John Davidson

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: L1XK-YSZ
• Group: Davidson 001 Family of Immigrant Samuel 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 War of 1812
• FindaGrave Memorial ID: 13413403
• Alt. Birth: 3 Apr 1779, Buncombe County, North Carolina
• Military: 1 Jan 1814, Tennessee
• 1830 Census: 1830, Greene County, Illinois
• 1840 Census: 1840, Macoupin County, Illinois
• 1850 Census: 3 Oct 1850, Macoupin County, Illinois
• 1860 Census: 31 Aug 1860, Macoupin County, Illinois
• 1870 Census: 22 Jun 1870, Macoupin County, Illinois
• Probate: 11 May 1875, Macoupin County, Illinois

Notes:

John Davidson was born in 1779 in North Carolina. His father was Colonel William Davidson, son of Samuel Davidson and grandson of George Davidson who immigrated from Northern Ireland to America. The Davidson surname is of Scottish origin.

John married Elizabeth Hall on February 19, 1819, in Morgan County, Tennessee. They had seven children, 3 sons and 4 daughters in 22 years. He died on April 25, 1875, in Macoupin County, Illinois, having lived a long life of 96 years and 22 days.

According to a War of 1812 Pension Application for John Davidson, he was recorded as having served as a Private in Captain L. Oliver's Co. Tennessee Militia during the War of 1812. He enlisted on Oct. 16th, 1813 and was discharged Jan. 1st, 1814.

Lethitia "Latisha" b. 1818 d. 4 Apr 1834
Samuel b. 19 Oct 1821 d. 1 Oct 1912
Elizabeth b. 1826
William Lee. b. 1828 d. aft 1900 MO
John b. 1832 d. 26 Oct 1863
Rachel b. 1835 d. 1869 MS
Elisha b. 9 Dec 1840 d. 24 Jul 1918 IL


Inscription
Pvt. War 1812 Capt. Olivers Co. Tenn. Mil

FamilySearch ID:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L1XK-YSZ

Group:
Descendants of immigrant Samuel 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:
Person who served in the War of 1812

FindaGrave Memorial ID:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13413403

Military:
Ancestry.com. U.S., War of 1812 Pension Application Files Index, 1812-1815
Soldier      John Davidson
Widow      Elizabeth Hall
Marriage Date      19 Feb 1819, Morgan Co., TN
Date Enlisted      16 Oct 1813
Date Discharged      1 Jan 1814
Military Service Location      Tennessee - Pvt, Capt. L. Oliver's Co. Tenn. Mil.
Pension Number - #1      Sur Orig 14808
Pension Number - #2      Sur Ctf 20626
Bounty Land Number - #1      98788 160 55
Roll number      25
Archive Publication Number      M313
Residence: 1850, 1855, 1871 - Macoupin Co., Ill.; 1873, Girard, Macoupin Co., Ill.

1830 Census:
p. 18
Ellis Davidson    100 001 000 0000 - 010 010 000 0000
John Davidson   110 001 000 0000 - 100 010 000 0000

Census Analysis:

Male     30-40 : John Davidson, b. 1795
Female 20-30 : Elizabeth Hall, b. 1798
Male      5-10 : Samuel Davidson, b. 1821
Female    < 5 : Elizabeth Davidson, b. c. 1826
Male        < 5 : William Lee Davidson, b. 1828

1840 Census:
p. 66
Joseph Davidson   100 010 000 0000 - 000 010 000 0000
Robert Smith         001 020 001 0000 - 000 100 001 0000
Moses Davidson    010 120 010 0000 - 000 100 010 0000
John Davidson      011 100 100 0000 - 012 100 100 0000

Census Analysis:

Male     40-50 : John Davidson, b. 1795
Female 40-50 : Elizabeth Hall, b. 1798
Male     15-20 : Samuel Davidson, b. 1821
Female 15-20 : ?
Female 10-15 : Elizabeth Davidson, b. c. 1826
Male     10-15 : William Lee Davidson, b. 1828
Female 10-15 : ?
Male      5-10 : John Davidson, b. c. 1832
Female  5-10 : Rachel Davidson, b. c. 1835

