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> William Davis
The author (Marty Grant)
is a 5th Great Grandson of William Davis and Frances
Carpenter.
Special thanks are owed to many researchers for
data shared on this family. First to Orville Wright Davis who wrote "The Davis
Family Record". Next to Evelyn Rice Tharp and several of my cousins who have
shared data with me over the years on various parts of this family, including
Joy Locke, Winona Picarski and many others.
William M. Davis has written an excellent
Military History of William
Davis' military service (French and Indian War and Revolutionary War).
Get yourself a copy of his book.
William Davis was born ca 1730/1740, probably in
Virginia. I think he was born either in 1733 but I don't have absolute proof of
that. His 1830 census entry showed him to be in his 90's which proves he was
born between 1730 and 1740. His 1840 census entry shows him to be 100 or more,
so that proves he was born before 1740. These two records certainly give us the
decade of his birth.
Family legends tell us that he
was 117 or 127 or some other very advanced age when he died. Those seem to be
off by quite a bit. "Uncle Jake" Carpenter (Jacob
Carpenter 1833-1920), a grand nephew of William Davis, reported his death
date in his diary, known as his "Anthology
of Death". He reported William's age as "100.8". Uncle Jake's grammar wasn't
the best and it isn't clear whether he meant 108 years or 100 years and 8
months. If it is 108 then William was born ca 1733. If it was 100 and 8 months,
then he was born ca Feb 1741. This latter interpretation doesn't match the 1830
or 1840 census entries, so it must be the wrong meaning. I think Uncle Jake
meant that William was 108 years old when he died putting his birth around 1733.
Uncle Jake was only eight years
old when William Davis died, so it is obvious he made his diary entry many years
later, but he was still close enough to the event to be considered reasonably
accurate. It was much later that his age started to "grow" with each retelling.
I think that the evidence mentioned above clearly
shows that William Davis was born ca 1730/1740, quite likely ca 1733. That
leaves his birth place as the next item to prove.
Several conflicting family traditions
and researchers have him
born in different places. One legend has him born in England, another in Wales.
One story has him stowing away on a ship and coming to America while still
young. One published source has him born in
Pennsylvania. I believe all of these are incorrect.
William Davis was born in Virginia
without a doubt.
William didn't live long enough to be listed on a census that included the birth
place, but the 1880 census did have a column for where a person's parents were
born. William's daughter Elizabeth Davis Vaughn Vance (1796-1883) was listed on
that census. She reported that her father was born in Virginia. William's oldest
son John Davis (1798-1881) was also listed on the 1880 census, and he also
reported his father's birth place as Virginia. William's son Thomas Davis
(c1805) was also listed in 1880, and just like the others, he listed his
father's birth place as Virginia. The only "Fly in the ointment" for this theory
is William's daughter Frances Davis Burleson (1808-1892). Her 1880 census entry
lists her father's birth place as North Carolina. Those four were William Davis'
only surviving children as of 1880, and three of the four reported his birth
place as Virginia. That is pretty conclusive, even though it is secondary
evidence.
Although the 1880 census entries do prove that William was
born in Virginia, they don't tell us where he was born in Virginia. Based on the
research of William M. Davis, it seems
likely that William Davis was born in Fairfax County, or at least he lived there
while still fairly young, if not actually born in that county.
The next mystery to solve is who
were William Davis' parents? That question remains unanswered. Research in
Fairfax Co., VA may turn up the answer or at least some clues.
Some published information
suggests that our William Davis was living in the Frederick Co., VA area with
brothers John Davis, Richard Davis and Thomas Davis. It now seems likely that
the Frederick County man was a different person.
William Davis' early life is
mostly unknown. William M. Davis has
done some meticulous
research into the military records and has found some interesting items on William Davis
service in the
French and Indian War as well as the Revolutionary War from
Virginia. Check out his book for details. These records do seem to show William
in the Fairfax County area before the Revolutionary War.
William Davis married someone (name unknown) and by her
had three daughters. William's grandson
Isaac Thomas Davis (1828-1915) said that William's wife proved unfaithful
and William left her. In his Will, William made an interesting, if not cryptic,
remark which seems to confirm what Isaac Thomas Davis said. William named his
three daughters by his first wife, then said:
" ... These being all the children which my
first wife had that were mine or ever claimed or acknowledged by me."
The sentence seems to say she
had other children, but they weren't his.
I have not found a record of who William's first
wife was, nor where and when they married. A few researchers have suggested that
she was Mary Miller daughter of
Christian and Veronica Miller
of Surry Co, NC. Christian did have a daughter named Mary, who did marry a Davis
(as named in his 1785 Will). Furthermore a William Davis was in Surry Co., NC at that time, and lived near the Miller's,
and witnessed a deed from Christian Miller to George Long. These two facts by
themselves aren't enough to make the leap that this Mary Miller Davis was
married to this William Davis, though she may have been married to someone named
"William Davis" (her husband's given name is unproven). The complicating factor
is that William Davis (the William we are studying) later married Christian
Miller's granddaughter Frances Carpenter in the same area about the same time
(ca 1786). So that clearly shows a connection between the families. However,
based only on the above, I'm not ready to make the statement that our William's
first wife was Mary Miller, but I'm not dismissing it either. Much more research
is needed to prove or disprove the possibility.
William Davis apparently resided in Mecklenburg
Co., NC sometime after the war. In his Will, he referred to himself as
"formerly of Mecklinburg County, but for many years past a resident of Burke,
now Yancey ...". Since there was a Mecklenburg County in both North Carolina and
in Virginia, I can't be sure which he was claiming, since he didn't say what
state. North Carolina seems most likely though.
There were lots of Davis families in Mecklenburg
County, NC, including several named William in the pre 1790 timeframe. I have
not done much research in this county at all, so don't know if any of them were
our William.
William Davis married Frances Carpenter
sometime between ca 1786 and 1795. Frances ("Franky") was a daughter of
Mathias Carpenter and Elizabeth
Miller. The Carpenters were living in Surry Co., NC on South
Deep Creek in the 1786 timeframe. This is present day Yadkin County.
We don't know when William and Franky married
exactly. Their first known child was born ca 1794/95. If they married ca 1786,
they would have married in Surry Co, NC where her family lived. If it was closer
to 1795, then they would have married in Wilkes (now Ashe) Co, NC where the
family moved ca 1792. In either case, we don't know how they met, or if
William was living nearby temporarily, or what.
Some family tradition (and this is shown in an
early DAR application for this family) shows Franky as a "Weatherman" and not a Carpenter. Some have speculated that she was married prior to William Davis,
and widowed soon after marriage. This may well be, but I've found no evidence to
support it. However, Mathias Carpenter had a neighbor in Surry Co., NC named
Christian Weatherman. He had (according to several Weatherman researchers) a son
who apparently died, though of marriageable age. If Franky was married to a Mr.
Weatherman, it was likely that son of Christian Weatherman.
William Davis obtained land in the Three Mile
Creek area of old Burke County, NC. This is part of the Toe River Valley system,
and this area later became Yancey County (in
1833), then became Mitchell County (in 1861), then finally became Avery County
(in 1911). I don't currently have record of when William obtained his first land
there, but it was probably in the 1780's.
William Davis was listed on the 1790 census in
Burke County, NC. There were two William's listed there, so some analysis is
necessary to determine which was "our" William. The first one, on page 108 (of
the published version) was in the 7th Company. I feel that is the William Davis
who lived in what later became McDowell County, but I'm not totally sure. He had
2 males over 16, 2 males under 16, and 2 females. "Our" William was on page 109,
in the 9th Company. Some of his neighbors had names familiar to the area that
later became Yancey County, though I didn't recognize his closest neighbors
(Samuel Ramsey and William Thornton). It is possible that neither of these are
our William. Neither is a perfect match.
1790 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1790 Burke Co, NC pg 109 William Davis 2-0-2-0-0
Analysis:
2 Male(s) 16 and Up (before 1774) William DAVIS (1730/40)
Son? (bef 1774) --> gone by 1800
2 Female(s) any age (before 1790) Frances CARPENTER Davis (1771) wife
Daughter?
For the 1800 census, William Davis was in Burke
County, NC. There were three William's listed. This census was alphabetical, so
we can't tell who lived where, but based on a careful analysis, I think I have
chosen the correct one.
