The Revolutionary Legacy of David Davis

 David Davis is my 5th Great Grandfather

Parents of Thomas Davis

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

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Three Documents Aided in Reconstruction of Family Composition

Throughout the past 46+ plus years I have spent hours researching my family lineage. My home County (Chesterfield, SC) was ravaged during the Civil War with the CourtHouse incinerated by fire along with almost all of its content. This was done deliberately by the Union Army. 

There have been many ups and downs in my research but when you find multiple documents that proves your family composition it's a glorious moment in time.

Such is the case with the documents used to write this particular blog post.   

My research subject was David Davis, Jr. son of Rev. David Davis, Sr. and his wife Jane Miles. David Davis, Jr., the 6th child of David and Jane is my 4th Great Grand Uncle. His younger brother, Thomas, is my 4th Great Grandfather.

David Davis married Jane Sloan on 26 February 1788. 

Both David and Thomas served in the Revolutionary War, Thomas' war record is W-8655 and David’s war record is W-6962. David’s war record contains several snippets of significant genealogical information such as:

i. she [Jane Sloan] is the widow of David Davis who was a private in the North Carolina Militia 

ii. David Davis died on the 17th of September 1832.

iii.  Silas Davis, aged fifty-eight years

iv. David Davis & Jane Davis three first children to wit Elizabeth Stone Davis, Silas Davis and Jane Davis

Birth of four children and wife Jane Sloan

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  

Another Entry

"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 April 6th 1793 

Jean Davis was born September 13 1795 

Polly Davies was born June 16, 1797  

 

That is quite a bit of significant genealogical data in just one document. Next, I came across an agreement whereby the Heirs-at-Law were agreeing to settle David Davis estate among themselves. Not only did it name the children, but it also named their spouses. 

Page 114 110

State of North Carolina}

Mecklenburg County} Known all men by these presents that we the undersigned heirs and Legatees of David Davis decd doth agree to and with the administrator of said Estate to make & have made an amicable division of the unwilled part of the property which David Davis died in possession of - Witnesseth that we do each one for himself and herself bind ourselves our heirs Executors Administrators & assigns to release and acquitt John Davis Administrator of the Estate of David Davis decd of any further charge whatsoever, Witness our hands & Seals this 1st day of April 1833. 

Signed, Sealed &                        Elizabeth S. Davis {Seal}

delivered in the presence of       Silas Davis {seal}

Auste Beard                                Wm Barnett {seal}

                                                    Jane Davis Barnett {Seal}

William Ferrel                               Hiram Barnett {Seal}

                                                     Mary Davis Barnett {seal}

                                                     John H. Davis {seal}

                                                     Thomas G. Barnett {seal}

State of North Carolina} 

Mecklenburg County} August Sessions 1833 

I certify that the execution of the within instrument of writing was

duly proven in open Court by the Subscribing witnefses and

recorder and ordered to be registered.

                                                  B. Bates C. C. C.

Registered November 11th 1833                      

Charlotte No. Ca.                         Wm B. Alexander Rege

                                           - - - - By A. M. Ginn A. D. R.

Mecklenburg Deed Book 23, page 114

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9983-NDX8

The four children named in the Revolutionary War document were:

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 

The Children named within the agreement are:

Elizabeth S. Davis (never married)

Silas Davis 

Jane Davis & Wm. Barnett                               

Mary Davis & Hiram Barnett

John H. Davis 

Thomas G. Barnett - Grandson Thomas Green Barnett, son of Jane Davis & William Barnett 

The 1850-1880 Census shows John H. Davis was the last-born child arriving about 1808. Thus, he was not named in the Revolutionary War File. 

Lastly, we have David Davis's Last Will and Testament

Named within his will is:

• My Wife Jane
• my son John
• Silas my son
• my daughter Elizabeth S. & my grandson Thos. Green Barnett.

David Davis, Jr. Last Will is dated 23 June 1828. I have no idea why Jane and Mary “Polly” (Davis) Barnett were not named within the Last Will.  

Its documents such as these three that makes genealogical research a joyful pleasure. 

David Davis, Jr. is my 4th Great Grand Uncle; his 5 children are my 1st Cousins 5X Removed. 

