Catherine Shetters

b. 11 November 1790, d. 25 June 1879
Birth11 Nov 1790 Catherine Shetters was born on 11 Nov 1790.1 
Marriage4 Feb 1808 She married John Davis, son of John Davis and Mary Allison, on 4 Feb 1808 in Washington County, Virginia.2,3 
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.4 
Cens-18201820 By 1820 Catherine and John'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.5 
Cens-18301830  In the summer of 1827 daughter Malinda married John Ornduff. The couple may have made their home with Catherine and John.6 
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 1839.7 
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.8 [grandson] 
Widowed1858  Catherine was widowed when John died in 1858. His will left her whatever personal property she wanted, including all the household and kitchen furniture. The remainder was to be sold for her benefit. A later settlement record showed that she received a cash payment of $1,011.9,10 
Cens-1860- Slave15 Sep 1860  John's will also stipulated 5 slaves who were to remain with Catherine during her life and then pass to daughters Jane and Nancy. The 1860 federal census slave schedule recorded Catherine as the owner of those 5 slaves.11 
Cens-18602 Oct 1860  The population schedule for the same year listed 70 year old Catherine as the head of her household. She owned land worth $4,000 and personal property valued at $4,200.12 
Cens-18701870  Ten years later she was was recorded living with daughter Alcey, son-in-law David Bradley and their two daughters. Catherine's widowed daughter Nancy [Ann] Hanby and her daughter Sarah were part of the household as well. They were all probably living on the Davis land John's will left to Ailcey.13 
Death25 Jun 1879 Catherine died of cancer of the face on 25 Jun 1879 in Washington County at age 88.1,14 
Burial She was buried at Bradley-Fraley Cemetery in Washington County.1 
Will-Recd26 Aug 1879  Catherine's will, written the summer before she died, left her estate to daughter "Ailsey" and appointed Ailsey's husband, David O. Bradley executor. Ailsey was to pay her sisters Jane and Nancy $10 each. She was also to pay the heirs of siblings Malinda and Wesley (if there were any) $1 each.15 

Related Links and Images:

Catherine's will

Family

John Davis b. 25 Nov 1780, d. 23 Jul 1858
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. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 62.
  2. [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.
  3. [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."
  4. [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.
  5. [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.
  6. [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.
  7. [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.
  8. [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.
  9. [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.
  10. [S851] John Davis settlement (recorded 1861), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 15: 271.
  11. [S1308] Catherine Davis, owner, 1860 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, slave schedule, p. 25 (original script), line 1, viewed online at Ancestry.com. 5 slaves: 5 males (68, 36, 21, 19 and 12y); 1 slave house.
  12. [S234] Catherine Davis household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 323 (original number), dwelling 2368, family 2306, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2008, image 323 of 361. Household includes: Catherine Davis, 70, owns land $4,000, pers, prop $4,200; Elizabeth Campbell, 23, weaver; both b. VA.
  13. [S635] David O. Bradley household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Goodson township, p. 103 stamped, dwelling 338, family 363, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2008, image 49 of 96. Household includes David O. Bradley, 40, farmer, owns land valued at $5,000 and pers prop of $2,500; Alcy A., 40; Mary C., 10; Anne T., 9; Catherine Davis, 79; Ann C. Hanby, 45, owns land worth $1,000; Sally J., 15; Hannah J. Shelton, 55; James Mumpower, 23, farm laborer, b. NC; all others b. VA.
  14. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites 1880 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedule for Washington Co., VA, Goodson Dist. Hh 7: Catherine Davis d. Jun; age 89; widow; VA/Md/Md; housekeeper; cancer of face; resident of county 89y; Physician, Dr. Baker.
  15. [S709] Catherine Davis will (recorded 1879), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 20: 161. The will, dated 24 April 1878 was recorded in court on 25-26 Aug. 1879.