Joseph Davidson (bef. 1762 - bef. 1849)

Born before 1762 in Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Matilda Amanda (Patton) Davidson — married 14 Jun 1789 in Montgomery County, Virginia, USA

Descendants

Died before 28 Nov 1849 at about age 87 in Mercer County, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Shayne Davidson [send private message]

Biography

As a young man, Joseph Davidson served as an Indian spy during the American Revolutionary War. His detailed 1834 pension application provides a fascinating and harrowing account of life on the western frontier of Virginia during this period. He applied for a Revolutionary War pension, based on this service, which was denied by the government's Pension Office. The pension should have been granted because Indian attacks were encouraged by the British as an integral stratagem of the war [1]. Joseph Davidson's pension application provides much of the specific information available about his life, including the fact that he was born sometime between 1756 and 1762 in Pennsylvania, though he had no documentation of his birth. He may have been the first child in his Northern Irish family to be born in the American colonies.

A marriage bond, was signed on June 10, 1789 by Joseph Davidson and Samuel Patton (who must have been a kinsman to the bride-to-be, however his relationship to her has not been identified), publishing Davidson's intention to marry Matilda Amanda Paton. The marriage occurred less than a week later, on June 16, 1789. ^[1]

Joseph Davidson and his brothers owned a substantial amount of land in southwestern Virginia [2]. The cabin owned by Davidson (shown below in a recent photo) still stands in the Bluefield, West Virginia City Park, where it was moved from it's original location nearby. Joseph Davidson was held in high regard by the community and this may be why his cabin was preserved. ^[2]

In September 1800, Joseph Davidson, along with several other landowners of Tazewell County, was appointed justice of the peace by the governor of Virginia [3].

Joseph Davidson freed one of his slaves, Hiram Davidson, in an intriguing and clever way.

Name

Name: Joseph Davidson

Birth

Birth:

Date: Btw 1756-1762

Place: Pennsylvania

Census

Census:

Date: 7 AUG 1820

Place: Tazewell County, VA^[3]

Census:

Date: 1830

Place: Tazewell County, VA^[4]

Census:

Date: 1840

Place: Mercer Co., VA^[5]

Note

Note: #N3

Notes

Note N3

REV. WAR PENSION APPLICATION OF JOSEPH DAVIDSON

Mercer Co., VA (now W. VA) 8 January, 1844

On the 8 day of January personally appeared in open court before the Court of Mercer County now sitting, Joseph Davidson a resident of Mercer County in the State of Virginia aged eighty-seven years, who bing first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832. That he performed the services during the Revolutionary War herein state That in the year 1776 he lived with his father on the Western frontier of Virginia at which time there was great dangers from the repeted incursions of hostile Indians into the settlements of the whites. As a measure of Defence Captain James Moore an officer commissioned by the State of Virginia was charged with the defence of the neighbourhood & section of country Lying on Bluestone & Clinch Rivers about their sources by Coln. William Preston who was the Colonel commandent of the Militia of Virginia in this region which was then Montgomery County.

This Declarant states that in obedience to the power with which Capt. Moore was invested he was very frequently called into service as an Indian scout or spy in the company of Capt. Moore. There was no fixed period for the continuation of this duty but it was a thing of very repeated occurance a call being always made upon the men whenever there was intelligence of an incursion of the Indians or when information was received of their lurking upon the borders of the settlements.

Early in the spring of the year Capt. Moore upon hearing that a strong party of the Indians were lurking about the mountains of Guyandott summoned his men to an expedition. This was the first service of any note that this declarant performed, he was marched on this expidition as far as the "Island" of Guyandott where it was said that the Indians were encamped. They were gone however before the whites arived. The party were absent on this service about one month. This declarant states that for the next four years he performed this service on the frontier as an Indian spy not constantly but when ever necessity required & in the year 1777 or 78 & (this declarant cannot speak positively as to dates at so great a distance) there was erected on Bluestone River a fort as a protection against the Indians in this fort this declarant was one of the guard for the greater part of the time up to the close of the Revolutioary War or rather the space of four years. There was likewise about the same period a fort built on the head waters of Clinch River in which this Declarant did service as a guard for one Winter. In February of the year 1781 as affiant thinks there was great alarm in the country from the supposed approach of the British Army. The emergency was considered sufficiently important & pressing for Coln. William Preston who commanded the Militia of this region to order out the men even from the very borders of the settlements. Capt. Moore and his company (of which the declarant was one) were ordered into service, & marched into North Carolina under the command of Coln. Wm. Preston upon reaching Greene's army it was thought advisable by the Coln. Preston that some of the men should return home, & this declarant was one amongst several others who returned to the frontier a short time before the battle of Guilford. This service continued six weeks. From this time the services of this declarant consisted in the duties of an Indian spy generally being frequently called out and being at all times ready to obey any call that might be made. Your declarant states that he has no documantary evidence to prove these facts and can only prove the general facts here stated by the testimony of one witness. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity exept the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Role of the agency of any state.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

