John Davis, Esq., (c1705- c1765) and Ann Parris and Rebecca Moore of Berkeley Co., SC, New Hanover and Brunswick Co., NC

Marty and Karla Grant

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[Davis Home] - [Table of Contents] - John Davis, Esq. (c1705-c1765)

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I don’t know if I’m related to John Davis, Esq. or not. However, he owned my ancestor Grace Davis and gave her her freedom in 1764. It is certainly possible he was her father or the father of some of her children, though I have no evidence of that. Regardless, there is a connection between them, whether by blood or not.

I owe a special thanks for the book: A Genealogical Record of the Davis, Swann, and Cabell families of North Carolina and Virginia, by Thomas Frederick Davis, 1934. Mr. Davis includes the family of this John Davis in the book. That is what I started with, then added my own research. Unfortunately the book contained no source documentation at all so I don’t know where the author got his information on this family. An excerpt pertaining to John Davis:

In the 1720's, four Davis brothers, Jehu, John, William and Roger, emigrated from the British Isles to Massachusetts, where they remained for a time in the vicinity of Boston. They then went to South Carlina, and thence to the Cape Fear section of North Carolina, where they located permanently about 1725. The ancestry of these four brothers has not been traced, but we may judge it from the character of their descendants. The name Davis, both in early and later times on the Cape Fear, has always been associated with all that was highly respectable and honorable.

William and Roger Davis never married. William was a commander of a “Troop of Horse” in the French and Indian war. Roger’s activities are unknown. Jehu was our ancestor and his descendants are traced herein. John married a daughter of Nathaniel Moore (son of Gov. James Moore the first, of South Carolina) and his children intermarried with the most prominent families of eastern North Carolina. His son John married Harriet Ashe (daughter of Gen. John Ashe); another son, William, married Margaret Moore (daughter of George Moore), who was the half-sister of Mary Moore who married Thomas Davis, the son of Jehu Davis.

A Genealogical Record of the Davis, Swann, and Cabell families of North Carolina and Virginia, by Thomas Frederick Davis, 1934, p. 7.

It is difficult to discern how much of the above is accurate. I have found some issues with the information, though that shouldn’t disqualify all of it.

John Davis, Esq. was born before 1705 if he’s the same one found in Berkeley Co., SC records. Otherwise, he was born before ca 1714 based on the first New Hanover Co., NC record I have for him which is a 1735 power of attorney. However, there is a reasonable chance the 1735 record I mentioned isn’t this same John Davis.

From the book:

“In the 1720's, four Davis brothers, Jehu, John, William and Roger, emigrated from the British Isles to ...”

The British Isles could mean England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Geographically speaking, this could also include the Republic of Ireland as well. If John was born ca 1700 as I suspect, and the family emigrated in that same decade, then he was likely a child when he came to America, presumably with his parents.

“... to Massachusetts, where they remained for a time in the vicinity of Boston.”

It might be possible to confirm their presence in Boston but that’s beyond my interest at the moment.

“They then went to South Carolina, and thence to the Cape Fear section of North Carolina, where they located permanently about 1725.”

Many settlers did move into the Cape Fear section of North Carolina from South Carolina during those days, many from Berkeley County.

There are some online trees that list John, Jehu, etc. as children of a David Davis. I believe I found the source for that. An abstract of the key parts of a document:

6 Jun 1726 Charleston SC Wills

Commission to divide the estate of David Davis, decd

Whereas Anne Davis widdow Hath by her Petition this day to me set forth her late husband David Davis (about eleven years since) Dyed intestate leaving her his widow & six children, four of which are now living, viz Margaret Davis, John Davis, Jehu Davis, & Mary Davis; that said Margaret and John having now attained the age of 21 years ...

[names as commissioners] Ralph Izard, John Herbert, William Dry, Benja. Wareing, & John Moore ... or any three of them ...

While filed in Charleston, they were residents of Berkeley Co., SC as shown by other documents. All records were filed in Charleston in those days.

The above certainly is interesting, but if David is the father of our John Davis, then where are his brothers Roger and William mentioned in the 1934 book? Was the author mistaken in including them as siblings? Or were they the two of the six children who had died by 1726?

