John Davidson

Other Events:

• Name: John Davison
• Group: American Colonial Immigrants
• Group: Davidson 001 Family of Immigrant John 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
• Alt. Death: 1749, Davidson Creek, Anson County, North Carolina

Notes:

John and Jane Davidson with their children migrated first to Augusta County, Virginia, now Rockbridge County.  The first land surveyed for John was in Beverly Manor in May of 1738 on Christian Creek.  By June 5, 1739, he had bought 785 acres.  On February 18, 1747, he sold 485 acres of the Beverly Manor land and 350 acres of land on Buffalo Creek that runs into the upper portion of James River.  Jane had also signed these land sales when they took place.  Elizabeth and her sister Margaret and her brother John were all born while living there in Virginia.  Elizabeth had been baptized April 19, 1741, by Rev. John Craig at Tinkling Spring. She was the first of John and Jane's children to be born on American soil

After some eight to ten years in residence of Virginia, John moved into North Carolina with his family.  He chose land on Davidsons Creek, named for him.  It was located in the northwest corner of what is now Mecklenburg County and the southwest corner of present Iredell County, just a short distance north of present Charlotte. Centre Presbyterian Church was only a short distance to the south.

The first of the Granville lands surveyed in what was then Anson County, now Iredell County, was dated November 13, 1748.  The Granville surveyor was Charles Robertson for John McDowell on McDowell's Creek.  The second survey was for John Davidson on November 26, 1748.  John had the land titled jointly with his first born son, George Davidson.  This old practice of first born son getting sole title was still in practice from the medieval times.  It wouldn't change till America became free after the Revolution.  John made application for the land and moved onto it, and George has assisted as a chairman in the survey.  John never saw the completion of the paperwork, due to his untimely death.  The land on Davidson's Creek followed the creek southwest to join into the Catawba River.

Surveys for the Granville land in the area of Davidson's Creek area were made December 1, 1748, for John McConnell and then followed by other surveys for James Templeton, George Davidson, Samuel Baker, John Thompson, James and John McCullock, Moses White, John Reed, Benjamin Winsley, John McDowell, William Morrison, Hugh Lawson, John Parks, John Brevard, and Edward Givens.  These names will show up again in the history of the Davidsons and McLeans.

After only two years in the North Carolina lands John had died, leaving most of his estate to his son George.  After John's death, Jane, later on, married William Morrison and had her last child, William Morrison, Jr.  William Morrison helped Jane to close out inventory of John's last Virginia lands, for the aid of his new wife.  He was noted to be the present husband of the "said Jane Davidson."

Before moving on I'd like to list the children of John and Jane Davidson.

Col. George Davison born in 1728 in Ireland
Rachel Davidson born abt. 1730 in Ireland
Thomas Davidson born abt. 1733 in Ireland
Samuel Davidson born 1736 in Ireland, twin
Maj. William Davidson born 1736 in Ireland, twin
Elizabeth Davidson born 1741 in Virginia
Margaret Davidson born 1742 in Virginia
John (One Eyed) Davidson born 1744 in Virginia

http://www.tennkin.com/bios/johnandeph_bio.htm
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John Davidson was born in Ireland about 1709. Although we have suggested a parentage for him, this parentage is speculative. For most of his life, he seems to have spelled his name as "Davison"; however, he added the second "d" to make it Davidson when he entered land in North Carolina.

The first fairly concrete evidence of his existance is a proof of importation that was entered into the Orange County Virginia Order Book in 1740. This documents announces that John Davison and his wife Jane and sons George, Thomas, William, and Samuel had arrived in America in Philadelphia and had now migrated to the Virginia Colony to acquire land. This document places their arrival in America as sometime between 1737 and 1740 as the twins William and Samuel were born in 1737. The were looking to acquire land in the Tinkling Springs Beverly Plantation, near where the city of Stanton in Rockbridge county, VA is today. In 1840 it was part of Orange County. Then in became part of Augusta County in the 1740s; and later still Rockbridge County.

A key research understanding is that several other John Davidsons or John Davisons were in the same area at the same time. And all of them claim to be the John Davison referred to in this document. A key reason why it should be accepted for this John Davidson is that there is other evidence to document the existance of the sons and their birth order. In most other cases, they only have one son that they can document.

While John Davidson was in Tinkling Spring, he had three more children and they were baptised there and records exist of those ceremonies.

About 1748 inexpensive land was being made available by Lord Granville in northwestern North Carolina. John and his son George travelled there to claim some land. George served as a surveyor laying out a claim in what it now Iredell County. During the next year his family began selling the land in Virginia and moved to North Carolina.

Shortly after the move, John Davidson died. His wife Jane, with the help of William Morrison, a neighbor whom she married, sold off the remaining properties in Virginia by 1753. It is said that Jane had a son William by William Morrison. Evidence is unclear if the son is hers or it is his by a previous marriage.

However, her marriage to William Morrison has been the basis for a legend that is documented in many early histories of this family. The legend assumes that a Mister Morrison was her first husband and that he died in transit to America and that she married John Davidson afterwards. This would place the birth of the young William Morrison at about 1720. The William Morrison half-brother or step-brother who retained Tory sympathies during the War was obviously a young man - a man still raising a family about 1800.

John Davidson was buried on the family farm in North Carolina. Unfortunately, no marker exists. But his presence is felt in the large numbers of people who can point back and call him their ancestor.

THE LEGEND

According to family tradition, Mister Morrison was a young unmarried, Irish Protestant who became enamored of a young, unmarried Irish Catholic lady.  Her father, an ardent Catholic, opposed the marriage, and the young couple ran away, were married, and embarked for America.  Mister Morrison died on the way and his young widow reached Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a destitute condition.