1850 Census:
p. 233
John Davidson     55  M   Farmer  $700   NC
Elizabeth  "          52   F                         Ten
William     "         20   M   Farmer            Ind
Elizabeth   "        24    F                          Ind
John         "        18   M   Farmer            Ind
Rachel      "        15    F                         Ind
Elisha       "          9   M                          Ind

1860 Census:
Town 12 Range 7, Girard PO, p. 207
John Davidson    71  M  Farmer  $1200  $336  NC
Elizabeth  "         65  F                                    Tenn     Can't RW
John        "         38  M  Farmer                       ILL
Elisha      "         20  M     "                               "       school

1870 Census:
Township 12, Range 7, Virden PO, p. 205a
Davidson, John     87  M  W  Farmer  $3500  $450   North Carolina                      citizen
---, Elizabeth        74   F  W   Keeping House           Tennessee             can't RW
---, Elisha            30   M  W   Farming                     Illinois                        "         citizen
---, Sarah            26   F  W   Keeping House           Illinois                        "
---, John               8   M  W                                    Illinois                  school
---, Mary Susan    3    F  W                                    Illinois
...
Samples, Aaron          57  M  W   Farmer  $5500  $500  Illinois                    Can't W   citizen
---, Annie                   59   F  W   Keeping House          Kentucky                Can't RW
Davidson, George W    7  M                                         Illinois         school

Probate:
Ancestry.com. Illinois, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1772-1999

Name      John Davidson
Probate Date      11 May 1875
Probate Place      Macoupin, Illinois, USA
Inferred Death Date      1875
Inferred Death Place      Illinois, USA
Item Description      Probate Records, B-D, 1858-1879

The deceased left living: Samuel Davidson, Elisabeth England, William Davidson, Elisha Davidson, and John, Saml Joseph William Ella and the child of Thomas Knots the children of Linna Knotts, decd, George Davidson heir of John Davidson dec;d and John Henry & Luella Sanford children of Rachel Samford decd and the heirs of Matha Aston, dec names unknown.

John married Elizabeth Hall on 19 Feb 1819 in Morgan County, Tennessee. Elizabeth (daughter of Samuel Hall, Jr. and Letitia Hendricks) was born on 20 Oct 1796 in Morgan County, Tennessee; died on 22 Oct 1874 in Girard, Macoupin County, Illinois; was buried after 22 Oct 1874 in Union Chapel Cemetery, Girard, Macoupin County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Latisha Davidson was born cal 1818; died on 4 Apr 1834; was buried after 4 Apr 1834 in Union Chapel Cemetery, Girard, Macoupin County, Illinois.
2. Samuel Davidson was born on 19 Oct 1821 in Morgan County, Tennessee; died on 1 Oct 1912 in Sangamon County, Illinois; was buried after 1 Oct 1912 in Cumberland Sugar Creek Cemetery, Glenarm, Sangamon County, Illinois.
3. Elizabeth Davidson was born on 4 Feb 1826 in Tennessee; died on 25 Mar 1917 in Waukomis, Garfield County, Oklahoma; was buried after 25 Mar 1917 in Waukomis Cemetery, Waukomis, Garfield County, Oklahoma.
4. William Lee Davidson was born about Feb 1828 in Indiana; died after 1900 in Missouri.
5. John Davidson, Jr. was born cal Apr 1832 in Indiana; died on 26 Oct 1863; was buried after 26 Oct 1863 in Union Chapel Cemetery, Girard, Macoupin County, Illinois.
6. Rachel Davidson was born in 1835 in Illinois; died in 1869 in Mississippi.
7. Elisha Davidson was born in 1840 in Indiana; died in 1918; was buried after 1918 in Union Chapel Cemetery, Girard, Macoupin County, Illinois.

