James N. Davis1

b. October 1798, d. 2 November 1860
FatherSamuel Davis2,1 b. 24 Dec 1755, d. 31 Aug 1842
MotherJane Allison1 b. abt 1751, d. 2 Dec 1839
BirthOct 1798 James N. Davis was born in Oct 1798 in Tennessee.3,4 
Marriage20 Dec 1818 He married Jane Williams on 20 Dec 1818 in Madison County, Alabama.5 
LegateeJun 1845 In Jun 1845, when James's father's estate was settled in Madison County, Alabama, James received a distributive share of $777.52.6 
Cens-185015 Nov 1850  James and Jane were recorded on the first federal census that listed all member of the household by name. They were farming in Madison County. James (J.N.) was 50 years old and listed as owning land valued at $2,000. Jane was 52. She was born in Georgia and could not read or write. Also enumerated were John C. (22) who was working as a mason, Robert (20, Albert T. (16) and Teony [?] (5).4 
WidowedApr 1853  Jane died in April, 1853. 
Marriage He married second Sarah Whitecotton. She was a widow who had previously been married to a Tilghman Hardy Burns.7 
Cens-186016 Jun 1860  James and Sarah were enumerated on the 1860 census just a few months before his death. Their household also included Samuel (38), John (34), Albert (21), Triona [?] (14) and Porter (5). James was listed as now owning land worth $5,000 and personal property valued at $19,000. Also enumerated in the household was Eliza Whitecotton (86).8 
Death2 Nov 1860 James died on 2 Nov 1860 at age 62 although his headstone bears the inscription d. Nov. 1859.9,3 
Burial He was buried at Mt. Paran Cemetery (Graveyard Hill) in Madison County, Alabama.3 
Court Record19 Dec 1860 On 19 Dec 1860 Sarah relinquished the right to adminster James's estate.10 
Probate Recd20 Dec 1860  The following day the Madison County court issued letters of administration to Samuel R. and John C. Davis, with Robert B. Davis, William G. Laxson and Joseph Rice as their surety.11 
Dower16 Dec 1861 On 16 Dec 1861 Sarah petitioned the court for her dower share in James's land which included the Southeast quarter of section 29, township 1, range 2 east, the south one half of the northeast quarter of section 14 and part of one additional quarter. James's heirs were listed as: Samuel R. Davis, Emily, now the wife of Robert Davis, William W. Davis, James M. Davis, John C. Davis, Robert J. Davis, Albert C. Davis, Fridony (?) Davis and Porter Wood Davis. The record also indicated that the last 2 heirs were under 21, and that James, Robert, John and William resided outside of the state of Alabama.12 

Family 1

Jane Williams b. 1797, d. Apr 1853
Children
  • William W. Davis12
  • Emily Davis12
  • Samuel R. Davis12 (circa 1822 - )
  • John C. Davis12 (circa 1827 - )
  • James M. Davis+12 (circa 1829 - before 27 Sep 1862)
  • Robert J. Davis12 (circa 1830 - )
  • Albert C. Davis12 (circa 1836 - )
  • Triona Davis12 (circa 1845 - )

Family 2

Sarah Whitecotton
Child
  • Porter Wood Davis12 (circa 1855 - )
Last Edited22 Jun 2011

Citations

  1. [S1733] Samuel Davis will (1842), Madison County, Alabama Probate Record 10: 24. Samuel's will, dated the 8th day of Jan. 1842 was recorded Oct. 17, 1842. It named Joseph Rice and son William Davis as his executors with Madison Anderson and James Seaton as witnesses.
  2. [S1793] Samuel Davis will dated 1834, Samuel Davis probate file no. 382, Madison County Records Center, Huntsville, Alabama. This will was not recorded.
  3. [S1802] "Madison County Cemetery Records", database, USGenWeb: Alabama, Madison County (http://www.rootsweb.com/~almadiso/madison.htm : viewed Aug. 2007).
  4. [S1782] J.N. Davis household, 1850 U.S. cens, Madison Co.. AL, pop. sched., District 34, p. 359 stamped, dwelling 417, family 417, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2007, image 59 of 67. Household includes: J.N. Davis, 50, farmer, b. TN, owns land val at $2,000; Jane, 52, b. GA, cannot read or write; Jno C., 22, b. mason; Robert, 20; Albert T., 16; Teoney, 5, (f); children b. AL.
  5. [S1735] "1809-1899 Madison Co. Alabama Marriage Index", database, Madison County Records Center (http://www.co.madison.al.us/mcrc/ : viewed June 2007), James Davis - Jane Williams entry, citing Vol. 2:173 of the Madison Co. Marriage Records (license issue date).
  6. [S1734] Samuel Davis settlement (1845), Madison County, Alabama Probate Record 10: 550. The settlement included a list of credits and charges against the estate and a specific list of each of the legatees including the heirs of Samuel's deceased children.
  7. [S1296] Lynn Melberg, "James N. Davisl," e-mail to Diana Powell, 23 Aug. 2007.
  8. [S1803] Jas Davis household, 1860 U.S. cens, Madison Co.. AL, pop. sched., district 1, p. 277 stamped, dwelling 282, family 282, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2007, image 43 of 72. Household includes: Jas Davis, 62, farmer, b. TN, owns real estate: $5,000; pers. prop: $19,000; Sarah, 47, b. TN; all following b. AL: Samuel, 38, farmer; John, 34, "serving"; Albert, 21, serving; Triona (f), 14; Porter, 5; Eliza Whitecotton, 86, b. VA.
  9. [S1296] Lynn Melberg, "Samuel Davis Jr. material," e-mail to Diana Powell, 21 Aug. 2007. Lynn cites the Pauline Jones Gandrud collection titled Alabama Records, Vol 134, "Madison Co. D Surnames" and in turn Gandrud cites Madison Co. Probate Record 1860-1868, p. 126, which includes the petition for letters of administration on the estate of James N. Davis dec'd.
  10. [S1296] Lynn Melberg, "Samuel Davis Jr. material," e-mail to Diana Powell, 21 Aug. 2007. Lynn cites the Pauline Jones Gandrud collection titled Alabama Records, Vol 134, "Madison Co. D Surnames" and in turn Gandrud cites Madison Co. Probate Record 26, p. 261.
  11. [S1296] Lynn Melberg, "Samuel Davis Jr. material," e-mail to Diana Powell, 21 Aug. 2007. Lynn cites the Pauline Jones Gandrud collection titled Alabama Records, Vol 134, "Madison Co. D Surnames" and in turn Gandrud cites Madison Co. Probate Minutes 9, p. 12 and Probate Record 1860-1868, p. 126.
  12. [S1296] Lynn Melberg, "Samuel Davis Jr. material," e-mail to Diana Powell, 21 Aug. 2007. Lynn cites the Pauline Jones Gandrud collection titled Alabama Records, Vol 134, "Madison Co. D Surnames" and in turn Gandrud cites Madison Co. Probate Record 1860-1868, p. 164, which includes the petition of Sarah Davis for dower in the lands James N. Davis, dec'd (includes list of heirs).