1800 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1800 Burke Co, NC pg 742 William Davis 10001-21110
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 45 & up (before 1755) William DAVIS (1730/40)
1 Male(s) 0-9 (1790-1800) John DAVIS (1798) son
1 Female(s) 26-44 (1755-1774) Frances CARPENTER Davis (1771) wife
1 Female(s) 16-25 (1774-1784) Mary DAVIS, daughter
1 Female(s) 10-15 (1784-1790) Sarah DAVIS, daughter
2 Female(s) 0-9 (1790-1800) Nancy DAVIS (1794/95) daughter
Elizabeth DAVIS (1795/96) daughter
For the 1810 census, William Davis was in Burke
County. There were only two William's listed, easily distinguished from one
another, I believe. Interestingly, they were listed very near each other on the
same page. Our William was next door to his brother-in-law
Jacob Carpenter and Joseph
Cantrell on the other side (who might be his son-in-law).
1810 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1810 Burke Co, NC pg 320 William Davis 21001-22011
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 45 and up (bef 1765) William DAVIS (1730/40)
1 Male(s) 10-15 (1794-1800) John DAVIS (1798) son
2 Male(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) Jacob DAVIS (1799/1800) son
Thomas DAVIS (1804/05) son
1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1765) Sister?, Sister-in-law?
1 Female(s) 26-44 (1765-1784) Frances CARPENTER Davis (1771) wife
2 Female(s) 10-15 (1794-1800) Nancy DAVIS (1794/95) daughter
Elizabeth DAVIS (1795/96) daughter
2 Female(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) Margaret DAVIS (1803/04) daughter
Frances DAVIS (1808) daughter
William Davis was listed on the 1815 tax list in
Burke County in Captain White's company. He had 160 acres on Three Mile Creek,
and other tracts of 140 acres, 100 acres, 100 acres, and 100 acres on branch of
the Linville River.
In 1820, there were two William Davis' in Burke,
but ours was the oldest one. He was listed next to Charles Hughes and his
son-in-law Thomas Burleson, and his brother-in-law
Jacob Carpenter was two
houses away.
1820 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1820 Burke Co, NC pg 61 William Davis 011201-12001
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 45 & up (before 1775) William DAVIS (1730/40)
2 Male(s) 16-25 (1794-1804) John DAVIS (1798) son
Jacob DAVIS (1801/02) son
1 Male(s) 16-17 (1802-1804) *
1 Male(s) 10-15 (1804-1810) Thomas DAVIS (1804/05) son
1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1775) Frances CARPENTER Davis (1771) wife
2 Female(s) 10-15 (1804-1810) Margaret DAVIS (1803/04) daughter
Frances DAVIS (1808) daughter
1 Female(s) 0-9 (1810-1820) Rachel DAVIS (1810) daughter
For the 1830 census, there was only one William
Davis in Burke County, ours. He is listed between John Ollis and Lodowick Oakes.
His brother-in-law Jacob
Carpenter was two houses away, and other relatives were nearby as well.
William Davis was listed in the age 90-99 column, or born ca 1730/40.
1830 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Burke County, NC pg 196 William Davis 0000100000010-0000100100000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 90-99 (1730-1740) William DAVIS (1730/40)
1 Male(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) Thomas DAVIS (1804/05) son
1 Female(s) 50-59 (1770-1780) Frances CARPENTER Davis (1771) wife
1 Female(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) Rachel DAVIS (1810) daughter
In 1833, a section of Burke County, including the
Three Mile Creek region was cut off to form Yancey County.
In October 1835, Franky's father
Mathias Carpenter died in Ashe
County. His heirs made a number of deeds among themselves dividing the estate.
"Frances Davis" was named on all these deeds, along with Jacob
Davis, her son. Her married sisters were listed with their husbands, and in
each case, it was the husband first, then the wife, but in Frances' case, it was
her name first, then Jacob Davis (some have interpreted this record to indicate
that Frances Carpenter was married to Jacob Davis, but that is incorrect). My
theory is that due to William Davis' advanced age (about 100 by 1835), he was
not able to go to Ashe County. His son Jacob Davis was already living there, so
he acted on behalf of his father in regards to the Mathias Carpenter estate. The
question is whether Jacob Davis obtained the land for himself, or as agent for
his father. If for himself, that could explain why he was left out of his
father's Will the following year.
William Davis made his Will on 9 May 1836, 5 years
before he died. He named his wife, and most of his children, leaving out son
Jacob Davis for some reason. This is recorded in Yancey Co,
NC Will Book 1 page 353.
In the name of God, Amen, I William DAVIS,
formerly of Mecklinburg County, but for many years past a resident of Burke,
now Yancey County in the state of North Carolina being advanced in years and
infirm of Body, but of sound mind and disposing memory calling to mind the
uncertainty of life and the certainty of death do hereby make ordain and
publish this as my last will and testament. To wit:
Item first. After commanding my soul to God who
gave it I desire that my body may be descently intered after my decease at the
graveyard on the plantation on which I know reside at the expense of my estate
and by me executors herein after named in this Will.
Item the second. To my daughters Betsy
CANTREL, Sally ROWAN and the heirs of Polly BROWNING in addition to
what I gave them when they left me, I give and bequeth to Betsy CANTREL
one dollar. To the heirs of Polly BROWNING one dollar and to the heirs
of my daughter Sally ROWAN thirty dollars in property. These being all
the children which my first wife had that were mine or ever claimed or
acknowledged by me.
Item the third. I give and bequeth to my beloved
wife Frances as much of my household and kitchen furniture and bedding
as she may choose to keep for her own use, two cows and calves to be selected
by her out of my stock and a horse team out of my stock to be worth fifty
dollars and fifty dollars in money for her comfortable support during her
life.
Item the fourth. I give and bequeth all the
residue of my bedding, household and kitchen furniture to my five daughters
Nancy BURLESON, Elizabeth VANCE, Margaret WISE, Franky BURLESON and
Rachel DAVIS to be equally divided between them, share and share alike.
Item fifth. All the Residue of my property not
contained in the bequeth all ready made consisting of slaves, horses, cattle,
hogs, sheep, money on hand, notes and accounts and property of every
description I give and divise to my children Nancy BURLESON, Elizabeth
VANCE, John DAVIS, Margaret WISE, Thomas DAVIS, Franky BURLESON and
Rachel DAVIS to be equally divided among them, share and share alike.
Item the sixth. I constitute and appoint
Josiah G. WISE my executor of this will.
I have this 9th day of May in the year of our
Lord 1836 made ordained and published this as my Last Will and Testament
revoking all former wills and have said the same in the pressance of the
witnesses who said the same in the presance of each other and in the presance
of the testator.
Signed
WILLIAM (x) DAVIS
- Attest.
- J. F. Avery
- John (x) Buchanan
William Davis was listed on the 1840 census in
Yancey County, NC. He had a very large household in 1840. I think many of
his "new" household members can be accounted for though. Several include his new
son-in-law William Davis who married William Sr's daughter Rachel. The rest seem
to be some of William Jr's siblings. I can't be positive that is who they are,
but they fit, and they were not found elsewhere, though they were known to be in
Yancey at that time. William Davis was listed in the "100 and upwards" column
for this census!
1840 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1840 Yancey County, NC pg 266 William Davis 2101110000001-1001010001000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 100 & up (before 1740) William DAVIS (1730/40)
1 Male(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) William DAVIS Jr (1809) son-in-law s/o Andrew
1 Male(s) 20-29 (1810-1820) Andrew DAVIS (1819/20) s/o Andrew
1 Male(s) 15-19 (1820-1825) Miles H. DAVIS (1823/24) s/o Andrew
1 Male(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) George W. DAVIS (1833) grandson, s/o Wm & Rachel
2 Male(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) John H. DAVIS (1835) grandson, s/o Wm & Rachel
William N. DAVIS (1837) grandson, s/o Wm & Rachel
1 Female(s) 70-79 (1760-1770) Frances CARPENTER Davis (1771) wife
1 Female(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) Rachel DAVIS Davis (1810) daughter, wf of Wm Jr
1 Female(s) 15-19 (1820-1825) Daughter of Andrew?
1 Female(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Frances DAVIS (1839) granddaughter, d/o Wm & Rachel
William Davis was listed on the 1840 tax list in
Yancey County in Captain Vance's Company. He was listed as William "Senr" since
his son-in-law William "Jr" was also listed. He was taxed for 360 acres, valued
at $200, and he had no white polls (he was exempt due to his age), and his tax
was $1.00. (Toe Valley Genealogical Society
Newsletter, Volume 5, Number 8, October 1993, 1840 Yancey County Tax List,
Capt Vance's Company by Kathy Sullivan)
William Davis (Sr) died on 5 Oct 1841 in Yancey
Co, NC. He was buried near his home place on Three Mile Creek near his young
daughter Kate who died at age 5. His death was recorded (probably a few years
later) by his grand nephew Jacob Carpenter (1833-1920) in his "Anthology
of Death":
[some punctuation added] "Wm Davis, age 100.8 dide oc 5 1841 ware old Soldier in rev wre and got his thie brok in laste fite
at kings monte. He wars farmer and made brandy and never had Drunker in famly"
William had a field stone marker for years
with no
writing on it. Sometime later a simple marker was added that said "Cpl William Davis." This marker has nearly been consumed by a tree now.
