Amanda Melvina Fitzallen Carmack

b. 24 September 1825, d. 27 February 1901
FatherJohn Carmack b. abt 1800, d. 20 Oct 1840
MotherMary Gray b. May 1803, d. Aug 1875
Birth24 Sep 1825 Amanda Melvina Fitzallen Carmack was born 24 Sep 1825 in near Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia.1,2,3 
Marriage24 Sep 1846 She married Robert Earl B.C. Davis, son of Robert Davis and Nancy McMillan, on 24 Sep 1846, probably in Marion County, Tennessee. [They were first cousins, once removed]4 
 A few months after Robert and Amanda married he wrote a letter to his sister Mary describing Amanda as the prettiest, the smartest, and the best girl in Tennessee.4 
  The letter also stated that he was living with his mother in the Sequachy valley of Tennessee [letter was addressed from Marion County, TN with directions to send return mail to Cheeksville in Marion County] but would move to Missouri the following fall. On the surface this would seem to suggest that Robert's mother, Nancy (McMillan) Davis was still living. However it is my opinion that Robert was actually referring to his mother-in-law, Mary Carmack. It is also not clear that Robert and Amanda ever moved to Missouri. If they made the move they did not stay long as an infant daughter born to them in early January 1848 died soon after birth and was buried in Marion County, Tennessee.4 
Cens-185030 Sep 1850  Amanda and Robert were enumerated living in Marion County in 1850. Robert was 36 and owned property valued at $350, which he was farming. "Manda" was 25.5 
Cens-186019 Jun 1860  Three sons were added to the family between 1850 and 1860. They were listed on the 1860 census as: John L. (9), Robert E. (6) and James K. (3). Robert's worth had also increased substantially. His real property (land) was now valued at $4,000 and his personal property at $5,000.6 
Cens-18701870  The first census enumeration following the Civil War reflected the impact of the war on the southern farmer. Although Robert still claimed land valued at $4,000, his personal property was now valued at $700. The household consisted of Robert (50), Amanda (44), John (18), Robert (16), James (12) and William 7. Also included as a Davis was Rutha, age seven.7 
  Rutha's marriage record lists her maiden name as Carmack which is more likely correct. She was no doubt related to Amanda although the nature of that relationship is not known to me at present. Robert and Amanda did have a daughter, Mary, who was born in 1865 but died in 1866. 
Cens-18801 Jun 1880  In 1880 the three younger sons (Robert, James and William) were still at home with Robert Sr. (enumerated as R.E.C.) and Amanda (enumerated as Manda). In addition, a Mr. Hall and his 9 year old son John boarded with the Davis family.8 
Widowed8 Aug 1885  Amanda was widowed when Robert died on 8 Aug 1885. She was 59. 
Land-Sell9 Sep 1885  The following month 3 of Amanda's sons, as their father's heirs, sold 70 acres of land to their brother James. Amanda released her dower interest in the land. She did not sign her name, but used a mark.9 
Land  Amanda's sons divided their father's land in a series of deeds recorded in 1886. An analysis of these deeds reveals that Amanda's dower land sat on the southern end of the tract which was in the 5th district of the county. In December, 1892, Amanda's sons John, James and William sold their interest in Amanda's dower land to their brother Robert. The deed clarifies the size of the tract as 120 acres but does not provide information as to its specific shape.10,11 
Cens-19001 Jun 1900  The summer before her death Amanda was enumerated as the head of her household in the 5th district of Marion County. Living with her was her 42 year old son James who himself was widowed. Amanda's son Robert and his family were enumerated as the adjacent family.12 
Death27 Feb 1901 Amanda died on 27 Feb 1901 in Marion County, Tennessee, at age 75.3,13 
Obituary7 Mar 1901  Amanda's obituary appeared in the Sequatchie Valley News on March 7, 1901. It noted that she left 3 sons and a host of relatives to mourn her loss. The obituary ended with
"Asleep in Jesus blessed sleep
From which none ever wake
weep."13 
Burial She was buried at Davis Cemetery in Marion County, Tennessee.3 

Related Links and Images:

Amanda's stone
Robert and Amanda's 4 sons; photo probably taken around 1893-9414

Family

Robert Earl B.C. Davis b. 24 May 1820, d. 8 Aug 1885
Children
Last Edited18 May 2013

