ALEXANDER DAVIDSON II "the Immigrant"
ABT 1700 - 1747
RESIDENCE: Scotland and Gloucester and Spotsylvania Cos. VA
BIRTH: ABT 1700, Scotland
DEATH: 1747, Spotsylvania Co. Virginia
Father: ALEXANDER Davidson b. 1648 in Dingwall, Scotland
Mother: SARAH McDavid b. in Dingwall, Scotland
SARAH Ellis (Wife) b. 7 Nov 1717 in Virginia, Marriage: 1740 in Middlesex Co., VA
Children:
1. ALEXANDER DAVIDSON III b. 31 Jan 1743/44 in Gloucester County, Virginia
2. Phillip Davidson b. 1746 in Gloucester County, Virginia
3. William Davidson b. 1747/48 in Spotsylvania Co. Virginia
Sarah Ellis was the daughter of Hezekiah and Mary Ellis of Middlesex, Co.Virginia. Sarah Ellis appears on the registers of the Christ Church parish (Anglican) in Middlesex County (Alexander Davidson does not appear on any church registers,)
Hezekiah Ellis was born 1680 in Midlesex Co. Virginia. Hezekiah’s grandfather was David Ellys, a tradesman, who came over on the second supply of Immigrants to Jamestowne on the ship Mary Margaret. He was one of the men sent by Captain John Smith to build a house for King Powhatan (Chief Powhatan, father of Pocahontas) at Wemowocominco, on the York River in 1608. David Ellys is listed in the muster of men at Pashehaighs in 1624.
Hezekiah (Sarah’s father) was known as public spirited and just before his death he was imprisoned for publicly denouncing the tyrannical courts of the English government.
Childtren of Hezekiah Ellis and his wife Mary
Elizabeth, born 1703 or 1704;
Mary, born 1705 or 1706;
Ann, born 1708
William, born 1710 or 1705;
Hezekiah, born 1713 or 1710;
Robert, born 1715; and
Sarah, (Alexander’s wife) born November 7, 1717.
ABT 1700 - 1747
RESIDENCE: Scotland and Gloucester and Spotsylvania Cos. VA
BIRTH: ABT 1700, Scotland
DEATH: 1747, Spotsylvania Co. Virginia
Father: ALEXANDER Davidson b. 1648 in Dingwall, Scotland
Mother: SARAH McDavid b. in Dingwall, Scotland
SARAH Ellis (Wife) b. 7 Nov 1717 in Virginia, Marriage: 1740 in Middlesex Co., VA
Children:
1. ALEXANDER DAVIDSON III b. 31 Jan 1743/44 in Gloucester County, Virginia
2. Phillip Davidson b. 1746 in Gloucester County, Virginia
3. William Davidson b. 1747/48 in Spotsylvania Co. Virginia
Sarah Ellis was the daughter of Hezekiah and Mary Ellis of Middlesex, Co.Virginia. Sarah Ellis appears on the registers of the Christ Church parish (Anglican) in Middlesex County (Alexander Davidson does not appear on any church registers,)
Hezekiah Ellis was born 1680 in Midlesex Co. Virginia. Hezekiah’s grandfather was David Ellys, a tradesman, who came over on the second supply of Immigrants to Jamestowne on the ship Mary Margaret. He was one of the men sent by Captain John Smith to build a house for King Powhatan (Chief Powhatan, father of Pocahontas) at Wemowocominco, on the York River in 1608. David Ellys is listed in the muster of men at Pashehaighs in 1624.
Hezekiah (Sarah’s father) was known as public spirited and just before his death he was imprisoned for publicly denouncing the tyrannical courts of the English government.
Childtren of Hezekiah Ellis and his wife Mary
Elizabeth, born 1703 or 1704;
Mary, born 1705 or 1706;
Ann, born 1708
William, born 1710 or 1705;
Hezekiah, born 1713 or 1710;
Robert, born 1715; and
Sarah, (Alexander’s wife) born November 7, 1717.
Though the “ideal” European family was headed by a man who presided over his family and business while his wife only worked inside the home, this model did not work well in the early colonies. Merely surviving was difficult, so all hands were needed to ensure that the homestead could continue. As a result, the social structure flattened a bit, with land-owning men and women doing the same work of farming and building settlements (alongside their servants and those they had enslaved, who were working on the same projects). As rural Virginia became more established, society reverted to the European model, and white women began focusing on running the household, and managing servants and those they had enslaved. This was not true in every colony, however. The people who founded the northern colonies, like the Puritans, adhered to strict religious rules, and brought their European gender roles into the new world from the very start.