The DAR erected a marker for him sometime in the early 20th
century (perhaps in the 1930's) for both William and wife Franky. The
information on the marker is inaccurate in several ways. "Cpl William Davis, 2nd NC Regt 1778-1781 Born ca 1727 Died Oct 5, 1841 ..
Franky Carpenter Weatherman Davis Born 1755 Died Sep 10, 1842". The birth
dates for both are wrong, and the military information for William is wrong.
Frances Carpenter Davis died in Yancey County on
10 Sep 1842. Her death was recorded by her nephew Jacob Carpenter also, though
probably several years after the fact:
[some punctuation added] "Franky Davis, his wife
(Wm Davis) age 87 dide Sep 10 1842. She had nirv, fite wolves all nite at
shogar camp to save her caff, throde fier chuns to save caff. the camp wars
haf mil from home, noe she must have nirv to fite wolf all nite."
I've been to their graves on Three Mile Creek, and
they are well maintained. They are directly in front of a residence, but next to
the road under a large tree. We drove past it several times before we spotted
them.
William Davis was mentioned prominently in
A
History of Watauga County, North Carolina. with Sketches of Prominent Families
by John Preston Arthur. Richmond: Everett Waddey Co. 1915. I recently discovered
that some wonderful volunteers have typed up this book and placed it online at
the
Watauga Co, NC GenWeb site. The book is in the public domain now, so the
copyright has expired. The William Davis section begins on page 67.
William Davis.--What?--
Hero: Patriot: Let us see. His grave is near the road in front of the Gen.
Albertus Childs' house on Three Mile Creek, now owned and occupied by Robert
Moseley. Two common "mountain rocks" mark the place of his burial. Two other
graves beside his are similarly designated. No munificent government, proud of
his record, has "sought his frailties: or his virtues "to disclose." Why? For
he was a soldier of the Revolutionary War as well as those over whose ashes
grave-stones have been erected. Who knows? Probably a bit of red-tape was
missing somewhere. maybe his name does not appear on any roster or muster
roll. Yet, in the congressional Library, at the nation's capital, is an
allegorical painting called "History." It represents a gray-haired sire
telling the story of the past to his son, and this son selling the same story
with additions to his son, and so on down the line till the printed
page is reached. The name of that oral story is "Tradition." Well, tradition
says that William Davis was not only a brave soldier, but a mighty hunter as
well, when the wilderness was to be conquered and weaklings stayed at home and
sneered at the illiterate and lowly. Davis came to America with William
Wiseman and William Penley long before the Revolution. He settled first in
Virginia and afterwards came to Ashe County, where he married Frances
Carpenter, sister of the first Jacob Carpenter. Then he moved to what is still
called Davis Mountain, near Crossnore, on the upper waters of Linville River.
When the game was exhausted there, he moved to Three Mile Creek and built four
log houses "all in a row," with communicating doors between and a chimney at
each end. Standing before a blazing fire in one end of the house, with the
three intervening doors open, one looks through four large, low-ceiled comfortable rooms to cherry-red flames leaping up
the chimney at the father end--one of the "fairest pictures of calm content
that mortal ever saw." The date of the building of this old structure is
recorded on one of the inside logs, but it has been ceiled over and cannot now
be seen. But it was made there many, many years ago. The present Jacob
Carpenter, his grand-nephew, of Altamont, knows the date of his birth and
death, but they would cost the United States some "good money" to have them
carved on a 12 X 24 inch stone. Davis died November 18, 1841, when 114 years
of age. Still, as he had no middle name, it does seem that the Government,
with a big G, might "sort of look after" uncle Billy, who fought his battles
for him before Uncle Sam was born, he having been shot through the hips at
King's Mountain. His wife, who sleeps beside him, was certainly a heroine,
whether Uncle Billy was a hero or not, for on one occasion, in February, while
in a sugar camp on Davis Mountain, he had to be away from her on a cold night.
One of her cows found a calf that night, and Mrs. Davis brought it to camp
with her and fought off the wolves with fire-brands till morning.
page 225:
William Davis, a soldier of the
Revolution, stole his wife, a Carpenter, from Ashe, and settled at what is
still called the Davis Mountain, now the Monroe Franklin place, and which
Warsaw Clark now owns, one mile and a half above the Crossnore place, where
Kate, the five year old daughter of Davis, is buried under an apple tree. It
is said that he first gave the name of the Cow Camp to a creek of that name
which runs into the Toe River because of the fact, that, having no feed for
his cattle, he camped near them on that creek and supplied them with lin tree
limbs, called laps, from the time the buds began to swell till the grass came.
Children of William Davis.
William Davis and his first wife had three
children together, proven by his 1836 Will. William and his second wife, Frances
Carpenter, had nine children together, 7 proven by his Will, two more from other
sources. Besides his Will, there are two other lists of his children. One
written by his grandson Isaac Thomas Davis (son of Jacob),
and another is found on a DAR application, which includes three additional
children, not named in the Will or any other source. In fact, these three are
not William's children in my opinion. They were: an unknown daughter who
married William Wilson; Socro Davis who married David Oakes and Isabell who
married Lewis Vance. I believe that Isabell is a daughter of
Andrew Davis, Socro is a daughter of a
different William Davis, or possibly a child of
Andrew Davis also, and the unknown
daughter who married William Wilson is a mystery to me. There were several
William Wilson's in the area.
Betsy or Becky Davis
Mary "Polly" Davis
Sarah "Sally" Davis
Nancy Davis (c1795)
Elizabeth Davis
(c1796-1883)
John Davis (1798-1881)
Jacob Davis (1801-1873)
Margaret "Peggy"
Davis (c1804-1868)
Thomas Davis
(c1805-1880/1900)
Frances "Franky" Davis
(1808-1892)
Rachel Davis
(1810-1865)
Catherine "Kate"
Davis
Unknown Daugher who married
Billie Wilson
Isabel Davis married
Lewis Vance
Socro Davis married Dave
Oaks
Betsy or Becky
Davis was probably William's oldest child.
I'm not sure if she was "Betsy" or "Becky". Now, "Betsy" is a nickname for
"Elizabeth", and William had another daughter named
Elizabeth, so it doesn't seem likely he would have two with the same name.
If she is who I think she is, she was born ca 1770/80, probably in North
Carolina somewhere.
If her name was "Becky" instead,
then that works better, as "Becky" was a nickname for "Rebecca". However, the
only record we have for this child is her being named in her father's Will of
1836 as his daughter "Betsy Cantrell ...", and he gave her one dollar. She was
in the list of three daughters who were children by William's first wife (he
said so in the Will). I have the Court house copy of the Will, which clearly
lists her as "Betsy". Since the Court House copy is just that, a copy, it is
possible it was copied wrong. This copy was made whenever William Davis died,
and it was brought in to be recorded. It was either copied by the Clerk or by
one of the witnesses or heirs. It would have been compared to the original. I
don't know where the original is now. I believe it is probably lost, or perhaps
someone has it in an attic somewhere, unaware of its genealogical value.
Betsy was born before 1790, perhaps long before.
She married a Mr. Cantrell before 1836 in Yancey Co, NC or old Burke
County.
One suspect for her husband is
Joseph Cantrell. In
1810 he was next door to William Davis in the Burke County census. He was in the
45 and up age group (born before 1765), but his wife was age 26-44 (born ca
1765/84) and all their children (2 boys, 1 girl) were under 10, or born ca
1800/1810. This works well if they married just after 1800.
Back tracking a little bit, in 1800 there were two
Cantrell's in Burke Co, NC, a Charles and William. Charles was born ca 1755/74,
and William ca 1774/84.
By 1810, there was Joseph Cantrell, already
mentioned as prime suspect, but none others in Burke. Several were nearby in
Rutherford and Buncombe Counties, but no sign of Charles and William from 1800.
With this analysis, I'm making the assumption that this is the family we are
looking for, though it is far from proven.
1810 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1810 Burke Co, NC pg 320 Joseph Cantrill 20001-10010
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 45 and up (bef 1765) Joseph CANTRELL (1760/65)
2 Male(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) William CANTRELL (1800/10) son
Isaac CANTRELL (1800/10) son
1 Female(s) 26-44 (1765-1784) Betsy DAVIS Cantrell (1770/80) wife
1 Female(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) Daughter (1800/10)
By 1820, there were no Cantrell's in Burke, and
none in 1830 either. There was a Joseph Cantrell in Carter Co, TN by 1830 who
fits with this one perfectly. I think (but can't prove yet) that it is the same
family.
