt. 

_______________________

1. Victor Bland Stanley Jr., Marion churches and churchmen, 1735-1935 : a narrative of the Church of England and its successor, the Episcopal Church (N.p.: by The Author, 1938), page 36. I became aware of this book over 35 years ago while serving in the Air Force at Hill AFB, Ogden, Utah.  

2. Land Deed - Benj. Davis to Rachel Godfrey; 12 April 1791; Deed Book #G; Page(s) 35 & 36; Register of Deeds; Marion, Marion, South Carolina; October 2023.

3. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed  October 2023); Memorial page for Benjamin Davis; (17 July 1719–27 September 1797); Find a Grave memorial # 59498864, Citing Benjamin Davis Cemetery; Davis Landing, Marion County, South Carolina, USA.

4. National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, The Register Book of Parish Prince Frederick Winyaw (Baltimore, Maryland: William & Wilkins Company, 1916), page 56.

5. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Rachel Port Davis (1 Mar 1732- Unknown), Memorial # 59499033.

The Last Will & Testament of Benjamin Davis, Jr.

Benjamin Davis, Jr. was born about 1754, a son of Benjamin Davis, Sr. and his wife Rachel Port. He was the third of 12 children borne to Benjamin and Rachel.

Benjamin Jr. first married Nancy Bellune about 1772. She died shortly after their marriage in 1777/78. Benjamin Jr. next married Hannah Dunham about 1779. Hannah was the daughter of Robert and Susan (Burn) Dunham.

Benjamin Jr had two children of his first wife and three from the second marriage.   He wrote his WILL on 21 April 1802. He died very son after writing his will (21 Apr. 1802) and before 2 August 1802.

2 August 1802
Proved the last will & testament of Benjamin Davis [Jr.] late of Catfish planter Deceased by the  oath of Thomas T. Wickham One of the Subscribing Witnefses ~~ At the Same time qualified William Ballune & Benjamin Davis Executors to the Same.  
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-V999-KZ?i=10&wc=M6NW-96D%3A210902901%2C210902902&cc=1919417

BENJAMIN DAVIS, Jr. WILL                         

In the name of God Amen. I Benjamin Davis of South Carolina Marion District being weak in body but of Sound mind memory and understanding thanks be to Almighty God for the same  and calling to mind the mortality of man and that it is appointed with all men once to die I do make, ordain and constitute this to be my last Will and Testament form and manner following that is to say First of all. I recommend my soul unto the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body to be buried in a decent Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors. Once  as to what worldly goods it hath pleases Almighty God to Blefs me with I will and bequeath the same in manner following vis item I will that all my just debts and Funeral Expenses be paid and discharged.

Imprimis I lend unto my daughter Mary Davis wife of William Davis during her natural life the use of the following Negroes and their increase namely Rachel, Crifsey, Jack, Nero, and Peggy together with what  Stock kind and and <sic> household goods and furniture she hath received  in my lifetime and at her decease. I give  said Negroes namely Rachel, Crifsey, Jack, Nero, and Peggy with their increase to the lawful heirs of her body to be divided amongst them share and share alike. Item

I lend unto my Daughter Elizabeth Davis wife of Henry Davis, Jun. during her natural life the use of the following negroes and their increase namely Marceh, Silvice, Phebe, Sam and Paris with their increase together with what  Stock Kind household Goods and furniture which she hath received in my lifetime And at her decease I give the said Negroes Namely Mirceh, Selvice, Phebe, Sam and Paris with their increase to the lawful heirs of her body to be divided amongst them share and share alike.

I will that one tract of land originally containing one thousand acres lying in the Wolf Islands Granted to James Davis one hundred and twenty five acres of which tract he sold to William Baker the Remainder being Eight hundred and seventy five acres sold to Benjamin David as far Deed or Conveyance the above land to be equally divided either by sale or otherwise betwixt my two daughters Mary and Elizabeth at the discretion of my Executor.

Item I will unto my two daughters Frances and Hannah one tract of land on Settle Peedee on on <sic> the East side of said River containing Four hundred and Sixty four acres by Grant to Benjamin Davis said land bounding on lands of Anthony Sweet 

Item I will unto my son Nimrod (page 28) Davis all the Remainder of my Real Estate consisting of three tracts of land for using each other whereon I now live to him and his heirs forever.

Item I will that the remainder of my Estate herein not particular made mention of by me be Equally divided between my beloved wife Hannah Davis and her three children I have by her namely Frances Hannah and Nimrod. I will that Hannah my wife have the use of the of the fourth part of the property just above mentioned during her natural life and at her decease the said property to be divided amongst her three children namely Frances, Hannah, Nimrod Davis.