** Joseph was appointed Lieutenant in 1786 and 1801 was made Colonel Commandant of the 112th Regiment of Virginia. He was, however, refused the pension because he was "never called out to perform any military duty whatever by any officer of the Militia or regular forces."

His brother, William, was also refused a pension because he could not "furnish proof of six months' service in an embodied military corps as required by the Pension Law".

Another brother, Andrew was made an Ensign on the Montgomery Militia in 1786 and in 1800 was made a Captain in the 112th Regiment.

John Jr. was a Lieutenant in the same regiment in 1801 and George was a Captain.

In the pension application of William Davidson he states he was born in County Down Ireland in 1759. The application, dated 21 April, 1834, mentions that he was" 75 years old 17 March last." Further information found in the application of Joseph indicates that he was born in Pennsylvania in 1762.

Will of Colonel Joseph Davidson

Transcribed by Patricia Craig Johnson

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

Tazewell Co VA Records Vol. 3 Pgs. 32-37

(also Mercer Co WV Will Book 5 Pg. 555)

I, Joseph Davidson of the County of Tazewell and Commonwealth of Virginia being of sound mind and memory do constitute this my last will and testament In the words and manner following to wit (Viz) I direct that after my decease all my just debts be paid

I give of my real estate to Martha Bane adjoining of Howard Havens all that portion of land Begining west of Baileys Mill Creek about 80 yards and runing a South East course 20 poles thence east crossing the Creek and runing with the top of a ridge known as the Valley ridge untill nearly opposite the Meeting House so as to leave it upon the land recently owned and occupied by Robert Davidson thence a N.W. course tothe lands deeded by me to Howard Havens.

I give unto my Son Robert Davidson all that tract or parcel of Land on which he recently resided lying in the County of Mercer and being within the following boundary to wit. Begining on the Top of the Valleyridge and runing east to the division line between him and the land of Henry Davidson and with that division line a Straight line barely crossing the Stony ridge thence a west course to a line made as a division line between Robert and Samuel Davidson of the land known as the Waldron place - and with that division line to a ridge dividing the waters of the Brush fork from Bluestone and with the south side of said ridge a west course to a corner dividing the land between me and HowardHavens and with that line to the top of the Stony ridge and to the begining to him and his heirs forever.

I give unto my son Henry Davidson all that tract or parcel of land on which he recently resided lying in the County of Mercer and within the following boundary to wit. Begining on the Top of the Valley ridge and runing east to the division line between Henry Davidson & William Davidson and with that division line a straight line to the line of a survey made made latterly for John Davidson and with the lines of saidsurvey so as not to intrude upon the survey owned by Samuel Davidson and with the division line between Robert & Henry Davidson Crossing the Valley to the beginning - to him and his heirs forever.

I give unto my Son William Davidson all that tract or parcel of land lying in the County of Mercer and within the boundaries herein spec- ified and adjoining Henry Davidson. Begining on the top of the Valley ridge and runing east to a corner made between me and Joseph Clarke andwith that line to the top of the Stony ridge and over the same 70 poles thence a straight line to the division line between Henry and William Davidson and with that line to the beginning - to him and his heirsforever.

I give unto my Son Samuel Davidson the one half of the land known as the Waldron place - including the addition made to it in the survey made by Robert H. Boltin and Hezekiah Harman-lying between the lines of Robert Davidson and the lines run and marked as the division by said Boltin between Robert and Samuel Davidson to him and his heirs forever.