An "Elizabeth Cantral" was charged with bastardy
and on 24 Oct 1810 obtained a bastardy bond in Burke County for her son John
Cantral "living and William McCay's on Toe River". I don't know if this is
Betsy or not, but as mentioned before, "Betsy" is a nickname for Elizabeth.
However, if this is her, this would indicate she was widowed from Joseph
Cantrell sometime in 1810 (since he was listed on the 1810 census, and this
bastardy charge was as of October). I don't believe this record pertains to her,
but it is a possibility.
I did find a Joseph Cantrell in 1830 Carter Co, TN
(not far from old Burke Co, NC). He was listed next to Isaac Cantrell (c1800/10)
and a few houses from William Cantrell (c1800/10). These two are probably his
sons, and fit perfectly with his two apparent sons from the 1810 census. I feel
strongly that this is the same family from old Burke County. They were probably
already there by 1820, but that census is lost for all of Eastern TN, including
Carter County.
1830 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Carter County, NC pg 34 Joseph Cantrell 0000000010000-0001000100000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 60-69 (1760-1770) Joseph CANTRELL (1760/65)
1 Female(s) 50-59 (1770-1780) Betsy DAVIS Cantrell (1770/80)
1 Female(s) 15-19 (1810-1815) Daughter?
Betsy was apparently still living in 1836, for she
was named in her father's Will as daughter "Betsy Cantrel".
On the 1840 census, I found William and Isaac
Cantrell listed in Carter Co, TN, but not their supposed parents, Joseph or
Betsy.
Isaac Cantrell was in Russell
Co., VA for the 1850 census. I wasn't able to find William Cantrell, nor Joseph
or Betsy in 1850.
I don't have enough information
yet to be totally sure that Joseph Cantrell was Betsy's husband, and that
William and Isaac were their children, but I feel reasonably good about Isaac and William being sons
of Joseph, but not so sure that Joseph's wife was Betsy Davis. I'll leave it
listed as such, until I find compelling evidence either way.
A Thomas Cantrell, age 25 (ca 1824/25) was in
Yancey Co, NC for the 1850 census, and living in the Three Mile Creek vicinity.
He could be a son or grandson of Betsy Davis Cantrell.
When "Uncle Thomas" (Isaac Thomas Davis 1828-1915,
son of Jacob) named off his Aunts and
Uncles, he apparently had forgotten (or never knew) his Aunt Betsy, as he did
not include her in his list. ("The Davis Family Record" by
Orville Wright Davis).
Mary "Polly" Davis
was probably born in the 1770's, somewhere
in North Carolina. "Polly" is a nickname for Mary, but the only actual record we
have of her lists her as "Polly".
Polly was named in her father's Will of 1836 as
apparently deceased, though he didn't say she was deceased, the way she was
mentioned made it clear that she was: "To my daughters Betsy CANTREL, Sally
ROWAN and the heirs of Polly BROWNING". Leaving to her heirs one dollar.
This shows she was married to a Mr. Browning
and that she was dead by 1836.
I don't have any strong clue as to who Polly's
husband was. There were several Brownings in the area with the Davis family.
What little research I've done on them hasn't helped to determine which of them
was married to Miss Davis.
There were several Browning households in Burke
Co, NC in 1800, including John Sr and John Jr, both of whom were over age 45, or
born before 1755. Also listed in 1800 were Martin Browning (1755/74) and Elisha
(1755/74). Any of these could be considered suspects for husband of Polly Davis.
There were five Browning households in 1810 Burke
Co, NC. John (bef 1765), Martin (1765/84) and Thomas (1765/84) were all side by
side, and just a few houses from William Davis. David Browning (1784/94) was
just a few houses beyond William Davis as well. Charles Browning (1765/84) was a
couple of pages away. So that shows that John, Martin, Thomas and David were all
close neighbors of William Davis. Of these, John (bef 1765) had an apparent wife
in his same age group (born before 1765), so that makes him seem an unlikely
suspect. Martin and Thomas both had wives in the 1765/1784 age group, which
fits, and David's wife was in the 1784/94 grouping, which could fit, though
seems too young, but perhaps not.
Based only on the 1810 census, and the apparent
ages of the wives, I'd say that Martin, Thomas and David are the prime suspects
to be the Mr. Browning married to Polly Davis.
In 1820, there was a John Browning (c1794/1804),
wife same age. Not a likely suspect, not near the Davis family either. Also
listed in 1820 was another John with the exact same enumerations (perhaps a
duplicate entry, or just a coincidence), and a William Browning (ca 1775/94) and
wife the same age. There was an 1812 marriage record for a William Browning to a
Miss Bailey, so that counts him out.
The above shows that all of the Brownings in Burke
in 1810 were no longer there in 1820, as the three listed in 1820 were all new.
There were no Brownings in Burke in 1830.
Since all the prime suspects (Martin, Thomas and
David) left Burke after 1810, I checked the 1820 and 1830 census indexes to see
if I could find out where they may have migrated to. I found no sign of them,
though I found a David and Thomas in different KY counties in 1820.
Regardless of who Polly was married to, she died
sometime prior to 1836.
When "Uncle Thomas" (Isaac Thomas Davis 1828-1915,
son of Jacob) named off his Aunts and
Uncles, he did not mention his Aunt Polly, probably because she had died while
he was so young. ("The Davis Family Record" by Orville Wright
Davis).
Sarah "Sally"
Davis was probably born in the 1780's or
early 1790's, somewhere in North Carolina. The only record of her refers to her
as "Sally", but that is a nickname for "Sarah". If she is the wife of George
Rowan of Burke Co, NC, then she was born ca 1790/94.
The only sure record we have of her is her being
named in her father's 1836 Will where she mentioned "To my daughters Betsy
Cantrel, Sally Rowan and the heirs of Polly Browning". She was mentioned by name
in this list, then when he mentioned her again in the next sentence, he left to
her heirs, thirty dollars in property. The fact that he left this property to
her heirs, and not to her, may be an indication that she was deceased.
Sally married a Mr. Rowan, presumably in
Burke County, NC. The 1790 census shows no Rowan households anywhere near Burke
County.
There were no Rowan's in Burke in 1800 or 1810
either.
By 1820, a George Rowan had appeared in Burke
County. He was born ca 1775/94, as was his apparent wife. They had apparent
children born prior to 1810, so this indicates they probably were married by
1810, though not listed in Burke Co, NC for that census. Since George Rowan was
the only one of his surname in the county, he is the prime suspect by default.
1820 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1820 Burke Co, NC pg 21 George Rowan 110010-30010
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 26-44 (1775-1794) George ROWAN (1780/90)
1 Male(s) 10-15 (1804-1810) Isaac ROWAN (1804/10) son
1 Male(s) 0-9 (1810-1820) Charles ROWAN (1815/16) son
1 Female(s) 26-44 (1775-1794) Sarah DAVIS Rowan (1790/94) wife
3 Female(s) 0-9 (1810-1820) Rebecca ROWAN (1811/12) daughter
Daughter (1815/20)
Daughter (1815/20)
Further supporting George Rowan as the prime
suspect, in 1830 he was listed on the same page with William Davis, his possible
father-in-law.
1830 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Burke County, NC pg 196 George Rowan 0110101000000-0121010000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 40-49 (1780-1790) George ROWAN (1780/90)
1 Male(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) Isaac ROWAN (1804/10) son --> hd 1840
1 Male(s) 10-14 (1815-1820) Charles ROWAN (1815/16) son
1 Male(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) William W. ROWAN (1825/26) son
1 Female(s) 30-39 (1790-1800) Sarah DAVIS Rowan (1790/94) wife
1 Female(s) 15-19 (1810-1815) Daughter? (1810/15) --> gone by 1840
2 Female(s) 10-14 (1815-1820) Daughter? (1815/20) --> gone by 1840
Daughter? (1815/20) --> gone by 1840
1 Female(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Daughter? (1820/25)
In 1833, Yancey County was formed from the section
of Burke where the Davis and Rowan families resided.
In 1840 census, only one Rowan household was found
in Yancey, an Isaac Rowan, born ca 1800/10. He was next to
Levi Carpenter, so in the
Three Mile Creek area. This Isaac was perfect age to be the eldest son of George
Rowan, and fits with George's 1820 and 1830 census records.
George Rowan was not to be found in NC in 1840,
but I believe he was in Blount Co, TN along with several others of the same
surname (David, James H. and Samuel Rowan).