_______________________

1. https://revwarapps.org/

https://revwarapps.org/w8655.pdf

https://revwarapps.org/w6962.pdf

2. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9983-NDX8

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

52 Cousins~John H. Davis

Today blog post will feature my cousin, John H. Davis. But first a word of caution.  There are many on-line trees at Ancestry, FamilySearch and individually featured websites. Many of these trees contain errors. Please do you own research. The tree posted in this illustration contains errors.

First, in the image, the mother of John H. Davis is not Rebecca Jane Willis. Rebecca Jane Willis may have married a David Davis, but it WAS NOT, David Davis Jr. son of David Davis, Sr. and Jane Miles. David Davis, Jr. served in the Revolutionary War. His Revolutionary War Record (W6962) clearly states that he married Jane Sloan on 26 February 1788. 

This particular tree and many others say that David Davis died in 1838. His wife, Jane Sloan made the following statement:  "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 

https://revwarapps.org/w6962.pdf 

John H. Davis was born about 1803, a son of David Davis, Jr.  and Jane Sloan. He was the last born of five children. His siblings were a brother and 3 sisters. The specific tree that the snippet is a part of has David Davis and Rebecca Jane Willis with 17 children one of which is John Harvey Davis. Beware! Do your own research!      

John H. Davis may have the middle name “Harvey” but I have not found a document that shows him to be John Harvey Davis.

John H. Davis was born about 1803. No exact birth date has been found for John H. Davis. His birth year is based on the 1850-1880 Censuses.  The Revolutionary War record for his father David Davis, Jr. (W6962) contains family Bible entries, but John H. Davis is not mentioned.  

Bible entries

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   

another entry

"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  

[NOTE: Conflicting dates] 

Why John H. Davis is not mentioned is unknown. He is mentioned in his father Will. 

"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." 

John H. Davis, a farmer, married Nancy Deweese about 1826. 

John H. Davis and Nancy Deweese had the following children:

i.      David Franklin Davis was born on 28 Nov 1827. He died on 21 May 1916 at the age of 88 in Huntersville R F D, Mecklenburg, North Carolina. [Note: I have seen his middle name listed as Frank & Franklin.]

ii. Martha Davis was born about 1830.

iii. Jane Elizabeth Davis was born in 1832. She died 25 Jan 1892 in Huntersville R F D, Mecklenburg, North Carolina.

iv. Charles H. Davis was born in 1833.

v Jonathan A. Davis, born 13 Mar 1834, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; married Elizabeth Monteith; died 24 Dec 1918, Concord, Iredell, North Carolina.

vi. Nancy Annis Davis was born about 1836.

vii. Silas Davis was born about 1840.

viii. Mary C. Davis was born about 1842.

ix. Rachel Isabelle Davis, born 8 Jul 1841, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina; married Samuel A. Douglas, 29 Nov 1872, Mecklenburg; died 11 May 1911.

x. William Merchant Davis, born 10 Mar 1843, Mecklenburg County; married Henrietta Loudema Melchor, 24 Feb 1897, Iredell County, North Carolina; married Laura Annette Stevenson, 6 Jan 1876, Iredell County, North Carolina; died 30 Dec 1927, Rowan County, North Carolina.

 

Most of the online trees including the one I took the image snippet from and used above say that John H. Davis died in 1838 in Georgia. Again, beware of what you are copying or accepting as research. There are 3 land deeds in Mecklenburg County whereby John H. Davis for love and affection is giving land to his children namely Jane Elizabeth Davis, Rachel Isabelle Douglass and William M. Davis. (Deed Book 54 & 57).   

I have not found a death date, but I can say John H. Davis died after 14 August 1886. 

John H. Davis is my 1st Cousin 5X Removed. 

____________________

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

2. Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Probate Files & Loose papers, John H. Davis Administrator of David Davis Estate; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: Online August 2024); David Davis (1833).

3. 1860 U. S. Census, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, population schedule, Western Division, Mecklenburg, North Carolina, Page:#102 (Stamped); Line:#34, Dwelling:#949; Family:#1012, Household of John DAVIS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: online August 2024); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 906.

