Abraham Cruser Smith

Other Events:

• Group: Davidson 001 Family of Immigrant John Davidson
• Group: Davidson Direct Descendant
• Group: Davidson DNA Family 001
• Group: Descendant of Revolutionary War Veteran
• Alt. Birth: Abt 1842, Buncombe County, North Carolina
• Alt. Birth: Abt Aug 1844, North Carolina
• 1870 Census: 1870
• 1880 Census: 1880
• 1900 Census: 1 Jun 1900

Notes:

1880
Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Abram C. SMITH   Self   M   Male   W   35   NC   Farmer   NC   NC
Elizabeth SMITH   Wife   M   Female   W   34   NC   Keeping House   NC NC
Augustus SMITH   Son   S   Male   W   11   TN   Works On Farm   NC   NC
Ruth I. SMITH   Dau   S   Female   W   9   TN      NC   NC
George SMITH   Son   S   Male   W   7   TN      NC   NC
John SMITH   Son   S   Male   W   4   TN      NC   NC
Grace SMITH   Dau   S   Female   W   1   TN      NC   NC
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------
Source Information:
  Census Place District 15, Mc Minn, Tennessee
  NA Film Number   T9-1268
  Page Number   413A

Group:
Descendants of immigrant John Davidson of DNA Family 001

Group:
Direct Descendant of any immigrant Davidson

Group:
Descendants of John, George, and Samuel Davidson of Beverley Manor, Virginia, and Iredell county, North Carolina

Group:
DAR or SAR Eligible Descendant of a Revolutionary War Veteran

1870 Census:
Athens - 11th District, McMinn Co., TN, p. 124, age 25, b. NC, as Crewser Smith

1880 Census:
District 15, McMinn Co., TN

1900 Census:
Fifteenth Civil District, McMinn Co., TN, ED 87, sheet 1B

Abraham married Elizabeth Ann McKenzie on 13 Dec 1865 in McMinn County, Tennessee. Elizabeth was born on 2 Feb 1846 in Burke County, North Carolina; died on 14 Nov 1918 in McMinn County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Augustus H. Smith was born in 1868 in Tennessee; died in Unknown.
2. Ruth Jane Smith was born in 1871 in Tennessee; died in Unknown.
3. George Smith was born in 1873 in Tennessee; died in Unknown.
4. John L. Smith was born about May 1876 in Tennessee; died in Unknown.
5. Grace "Gracy" Smith was born on 15 Nov 1878 in McMinn County, Tennessee; died on 10 May 1908 in McMinn County, Tennessee.
6. James H. Smith was born about May 1881 in Tennessee; died in Unknown.
7. Bynum Charles "Charlie" Smith was born on 25 Apr 1883 in McMinn County, Tennessee; died on 17 Oct 1964 in McMinn County, Tennessee.
8. Winslow Smith was born about Nov 1886 in McMinn County, Tennessee; died in 1963 in McMinn County, Tennessee.
9. Horace Smith died before 1900.
10. Isabelle Smith died before 1900.

Other Events:

• Group: Davidson 001 Family of Immigrant John Davidson
• Group: Davidson Direct Descendant
• Group: Davidson DNA Family 001
• Group: Descendant of Revolutionary War Veteran
• 1830 Census: 1830
• 1840 Census: 1840
• 1850 Census: 9 Nov 1850
• Alt. Death: 1860
• 1860 Census: 11 Jun 1860

Notes:

The Smiths went to Swannanoa, Buncombe Co., NC, in 1830 and then on to Gilmer County, GA, in 1845.  They were living in Etowah, McMinn County, TN, as of 4 June 1865, es evidenced by a letter written by Margaret (w. Jack Smith of Birmingham, AL, has a copy of this letter.  Note that the letter suggests that they were alive still in 1865, when sources give their death dates previous to that. ).

All of their children were born in North Carolina.

