DAVISON Francis

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

estimate, based on date of death and age given in the church record. Church register contains: December, 1608. William Davison, of Stepney, Esquire Sometyme, Secretary to Queen Elizabeth XXII day, ---
Notes from William Davison’s biography.

William Davison, Secretary to Queen Elizabeth, was on the Commission to try Mary, Queen of Scots, but was not present at the trial and did not sign the sentence.

Latin: Guilremum Davidsonoum. He was a handsome man, with a grave expression of countenance and possessed a fine voice. His temper was peculiarly mild and benign; his manner, urbane and persuasive, and he has been described as the sweetest man living.

Virtue and learning were in the former times sure ladders by which a man might climb to honor’s seat, but now they will not hold unless the mounting steps are made of gold. Under King James, he held the office of “Clerk of the Treasury and Warrents, and Custo Brevium of the King’s Bench,” for the term of his natural life.

In a History of the Pilgrims, there is reference to William Davison as a friend of one of the Pilgrim Fathers, William Brewster: “After he (Mr. Brewster) left College, he was employed to assist Mr. William Davison, who was a great man in Queen Elizabeth’s time. Mr. Brewster, went with him to Holland, on some important business, and on their return home, Mr. Davison gave him a gold chain as a mark of respect for his wisdom and faithfulness.”

Excerpt from the book “Mary, Queen of Scots”, showing the role he played in her death, and the price he paid for not: “Yet, with all the prejudices of her subjects in her own favor, Elizabeth would fain have had Mary’s death take place in such a way as that she herself should not appear to have any hand in it. Her Ministers were therefore employed to write letters to Mary’s keepers, insinuating what a good service they would do to Elizabeth and the Protestant religion if Mary could be privately assassinated. But these stern guardians, though strict and severe in their conduct towards the Queen, would not listen to such persuasions; and well it was for them that they did not, for Elizabeth would certainly have thrown the whole blame of the deed upon their shoulders, and left them to answer it with their lives and fortunes. She was angry with them nevertheless, for their refusal, and called Paulet a precise fellow, loud in boasting of his fidelity, but slack in giving proof of it.

As, however, it was necessary, from the scruples of Paulet and Drury, to proceed in all form, Elizabeth signed a warrent for the execution of the sentence pronounced on Queen Mary, and gave it to William Davison, her Secretary of State, commanding that it should be sealed with the Great Seal of England. William Davison laid the warrent, signed by Elizabeth, before the Privy Council, and next day the Great Seal was placed upon it. Elizabeth, upon hearing this, affected some displeasure that the warrent had been so speedily prepared, and told the Secretary that it was the opinion of wise men that some other course might be taken with Queen Mary. William Davison, in this pretended change of mind saw some danger that his mistress might throw the fault of the execution upon him after it had taken place. He therefore informed the Keeper of the Seals, what the Queen had said, protesting he would not venture farther in the matter. The Privy Council having met together, and conceiving themselves certain what the Queen’s real wishes, determined to save her the pain of expressing them more broadly, and resolving that the blame, if any arise, should be common to them all, sent off the warrent for execution with their clerk, Beale. The earls of Kent and Shrewsbury, with the High Sheriff of the county, were empowered and commanded to see the fatal mandate carried into effect without delay.”

Queen Mary was executed February 8, 1587

Family/Spouse: SPELLMAN Catherine. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was in Charleston, Massachusetts in 1639, as agent for Matthew Cradock, a merchant of London, the first nominal Governor of Massachusetts, but who never came to America. He went to Barbadoes and thence to England, in 1655, returning to America in 1656 aboard the Spedwell.

His will was proved on July 11, 1664, naming his wife, two children, and a brother, John. The estate inventoried at 1,869 pounds, 11s, 11d. It included lands in Boston, Charleston, Pennequid, and 21,000 acres near Windsor, on both sides of the Connecticut River.

Family/Spouse: HODGES Joanna. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The immigrant ancestor of the most numerous families of Davison in America of that period, was a Scotch Convenanter, a group in Scotland, which struggled for religious liberty. They were called thus because they found themselves in a series of covenants to maintain the Presbyterian doctrines. The Covenanter Army was defeated at the Battle of Dunbar Scotland by Oliver Cromwell in 1650. Daniel is supposed to have been a prisoner of war, who was exiled or deported to the Colonies in 1651 or 52. He built a house in Ipswich Hamlet, Essex, MA in the year 1667. He served in King Philips War 1675-1676. His will was dated December 5, 1693. The earliest record of Daniel Davison is the marriage record in the Essex court record. He was 27, Margaret was 22.