Other Events:

• Name: William Lee Davidson
• Group: Davidson 001 Family of Immigrant Samuel 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
• FindaGrave Memorial ID: 26573046
• 1790 Census: 1790, Burke County, North Carolina
• 1800 Census: 1800, Morgan, Buncombe County, North Carolina
• Alt. Death: 15 Apr 1833, Lancing, Morgan County, Tennessee

Notes:

From FindaGrave, Sept 2014:

SPOUSE: Elizabeth Davidson (1748-1837)

CHILDREN:
Samuel
Joseph James (1775-1873)
John
Matilda (Talitha)(1795-)
Massieth Jones, m (ca1770-ca1821)
Sally
William Lee

DAR membership papers #423988 states that William Davidson was a lieutenant in the North Carolina line and fought at King's Mountain battle October 7, 1780.

About 1785, Colonel William Davidson had settled on a section of land, 640 acres, received for his war service, in what is now Asheville, NC, actually, it is part of the much larger estate of the Vanderbilt family, and known as Biltmore. William was one of the half-dozen earliest settlers of that area. At that time it was still part of Rutherford County and William was state senator for that county during the 1790 and 1791 session. Desiring to create a county more responsive to the needs of the area, he and David Vance introduced legislation to create Buncombe County in 1792 and was the first judge of the county. The first county court house was located in his home. It was not long before the colonel felt the urge to move on to new lands. He had acquired title to many thousands of acres of land, mostly by entry, in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

The Colonel appears to have arrived in Morgan County about 1810, when it was still part of Roane County. In 1817 the governor appointed him as one of five commissioners to set up the government of Morgan County he presided over the first county court held in January 1818. Even though he was an old man by then, he was also a captain of the militia, ever a soldier and civic leader.

The Colonel had a tavern called Old Indian Tavern that, which is well known by that name, also it was knows that he kept and raised two Indian boys who lived there and for whom it was named. Part of this old tavern is still in existence east of Wartburg, TN, county seat of Morgan County.

President Andrew Jackson was a friend of the colonel's and that President Jackson would stop for the night at the Indian Tavern during his travels from Nashville to Washington DC during the days he was in Congress. The Colonel served under Andy Jackson at the battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812 and that is where he got the Jackson walking stick.
__________

Tom Owen (2023)

Much has been written and assumed about The Col's parentage and that of his wife Elizabeth.

Firstly, the Colonel is not the same man as Gen William Davidson that died at Cowan's Ford, nor is he the Maj William Davidson that also lived in Buncombe county NC.

DNA suggests that these 3 men were related though and were likely cousins through 3 different brothers in Virginia. Contrary to the monument stating that the Colonel was born in Scotland, he was almost certainly born in Virginia and was baptized in Tinkling Springs in 1747.

Confusion arises from an incorrect early DAR application that mixes up this Col with another William Davidson that married an Elizabeth McCrea in Rockbridge, Virginia in 1792.

These are not the same two men.

It is this writers belief that the Col's wife's name was Elizabeth Jones and that she was the daughter of Mosias Jones of Virginia. This has NOT been proven.

Christened:
Recorded in the book "The Tinkling Spring, Headwater of Freedom" (by Rev. Howard McKnight Wilson, 1954, p. 473), as William Davison, bp. 8 Mar. 1747, son of Samuel Davison. I am assuming the date recorded is the old style date.

Group:
Descendants of immigrant Samuel 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.

FindaGrave Memorial ID:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26573046

1790 Census:
p. 102
11th Company
James Davidson  2-0-6-3
Saml Davidson    1-0-1-0
...
Wm Davidson     4-2-4-8
...
Thos. Davidson   2-0-2-0

1800 Census:
p. 166
George Davidson   10010 - 40100
...
Hugh Davidson      10010 - 10100
William Davidson   00201 - 01001

Buried:
Monument was erected in the 1920s by Wilbur Davidson. According to Charles Kries and Arthur Davidson (Wilbur's nephew), Wilbur asked for and received contributions.

