Nancy Smith

b. 26 December 1791, d. 18 December 1882
FatherThomas Smith1
MotherLydia (?)1
Birth26 Dec 1791 Nancy Smith was born on 26 Dec 1791.2 
Marriage14 Nov 1810 She married James Davis, son of John Davis and Mary Allison, on 14 Nov 1810 in Washington County, Virginia.3,4 
  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.5 
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).6 
Widowed16 Mar 1844  Nancy was widowed at the age of 52 when James died in 1844. 
Cens-18601 Oct 1860  For some years she continued as the head of her own household, which for many years included her daughter Nancy and her son John. In 1860, at age 68, Nancy owned land valued at $4,000 and personal property worth $3,500.7 
Cens-1860- Slave15 Sep 1860  The personal property included 3 slaves: a 50 year old male and 2 females (36 and 10y).8 
  Nancy's son John married in 1866 and her daughter Nancy married in 1869. The 1870 and 1880 census enumerations indicate that John then assumed the role of head of the family, with Nancy residing with he and his growing family. The younger Nancy and her husband appear to have resided on adjacent property in the North Fork District of Washington County.9,10 
  Nancy was known in the family as "the perfection of a housekeeper." She died from the affects of a fall.11 
Death18 Dec 1882 Nancy died on 18 Dec 1882 (headstone) or in Dec. 1883 (county death record) in Washington County at age 90.2,12 
Burial She was buried at Davis Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.2 
Will-Recd26 Feb 1883 Nancy's will was recorded on 26 Feb 1883 in Washington County, Virginia.13 

Related Links and Images:

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

Family

James Davis b. Jun 1783, d. 16 Mar 1844
Children
Last Edited22 Apr 2013

Citations

  1. [S2574] Theophilus Rogan, "Reminiscences" (transcribed excerpt, undated). Mr. Rogan was the son of "Polly" (Smith) Rogan. He was therefore a nephew to Polly's siblings, the other children of Thomas and Lydia Smith.
  2. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 61.
  3. [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.
  4. [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."
  5. [S2574] Theophilus Rogan, "Reminiscences" (transcribed excerpt, undated).
  6. [S2384] Mary Kegley, Southwest Virginia Tax Assessments, p. 104.
  7. [S234] Nancy Davis household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 322 (original number), dwelling 2363, family 2301, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2008, image 322 of 361. Household includes: Nancy Davis, 68, owns land val. at $4,000, pers. prop of $3,500; Nancy, 30, tea com school, owns land val at $1,000 and pers prop of $180; John G.R. 26, Com. Revenue, owns pers. prop of $2,300; all b. VA.
  8. [S1308] Nancy Davis, owner, 1860 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, slave schedule, p. 25 (original script), line 34, viewed online at Ancestry.com. 3 slaves: 1 male (50y); 2 females (36 and 10y); 1 slave house.
  9. [S635] John G.R. Davis household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., North Fork Township, p. following 157 (stamped), dwelling 9, family 9, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Dec. 2008, image 2 of 52. Household includes: John G.R. Davis, owns land val at $3,300 and pers. prop of $600, farmer; Margaret P.S., 25; James E., 2; John H., 1; Nancy, 78; Sexton, Nancy, 19, servant; all b. VA.
  10. [S165] John G.R. Davis household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., North Fork District, ED 98, page 11C (p. 193 stamped, dwelling 260, family 261, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, Dec. 2008, image 31 of 61. Household includes: John G.R. Davis, 45, farmer; Margaret P.S., 35, wife; James E., son, 12; John H., son, 11; Mary E., dau 9; Griffith R., son, 7; Olivia W., dau, 5; Margret W., dau, 2; Henry R., son, 9/12, b. Aug; Martha A. Smith 65, aunt, wid; Nancy Smith [last name implied by slash indicating duplicate of surname above however surname should have been Davis], 88, mother, wid; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  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. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington County Death Register for the year 1883 originally held by the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics and viewed as Library of Virginia microfilm reel #30: Nancy Davis, d. Dec 1883, age 91y, “crippled”, wife, reported by son (unnamed).
  13. [S2171] Nancy Davis will (recorded 1883), Washington Co., VA Will Book 21: 194. The will was dated 12 Apr 1873 and proved 26 Feb. 1883.
  14. [S2574] Theophilus Rogan, "Reminiscences" (transcribed excerpt, undated). Mr. Rogan was a first cousin to the children of James Davis and Nancy (Smith) Davis.