Group:
Descendants of immigrant John Davidson of DNA Family 001

Group:
Direct Descendant of any immigrant Davidson

Group:
Descendants of John, George, and Samuel Davidson of Beverley Manor, Virginia, and Iredell county, North Carolina

Group:
DAR or SAR Eligible Descendant of a Revolutionary War Veteran

1830 Census:
Not Located.

1840 Census:
Not Located.

1850 Census:
Subdivision 33, Gilmer Co., GA, p. 418

1860 Census:
Subdivision 33, Gilmer Co., GA, p. 18, age 60, b. NC

Daniel married Margaret Isabella "Peggy" McRee in 1820 in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Margaret (daughter of Rev. Dr. James McRee and Rachel Cruser) was born on 11 Apr 1802 in Iredell County, North Carolina; died on 19 Sep 1885 in Ellijay, Gilmer County, Georgia; was buried after 19 Sep 1885 in Ellijay City Cemetery - Ellijay, Gilmer County, Georgia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• 1870 Census: 1870
• 1880 Census: 1880

Notes:

1870 Census:
Not Located

1880 Census:
Ellijay, Gilmer Co., GA, w/Samuel W. Smith

Other Events:

• 1790 Census: 1790, Rutherford County, North Carolina
• 1800 Census: 1800
• 1810 Census: 1810
• 1820 Census: 1820

Notes:

Col. Daniel Smith, originally from New Jersey, was a celebrated frontiersman and Indian fighter.  He was a hunter and a Patriot soldier, a Captain in the Burke County, NC, militia during the Revolution, and a Colonel in the Buncombe County, NC, militia after the War.  Daniel was prominent among the men who crossed the mountain to avenge the death (in 1784) of Samuel Davidson.

Family records indicate that he moved directly from New Jersey to North Carolina in 1776; however, records exist in Augusta County, VA, that a Daniel Smith lived there.  (see Hand, p. 30)
____________________

Born in New Jersey in 1757. Died in Asheville, Buncombe county, North Carolina. Enlisted in the Burke county, North Carolina militia and stationed at the head of the Catawba River to defend the frontiers against the Indians. He fought in the battle of Kings Mountain and other battles in the region. He is buried at the Old Newton Academy Cemetery on Biltmore Ave in Asheville, Buncombe county, North Carolina.

Family was known at one time as "Smithson"
___________

Daniel Smith is listed in the 1800 census of Buncombe county, North Carolina as head of a household consisting of 2 males under 10, 2 males 10-16, 2 males 26-45, 3 females under 10,1 female'10-16, 1 female 26-45, 1 slave.

Daniel Smith was a native of New Jersey born in 1757. According to some entries in the family Bible Smithson was the name used by this family at one time.

Daniel Smith lived in Rowan and Burke Counties, North Carolina during the Revolution, and served from 1776 to the close ot the Revolution, principally against the Indians, as Captain of North Carolina Militia, a part of the time under Col. Charles McDowell and Gen. Gritfith Ruthertord.

In the fall ot 1781 Daniel Smith and Mary McConnell Davidson were married at the ''The Glades" home. Her father was Major William Davidson in Burke County, (now McDowell County) North Carolina. Mary Davidson was a niece of Samuel Davidson who was killed by Indians at his homestead on Christian Creek near Swannanoa in 1784. It is said but not certainly known that Samuel Davidson's wife was a sister ot Daniel Smith.

In 1787 Daniel Smith was apparently in the party that formed the first settlement on Bee Tree Creek but moved on west and settled on the east side of the French Broad River on the ridge north of the confluence of the Swannanoa and French Broad Rivers. He and William Forster, the second of the name, being the first two men 'to settle in what is now the City of Asheville. The land was part of a grant of 640 acres made by the State of North Carolina to William Stewart dated August 7, 1787. It bears the signature of Richard Caswell, Governor of the state. In the year 1796 William Stewart conveyed 308 acres to Daniel Smith in consideration ot "one hundred pounds of lawful money of said State of North Carolina."