The placing of Daniel as one of the Scotch exiles was in the instance largely upon circumstantial evidence, and family traditions. When this solution was once accepted, it was found so well secured in circumstances that it seemed impossible to rove a flaw of genuineness of the same. The traditions, while indistinct as to the historical facts, were founded in lines of the family descent, and had been separated for two centuries, and could have only a common source at the beginning. Daniel Davison being an industrious, frugal thinking man under the conditions named in Rev. John Cotton’s letter, soon found himself able to reimburse the person who paid for his passage to America and in the short period of six years accumulated enough substance to become a farmer upon his own account, and married into a substantial English family, that has borne a worthy name through the centuries since. His children were able to make marriage alliances with the best families, the Dodges, the Whipples, the Morgans, the Tracys, the Williams and the Reddingtons who took and have maintained, during the eight to ten generations since, leaving good repute throughout the continent. He was an educated man to any degree. The record indicates he did not write. If by any chance, he was taken into the Scotch army on the levy of 1643, he could have had the opportunity for education. While it seems improbable at this time, that a boy of fourteen years would be called, yet in the Revolutionary War, Benjamin Davison, who enlisted at fourteen year of age, and fought in the lines for eight years, was only one of several of Daniel Davison's descendants of similar ages, who fought to make this nation possible.

At the date of dedication of the Hamlet church, 1714, the Davison’s and other residents of the Hamlet withdrew from Wenham church and became charter members of the Hamlet church, now Hamilton. This seems to be the only record that Daniel Davison was a member of the church. The fact that he was a member of the Convenanter Army stands as the strongest evidence that his people were of that faith, and that he was baptized as a child in Scotland.

The bloody and crushing experience of Dunbar and of Worcester, 1650 and 1651, it is said caused these unfortunate captives to curse the King, and clergy for “ensnaring them in misery”. Wheelock observed they could not look upon the perpetual meddling of the minister with the affairs of state, as the real source of all calamities, which had “recently befallen them”.

There is no recorded evidence that Daniel Davison held aloof form the church, except silence, which is not strong when his children were in church, and the record that he was buried by the good man as a member, is sufficient. At this date (1693) and for half a century thereafter, the “Hamlet of Ipswich” was more a part of Wenham than of Ipswich, five miles to the north. Here the Davison’s attended church, school and buried their dead. In the southwest corner of that ancient part of the Wenham cemetery today is a triangular tract that has no marking of burials. The fact that the area has been left, as further burials were made, confirm that belief that the ground is sacred to the memory of their ancestors.

About 1920, permission was asked and received, the consent of the present cemetery board to erect near the middle of the front of this area, a memorial to Daniel Davison and his wife Margaret. Daniel’s number in Rev. Gerrish’s list is 33; hence about the middle of the area may be his resting place. The inscriptions reads: “In Memory of Daniel Davison, Born in Scotland, 1630-1693 and his wife, Margaret Low. Ancestors of the Most Numerous Family of the Name in America. Buried 1693, by Rev. Joseph Gerrish”.
Daniel and Margaret had 13 children.

On September 13, 1666 he signed a loyalist petition. He served as a Major in the Essex Regiment and a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co. in 1672. He became a member of the Wenham Massachusetts Meeting House on January 5, 1674 and was a resident of Ipswich.

Will of Daniel Davison

In the name of God, Amen. I, Daniel Davison of Ipswich in the county of Essex in New England, being sick in body, but in sound and disposing memory praise be given to God for the same do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following:

First: and principal I resign my soul into the merciful hands of almighty God my creator Asuredly hopeing through the merits of my Blessed Saviour to obtain pardon and remission of all my sins & my body I comit to the earth whence it was taken to be decently buried by the discretion of my Executor hereinafter named & for the worldly goods and estate the Lord hath given me, I dispose thereof as follows: I give unto my son William my dwellinghouse and barne and all my outhouses & orchards together with twenty acres of upland and the rest of the upland adjoining to the house lott on the west & northwest to my son William’s at my beloved wifes decease or when she marries.

Item: I give unto my son John fifteen acres of upland adjoining to Edward Potter and Samuel Lumass their land & so to front upon the road way to Boston also I give to my son John five acres of meadow in Bay Path meadow.

Item: I give unto my son Thomas fifteen acres of upland joining to the land I have given my son Daniel & to joyne to Mr. Whipple’s land; also I give to my son Thomas five acres of meaddow in Bay Meaddow.