4. 1870 Census, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, population schedule, Deweese, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; Page:#150B (Stamped); Line:#26, Dwelling:#249; Family:#249, Household of John H. DAVIS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: online August 2024); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M593, Roll 1148.

5. 1880 U. S. Census, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, population schedule, Deweese, Mecklenburg, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 111, Page:#421A (Stamped) Line:#4, Dwelling:#NL; Family:#NL, Household of Jno. H. DAVIS; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: online August 2024); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 972.

6. Land Deed - John H. Davis to my daughter Jane Elizabeth Davis; 14 August 1886; Deed Book #54; Page(s) 507; Register of Deeds; Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina; September 2024.

7. Land Deed - John H. Davis to my daughter Rachel Douglass; 14 August 1886; Deed Book # 55; page(s)93.

8. Land Deed - John H. Davis to my son William M. Davis; 14 August 1886; Deed Book # 54; page(s)508.

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~David Davis, Revolutionary War Veteran, Estate Settlement

David Davis, Jr., borne about 1758, a son of the Rev. David David, Sr. and his wife Jane Miles.  He was borne in Marion, Craven County, South Carolina. An early (1927) family history of the family claims that David ran away from home and went to live with his brother in North Carolina. That brother would be John Davis, Sr. and if our birth dates are somewhat accurate it would mean that David left home in 1770 and traveled to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina as a 12 year old lad.

I don’t know if this story is true or not but I do doubt it. One thing is certain, David Davis has been a difficult challenge to research but I do have a few clues to share. 

First, David married Jane Sloan on 26 February 1788 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. In her own words from page 61 of the Rev. War Pension File “She (Jane Davis) was married to the said David Davis, some time in the year of Seventeen hundred and Eighty Eight and that her husband the aforesaid David Davis died on 17 day of Sept. 1832. She declared that her maiden name was Jane Slone—before her marriage to said David Davis & was married in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina before the date 1794.”

David served in the Revolutionary War (W-6962) and his widow, Jane, received a pension after the War. Within the Revolutionary War (W-6962) Pension file there are mention of children twice and also his wife Jane. 

Silas Davis, aged fifty eight years

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 Stone 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.   

In the Pension record, dated 8 October 1851, Jane (Sloan) Davis identified only 5 children as children of the family of David and Jane (Sloan) Davis: 

1. Eliza Sloan Davis was born may 31 1787

2. Silas Davies was born April 6 1792 

3. Jane Davies was Born September 13 1795 

4. Polly Davies Was Born June 16 1797 

5. Jane Sloan was Born March 15 1768  

One of the 5 children was brought into the marriage by the wife and Mother, Jane (Sloan) Davis. 

Another document that we look to was an AGREEMENT amoung the Heirs-at-Law of David Davis.  

Page 114 110

State of North Carolina}

Mecklenburg County} Known all men by these presents that we the undersigned heirs and Legatees of David Davis decd doth agree to and with the administrator of said Estate to make & have made an amicable division of the unwilled part of the property which David Davis died in possession of - Witnesseth that we do each one for himself and herself bind ourselves our heirs Executors Administrators & assigns to release and acquitt John Davis Administrator of the Estate of David Davis decd of any further charge whatsoever, Witness our hands & Seals this 1st day of April 1833. 

Signed, Sealed &                         Elizabeth S. Davis {seal}

delivered in the presence of         Silas Davis {seal}

Auste Beard                                 Wm Barnett {seal}

                                                     Jane Davis Burnett {seal}

William Ferrel                             Hiram Barnett {seal}

                                                     Mary Davis Barnett {seal}

                                                     John H. Davis {seal}

                                                     Thomas G. Barnett {seal}

State of North Carolina} 

Mecklenburg County} August Sessions 1833 

I certify that the execution of the within instrument of writing was

duly proven in open Court by the Subscribing witnefses and

recorder and ordered to be register.

                                                  B. Bates C. C. C.

Registered November 11th 1833                      

Charlotte No. Ca.                         Wm B. Alexander Rege

                                           - - - - By A. M. Ginn A. D. R.