Cpt. David Davis married Ann Moore, a daughter of Gov. James Moore (Sr), of whom many descendants moved to the Cape Fear region and were heavily intertwined with the Davis family there. Thomas Smith is the father of Justina Smith wife of Col. John Moore, so that’s two more connections. Also, the inclusion of William Dry in this document is also of great interest as he too is associated with the Moores and Davis in New Hanover and Brunswick Co., NC.

John Davis, son of David and Ann, married Ann Parris on 30 Dec 1725 in St. Phillips Parish, Charleston, SC. She is a daughter of Alexander Parris as proven by his 1735 Will.

In 1727 John and Ann Davis sold 350 acres inherited from his mother Ann Davis who died intestate. Before then the land went through many hands until it was sold by Roger Moore to John’s mother Ann Davis in 1718. John and wife Ann both signed the 1727 deed. Witnesses were Isaac Mazyck Junr and Robt Hume.

On 17 Apr 1728 an appraisal of Ann Davis’s estate was filed, which listed John Davis as Administrator. 32 slaves were named, but no heirs listed. There were several slaves named Grace listed which is of interest to me, though I don’t think my Grace Davis would have been born this early.

The birth of their son David Davis was recorded in St. Phillips Parish 10 Nov 1728. He died Aug 1732.

Alexander Parris made his Will on 6 Feb 1735 in Charleston, naming among others, his daughter Anne Davis and son-in-law John Davis.

“They then went to South Carolina, and thence to the Cape Fear section of North Carolina, where they located permanently about 1725.”

The above, from the 1934 book is probably accurate concerning Jehu Davis, who did appear in the Cape Fear region in the 1720s, however it seems John Davis didn’t join his brother until the 1730s. He was definitely there by 1740.

In 1725, all of south eastern North Carolina was part of Craven Precinct. In 1729 New Hanover Precinct was formed which took in our entire region of interest. In 1734 Bladen was formed from New Hanover. The Davises were primarily in the New Hanover section still, but close enough to the border that they acquired land in Bladen as well. Nothing changed in that area for 30 years until 1764 when Brunswick County was formed from southwestern New Hanover and a small portion of southern Bladen counties. It remained roughly the same until 1808 when Columbus County was formed from western Brunswick and southern Bladen. New Hanover remained mostly the same from 1764 until 1875 when Pender was formed from it which included the section where some of the connected families had lived.

Considering that John Davis, Esq, died in 1765, just one year after Brunswick was formed, that means any records for his life in the region would mostly be found in New Hanover, and perhaps, Bladen County records. Fortunately, New Hanover has records going almost all the way back to the beginning, though court house fires have destroyed some records. Bladen is the same story.

“John married a daughter of Nathaniel Moore (son of Gov. James Moore the first, of South Carolina)”

John Davis’s wife Ann Parris Moore died sometime before ca 1743. John Davis married again around that same time. The book cited above says he married a daughter of Nathaniel Moore (1699-1748). That isn’t correct. It’s possible the author was confusing John with his son Roger who did marry a daughter (Elizabeth) of Nathaniel Moore. Of course it’s possible that John also married a daughter of Nathaniel, though a father and son marrying sisters wasn’t all that common, but I suppose it did happen. However, I haven’t seen any evidence (yet) that suggests John Davis’s 2^nd wife was a daughter of Nathaniel Moore. It is very possible that the author of the book was half right and John did marry a Miss Moore, just not Nathaniel’s daughter.

One possibility is that John Davis married a daughter of Col. John Moore (1684-1728) and Justina Smith (1701-1743). I haven’t seen primary evidence for this either, but it fits circumstantially. Consider these items:

∙ John Davis Esq named a son John Moore Davis, presumably after Col. John Moore, the child’s grandfather?

∙ John Davis Esq named a daughter Justina, presumably after Justina Smith Moore, the child’s grandmother?

∙ John Moore (d 1761) son of Col. John Moore named his “niece” Justina Davis in his 1754 Will.