Item: I give to my son Peter fifteen acres of upland joyning to the land I have given my son Daniel on the one side & joyining to John Gilbert’s land also I give to my son Peter five acres of meaddow in Bay path meaddow and I do oblige my sons John, Thomas and Peter their proportions of upland and meaddow to my Beloved wife in the same termes as I have obliged my son William. And whereas there is thirty acres of upland lying Between William and Peter’s land not disposed which I value to be worth one hundred & twenty pounds, I doe lieue it in the hands of my Beloved wife whome I constitute & appoint to be my sole executrix of this my last will and testament, to be improved for Legacies to my Daughters Bridget & Dorcas distributing the overplus making them all equal and I doe appoint my son William to pay ten pounds for the use of his mother in order to my daughters portions Bridget & Dorcas; and my sons Daniel, & Thomas, & Peter shall have the priviledge of a high way to the Bay Road throught each others land & if by Gods providence any of my sons dy without issue then their part of land shall be equally divided among the survivers;

In Witness of this my firm act and deed I have hereunto sett my hand and seals_______

Signed Sealed in presence of
Richard Walker Senr; Isaac Swaine.
The Mark of Danll Davison (Seal)

Before ye Honoured Bartho Gedney Esq. Dec. 5, 1693____

Richard Walker Senr; & Isaac Swaine the witnesses within subscribe oath that they saw Daniel Davison sign & seal & heard him declare the written to be his last will & testament and that he was then of a disp

Attest Steph Sewall Regr.

Dated Dec. 5, 1693

Probate Records, Salem, Massachusetts, Vol. 303; "12/15/1692-Last will and Testament of Daniel Davison, Deceased"


Inventory of Daniel Davison
From: Probate records of Salem, Mass. Vol. 303. The inventory of the Estate of Daniel Davison deceased taken this 27th day of November, 1693, by us whose names are under subscribed_________________

A Dwelling House and Barne and outhouses 70L, Home Lott and orchard and meadow belonging 110L, 12 acres of tillage land 72 L, Pasture land and Meadow 76 acres 304L, Neet cattle and sheep 34L 1s, Swine and horse and maire 12L 7s, Feather bed and stock bed with furniture 20L, Sheets, table linen and pewter 7L, Iron potts, brass kettle and warming pan 3L, Chests and boxes and three musketts 4 L 10s, Tramel fire pan tongues and frying pan, All utensells of Husbandry 21L 10s, Sadle pollion and bridle and sword 2L 10s, Spinning wheels and other lumber tables and chairs 2L, Indian corn and barley, wheat and rye 34L 14s, Hay in Barne and oates threshed 17L 12s, Sider and flax 14L 10s, Total 720L 12s, Debts due from the estate fiz, General expense 8L 5s, Other debts 8L 1s.
Richard Walker John Gilbert Davison Exrx.

Before the Honored Bartho Gedney, Esq. 12/5/1693 made oath that the above is a true perfect inventory of ye estate of her late husband Daniel Davison deceased if more comes to her knowledge she will ad the same. Attest Steph Sewall

Sources of Information:
Author: Davisson, Russell Lee.
Title: A history and genealogy, the Davissons : twelve generations,
1630-1992, Davidson-Davison-Davisson families
Publication:
Date: c1993

Author:
Title: Colonial Families of the United States
Publication:
Date:
Text: Cited by Joseph Miller to Dennis Nicklaus in letter of May, 1996.


Title: Probate Records of Salem, Massachusetts
Publication:
Date:
Text: Cited by Joseph Miller to Dennis Nicklaus in letter of May, 1996.

Died:
Interment: Dec 1693, Wenham, Essex Co., MA

Daniel married LOW Margaret on 13 Apr 1657 in Ipswich, Essex Co., MA. Margaret was born in 1632 in Boxford, Suffolk Co., England; died in 1693. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: LYNCH Joseph. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married REDDINGTON Daniel on 23 Mar 1681 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Mass.. Daniel was born on 17 Mar 1656 in MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Dike, III Anthony Safford. Anthony was born before 24 Mar 1666 in Salem, Essex Co., MA; died in Feb 1735 in Ipswich, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
or 1703

Daniel married DODGE Sarah on 28 Jun 1685 in Ipswich, Essex Co., MA. Sarah was born on 13 Jan 1666 in Ipswich, Essex Co., MA; died in 1702 in Beverly, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Interment: Jan 1730, Hamilton, Essex Co., MA

Family/Spouse: WHIPPLE Mary. Mary was born in 1663 in Wenham, Essex Co., MA; died on 17 Jan 1729. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married DODGE Martha about 1695 in Wenham, Essex Co., MA. Martha was born in 1674 in Martinsville, Morgan Co., IN; died in 1736. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MORGAN Ann. Ann was born on 10 Nov 1678 in MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Dorcas married WILLIAMS Nicholas on 16 Nov 1705 in Beverly, Essex Co., MA. Nicholas was born about 1672 in Ipswich, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: TRACY Hannah. Hannah was born on 08 Jul 1677 in Preston, New London Co., CT; died on 23 Jan 1750. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1681

Mary married PERKINS Nathaniel on 14 Apr 1715. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1682

Family/Spouse: LUMMUS Johnathon. Johnathon was born in Ipswitch Hamlet, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: PEABODY Philalelphia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: STEVENS Elizabeth. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1690

Notes:

