Eliza Davis1

b. 10 May 1810, d. 16 March 1862
Birth10 May 1810 Eliza Davis was born on 10 May 1810 in Virginia.2 
Marriage12 Jun 1832 She married Absalom A. Beattie, son of William Beattie and Mary Allison, on 12 Jun 1832 in Smyth County, Virginia.1,3 
Cens-18506 Aug 1850  The first federal census to record all members of a household by name was enumerated in the summer of 1850. Absalom and Eliza's household included all of their known surviving children: Ellen (16), Robert (11), Amanda (7), Eliza (5), Frances (3) and Nancy (2/12). The adjacent household was headed by Absalom's brother Madison and included the men's father.4 
Cens-18602 Jul 1860  The 1860 census illustrates the financial success enjoyed by Absalom and his family in the years prior to the Civil War. In addition to Eliza, his household that year included 4 children: Robert, Virginia, Frances and [Nancy] Adelaide [Amanda Josephine died in 1859 and Ellen was married]. Absalom owned real estate worth $10,000 and personal property valued at $20,000.5 
Death16 Mar 1862 Eliza died on 16 Mar 1862 in Virginia at age 51.2 

Research Comment:

Absalom and Eliza may have been the parents of two additional children who died young. The couple's first known child was born in 1833, their second in 1838, a gap of 5 years. The records of Old Glade Spring Church, where both Absalom and Eliza are buried, indicate two children buried next to Absalom's father, William Beattie. The stones, which were adjacent, are reported to have read:

James W. Beattie, d. 9 Feb. 1838, age 1y 10m 24d [b. abt 16 Mar 1836]

Elizabeth M. Beattie, daughter of A. [and??] E. Beattie, d. 21 Feb. 1837, age 2y 5m 15d [b. abt 6 Sept. 1834]

However, I have not been able to fully eliminate all of Absalom's brothers, especially James, as a potential father of one or both children.

Family

Absalom A. Beattie b. 26 Nov 1802, d. Aug 1880 or Sep 1880
Children
  • Ellen Ann Beattie6 (5 Apr 1833 - 28 Nov 1917)
  • Robert Fountain Beattie4 (13 Nov 1838 - 17 May 1905)
  • Amanda Josephine Beattie4 (12 Mar 1843 - 1 Dec 1859)
  • Eliza Virginia Beattie4 (23 Jun 1845 - 26 Oct 1905)
  • Frances Pauline Beattie7 (28 Jun 1847 - 13 Nov 1872)
  • Nancy Adelaide Beattie4 (22 May 1850 - 22 Oct 1900)
Last Edited2 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S45] John Vogt and William Kethley Jr., Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1832-50, p. 11. Absolom Beattie and Eliza Davis, 12 June 1832.
  2. [S3245] "Papers of Mrs. Joseph Smith", San Andreas Lake Chapter, California Society Daughters of the American Revolution - Bible Records - Vol. 58, images with transcriptions. Collection includes images from what appears to be the Bible of Wm H. McDonald and Ellen A. [Beattie] McDonald, published in Philadelphia by Jesper Harding & Son in 1857. The Bible includes family births, deaths and marriages, in varying scripts, for the couple and their children. It also includes a list of of names and birth/death dates for the family of Absalom Beatie, all entered in the same script, with the last entry dated Oct. 1905.
  3. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 34. Peggie incorrectly states that Absalom married a Miss Scott.
  4. [S367] Absalon Beatie household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th District, p. 88 (stamped), dwelling 300, family 300, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2003, image 41 of 289. Absalon Beatie, 48, farmer, owns real estate valued at $4,536; Eliza 40; Ellen 16; Robert 11; Amanda 7; continuing on p. 88b: Eliza Beatie 5; Frances P. 3; Nancy 2/12; all b. VA.
  5. [S234] Absalom Beattie household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., The Western District, p. 441 (added script), dwelling 535, family 523, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2005, image 79 of 361. Enumeation includes: Absalom Beattie, 58, farmer, owns real estate of $10,000 and pers. prop of $20,000; Elisa, 50, housekeeper; Robert 21, student; Virginia, 15; Frances, 11; Adelaide, 10; all b. VA.
  6. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 232. William Hamilton McDonald, 24y, 8m, 27d, sgl, b. Smyth Co., VA, s/o Soloman & Nancy McDonald AND Ellen Ann Beattie, 21y, 22d, sgl, b. WCV, d/o Absolom & Eliza Preston Beattie; 27 Apr 1854.
  7. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 98. William L. Dunn, 27y, single, born Washington Co. VA, doctor, s/o Samuel & Jane Dunn AND Fannie P. Beattie, 18y, single, b. Washington Co., d/o A. & Eliza Beattie.