Inscription:

Colonel William Lee
Davidson
Colonel in the War
for American Indep-
endence Revolution.
Born
North Scotland
1746
Died
Morgan Co. Tenn
1828

William married Elizabeth [--?--] before 1775. Elizabeth was born about 1749; died in 1837 in Lancing, Morgan County, Tennessee; was buried after 1837 in Davidson Forstner Cemetery, Lancing, Morgan County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth McCrea
• FindaGrave Memorial ID: 74781062

Notes:

From FindaGrave:

E D -this was originaly the Davidson cemetery. I renewed our claim in DAR, where she is listed as Elizabeth by all the ladies who have joined before me. I went to the Buncombe co Historical Society in N C and made copies of court documents signed by our Col Wm Davidson . His 643 acre original tract of land was granted Aug 7, 1787, which is now covered by the southern part of the city of Asheville. Col Wm Davidson, not to be confused with the General or Major, was instrumental in setting up the county of Buncombe. Buncombe county was created on January 14, 1792. the first court was opened and held at the home of Col Wm Davidson, Esquire, at Gum Spring, for which he was paid the sum of $25, April 16, 1792. an early order of the court "Wm Davidson have liberty to build a gristmill on the Swannanoa river on his own land on a branch of the French Broad, near his sawmill." he was well established in the Buncombe county area and history in the 1780s and 90s. a record shows that he cast his vote in Buncombe co on Jan 19, 1792. he could not possibly have been in Rockbridge co VA marrying the widow McCrea on that day. this Davidson family moved on over the mountains to TN and set up Morgan county. These facts were copied by me from the court records in the Buncombe County Historical Society, Ashville NC.

FindaGrave Memorial ID:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74781062

Buried:
Inscription
E D w- born 1749 - died 1837

Gravesite Details

in the shadow of huge monument for her husband

Other Events:

• Name: Samuel Davison
• Group: American Colonial Immigrants
• Group: Davidson 001 Family of Immigrant Samuel Davidson
• Group: Davidson Direct Descendant
• Group: Davidson DNA Family 001
• Group: Davidson Head of Line Immigrant Ancestor
• Group: Immigrant Ancestors
• Group: Proven Davidson DNA Family 001
• Residence: Aft 1739, Beverly Manor, Augusta County, Virginia
• Residence: Aft 1760, Tryon County, North Carolina

Notes:

I have no proof that Samuel is a brother of George and John; however, he lived near John in Beverly Manor, and they bought their land at the same time. There is suggested evidence that Samuel might have made the land purchase for John who was not yet in the colonies. Further,  two of his children were close with John's children in Burke and Buncombe counties. DNA evidence shows that he was at least closely related.
_____

SAMUEL  and JOHN DAVISON, both acquired land in Beverley Manor, Orange (Augusta in 1745) County, VA on the same date in 1739. Both had children baptized at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church in the 1740's.

ORANGE CO., VA DEED BK. #3  1738-1744    4-5 June 1739. Pgs. 242-247.
Wm. Beverley, Gent. of Essex Co. to Samuel Davison of Orange Co., lease and release (consideration blank) 353A in Beverley Manner on the south fork of Shenandore river, corner to Capt. James Pattin. (Refer to map of Beverley Manor).  Signed by Wm. Beverley, witnessed and proven by same three persons who witnessed deed to John Davison--(See below).
28 June 1739.

5 June 1739   Pgs. 237-242.
Wm Beverley of Essex Co., Gent. to John Davison  of Augusta Co. lease and release for 23 pd. 11 sh. current money, 785A,  part of Manner of Beverley, at Christie's white oak. (Actually, John Christian's).

GEORGE and SAMUEL went in the 1760's as some records show, to Tryon Co., NC which became part of Mecklenburg and Lincoln Cos., NC and Camden Dist., SC. There was an ongoing border dispute between NC and SC and when it was settled, SAMUEL fell into York Co., Camden Dist., SC. Deeds to his land were recorded in Mecklenburg Co., NC and in York Co., SC. (Some abstracts listed below). SAMUEL'S home was only a few miles from King's Mtn. where an important victory over the British was fought. Sons, WILLIAM, JAMES, and BENJAMIN participated and were given Revolutionary grants in Western NC where they settled. SAMUEL remained in York Co. where he died in 1787.

Some Land Records of SAMUEL DAVIDSON, Crown Grants, Wm. Tryon, Royal Governor, #871,  Bk. 18, Pg. 30l.

26 Sept 1766. SAMUEL DAVIDSON, 300A in Mecklenburg on both sides of Turkey Creek including mill seat, joining JAMES BRYSON'S.