Naming patterns don’t necessarily prove anything, but the Will of John Moore (1754) is key, for if Justina Davis was his niece, then that means Justina’s mother is his sister. However, I’m not 100% certain this John (d 1761) is a son of Col. John, but if he is, then this is probably high quality proof that John Davis, Esq was married to a daughter of Col. John Moore.

However, there is a flaw in my argument. I never found anything to indicate the second Mrs. Davis’s given name. Her name did not appear on any of John’s deeds, nor was she named in his 1765 Will, presumably having died before he did. The problem is Justina Smith Moore’s 1743 Will in which she only named three children, son James, son John and daughter Rebecca. The problem is that she was clearly listed as Rebecca Moore in the Will, not Rebecca Davis. This means either that John Davis’s wife was not a child of John & Justina after all, or else they simply hadn’t married yet and would soon after the Will was made (14 Apr 1743). This works time-wise. However, at least one online tree (sans documentation of course) lists this Rebecca Moore as having married an unidentified Hamilton. I’ll need to find documentation to prove or disprove that connection.

“... and his children intermarried with the most prominent families of eastern North Carolina. His son John married Harriet Ashe (daughter of Gen. John Ashe); another son, William, married Margaret Moore (daughter of George Moore), who was the half-sister of Mary Moore who married Thomas Davis, the son of Jehu Davis.”

The above is not an exaggeration. John Davis Esquire’s daughter Justina Davis (c1747-1771) was married to two Governors! First to Gov. Arthur Dobbs (1689-1765) who she married when about 15. He died two years later. She then married Abner Nash (1740-1786). She died before he became Governor.

Col. William Davis married Margaret Moore in 1789. He was already in his 50s by then. I believe that was his only marriage. John Moore Davis married Harriett Ashe ca 1787. He was in his 40s then. The Thomas Davis mentioned in the 1934 book was a son of Jehu Davis.

John Davis, Esq, frequently listed as John Davis, Senr, along with John Davis, Junr, appears on many records in New Hanover Co., NC from the 1740s through 1760s. Both the elder and younger Johns were Esquires, meaning it isn’t always easy to tell which was which unless “Senr” or “Junr” was also used, which it mostly was.

On 7 Oct 1735 John Green of Boston, Suffolk Co., MA, made his “loving friend” John Davis, Merchant, and George Houston, his attorneys. He signed the document at Brunswick. Witnesses were Edward Wingate and John Leach. (New Hanover Co., NC Deed Book AB, p. 72.)

I don’t know if the above is the same John Davis since he’s listed as a Merchant. I’ve not seen that on any other records for him. Of course he may have abandoned that career shortly after this.

On 18 Dec 1737 William Flavell made his Will. He named as his Executors: Wm Roper, Elis Colleton, Rufus Marsden, John Davis and Jos. Wragg. Witnesses to the Will were Roger Rolfe and Mich. Huggins. (New Hanover Co., NC Deed Book AB, p. 141.)

Again, I don’t if the above is our John Davis or not, for I haven’t found any other association with any of those people and our John Davis.

On 20 Jan 1739/40, John Grange made his Will in New Hanover Co., NC. He named his sons John, James and Hugh Grange. No wife was named as she was probably dead by then. She was, however, Margaret Davis, sister to John and Jehu Davis, for John Grange named as his Executors his brother James Grange and “brothers in law John and Jehu Davis.” Back in 1723, in South Carolina, John Grange had been appointed guardian to their sister Mary Davis, then 14, and listed as her brother-in-law.

On 16 Jun 1743, John Davis of Wilmington, Carpenter, sold a water lot in Wilmington to Cpt. John Lamb, described as having been granted 13 Sep 1743. Witnesses were Nicholas Fox and William Hedges. (New Hanover Co., NC Deed Book C, p. 59.)

The above is probably not our John Davis.

On 8 Mar 1743, John Davis entered 640 acres on the North side of the Head of Old Town Creek. The survey was dated 7 Dec 1745, described as “on the lower claim” of John Davis. (North Carolina Land Warrant Number 279.) This may be the same 640 acres he Willed to his son Roger Davis in 1765, though he had at least one other 640 acre tract.