Citations

  1. [S3154] Jane Sewell, "Davis Reunion," e-mail to D. Powell, 21 Apr. 2012. Jane included images from a Davis Family Bible. The page titled "Family History" includes an entry: "Amanda Davis, Born Sept. 24th 1825". All entries on the page, spanning events from 1820 to 1914, were recorded in the same neat, printed hand. The page may be a supplement to a Bible formerly held by Ben T. and Maud Davis.
  2. [S1714] Goodspeed, "Goodspeed's Biographies of Marion County (1886)", transcription, USGenWeb: Tennessee, Marion County (http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/biosmain.html).
  3. [S1711] Jason Kennedy, "Tombstone pics," e-mail to D. Powell, 3 May 2007. Citing Euline and Mary Harris, Marion County, Tennessee Cemetery Records, 1987.
  4. [S1713] Letter dated 13 Dec. 1846 from Robert Davis at Marion Co., Tenn to Mr. Samuel Eason at Schuyler Co., MO.
  5. [S1765] Robert E. Davis household, 1850 U.S. cens, Marion Co., TN, pop. sched., 7th district, p. 405 (stamped), dwelling 394, family 394, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2007, image 4 of 16. Household includes: Robert E. Davis, 36, farmer, real estate: $350, b. VA; Manda, 25, b. VA.
  6. [S1723] Robert E.C. Davis household, 1860 U.S. cens, Marion Co., TN, pop. sched., 5th District, p. 243 (stamped), dwelling 262, family 244, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2007, image 4 of 13. Household includes: Robert E.C. Davis, 40, farmer, b. VA, owns real estate: $4,000 and pers. prop: $5,000; Manda M., 35, b. VA; John L., 9; Robert E., 6; James K., 3; all boys b. TN.
  7. [S1722] Robert Davis household, 1870 U.S. cens, Marion Co., TN, pop. sched., 5th District, p. 434 (stamped), dwelling 123, family 120, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2007, image 15 of 16. Household includes: Robert Davis, 50 farmer, b. VA, owns prop val at $4,000 & pers. prop of $700; Amanda, 44, keeping house, b. TN; John 18, farm laborer; Robert, 16, farm laborer; James, 12; William 7; Rutha, 9; all b. TN.
  8. [S1721] R.E.C. Davis household, 1880 U.S. cens., Marion Co., Tennessee, pop sched., 5th district, ED 76, page 39C (p. 222 stamped), dwelling 354, family 358, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2007, image 14 of 17. Household includes: R.E.C. Davis, 60, marr, farmer, b. VA, parents b. VA; Manda, 55, wife, b. VA, parents b. VA; Rbt., 25, son, works on farm, b. TN; cont. next page: James K., 22, son, b. TN; William, 17, son, b. TN; all son's parents b. VA; M.R. Hall, 45, boarder, b. TN; John T. Hall, 9, son, b. TN.
  9. [S1761] Marion Co., Tennessee Deed Bk O: 409. The land was located in the 5th Civil District and bordered the E. Valley Rd. on its east side. The sale was dated 9 Sept. 1885 and recorded 5 Oct. 1885. The sellers were R.E., John and William E. Davis as heirs of R.E.C. Davis, dec'd. The buyer was James K. Davis. Amanda Davis released her interest in the tract.
  10. [S1764] Marion Co., Tennessee Deed Bk BB: 315. The deed was dated 6 Dec. 1892 and recorded 15 Jun 1895.
  11. [S1764] Marion Co., Tennessee Deed Bk BB: 582. The deed was dated 12 Jan. 1899 and recorded Feb. 10th.
  12. [S1720] Amanda Davis household, 1900 U.S. cens., Marion Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., 5th district, ED 99, sheet 1A (p. 135 stamped), dwelling 10, family 10, viewed online at Genealogy.com, viewed May 2007. Household includes: Amanda Davis, b. Jan. 1824, 66 [year and age not clear], mother of 6 children, 3 living; cont. top next page: James K. Davis, son, 42, b. Nov. 1857, wid, b. TN, father b. TN, mother b. VA.
  13. [S1728] Amanda Davis obituary, Sequatchie Valley News, March 7, 1901. Obituary from personal collection of Jason Kennedy.
  14. [S1376] Photo courtesy of Jason Kennedy.
  15. [S1714] Goodspeed, "Goodspeed's Biographies of Marion County (1886)", transcription, USGenWeb: Tennessee, Marion County (http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/biosmain.html : accessed June 2007).