I give unto my Grandsons Joseph Davidson the eldest son of Henry Davidson and Samuel Richardson to the first named the sum of Eight hundreddollars and the last the sum of four hundred dollars to be paid to each of them out of the proceeds of the sale of the Lorton lick tract ofland lying in the

page 32

County of Mercer and on which I formerly lived to them and their heirs forever.

I give unto my Grandson Joseph Davidson eldest son of William Davidson and Samuel Richardson - their heirs forever all that tract or parcel of land lying within the boundary hereafter named to wit. Begining at the Blazed corner at the stone lick and runing out at the head of the branch a North course to Lortons lick Creek and with the Creek a west course to John Colemans line and with his lines to Colemans begining corner and thence to the line dividing me and William Witten Senr and with it to that boundary Joseph Davidson son of Henry as above mentioned to the blazed corner at the stone lick.

I give unto John Havens all that portion of land lying within the following bounary to wit. Begining at the Stone lick and runing a N. East corner to the path leading to William Witten's and runing so as to include the land on both sides of the path leading to James Dillons being part of a survey made for Samuel Flumoner the quantity to be not less than 200 acres.

I give unto my son Henry Davidson 200 acres of land lying on the Hurricane ridge in the County of Mercer - to him and his heirs forever the above being an Entry made by Jessie Belsher senr - and lying between the Brush fork of Blue Stone and Brush Creek - and further I give unto my son Henry Davidson 200 acres of land begining on the survey lately made for John Davidson and runing up the Brushfork for quantity as he may direct-to him and his heirs forever.

I give unto my Son John Davidson all that tract or parcel of Land in which he now lives and included within the metes and bounds of a survey of 1395 acres be the same more or less made for said Davidson by Robert Hall - except where it may intrude upon the land laid off upon the south- east side by William H. Boltin for Samuel Davidson - to him and his heirs forever.

And further I give unto my sons John, Henry, Robert, William, James and Samuel Davidson all my right title and interest in and to the following Slaves- Namely Elias-Isaac - also one female slave named Dido one other named Biddy and a third Charlotte - being desirous that they should remain with them - the division to be made by themselves or such person or persons as they may mutually agree upon with view to arrive at their value each Legatee to give bond and security to the other for his share and that sum only payable at the end of two years from such division without interest. But on the division of said Slaves giving to the two first named John and Henry One hundred dollars more than an equal proportion of such slaves or their value.

And further I direct that Joseph Davidson son of William Davidson pay to Samuel Richardson the sum of One Hundred dollars in consideration of the land here given him.

And that all the remainder of my real estate not otherwise disposed of shall be equally divided between my son Henry Davidson and William Davidsons last three children to them and their heirs forever.

And that the slaves Hiram and Quinn remain in the possession of my wife Matilda Davidson the last mentioned Quinn not to be separated from his father untill He shall arrive at the age of Sixteen years then at that time it is my wish that whomsoever of the family Hiram may be desirous

Will of Joseph Davidson - Tazewell Co VA-Vol.3, page 33

of his living with shall buy him.

I give unto my grand children Havens, Matilda, Hannah, and Jane Richardson Children of my Daughter Jane Davidson and their Heirs forever One female Slave named Mariah and her increase to be equally divided amongst them.

I further Charge my Executor that in the event of Samuel Davidson producing any claim or claims against my estate for money at any time paid to me or to any other person for me, He shall be charged with the following Slaves Namely Smith, George, and Lovey the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars together with a bond transfered by me to him on Zachariah Muncey for as an offset. And should none be presented then no further account is to be taken of them.

I moreover appoint my friend John B. George of the County of Tazewell Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others and in testimony whereof have hereunto sub scribed my hand and affixed my seal this 30th day of May 1846.