One ot the artifacts from this period of history, inherited and preserved through the Reynolds family and carefully guarded by Pack Memorial Library is the special musket carried and prized by Daniel Smith throughout his litetime. It was a pre-revoIutionary smoothbore flintlock dubbed "Long Tom" and his constant companion as he travelled extensively about this part of the country in search of food and furs, and for defense of the settlement. With the opening of the Smith-McDowell House in June 1981 it "came home'' for display on property that he pioneered.
___________

Colonel Daniel Smith, apparently in the party that formed the first settlement on Bee Tree, a hunter and an American soldier in the Revolutionary War, settled immediately east of the railroad at the first branch above the passenger station at Asheville, on the ridge, just north of the branch where his cabin stood for many years. The site is now in Asheville; he and William Forster, the second of the name, being the first two men to settle in what is now the City of Asheville. In his home there, Colonel Daniel Smith died. He was buried where Fennihurst is now, but about 1875 his grave was removed to the Newton Academy graveyard. The following is the interesting inscription on his tombstone:

"In memory of Col. Daniel Smith, who departed this life on the 17th of May, 1824, Aged 67. A native of New Jersey, an industrious citizen, an honest man, and a brave soldier. The soil which inurns his ashes is a part of the heritage wrested by his valor for his children and his country from a ruthless and savage foe."

He married Mary Davidson, daughter of Major William Davidson and niece of Samuel Davidson. It is said but not certainly known that Samuel Davidson's wife was a sister of Colonel Smith. Samuel Davidson and Daniel Smith were close friends and hunted together, sometimes west of the Blue Ridge where, on one occasien at least they were chased by a band of Cherokees.

Prominent among the men who came across the mountains to avenge the death of Samuel Davidson was Daniel Smith. His old gun is still in Asheville. Mrs. Mary Smith, his widow, died April 29, 1842 and is buried by his side.

One day when Colonel Daniel Smith was hunting on Beaucatcher a gunshot from the direction of his home was heard and he hastened home to find that some friends visiting him had found a large black bear bathing in his spring and had shot the too familiar animal.

Colonel Smith hated Cherokees. One day he saw two Indians crossing French Broad River in his canoe. Rushing to the bank of the stream he shot and killed both Indians. As this happened to be a time when there was peace between the races Colonel Smith narrowly escaped an indictment for murder in killing these trespassers.

As he was a militia Colonel, he was buried with military honors by the Buncombe Militia. ____

Daniel and Mary (Davidson) Smith had nine children.

1. Their first son William Davidson Smith was born October 1, 1784. He married December 31,1808 Sarah Carson. One of their daughters Mary Monnett Smith married William Turner Johnson and have descendants living in Buncombe and Henderson Counties.

2. Their second son James McConnell Smith was born June 14, 1787 and was reputed to have been the first child of white parentage born in what is now the City of Asheville. He married June 28,1814 Mary (Polly) Patton daughter of Col. John Patton and Ann Mallory. He became one of the leading citizens of Asheville and acquired a large fortune. He ran the Buck Hotel at the corner of N. Main Street (now Broadway) and College Street. He was in the mercantile business and was a large land owner. His most famous claim to fame is still standing today as a memorial to its builder, the Smith-McDowell House on Victoria Road. James McConnell and Mary (Polly) (Patton) Smith had seven daughters and two sons. They all married except one son John Patton Smith. They married into prominent families of the area and have many descendants still living in Buncombe County. Their fitth daughter Sarah Lucinda Smith married William Wallace McDowell in 1846. The McDowells reared nine children and lived in the brick house on Victoria about twenty-five years.

3. Daniel and Mary (Davidson) Smith's first daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) Smith was born April 1,1789 and married Mallory Brandon Patton August 10, 1814. Mallory Brandon Patton and Mary (Polly) Patton were brother and sister.

4. Their second daughter Mary Polly) Smith was born Nov 25,1795 and married John Hawkins and moved to the Action Section of Buncombe County.