1840 census analysis (based on
available evidence): (Explanation of this
census)
1840 Blount Co, TN pg 97 George Rowan 0010101000000-0001001000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 40-49 (1790-1800) George Rowan (c1786)
1 Male(s) 20-29 (1810-1820) Charles Rowan (c1816) son
1 Male(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) William W. Rowan (c1826) son
1 Female(s) 40-49 (1790-1800) Sarah Davis Rowan (1790/94) wife
1 Female(s) 15-19 (1820-1825) Daughter?
George and Sally were in Blount Co, TN for the
1850 census, Her age was only 42 (born ca 1808), which is either a mistake
(common on the census), or this was a second wife with the same name.
- 1850 census abstract: (Explanation
of this census)
- (Note: The dates at the end of each
line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years
based on age)
1850 BLOUNT CO, TN Page House/Family # 1804/1804
ROWAN GEORGE 64 M W FARMER NC 1785/1786
ROWAN SALLY 42 F W NC 1807/1808
ROWAN CHARLES 34 M W FARMER NC 1815/1816
George was still in Blount for
the 1860 census. He was 74 born Virginia, his wife was Susan age 51 born
TN, and Thomas Camel, 24 TN was with them as well as son Charley Rowan, 45,
listed as with "weak mind." If this entry is correct, then Susan is a second
wife and Sarah "Sally" Davis was dead by this time. Keep in mind that I'm not
100% sure that George was her husband in the first place.
George was still in Blount for
the 1870 census listed as 84, wife Susan was 60, and there was a Martha J.
Rowan, 17 TN, living with them, probably a grandchild.
I didn't find George or Susan on
the 1880 census.
There was a William Rowen in 1850 Macon Co, NC age
24 (born ca 1825/26), who was born in Yancey Co, NC. This may be George's son
born ca 1820/25 with him in 1830. There were no other Rowan's in Yancey during
that timeframe, so it seems very likely. He also joined apparent brother Isaac
Rowan later on in Graham County. I feel strongly that he is a child of George
and Sally.
Also, an Isaac Rowan, age 45 (ca 1804/05) was in
Cherokee (now Graham) Co, NC in 1850, and this seems a likely candidate
for George's son as well. He was near Jacob
Davis, his mother's half brother. I feel strongly that he is a child of
George and Sally.
One other probable child has been located. Burke
County marriages show a Rebecca Rowan (ca 1812) marrying Nathan Rose in 1829.
This family moved to Cherokee (now Graham) Co, NC also, and in 1850 were just
three houses from Jacob Davis.
When "Uncle Thomas" (Isaac Thomas Davis 1828-1915,
son of Jacob) named off his Aunts and
Uncles, he did not mention his Aunt Sally. ("The Davis
Family Record" by Orville Wright Davis).
Nancy Davis
was born ca 1794/95 in Burke Co, NC (now Avery
Co, NC) in the Three Mile Creek area.
She was apparently home with her parents for the
1800 and 1810 census in Burke Co, NC.
She married Thomas Burleson before 1820 in
Burke (now Avery) Co, NC. No marriage record was found for them in Burke County
records. That she married a Mr. Burleson is proven by her father's Will (1836),
where he names his daughter "Nancy Burleson". Family tradition records that her
husband was "Tom Burleson", a son of another Tom Burleson.
(Published that way in "Avery County Heritage Biographies and Genealogies")
There were no Burleson's in Burke County in 1790
(some were in neighboring Rutherford County though).
In 1800, there was only one Burleson listed in
Burke County, and that was Thomas Burleson, age 45+, or born before 1755. This
is probably the father of the Thomas who later married Nancy Davis. He did have
2 sons under 10 (born ca 1790/1800), and Thomas (Jr) was born ca 1790/94 per
later census records.
In 1810, there were three Burleson's listed in
Burke, all near William Davis. There was Thomas (Sr), Simon and Aaron. Simon and
Aaron were possible sons of old Thomas. Thomas Sr still had a child with him
about Thomas Jr's age, in the 10-15 column (born ca 1794/1800).
In 1820, Thomas Burleson (Jr) was listed next to
his father-in-law William Davis. Thomas Burleson (Sr) was listed a couple of
pages away.
1820 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1820 Burke Co, NC pg 61 Thomas Burleson 000010-10010
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 26-44 (1775-1794) Thomas BURLESON (1790/94)
1 Female(s) 26-44 (1775-1794) Nancy DAVIS Burleson (1794/95) wife
1 Female(s) 0-9 (1810-1820) Daughter? (1815/20)
For the 1830 census, I was not able to locate
this Thomas Burleson. I did find a Thomas Burleson listed, but his enumerations are
way off, listing him as 40-49 (born ca 1780/90) with apparent wife (or mother)
age 60-69 (ca 1760/70). Except for his age, this could be Thomas Sr instead.
This could be the correct family, but the listings don't correlate to previous
records. Just in case, here it is, and I think this is them, in spite of the
problems. Assuming the older woman is Thomas' widowed mother, then there is no
woman here the age of Nancy Davis, Thomas' wife.
1830 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Burke County, NC pg 194 Thomas Burleson 0000001000000-2210000010000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 40-49 (1780-1790) Thomas BURLESON (1790/94)
1 Female(s) 60-69 (1760-1770) Mother? (Margaret GREENE Burleson)
1 Female(s) 10-14 (1815-1820) Daughter? (1815/20)
2 Female(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Daughter? (1820/25) --> gone by 1840
Daughter? (1820/25)
2 Female(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30) --> gone by 1840
Daughter? (1825/30)
In 1833, Yancey County was created from the
section of Burke where the Burleson and Davis family resided.
Nancy's father William made his Will in 1836, and
named Nancy as his daughter "Nancy Burleson", but did not name her husband.
For the 1840 census, there were three Thomas
Burleson's listed in Yancey Co, NC. The first was age 30-39 (ca 1800/10) and
listed with "A. S." after his name. The next one was age 20-29 (ca 1810/20) and
listed just as Thos Burleson. The last one was the one we are studying. He was
next door to his cousin-in-law
Samuel Carpenter, so in
the Three Mile Creek area.
1840 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1840 Yancey County, NC pg 275 Thomas Burleson 0100001000000-0111101000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 40-49 (1790-1800) Thomas BURLESON (1790/94) --> d before 1850
1 Male(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) William BURLESON (1831/32) son
1 Female(s) 40-49 (1790-1800) Nancy DAVIS Burleson (1794/95) wife
1 Female(s) 20-29 (1810-1820) Daughter? (1815/20) --> gone by 1850
1 Female(s) 15-19 (1820-1825) Daughter? (1820/25) --> gone by 1850
1 Female(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30) --> gone by 1850
1 Female(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) Daughter? (1830/35) --> gone by 1850
Thomas Burleson died sometime in the 1840's, in
Yancey County, NC. The 1850 census shows two Thomas Burleson households,
including: Thomas Burleson, 33 (born ca 1816/17) and wife Susannah; and
Thomas Burleson, 40 (ca 1809/10) and wife Eliza.
Nancy Davis Burleson was listed as head of
household in 1850 Yancey County, next to Thomas Cantrell, age 25, possibly a
nephew, and just two houses from Andrew Davis (Jr), who is a brother to her
brother-in-law William Davis. (Does that
make Andrew her Brother-in-law-in-law?).
- 1850 census abstract: (Explanation
of this census)
- (Note: The dates at the end of each
line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years
based on age)
1850 YANCEY CO, NC Page 418 House/Family # 499/ 524
BURLESON NANCY 55 F W NC 1794/1795
BURLESON WILLIAM 18 M W LABORER NC 1831/1832
Nancy apparently married George Dean
between 1850 and 1860. He was also widowed.
They were on the 1860 census in
Yancey County next to Andrew Davis.
I didn't find Nancy or husband
George on the 1870 census.
Thomas and Nancy Burleson had several children,
per their 1820 to 1840 census records, mostly daughters. Other than son William
(c1832), I have not positively identified any of these children. They all
apparently married in the 1830's and 1840's. Unfortunately, Yancey County
marriage records from that timeframe are mostly non-existent. One daughter,
Senia (c1827) was included in some list, which I don't recall where I found it.
She married William Wiseman. I don't know what proof there is that she was
Thomas and Nancy's child though.
When "Uncle Thomas" (Isaac Thomas Davis 1828-1915,
son of Jacob) named off his Aunts and
Uncles, he mentioned "Nancy" as one of them, but gave no additional data.
("The Davis Family Record" by Orville Wright Davis).
Nancy's death was not mentioned by her grand
nephew Jacob Carpenter (1833-1920) in his famous "Anthology
of Death", so I don't know when she died, other than sometime after
1860. More research is needed.
Elizabeth
Davis was born ca 1795/96 in Burke Co, NC
(now Avery Co, NC) in the Three Mile Creek area.
