1172 1.) Sir Richard Wallace, Laird of Riccarton Born: Clackmannan, Ayrshire, , Scotland Died: 1196, Riccarton, Clackmananshire, Scotland Married Margaret Buckingham, daughter of Walter de Bolebec –Earl of Buckingham Father of: Sir Adam Wallace, 3rd Laird of Riccarton
1197 2.) Sir Adam Wallace, 3rd Laird of Riccarton Born: Dec 4: Riccarton, Clackmananshire, Scotland Died: 1249, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland Married: Euphemia Stewart, daughter of Walter Stewart 3rd High Stewart of Scotland Father of: Sir Malcolm Wallace, King's Counselor, Laird of Ellerslie
1249 3.) Sir Malcolm Wallace, King's Counselor, Laird of Ellerslie Born: Elderslie, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland Died: Aug 23 1305: Loudoun Hill, Ayrshire, Scotland Married: Margaret Crawford, daughter of Raynauld Crawford, 2nd Sheriff of Ayr Father of Andrew Wallace, died fighting in a skirmish with the English 1291 Father of: John Wallace, Sheriff of Ayrshire, Laird of Elderslie Riccarton & Craigie, Father of: Sir William “Braveheart” Wallace (John’s older brother)
1277 4.) John Wallace, Sheriff of Ayrshire, Laird of Elderslie (1305-1307) Riccarton and Craigie Born: 1277: Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland Died: c. 1309: Executed; hanged, drawn and quartered at the Tower of London Married: Mary Almour Father of: John Wallace, 1st Earl of Craigie
1307 5.) John Wallace, 1st Earl of Craigie Born: Castle Elderslie, Renfrewshire, Scotland Died: Craigie Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland Married: Elizabeth de Eglington Father of: Sir John Wallace, 2nd of Craigie and 7th of Riccarton, Laird of Elderslie
1345 6.) Sir John Wallace, 2nd of Craigie and 7th of Riccarton, Laird of Elderslie Born: 1345, Craigie Village near Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland Died: 1409 Elderslie, Renfrewshire, Scotland Married: Margaret Lindsay of Craigie, daughter of John Lindsay of Craigie Castle Father of: William Wallace, 4th of Craigie and 9th of Riccarton Craigie Castle, Gaelic Caisteil Chreagaidh, was originally built for the Lyndsay or Lindsay clan. The castle passed had to John Wallace of Riccarton through marriage of Margaret Lindsay as she was the last heiress of Lindsay Craigie. From this time, the line of the Ayrshire Wallaces lived at Craigie Castle until they moved to Newton Castle in Ayr in 1588.
1375 7.) William Wallace, 4th of Craigie and 9th of Riccarton Born circa 1375 in Craigie Ayrshire, Scotland Married Lady Elizabeth Douglas, Father of: LT. Gen Sir John Wallace, 5th of Craigie and 10th of Riccarton
1399 8.) LT. Gen Sir John Wallace, 5th of Craigie and 10th of Riccarton Born: Riccarton, Clackmannan, Ayr, Scotland, UK Died: 1448: Craigie, Ayrshire, Scotland Married Margaret Wallace (born Johnstone) 1418 - 1472 Father of: Christina Wallace Father of: William Wallace, 6th of Craigie, 11th of Riccarton, (Hero of Sark)
1421 9.) Christina Wallace Birth: Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland Death: 1480 in Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland Married William Davidson c. 1440.
In 1440, William Davidson married Christina Wallace, she was the G-G-G-Great grand daughter of Sir John Wallace, Sheriff of Ayrshire, Laird of Elderslie, Riccarton & Craigie, and who, was the brother of Sir William “Braveheart” Wallace. By following this Wallace branch, we can continue to trace our bloodline ancestry all the way back to 1172 Scotland.