In this agreement dated 1 April 1833 the following Davis children were named:

1. Elizabeth S. Davis

2. Silas Davis

3. Jane Davis Barnett 

4. John H. Davis 

Polly Davis and Jane Sloan were not named in the agreement.  The Mary Davis Barnett (heir) is Unknown.  

Online trees shows this couple with 8-10 children and with a marriage date of 31 May 1787 that quite possible. But, I have found no other documents other than the 1833 agreements, the Davis Book and the 1851 Pension file that names any of the children. The David/Davis book mentored at the beginning shows David with 5 sons, no daughters.  

David Davis, Jr, died 17 September 1832 according to his Revolutionary War Pension file. 

The exact date of Jane (Sloan) Davis death is unknown. We  know from letters within the pension file that she was alive and fighting for a pension due her for her husband’s service in the Revolutionary War in Dece3mber 1852.

David Davis is my 3th Great Grand Uncle. His children are my 1st Cousins 5 Times Removed.

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1. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9983-NDX8

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

3. Harry Alexander Davis, The Davis family (Davies and David) in Wales and America :: genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania (Washington, D.C.: Lancaster Press Inc, 1927; reprint, Lancaster, PA.

The Last Will and Testament of David Davis, Jr.

 Mecklenburg County North Carolina June 23d 1828

Be it know 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 Pharr Jur’t
Jane B. Pharr
 

David Davis was borne about 1758, a son of Rev. David Davis and his wife, Jane Miles.

David married Rebecca Jane Willis on 20 January 1781. His grandson, Thos. Green Barnet,  named within this Will was the son of  of daughter Jane and her husband William Graham Barnett. 

Research data pertaining to the Davis surname during this time period is rare, elusive, hard to find and verify. So this document is a “Works in Progress.” You should verify all data to ensure its validity. 

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

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Source: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/545423:9061?tid=&pid=&queryId=813a0c3df704a7cbe97b31333b7de26b&_phsrc=ngE6&_phstart=successSource

The Last Will and Testament of Rebecca Keziah ‘Kezia’ Godfrey Davis Roberts

 We know from yesterday’s posting that David Davis died in October 1798.

 “Whereas David Davis late of this State and District died on the Sixteenth day of October in the year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred & Ninety Eight intestate leaving the said Keziah Davis his Widow and Seven children To Wit: Francis, Benjamin, David, William, Elizabeth, Rachel and Henry,…”

After the death of David in October 1798, she next married Robert Roberts, a local Planter about February 1805. We know this based on the Land Deed posted yesterday (DB C:112-117). 

It is not known exactly when Rebecca Keziah (Godfrey) (Davis) Roberts died but we do know it was after the death of her 2nd husband, Robert Robert. We know this because he (Robert Roberts) is not mentioned in her Last Will and Testament written on 21 July 1823.

Her last Will was presented for Probate in Open Court on 9 September 1827.

The State of South Carolina} By Edw. B. Wheeler 
                      Marion District}  Judge of the Court of ordinary John C. Bevis personally appeared before me and made oath that he was present & saw the within named Testator Sign Seal publish pronounce and declare the instrument of writing to be and contain her last Will and Testament and that she was then of sound and disposing mind and memory to the best of this deponents knowledge and belief and that Thos. G. Britton and W. H. Greaves were subscribing witnefs to the same with himself in the presence of each other and in the presence of the testator.
Sworn to before me 9th Sept. 1827               John C. Davis
Edward B. Wheeler Ord'y
                Recorded June 12, 1829

These dates  proves that Keziah (Godfrey) Roberts died after 21 July 1823 and before 9 September 1827.     

WILL OF KEZIA ROBERTS

In the name of God Amen. I Kezia Roberts of the State of South Carolina Marion District being of sound mind memory and understanding do make declare and ordain this to be my last Will and testament revoking all others at any time by me heretofore made Imprimis. I will that all my funeral Expenses with all my just debts be paid as quick as pofsible.

