John Davis

b. 25 November 1780, d. 23 July 1858
FatherJohn Davis1,2 b. 14 Oct 1743, d. Jun 1810
MotherMary Allison2 b. 14 Feb 1743, d. bef Oct 1786
Birth25 Nov 1780 John Davis was born on 25 Nov 1780.3 
Marriage4 Feb 1808 He married Catherine Shetters on 4 Feb 1808 in Washington County, Virginia.4,5 
Heir1810  John's father died in 1810. His will left John the use of a specific portion of the family farm; he was to inherit the full plantation on the death of his stepmother Mary (although under certain conditions he was to share the land with his brother James). 
Cens-18101810  The 1810 census recorded John as the head of a household that included (besides himself) a female age 16-25 [Catherine] and a female under 10 [daughter Malinda]. The adjacent household belonged to his stepmother Mary Davis.6 
Court RecordNov 1813  In 1813 Mary Davis filed a lawsuit against several of her stepchildren over the distribution of their father's estate. John was not named in the suit and did not testify on behalf of either his stepmother or his siblings.7 
Tax1815  In 1815 Mary was taxed for one farm in Poor Valley which included a two story 30 by 30 foot house. John was not taxed on the land or home as it had not yet come into his possession. He was taxed for 1 female slave.8 
Cens-18201820 By 1820 John and Catherine's household included 5 children under 15. Only 3 can be tentatively identified (Malinda, Wesley and Jane). The additional 2 young females are not indicated in the 1830 household.9 
Cens-18301830  In the summer of 1827 daughter Malinda married John Ornduff. The couple may have made their home with John and Catherine.10 
Cens-18401840  Malinda gave birth to a son in the early 1830s and died shortly thereafter. The infant appears to have been raised by John and Catherine as a 5 to 9 year old male appeared in their household in 1840. Although not named, it appears son Wesley and daughters Alcey and Nancy were also present. Daughter Jane married Alexander Trigg in 1839.11 
Cens-185027 Sep 1850  In 1846 daughter Nancy married Peter Hanby and by 1850 son Wesley appears to have left the area. John at age 69 was enumerated on the first census to record all members of the household by name with Catherine, 59, "Ailsey", 22 and 18 year old John Ornduff.12 [grandson] 
Death23 Jul 1858 John probably died on 23 Jul 1858 in Washington County, Virginia, at age 77.13,14 
Will-Recd23 Aug 1858 John's will was recorded on 23 Aug 1858 in Washington County. He left Catherine as much personal property as she wished; the rest was to be sold for her benefit. John left the farm on which the family lived to his daughter "Ailcey". He also mentioned son "Westley", daughters Jane and Nancy, and the heirs of deceased daughter Malinda.15,16 

Research Comment:

Two dates are reported for John's death: 23 Jul 1858 (Washington Co. courthouse register) or 24 August 1858 (copy of register sent to Richmond, VA for state record keeping). Both entries record John's mother as Isabelle, which is incorrect. Since John's will was recorded on August 23rd the August 24th date of death is problematic.

Related Links and Images:

John's will, settlement
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed John as the head of household number 1744. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family

Catherine Shetters b. 11 Nov 1790, d. 25 Jun 1879
Children
  • Malinda Davis15 (27 Dec 1808 - before Jun 1851)
  • Wesley Davis15 (25 Dec 1811 - )
  • Jane W. Davis15 (5 Dec 1817 - 19 Aug 1892)
  • Nancy Catherine Davis+15 (8 Sep 1824 - 23 Oct 1882)
  • Alcey Ann Davis15 (28 May 1828 - 14 Jul 1900)
Last Edited24 Jun 2013

Citations

  1. [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.
  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): 37. Transcribed entry from religious record printed in 1768 reads: John Davis his birth Day on November the 25: 1780.
  4. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 16. Record abstracted as: John Davis and Caty Shetters, 4 Feb. 1808 by Stephen Bovelle.
  5. [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: John md Catherine (Caty) Shutters (Shetters) 1808."
  6. [S1004] John Davis household, 1810 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 742 (added script), viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2007, image 54 of 73. Household includes:
    1 male 26-44; 1 female under 10; 1 female 16-25; 1 slave.
  7. [S1295] Mary Davis vs Russell et al; Wythe Co. Virginia Superior Ct. Chancery Pleas Records 2: 19.
  8. [S2384] Mary Kegley, Southwest Virginia Tax Assessments, p. 104.
  9. [S621] John Davis household, 1820 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 203 (stamped lower right corner), viewed online at Ancestry.com, John Davis household: 1 male under 10; 1 male 26-45; 3 females under 10; 1 female 10-15; one female 26-45.
  10. [S578] John Davis household, 1830 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 240 (added script), viewed online at Ancestry.com, John Davis household: 1 male 15-19; 1 male 30-39; 1 male 40-49; 1 female under 5; 1 female 5-9; 1 female 10-14; 1 female 20-29; 1 female 30-39; 1 female 40-49.
  11. [S679] John Davis household, 1840 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 13 (added script), viewed online at Ancestry.com, John Davis household: 1 male 5-9; 1 male 20-29; 1 male 50-59; 1 female 10-14; 1 female 15-19; 1 female 40-49.
  12. [S367] John Davis household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th District, p. 187 (stamped), dwelling 1744, family 1744, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2008, image 239 of 289. Household includes: John Davis, 69, farmer, real estate valued at $2,600; Catharine 59; Ailsey 22; John Ornduff 18, farmer; all b. VA.
  13. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 179. Entry abstracted as: John Davis, 79, d. 23 Jul 1858 of flux, reported by D.O. Bradley, son-in-law, spouse Catherine Davis, parents: John and Isabella [Mary] Davis.
  14. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington County, Virginia death register as viewed on film at the Library of Virginia: John Davis, d. 24 Aug 1858, age 79y, s/o John & Isabella Davis, consort of Catherine Davis, reported by son in law, D.O. Bradley. Note: this date was recorded in error as John's will was recorded on 23 Aug. 1858.
  15. [S2146] Jack Hockett, Washington Co. VA Will Book 14 1856-1859, abstracted, p. 55. Extract of will of John Davis, Washington Co. VA Will Bk 14: 301.
  16. [S826] John Davis will (recorded 1858), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 14: 301. The will was dated 3 June 1851 and proved at court 23 Aug. 1858. It named Catherine Davis and Alexander Maxwell as executors, however Catherine declined.