Item  I lend unto each of my  three last mentioned children namely Frances, Hannah & Nimrod Severally  the  Fourth part of the last mentioned property during their natural lives and at their decease I give said property to their lawful ifsue or heirs of their Bodies to them and their forever namely all the reminder of my Estate which is not given to my two daughter Mary and Elizabeth. Nevertheless in case other of my nice children Frances, Hannah or Nimrod should die without lawful issue the portion which leave or may receive shall return to the Survivor however of them and shall be equally divided share and share alike.

Lastly, I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved friend Richard Godfrey, Benjamin Davis, Jun and William Bellune Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all and every former Wills or Will by me heretofore made declaring this to be my Last Will and Testament. In Witnefs whereof I have here unto Set my hand and Seal this Twenty First day of April in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and two and in the Twenty fifth of American Independence.
Signed, Sealed, published and declared to be my last Will and Testament in the presence of
Thos T. Wickham}
Ann Dunnam}                                                                Benjamin Davis {Seal}
Robert Dunnam}
Proved before Saml Cooper Ordinary of Marion District the Second day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and two.

Will Book 1, pages 27 & 28
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PT-2982-P?i=38&cat=391278

Benjamin Davis, Jr. is my 1st Cousin 6X Removed.

_________________________

[1] Last Will and Testament: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PT-2982-P?i=38&cat=391278

[2] Probate: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-V999-KZ?i=10&wc=M6NW-96D%3A210902901%2C210902902&cc=1919417

Treasure Chest Tuesday~The Marriage of Benjamin Davis and Rachel Port

Those who do research in South Carolina know that early marriage and death notices are a true treasure. My treasure for today is the 1748 Marriage of my 3rd Great GrandUncle William Davis, Sr. and Rachel Port.

I have only found the marriage document in "The Register Book for the Parish Prince Frederick Winyaw ANN: DOM: 1713".

This book was published by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, 1916, Williams & Wilkins Company, Baltimore, Maryland.

The Davis ~ Port marriage is mid-page

Transcription:

1748/9

Febry 21st Benjamin Davis & Rachel Port

Benjamin Davis, Sr. was born 17 Jul 1719 to Evan David, Sr. and Jane Rees in Merion Township, Pennsylvania. Married in South Carolina, Benjamin and Rachel resided in the Georgetown and Marion County area of the State.

Benjamin and Rachel are my 3rd Great Grand Uncle and Aunt.

_________________________

[1] National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, The Register Book of Parish Prince Frederick Winyaw (Baltimore, Maryland: William & Wilkins Company, 1916), page 56.

scription:

Which Mary Ann is the Daughter of Benjamin Davis and Rachel Port?

Which of these two Mary Ann Davis is the real daughter of Benjamin Davis and Rachel Port?

Mary Ann Davis #1
Mary Ann was born abt 1762, the 10^th child of Benjamin Davis, Sr. and Rachel Port.

If you believe on-line trees and FindAGrave data Mary Ann Davis, was married 3 times and had children simultaneously in both Alabama and Georgia.

In 1784, at age 22, Mary Ann married a young man named Robert Commander Dunnam. Their marriage date (1784) is based upon the birth of their firstborn child, a son, Robert Commander Dunnam, Jr. born abt 1787 in Wilcox County, Alabama.

In his Book the David/Davis Family of Wales and America, Harry Alexander Davis had this to say about Mary Ann.

“Mary Ann married about 1784 Robert Dunham, born Marion Dist., S. C. 1760-1. He witnessed the will of Benjamin Davis, his brother-in-law, in 1802. He sold his land to Francis H. Whaley according to a deed dated 21 Dec. 1810. He migrated to Miss. Territory and located in Baldwin Co., later Alabama. He dated his will 9 Feb. 1812, Baldwin Co., Miss. Ter. This will was proven in open court 9 Feb. 1813.” {The Davis Book, page 111}

Attached is a snippet of the signature that also shows that Benjamin‘s sister Ann Davis wife of Robert Dunnam signed as a witness to her brother’s Will.

On the WikiTree website we have the following comments.

“Robert Commander Dunnam, Sr., the son of Robert Dunnam and Susan Burn(e) migrated through Georgia, with his wife Mary Ann (Davis) where he settled in Baldwin District, Mississippi Territory, with his family. He probably made more than one trip from South Carolina to Baldwin County, for there are several land transactions in which he sold his property in Marion District, South Carolina.
In Baldwin County, Robert Commander Dunnam, Sr. wrote his will in which he lists all his children and names his "Trusty Friend", Samuel Ervin, as one of his Executors, along with his wife Ann; son, Robert Commander Dunnam, Jr.; and William Godfrey.”