Our Davidson Family Timeline and Related Events 1370 WILLIELMUS DAVIDSON Edinburgh, Edinburghshire, Scotland, - wife 1373 Children: John Davidson 1395
1395 JOHN DAVIDSON Edinburgh, Edinburghshire, Scotland, - wife b. 1398 - - Edinburgh, Edinburghshire, Scotland Children: William Davidson b. 1424
1424WILLIAM DAVIDSONE is born in Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland Death: (Date unknown) Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland Immediate Family: William married Christina Wallace (see Wallace Addendum 1.1) She was born: 1421– daughter of Lt Gen. Sir John Wallace and Margaret Johnstone, Sir John was the 5th of Craigie Ayrshire, Scotland and 10th of Riccarton, She died. 1480 Known Children: I. John Davidson 1420 - ca 1490 Vicar of Soltar iI Thomas Davidson 1422 - 1470 III. GEORGE DAVIDSON 1440
1440GEORGE DAVIDSONE was born in Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, Died 1470. Son of William Davidson and Christina Davidson Married in 1460 to Marion Caverhill (b: 1434) in Crailing, Roxburghshire, Scotland Known Children: I. Doreen 1459, II. William 1475, III. Nicholas 1469, IV. David 1471 V. JOHN DAVIDSONE BORN; 1470
1470SIR JOHNE DAVIDSONE (Burgess of Quenisferi (Queensferry) - Midlothian Scotland was born 1470, in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. Died c. 1520 Married: Marion Litill, born 1475, in Midlothia County, Scotland. Known Children: I. JOHN DAVIDSONE II
1500SIR JOHN DAVIDSONE II is born in Dunferline, Fife Scotland d. 1556 John married Katherine "Kate" Kirstell Laurence (born 1503) in 1524 in Jedburgh Roxburghshire, Scotland Known Children: I. John Davidsone III II. Isobel Davidson (Rutherford) III. HENDRIE (HENRY) DAVIDSONE
1542HENDRIE DAVIDSONE is born in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
1567 HENDRIE DAVIDSONE marries Kaete MUTRAY (b.1546), FEB 1567 in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland Known Children of HENDRIE DAVIDSONE and KAETE MUTRAY: I. Andrew Davidsone II. PATRIK DAVIDSONE 1567 Mary Stuart is imprisoned at Lochleven Castle, aged 24; Mary's one-year-old son James is crowned as James VI of Scotland;
1571PATRIK DAVIDSONE Christening: 14 JAN 1571 Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland 16116. PATRIK DAVIDSONE marries Jonet TOMSONE b. 9/2/1590, 28 MAY 1611 Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland Known Children: I. JOHNE DAVIDSONE II. Henre Davidsone III. Effie Davidsone IV. Christane Davidsone V. William Davidsone
1614JOHNE DAVIDSONE Christening: 18 SEP 1614 Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland 1640JOHNE DAVIDSONE marries Katherine KIRK b. 12/6/1620, 6 DEC 1640 in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland Known Children of JOHNE DAVIDSONE and KATHERINE KIRK: I. George Davidson II. Christiane Davidson III. JOHNE DAVIDSON
1646JOHNE DAVIDSON, Christening: 27 NOV 1646 Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland 1679JOHNE DAVIDSON marries Grissell CRAFOORD, 15 APR 1679 in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland Known Children of JOHNE DAVIDSON and GRISSELL CRAFOORD: I. John Davidson II. Margaret Davidson III. ALEXANDER DAVIDSON I, born 8 AUG., 1685 - killed during Jacobite uprising at the Battle of Preston in 1715 IV. William Davidson V. Andrew Davidson VI. Jean Davidson VII. Charles Davidson
1706ALEXANDER DAVIDSON m. Sarah MCDAVID in 1706, Cupar Fife Scotland Known Children: I. ALEXANDER DAVIDSON (II) Born 1707 In Cupar Fifr Scotland II. Phillip Davidson b. 1709 In Cupar, Fife, Scotland. III. Hezekiah Davidson b. 1710 In Cupar, Fife, Scotland. IV. William Davidson b. 1712 In Cupar, Fife, Scotland.
1707 - ALEXANDER(II) DAVIDSON born in Cupar Fifr Scotland
1715 Battle of Preston Fought within the confines of the town itself, the Jacobites mounted a spirited defence successfully repelling the first assaults on their lines. However, as more Government troops arrived they had little choice but to surrender. Alexander Davidson I, taking up the Jacobite cause does not survive the battle of Preston, we don’t know if he died fighting or he died during British imprisonment. (see Battle of Preston addendum) Many of the Jacobites captured were sentenced to be executed for treason. However, we do know that his brothers William and Andrew are taken as prisoners back to the Tower of London. The Highland clansmen were defeated at the Battle of Preston, 639 of the remaining 1,301 prisoners are exiled to America. 1717Two shiploads of the Scottish Jacobites are sent sailing on ships called the Friendship of Belfast and Good Speed to Maryland and Virginia as indentured servants. William and Andrew, brothers of Alexander Davidson with 80 additional Jacobite prisoners are on board the Friendship of Belfast. As indentured servants they must submit to seven years service. William Davidson becomes an indentured servant to Mordecai Moore, a fellow Scotsman, while Andrew serves his seven years to Francis Bullock, also a Scotsman. Both are serving in Gloucester County, Virginia.
1727 - Ten years later with hope of a better life, the sons of deceased Alexander Davidson I and Sarah McDavid, and the nephews of William and Andrew Davidson decide its time to go to America. Alexander Davidson II is age 20, Philip Davidson age 18, and Hezekiah Davidson age 17, and William Davidson age 15. All four will serve 7 years as ‘headrights’ (indentured servants) as payment for their passage to the colonies.
1727 ALEXANDER (II) DAVIDSON immigrates with his three brothers to Gloucester County, Virginia.
1742ALEXANDER DAVIDSON II "the Immigrant" marries SARAH ELLIS*(b.1717) in 1742 in Middlesex County Virginia. Known Children: I. ALEXANDER DAVIDSON III b: 3 JAN. 1744 in Gloucester Co. VA II. Philip DAVIDSON b: 1745 III. William DAVIDSON b: 1748
*Sarah Ellis was the daughter of **Hezekiah and Mary Ellis of Middlesex Co.Virginia. Alexander Davidson does not appear on any church registers, Sarah Ellis is of Christ Church parish (Anglican) in Middlesex County (adjacent to Gloucester.) **Hezekiah b. 1680 in Midlesex Co. Virginia. His 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 Ellis is listed in the muster of men at Pashehaighs in 1624. Hezekiah 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, born November 7, 1717.
1743 ALEXANDER DAVIDSON III, is born January 31, 1743 in Gloucester County, Virginia; died August 15, 1817 in Glasgow, Barren Country, Kentucky.
