Mary Davis

b. 16 May 1773, d. 14 April 1856
FatherJohn Davis1,2 b. 14 Oct 1743, d. Jun 1810
MotherMary Allison2 b. 14 Feb 1743, d. bef Oct 1786
Birth16 May 1773 Mary Davis was born on 16 May 1773.3,4 
Marriage9 Jan 1794 She married William Gray, son of John Gray and Jean McCain, on 9 Jan 1794 in Washington County, Virginia.5,6,7 
Cens-18101810  William was listed as the head of his household on the 1810 Washington County census. Although names were not assigned to individual household members, tally counts in appropriate age categories allow one to infer the presence of William, Mary, their sons John and William, and their daughters Jane, Mary, Hannah, Sarah and Elizabeth (also 2 slaves). However, this census also suggests the presence of an additional male born between 1795 and 1800.8 
  One source states that John and Mary had an additional son named James born in 1796. If so he appears to have died before 1846 and probably did not leave heirs.9 
Court Record24 May 1817  Mary and William were named as defendants in a lawsuit filed in 1813 by Mary's stepmother, Mary Davis, against several of her stepchildren.10 
Widowed15 May 1846  William died in May 1846. His will left Mary several slaves and specific farm related items.11 
24 May 1848  Two years later Mary's son William also died. He had purchased the family plantation from his father and most likely supported his mother after his father's death. The younger William left the plantation for his mother's use but directed that his nephew William Gray (son of John Gray) was to live with Mary and manage the farm for her. At her death William would then inherit the land. Mary did retain the right to make other arrangements for her care if she wished. 
Cens-185021 Sep 1850  And it appears Mary did indeed make other arrangements. At age 71 she was enumerated as the head of her family on the first federal census to name all members of a household. Living with Mary was Robert E. and Rhoda Gray, with Mary (8), Francis (6), Pleasant (4), William (2) and Laura (infant) [Mary's son Robert and his family]. Also living in the home was Ellen James (18) and Walter James (14) [children of Mary's deceased daughter Sarah].12 
Death14 Apr 1856 Mary died on 14 Apr 1856 at age 82.13 
Burial She was buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.13 
Will-Recd28 Apr 1856  Mary's will was recorded in Washington County court on April 28th 1856. She had written it on Dec. 23, 1848. The will left Mary's son Robert Emmett the bulk of her property which consisted of various farm animals and household items. She also remembered her daughter Rebecca Sandoe and granddaughter Ellen James.14 

Related Links and Images:

Mary's will
Other interments in Walnut Grove Cemetery
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed Mary as the head of household number 1561. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family

William Gray b. say 1773, d. May 1846
Children
  • Jane Gray9 (1798 - )
  • John Gray9 (11 Jan 1799 - 27 Feb 1875)
  • William M. Gray9,15 (1801 - 24 May 1848)
  • Mary Gray9 (May 1803 - Aug 1875)
  • Hannah Gray+9 (18 Mar 1805 - 16 Dec 1878)
  • Sarah Gray9 ( - 1846)
  • Elizabeth Gray9
  • Rebecca Gray9 (1811 - )
  • Evaline Gray+9 (2 May 1813 or 3 May 1813 - 5 Dec 1884)
  • Robert Emmet Gray9 (1816 - )
Last Edited16 May 2012

Citations

  1. [S1295] Mary Davis vs Russell et al; Wythe Co. Virginia Superior Ct. Chancery Pleas Records 2: 19.
  2. [S1708] Mrs. Ivie McNees, "Davis Records," National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume XXII, No. 2 (June 1934): 36. Transcribed entry from religious record printed in 1768 lists John and Mary Davis's dates of birth followed by the names and dates of birth for each of their children (also John's first child from his second marriage). The NGS submission included an annotation, presumably by Mrs. McNees that stated: "John Davis md. 1st Mary Allison; md 2nd Mary Curry (said to be a widow) in 1786."
  3. [S1708] Mrs. Ivie McNees, "Davis Records," National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume XXII, No. 2 (June 1934): 36. Transcribed entry from religious record printed in 1768 reads: Mary David her birth Day being on May the 16th: 1773.
  4. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 374. Mary Gray, d. 14 Apr 1856, age 82y, 11m, 2d [b. 12 May 1773].
  5. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 23. Record abstracted as: William Gray and Mary Davis, 9 Jan. 1794 by Charles Cummings.
  6. [S1708] Mrs. Ivie McNees, "Davis Records," National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume XXII, No. 2 (June 1934): 37. Comment added by Mrs. McNees: "Of the children: Mary md William Gray 1794."
  7. [S1248] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book B (District Ct): 262. Will of John Davis, dated 27 Feb. 1809 and recorded 1 Oct. 1810; witnessed by Alex'r Hamilton and John McCormick.
  8. [S1004] Wm Gray household, 1810 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 8, viewed online at Ancestry.com.
  9. [S1637] King Albert Hagey and William Anderson Hagey, Hagy Families in America, p. 193.
  10. [S1295] William Gray deposition in case of Mary Davis vs Russell et al; Wythe Co. Virginia Superior Ct. Chancery Pleas Records 2: 23.
  11. [S701] William Gray Sr. will (1846), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 10: 99. The will was dated 5 May 1846 and recorded 25 May 1846. It was witnessed by Wm A. Preston, Francis Preston, William Lynch and Jacob Lynch.
  12. [S367] Mary Gray household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., District 67, p. 174b (stamped), dwelling 1561, family 1561|Feb. 2005, image 214 of 289. Enumeration includes: Mary Gray, 71; Robert E., 33, farmer; cont. onto p. 175 (stamped) Rhoda Gray, 29; Mary A. 8; Francis C., 6; Pleasant C. 4; William M. 2; Laura M. 3/12; Ellen James, 18; Walter James 14; all b. VA, viewed online at Ancestry.com.
  13. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 374. Mary Gray, d. 14 Apr 1856, age 82y, 11m, 2d.
  14. [S745] Mary Gray will (recorded 1856), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 13: 523.
  15. [S680] William M. Gray will (1848), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 11: 16. The will was dated 18 May 1848 and recorded 26 June 1848. It was witnessed by Connaly F. Trigg, Francis Preston, Edward Campbell and Moses L. Gray.