James Davis

b. June 1783, d. 16 March 1844
FatherJohn Davis1,2 b. 14 Oct 1743, d. Jun 1810
MotherMary Allison2 b. 14 Feb 1743, d. bef Oct 1786
BirthJun 1783 James Davis was born in Jun 1783 on Walker Mountain in Washington County, Virginia.3,4,5 
  James's mother died when he was very young, perhaps following his birth. His father remarried in 1786. James's stepmother was herself a widow with young children. James acquired 4 step-siblings and then 2 half-sisters from his father's second marriage. 
Marriage14 Nov 1810 He married Nancy Smith, daughter of Thomas Smith and Lydia (?), on 14 Nov 1810 in Washington County.6,7 
Court RecordNov 1813  In 1813 Mary Davis, James's stepmother, filed a law suit against several of her stepchildren over the distribution of their father's estate (John Davis died in June 1810). James and his next eldest brother, John Davis, were not named in the suit and neither man testifiied on behalf of either side. Perhaps, having been raised by Mary, they had a closer relationship than their elder siblings.8 
  James and Nancy lived northwest of Abingdon, on a public road running towards the west in the shadows of Walker Mountain. Nancy's family owned land along the same road.9 
Tax1815  A special 1815 tax assessment reveals that James owned 2 farms on the waters of the North Fork of the Holston River. One included 433 acres, 1 dwelling house, a "cabbin" and barn, and was valued at $3 acre (total: $1299). The other tract was on the Kentucky Rd. and included 125 acres with cabbins and a stable. It was valued at $5 acre (total: $625).10 
Description  A nephew who lived with James and Nancy in 1839 later described James as "a splendid man, some 6 1/2 feet height."11 
Death16 Mar 1844 James died on 16 Mar 1844 at age 60.12 
Burial He was buried at Davis Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.12 

Related Links and Images:

James's headstone, close up and distant views
Other interments in Davis Cemetery

Family

Nancy Smith b. 26 Dec 1791, d. 18 Dec 1882
Children
Last Edited22 Apr 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. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 61. Stone reported to read: James Davis d. 16 Mar 1844, age 60y 9m 14d [computes to birthdate of 2 Jun 1783].
  4. [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: James Davis birth being on June the 20: 1783.
  5. [S1198] Virgil Lewis, "Residents of Washington County," in Virginia and Virginians, p. 716; states James was born on Walker Mt. in Washington Co., VA.
  6. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 16. Record abstracted as: James Davis and Nancy Smith, 14 Nov. 1810 by Stephen Bovelle.
  7. [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: James md Nancy Smith 1810."
  8. [S1295] Mary Davis vs Russell et al; Wythe Co. Virginia Superior Ct. Chancery Pleas Records 2: 19.
  9. [S2574] Theophilus Rogan, "Reminiscences" (transcribed excerpt, undated).
  10. [S2384] Mary Kegley, Southwest Virginia Tax Assessments, p. 104.
  11. [S2574] Theophilus Rogan, "Reminiscences" (transcribed excerpt, undated). Mr. Rogan lived with his aunt and uncle, Nancy (Smith) Davis and James Davis in 1839.
  12. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 61. Stone reported to read: James Davis d. 16 Mar 1844, age 60y 9m 14d.
  13. [S2574] Theophilus Rogan, "Reminiscences" (transcribed excerpt, undated). Mr. Rogan was a first cousin to the children of James Davis and Nancy (Smith) Davis.
  14. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 36.