She was apparently home with her parents for the
1800 and 1810 census in Burke Co, NC.
She married first to William Vaughn in
1814, second to John Vance ca 1820/25 in Burke (now Avery) Co, NC. Family
tradition reports her married first to "John" Vaughn, but marriage records show
otherwise.
William Vaughan obtained a marriage bond in Burke
Co, NC on 2 Sep 1814 to marry "Elizabeth Davis". J. Davenport was bondsman.
Backing up a bit, there were no Vaughan (or
Vaughn) in Burke Co, NC in 1790. There were several in neighboring Rutherford
County.
In 1800 Burke, there were two: Sherwood Vaughn
(c1755/74) and Joshua Vaughn (c1774/84), perhaps brothers or father and son.
In 1810 Burke, there was only one listed: James
Vaughn (c1765/84), apparently in that section of Burke that later became
McDowell County. I found Sherwood (who was in Burke in 1800) in Lincoln Co, NC
in 1810.
William Vaughan must have moved into Burke or just
came there to marry, if a resident of a neighboring county in 1814. The law
required a marriage bond to be taken out in the county of the bride's residence.
For the 1820 census, I did not find William Vaughn
listed. There was James, still in Burke in 1820, still in the area that later
became McDowell County. Also listed in 1820 was Micajah Vaughn (bef 1775), who
was also in the McDowell County area. There was a William Vaughn in neighboring
Rutherford County, but I don't know if it was the same person.
We know that William Vaughn (first husband of
Elizabeth) died, and she married John Vance as her second husband. The
oldest known child for them was born ca 1825, so we can conclude they married
before then.
I found no marriage record (in Burke County) for
John Vance and Elizabeth Davis Vaughn.
Regarding the Vance family, backing up to 1790,
there was only one Vance in Burke then, a David Vance. The next nearest Vance
families were to be found in Mecklenburg and Stokes County. David appeared
to be in the section of Burke that later became Buncombe County.
In 1800, there were no Vance households in Burke
County.
In 1810, there was only one Vance family in Burke,
that of John Vance (bef 1765), who lived just a few houses from William Davis.
Perhaps this is the father of John (Jr) who married Elizabeth Davis (other
researchers show John (Jr) is a son of Matthew Vance (1760/70-1830/40) and
Barbara McVeigh). John Vance of 1810, had a large household, including five sons
roughly the age of John (Jr), three in the age 10-15 category (born ca
1794/1800) and two in the 16-25 category (ca 1784/94). John Vance (Jr) was born
1795/96. Without further research, I'd say that John (Jr) is either a son of
Matthew or of John (Sr), either one of which was old enough. Matthew did not
arrive in the area until the 1820's though, apparently.
In 1820, there was still only John Vance (Sr)
listed in Burke County, and near William Davis still, so obviously the same
person from 1810. He still had a large household, including three boys age 16-25
(born ca 1794/1804) which would fit for John (Jr) nicely (born ca 1795/96).
In 1830, there were several Vance households in
Burke, including Matthew (1760/70), David (1800/10), William (1780/90), John
(1800/10), Lewis (1800/10), Thomas (1800/10), Samuel (1800/10), and Matthew
(1790/1800). All of the above were very close together.
John Vance was listed next to William and David
Vance, and was two households from
Thomas Grant (my ancestor)
and just a few from Jacob Davis (also my ancestor, and
John's brother-in-law). John had one child born before 1820, so that could be a
Vaughn step-daughter, or an indication that he and Elizabeth had married prior
to 1820, and just weren't listed on the 1820 census for some reason.
1830 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Burke County, NC pg 195 John Vance 0001100000000-1210100000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) John VANCE (1795/96)
1 Male(s) 15-19 (1810-1815) Step-son? (1810/15) --> gone by 1840
1 Female(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) Elizabeth DAVIS Vance (1795/96) wife
1 Female(s) 10-14 (1815-1820) Daughter? Step-Daughter? (1815/20) --> gone by 1840
2 Female(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Daughter? (1820/25) --> gone by 1840
Daughter? (1820/25)
1 Female(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30)
In 1833, Yancey County was created, and included
the Three Mile Creek area where the Davis and Vance family resided.
The 1840 Yancey County census shows several Vance
households, including two named John Vance. The first was obviously in the Three
Mile Creek area, and the right age. The other was born ca 1800/10, as was his
wife, and they had no children.
1840 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1840 Yancey County, NC pg 269 John Vance 1100001000000-0011001000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 40-49 (1790-1800) John VANCE (1795/96)
1 Male(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) William VANCE (1830/31) son
1 Male(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Flemming VANCE (1835/36) son
1 Female(s) 40-49 (1790-1800) Elizabeth DAVIS Vance (1795/96) wife
1 Female(s) 15-19 (1820-1825) Daughter? (1820/25) --> gone by 1850
1 Female(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30) --> gone by 1850
John and Elizabeth were listed on the 1850 census
in Watauga County, NC, which was formed from Yancey in 1849. They were just a
few houses from Elizabeth's sister Margaret Wise.
- 1850 census abstract: (Explanation
of this census)
- (Note: The dates at the end of each
line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years
based on age)
1850 WATAUGA CO, NC Page 140 House/Family # 474/ 478
VANCE JOHN 54 M W FARMER 150 NC 1795/1796
VANCE ELIZABETH 54 F W NC 1795/1796
VANCE WILLIAM 19 M W NC 1830/1831
VANCE FLEMMING 14 M W NC 1835/1836
VANCE JOHN 8 M W NC 1841/1842
They were still in Watauga for the 1860 census.
This census records shows John was born in SC, whereas the 1850 census listed
NC.
- 1860 census abstract: (Explanation
of this census)
- (Note: The dates at the end of each
line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years
based on age)
1860 WATAUGA CO, NC Page 375B House/Family # 371/ 267 -- MOUNTAIN HOME Twp
VANCE JOHN 64 M W FARMER 1000 390 SC 1795/1796
VANCE ELIZABETH 64 F W NC 1795/1796
VANCE JOHN 18 M W NC 1841/1842
I wasn't able to find them on the 1870 census.
John Vance died sometime before
1880 in Mitchell County.
Elizabeth is listed on the 1880
census in Mitchell with her son John Vance (Jr).
Elizabeth Davis Vaughn Vance
died on 10 Oct 1883, probably in Mitchell County.
"Uncle Jake" Carpenter wrote of her death in his
diary:
"Lis Vance age 82 oc 10 dide 1883 she
work hard in feld mad corn."
When "Uncle Thomas" (Isaac Thomas Davis 1828-1915,
son of Jacob) named off his Aunts and
Uncles, he mentioned "Lizzie" as one of them, but gave no additional data.
("The Davis Family Record" by Orville Wright Davis).
Several of John and Elizabeth's descendants are
included in "The Davis Family Record" and other sources.
John Davis
was born 20 Oct 1798 in Burke (now Avery) Co, NC. He
was apparently named for his Uncle John Davis. He
seems to have been home with his parents for the 1800, 1810 and 1820 census, in
Burke Co, NC.
John Davis married Sarah "Sally" Buchanan
ca 1820/22 in Burke Co, NC.
See his own page for additional information.
When "Uncle Thomas" (Isaac Thomas Davis 1828-1915,
son of Jacob) named off his Aunts and
Uncles, he mentioned John as one of them, but gave no additional data.
("The Davis Family Record" by Orville Wright Davis).
Jacob Davis
was born ca 1802/03 (or "1801") in Burke (now Avery)
Co, NC. He was probably named after his Uncle
Jacob Carpenter. He seems
to have been home with his parents for the 1810 and 1820 census in Burke Co, NC.
Jacob Davis married Susannah Miller on 4
Jul 1825 in Ashe Co, NC. She was his first cousin.
See his own page for additional information.
Margaret
"Peggy" Davis was born ca 1803/04 in Burke
(now Avery) Co, NC. She was probably named after her Aunt
Margaret Carpenter Miller.
Margaret seems to have been at home with her
parents for the 1810 and 1820 census in Burke Co, NC.
She married Josiah G. Wise ca 1820/1825 in
Burke Co, NC. (No marriage record found). That she married a Mr. Wise is proven
by her father's Will (1836), where he named her as his daughter "Margaret Wise".
"Josiah G. Wise" was named as Executor of the Will, so that makes him seem the
likely husband of Margaret. Family tradition supports this as well.
Josiah G. Wise was born ca 1800. Other researchers
show him to be a son of Benjamin Wise and Sarah Cuthbertson. I have no data
proving or disproving this assertion.