John Davidson, a young bachelor, was an emigrant from Ireland to America on the same ship and there became acquainted with the Morrisons.  His sympathy was awakened in behalf of the young widow, especially, when on their arrival at Philadelphia, he learned of her necessitous condition.

He procured for her a home with a family of some of his friends and and advanced her some money to defray her expenses in the interval.  On returning to the city after several months, her learned that her family had refused her any aid and that she had given birth to a son of her marriage which was adding to her distress.  Again, he came to her relief, and eventually that ripened into affection.  They were married and raised a large family.

He raised his family in Pennsylvania, probably in Lancaster County. About 1750 the family moved to Rowan County, North Carolina in an area known as Center Church.  That area is now in Iredel County.
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George Franklin Davidson, son of Ephraim Davidson, grandson of Col. George Davidson, great-grandson of John Davidson, wrote a letter in 1840 that is one of the most important clues to the family ancestry.
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Irdele Co., N.C.  Sept. 20, 1840

Dear Cousin: -

     Since my return I have seen the letter you wrote to Father, making inquiries about the family of Davidsons, and he has attempted in some degree to answer them.  The oldest members of the family who came to this country were John and George Davidson.  George married a widow Simmeral and was the father of General Wm. Davidson, killed in Revolution, and another son who died a young man before that time.

     John was the father of Grandfather George D., and also 4 other sons, viz:  Thomas who lived and died near Charleston, S.C. –  William and Samuel (twins) both lived and died inn Buncombe (the latter was killed by Indians  -- the first was father of Col. Samuel Davidson who now lives in Buncombe on the same plantation)  -- the 4th brother was the one-eyed John D. who lived in Murry Co. Tenn  --  and a half brother, William Morrison, whose family went to Kentucky.

     Great G. Father John had three daughters, Rachel and Peggy who married John and David Alexander, some of whose descendents are now living in Buncombe and Tennessee  --  and Betty who married Ephraim McLean, and lived in Kentucky.

     G. G. Father and mother Reece died about 1800, the former, who first name was William, aged 100, the latter, name was Penelope Groner, aged 75.  Grandfather George Davidson was born in 1728, died in 1814; Grandmother born in 1731, died 1814.

     Our family emigrated from Rockbridge, Virginia about 1748.  G.G. father died about 2 years after. and was buried on his plantation.

     There are some of the particulars about which you wished to be informed and I expect are mostly correct.  I hope they will meet your wishes and enable you to effect your purpose.

     We are all well at present time, tho Father has recently had a dangerous spell of sickness.

     There is little news here.  I should be gratified to hear from you. Father sends his best wishes, etc.

Yours etc.

Geo. F. Davidson

Source: T. P. Davidson, Memphis, Tenn  (Copied July 3 1896)
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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

Birth:
I know of no reliable source for when he was born. The only marker that we have on his age is that his first known son George was born in 1728. If you assume that he married about 1726, then you can estimate that he was born about 1700. Most likely he was born between 1695 and 1705.

We know that he came to America from Ireland based on the 1740 Import Certificate filed on Orange County, VA. However, we can only assume that he was born in Ireland. It is also possible that he was born in Scotland or even northern England before going to Ireland.

I think it is telling that his family spelled their name as Davison as that seems to be more common amongst Scots born in the North English counties. And as we believe that he was a Presbyterian, we know he was ethnically Scottish.

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

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:
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

John married Jane Tucker about 1728 in Ireland. Jane was born about 1712 in Ireland; died in Unknown in North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Col. George Davidson was born in 1728 in Ireland; died on 22 Sep 1814 in Iredell County, North Carolina; was buried after 22 Sep 1814 in Centre Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mount Mourne, Iredell County, NC.
2. Rachel Davidson was born about 1730 in Ireland; died in 1796 in Buncombe County, North Carolina.
3. Thomas Davidson was born about 1733 in Ireland; died about 1764 in Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina.
4. Capt. Samuel Davidson was born on 10 Oct 1736 in Ireland; died in 1784 in Swannanoa Gap, Buncombe County, North Carolina; was buried after 1784 in Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina.
5. Maj. William Davidson was born on 10 Oct 1736 in Ireland; died on 16 May 1814 in Buncombe County, North Carolina; was buried after 16 May 1814 in Piney Grove (Swannanoa) Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Swannanoa, Buncombe County, NC.
6. Elizabeth Davidson was born before 19 Apr 1741 in Augusta County, Virginia; was christened on 19 Apr 1741 in Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church, Beverly Manor, Fishersville, Augusta County, VA; died after 1820 in Greenville, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky; was buried after 1820 in Caney Station Cemetery, Greenville, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.
7. Margaret "Peggy" Davidson was born before 5 Dec 1742 in Orange County, Virginia; was christened on 5 Dec 1742 in Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church, Beverly Manor, Fishersville, Augusta County, VA; died in Unknown in Tennessee.
8. John "One-Eye" Davidson was born before 25 Nov 1744 in Beverly Manor, Augusta County, Virginia; was christened on 25 Nov 1744 in Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church, Beverly Manor, Fishersville, Augusta County, VA; died on 25 Feb 1825 in Columbia, Maury County, Tennessee; was buried on 18 Feb 1825 in Reeses Chapel Cemetery, McCains, Maury County, Tennessee.
9. Robert Davidson was born before 5 Apr 1747; was christened on 5 Apr 1747 in Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church, Beverly Manor, Fishersville, Augusta County, VA; died in Unknown.

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]