Birth:
or 1692

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jacob married HUBBARD Elizabeth on 12 Nov 1719. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Phineas married DAVISON Dorothy on 08 Nov 1726 in Ipswitch Hamlet, Essex Co., MA. Dorothy (daughter of DAVISON Peter and MORGAN Ann) was born on 06 Jan 1699 in Preston, New London Co., CT; died on 02 Jul 1784. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: BAGLEY Mary. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Martha married CLARK Daniel on 17 Jun 1731. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anthony married RuthBowles on 21 Nov 1729 in Ipswitch Hamlet, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married KIMBALL Daniel on 27 Nov 1708 in Wenham, Essex Co., MA. Daniel was born about 1684 in Wenham, Essex Co., MA; died on 17 Dec 1754 in Andover, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1690

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]

Andrew married CHESEBROUGH Rebecca on 29 Jan 1723 in First Church, Stonington, Salem Co., CT. Rebecca (daughter of CHESEBROUGH Elisha and MASON Rebecca) was born on 16 Nov 1707. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: WARDEN Benjamin. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married HOOKER John in 1713 in Ipswich, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: DODGE Samuel. Samuel was born on 11 Dec 1692. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Margaret married HOMES George on 10 Jul 1719 in Ipswich, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1697

Lydia married HOWARD Pitman on 26 Mar 1718 in Parich Church, Hamlet, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lydia married BOWLES John on 10 Feb 1729. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1697

John married OVERTON Sarah on 08 Mar 1719 in Salem, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ann married FURNACE David on 04 Oct 1724 in Chebacco, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: PLUMMER Elizabeth. Elizabeth was born on 04 Nov 1726 in Wenham, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
or 1746

Martha married CONANT Benjamin on 24 Jan 1721 in Beverly, Essex Co., MA. Benjamin was born on 22 Oct 1698 in Beverly, Essex Co., MA; died on 20 Sep 1767 in Warwick, Franklin Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1704

John married SAFFORD Hannah on 10 Apr 1734. Hannah was born on 26 Jul 1707 in Ipswitch Hamlet, Essex Co., MA; died in Feb 1736. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married COBURN Elizabeth on 12 May 1739 in Dudley, Worcestor Co., MA. Elizabeth was born on 08 Nov 1720. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married CLAFLIN Joshua on 16 Oct 1728 in Ipswich, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1711

Ebinezer married WOOD Sarah in 1734 in Littleton, Middlesex Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Hobakuk married MERRILL Elizabeth on 02 Feb 1764 in Thompson, Windham Co., CT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1697

Daniel married BABCOCK Martha on 07 Mar 1720. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Dorothy married REDDINGTON Phineas on 08 Nov 1726 in Ipswitch Hamlet, Essex Co., MA. Phineas (son of REDDINGTON Daniel and DEAVISON Elizabeth) was born on 19 Oct 1697 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Mass.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1703

Family/Spouse: WARNER Mary. Mary was born in 1709; died on 17 Apr 1777 in Brooklyn, Windham Co., CT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1705

William married CADY Mary on 13 Aug 1735 in Pomfret, Windham Co., CT. Mary was born on 14 Oct 1718. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Paul married PHELPS Abigail on 30 Aug 1733 in Mansfield, Tolland Co., CT. Abigail was born on 12 Mar 1711 in Mansfield, Tolland Co., CT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: WARNER Isaac. Isaac was born in Windham Co., CT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: WEBB Samuel. Samuel was born in Windham, Windham Co., CT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Martha married BRANCH John on 20 Oct 1726. John was born in Preston, New London Co., CT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jonathan married PARKE Keziah on 03 Nov 1720 in Preston, New London Co., CT. Keziah was born in 1699 in Preston, New London Co., CT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1699

Notes:

Birth:
or 1702

Thomas married HERRICK Lydia on 31 Aug 1726 in Griswold Churck, Preston, New London Co., CT. Lydia was born on 13 Jul 1707 in Pomfret, Windham Co., CT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married BABCOCK Elizabeth on 05 Feb 1736. Elizabeth was born on 25 Aug 1715 in Stonington, New London Co., CT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1710

Family/Spouse: WILLIAMS Jedediah. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married HARRISON Phoebe about 1743 in Rockingham Co., VA. Phoebe was born in 1724 in Long Island, Queens Co., NY; died in 1807 in Rockingham Co., VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married WILKINS Sarah in 1740. Sarah was born in Somerset Co., NJ. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married BONHAM Mary in 1779. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1720

Obadiah married Elizabeth about 1743 in Millstone River, near Princeton, Mercer Co., NJ. Elizabeth was born about 1721 in Hunterdon Co., NJ. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rebecca married AUSTIN Ebenezer on 14 Jun 1742. Ebenezer was born on 22 Apr 1706. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1723

Family/Spouse: NEWELL Millicent. Millicent was born on 19 Dec 1725 in Dudley, Worcestor Co., MA; died on 06 Jul 1769 in Dudley, Worcestor Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1723