1747 ALEXANDER DAVIDSON II (the Immigrant) dies. Inventory and Appraisement of ALEXANDER DAVIDSON II Spotsylvania County Courthouse, Will Book B, p. 136, Bond: Source: Will book A Page 487, Spotsylvania Co., VA. 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. 6 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. signed: SARAH DAVIDSON Adm.x-- EDWd HERNDON THOS. BLASSINGHAM
At Court held for 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) On Tuesday March 7th 1748 this Inventory and Appraisement of ALEXANDER DAVIDSON DECEASED. Estate being returned in Court is Ordered to be Recorded
1752Alexander’s (III) mother, Sarah Ellis Davidson dies.
1752 William Ellis, brother of Sarah, and uncle to Alexander Davidson III, is appointed guardian for 9 yr. old Alexander in October 1752 upon the death of his mother. “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 Under the guardianship of his uncle William Ellis, Alexander III becomes an apprentice to a blacksmith.
1768ALEXANDER DAVIDSON III, is married to Anna Bridges b 1742, in Gloucester Co., VA, daughter of Moses Bridges Their children are: I. James DAVIDSON, b. 1768 II. John Davidson, b. 1770, married Sarah Ellis, the youngest sister of his stepmother. John Davidson was received into the fellowship of Sandy Run Baptist Church, Mooresboro, Cleveland County, North Carolina in October 1788. III. Margaret “Polly” Davidson, b. 1772 IV. Alexander Davidson, Jr., b. 1773 V. Hezekiah Davidson, b. 1774, died in 1841. He married first Lettice Isbell (15 Oct 1795, Rutherford County, N.C.). VI. Anna Davidson b. 1776 VII. Jesse Davidson b. 1778 VIII.William Davidson b. 1780 married Aspassia Ellis. IX.ELIJAH DAVIDSON, is born 23 February 1783 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Elijah’s mother, Anne Bridges Davidson, dies from complications from Elijah’s childbirth. Alexander Davidson III remarries a 2nd time to Mary Ellis, who is the daughter of William Ellis. The same William Ellis who was appointed the guardian to the young Alexander when his father died.
1771 Court records show Alex Davidson, John Davison, and Moses Bridges were among the inhabitants of the north part of Orange Co. N.C., who signed a petition to divide the county and the new formation of Caswell County.
1778Alexander Davidson age 35 moves to Tyron County, N.C. – purchases 225 acres. Ironically this move puts him and his family in the middle of the Southern Campaign on the American Revolution.
1780 June 7th, Alexander Davidson III fights for Libertyon June 20, 1780 near present-day Lincolnton, North Carolina, (less than 10 miles from his home) during the British campaign to gain control of the southern colonies in the American Revolutionary War. About 400 American militia defeated 1,300 Loyalist militiamen. This battle did not involve any regular army forces from either side, and was literally fought between neighbors. Alexander Davidson while serving with the North Carolina Militia, in Captain Vinsant’s Company fought along side his father-in-law Moses Bridges and his two brother-in-laws Thomas and Aaron Bridges. Alexander Davidson was a veteran of American Revolution, he fought with the NC Volunteer Militia in Capt. Vinsant’s Regiment, first at Ramsour’s Mill, then at the Battle of Cowpens and Kings Mountain, all three, were less than 25 miles from his home. Alexander’s name appears on a tax list of North Carolina’s Volunteer Militia.
1782 - Tax list of Rutherford Co. North Carolina, Alexander Davidson is 38, father of 9 children owns 225 acres, 5 slaves; 5 horses; 19 cattle. Elijah Davidson is the youngest of 10 children, Elijah’s mother was Anne Bridges Davidson, she died during Elijah’s childbirth or shortly after from complications arising from his childbirth.
1783Alexander Davidson serves as Justice of peace on Rutherford County, NC In September: Britain signs the Treaty of Paris, recognizing American independence. November 25: The British evacuate New York, marking the end of British rule, and General George Washington triumphantly returns with the Continental Army.
1783 12. ELIJAH DAVIDSON was born 23 Feb 1783 in Rutherford Co., NC, and died 24 Apr 1870 in North Monmouth, Polk Co., OR. When Elijah was born, the Colonies were still under British rule, and still fighting for their independence. Even though Gen. Cornwallis had surrender at Yorktown just four months earlier, the British troops still occupy Savannah, Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina and they still occupy New York city.
1790Tax List of Rutherford Co. NC. Alexander is 46 yrs old. Household Census shows 2 males over 16; 4 males under 16. The 2 males over 16 would be the two eldest sons, Alexander and Hezekiah. The four males under 16 would be William, Elijah, Benjamin and Isaac. There are 5 females in the household, there are Mary (Alexander’s wife), Ann, Margaret, Elizabeth and Sarah.
1796Alexander Davidson, now 52, moves his family through the Cumberland Gap into wilderness of Kentucky and settles just south of Glasgow and establishes the Mt Tabor Baptist Church. It was the very first church in that region of south central Kentucky. The Davidson settlement was called South Fork, it is located 2 miles southwest of Glasgow, taking the name of the large creek, which ran through Alexander’s farm. The homestead would eventually grow to contained seven hundred acres. Rev. Alexander Davidson will also organize many of the first churches in the Green River area, between 1798 to 1804, in what became known as the Green River Baptist Association. By 1804, they had increased to thirty-eight churches, covering a vast territory.
