Sarah Ann Davis1

b. 22 February 1821 or 23 February 1821, d. 16 September 1855
FatherJohn Davis2 b. Apr 1778, d. abt 1829
MotherJane Ryburn3,4 b. 8 Dec 1784 or 9 Dec 1784, d. 17 Nov 1858
Birth22 Feb 1821 or 23 Feb 1821 Sarah Ann Davis was born on 22 Feb 1821 or 23 Feb 1821 in Smyth County, Virginia.5,6 
Ward19 Jan 1841 Shortly before her marriage Sarah went to court in Smyth County and chose Beattie Ryburn, [her mother's brother] to be her guardian [Sarah was not of legal age and could not marry without a guardian's consent].7 
Marriage28 Jan 1841 She married Abraham Gobble Moffett, son of Capt. John Moffett and Isabel Davis, on 28 Jan 1841 in Smyth County, Virginia.1,8 
Migration Following their marriage, Sarah and Abraham migrated west, traveling with the Pierce family who were from Washington County, Maryland. They settled in Carroll County, Illinois, where Abraham had previously laid claim to a tract of land.9 
Cens-185010 Sep 1850  They were enumerated living in Cherry Grove township in September 1850 with Isabel, age 9, John, age 8, Francis, age 6, Mary, age 4, and Thomas, age two. Unlike Abraham's brother Garner, who had built a large brick house, Abraham and Sarah still lived in the "old cabin."10,11 
  Although the census record gives no indication of it, Sarah was not well. She had given birth to a child in the summer or early fall of 1850. The baby was not healthy and did not survive; family and friends feared for Sarah's life as well.12 
Illness  Abraham and his brother Garner considered a move to Oregon the following spring, but did not go, possibly because by early spring Sarah was sick with "bleeding lungs" [probably tuberculosis].13,12 
ChildDeath12 Nov 1851  That fall son John died from a fever, 12 days after Sarah gave birth to her 6th child. 
Death16 Sep 1855 Sarah died on 16 Sep 1855 in Carroll County, Illinois.14 
Burial She was buried at Wolfe Cemetery in Freedom Township, Carroll County, Illinois.14 

Related Links and Images:

Find Wolfe Cemetery on the Carroll County map (also accessible via the Misc. Locations link in the menu bar at the top of any page).
Sarah's stone

Family

Abraham Gobble Moffett b. 4 Jun 1817, d. 13 Jun 1903
Children
ChartsDescendants of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie
Last Edited4 Sep 2011

Citations

  1. [S45] John Vogt and William Kethley Jr., Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1832-50, p. 33. Abstract reads: Abram G. Moffett and Sarah Ann Davis, 28 Jan. 1841; minister: C. Hutton.
  2. [S1239] Sarah Ann Davis guardianship (1841), Smyth Co. Virginia Order Book 5: 3. "Sarah Ann Davis, orphan of John Davis, deceased... made choice of Beatie Ryburn for her guardian.."
  3. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 8.
  4. [S852] Jane Davis settlement (1864), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 16: 190. James Porterfield, administrator.
  5. [S1258] Clara Louisa Moffett, Family Bible Records, "Memoranda". Sarah's date of birth is entered as February 22, 1821.
  6. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Abram Gobble Moffett-#1 Sarah Ann Davis; #2 Caroline Sterne Tidd family group sheet". This is a typed family group sheet with a notation by the Clan compilers that Francis Garner Moffett (son of Abram Moffett and Sarah Davis) "made this report". Sarah's birthdate is reported as Feb. 23, 1821 Smith Co., VA which conflicts with the date recorded in the Francis Moffett family Bible.
  7. [S1239] Sarah Ann Davis guardianship (1841), Smyth Co. Virginia Order Book 5: 3. "Sarah Ann Davis, orphan of John Davis, deceased... made choice of Beatie Ryburn for her guardian.."; dated 19 Jan. 1841.
  8. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 16.
  9. [S1925] Charles Hostetter, Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Carroll Co., 1822-1879, p. 703.
  10. [S1029] Abram Moffett household, 1850 U.S. census, Carroll Co., Illinois, pop. sched., Cherry Grove township, p. 342 (stamped), dwelling 6, family 6, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2004, image 3 of 8. Enumeration records: Abram Moffett, 33, farmer, b. VA; Sarah A., 29, b. VA; Isabel, 9; John, 8; Francis, 6; Mary E., 4; Thomas M. 2; all children b. IL; Jane McG__, 12, b. OH.
  11. [S1894] Eliza F. Pierce (Plum River, Carroll Co., IL) to Julia Adaline Laird (Linneous, Linn Co., MO), letter, 21 Jul 1850; Laird Family Letters, 1849-1864.
  12. [S1894] Eliza Pierce (Mt. Carroll, Il) to Mrs. Julia Laird (Linn Co. MO), letter, 17 Nov. 1850; Laird Family Letters, 1849-1864.
  13. [S1894] Eliza Pierce (Mt Carroll, IL) to "My dear sister", letter, 1 April 1851; Laird Family Letters, 1849-1864.
  14. [S1259] Sarah Ann (Davis) Moffett tombstone, Wolfe Cemetery, Freedom Township, Carroll County, Illinois. Sarah's stone was located by the author in 1997. It reads in part: "Sarah Ann wife of A.G. Moffett ___ Sept 16, 1855 ____ A member of the Christian Church."
  15. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Isabella Jane Moffett-Isaiah Miller family group sheet". This family group sheet was submitted by Isaiah Miller, widower of Isabella Jane Moffett Miller.
  16. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Abram Gobble Moffett-#1 Sarah Ann Davis; #2 Caroline Sterne Tidd family group sheet". This is a typed family group sheet with a notation by the Clan compilers that Francis Garner Moffett (son of Abram Moffett and Sarah Davis) "made this report."