James Allison Davis1

b. 22 February 1827, d. 8 October 1903
FatherJames Davis2,3 b. Jun 1783, d. 16 Mar 1844
MotherNancy Smith3 b. 26 Dec 1791, d. 18 Dec 1882
Birth22 Feb 1827 James Allison Davis was born on 22 Feb 1827 in Washington County, Virginia.1,4 
Ward22 Apr 1844  James Davis Sr. died in March 1844. The following month James Davis Jr. became the ward of his older brother Archimedes.2 
  Although not particularily well educated himself, James secured a position as a school teacher in Caldwell Co., Kentucky in the late 1840s. During this time he left the Presbyterian faith of his parents and was baptized into the Baptist Church.

In 1850, while residing at Blountville, Tennessee, he was licensed and ordained.1 
Marriage4 Mar 1851 James married Martha Emma Hamilton on 4 Mar 1851 in Sullivan County, Tennessee.5 
  The couple initially remained in the Blountville area where James was associated with several churches. However in 1857 they settled at Marion (Smyth Co.) Virginia where James worked to reorganize the existing church. A new meeting house was erected during this period.1 
Cens-18601 Nov 1860  The 1860 census enumerated 35 year old James and 29 year old Martha living in Marion where James owned land worth $1,200 and personal property worth $500. The household also included 4 children: Robert H. (9), Mary A. (7), William C. (5) and Martha (1).6 
  From March 1861 to Nov. 1864 James served Enon Baptist Church at Hollins [Botetourt and Roanoke Counties], Virginia.1 
Widowed  Martha died shortly after the birth of a daughter Nora Belle on 9 Feb. 1862. The baby died on 11 July, 1862.7 
  A few years later James was called to serve the church at Bedford [then known as Liberty] in Bedford County. He also served many surrounding rural churches.1 
Marriage5 Jul 1866 He married second Susan A. Jeffries on 5 Jul 1866.8 
  James and Susan spent their married lives in the Bedford area. A history of the Virginia Baptist Assocation described James as a man of piety and great missionary zeal. A fellow pastor described him with these words..."Brother Davis was an efficient leader. ...In the pulpit he was strong, and his sermons were thoroughly studied and well prepared. His handsome face, commanding figure, incorruptible life, and earnest delivery added great influence and force to his words. ...As pastor he loved his people, visited them faithfully, and manifested deepest sympathy and gentleness...The people believed in him, followed him and loved him."9,10,11,1 
Children  Susan's entry on the 1900 census reported that she was the mother of 8 children, of whom 5 were living. In addition to the 5 children listed below, family records preserve the names of 3 children who died either shortly after birth or in early childhood: Lizzie (died at two days), Leftwich (died at age 3) and Ella Clark (lived only a few hours).11,7 
Death8 Oct 1903 James died on 8 Oct 1903 at age 76.12,1 
Burial He was buried at Longwood Cemetery in Bedford, Virginia.13 

Research Comment:

The 1880 census entry for James' son Robert and his wife Sarah of Cabell Co., West Virginia, who had been married less than a year, includes two young children (Lydia Davis, age 5, and Frank Davis, age 3) identified as Robert's brother and sister. The place of birth for both children is listed as West Virginia. They were probably Sarah's youngest siblings. Cabell Co., West Virginia birth records include an entry for a Francis Everett born 23 Feb. 1877 to J.S. and Emily Everett [Sarah's parents were John Samuel Everett and Emily Flowers]. Emily (Flowers) Everett died in 1880.14,15

Family 1

Martha Emma Hamilton b. abt 1831, d. 1862
Children
  • Robert Hamilton Davis+6,1 (21 Apr 1852 - 12 Oct 1920)
  • Mary Alice Davis6,1 (12 Nov 1853 - )
  • William Cate Davis6,1 (7 Jan 1855 - 27 Jun 1941)
  • Martha Davis6 (circa 1859 - )
  • Laura A. Davis10,1 (circa 1861 - )