Item. To my beloved son Henry Davis I give and bequeath the  following negroes named Nero, Bine, Seburn, Harry, Susanah and Christiana with all their future increase together with my Lands, Stock of every Kind and all my household furniture to him and his Heirs forever but should my Son Henry Davis die leaving no Lawful Ifsue then in that Case it is my Will that the first four mentioned negroes, named Nero Bine, Seburn and Harry with all their Increase, to return and be divided among my surviving children with my two Grand Children. Frances Janett and David Williams Davis Share and Share alike Last I do nominate and appoint my son Henry and my friend John C. Davis my Executors to this my last Will and testament. Witnefs my hand and Seal this 21 of July in the year of our Lord 1823 in the forty eight year of American Independence.
 
Signed Seal'd and acknowledged)                                    Kezia Roberts {Seal}
in the presence of)
Thos G Britton    )
Wm H Greaves    )
John C. Davis    )

The State of South Carolina} By Edw. B. Wheeler 
                       Marion District}  Judge of the Court of ordinary John C. Bevis personally appeared before me and made oath that he was present & saw the within named Testator Sign Seal publish pronounce and declare the instrument of writing to be and contain her last Will and Testament and that she was then of sound  and disposing mind and memory to the best of this deponents knowledge and belief and that Thos. G. Britton and W. H. Greaves were subscribing witnefs to the same with himself in the presence of each other and in the presence of the testator.
Sworn to before me 9th Sept. 1827               John C. Davis
Edward B. Wheeler Ord'y
                 Recorded June 12, 1829  

Keziah Roberts was the 1st Wife of David Davis, my 1st Cousin 5X Removed.

 

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1. Marion District, South Carolina,#1, page 200 LAST WILL OF KEZIA ROBERTS; , Marion, Marion County, South Carolina. Recorded in Will Book 1, Page 200; Image 126.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PT-29ZX-9?i=125&cat=391278

2. Land Deed - Pre-Marital Agreement Between Roger Roberts and Keziah Davis, 1798; 16 October 1798; Deed Book #Deed Book "C"; Page(s) pages 112-117; Register of Deeds; Marion, Marion County, SC; 11 September 2019.

It’s Family Time~John Davis, Sr. and his Wife Mary Henderson

John Davis, son of Rev. David Davis and Jane Miles, was born abt 1741, the fifth of eight children borne to this couple. He and his brother James migrated to Anson County, North Carolina about 1762. The area into which they decided to settled was sliced off of Anson County to become Mecklenburg County, North Carolina on 6 November 1762.

John Davis married Mary Henderson, daughter of  John and Jane Henderson in 1762. Their first child, David Davis, was borne in 1763.

John was a very successful farmer owning over 680 acres of land.  He served as a Private with the 10th Regt. N. C. Continental Line January 1778. Before enlisting to serve in the 10th Regt, John Davis wrote his Will on 24 August 1777. The following is an abstract of this Last Will and Testament:   

Will of John Davis of the County of Mecklenburg; to my dearly beloved wife the third part of my moveable estate & her bed & furniture, wearing apparel; mare & saddle; my wife to live on the plantation whereon we now live during her life or widowhood; and to raise my children thereon…to my son David, land I bought of Isaac Sellers; to my son John, bought of Isaac Sellers; to my son John, 50 at his being 20 years of age, and also bound unto a good workman that can teach the

Page 19

Sadlers trade properly, my son James to pay unto my son Joseph L50, at the said Joseph being 21 years of age; Joseph to be bound unto a good workman that can teach the spinning right trade; to each of my daughters herein after named to wit Ann, Mary & Isabelle, L30; if my wife be pregnant as she thinks she is, I order & it is my will that the child be made equal with my sons if male, and to be bound to a trade; if a female, to be equal to my daughters…wife Mary Davis & Capt. James Harris of Reedy Creek, exrs. 24 Aug. 1777                                     John Davis (Seal)

Wit: Robert Harris, Jr.

William Harris

Robert Harris, Jur.                     Proved 15 April 1778

Will Book C, pp. 10-12 C. R. 065-801-14

In his Will, John Davis named his wife Mary, 4 sons, John, Joseph, James and David; 3 daughters, Ann, Mary & Isabelle and as to this element of the will (if my wife be pregnant as she thinks she is, I order & it is my will that the child be made equal) Mary was pregnant and gave birth to a daughter, Jane Davis. John Davis and his wife Mary has 4 sons and 4 daughters.  John did not lived to enjoy time with his daughter, Jane Davis.

