Nancy Davis

b. 3 July 1823, d. 11 January 1896
FatherJames Davis1 b. Jun 1783, d. 16 Mar 1844
MotherNancy Smith1 b. 26 Dec 1791, d. 18 Dec 1882
Birth3 Jul 1823 Nancy Davis was born on 3 Jul 1823 in Washington County, Virginia.2,3 
  Nancy was a well known school teacher for many years in the Washington County area. She owned property in her own right - valued at $1,000 in 1860. In the early 1860s she traveled to Texas with her brother Frank but did not settle there permanently.1,4 
Marriage16 Nov 1869 She married James Hays Bradley, son of James L. Bradley and Mary C. Hays, on 16 Nov 1869 according to Washington County records although the 1870 census indicates they married in December.5,6 
16 Nov 1869 She was 46 and he was about 34, a widower with a young son. 
Cens-188017 Jun 1880  Nancy and James farmed land in the North fork district of Washington County. Their household also included James's surviving child from his first marriage, a son named John. Nancy's brother John and his family resided in the adjacent household as did Nancy's widowed mother.7 
  Nancy and James lived on a part of her father's old farm.1 
Death11 Jan 1896 Nancy died of heart failure on 11 Jan 1896 at age 72.2,8 
Will-Recd27 Jan 1896  Nancy's will had been written in February 1891. It was proved in court on January 27, 1896. Nancy left part of her land to her "beloved" husband James and the balance to her brother J[ohn] G.R. Davis (or to his children). John was to pay their brother James $100. She also directed that $50 be paid to Beaver Creek Church. Nancy added that should her husband be indebted to her at the time of her death the debt was not to be collected.9 
Burial She was buried at Davis Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.2 
  James died just three months later, also of heart failure. 

Related Links and Images:

Nancy's will
Nancy's headstone
Other interments in Davis Cemetery
Last Edited14 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S2574] Theophilus Rogan, "Reminiscences" (transcribed excerpt, undated). Mr. Rogan was a first cousin to the children of James Davis and Nancy (Smith) Davis.
  2. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 61.
  3. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 34. Place of birth noted on marriage record.
  4. [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.
  5. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 34. James Hays Bradley, 24y, wid, b. & resid Washington Co., VA, farmer, s/o James L. & Mary Bradley AND Nancy Davis, 40y, wid (marked through), b. & resid WCV, d/o James & Nancy Davis; 16 Nov. 1869. The age recorded for James was incorrect.
  6. [S635] James H. Bradley household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., North Fork Township, p. following 164 (stamped), dwelling 106, family 107, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Dec. 2008, image 16 of 52. Household includes: James H. Bradley, 36, farmer, owns land val at $3,000 and pers prop of $900, marr Dec; Nannie, 47, marr Dec., John, 8; all b. VA.
  7. [S165] James H. Bradley household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., North fork district, ED 98, page 11C (p. 193 stamped, dwelling 258, family 259, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, Aug. 2007, image 31 of 61. Household includes: James H. Bradley, 45, farmer; Nancy E., 56, wife; John O., 17, son, works on farm; Martha Bowers, 30, servant; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  8. [S1768] Fridley, "Washington Co., VA Deaths 1853-1885" online database, <www.Ancestry.com>, Nancy Bradly data.
  9. [S2170] Nancy E. Bradley will (recorded 1896), Washington Co., VA Will Book 25: 259. The will was dated 5 Feb. 1891 and proved 27 Jan. 1896.