Backing up somewhat, I find that in 1790, there
was only one Wise family in Burke County: Adam Wise. There were others in
neighboring Lincoln and Rutherford Counties, including a Benjamin Wise in
Rutherford.
In 1800 Burke, there was Peter Wise and Alexander
Wise.
In 1810 Burke, there was Benjamin Wise, with a
large family. His children were old enough for him to have been listed somewhere
in 1800, though not in Burke. This probably indicates that he moved to Burke
from somewhere (perhaps Rutherford?) between 1800 and 1810. He was the only Wise
in Burke in 1810.
In 1820 Burke, Benjamin was still there, and still
the only Wise listed. He was between William and David Cuthbertson, (William was
David's father, and perhaps the father, or older brother of Sarah Cuthbertson
Wise as well). These Cuthbertsons were undoubtedly related to Benjamin Wise'
wife Sarah. Based on his neighbors, it seems he was in the section of Burke that
later became McDowell County.
In 1830, Josiah Wise was listed next to his
brother-in-law John Davis and just a few
houses from William Davis. Josiah's father Benjamin Wise was also listed, but
several pages previous, apparently still in the McDowell County area, though
Josiah obviously moved to Three Mile Creek after marrying Margaret Davis. For
some reason, both husband and wife were listed too young in 1830, a common
census mistake.
1830 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Burke County, NC pg 196 Josiah Wise 1101000000000-1001000000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 15-19 (1810-1815) Josiah G. WISE (1800)
1 Male(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Son? (1820/25) --> gone by 1840
1 Male(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Benjamin WISE (1828/29) son
1 Female(s) 15-19 (1810-1815) Margaret DAVIS Wise (1803/04) wife
1 Female(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Rachel WISE (1828) daughter
In 1833, Yancey County was formed from Burke,
including the area where the Wise and Davis families lived.
Margaret's father William Davis made his Will in
1836, and named his daughter "Margaret Wise", and also named Josiah G. Wise as
his executor (but didn't state relationship to him).
Josiah was listed on the 1840 census in Yancey
County, next to James Wise (brother?), and two houses from
John Davis, his brother-in-law. His entry
had two mark outs in the male columns. One male 5-9 was marked, then crossed
out, and one male 15-19 was marked, then crossed out.
1840 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1840 Yancey County, NC pg 275 Josiah G. Wise 1111001000000-2210010000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 40-49 (1790-1800) Josiah G. WISE (1800)
1 Male(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Benjamin WISE (1828/29) son
1 Male(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) John WISE (1838) son
1 Female(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) Margaret DAVIS Wise (1803/04) wife
1 Female(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Rachel WISE (1828) daughter
2 Female(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) Sarah WISE (1831/32) daughter
Frances WISE (1832/33) daughter
2 Female(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Susanna WISE (1836) daughter
Daughter? (1835/40) –> gone by 1850
Josiah G. Wise died in the 1840's. Another
researcher has given me "1846" as his death year, but I'm not sure who gave me
that, nor what the source is. Their last child was born ca 1846/47, so 1846 is a
good date.
The section of Yancey County where the Wise family
lived, was cut off to form the new Watauga County in 1849. Margaret and family
fell into the new county, and were listed there for the 1850 census just a few
houses from her sister Elizabeth Vance.
- 1850 census abstract: (Explanation
of this census)
- (Note: The dates at the end of each
line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years
based on age)
1850 WATAUGA CO, NC Page 139B House/Family # 469/ 473
WISE MARGARET 46 F W 600 NC 1803/1804
WISE SARAH 18 F W NC 1831/1832
WISE FRANKY 16 F W NC 1833/1834
WISE SUSANNA 14 F W NC 1835/1836
WISE JOHN 11 M W NC 1838/1839
WISE ELIZABETH 8 F W NC 1841/1842
WISE JAMES 6 M W NC 1843/1844
WISE THOMAS 5 M W NC 1844/1845
WISE JOSIAH 3 M W NC 1846/1847
She was in Watauga for the 1860
census.
Margaret died on 15 Oct 1868, either in Watauga or
Mitchell Co, NC. Her cousin
Jacob Carpenter (1833-1920) recorded her death in his "Anthology
of Death":
(some punctuation added) "Pegey Wise a 75, dide
oc 15 1868. She wars granny womin for cntery."
I don't know where Josiah and Margaret are buried.
When "Uncle Thomas" (Isaac Thomas Davis 1828-1915,
son of Jacob) named off his Aunts and
Uncles, he mentioned "Peggy" as one of them, but gave no additional data.
("The Davis Family Record" by Orville Wright Davis).
Thomas Davis
was born ca 1804/05 in Burke (now Avery) Co, NC. He
was possibly named for his Uncle Thomas Davis. He
seemed to be home with his parents for the 1810, 1820 and 1830 census in Burke
Co, NC.
He married Arabella Burchfield on 9 Nov
1830 in Burke (now Avery) Co, NC.
See his own page for additional information.
When "Uncle Thomas" (Isaac Thomas Davis 1828-1915,
son of Jacob) named off his Aunts and
Uncles, he mentioned Thomas as one of them, but gave no additional data.
("The Davis Family Record" by Orville Wright Davis).
Frances "Franky"
Davis was born 14 May 1808 in Burke (now
Avery) Co, NC. She was most likely named after her mother Frances Carpenter
Davis.
Franky was apparently home with her parents for
the 1810 and 1820 census in Burke County.
She married Wilson "Wilt" Burleson ca
1820/1828 in Burke Co, NC. (No marriage record located). That she married a Mr.
Burleson is proven by her father's Will (1836) where he names her as his
daughter "Franky Burleson". Family tradition shows her married to Wilson
Burleson, and census records support that Wilson's wife was name Frances.
Wilson Burleson was born 25 Jul 1805.
In the section above for Nancy
Davis Burleson, I discussed the early Burleson's of Burke County. Wilson is
said (by other researchers) to be a son of Aaron Burleson and Elizabeth
McKinney. I have no data supporting this, or refuting it. Wilson and Franky did
name one of their sons "Aaron".
Wilson Burleson was listed on the 1830 census in
Burke County near several other Burlesons, including Jonathan (1790/1800), and
John (1810/15), both could be his brothers. Wilson had an older woman (1770/80)
with him in 1830, perhaps his widowed mother? (Aaron Burleson, his presumed
father, was still alive in 1830, and listed as head of household, but had no
woman with him the right age to be his wife, unless the 30-39 year old
(1790/1800) with him was his wife, perhaps a 2nd wife, or older daughter). In
any event, that leaves this woman with Wilson in 1830 a mystery. Either his
mother, separated for some reason from his father, or perhaps an Aunt or border
of some kind. It could be a member of the Davis family, but I don't know who.
1830 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Burke County, NC pg 202 Wilson Burleson 1000100000000-0010000100000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) Wilson BURLESON (1805)
1 Male(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Charles BURLESON (1829) son
1 Female(s) 50-59 (1770-1780) Mother? (1770/80) --> gone by 1840
1 Female(s) 10-14 (1815-1820) Frances DAVIS Burleson (1808) wife
In 1833, Yancey County was created, and included
the section where the Davis and Burleson family resided.
In 1836, William Davis made his Will and named his
daughter "Franky Burleson".
Wilson Burleson was listed on the 1840 census in
Yancey County, next door to Charles Burleson (1810/20) and a few houses from
Thomas Burleson, A. S. ( perhaps "A. S." means: Aaron's son, as there were two
other Thomas' in the county then) (1800/10) and on the same page with Jonathan
Burleson (1800/10). These could all be siblings.
1840 census analysis (based on available
evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1840 Yancey County, NC pg 255 Wilson Burleson 2100010000000-1010010000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) Wilson BURLESON (1805)
1 Male(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) Charles BURLESON (1829) son
2 Male(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) William BURLESON (1834/35) son
Jacob BURLESON (1837/38) son
1 Female(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) Frances DAVIS Burleson (1808) wife
1 Female(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30) * Not in 1830, –> gone by 1850
1 Female(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Daughter? (1835/40) –> gone by 1850
Wilson and Franky were listed on the 1850 census
in Yancey near her sister Rachel Davis and near Wilson's
father Aaron Burleson.
- 1850 census abstract: (Explanation
of this census)
- (Note: The dates at the end of each
line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years
based on age)
1850 YANCEY CO,NC Page 417 House/Family # 484/ 509
BURLESON WILSON 45 M W FARMER 825 NC 1804/1805
BURLESON CHARLES 20 M W LABORER NC 1829/1830
BURLESON WILLIAM 15 M W NC 1834/1835
BURLESON JACOB 12 M W NC 1837/1838
BURLESON AARON 7 M W NC 1842/1843
BURLESON MILTON T 2 M W NC 1847/1848
BURLESON FRANCES 43 F W NC 1806/1807
BURLESON AMELIA 9 F W NC 1840/1841
BURLESON MELINDA 6 F W NC 1843/1844
BURLESON RACHEL 4 F W NC 1845/1846
By 1860, the Burleson's had moved to neighboring
Watauga County, where they were listed near many relatives, so not too far from
where they were before.