White women in colonial America had many responsibilities. They oversaw managing the household, including baking, sewing, educating the children, producing soap and candles, and more. As the social classes began evolving, and a new “middling” class arose. Sometimes women in that class would help their husbands in their trades, white women still had few rights. They could not vote, and they lost all their property in marriage (though women had some property rights). Childbearing in colonial times was dangerous, and women and children often died during childbirth.
1748 - Alexander Davidson Last Will and Testament:
"Know all men by these presents that we SARAH DAVIDSON WM. ELLIS and JOHN GORDON are held and firmly bound unto the worshipful his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Spotsylvania Va. in the penal Sum of One hundred and fifty pounds Current Money to the payment whereof well and truly to be made to the said Justices their Successors we bind ourselves and Every of us and Every of our heirs Execrs and Admrs Joyntly and severally firmly By these presents Witness our hands and seals this seventh Day of February 1748.
The Condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bound SARAH DAVIDSON Administratrix of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of ALEXR DAVIDSON Deceased do make or cause to be made a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the sd Deceased which have or shall come to the hands Possession or knowledge of the said SARAH DAVIDSON or into the hands or Possession of any other person or persons, for her the same so made to Exhibitt or Cause to be Exhibitted into the County Court of Spotsylvania at such time as she Shall be thereunto Required by the sd Court and the same Goods Chattels and Credits and all other the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said Deceased at the time of his Death which at any time after Shall come to the hand and possession of the said SARAH DAVIDSON or into the hands or possession of any Other person or persons for her to well and truly admind, According to Law further to make a Just and true account of all her attinge Doing therein when thereunto required by this Court and all the rest and residue of the sd Goods Chattels and Credits which shall be found remaining upon the sd Admrrs Acct, the Same being examined and allowed of by the sad Justices of the sd Court for the time being Shall Deliver and pay to Such person or Persons respectively as the sd Justices by their Order or Judgment shall direct pursuant to the Law in That case made and provided and if hereafter it Shall Appear that any Last Will and Testament was made by the sd deceased and the same allowed and proved accordingly if the sd SARAH DAVIDSON being thereunto required to render and Deliver up Letters of Administration Approbation of such Testament being First and made in the sd Court then this obligation to be Void and of no Effect otherwise to Stand remain and be in full force and Power virtue."
her mark
SARAH X DAVIDSON (seal)
Signed Sealed and Delivered)
mark in the presence of---------)
WILLIAM ELLIS (seal)
his mark Edmund Waller
JOHN E GORDON (seal)
At a Court held for Spotsylvania County on Tuesday February the 7th 1748
- SARAH DAVIDSON, WM. ELLIS and JOHN GORDON acknowledged This Their Bond in Court.
Test Edmund Waller, ClCurt.
Note: John Gordon (Sr)'s wife, Elizabeth Ellis, was a sister of Sarah Ellis Davidson and William Ellis.
Source: Will book A Page 487, Spotsylvania Co., Virginia:
February 13, 1748 then appraised ye estate of ALEXR DAVIDSON
As follows: Negro Womn named Venis ----------------- 20. 0. 0
One Negro Boy named Adam ----------------------------- 25. 0. 0
Two Cows two Yearlings a young Steare ---------------- 4. 10. 0.
One Sorrel horse Flaxen mare tack ----------------------- 3 0. 0.
One Bay horse and mare and horse Colt ----------------- 5. 0. 0.
One Feather bed and Furniture --------------------------- 4. 0. 0.
One Do Do ---------------------------------------------------- 3. 0. 0.
One Do Do ---------------------------------------------------- 2. 0. 0.
Six Sides of Sole Leather 8 sides of Curried Leather ----3. 10. 0.
Two raw hides ----------------------------------------------- 0. 8. 0.
A parcel of old Pewter -------------------------------------- 0. 11. 0.
Two old Chests a Small Box -------------------------------- 0. 8. 0.
Two Stone Butter pottes two Small Stone Bottles------- 0. 6. 0.
One Dozn Glass Bottles Some old Earthen ware --------- 0. 3. 6.
One old Gun Sword ------------------------------------------ 1. 0. 0.