1799Alexander Davidson age 55, is the elected representative from Barren Co., to Kentucky’s 2nd Constitutional Convention.
1802Elijah Davidson marries Margaret Murphy, daughter of John Murphy and Rachel Cooke (see Murphy Addendum) on 4th of Feb 1802 in Barren County, Kentucky. Margaret was born on 20 August 1785 in Knox County, Tennessee. She will die in Polk County, Oregon in 1864. MARGARET MURPHY was born 19 Aug 1785 in Warren Co., KY, and died 02 May 1864 in Monmouth, Polk Co., OR. Children of ELIJAH DAVIDSON and MARGARET MURPHY are: I.Carter Tarrant9 Davidson, B. 26 Oct 1802 II.Hosea M. Davidson, B. 28 Dec 1804 III.William Murphy Davidson, B. 14 Apr 1807 IV.Hannah Davidson, B. 28 May 1809, V.John C. Davidson, B. 27 Sep 1811 VI.Mary Ann Davidson, B. 22 Apr 1814 VII.Margaret E. Davidson, B. 16 Jul 1816 VIII.ELIJAH BARTON DAVIDSON, b. 03 Feb 1819, (Prewitts Knob), Barren Co., KY; d. 16 Jan 1888, Williams, Josephine Co., OR. IX.Rachel Davidson, B. 13 Mar 1821 X.Elizabeth Thornton Davidson, B. 29 May 1823, XI.Sarah H. Davidson, B. 23 May 1825, XII.Alexander Bridges Davidson, B. 27 Apr 1829
On February 4th, 1802, Elijah marries Margaret Murphy in Barren County Kentucky. This wedding ceremony is presided by Rev. Carter Tarrant, instead of his own father. This suggests that there may have been a falling out between Elijah and his father Alexander. By this time, Carter Tarrant a well-known Baptist preacher from Virginia, was already getting a reputation for his somewhat unpopular Abolitionist views. Carter Tarrant will have a huge influence in the life of Elijah, so much so, that in the next three generations in Elijah Davidson’s family lineage, a son will be named after Carter Tarrant Davidson. On October 26th, 1802 Elijah & Margaret’s first born is a son, and they name him Carter Tarrant Davidson.
1805Elijah Davidson, John Murphy and Carter Tarrant begin working with others, to organize an Emancipation Society called the Friends of Humanity. With eleven preachers and nineteen other church messengers they formed a new church association, called the Licking-Locust Association, which quickly grew to nine new churches, aggregating 190 members in central Kentucky. The Friends of Humanity policy advocated not only the call for immediate abolition but also, non-fellowship with any slaveholders within their own congregations.
1806 - The emancipators met, and consolidated their fraternity into an organized body, under the name of "The Baptized Licking-Locust Association, Friends to Humanity." The Association received its name from that of a church called Licking-Locust, and was considered the mother establishment to the emancipating interest in Kentucky. The first meeting of the Emancipators as a body, they convened to deliberate on the mode of their future proceedings. At this meeting, eleven ministers and nineteen private brethren entered their names as advocates for emancipating principles. Some queries were presented at this Conference: 1. Can any person be admitted a member of this meeting, whose practice appears friendly to perpetual slavery? Answer. We think not. 2. Is there any case in which persons holding slaves may be admitted to membership into a church of Christ? Answer. No; except in the following:
In the case of a person holding young slaves, and recording a deed of their emancipation at such an age as the church to which they offer may agree to.
In the case of persons who have purchased in their ignorance, and are willing that the church shall say when the slaves or slave shall be free.
In the case of women, whose husbands are opposed to emancipation.
In the case of a widow, who has it not in her power to liberate them.
In the case of idiots, old age, or any debility of body that prevents such slave from procuring a sufficient support; and some other cases, which we would wish the churches to be at liberty to judge of, agreeably to the principles of humanity.
3. Shall members in union with us be at liberty in any case to purchase slaves? Answer. No, except it be with a view to ransom them from perpetual slavery, in such a way as the church may approve of. 4. Have our ideas of slavery occasioned any alteration in our view, of the doctrine of the gospel? Answer. No.
On June 12th, in 1806, a young couple was married and they moved into a cabin near Elizabethtown KY., where the husband worked as a carpenter making cabinets, door frames, even coffins. There, Thomas and Nancy joined the Little Mount Separate Baptist Church. A daughter, Sarah, was born to the couple on February 10, 1807. That fall, Thomas and Nancy’s church voted to unite as one of the Emancipating churches of Baptist Licking-Locust Association, Friends to Humanity. In 1808, Thomas and Nancy Lincoln moved to the Sinking Spring Farm on Nolin Creek about three miles from Hodgenville. There, on the morning of Sunday, February 12, 1809, Nancy gave birth to a boy. He was born on a bed of poles covered with corn husks. Peggy Walters, a neighbor who was only 20 years old, assisted with the birth and said "Nancy had about as hard a time as most women, I reckon, easier than some and maybe harder than a few. It came along kind of slow, but everything was regular and all right. The baby was born just about sunup on Sunday morning." That boy, was named Abraham, after his paternal grandfather who had been killed by an Indian attack on his farm in 1786.