Crown Grants, Gov. Tryon, Royal Governor. Patent Bk. 23, Pg. 43.

26 Apr 1767.   SAMUEL DAVIDSON, 35A in Mecklenburg on Bullock's Creek joining Curtis Caldwell, Wright's line, Moore's beginning, (a point), nearly with Stephenson's line and the foot of a mountain.

Sources:
1.  Camden Dist., SC Wills & Administrations, 1781-1787. (SAMUEL)
2.  "The McConnell Families" by Benjamin McConnell.  (JAMES)
3.  Cemetery Records of Morgan Co., TN. (WILLIAM)
4.  Methodist Bishop Asbury's journal entry of 13 Nov 1800, also another dated 7 Nov 1802. (BENJAMIN)      
5.  DAR Records and History of the Gullick Family. (BENJAMIN)
6.  Camden Dist., SC Wills & Admin. dated 1 Jan 1788 show advances made to widow (not named) & to JOHN GULLICK  in the right of his wife, REBEKAH &  to WILLIAM DAVIDSON.
7.  " Roster of Soldiers & Patriots Buried in TN." (WILLIAM)
8.  Tombstones of BENJAMIN & ANN in Davidson River Cemetery, Boilstown Twp., Transylvania Co., NC:
  BENJAMIN DAVIDSON                 A. D.
NC Troops Rev. War               D. 1833  Aged 85
(No dates shown)                       
(Handcarved stone)

Robert Winslow Davidson
mrbdavis@swbell.net
3 June 2000
_______________

From Jennings-Davidson Genealogy, pp. 140ff

"Samuel Davison, b. prob 1705-1710, in Ulster, Norther Ireland, and emigrated to America with his parents, settling in Spottsylvania, Co., VA which was later divided into Augusta and Albemarle Cos.

"On page 41, Kegley's "Virginia Frontiers" is a list of the first settlers in Beverly Manor whose title deeds were recorded in Orange Co., VA, which shows John Davison, 785 acres, and Samuel Davison, 253 acres. It further recites that 'although many of the inhabitants were on the ground from 1732 on, no deeds were recorded before February 1738.'

"He had four sons who were in Virginia military service in 1757, as he collected wages for George, John, and James in that year." Another son seems to have collected his own pay.

Children of Samuel and his wife (unknown):
a. George Davison, b. Aug 27, 1738; died KY 1823. m. Mar 17, 1763, Mary Woods. Name later spelled Davidson.
b. James Davidson, signed a receipt for military service
c. John Davison, signed a receipt for military service
d. A son of military age."

The book only follows George's line.

George Davison, b. 27 aug 1738, PA; d betw. May 23, 1825 (date of will) and 10 July 1826 (the date of proving the will), in KY. Buried in the homestead burying ground, near Stanford, KY. m. 17 mar 1763 in Albemarle or Greenbrier Co., VA to Mary Woods, dau. of Wm. Woods (son of Michael Woods and Mary Campbell) and his wife Susanna Wallace, first settlers of the Blue Ridge regions of Virginia. About 1783, migrated to Lincoln Co., KY.

Children: (born Albemarle Co., VA)
a. Samuel Davidson, b.1766, d. 12 sept 1845; m. 15 feb 1797, Sarah (Sallie) Logan.
b. Susannah Davidson, b. abt 1767-1768, d. bef. 1825, m. 8 Aug 1785, John King
c. Jane Davidson, b. abt 1771, m ?? KY, had dau. Jane ???
d. Polly Davidson, unmarried
e. Martha (Mattie) Davidson, b. abt 1769, m. 27 sept 1784, Hugh Leeper.
f. John Davidson, b. abt 1775, unmarried., d. aft 1825.
g. James Davidson, b. 13 nov 1777, d. 31 may 1861, m. 24 aug 1819, Harriett Ballenger
h. Michael Davidson, b. 13 nov 1777, m. 8 aug 1817, Lucretia Ballenger
i. Nancy Davidson, b. 8 feb 1785, m 18 nov 1806, James Robertson
j. William Davidson, d. age 20
k. George Davidson, d. young"

Birth:
Samuel Davison is the most elusive of the three likely brothers. He seems to be the youngest brother based on the fact that his oldest child George was born no earlier than the late 1730s. This would place his marriage at, likely, no sooner than 1735. That would suggest a birth between 1700 and 1710.