One old Spice Mortar Pestle one Small Lookg Glass ---- 0. 2. 3.
Two 1/2 Dozn Shoelasts 15/ a Double sett of -------------1. 5. 0.
Shoemakrs Tools --------------------------------------------- 2. 0. 0.
One handsaw Auger hatchett ------------------------------- 0. 6. 0.
One Box Iron hectore and old Warmg Pan 3/6 ----------- 0. 6. 6.
Parcel of old Book -------------------------------------------- 0.16. 0.
half a Dozn Knives forks a small Gimblett ---------------- 0. 3. 0.
half a Dozn flagg Bottomed Chairs a table ---------------- 0. 9. 6.
Fork One Ladle an Iron Skillitt ----------------------------- 0.12. 0.
One Cubbard or safe ----------------------------------------- 0. 15. 0.
3 piggens a washing tubb an old Spining wheel---------- 0. 7. 6.
One old saddle Bridle horse bell ---------------------------- 0. 8. 6.
SARAH DAVIDSON
Adm.x--
EDWd HERNDON
THOS. BLASSINGHAM
At a Court held in Spotsylvania County on Tuesday February the 7th 1748, Sarah Davidson, Wm. Ellis and John Gordon acknowledged This Their Bond in Court.
Know all men by these present that we Sarah Davidson Wm. Ellis and John Gordon are held and firmly bound unto the worshipful his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Spotsylvania Va. in the penal Sum of One hundred and fifty pounds Current Money to the payment whereof well and truly to be made to the said Justices their Successors we bind ourselves and Every of us and Every of our heirs Execrs and Admrs Joyntly and severally firmly By these presents Witness our hands and seals this seventh Day of February 1748.
SARAH X DAVIDSON (seal)
Signed Sealed and Delivered) mark in the presence of WILLIAM ELLIS (seal) and Edmund Waller JOHN E GORDON (seal)
In 1748, the House of Burgesses of Virginia enacted a law to protect widow’s rights. In Virginia, Sarah Davidson as a woman had no legal status at prior to 1748. She could not execute a will or be involved in any legal contract without getting her husband's permission. When she married, unless there was a pre-nuptial agreement, she literally gave up control of her own property to him. Many of these rules came from the rulings of the Anglican Church (Church of England) which was the state church of Virginia. The church in turn took most of their rules and regulations from England.
In 1748 New law, husbands could appoint guardians for his children and apprentice them out to learn a trade while the wife was still alive. Testators generally let the wives keep custody of the children to the mother if she out-lived her husband.
"Know all men by these presents that we SARAH DAVIDSON WM. ELLIS and JOHN GORDON are held and firmly bound unto the worshipful his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Spotsylvania Va. in the penal Sum of One hundred and fifty pounds Current Money to the payment whereof well and truly to be made to the said Justices their Successors we bind ourselves and Every of us and Every of our heirs Execrs and Admrs Joyntly and severally firmly By these presents Witness our hands and seals this seventh Day of February 1748.
The Condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bound SARAH DAVIDSON Administratrix of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of ALEXR DAVIDSON Deceased do make or cause to be made a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the sd Deceased which have or shall come to the hands Possession or knowledge of the said SARAH DAVIDSON or into the hands or Possession of any other person or persons, for her the same so made to Exhibitt or Cause to be Exhibitted into the County Court of Spotsylvania at such time as she Shall be thereunto Required by the sd Court and the same Goods Chattels and Credits and all other the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said Deceased at the time of his Death which at any time after Shall come to the hand and possession of the said SARAH DAVIDSON or into the hands or possession of any Other person or persons for her to well and truly admind, According to Law further to make a Just and true account of all her attinge Doing therein when thereunto required by this Court and all the rest and residue of the sd Goods Chattels and Credits which shall be found remaining upon the sd Admrrs Acct, the Same being examined and allowed of by the sad Justices of the sd Court for the time being Shall Deliver and pay to Such person or Persons respectively as the sd Justices by their Order or Judgment shall direct pursuant to the Law in That case made and provided and if hereafter it Shall Appear that any Last Will and Testament was made by the sd deceased and the same allowed and proved accordingly if the sd SARAH DAVIDSON being thereunto required to render and Deliver up Letters of Administration Approbation of such Testament being First and made in the sd Court then this obligation to be Void and of no Effect otherwise to Stand remain and be in full force and Power virtue."
her mark
SARAH X DAVIDSON (seal)
Signed Sealed and Delivered)
mark in the presence of---------)
WILLIAM ELLIS (seal)
his mark Edmund Waller
JOHN E GORDON (seal)
At a Court held for Spotsylvania County on Tuesday February the 7th 1748
- SARAH DAVIDSON, WM. ELLIS and JOHN GORDON acknowledged This Their Bond in Court.