Shortly after his discharge from the military in 1778, John was listed as deceased by May 1778.  There is some conflict here and a precise death date has not been established. The Davis Book (see footnotes) makes this statement on page 51.

"John Davis, Private, mustered 10th Regt. N. C. Cont. Line, January 1778 and DEAD May 1778." (N. C. Records.)

Brent Holcomb in his “Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Abstracts of Early Wills” on page 19 states that the Will of John Davis was Proved on  15 April 1778. For a will to be proven in a Court of Law, the testator must be deceased.

If the Last Will was indeed proven on 15 April 1778 then he most certainly had to be deceased prior to that date.

John Davis and Mary Henderson had the following children:

i. David Davis, born abt 1763.

ii. Ann Davis was born about 1765.

iii. Mary Davis, born abt 1767.

iv. James Davis, born Dec 1769.

v. John Davis Jr., born abt 1772.

vi. Isabella Davis, born abt 1774.

vii. Joseph Davis, born 20 Mar 1776, Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, South Carolina; married Nancy Terrill, bef 1800; married Sarah Wilkins, 10 Jul 1809; died 1 May 1852, Jefferson, Jackson, Georgia.

viii. Jane Davis, born abt 1778.

Related Article:

https://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2019/09/amanuensis-mondaythe-last-will-of-john.html

John Davis, Sr. & Mary Henderson are my 4th Great Grand Uncle & Aunt. 

__________________________

1. Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Abstracts of Early Wills 1763-1790 (1749-1790) by Brent H. Holcomb, C. A. L. S. ; Clearfield Company; Baltimore , MD, 1980.

2. The Davis Family in Wales and America (Davies and David) Genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania by Harry Alexander Davis pub. Washington, DC, 1927. pages 50 & 51.

Documenting the Parents of my 4th Great Grandfather Thomas Davis

Data on the parents of my 4th Great Grandfather – Thomas Davis is very sketchy and limited. A review of data on-line clearly shows that little to no research his been done on Thomas‘s parents and what little information there is mostly secondary information from derivative sources – in other words – it’s junk.  

The parents of  Thomas Davis born 22 March 1760 in Cheraw District, South Carolina are David David, changed to Davis and Jane Miles. 

David [David] Davis was born in Merion Township,  Pennsylvania in Nov. 1717. He was a son of Evan David, Sr. and his wife, Jane Rees.

David moved with his family from the Merion Township,  Pennsylvania  to New Castle, Delaware about 1723.

David  Davis and Jane Miles were married in December 1738, in New Castle, Delaware. Jane is reported to have been born in 1720; there is no documentation for this date and it is my belief to be a “guess” based an assumption of marriage at age 18 (1738) for Jane to David.  

About 1739, David and his family along with his brother Benjamin moved to South Carolina and settled in Craven Co., later Marion District. He served as a member of the militia for many years. 

David Davis and Jane Miles had seven children; their youngest son is my 4th GGFather.  Their children were:

i. John Davis was born in 1741 in Marion,Craven Dist.,South Carolina. He died in May 1778 at the age of 37.
ii. James Francis Davis was born in 1743 in Marion, Cheraw Dist., South Carolina. He died in 1808 or 1809 at the age of 65.
iii. William Davis was born about 1751 in Marion, Cheraw Dist.,South Carolina. He died before 1810 at the age of 59.
iv. Jane Davis was born in 1753 in Marion, Cheraw Dist., South Carolina. She died after 1840. 
v. Samuel Davis was born in Apr 1757 in Marion, Craven Dist., South Carolina. He died between Jan 1836 and Jan 1840 at the age of 78.
vi. David Davis Jr. was born in 1758 in Marion, Craven Dist., South Carolina. He died between in 1831 and 1839.
vii. Thomas Davis, born 22 Mar 1760, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Nancy Rivers, 1787 or 1788, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; died 20 Mar 1845, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
 
On-line trees reports that Jane Miles Davis died before 1772 and that David David died in 1793. As stated previously, these dates are secondary information from derivative sources. They are not sound factual documentation. 