On 8 Mar 1743 Thomas Hill, Gentleman, made a deed to John Davis, Gentleman, for 160 pounds, 150 acres on Old Town Creek. It mentioned William Lewis’s upper line. Witnesses were Archibald Hamilton, Richard Quince and John Davis. (New Hanover Co., NC Deed Book C, pp. 50-51.) John Davis Sr sold this land in 1763 to his cousin Robert Howe(s).

Who is the witness to the above, also named John Davis? This isn’t our John Davis’s son John Jr for he was either an infant then or not yet born. It could be Jehu Davis and was transcribed incorrectly by the clerk when he made the court house copy for the deed book. Or, perhaps this is the John Davis, Carpenter, mentioned earlier. If so, I don’t know how the two Johns were related, if at all.

On 9 Jun 1744, Eleazer Allen made a deed to John Davis for 500 pounds for 750 acres on the head of Old Town Creek, mentions William Livingston’s Corner. Witnesses were Robert Halton and Thomas Smith. (New Hanover Co., NC Deed Book C, pp. 49-50.) John Davis sold this land to James Hassell Junr in 1764.

On 11 Mar 1746 John Musgrove made his Will in New Hanover Co., NC. He named as executors his wife Mary, and John Davis and Jehu Davis. Witnesses were John Moore, Wm Davis and John Potter. (New Hanover Co., NC Deed Book C, p. 127.)

The Davises above were brothers John and Jehu, and John’s son William. John Moore was probably John Davis’s brother-in-law of that name.

On 30 Sep 1749, William Armstrong entered 100 acres of land described as being on the East side of the North East Branch of Cape Fear River on the west side of Moors Creek being a branch of Holly Shelton? (hard to read) including his own improvements. Apparently this was signed over to John Davis, for his name was written on the back of the Warrant instead of William Armstrong’s. (North Carolina Land Warrant Number 256.) I don’t know what became of this tract of land. Perhaps John Davis never had it, and it remained with Armstrong.

On 25 Mar 1743, John Davis entered 1000 acres in Lewiston’s Creek. A survey dated 21 Feb 1753 appear to be for the same land though in a different file. The survey described the land as joining Archibald Hambleton, Eleazer Allen and John Davis. (North Carolina Land Warrants Number 903 and 941). John Davis Sr sold this land to Maurice Moore in 1765.

On 13 Jun 1754, John Davis, Gentleman, of New Hanover, made a deed to James Hassell Junr for 50 pounds for 750 acres on the head of Old Town Creek mentioning William Livingston’s corner. Witnesses were Ann Hassel and Elizabeth Jesop. (New Hanover Co., NC Deed Book D, pp. 235-236.) This was the same land John Davis purchased in 1744 from Eleazer Allen.

On 18 Nov 1754 William Moore made his Will in New Hanover Co., NC. He was married to John Davis’s daughter Mary Parris Davis. In the Will he named Mr. John Gardiner (no relationship given), his wife “Mary Paris Moore” whom he left the Orton Plantation. He named his son Roger Moore. He named as executors his wife and her father John Davis Senr, and George Moore. Witnesses were Dr. Armand DeRosset, Thomas Bell and John Swann.

William Moore was a son of Roger Moore (1694-1751). George Moore (1716-1779) was William’s brother.

I believe that John Davis’s wife Rebecca Moore Davis died before 10 Dec 1754 for she was not named in her brother John Moore’s Will bearing that date. John was unmarried and did name his brother James Moore and a niece, Justina Davis, who would be Rebecca’s only daughter.

On 9 Nov 1756, Mary Parris Moore, Executrix, John Davis and George Moore, Executors, of Wm Moore deceased, made a deed to Cornelius Harnet, Esquire, of Wilmington. Witnessed by John Davis Jr, who proved it in May court 1757. (New Hanover Co., NC Deed Book D, pp. 263-264.)

On 15 Nov 1756, George Richardson made his Will leaving all his goods to friend John Davis Senr. Witnesses were Samuel Neale, Anthony Ward and Thomas Neale.

On 7 Feb 1758, John Davis Senior, George Moore, Maurice Moore and Mary Paris Moore, Executors of William Moore, Deceased, made a deed to Arthur Dobbs, Esq, Governor. Witnesses were William Dry and Thomas Davis. (New Hanover Co., NC Deed Book D, pp. 326-327.)