Family/Spouse: Mary. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Paul married BRADLEY Affia on 19 Aug 1751 in Presbyterian Church, Rombout, Dutchess Co., NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married FORD William on 19 Aug 1755 in Presbyterian Church, Rombout, Dutchess Co., NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married GOODELL Lydia on 05 Jan 1757. Lydia was born in Apr 1736; died in Mar 1822. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Or 1732

Lois married WALKER Stephen on 30 Sep 1762. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married SABIN Mehitable on 06 Jan 1757. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Peter married WOODWARD Abigail on 28 Apr 1768. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Or 1743

Daniel married DAVIES Catherine on 20 Nov 1777. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Dorothy married DYKE Thomas on 11 Dec 1770. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Paul married HYDE Sarah on 06 Nov 1775. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1740

Oliver married SPALDING Eunice on 07 Feb 1754. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Dan married GOODELL Martha on 06 Jan 1763 in Pomfret, Windham Co., CT. Martha was born on 08 Apr 1739 in Middletown, Middlesex Co., CT; died on 04 Aug 1825 in Hartland, Windsor Co., VT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Obituary: shot by a French spy.

Margarent married BRUMBLEY Christopher on 02 Jun 1758. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: WITTER Joseph. Joseph was born on 03 Jan 1764. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Keziah married RANDALL David on 06 Nov 1738. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jonathan married BILLINGS Hannah on 19 Dec 1748. Hannah was born on 09 Nov 1729 in Windham Co., CT; died in Nov 1821 in River Phillip, Philip, Nova Scotia Co., Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Andrew married KIMBALL Eunice about 1757 in Norwich, New London Co., CT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
or 1729

Zepheniah married DURKEE Susannah on 16 Jul 1752. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Christopher married HOVEY Lydia on 02 Jun 1755. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: SEARLES Margaret. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Record and Pension Office, War Department.
Respectfully returned to Almond A. Davison, Manito, Illinois.
Washington, D.C., March 28, 1896.

The records of this office show that Asa Davison, served as a private in Captain Nathaniel Webb's Company, 4th Battalion, Connecticut Forces, commanded by Col John Durkee, Revolutionary War. He enlisted, March 1, 1778, to serve 5 months, was discharged, January 1, 1779.

The records also show that Asa Davison, served as a private in the 1st Company, Fifth Connecticut Regiment, Commanded by Lieut. Col. Sherman, Revolutionary War. His name first appears on the roll for March 1782, and he was discharged, June 22, 1782.

The records further show that Asa Davison, served as a private in Capt. Nehemiah Rise's Company, 8th Connecticut Regiment, Revolutionary War. He enlisted Aug. 16, 1779 to serve six months, and was discharged, Jan. 15, 1780.

The records also show that Ezra Davison, served as a private in Capt. Benjamin Durkee's Company of Matrosses, at Port Trumbull, Connecticut. He enlisted, Aug. 12, 1782, (That day he was 17 years old.), to serve 12 months, and was discharged, Aug. 12, 1783. By authority of the Secretary of War. Signed by Col. U.S. Army Chief in Office.

Note that they were enlisted for short campaigns of a few months to a year, following which they would return home to take care of farm and family, then enlist again. (GEW)

In other accounts, Asa Davison appears at “The Battle of Lexington”, and “The Battle of Monmouth”. He was also with Gen. Benedict Arnold, on his famous campaign to Canada.

Asa served with the English Army during the French and Indian War, at the siege of Louisburg, Nova Scotia. After the war, the family settled there for a time, where his son, Ezra was born in 1765. At some point, he moved the family back south, as we find him in Ashford, Massachusetts at the start of the Revolutionary War.

At some point after the war, the family migrated on down to Grafton, New York, where Asa died in 1824. He was buried in the Brock burying ground in the northeast part of Grafton.

Died:
Interment: 1831 Brock Cemetery, near Grafton , Rensselaer Co., NY

Family/Spouse: PRIDE Sarah. Sarah was born on 24 Aug 1743. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Timothy married YOUNG Deborah in 1765 in Horton, Kings Co., Gaspereau, Nova Scotia Co., Canada. Deborah was born on 06 May 1750. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

On May 7, 1778, Josiah was named the Sheriff of Rockingham County, and the first jail was erected - but never completed - at a plantation known as Smithland, just north of the City of Harrisonburg. Davisson’s term was brief, because of his inability to collect taxes. His replacement, Abraham Smith, had been a member of the Virginia militia during the French-Indian wars. At one time, he was captured and tried for treason. Another sheriff not only was required to locate and arrest an individual, but following the trial, he was ordered to hang the man, a task he performed from a tree in Harrisonburg.