Test Edmund Waller, ClCurt.
Note: John Gordon (Sr)'s wife, Elizabeth Ellis, was a sister of Sarah Ellis Davidson and William Ellis.
Source: Will book A Page 487, Spotsylvania Co., Virginia:
February 13, 1748 then appraised ye estate of ALEXR DAVIDSON
As follows: Negro Womn named Venis ----------------- 20. 0. 0
One Negro Boy named Adam ----------------------------- 25. 0. 0
Two Cows two Yearlings a young Steare ---------------- 4. 10. 0.
One Sorrel horse Flaxen mare tack ----------------------- 3 0. 0.
One Bay horse and mare and horse Colt ----------------- 5. 0. 0.
One Feather bed and Furniture --------------------------- 4. 0. 0.
One Do Do ---------------------------------------------------- 3. 0. 0.
One Do Do ---------------------------------------------------- 2. 0. 0.
Six Sides of Sole Leather 8 sides of Curried Leather ----3. 10. 0.
Two raw hides ----------------------------------------------- 0. 8. 0.
A parcel of old Pewter -------------------------------------- 0. 11. 0.
Two old Chests a Small Box -------------------------------- 0. 8. 0.
Two Stone Butter pottes two Small Stone Bottles------- 0. 6. 0.
One Dozn Glass Bottles Some old Earthen ware --------- 0. 3. 6.
One old Gun Sword ------------------------------------------ 1. 0. 0.
One old Spice Mortar Pestle one Small Lookg Glass ---- 0. 2. 3.
Two 1/2 Dozn Shoelasts 15/ a Double sett of -------------1. 5. 0.
Shoemakrs Tools --------------------------------------------- 2. 0. 0.
One handsaw Auger hatchett ------------------------------- 0. 6. 0.
One Box Iron hectore and old Warmg Pan 3/6 ----------- 0. 6. 6.
Parcel of old Book -------------------------------------------- 0.16. 0.
half a Dozn Knives forks a small Gimblett ---------------- 0. 3. 0.
half a Dozn flagg Bottomed Chairs a table ---------------- 0. 9. 6.
Fork One Ladle an Iron Skillitt ----------------------------- 0.12. 0.
One Cubbard or safe ----------------------------------------- 0. 15. 0.
3 piggens a washing tubb an old Spining wheel---------- 0. 7. 6.
One old saddle Bridle horse bell ---------------------------- 0. 8. 6.
SARAH DAVIDSON
Adm.x--
EDWd HERNDON
THOS. BLASSINGHAM
At a Court held in Spotsylvania County on Tuesday February the 7th 1748, Sarah Davidson, Wm. Ellis and John Gordon acknowledged This Their Bond in Court.
Know all men by these present that we Sarah Davidson Wm. Ellis and John Gordon are held and firmly bound unto the worshipful his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Spotsylvania Va. in the penal Sum of One hundred and fifty pounds Current Money to the payment whereof well and truly to be made to the said Justices their Successors we bind ourselves and Every of us and Every of our heirs Execrs and Admrs Joyntly and severally firmly By these presents Witness our hands and seals this seventh Day of February 1748.
SARAH X DAVIDSON (seal)
Signed Sealed and Delivered) mark in the presence of WILLIAM ELLIS (seal) and Edmund Waller JOHN E GORDON (seal)
In 1748, the House of Burgesses of Virginia enacted a law to protect widow’s rights. In Virginia, Sarah Davidson as a woman had no legal status at prior to 1748. She could not execute a will or be involved in any legal contract without getting her husband's permission. When she married, unless there was a pre-nuptial agreement, she literally gave up control of her own property to him. Many of these rules came from the rulings of the Anglican Church (Church of England) which was the state church of Virginia. The church in turn took most of their rules and regulations from England.
In 1748 New law, husbands could appoint guardians for his children and apprentice them out to learn a trade while the wife was still alive. Testators generally let the wives keep custody of the children to the mother if she out-lived her husband.