5. Daniel Smith, Jr. was born Feb. 5,1798 and married Margaret McRee in 1820. (Jack Woodward's Great-Great-Great-Great Grandfather)

6. John L. Smith; no record (was living in 1844 according to Pension claim)

7. Nancy A. Smith was born March 14, 1800 and married G. William Burnett Sept. 26, 1822.

8. Moses Smith was born March 14, 1502 and married Hannah Lane.

9. Jane 0. Smith was born Oct. 18,1804 and married Alfred Fortune.

On March 7, 1845 David Lowry Swain, President of the State University at Chapel Hill wrote a letter in relation to Col. Daniel Smith of Buncombe. Excerpts of that letter follow: "I was born on fhe 4th Jan. 1801 (at the head of Beaverdam). In the winter of 1806/7 my father settled in Asheville within two miles and a half of Col. Smith's residence. I went to school with his children from 1807 until 1820. I knew him familiarly, wrote his will, wrote his epitaph for his tombstone, and was one of a company which about the last of May 1824 buried him with military honors. He was sentimentally proud of his revolutionary services, frequently referred to that in conversation, and was universally esteemed by his neighbors. An old soldier of much more than common intrepidity his circumstances were good and his reputation that of a brave and honest revolutionary officer."

Daniel and Mary (Davidson) Smith are buried in Newton Academy Cemetery and the epitaph written by David Lowry Swain reads as follows:

"In memory of Col. Daniel Smith who departed this life on the 17th May 1824 Native of New Jersey an industrious citizen, an honest man and a brave soldier. The soil which inurns his ashes is part of the heritage wrested by his valoor for his children and his country from a ruthless and a savage foe."
Mrs. Frances A. McDowell (Mrs. Edward E.)

Devault Beck served on the Rowan county, North Carolina jury from Capt Daniel Smith's District on Aug 8, 1778.
_____________

"Daniel is an enigma. His headstone says he was born in New Jersey. He was a Smithson and changed his name. He was in Rowan County when he married Mary Davidson. Later he was involved in building Davidson's Fort (now Old Fort, NC) and was business partner with Samuel (one-eye) Davidson there. Samuel was married to Daniel's sister Mary Smith. Samuel was Mary Davidson's uncle, her father William was his twin brother. After Samuel was murdered by the Indians, the Davidsons and Smiths moved alittle further west and Mary's parents are buried in the Bee Tree Community near Swannanoa. Daniel and Mary are buried at the Newton Grove Cemetary which is now pretty close to downtown Asheville. There are many stories about Daniel's hatred for the Indians after the murder of Samuel and he considered himself an Indian fighter. He served in the Revolutionary War and was called Captain Smith (don't think that was really his rank) and was well respected as a soldier. I understand from staff at the Smith McDowell house that Daniel was a little rough around the edges for the tastes of the up and coming Smiths and that he remained a pioneering, Indian fighting, Soldier up to the end."--e-mail from Sheila Quinn - saquinn@goldenminutes.com

1790 Census:
13th Company, Rutherford Co., NC, p. 146
Daniel Smith  1-3-3-0-0
(probable)

1800 Census:
____, Buncombe Co., NC, p. 188, 22020-31010-01

1810 Census:
____, Buncombe Co., NC, p. 88a, 20101-23101-02

1820 Census:
____, Buncombe Co., NC, p. 84, as Daniel Smith Sr., 110010-11120-0200

Daniel married Mary McConnell "Polly" Davidson in Oct 1781 in "The Glades", Rowan County, North Carolina. Mary (daughter of Maj. William Davidson and Margaret McConnell) was born on 4 Oct 1760 in Rowan County, North Carolina; died on 27 Apr 1842 in Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina; was buried after 27 Apr 1842 in Newton Academy Cemetery - Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Polly Davidson
• FamilySearch ID: L8SW-S32
• Group: Davidson 001 Family of Immigrant John Davidson
• Group: Davidson Direct Descendant
• Group: Davidson DNA Family 001
• Group: Descendant of Revolutionary War Veteran
• Alt. Birth: 1 Oct 1762, Rowan County, North Carolina
• Residence: 1804, Buncombe County, North Carolina
• 1830 Census: 1830
• 1840 Census: 1840

Notes:

FamilySearch ID:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L8SW-S32

Group:
Descendants of immigrant John Davidson of DNA Family 001

Group:
Direct Descendant of any immigrant Davidson

Group:
Descendants of John, George, and Samuel Davidson of Beverley Manor, Virginia, and Iredell county, North Carolina

Group:
DAR or SAR Eligible Descendant of a Revolutionary War Veteran

Residence:
ABSTRACTS FROM DEEDS OF BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, DB "A" pp 156-160, 1804.
Deed of Gift from William Davidson. l/lOth each to his 9 children? JOHN, GEORGE, HUGH, SARAH, MARY SMITH, ELIZABETH ALEXANDER, RUTH WILLIAMS, WILLIAM MITCHELL DAVIDSON, AND SAMUEL WINSLOW DAVIDSON, all of Buncombe Co., NC, and l/lOth to 5 grandchildren, children of JEAN DAVIDSON (deceased), his daughter, and her husband, THOMAS DAVIDSON. These grandchildren were, MARGARET LATTA DAVIDSON, JOHN DAVIDSON, WILLIAM DAVIDSON, EPHRAIM McLEAN DAVIDSON, and SALLY (or DOVEY) DAVIDSON; all grandchildren being from Logan County, KY except WILLIAM of Buncombe Co., NC. SAMUEL WINSLOW DAVIDSON, 3,000 and 2,000 acres on Obion and Duck River, TN.

1830 Census:
Not Located

1840 Census:
Southern Division, Buncombe Co., NC, p. 163, as Polly Smith, 000 000 000 0000 - 000 001 001 0000

Other Events:

• Religion: Presbyterian
• Occupation: Minister
• 1810 Census: 1810

Notes:

Rev. Dr. James McRee was for a time the minister of Centre Church in Iredell County, NC.

1810 Census:
____, Iredell Co., NC, p. 182, 20101-02001-0(17)

James married Rachel Cruser. Rachel was born in 1761 in Mapleston, ____, New Jersey; died in Unknown in Swannanoa, Buncombe County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mister married Miss [--?--]. Miss died in Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LYZR-R3X
• Group: Davidson 001 Family of Immigrant John Davidson
• Group: Davidson Direct Descendant
• Group: Davidson DNA Family 001
• Group: Descendant of Revolutionary War Veteran
• Group: Proven Davidson DNA Family 001
• Group: Veteran - Army
• Group: Veteran of Revolutionary War or Patriot
• Occupation: Soldier and Farmer
• 1790 Census: 1790
• 1800 Census: 1800
• Land: 1804, Buncombe County, North Carolina
• 1810 Census: 1810

Notes:

Major William Davidson was born in Ireland in October 1737.  Some sources list his birth year as 1739.  Samuel Davidson was his twin brother.  His family moved about 1750 to what was then Center Church in Rowan County, NC.  This area is now in Iredell County.

He married Margaret McConnell.

When the Revolutionary War broke out, he was living in western Rowan County at a place called "The Glades", now in McDowell County, NC, on the Catawba River near Greenlee.

Soon after the war, he removed from "The Glades" a place not far from the present village of Old Fort in McDowell County, NC, on the Catawba River to the Swannanoa River in what is now Buncombe County, NC, where he resided till his death at age 78 on 16 May 1814.  The home was in the mountains at the mouth of Bee Tree Creek and remained in the family for about a century.  He is buried on the estate.

The following is a biography abstracted from the book "Genealogy of the Davidson Family of the Duck River Valley" by Ede Davidson Neil, John Q. Davidson, and Hugh Davidson (Nashville, 1907):

"William Davidson was a patriot in every sense of the word, and was by appointment of the Provincial Congress, April 22, 1776, a Major in the Fourth North Carolina Regiment.  He was a member of the Continental Congress from North Carolina from 1818 to 1821  [Sic. -  This is impossible.  By 1818, he was dead and the Continental Congress no longer existed.], and was also the first Senator in the Legislature of North Carolina from the county of Buncombe.  The county of Buncombe was organized at his home, and the first County Court was held there.  From an old record we get the following:

"'B.'
"'North Carolina, Buncombe County, April 16th, A.D. 1792. -- Agreeable to a commission to us directed, the County Court of said county was begun, opened, and held at the house of Col. William Davidson, Esq.  Present: James Davidson, David Vance, William Whitson, William Davidson, James Alexander, James Brittain, Philip Hoodenpile.'

