Francis M. Davis

b. circa 1818
FatherRobert Davis1,2 b. 26 Apr 1778, d. bef 20 Oct 1830
MotherNancy McMillan d. 1824
BirthCircacirca 1818 Francis M. Davis was born in Washington County, Virginia, circa 1818.3 
Marriage He married Sarah C. Davis, daughter of James Davis and Nancy Smith. They were first cousins.4 
Cens-18508 Oct 1850  Francis and Sarah lived in Sullivan County, Tennessee, in 1850. The census enumerated them that fall with 3 Davis children: Mary (5), Robert (3) and James (2), all of whom were born in Tennessee. Also living with them was 13 year old Catherine Hanby [the daughter of Sarah's deceased sister Lydia].5 
  Frank (as he was known by the family) practiced law in Blountville. In 1852 he served in the Tennessee Legislature.6,7 
Migration  In the mid 1850s the family moved to San Antonio, Texas and then to San Saba, Texas. Catherine Hanby accompanied them.6,8 
  However, the Texas venture did not prove successful and the family decided to return east. A family anecdote states that Sarah died on the way to Arkansas, however it appears she reached that destination as her youngest child was born in Arkansas in late 1859 or early 1860, probably just prior to Sarah's death.6 
Cens-18601860  Frank remained in Arkansas for a few years. In June 1860 he was enumerated in Sebastian County where he owned land worth $1,000 and personal property valued at $1,500. His household also included Mary (14), Robert (12), James (10), John (8), William (6), Nancy (3), baby Margaret (8 months) and Catherine Hanby.3 
Cens-18701870  But he soon moved back south in Texas, settling in Panola County where he taught school while his sons Robert, James and William ran the farm. The household also included 19 year old Adelaide Davis and 17 year old Elizabeth Davis.9 
  The two young women were probably the daughters of Frank's deceased brother William. 

Family

Sarah C. Davis d. Jan 1860
Children
  • Mary Patterson Davis3,10 (circa 1846 - )
  • Robert Smyth Davis3,10 (circa 1847 - )
  • James Francis Davis3,10 (circa 1849 - )
  • John Franklin Davis3,10 (circa 1852 - )
  • William Davis3 (circa 1854 - )
  • Nancy Davis3 (circa 1857 - )
  • Margaret Davis3 (circa 1859 - )
Last Edited8 Oct 2013

Citations

  1. [S2289] Jack Hockett, Washington Co. VA Will Book 6 1827-1834, p. 30: distribution of the slaves of Robert Davis dec'd among his heirs, as found in Washington Co., Virginia Will Bk 6:244.
  2. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 25. Entry dated 20 Oct. 1830: James L. Davis named guardian of John, Francis M., Robert E. and Margaret Jane Davis, orphans of Robert Davis, dec'd; bond: $8,000 with John Preston, John Davis and James L. White as sureties.
  3. [S2167] F.M. Davis household, 1860 U.S. census, Sebastian Co., Arkansas, pop. sched., Sulphur township, p. 1103 (added script), dwelling 1053, family 1025, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Dec. 2008, image 24 of 32. Household includes: F. M. Davis, 42, farmer, owns land val at $1,000 and pers. prop of $1,500, b. VA; Mary 14, b. VA; Robert, 12, b. TN; James, 10, b. TN; John, 8, b. TN; William, 6, b. TN; Nancy 3, b. TX; Margaret, 8/12, b. Ark; Catherine Henby, 20, b. VA.
  4. [S2574] Theophilus Rogan, "Reminiscences" (transcribed excerpt, undated).
  5. [S987] Francis Davis household, 1850 U.S. cens, Sullivan Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., 1st Division, p. 71 (stamped), dwelling 859, family 859, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Dec. 2008, image 117 of 231. Household includes: Francis Davis, 23, lawer [sic], owns real estate of $800, b. VA; Sarah, 29, b. VA; Mary 5 b. TN; Robt, 3 b. TN; Jas 2 b. TN; Catharine Hanby 13, b. VA.
  6. [S2574] Theophilus Rogan, "Reminiscences" (transcribed excerpt, undated). Mr. Rogan was a first cousin to the children of James Davis and Nancy (Smith) Davis.
  7. [S1713] Letter dated 24 Jan 1852 from Margaret I. Maxwell at Pettis Co., Mo to Mrs. Mary L. Eason, Lancaster, Schuyler Co., Missouri.
  8. [S826] Peter S. Hanby will (recorded 1856), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 14: 46. Peter's will, written on June 16, 1856 was recorded in court on July 28, 1856. He noted that his daughter Catherine Hanby was living in Texas.
  9. [S2575] J.E. Harvel household, 1870 U.S. census, Panola Co., Texas, pop. sched., Beat No. 3, p. 291 (stamped), dwelling 1035, family 1035, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2011. Household includes J.E. Harvel, 65, b. Georgia; Francis Davis, 53, school teacher, b. VA; Robert, 22, works on farm, b. TN; James, 21, works on farm, b. TN; William, 16, works on farm, b. TN; Adalade, 19; b. Arkansas; Elizabeth, 17, b. Arkansas.
  10. [S1713] Letter dated 14 Apr 1853 from F.M. Davis at Blountville, Tenn to Mrs. Mary Eason at Lancaster Co., MO.