Early in the year of 1811, a beautiful comet traveled through the northern celestial hemisphere. It was clearly visible to the naked eye for 260 days, a record it held until the appearance of Comet Hale–Bopp in 1997. This was called the “Great Comet of 1811” and had an exceptionally large coma, perhaps reaching over 1 million miles across—fifty percent larger than the Sun. In October 1811, at its brightest, it displayed an apparent magnitude of “0” (100x that of a normal star), with an easily visible coma. Coincidentally, North America's greatest earthquake sequence struck in the middle of the continent's greatest river, the Mississippi, and the sequence was the New Madrid earthquakes in the winter of 1811-1812. The initial earthquake of scaled magnitude 7.5 to 7.9 on December 16, 1811, followed by a second with a magnitude of 7.4 aftershock on the same day. There were 3 major earthquakes with major aftershocks. The first on December 16, 1811, a magnitude of 7.9, the scond January 23, 1812, a magnitude of 7.6 and the third on February 7, 1812, a magnitude of 8.0. They remain the most powerful earthquakes to hit the contiguous United States east of the Rocky Mountains in recorded history. Alexander Davidson decides it a good time to write his will.
Will Records of Barren County, Kentucky ALEXANDER DAVIDSON III WILL Originally Written June the 15th 1811 Probate Aug. 1817 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, the Fifteenth of June One Thousand Eight hundred and eleven; and of the Independance of America the Thirty Fifth year, I, Alexander Davidson being in good health and of perfect memory; but calling to rememberance the mortalitity of things sublunary and that all flesh must yield to the destiny of nature where it shall please God to call, Do make ordain constitute and declare, THIS, my last Will and Testament revoking and annulling by these presents all and every testament or testaments Will or Wills by me heretofore made and declared either by word or writing and this only to be taken for my last Will and none other. And first I resign my Soul to God who gave it in hopes of a happy immortality through the Mediation of my Redeemer and Saviour Jesus Christ, and my body to be decently interred at discretion and for the seting my temporal estate I do order give and dispose of the same as follows, towit: and first I will that all those debts I owe in right to any Person or named or persons shall be paid at a convenient time after my decease by my Executors here after named. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Mary my real and persona] Estate during her natural life under the following restrictions towit That as the several Legatee share under named shall come of age she the said Mary shall give them as followeth: To my Sons: Jesse Davidson Thirty pounds in Stock and household furniture; The said Mary shall give in like Stock and furniture as above mentioned to Abram Jacob Ellice Asa and Alan Albert Davidson and my Daughters: Elizabeth and Sarah Davidson the sum of fifty Pounds to each of them should my 26 wife Mary decease before the above Legatees or any of them be entitled to and receive the above sums they shall never the less receive their respective shares of Fifty pounds befor an equal division shall take place. But at my said Wifes' death and after the said Legatees whether of age or non age have received their portions heretofore assigned them Then the remainder of my real and personal Estate shall be divided as folows towit: Equally between all my sons and Daughters and Step Daughters name1y: James, John, Alexander, Ann, Hezek1ah, William Margaret. Elijah, Benjamin, Isaac, Elizabeth, Jesse, Sarah, Rachel Abram, Jacob, Ellis, Asa, Alan and Albert Davidson. Lastly I constitute and appoint my dear and loving wife Mary and my sons: Alexander, Hezekiah and Benjamin Davidson my Executors and, Executris of this my last wi11 and Testament. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal the date first written. Signed Sealed and declared in Presents of Alexander Davidson (Seal) Teste: George Murrell William Trigg William Depp (Ancestor of Actor Johnny Depp) Clement Montague (1817 Will Probate) - Barren County Towit August County Court (This Instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will & Testament of Alexr. Davidson Senr. dec'd was produced in Court & William Trigg & George Murrel two of the subscribing Witnesses being sworn deposeth that the said Alexr. Davidson delivered the said writing as his Last Will and the believe he was of a proper deposing mind and memory and thereupon the said writing was ordered to be recorded as the true last Will & Testament of the said Alexander Davidson
1814Aug. 24, British burn the White House and the US Capitol building in Washington. At 32 yrs. old, Elijah Davidson and his brother James, join Captain Gorin’s Company, with the Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Militia’s 10th Regiment, Commanded by Col. Philip Barbour and fight in the Battle of New Orleans on the morning of January 8, 1815. The British suffered an estimated 300 killed and 1,200 wounded while the Americans counted only 13 killed and 52 wounded or missing. (See Addendum 1.3)
1817Alexander Davidson III, died August 15, 1817 in Glasgow, Barren Country, Kentucky. He was described as a stout, robust and muscular man, of much energy, with a sound, strong mind, industrious and trustworthy. Alexander Davidson - Published originally in the Glasgow Weekly Times, 1870's. "There were no more respectable citizens in Barren County. In this and in Warren county are many of their descendants living, esteemed generally. Alexander Davidson, as well as many of his children, was a stout, robust and muscular man, of much energy, with a sound, strong mind, industrious and trustworthy. As soon as he settled in this county, he commenced preaching, and aided by Carter Tarrant and J. Hightower, organizing churches. He organized the church of Sinking Creek in Warren County and was its pastor almost till his death, which occurred in 1817. Mount Tabor (originally called Beaver Creek) as organized at an early day, by him, Carter Tarrant and Wm. Hickman. He also assisted in constituting other churches. He was a zealous, industrious and active preacher, plain in his manner and address, faithful to the practices of the church. His walk was upright; he was honest, truthful and humble. He was a kind husband, father and neighbor and a humane master. He owned a number of slaves and other property, which was not, with the exception of a few legacies, distributed among his descendants until the death of his wife in 1845, the whole having been given to her during her life. He was a member of the convention which formed our second State constitution, on the 17th day of August, 1799 - being the only delegate from Warren County. He died on his farm in the forks of Beaver Creek and the South Fork, where he had resided many years. His descendants are scattered over the West and the South."