Died:
Interment: Sep 1825 Baptist Cemetery, Monroe , Preble Co., OH

Josiah married HERRON Virginia Edith on 23 Oct 1771 in Augusta Co., Rockingham Co., VA. Virginia was born on 03 Jul 1752 in Wading River, Suffolk Co., NY; died in Mar 1801 in Harrison Co., WV. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Josiah married WILLIAMS Nancy Ann on 23 Oct 1801 in Harrison Co., WV. Nancy was born on 30 Jul 1772; died on 17 Mar 1844. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ann married Jr. Reuben Moore about 1767. Reuben was born about 1740 in Frederick Co., VA; died in 1822. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Phoebe married EWING John in 1768. John was born in 1741 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA; died on 17 May 1822 in Rockingham Co., VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: BURROWS Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MOORE William. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married CHRISTOPHER Charity on 11 Oct 1800 in Hunterdon Co., NJ. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In his Revolutionary War pension application November 12, 1832, Isaac stated that he was a son of Obadiah Davisson, that he lived in Harrison County, VA during the Revolution, That he was a brother of Major Daniel Davisson, that he was 86 years old, and a resident of Johnson County IN at that time. He stated that he volunteered as a ranger in a company officered by Captain James Booth, Lieutenant John Tucker and Ensign John Tucker about July 1, 1775. The following year, he was engaged as a spy under his brother, Major Daniel Davisson.

Isaac was named to the VA General Assembly December 5, 1793. land deeds indicated that he may have lived in Harrison County as late as March 1808 before moving to Ohio.
From: http://www.rootsweb.com/~hcpd/norman/DAVISSON

He served as orderly sergeant and Indian spy, Virginia Line. He was placed on the pension roll of Johnson County, IN, 1832 for service as private, Virginia militia.

From:
A History and Genealogy
The Davissons
Twelve Generations
1630-1992
Davidson-Davison-Davisson Families
By Russell Lee Davisson published 1993.

Isaac Davission was born in the Millstone Valley of New Jersey, circa 1746; he died October 17, 1847. Isaac is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, Lot 93, Section 5, at South Charleston, Ohio. He married Isabella Anderson (born 24 October 1756) on 25 May 1779.

In 1871, he received certificate for four hundred acres of land on the West Fork River, Harrison County, Virginia, adjoining lands of John McCauley to include his improvements made in 1776. He was a Revolutionary War soldier named in Book 22 of miscellaneous volumes of lists of militia paid at Pittsburgh. At the time of the Revolution, he was a resident of Harrison County. The Wisconsin Historical Society has a five-page affidavit made by Isaac Davidson (Davisson) in a pension application dated 12 November 1832 (Draper papers) in which he recites:

"That his father's name was Obadiah Davisson; that he lived at station in Harrison Co., VA; that he is a brother of Maj. Daniel Davisson; that his age is eighty-six years; that he is resided in Blue River Township, Johnson County, Indian; that he volunteered as a ranger, when living in Harrison County about 1 July 1775; that the company was officered by Capt. James Booth Lt. John Tucker and Ens. John Tucker; that they crossed the Monongahela's West Fork and ranged as far west as the Ohio River. The next year he was engaged as a spy under his brother, Maj. Daniel Davidson (Davisson). In 1777, Maj. Daniel Davisson commanded Nutter's Fort in Harrison county not far from Clarksburg.

Died:
Interment: Oct 1847 Greenlawn Cemetery, South Charleston , Clark Co., OH

Isaac married ANDERSON Isabella on 25 May 1779 in Harrison Co., WV. Isabella was born on 26 Oct 1756 in VA; died before 1820 in Indianola, Warren Co., IA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In 1773, Daniel and Prudence built a log cabin on Elk Creek in Harrison County, VA on the present day site of Clarksburg, WV. Their claim on 400 acres of land was recognized when the land commissioner sat in Clarksburg in 1781. By 1778, Davisson had permitted a number of settlers to build cabins adjacent to his. One cabin joined another to form a wall that made the little village a fort. In that time of Indian raids, a fort was a necessary consideration.

At its first meeting near Buckhannon in 1784, the Harrison County Court decided to place the county buildings on Daniel Davisson’s. George Jackson asked permission at the same meeting to build a dam and grist mill on Elk Creek about a hundred yards from the edge of the village. Daniel is everywhere in the court records of the 1780’s. He viewed the road “to Levi Shinn’s”, filled and order to “to build stocks, whipping post, and pillory” in 1785 and collected a shilling for candles he furnished the justices in 1786. He accepted a place on the committee to superintend construction of a building for Randolph Academy in 1788 and proved to the court that he worked 20 days in 1788 and 30 days in 1790 as a commissioner helping to cut a road from the State Road near Kingwood to the mouth of the Little Kanawha River. In 1788, he presented the court his commission as a Captain in The Virginia militia.