There is a purported genealogy of Samuel in the Jennings-Davidson Genealogy that has serious errors in the earliest generatiions.

Samuel did have sons old enough in 1757 to fight with him in the French and Indian War. Brothers George, John, and James are mentioned in various records and father Samuel collected some pay packets for the sons which suggests they were under age.

It also tells us that Samuel was still in Virginia long after John had left for North Carolina.

Group:
Immigrants from the UK who came to United States or Canada before the Revolutionary War

Group:
Descendants of immigrant Samuel 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:
Davidson Immigrant Ancestors who are designated as the Head of a Family Line

Group:
Immigrant Ancestors

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

Residence:
Sometime after the French and Indian War, Samuel seems to have gone South to what was then called Rowen county but later became Tryon County, North Carolina. And later still was moved into York or Union County, South Carolina.

Samuel married Margaret [--?--] before 1736. Margaret died in Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Maner

Notes:

Many sources suggest that her name was Maner. I have seen no evidence of that.

Other Events:

• Group: Davidson Direct Descendant
• Group: Davidson DNA Family 001
• Group: Proven Davidson DNA Family 001

Notes:

From Robert W. Davidson: (09:56 AM 2001-04-05 -0600)

This is my direct line so I will try and sort this out, William Davison from County Armagh Ireland, (father of John Davison/Davidson) wife's name was Elizabeth as stated in William's Davison will, John Davidson was married to Jane  last name Unknown she married William Morrison after John Davidson died about 1749 but was always refered to as Mrs. Morrison.

William Davison appears to have been a blacksmith. I will enclose William's will at the bottom of this and you can see he refers to his smithy shop in his will. John Davidson's son Maj. William Davidson was married to Margaret McConnell. You will also note there is no mention of a Samuel as being a son of William. Even tho John Davidson's went into court and made oath that he imported himself, Jane, George, Thomas, William. and Samuel Davison.

From:  "Our Scotch Kith and Kin", p. 38

"John Davidson, elder brother of Samuel and George Davidson, born about 1720, removed to Virginia and then to Iredell, Rowan County, North Carolina. He was prominent and active in the Revolutionary War, being an officer in the military organization of North Carolina and a member of the Committee of Safety and Correspondence of Rowan County, North Carolina."

This is not John Davidson from County Armagh Ireland. This is a mix-up between John Davidson of Iredell and John Davidson son of Robert Davidson. I know that in the book "Davidson/Davidson of Duck River" printed in 1907 states that this is true, also that John Davidson was a signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration. John Davidson, son of Robert, from Meckenburg County was a signer of The Mecklenburg Declaration. But he is also NOT the John Davidson referred to the book our Scotch Kith and Kin.  I believe that census records even document the existence of at least one other John Davidson in immediate area.

--------------------

The William Davison of Armagh Will seems to have been first transcribed in the 1948 Harbaugh Genealogy of Davidson family, p. 434-435.

Another transcription of the will is found in the book, "DAVISON FAMILY, The Descendants of William and Elizabeth Davison of County Armagh, Ireland" by Robert Stephens Hand, 1990. Note: Mr. Hand, now deceased, stated that he had a photograhic copy of this Will provided by Misses Louise and Caroline Connor.

One point that needs to be made, is that there is NO PROOF that this William Davison is the father of John and George Davison of Iredell County.  Mr. Hand in his book acknowledges this fact.

I do not believe it to be so, and this is based on an important cultural concept.  The first born son is named after his father's father.  The first known sons of both George and John Davison are named GEORGE.  If you follow the succeeding generation of the family, you will see that this traditional naming convention is adhered to.

I am including it so that researchers can review it.

