| 8. | DAVISSON Josiah was born in 1692 in Ipswich, Essex Co., MA (son of Jr. Daniel Davison and DODGE Sarah); died in 1759 in Millstone, River, near Printceton, Middlesex Co., NJ. Notes:
With his fathers family moved to North Stonington, CT in 1701 where his father died in 1703. In 1706 when administrator was granted of the fathers estate to Sarah, the mother, and Peter Davison, brother of the deceased, Josiah is recorded as age 14. No record of guardianship has been discovered for any of his father’s children, nothing is known of him in the ensuing five years, to 1711, though a minor, probably acting for himself, from foregoing deeds to him. Josiah had learned the “Potters” trade at age 19 years and was doing business. He afterwards is described as a “Carpenter” and finally as a “Miller”.
Josiah Davisson’s family has become a legion in numbers and in force from ocean to ocean. It is very important that from the day he settled at Wading River, Long Island, until his grandson came out of the dark ages of Virginia. No vital records exist other than a few preserved in Bible and court deeds and records. The fables of family tradition have in a way, aided to locate persons and places.
The seven sons of Josiah Davisson of Millstone, NJ with the possible exception of two, went to Virginia, and Daniel was the first to go. He located in that part of Augusta Co. which is now Rockingham, first on “James Branch”, 1746. During the next 20 years, the older sons of Josiah followed. About 1780 they or their sons were inhabitants of what is now Harrison Co., WV. “The Davisson’s” who are all descendants of Josiah are one of the strong lines of descent from our common ancestor, Daniel Davison, 1630-1693, the “Exile”.
At about 40 years of age, Josiah, for some reason became Davisson. He had eight sons, six of whom took the new name and have sent it down to the present. The reason for this change is shrouded in mystery, but some have believed it was on account of ill will toward Robert Davison of the Monmouth, NJ family. Josiah came to the Millstone Valley below where Princeton now is situated in 1736, with limited means. He purchased thirty-three acres of land, including the site of the Aqueduct Mills, and in a quarter of a century acquired the lands upon the east side of the Millstone up to the Cranbury branch. Here he found Robert Davison in the forks of the streams with Scotch determination to remain, an unverified tradition says. A line fence sometimes makes better enemies, so it may be imagined that Josiah, who had until then non but yielding competition, may have thought this reason enough for putting a new thread in his tartan. This is not history, only tradition, possibly a myth.
Josiah married SKELTON Mary Winthrop in 1716 in Southhold, Long Island Co., NY. Mary was born on 01 Apr 1694 in Wenham, Essex Co., MA; died in 1759 in Millstone, River, near Printceton, Middlesex Co., NJ. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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1776 - 1849 (72 years)