The Harrison County court ordered a courthouse erected in 1787 and by 1790, Daniel had built a residence and “ordinary” across the street. This establishment functioned as a store, hotel, restaurant and meeting place. In 1790, the county court accepted Hezekiah Davisson in place of Daniel “to keep the road in repair from for of Elk in Clarksburg to Limestone Creek and from the courthouse to the mouth of the Elk”.

Apparently the Davisson establishment served an an unofficial adjunct to the Courthouse. By 1795, the court authorized Daniel to “keep the courthouse key and to sweep the courthouse clean for a year at 15 shillings.” By 1800, the court allowed Daniel $12.50 for his room to hold court for 1 year.

In 1799, Daniel was commissioned a Major in the 11th Regiment of the Virginia Militia. That year the governor received Daniel’s name as a man likely to be a justice of Harrison County. Daniel was voted a delegate to thwe Virginia Assembly in 1801 and in 1802. In 1817, Daniel was appointed High Sheriff of Harrison County for 1 year. Prudence (Izzard) Davisson died in 1806 and Daniel in 1818.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
"Clarksburg, A Bicentennial Album"
"History of Harrison County WV" p.153

From:
A History and Genealogy
The Davissons
Twelve Generations
1630-1992
Davidson-Davison-Davisson Families
By Russell Lee Davisson published 1993.

Major Daniel Davisson (Obadiah, Josiah, Daniel) was born in the Millstone Valley of New Jersey, circa 1748; he died at Clarksburg, Virginia, in 1819; Daniel Davisson is buried at the Hopewell Baptist Grounds, near West Main and Chestnut streets, at Clarksburg, Harrison County, Virginia (West Virginia), now the Daniel Davisson DAR Cemetery. He was probably married in 1772, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Prudence Izzard, daughter of George Izzard of South Carolina; said to be a niece of Aaron Burr; she died circa 1806(?) (deed 1808). Her name was variously spelled as Izzard and Izard, but the later spelling is used by her Davisson progeny.

His 400-acre settlement right made in 1773, and certified in 1781, included the principal part of Clarksburg between Elk Creek and the West Fork River. His cabin was allegedly located on Chestnut Street between Pike and Main streets. From being the first settler, he is known as the "Proprietor of Clarksburg." He later built a large stone building on the northwest corner of Second and Main streets where he live for many years. For a long time he kept an ordinary, a tavern or eating house serving regular meals, which was authorized by the county court held 18 September 1787. The author's grandfather told him that next to Daniel Davisson's ordinary was a large livery where he also provided stall hay and oats for the horses of his customers.

Major Davisson was one of the leading men of the county. He took part in the revolutionary struggle being commander of Nutter's Fort. His revolutionary service is referred to in the pension affidavit of his brother Isaac mentioned previously. At the court held on 18 March 1785 he was awarded a contract for the erection at Clarksburg of stocks, a whipping post and pillory. At the following April court he was named surveyor of a highway in "Monongalie," Harrison and Ohio counties, Virginia. Daniel and Hezekiah Davisson were appointed to a commission to locate the road. In 1788, these same Davissons were named trustees for Randolph Academy, then authorized by the General Assembly of Virginia. He was a delegate to the House of Burgesses in 1801-1803. At the age of sixty-nine years, in 1817, he was named high sheriff for Harrison County by the governor of Virginia.

The earliest record of the building of a church in Clarksburg is contained in a deed from Daniel Davisson dated June 21, 1790, which convenes to the "Congregation of Regular Baptist member of Hopewell Church and their successors, in consideration of ten shillings, a lot containing three rods and seven perches." This lot is located on the south side of what is now Main Street, just west of Chestnut Street, and was used a a burial ground from 1788 until shortly after the close of the Civil War. The Daniel Davisson Chapter of the DAR was named in his honor. The chapter currently maintains the burial grounds as a historic site; the church and most grave markers have long disappeared.

Died:
Interment: 1818 Hopewell Baptist Church (now Daniel Davisson DAR Cemetery)

Maj. married IZARD Prudence in 1772 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA. Prudence was born in 1750 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: UNKNOWN Ann. Ann was born about 1755 in Penns Neck, Middlesex Co., NJ; died in 1773. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From:
A History and Genealogy
The Davissons
Twelve Generations
1630-1992
Davidson-Davison-Davisson Families
By Russell Lee Davisson published 1993.

Hezekiah Davisson (Obadiah, Josiah, Daniel) was born circa 1750, on Millstone River near Prince Town, New Jersey, but no definite date is known; he died between April 15, 1794, and January 23, 1796, the will dated and will probated in Harrison County, Virginia. Hezekiah married Ann ....; the census of 1785 records his family as two white persons indicating that his five children named in his will, 1794, were born between 1785 and 1794. Anna his widow married (second) January 23, 1796, William Maulsby.