For the above deed, John Davis’s daughter Mary Parris Moore, widow of William Moore was now married to Judge Maurice Moore, son of Col. Maurice Moore (1683-1743) and Mary Porter. Gov. Arthur Dobbs was soon to be John Davis’s son-in-law, though he wasn’t yet married to John’s daughter at the time of this deed. Thomas Davis was the son of Jehu Davis.

On 1 Mar 1758, John Davis Senior, George Moore, Maurice Moore and Mary Paris Moore, Executors of William Moore, Deceased, made another deed to Arthur Dobbs, Esq, Governor. Witnesses were William Dry and Thomas Davis. (New Hanover Co., NC Deed Book D, pp. 327-328.)

On 19 Feb 1759, John Davis entered 640 acres on George Moore’s line and joining his own line and Hambleton’s land and Mr. Allen’s land. They survey was dated 19 Sep 1760 for John Davis, Esq. Chain bearers were George Mills and Roger Davis (John’s son). (North Carolina Land Warrants 1192, 1193, 1333 and 1334.) This may be one of the parcels John Willed to his son Roger in 1765.

On 5 Apr 1759, Jno Davis, George Moore, Maurice Moore and Mary his wife, Executors of William Moore, deceased, sold a half acre lot in Town of Brunswick to William Dry. Witnesses were John Paine, William Walker. (New Hanover Co., NC Deed Book D, p. 375 and another on page 376 which might be a lease/release deed, or a separate deed.)

John Davis Sr is listed on the 1762 New Hanover Co., NC Tax List.

On 17 Jan 1763, John Davis Senr and John Davis Junr, of New Hanover Co., NC, sold land to Robert Howes, Esq, of Bladen Co., NC. All described as Planters. The land was part of a 640 acre tract granted to William Lewis in 1753 on a branch of Old Town Creek, of which 426 acres was conveyed to John Davis ... The deed was signed by John Davis and John Davis Junr. Witnessed by John Grange Junr. (New Hanover Co., NC Deed Book E, pp. 233-235.)

The above land was described in another deed dated 19 Jul 1769 when Robert Howe sold it to Parker Quince. In that deed it was described as ... whereas William Parker by deed 13 Dec 1749 sold to John Potter 426 acres in New Hanover (now Brunswick), on a branch of Old Town Creek. John Potter on 14/15 Apr 1754 conveyed land to John Davis Senr his heirs and assigns and were by the said John Davis Senr and by his son John Davis Junr (who was then and for many years before had been in quiet & peaceable possession of the same by gift from his said father), then conveyed to the said Robert Howe 17 Jan 1763 ... (Brunswick Co., NC Deed Book A, pp. 94-98.)

I did not find the 1754 deed from John Potter to John Davis referenced above.

On 18 Jan 1763, John Davis Senr, Gentleman, of New Hanover made a deed to Robert Howes, Esqr, of Bladen, for 160 pounds for 150 acres on Old Town Creek. John Davis signed. Witnesses were John Davis Junr and John Grange Junr. (New Hanover Co., NC Deed Book E, pp. 238-241.)

John Davis Sr is listed on the 1762 New Hanover Co., NC Tax List.

Brunswick County was created in 1764 from the western portion of New Hanover and from some of Bladen County. John Davis fell into the new county.

On 13 Apr 1764, John Davis freed one of his slaves:

To all to whom these presents shall or may concern, I John Davis of Brunswick County aforesaid, Esquire do by these presents set free my Negro woman Grace for and in consideration of her meritorious services and I do hereby confirm her said freedom in as full and ample manner if she said woman Grace had never been a slave.

Witness my hand and seal this the thirteenth day of April one thousand seven hundred and sixty four.

(Brunswick Co., NC Deed Book B, p. 421.)

It was signed by John Davis. Witnesses were Elizabeth Davis and Roger Davis. Roger was John’s son, and Elizabeth was Roger’s wife.