"He was also a member of the Committee of Safety for Rowan County.  At a meeting of this committee held on Wednesday, November 8, 1775, we find the following resolution:

"'Resolved, That John Brevard, John Dickey, Moses Winsley, and Hugh Brevard, or any three of them, attend at Capt. William Davidson's, on the 20th instant, to see that the company of minute men, whom he has enlisted, are embodied, and able, effective men, and make report to the next committee.'

"An old family record shows that William Davidson died May 16, 1814, aged 78 years.  His wife Margaret (McConnell) Davidson, died November 13, 1806, aged 58 years; yet the monument erected by the D.A.R.'s gives the year of his death as 1810.  The following is a copy of what appears on his monument:

"'MAJ. WM. DAVIDSON
          1744-1810
  Soldier of the Revolution.
  House of Commons, 1790.
  Senate,                      1792.

One of the earliest settlers of the French Broad Valley.
He was prominent in the organization of Buncombe County.'

"On the reverse side:

"'  Erected by the
        D.A.R.'

"In 'King's Mountain and Its Heros' the following appears:

"'A little incident, worthy of relation, occurred while the British Troops were encamped at William Davidson's place.  A soldier was tempted to kill a chicken and enjoy a savory meal: but he was discovered by Mrs. Davidson, who reported the theft to Ferguson.  He had the culprit punished, and gave the good lady a dollar in compensation for the loss. This was certainly creditable to Ferguson's sense of justice: but it was, like an oasis in the desert, a circumstance of very unfrequent occurrence.'

"This Mrs. Davidson was Margaret McConnell, wife of William Davidson, our ancestor, and must have been a woman of considerable courage, as Ferguson was known as 'The Great Wolf of North Carolina,' who often showed his bloodthirsty temper.

"On another occasion, while the British were on the lookout for 'rebels,' they went ot the home of William Davidson: and young Morrison, her husband's half-brother, attempted to frighten her into revealing the hiding place of her husband by pointing a gun at her in a threatening manner.  He failed to get any information.

"By way of explanation we will say that some of the 'Duck River' branch of the Davidsons have been a little confused by the fact that there were two William Davidsons, which can be easily explained.  We descend from William Davidson, son of John Davidson (The First).  Gen. William Lee Davidson, who was killed at Cowan's Ford, February 1, 1781, while resisting the advance of the British forces, under command of Colonel Hall, was a son of George Davidson, brother of John Davidson (The First).  A renegade Tory, Frederick Hager, was Colonel Hall's guide on this occasion; and it was thought by General Davidson's friends that it was Hagar who killed him, as he was shot through the body by a bullet from a small-bored gun -- the only one in the Bristish command -- and was carried by Hager.  After the war, it was entirely 'too hot' for Hager in North Carolina, and he came to Tennessee and settled near Cascade Falls, in what is now Coffee County.  Several years later John Davidson (The Third) and his brother, Hugh Davidson, came to the Duck River country and settled, the latter about four miles east of Normandy.  Hager, learning this fact, removed again westward, going into the wilderness of Arkansas, and died near Lone Post, leaving a large family."
_________

PACOLET, Spartanburg County, SC
March 11, 1875
Friend Spartan:

The other day I saw a  veritable Centennial curiosity. Just below the old Grindal shoals, on Pacolet  river, stands a large beech tree about three and half feet in diameter, upon  which is carved the initials " W.D., 1776 " and tradition says it was CAPT.  WILLIAM DAVIDSON, who was in command of a picket at that memorable ford, while  some troops were making their way to Charleston. On the South side of the river,  a considerable number of torys lived- hence the " rebels", in camping always  used the precaution to guard the ford. That WILLIAM DAVIDSON must have been a  good scholar or at least expert in carving as the letters and figures are well  made and beautifully proportioned. On another beech close by, is inscribed  LEMUEL FERNANDES, 1804. This old ford has long since, from necessity, gone out  of use. In olden times there was here a fine shoal and boats sluices, but not a  vestage of it is to be seen. The natural bed of the river, I suppose, has been  elevated five or six feet and mostly ruined the once magnificent water  power of that place.
PACOLET.