Family 2

Susan A. Jeffries b. 27 Oct 1839, d. 20 Jun 1906
Children
  • Carrie Steptoe Davis10 (24 Apr 1867 - 2 Aug 1908)
  • Nannie Moore Davis10,1 (Aug 1869 - 1929)
  • Sarah Judson Davis11,1 (3 Oct 1870 - 6 Mar 1956)
  • James Ambrose Davis10,1 (9 Apr 1873 - )
  • Richard Tyree Davis10,1 (18 Sep 1874 - 15 Sep 1960)
Last Edited30 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S3157] Kathy Luebeck, "Virginia Baptist Minsters 1915," e-mail to D. Powell, 23 Feb. 2013. Ms Luebeck is a descendant of Rev. James Allison Davis. Her email included a transcription from Virginia Baptist Ministers, George Braxton Taylor, 5th Series, 1915, titled Reverand James Allison Davis 1827-1903.
  2. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 36.
  3. [S2574] Theophilus Rogan, "Reminiscences" (transcribed excerpt, undated). Mr. Rogan was a first cousin to the children of James Davis and Nancy (Smith) Davis.
  4. [S1777] Find A Grave Website (http://www.findagrave.com/index.html : accessed Apr. 2013). Rev. James A. Davis memorial #72994091, Longwood Cemetery, Bedford, Virginia.
  5. [S3157] Kathy Luebeck, "Virginia Baptist Minsters 1915," e-mail to D. Powell, 23 Feb. 2013. Ms Luebeck is a descendant of Rev. James Allison Davis. Her email included a transcription from Virginia Baptist Ministers, George Braxton Taylor, 5th Series, 1915, titled Reverand James Allison Davis 1827-1903. The article states that James married #1 on March 4, 1861 to Miss Martha E. Hamilton. Ms Luebeck notes that the correct year was 1851, in Sullivan Co., TN.
  6. [S576] James A. Davis household, 1860 U.S. cens, Smyth Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Marion, p. 194, dwelling 1277, family 1281, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2013. Household includes: James A. Davis, 35, Baptist Minister, owns land worth $1,200 and pers. prop. of $500; Martha E., 29, TN; Robert H., 9, b. TN; Mary A., 7, b. TN; William C., 5, b. TN; Martha, 1, b. VA.
  7. [S3157] Kathy Luebeck, "James Allison Davis," e-mail to D. Powell, 11 May 2013. Kathy shared family information held by her mother. The original source was reported to be William Cate Davis.
  8. [S3157] Kathy Luebeck, "Virginia Baptist Minsters 1915," e-mail to D. Powell, 23 Feb. 2013. Ms Luebeck is a descendant of Rev. James Allison Davis. Her email included a transcription from Virginia Baptist Ministers, George Braxton Taylor, 5th Series, 1915, titled Reverand James Allison Davis 1827-1903 (provides name of spouse but not date of marriage).
  9. [S2580] James A. Davis household, 1870 U.S. cens., Bedford Co., Virginia, pop sched., Liberty township, p. 88 (original script), dwelling 705, family 705. Jana 2011. Household includes: James A. Davis, 43, minister, owns land worth $780 and pers. prop. of $400; Sue J., 28; Robt H., 18; Alice, 15; William, 14; Laura A., 9; Carrie, 3; Nanna, 1; all b. VA.
  10. [S3158] James A. Davis household, 1880 U.S. cens., Bedford Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Liberty District, ED 19, page 2B, dwelling 12, family 12, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2013. Household includes: Jas A. Davis, 53, minister; Sarah [sic] A., 40, wife; Laura A., 19, dau; Carra, 13, dau; Nannie, 10, dau, Jeddie, 9, dau; James, 7; R.T., 5, son; Mary J. Jeffries, 69, mother-in-law, wid; all b. VA, all parents b. VA.
  11. [S3159] James A. Davis household, 1900 U.S. cens., Bedford Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Bedford, ED 8, sheet 6B, dwelling 110, family 119, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2013. Household includes: James A. Davis, 73, b. Feb. 1827, marr, marr 49 years [over-ridden with 34], preacher; Susan J., wife, 60, b. Oct. 1839, marr 34 years, mother of 8 children, 5 are living; Nannie E., dau, 30, b. Aug. 1869; Sarah J., dau, 29, b. Oct. 1870, all b. VA.
  12. [S1777] Find A Grave Website (http://www.findagrave.com/index.html : accessed Apr. 2013). Rev. James A. Davis memorial #72994091, Longwood Cemetery, Bedford, Bedford Co., Virginia (entry includes photo of stone: "Rev. James A. Davis born Feb. 22, 1827 died Oct. 8, 1903."
  13. [S1777] Find A Grave Website (http://www.findagrave.com/index.html : accessed Apr. 2013). Rev. James A. Davis memorial #72994091, Longwood Cemetery, Bedford, Virginia (entry includes photo of stone: "Rev. James A. Davis born Feb. 22, 1827 died Oct. 8, 1903."
  14. [S3160] Robert Davis household, 1880 U.S. cens., Cabell Co., W. Virginia, pop sched., District 17, ED 17, page 3C (p. 164 stamped), dwelling 20, family 20, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2013. Household includes: Robert Davis, 27, marr during calendar year, brakeman on RR, b. TN, father b. VA, mother b. TN; Sarah, 24, wife, marr during calendar year, b. W VA, father b. VA, mother b. OH; Frank, 3, brother, b. W VA, father b. VA, mother b. OH; Lydia E., 5, sister, b. WVA, father b. VA, mother b. OH; Mary Riggs, 20, servant.
  15. [S2594] "Public Member Trees", database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed May 2013), "Worth/Couckuyt Family Tree", entry for Francis Everett, site maintained by Kathy Luebeck; cited to West Virginia Births, 1853-1930 as viewed at www.familysearch.org.