1819ELIJAH BARTON DAVIDSON was born 03 Feb 1819 in Glasgow, Barren Co., KY, and died 16 Jan 1888 in Williams, Josephine Co., OR. He married SALOMA JONES 20 Oct 1840 in Schuyler Co, IL, daughter of LEMUAL JONES and SARAH KIRKPATRICK. She was born 13 Aug 1822 in , Monroe Co. KY, and died 22 Aug 1909 in Williams, Josephine Co., OR. Children of ELIJAH BARTON DAVIDSON and SALOMA JONES are: I.William Jones Davidson, B. 17 Nov 1841 II.Ivory Quimby Davidson, B. 10 Apr 1843 III.Isaac Grundy Davidson, B. 23 Apr 1845 IV.John Smith Davidson, B. 22 Jan 1847 V.Elijah Jones Davidson, B. 22 Jan 1849 VI.Martina Elizabeth Davidson, B. 20 Feb 1851 VII.Sarah Jane Davidson, B. 04 Jun 1853 VIII.Moses Mason Davidson, B. 22 Apr 1855 IX.Margaret Matilda Davidson, B. 04 May 1857 X.CARTER TARANT DAVIDSON, b. 24 Mar 1859, Independence, Polk Co., OR; d. 19 Jan 1932, , Josephine Co., OR. XI.Saloma Ventress Davidson, B. 17 Mar 1861 XII.Olivia Whitman Davidson, B. 29 Mar 1863 XIII.Jay Elsworth Davidson, B. 06 Sep 1866
In 1829,Veterans of the War of 1812 begin receiving their 160-acre land warrants in the Illinois Military Tract, a region between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, in 1829, when the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi ceded lands in northern Illinois by treaty at Prairie du Chien. In 1829, Elijah Davidson and family decide it a good time to leave Kentucky and all it’s slave laws for newly opened lands of western Illinois. A land that is also slave free. They locate on the south side of Cedar creek, which runs to the north of the future town of Monmouth. (See addendum 1.4)
In the Autumn of 1829, Elijah Davidson Sr., William Whitman, Peter Butler and others take claims on the south side of Cedar creek. By this time the entire territory comprised in Warren, Henderson and Merger counties contained only about thirty or forty families; but others were constantly coming, so that by the spring of the latter year it was thought proper to send to Peoria and secure an order for a county election. Within one year later, census shows 830 persons in three counties. Elijah Davidson builds one of the first four cabins built in Monmouth. He owned a cabin and a blacksmith shop.
1831On February 12, "an act to incorporate the inhabitants of Monmouth” was publicly posted to call "the male citizens of the town of Monmouth" to meet at the school house. It was organized by calling Elijah Davidson to be chair for voting to incorporate the town of Monmouth. Twenty-three votes were cast in favor of the incorporation and none against.
1831Elijah Davidson is appointed pastor of the Christian Church establish at Cold Brook – east of Monmouth. “On the 30th day of April, 1831. The Cold Brook congregation calls itself "the church of Christ on Cedar Fork of Henderson River. The first group met originally in members' houses, the courthouse, and a hallway of a downtown building. Elijah also served as the County Treasurer.
1832As the white population in the region grows, so do the tensions with the Native American population. Chief Black Hawk leads a group of Native Americans back east across the Mississippi River to reclaim land previously ceded to the US Government. In the spring of 1832, and the citizens of Monmouth’s crops barely planted, news of an Indian war arrives, less than 60 miles away. Black Hawk and his band were on the warpath and Black Hawk's band has defeated a local militia at the Battle of Stillman's Run. Elijah Barton Davidson Jr. joins the Illinois militia to fight in the Black Hawk War, as does another young man named Abe Lincoln.
1841 June 16, Elijah Davidson Sr., deeded land on the southwest corner of East Archer and North Second Streets to the Church. A frame building was erected for $800. The Talbot Creek Church was formed in the northeast corner of Monmouth Township at the home of William Hopper, March 3, of forty-three members, most of whom were of the mother congregation and five miles northeast of it. Some of the ministers who resided near the Talbot Creek congregation and were members of it were S. L. and Thomas Wallace, John E. and Joseph E. Murphy and F. M. Bruner. In 1845 the congregation built a small frame chapel. Also, in 1841, Latter Day Saint movement founder Joseph Smith appeared before the Judge Stephen A. Douglas in an extradition hearing held at Monmouth's Warren County courthouse. The hearing, which was to determine whether Smith should be returned to Missouri to face murder charges, He was released because his arrest was ruled invalid.
1848The men and women of the church of Christ in Monmouth, led by Elijah Davidson and Squire Whitman and Elijah Butler, begin meeting with the purpose to establish a learning institution in the Oregon Territory "where men and women, alike, may become schooled in the science of living and in the fundamental principles of religion."