White children in colonial America also had many responsibilities. In most colonies, they were taught to read by their parents, usually so they could study the Bible. Boys learned additional skills so they could go into business, farming, or trade, while girls learned household skills which varied depending on the family’s social status. For example, a girl from a higher class—a privileged socioeconomic background—would learn etiquette and manners, hosting guests, and dancing, while a girl from a lower class—a resource-poor background—would learn practical skills like soap-making. There was also time for play in middling and high-class families. Children played with board games, puzzles, and cards, and did activities like rolling hoops and playing an early version of bowling. Overall, the main goal of parents in colonial America was to prepare their children for adulthood.
1752 - William Ellis, brother of Sarah, and uncle to Alexander Davidson III, is appointed guardian for 9 yr. old Alexander Davidson III in October 1752 upon the death of his mother, Sarah.
"Know all men by these presents that we, William Ellis, Thomas Blassingham and William Lewis, are held and firmly bound to Richard Tutt, Benjamin Grymio, Robert Jackson, William Hunter, Fielding Lewis, and Charles Dick, Gent Justices of the Court of Spotsylvania County now sitting, in the sum of two hundred pounds Current money of Virginia to the payment whereof well and truly to be made to the said Justices and their Successors, we bind ourselves each of us our and each of our heirs Executors and Administrators Jointly and severally firmly by these Presents, sealed with our seals this third Day of October in the year of our Lord 1752 and in the XXVI: year of the Reign of our Sovereign lord King George the Second
The Condition of this Obligation is such that whereas the above bound WILLIAM ELLIS is appointed Guardian to ALEXANDER DAVIDSON Orphan of ALEXANDER DAVIDSON deceased if therefore the said William Ellis guardian aforesaid his heirs, Executors and Administrators shall well and truly pay or Cause to be paid to the said Orphan, all such Estate or Estates as now is Due or hereafter shall appear to be Due to the said orphan, when or as soon as the said Orphan shall attain to lawfull age, or when thereunto Required by the worshipful Justices aforementioned their heirs and Successors, as also save and keep harmless the said Justices their heirs and Successors from all troubles or Damages that shall or may arise about the said Estate or Estates, then this Obligation to be void and of no effect, otherwise to Stand, remain and be in full force power and virtue."
William Ellis (seal)
Sealed and Delivered) his In the Presence of Thomas B Blassingham, William X Lewis
At a Court held for Spotsylvania County on Tuesday October the Third 1756 William Ellis, Thomas Blassingham, And William Lewis acknowledged this their Bond in Court which is ordered to be Recorded, October 1752
Testimony W. WALLER Cl.Curt
"Know all men by these presents that we, William Ellis, Thomas Blassingham and William Lewis, are held and firmly bound to Richard Tutt, Benjamin Grymio, Robert Jackson, William Hunter, Fielding Lewis, and Charles Dick, Gent Justices of the Court of Spotsylvania County now sitting, in the sum of two hundred pounds Current money of Virginia to the payment whereof well and truly to be made to the said Justices and their Successors, we bind ourselves each of us our and each of our heirs Executors and Administrators Jointly and severally firmly by these Presents, sealed with our seals this third Day of October in the year of our Lord 1752 and in the XXVI: year of the Reign of our Sovereign lord King George the Second
The Condition of this Obligation is such that whereas the above bound WILLIAM ELLIS is appointed Guardian to ALEXANDER DAVIDSON Orphan of ALEXANDER DAVIDSON deceased if therefore the said William Ellis guardian aforesaid his heirs, Executors and Administrators shall well and truly pay or Cause to be paid to the said Orphan, all such Estate or Estates as now is Due or hereafter shall appear to be Due to the said orphan, when or as soon as the said Orphan shall attain to lawfull age, or when thereunto Required by the worshipful Justices aforementioned their heirs and Successors, as also save and keep harmless the said Justices their heirs and Successors from all troubles or Damages that shall or may arise about the said Estate or Estates, then this Obligation to be void and of no effect, otherwise to Stand, remain and be in full force power and virtue."
William Ellis (seal)
Sealed and Delivered) his In the Presence of Thomas B Blassingham, William X Lewis
At a Court held for Spotsylvania County on Tuesday October the Third 1756 William Ellis, Thomas Blassingham, And William Lewis acknowledged this their Bond in Court which is ordered to be Recorded, October 1752
Testimony W. WALLER Cl.Curt