- 1860 census abstract: (Explanation
of this census)
- (Note: The dates at the end of each
line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years
based on age)
1860 WATAUGA CO, NC Page 371B House/Family # 304/ 255 -- MOUNTAIN HOME Twp
BURLISON WILSON 51 M W FARMER 5000 1825 NC 1808/1809
BURLISON FANNY 48 F W WIFE NC 1811/1812
BURLISON AARON 18 M W NC 1841/1842
BURLISON MALINDA 17 F W NC 1842/1843
BURLISON RACHEL 15 F W NC 1844/1845
BURLISON MILTON 12 M W NC 1847/1848
BURLISON ROBERT 9 M W NC 1850/1851
They were listed on the 1870
census in Mitchell County.
Wilson Burleson died on 25 Jul 1877 (on his birth
day!). I don't know what the source for this date is. I see in "Uncle Jake"
Carpenter's diary that "Wm Berlisen" died on that same date. Perhaps that entry
is for Wilson, though there were several men around named "William Burleson".
Franky was listed on the 1880
census in Mitchell County.
I have conflicting death dates for Franky. I have
4 Feb 1892 from some source that I can't locate just now, and 3 Jul 1893 from
Uncle Jake Carpenter's diary. In there, he wrote:
"Franky Berlison ag 86 July 3 did 1893
she spen & weve cloth by 5000".
When "Uncle Thomas" (Isaac Thomas Davis 1828-1915,
son of Jacob) named off his Aunts and
Uncles, he apparently forgot Franky, as he didn't mention her.
("The Davis Family Record" by Orville Wright Davis).
Rachel Davis
was born 21 Jun 1810 in Burke (now Avery)
Co, NC. Her birth date is recorded in her Family Bible. I don't know who
she might have been named after, as I know of no Rachel's in the family prior to
her.
Rachel was apparently home with her parents for
the 1820 and 1830 census.
Rachel Davis married
William Davis on 8 Apr 1832 in Burke
(now Avery) Co, NC. "Bill" Davis was not related to her, but his family had
moved to the Three Mile Creek area from Iredell County, NC. He was a son of
Andrew Davis and a Miss Houston. They were
closely associated with William Davis (Sr), and William (husband to Rachel) went
by "Jr" on many records to distinguish himself from his father-in-law.
William Davis (Sr) made his Will in 1836, and
named his daughter "Rachel Davis".
See William's page for additional information on
him and Rachel.
When "Uncle Thomas" (Isaac Thomas Davis 1828-1915,
son of Jacob) named off his Aunts and
Uncles, he mentioned "Rachel" as one of them, but gave no additional data.
("The Davis Family Record" by Orville Wright Davis).
Catherine
"Kate" Davis was born in Burke (now Avery)
County, at some point in between ca 1790 and 1810. All we know of Kate is that
she died at age five.
I read of Kate's existence in Arthur's History of
Watauga County (page 225). The story was that Kate died at age five, and was
buried under an apple tree.
Kate's name was not included on any of the three
early family records we have (Uncle Isaac Thomas Davis List, the DAR
application, and a record by Mrs. Martha Pyatte of Newland, NC, date unknown).
Unknown Daughter who
married Billie Wilson. This name was given
by Mrs. Martha Pyatte of Newland, NC (Avery County) in her list of William and
Franky's children. I don't know Mrs. Pyatte, nor if she is still living, nor
where this list was first published, however it is included in Orville Wright
Davis' book "The Davis Family Record", published ca 1978.
I personally don't believe there was such a
daughter, but with such scant information, I can't be sure. An analysis of the
1790 - 1840 census records for William Davis do not reveal any "extra"
daughters, in addition to those already named above.
The name "Billie" is a nickname for William, and
there were several men named "William Wilson" in the area. There was one in
Burke in 1790; one in 1800; one in 1810, three in 1820; two in 1830. Yancey
County was formed in 1833. four William's in 1840 Yancey Co, NC.
In 1850, there was a William Wilson in Watauga
County (formed 1849 from Yancey), and six of them in Yancey County.
Even though there were several William's to choose
from, my personal belief is that none of them were married to a daughter of
William Davis. There were other William Davis' in old Burke County, and perhaps
one of them had a daughter married to a William Wilson.
Isabel Davis
married Lewis Vance This name was given by
Mrs. Martha Pyatte of Newland, NC (Avery County) in her list of William and
Franky's children. I don't know Mrs. Pyatte, nor if she is still living, nor
where this list was first published, however it is included in Orville Wright
Davis' book "The Davis Family Record", published ca 1978.
Mrs. Pyatte was close, but wrong, about Isabel
being a child of William Davis. She was a sister of William Davis (Jr) who
married Rachel Davis, so she was an in-law of sorts. That
makes her a daughter of Andrew Davis and Miss
Houston.
See Andrew's page for more on his children,
including Isabel.
Socro Davis
married Dave Oaks This name was given by
Mrs. Martha Pyatte of Newland, NC (Avery County) in her list of William and
Franky's children. I don't know Mrs. Pyatte, nor if she is still living, nor
where this list was first published, however it is included in Orville Wright
Davis' book "The Davis Family Record", published ca 1978.
I know alot of researchers who have been upset
with me over the years, when I tell them that Socro was not one of William
Davis' children. At least not a child of our William Davis.
The complicating factor, or the reason people
think she is "one of ours" is that she lived near the William Davis family for
many years. Socro (an unusual name!) was born ca 1794/1800 (per 1820, 1830 and
1840 census records), and married David Oaks in Burke County on 28 Jan
1813.
Our William Davis had no "extra" daughter this age
(in 1800 and 1810 census), and he did not mention Socro in his Will (1836).
I have two theories about Socro. One is that she
is a daughter of Andrew Davis and Miss Houston,
making her a sister of Isabel Davis Vance and
William Davis (Jr), but I don't feel real comfortable putting her in that
family. Their marriage bond doesn't provide any clues, as Isaac T. Avery was the
bondsman (don't know of any Davis connections for him).
My other theory is that Socro is the daughter of
one of the other men named William Davis in Old Burke County.
Trying to back track the Oaks family might help.
The 1790 census has one Oaks in Burke County, Joshua Oaks.
In 1800, there was James Oaks in Burke, the only
one. He had 2 apparent sons under 10 (born ca 1790/1800) which fits for David
Oakes (c1794/1800).
In 1810, James Oaks was the only one in Burke
still. He wasn't near any Davis families though. He had one son age 16-25
(c1784/94), which could be David. It looks like they were in the part of Burke
that later became McDowell County.
Since David Oaks married Socro Davis in 1813, it
stands to reason that he was around in 1810, perhaps he is a son of James. If
not, then perhaps he was residing in a neighboring county.
The 1820 census shows Lodowick Oaks (bef 1775) in
Burke. His age and his apparent children, show him old enough to have been
listed in 1810, but he wasn't listed in Burke, so perhaps from a nearby county.
This is a more likely candidate for David's father, as the naming pattern is
similar (David's sons "Jeremiah", "Nehemiah", etc).
David Oakes is listed on the 1820 census in Burke,
near "John Davis Sr". Other neighbors make it clear they were in the section
that later became McDowell County (Lodowick, though many pages away, was in the
same part of Burke).
In 1830, David Oakes was in Ashe County, NC.
However, Lodowick Oaks was still in Burke, and listed next door to William
Davis. This shows the families certainly would have known each other, even if
not related.
For the 1840 census, David Oakes was back in
Yancey Co, NC, and just a couple of houses from Lewis Vance (who married
Isabel Davis), perhaps more evidence for Socro being
Isabel's sister. They were in the same area with the William Davis family also.
I don't have David and Socro Oakes on the 1850
census. I found some of their children in Carter Co, TN in 1850, but not them,
unless I just missed them.
I can't say with certainty who Socro's parents
were, whether Andrew Davis, or some other William Davis, but I can say with
certainty, she does not belong to our William Davis. One strong point against
her being a child of Andrew, is that he was still in Iredell County in 1813 when
Socro married in Burke.
Researcher List
Persons researching this family (click
here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
Register Report
This Report is fairly large and it made this page
too slow, so I've put the Register Report on a separate page.
Click here. It might take awhile to load,
depending on your connection speed.
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