Gunfighter Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was born in 1848 in Monmouth, Illinois, the third of five sons born to Nicholas and Virginia Ann Earp,
1850Quote from The Monmouth Atlas, printed April 5, 1850: “On Friday last, ten teams taking with them 39 persons left for Oregon. Elijah Davidson, 67 years and an early settler of this county was with them. He was a pioneer here from Kentucky and now takes family, including numerous grandchildren and is bound for the Pacific.” The provisional government allotted 640 acres of fertile Oregon farmland to every male citizen willing to relocate to the Oregon territory. The Emigrants had three major fears—Indians, disease, and the weather. It is estimated that 34,000 emigrants died along the Oregon Trail — averaging 17 deaths per mile. The Oregon Trail extended from the Missouri River to the Willamette River and was used by nearly 400,000 people. It crossed nearly 2,000 miles of plains, deserts, canyons, and mountains, so unfamiliar and inhospitable that it was dangerous to pause, and unthinkable to settle. It was a six months' journey which had to begin in early May in order to avoid being trapped by mountain snowstorms.
Davidson Wagon Train of 1850: From Monmouth, Illinois to Monmouth, Oregon 39 Persons, 80 oxen and cows and several American breed (Morgan) horses. Elijah Davidson, (67) son of Alexander Davidson III Margaret Murphy, (64) his wife Elijah Barton Davidson, Jr., son of Elijah Davidson, Sr. and Saloma (Jones) Davidson, his wife Elijah J. Davidson Isaac C. Davidson John S. Davidson Ivory Quinby Davidson, believed to have died on the trail. Alexander Bridges Davidson, son of Elijah Davidson, Sr. with his wife and children Squire Stoten Whitman and Elizabeth (Davidson) Whitman, his wife, and daughter of Elijah Davidson, Sr. Mary Ann Whitman, I. Murphy Whitman, William A. Whitman, Martha J. Whitman, Margaret Ardene Whitman Thomas Hartzell Lucas and Sarah H. (Davidson) Lucas, his wife, and daughter of Elijah Davidson, Sr. Smith W. Lucas, Marsham Albert Lucas born on the wagon train in Iowa 22 April 1850, Amanda Lucas Elijah Butler, returned to Illinois in 1851, recrossed in 1852 Isaac Butler, returned to Illinois in 1851, recrossed in 1852 Mr. and Mrs. Calhorn Ethan Calhorn Allen Calhorn Shirley Calhorn William Jones Elijah Jones, (brother of Saloma Davidson) with his wife and children Peter Shelton Stephen White Able White James Sisson John Smith Isaac Grundy
1850 Autumn, At nearly 68 yrs. old, Elijah Davidson and family crossed the plains by ox team from Monmouth, Illinois, halting in the center of present-day Laurelhurst, suburb of Portland, there they took up a 160 acre donation claim. But, Portland was a wild and hard drinking town of pioneers, prostitutes and gold prospectors, not very ideal for Christian family living. Elijah sold the donation claim for the sum of $500, moved southward into the Willamette Valley to found a new town and build a Christian college. This great green bowl, encircled by mountainous walls, was more like the "Oregon" they expected to find. "Its sheltered situation, embosomed in mountains, renders it good pasturing ground in the winter time; when the elk come down to it in great numbers, driven out of the mountains by the snow. The Indians then resort to it to hunt. They likewise come to it in the summer to dig the camash root, of which it produces immense quantities. When this plant is in blossom, the whole valley is tinted by its blue flowers, and looks like the ocean when overcast by a cloud."
1852-53 Founding of Monmouth, Oregon Elijah Davidson, Squire S. Whitman, William Murphy and Thomas Lucas, took adjoining claims in Polk County. The site for the town of Monmouth was land donated entirely by Christian Church men.
1854William Murphy, Elijah B Davidson, Squire Whitman, Thomas Lucas and J. B. Smith donate 640 acres of land for a town. A vote is taken to decide on the name of the town. The choices are Cincinnati, Dover and Monmouth. A tie results between Dover and Monmouth, and Ira F. M. Butler, the chairman of the town committee, casts the deciding vote for Monmouth.
1856July, Elijah organizes a 'Christian congregation; the Bible the only infallible rule of faith and practice. ' Among the charter members were Elijah Davidson, John E. Murphy, Albert Lucas, Squire S. Whitman and others. Monmouth University is founded. Forty life scholarships are issued at $500 each. A small grammar school building, 20 feet by 10 feet, was built on a corner of the public square. The Christian church shared the use of the building.
1859Elijah Davidson Sr., was a devout advocate of prohibition. In February 1859, Davidson and other trustees efforts to prohibit the importation, exportation, sale, and consumption of alcohol in Monmouth became a reality. One of the main arguments Davidson and his fellow religious supporters used to push prohibition legislation was, "to enable them to suppress and prevent nuisances, to render the possession of life and property more secure, and to enable them to improve and embellish the streets of the town." On April 1, 1997: The college changed it’s name to Western Oregon University. 143 years later, Monmouth was still a dry town that banned the sale of alcoholic beverages in supermarkets, restaurants and bars. But, in the November 2002 election, Monmouth's status as the last dry town on the west coast ended.