Grace Davis was my ancestor. I can’t help but wonder if John was Grace’s father, or perhaps the father of one or more of her children. While that’s possible, I have no documentation to prove it. However, I do have DNA linkages to other members of this large family, so perhaps there is a biological connection.

On 3 May 1765, John Davis Sinior made a deed to Maurice Moore for 300 pounds, he sold him 1000 acres in Bladen, now Brunswick Co., NC on Livingston Creek, “about six miles above Mr. Adams Mill” and joining the land of Robert Calley and “about five miles back of John Davis’s Plantation now Maurice Moore’s plantation” on the North West River granted to said John Davis by Patent dated 24 Mar 1743. It was signed by “J. Davis.” Witnesses were John Davis Junr and Thomas Davis. It was proven in court by John Davis Junr on 16 Jun 1785. (Brunswick Co., NC Deed Book A., p. 316.)

On 8 Oct 1765 John Davis Senr, Gentleman, made his Will in Brunswick County, declaring himself of perfect health and memory. He named:

∙ To my son Roger Davis my plantation whereon I now live commonly called Mill Point, 500 acres ... reserving a quarter acre where the burying place now is to my family for a burial hereafter ...

∙ Also to son Roger Davis another tract adjoining Mill Point 640 acres and also one other tract called Planters Delight which was purchased of Francis Roads situated on Old Town Creek

∙ to my son John Davis milking cows, stock of young cattle ...

∙ to my daughter Mary Parris Moore 50 pounds

∙ to my daughter Justina Dobbs eight Negroes Susey and her child called Grace, Hannah and her child called Jemimy, young Bacous, Jupiter, Sharry and Quash.

∙ The remainder of my estate equally divided amongst my sons William, John and Roger Davis share and share alike.

∙ In consideration of the faithful service of my Mulatto Felow Baccus it is my will & desire that from and after my decease he be at his liberty & freedom.

∙ I appoint my sons William, John and Roger Davis Executors.

∙ Signed: John Davis

∙ Wit: Thomas Davis, Stephen Rice, Archibald Ross

A memorandum (codicil) was added 24 Nov 1765:

Memorandum 24 Nov 1765 John Davis Esqr this day declared before John Moore & Thomas Davis that it was his desire his daughter Justina Dobbs should have the use of the dwelling house at Mill Point where he now lives until her brother John Davis could provide a house for her and that she should have the use of all the stock that may be on sd plantation at his death during her stay in the said house.

Signed: John Davis

Wit: Thomas Davis, John Baptiste Moore

(Brunswick Co., NC Deed Book A, pp. 28-29.)

The above abstract is from a copy of the Will filed in the deed books. I didn’t find any record of it being probated. Unfortunately some of the early Brunswick records were lost, presumably including any probate records for John or any court record showing when the Will was proven in court. Thus, we don’t know when he died, other than sometime after 24 Nov 1765. The next deeds I found for a John Davis was in 1768 and 1769 which simply referred to him as John Davis, Esq., with no suffix to indicate Sr or Jr, strongly suggesting that John Senr was dead by then and Junr no longer needed the suffix to distinguish him from his father.

Children

John Davis and his first wife, Ann Parris, had at least four children. John and 2^nd wife Rebecca Moore had two. Five of the six were named in his 1765 Will. The oldest, David, had died young.

The 1934 book that I cited made this statement regarding John’s children:

The above is correct regarding sons John and William. He left out son Roger. However, consider this earlier reference to John’s brothers:

“William and Roger Davis never married. William was a commander of a “Troop of Horse” in the French and Indian war. Roger’s activities are unknown.”

The above is wrong, for John Sr had no brothers named William and Roger unless they died young (before 1726). He did, however, have sons of those names. John’s son William was old enough to have served in the French and Indian War, but there are no records supporting the claim he commanded a “Troop of Horse.” Perhaps that relates to his later Revolutionary War service. The 1934 author also said that William and Roger never married. That isn’t true unless he’s actually referring to Roger’s sons of those names, who didn’t marry as far as I’m aware.

1. David Davis’s birth was recorded as 10 Nov 1728 in the St. Phillip Parish Church records of Charleston, SC. His burial was recorded as August 1732, not quite 4 years old.