Robert Dunnam and Mary Ann Davis had the following children:

i. Robert Commander Dunnam was born about 1787 in Wilcox County, Alabama.
ii. Margaret Ann Dunnam was born in 1788.
iii. Frances Dunnam was born in 1790.
iv. Hannah Dunnam was born in 1794.
v. Ebenezer James Dunnam was born in 1796.
vi. Andrew Johnson Dunnam was born in 1798.
vii. Collins Woodberry Dunnam was born in 1803.
viii. Elizabeth Mary Dunnam was born in 1806.
ix. William Davis Dunnam was born in 1818.
Robert Commander Dunnam, Sr. left his Will and died in 1813.

After the death of Robert Commander Dunnam, Sr. in 1813; Mary Ann married Thomas Watson on 18 November 1817, Baldwin County Alabama.

Mary Ann Davis #2

A Georgia FindAGrave memorial list another Mary Ann Davis as the Daughter of Benjamin Davis and Rachel Port. This Mary Ann Davis is the wife of William Whiddom.

William Whiddon and Mary Ann Davis had the following children:

i. Eli Whiddon, b. Aug 17, 1774, Nash Co, NC; d. July 07, 1834, Decatur Co, GA; m. Ludicia Unknown
ii. Mary Polly Whiddon, b. 1781, SC.
iii. Dempsey Whiddon, Sr, b. March 08, 1782, Nash Co, NC; d. Feb 18, 1828, Hancock Co, GA; m. Martha Rhoda Barwick in Darlington Dist, SC
iv. Elizabeth Whiddon, b. Aug 03, 1782, SC; d. Oct 1880, Emanuel Co, GA; m. Nathan B. Barwick, Sr, June 21, 1810, Darlington Dist, SC
v. Sherrod Whiddon, b. Abt. 1783, SC.
vi. Eleaner Whiddon, b. 1784, Colleton Dist, SC; d. Feb 18, 1804, Darlington Dist, SC; m. James Barwick, 1804
vii. William E. Whiddon, Jr, b. April 18, 1793, Darlington District, SC; d. 1863, Henry Co, Al
viii. John Whiddon, b. 1795, SC; m. Elizabeth Gerguson, Oct 11, 1820.
Lott Whiddon, b. Dec 26, 1796, Halifax, NC; d. June 22, 1880, Ocilla, Irwin Co, GA; m. Judith Dorminy, 1816, Emanuel Co, GA
ix. Winnie Whiddon, b. 1797, SC.
x. Feraby Whiddon, b. 1799, SC.
xi. Susannah Whiddon, b. Sept 13, 1803, South Carolina; d. May 04, 1872, Emanuel Co, GA; m. John J. Barwick, Feb 18, 1819, Washington Co, GA
Source of children from Findagrave memorial #27202037.
I haven’t researched this family and have no doubts that her name is anything other than Mary Ann Davis. My soul disagreement about this issue is that she is not the daughter of Benjamin Davis and Rachel Port.

Mary died about 1830.

In Summary:
Clearly, all evidence points to Mary Ann Davis #1 as the daughter of Benjamin and Rachel Port.
She was twice married; first to Robert Commander Dunnam and 2^nd to Thomas Watson.
Her signature and her husband’s signature on the Will of her brother Benjamin Davis, Jr. substantiate her ties to this family.
The Will of her husband Robert lists all their children:
She could not possibly be having children in two different locations, miles apart, in the same year. (AL & GA) i.e. these two
· vii. Collins Woodberry Dunnam was borne 1803 in Alabama. 
· xi. Susannah Whiddon, b. Sept 13, 1803, South Carolina; d. May 04, 1872, Emanuel Co, GA; m. John J. Barwick, Feb 18, 1819, Washington Co, GA

Two of Mary Ann Davis Whiddom's children were born in Nash County, NC. I found no evidence that Mary Ann Davis had ever been in Nash County, NC.

Mary Ann Davis #2 may be a Davis but I have not found or seen any  proof connecting her to Benjamin Davis and Rachel Port





_______________________
[1] Baldwin County, Alabama, Will Books:"C", page 10-11 Robert Dunnam Jr; , Bay Minette, Baldwin County, Alabama.
[2] Harry Alexander Davis, The Davis Family (Davies and David) in Wales and America: genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania (Washington, D.C.: H. A. Davis, 1927), page 111.
[3] https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Dunnam-21
[4] Will Book 1, pages 27 and 28
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PT-2982-P?i=38&cat=391278
[5] "Alabama Marriages, 1816-1942," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : Viewed 3 June 2019), Thomas Watson and Mrs. Ann Dunnam; Marriage Date: 18 Nov 1817.
[6] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 6 June 2019); Memorial page for Mary Ann Davis Whiddon; (1760–1830); Find a Grave memorial # 27202037, Citing Barwick Cemetery; Norristown, Emanuel County, Georgia, USA