FamilySearch ID:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LYZR-R3X

Group:
Descendants of immigrant John Davidson of DNA Family 001

Group:
Direct Descendant of any immigrant Davidson

Group:
Descendants of John, George, and Samuel Davidson of Beverley Manor, Virginia, and Iredell county, North Carolina

Group:
DAR or SAR Eligible Descendant of a Revolutionary War Veteran

Group:
Proven as a descendant of DNA Family 001 by YDNA test of a direct descendant

Group:
Veteran of the United States Army

Group:
Revolutionary War Patriot or Soldier.

1790 Census:
____, Burke Co., NC, p. 109, 4-2-4-8

1800 Census:
____, Buncombe Co., NC, p. 166, 00201-01001-08

Land:
ABSTRACTS FROM DEEDS OF BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, DB "A" pp 156-160, 1804.
Deed of Gift from William Davidson. l/lOth each to his 9 children? JOHN, GEORGE, HUGH, SARAH, MARY SMITH, ELIZABETH ALEXANDER, RUTH WILLIAMS, WILLIAM MITCHELL DAVIDSON, AND SAMUEL WINSLOW DAVIDSON, all of Buncombe Co., NC, and l/lOth to 5 grandchildren, children of JEAN DAVIDSON (deceased), his daughter, and her husband, THOMAS DAVIDSON. These grandchildren were, MARGARET LATTA DAVIDSON, JOHN DAVIDSON, WILLIAM DAVIDSON, EPHRAIM McLEAN DAVIDSON, and SALLY (or DOVEY) DAVIDSON; all grandchildren being from Logan County, KY except WILLIAM of Buncombe Co., NC. SAMUEL WINSLOW DAVIDSON, 3,000 and 2,000 acres on Obion and Duck River, TN.

1810 Census:
____, Buncombe Co., NC, p. 80, w/Samuel Davidson, 10101-20020-09

Buried:
William has a Headstone at this cemetery that was placed as a memorial, long after his death by the DAR. It has an incorrect birth and death years. He was likely really buried at his farm on Davidson Road nearby. The monument confuses Maj. William Davidson with Col. William Davidson, his likely cousin.

The following is a copy of what appears on his monument:

MAJ. WM. DAVIDSON
          1744-1810
Soldier of the Revolution.
House of Commons, 1790.
Senate,                      1792.

One of the earliest settlers of the French Broad Valley.
He was prominent in the organization of Buncombe County.

On the reverse side:

Erected by the
        D.A.R.

William married Margaret McConnell in 1758 in French Broad Valley, ____, North Carolina. Margaret (daughter of John McConnell, Sr. and Mary Winsley) was born about 1742 in Brunswick County, Virginia; died on 13 Nov 1806 in Buncombe County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LCFN-XG2
• Alt. Birth: Abt 1747, North Carolina

Notes:

Margaret McConnell Davidson died in Buncombe County, NC, on 13 November 1806 in her 58th year.

FamilySearch ID:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LCFN-XG2

Notes:

William McRee and his wife came from County Down in Ulster to Rowan (now Iredell) County, NC.  They lived in the Steele Creek Congregation a few miles south of Centre Congregation.  In 1780, he, along with his sons Robert, John, Richard, and David, invited Lord Cornwallis to dinner. They "took parole" from Lord Cornwallis which was, to put it mildly, frowned upon.  Rev. Dr. James McRee did not participate.  Presbyterian ministers in this area were invariably hostile to the British.

William married Dinah [--?--]. Dinah was born in in County Down - Ulster, Ireland, UK; died after 1780 in Iredell County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]