David Davis left a Will dated 29 Apr 1775. Only two of his known children were named within the WILL. They were sons, Thomas and William. 


“and first of all I allow that all my Lawful debts be paid out of my personal Estate.  Also I will and allow to my son William Davis the plantation or tract of Land I now live on adjoining Crowders Creek Also I will and allow to my son Thomas Davis Twenty pounds proclamation money of North Carolina. To be paid to him by son Wm, at the Expiration”
 
Much work remains to properly document this line. It will take actual research in local archives in Pennsylvania, Delaware and South Carolina to accurately document this family history. I don't believe sufficiency data exist do this at home on-line.








___________________________________
1. Edmund West, "Family Data Collection - Individual Records," database on-line, Ancestry (http://Ancestry.com : viewed 3 August 2014), David Davis & Jane Miles; Birth-Marriage-Death.
2. Charleston County, South Carolina, SC Court of Ordinary Will Books, WILL of DAVID DAVIS; digital images, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: copied November 1997); Book TT, page 583, Family History Film: #0023477. Courtesy of S. Tenney.
3. Right Rev. Alexander Gregg D.D., History of the Old Cheraws (Columbia, South Carolina: The State Company, 1925), page 245.
4. West, "Family Data Collection - Individual Records," database on-line, Ancestry, David Davis & Jane Miles.

Amanuensis Monday~David Davis, Sr.

 
Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.

His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Today’s subject is the WILL of David Davis written 29 April 1775.¹



Will of David Davis Senr.
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I David Davis Senr. of South Carolina Craven County: being Weak in Body but of sound Mind and Memory Blefsed be God: do this Twenty Ninth day of April In the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy five: Make and Publish this my Last Will and Testament In Manner following: That is to say: Principally and first of all I allow that all my Lawful debts be paid out of my personal Estate. Also I will and allow to my son William Davis the plantation or tract of Land I now live on adjoining Crowders Creek Also I will and allow to my son Thomas Davis Twenty pounds proclamation money of North Carolina. To be paid to him by son Wm, at the Expiration of Two years after my death. Also I will and allow that my personal Estate be Equally divided between my son Thomas and William Davis and make and constitute and ordain Col. Thomas Neel Esq. and John Howe to be my executors of this my Last Will and Testament in Trust: In witnefs thereof I said David Davis have to this my Last Will and Testament set my Hand and Seal the day and year above written.
                                                                        DAVID DAVIS {seal}
Signed Sealed and delivered
by the Testator and for his Last
Will and Testament In presence
of us who were present at the signing
and sealing thereof.
John Howe )
Davis Neel )
Jean Neel )
 
David Davis was born in Nov 1717 in Merion Township. He signed his Will on 29 Apr 1775  in the Cheraw District, South Carolina.² He died in 1793 at the age of 76 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

David Davis and Jane Miles were married in Dec 1738. Jane Miles was born in 1720 in Pencader Hundred, Delaware. She died before 1772 at the age of 52.

David Davis and Jane Miles had the following children:
i. John Davis was born in 1741 in Marion,Craven Dist.,South Carolina. He died in May 1778 at the age of 37.
ii. James Francis Davis was born in 1743 in Marion,Cheraw Dist.,South Carolina. He died in 1808 or 1809 at the age of 65.
iii. William Davis was born about 1751 in Marion,Cheraw Dist.,South Carolina. He died before 1810 at the age of 59.
iv. Jane Davis was born in 1753 in Marion,Cheraw Dist.,South Carolina.
v. Samuel Davis was born in Apr 1757 in Marion,Craven Dist.,South Carolina.
vi. David Davis was born in 1758 in Marion,Craven Dist.,South Carolina.
vii. Thomas Davis, born 22 Mar 1760, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Nancy Rivers, 1787 or 1788, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; died 20 Mar 1845, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.


David Davis is my 5th Great Grandfather. 




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[1] Charleston County, South Carolina, SC Court of Ordinary Will Books, WILL of DAVID DAVIS; digital images, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: copied November 1997); Book TT, page 583, Family History Film: #0023477.
[2] Ibid.