2. Mary Parris Davis was born before ca 1733 on the assumption she was at least 21 in 1754 when named as Executrix of her husband’s Will. Her name strongly suggests she was named for a relative. Her mother was named Ann Parris, so perhaps her grandmother was Mary Parris. Mary Parris Moore married before 1754 to William Moore (son of Roger Moore). William died in 1754. By 1756 Mary had married William’s 1^st cousin, Judge Maurice Moore son of Col. Maurice Moore. Mary died sometime after 15 Jan 1777. I haven’t found any record (yet) of Mary having any children by either husband.

3. William Davis was born before ca 1732 if we assume he was at least 14 when he witnessed a Will in 1746. He married Margaret Moore ca Aug 1789 in New Hanover Co., NC. He was in his upper 50s then. Margaret was in her mid or upper teens, born ca 1770/75, a daughter of George Moore (1716-1779) and his 2^nd wife Sarah Jones. George was a son of Roger Moore. William Davis is listed on the 1790 and 1800 censuses in New Hanover Co., NC. He made his Will in 1802 naming his wife Margaret. They had no children, but he named his nephew John Davis (son of his brother John), and nephew Richard Eagles (I’m not sure how Richard Eagles is his nephew.) He also named John B. Moore son of “R. Moore,” no relationship stated. He named his wife Margaret as Executrix. Witnesses were James Moore and S(olomon) Halling. William Davis died ca 1808/1809. His widow Margaret made her Will in 1824 and died between 1830 and 1832.

4. Roger Davis was born before ca 1739. He was presumably named for his uncle Roger Moore. Roger Davis married his cousin Elizabeth Moore (daughter of Nathaniel) before 1757. They had at least four children as named in various Wills and deeds: John (1755/65-aft 1810), Rebecca, William and Roger (d 1798). The first three were named in the 1770 Will of Martha Dalrymple (relationship unknown). They, along with John Davis were named in a series of 1781 deeds from their father. Another record shows John was the oldest son. Roger Davis made his Will in Brunswick Co., NC before 1786, for on 26 Jun 1786 it was presented in court by Lewis DuPre, one of the witnesses. Henry Watters was executor. I have not been able to find this Will so far. However, from the court date we know that Roger Davis was dead by 26 Jun 1786, in Brunswick Co., NC.

5. John Moore Davis was born ca 1744. He was listed as John Davis “Junr” on most records. It wasn’t until 1790 when his widow Harriett applied for Administration of his estate that he was listed as “John Moore Davis.” He was almost certainly named for his grandfather Col. John Moore. He married Harriet Ashe ca 1787 in New Hanover Co., NC. He was in his early 40s at least by then, so it’s possible she wasn’t his first wife. He died before 10 Apr 1790 without leaving a Will. His only heir, besides his widow, was a son named John Ashe Davis (c1787/90). Mrs. Harriet Davis was listed on the 1790 census in New Hanover Co., NC next to Roger Davis, a single man, who I think is the son of Roger Davis (son of John Sr), thus her nephew by marriage. In May 1795, widow Harriet Ashe Davis made a marriage contract with Bernard Laspeyre who she married around that time. Apparently the marriage was troubled and they separated after a few years. They were on the 1800 census in New Hanover Co., NC. In 1810 they were in neighboring Brunswick Co., NC just two houses from my ancestor Richard Davis, thus in the Livingston Creek area. Bernard died in 1837 in Bladen Co., NC. Harriet was listed on the 1840 and 1850 census in New Hanover. She made her Will on 12 Aug 1852 and was dead by Sep. 1853.

6. Justina Davis was born ca 1747. She may have been named for her grandmother Justina Smith Moore. Justina married North Carolina Governor Arthur Dobbs in 1762 when she was only 15. He died in 1765 while on a trip to England. They had no children together as far as I’m aware. Justina married Abner Nash after 1765. He was a future North Carolina Governor. She died on 6 Dec 1771 while in Halifax Co., NC and is buried at the Colonial Churchyard there. I don’t know if she had any children by either husband.

For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for John Davis, Esq. and Ann Parris and Rebecca Moore.

Revised: December 23, 2025

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