    WILL of WILLIAM DAVISON, COUNTY ARMAGH, NORTHERN IRELAND
                PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND
                                (13 & 14 Geo.5.,ch20,sec (2) )
                                       CERTIFIED COPY OF:

A Record in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland entitled---T 748, pg. 90, Will Of William Davison, Legacorry, Parish of Shankill, County Armagh.  (with official seal and 55p stamps, certified by P. Bottomley 23      Dromore Will:--

WILLIAM DAVISON  of Legacorry, Parish of Shankill, County Armagh, smith.

My oldest son GEORGE DAVISON to pay the debts I owe to my brother JOHN
DAVISON out of the legacy I hereby bequeath to my said son.

My son JOHN DAVISON to pay  20pd. which I borrowed from Rev. Dr.
PENNEY for him my said son JOHN.

My son GEORGE DAVISON to pay half the debt I owe ROBERT NEWELL
and my beloved wife to pay the other half thereof.

My wife to have the rents due out of my lands hereafter bequeathed to them,
except for 1pd.-10 pence , which my son JOHN  is to allow to his mother and my son
JOHN to have the sorrel mare to make up for the 1pd.-10 pence.

My beloved wife that part and proportion of my land from my dwelling house to
the stony ditch with said dwelling house, excepting my smith's shop, and also to have a
little pasture park joining the stony ditch for grazing JOHN McCULLUM's cow all to be
held by my wife ELIZABETH DAVISON during widowhood, and I order she may bring
up my four youngest daughters.

I order that the lane from my dwelling house or from the highway shall be in
common between my wife and my sons GEORGE and JOHN DAVISON.

To my son GEORGE DAVISON my whole half of my land & tenements except
as above stated to my wife, with the black filly & smith's tools and shop & WM.
MARSHALL's house & garden.

The low meadow to be equally divided between my sons GEORGE and JOHN.

To my son JOHN DAVISON  the other half, except as above to my wife, with
THOMAS McGOWAN's house and garden.

My sons to pay their respective portions of the landlord's rent & to pay the rent for
their Mother's part as above, also the following legacies.

The division between my two sons shall run: to my son GEORGE his part shall
begin at the stony ditch to ALEX. TOUGH's march (marsh??), straight over the breadth of
the land, and JOHN's part to be at the low end.

To my eldest daughter ANNE DAVISON alias McCOLLUM wife of JOHN
McCOLLUM 2/6.

To my daughter ELIZABETH DAVISON 20pd. to be paid to her provided what
money I was bound  for with JOHN McCALL to the Rev. Dr. PENNEY is paid, then my
said daughter to have 15pd.

To my daughter HELEN DAVISON 20pd. on similar condition.

To my daughter JUDITH 20pd. on similar condition when 21.

Each of my wife, my two sons and four daughters to pay their share equally of my
funeral expenses. (This clause interlined (underlined??), P. B. *1

To my daughter MARGARET DAVISON 20pd. on similar condition when she is
21.

If any daughter marry against the will of my wife ELIZABETH or Mr. ROBERT
WILSON of Buckcomary, whom I appt. trustee and overseer with my wife, such daughter
only to get 5 pence.

My wife to have all my moveable goods to help to school and maintain the
children, that is only during her widowhood.

If my exors are obliged to pay that money for which I am bound tor Mr. JOHN
McCALL to Rev. Dr. PENNEY, my wife is to pay a proportional share with my two sons.

Appoint my two sons exors.
       his
In witness whereof, 15 January 1721 (-2)   Signed   WILL    X DAVISON
      mark

Witnesses: THOMAS BINKS      Indorsed:The Will of WILLIAM DAVISON
                    JOHN BINKS  Exhibited 30th Aug 1723
                    THO. GILPIN

* Author's note: these are the initials of the certifier of the will, P. M. BOTTOMLY. It was undoubtedly he who put the brackets around the "2" in the date of the will, indicating the "double dating" system which applied up until 26 March 1752, resulting from the change of the calendar from Julian to Gregorian, and undoubtely he who misspelled the name DaviDson in the "Indorsement" --- Robert S. Hand

Mr. Hand also asserted that earlier documention of this family fails to mention the facts presented in this will. It is likely that researchers did not discover it's existence until 1975 when the certified copy was made. He might not have been aware of the Harbaugh transcription.

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

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