1859 CARTER TARENT DAVIDSON, b. 24 Mar 1859, Independence, Polk Co., OR; d. 19 Jan 1932, Josephine Co., OR. ) married CECELIA "CELIA" ANN BAILEY on 10 Feb 1884 in Foots Creek, Jackson Co., OR) (1st wife), born 21 Mar 1866 in Jacksonville, Jackson Co., OR. Children of CARTER DAVIDSON and CECELIA BAILEY are: I.Chester Clyde11 Davidson, B. 11 Apr 1885 II.Lester Earl Davidson, B. 08 Oct 1886 iII.GENNIEVA "JENNIE" EVA DAVIDSON, b. 26 Jul 1889, Williams, Josephine Co., OR IV.Jay Ellis "Dave"(Ellis Jay) Davidson, B. 23 May 1894 V.Estella Beatrice Davidson, B. 14 Nov 1896 VI.Carter Emerson Davidson, b. 21 Jul 1899 VII.Thelta Iris Davidson, B. 04 May 1908
From the open source book, "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912 ", vol. II, page 888, S.J. Clarks Publishing Co., 1912 “CARTER T. DAVIDSON is one of the successful sons of Oregon who has made a business of mining and farming. He lives in Provolt, Jackson, Oregon. where he is well and favorably known. His birth occurred in Polk county, Oregon, on the 24th of Mar 1859. His parents were Elijah B. and Saloma (Jones) Davidson, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. In 1850 they crossed the plains with ox teams to Oregon and in that state they reared their family of twelve children. Carter T. Davidson received a good common school education and remained at home until his twenty-first year. He then started out on his own account, choosing the life of an agriculturist and miner, vocations which he has since followed with a reasonable degree of success. He was diligent in his business and for the most part fortune smiled upon him in his efforts to unearth the hidden treasures which he sought as a miner. In 1884, Mr. Davidson was united in marriage to Miss Cecilia Ann Bailey, a native of Oregon, and to this union were born seven children, all of whom are now living except Lester. Those who survive are, Chester Clyde, Jennie Eva, Ellis Jax, Estelle Hazel, Carter Emerson and Iris Thelta Davidson. In his political views Mr. Davidson is a republican but he devotes little time to public matters, preferring to occupy himself with his business affairs and the care of his family. Having been born in Oregon and being used to the life of toil which is exacted of those who follow the vocations which he chose, he has been familiar with pioneer experiences and knows by actual contact with them the many disadvantages, privations and the strenuous life incident to his calling in a new country. In the community of which he is a member he has long been regarded as one of its substantial and leading citizens, and his reputation for integrity, industry and general ability is well founded. As a solid, substantial citizen he is a valued member of society and the family is held in high esteem by all who know them.” From the open source book, "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912 ", vol. II, page 888, S.J. Clarks Publishing Co., 1912
1870April 24, ELIJAH DAVIDSON Sr., dies. Born in 1782 Elijah was an abolitionist, veteran of the Battle of New Orleans, pioneer preacher, organizer of multiple churches of Christ, city father to two different towns, died 24 Apr 1870 in Monmouth, Polk County, Oregon.
1874Nov., Elijah Jones Davidson (Granndson of Elijah Sr.,) was on a hunting trip with his brothers near Sand Mountain (now renamed Mount Elijah) after Davidson became the first man known to have entered the hallowed walls of Oregon Caves. Oregon Caves has passages totaling about 15,000 feet (4,600 m), formed in marble. He entered in pursuit of his favorite dog Bruno and a bear in late November of 1874. After chasing the bear and his dog into the cave, Elijah Davidson was lost in utter darkness as his last match goes out deep inside. Known to have been a small man in stature standing only 5 feet 5 inches was it just sheer drive, determination, fear, plain bravery, or stupidity that led to his predicament?
1877The cave remained silent until May of 1877 when his younger brother Carter Tarent Davidson convinces him to explore the cave deeper with more light and supplies. Elijah brought his brother Carter, and friends William Fidler (brother of Mary Louisa Fidler Jordan and Uncle to Roy A. Jordan), James Nail, Ira Sparlin, and David Johns along, and they began to go deeper and deeper under the mountain. After many hours of exploration, they reached a solid wall and believed it was the end of the cave.
1889 GENNIEVA "JENNIE" EVA DAVIDSON, b. 26 Jul 1889, Williams, Josephine Co., OR. ) married; (1) LESTER C. DAVIS, b. 31 Oct 1886; d. 11 Aug 1910; Children of EVA DAVIDSON and LESTER DAVIS I. Richard Davis II. Frank Davis III. Don Davis
(2) ROY A. JORDAN, (b. 23 Sept. 1887, Grants Pass, OR. Children of EVA DAVIDSON and ROY JORDAN: IV,JAMES DAVIDSON JORDAN b. Mar. 11, 1920 Wolf Creek, OR;
1920JAMES DAVIDSON JORDAN b. Mar. 11, 1920 Wolf Creek, OR; My father JAMES DAVIDSON JORDAN born Mar. 11, 1920 Wolf Creek, OR. married my mom PATRICIA CAMPBELL (born Mar. 24, 1924) in 1947 in Vallejo, CA. Patricia was the daughter of Wallace P. Campbell and Mabel Watson Children of JAMES JORDAN and PATRICIA CAMPBELL: I. Roy Wallace Jordan b.1947 II. James Robert Jordan b.1951 III. Thomas Lee Jordan b.1954 IV. Jay Davidson Jordan b.1963