Hezekiah married PUGH Ann in 1776. Ann was born about 1757 in VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Interment: Sep 1838 Davisson Cemetery, Brushy Fork, near Quiet Dell , Harrison Co., WV

Josiah married STOUT Martha on 07 Jun 1785 in Harrison Co., WV. Martha was born in 1765 in Hunterdon Co., NJ; died on 01 May 1842 in Harrison Co., WV. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Millesent married RICH Thomas on 25 Aug 1754 in Dudley, Worcestor Co., MA. Thomas was born on 20 Oct 1738 in Sutton, Worcester Co., MA; died on 22 Aug 1825 in Shoreham, Addison Co., VT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married LEONARD Sarah on 30 Jan 1779 in Barre, Worcester Co., MA. Sarah was born about 1762 in Dudley, Worcestor Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ezra married DAVIS Ruth on 27 Oct 1773. Ruth was born about 1752 in Dudley, Worcestor Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Amos married ERSKINS Elizabeth on 27 Aug 1776. Elizabeth was born about 1755 in Dudley, Worcestor Co., MA; died on 11 Jun 1820 in Irasburg, Orleans Co., VT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Benjamin married GALE Mary (Mercy) on 24 Oct 1784 in Warwick, Franklin Co., MA. Mary was born about 1763 in Warwick, Franklin Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Benjamin married WATTS Eunice on 01 Dec 1803 in Warwick, Franklin Co., MA. Eunice was born on 06 Dec 1778 in Warwick, Franklin Co., MA; died on 15 Nov 1856. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: RANKIN Mary. Mary died in 1840 in Albany, Montgomery Co., NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: RUNDELL Abaraham. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: RUNDELL Samel. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married CLARK Lydia on 21 Nov 1784. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Paul married CHILD Belinda on 26 Dec 1790 in Hartland, Windsor Co., VT. Belinda was born on 31 Jul 1768 in Woodstock, Windham Co., CT; died on 22 Mar 1806 in Hartland, Windsor Co., VT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Interment: Nov 1852 Church Cemetery, River Phillip, Philip , Nova Scotia Co., Canada

Jonathan married ROCKWELL Elizabeth on 08 Nov 1792 in St. Johns Angelican, Cornwallis, Kings Co., Nova Scotia, Canada. Elizabeth was born on 08 Aug 1771 in Nova Scotia Co., Canada; died on 06 Jun 1853 in River Phillip, Philip, Nova Scotia Co., Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married WOODWORTH Anna in Jul 1774 in Horton, Kings Co., Nova Scotia, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married ROGERS Deborah on 08 Sep 1785 in Kings Co., Nova Scotia, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: STARK Catherine. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Coddington married WARNER Ellizabeth about 1825. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: STANLEY Roderick. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: PHILLIPS John. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MACUMBER Moses. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Although family tradition holds that Ezra enlisted when he was but 16, the first record of his service is his enlistment in Capt. Benjamin Durkee’s company of Matrosses, at Port Trumbull, Connecticut, August 12, 1782, his 17th birthday.

They took up land two miles northeast of Grafton Centre. the country was then a wilderness. They built a house, cleared the land of forest, planted on archard, and built stone walls, or fences. Panthers used to steal their sheep. Bears were in the woods. There were few settlers. No Church nor School House. The first school district was organized, Sept. 13, 1813, and they voted to build a school house on a man's land, whose name was Cobb. (It was always called the Cobb's school house.) It was sixteen feet square with an entry large enough to hold a load of wood. They levied a tax of $75.00, the rest was to be paid in work. Three or four generations of Davisons studied Webster's spelling book, Daboll’s arithmetic, and the English Reader, and perhaps got punished in the Cobb’s school house.

The first trustees were Daniel Mills, Foster Reynolds, and Bradick Peekham, Jr., moderator, Elisha Wells, Clerk Daniel Mills. A great many prominent men were educated in the Cobb's school house. About 1842, Van Ransellaer, the Patron, offered a set of outline maps, to the best school in Grafton, to be examined by a committee at the Church in Grafton Centre. We carried home the maps and were justly proud of it. I visited the spot in 1889. Found nothing but the foundation stones and thickly grownup weeds and brush. (A. A. Davison)

Ezra lived and raised his family on what we call the “Old Davison Homestead.”

Ezra married SMITH Diedamia on 24 May 1790 in Argyle, Penobscot Co., ME. Diedamia was born in 1774; died in 1853. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Interment: Glenwood Cemetery, Homer , Cortland Co., NY

Lavina married OWEN Roderick on 30 Nov 1797 in Homer, Cortland Co., NY. Roderick was born on 20 Nov 1777 in New Lebanon, Columbia Co., NY; died on 05 Sep 1849 in Homer, Cortland Co., NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Interment: Davison (Yankeetown) Cemetery, Clayton , Woodford Co., IL
Obituary: changed name to Davidson??

Family/Spouse: DAVIS Elizabeth. Elizabeth was born about 1798 in NY; died in 1880. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]