Witnesses his

Robert Hall Joseph X Davidson {seal}

Wm. H. French mark

Wm. Houchins

Alexander Johnston

Whereas I Joseph Davidson of the County of Mercer having made and duly executed my last will and testament in writing bearing date on the 30th day of May 1846 by which last will and testament I gave and bequeathed to my Grandson Joseph Davidson the sum of Eight hundred Dollars to be paid out of money arising from the sale of my land on Lorton's Lick. also the sum of Four hundred Dollars to my grandson Samuel Richardson to be paid out of the sale of said land. I also gave and bequeathed in said will to each of my sons Henry Davidson & John Davidson the sum of One hundred Dollars. Now I the said Joseph Davidson being desirous of altering my said will in respect to the said Legacies do therefore make the present writing, which I will & direct to be annexed as a codicil to my said will and taken as part there of and I do hereby revoke the said Legacy by my said will :to my GrandSon Joseph Davidson as I have (since I made said will) conveyed in fee simple to him by deed a portion of my land lying upon Lorton's Lick which I regard as fully equivalent in value to the said Legacy and I do hereby also revoke the said Legacies by my said will given to each of my sons John Davidson & Henry Davidson as both of my said sons are now dead and I consider that I have otherwise given to them & their families their just proportion of my estate I do hereby also revoke the said Legacy by my said will given to my Grandson Samuel Richardson and I do give to him the sum of Five hundred Dollars to be paid to him by my Executors as soon as possible after my death. The Legacies above mentioned of one??Will of Joseph Davidson - Tazewell Co VA-Vol.3, page 34 ??hundred Dollars given in my said will to each of my Sons Henry & John Davidson & which I wish revoked is embraced in that portion of my said will which gives to each of my said Sons 0 more than their equal proportion of certain Slaves to be decided between them & others.?And I ratify and confirm my said will in everything except when the same is hereby revoked and altered as aforesaid. In witness whereof I Joseph Davidson the testator have to this a codicil to my will written on one piece of paper set my hand and seal this 12th day of March 1849?

his

Signed, sealed, & published by the said Joseph X Davidson {Seal}

Joseph Davidson of the County of Mercer mark

and for a codicil to be added to & be considered

part of his last will & testament in the presence

of us who have subscribed our names

in his presence.

Alex Mahood

Robert B. McNutt

 ??I Joseph Davidson senr Now of the County of Mercer and State of Virginia in order to obviate any difficulty which might possibly arise in reference to sale of my Slave Hiram to Nancy Sullender (a free woman of color) on the 14th day of May 1849 as will more fully appear by reference to a Bill of sale of the aforesaid Slave Hiram. I have thought proper in this Codicil to my last will and testament to declare it to be my intention that the aforesaid Slave Hiram shall be held as the property of the aforesaid Nancy provided the terms of the contract aforesaid be complied with and provided Moreover the said Nancy can according to the laws of Virginia hold the aforesaid Hiram as her property. But if it shall appear that the said Nancy cannot hold legally the said Hiram as her property then it is my wish as soon as the said Nancy complies with the conditions of the aforesaid contract that the aforesaid Slave Hiram shall be free forever from the claim of myself or my heirs provided he complies with the requirements of the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is my wish that the rents of the farm now in the occupancy of Nancy Sullender and which has been rented to her until the 1st of March 1851 shall be paid to my wife Matilda. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my name and seal this 14th day of March 1849

his

Joseph X Davidson {seal}

mark

Witness

Thos. G. Witten

Johnston Bane

Virginia In Tazewell County Court Nov. 28th 1849?The last will and testament of Joseph Davidson dec'd with the two codicils thereto appended was presented in Court and one of codicils to said will was proved according to law by the oath of Thomas G. Witten and Johnson Bane suscribing witnesses thereto.?Teste?Geo. W. G. Browne C(lerk)?And in the same Court July 31st 1850?The last will and testament of Joseph Davidson dec'd was proved according to law by the oaths of William H. French, William Houchins, & Alexander Johnson subscri-??Will of Joseph Davidson - Tazewell Co VA-Vol.3, page 35??bing witnesses thereto??Teste Geo. W. G. Browne C(lerk)??And in the same Court July 30 1851.?One of the codicils to the will Jospeh Davidson Dec'd was proved by the oath of Robert B. McNutt a subscribing witness thereto.??Teste Geo. W. G. Browne C(lerk)??And in the same Court Oct. 29 1851?The last will and testament of Joseph Davidson dec'd with two codicils thereto appended was again produced in Court and further proven by the oath of Alexander Mahood a subscribing witness to one of the codicils aforesaid, and the said will and codicils are ordered to be recorded.??Teste Geo. W. G. Browne C(lerk)??In obedience to an order of the County Court of Mercer made at the June Term 1849 appointing the undersigned appraisers of the personal Estate of Joseph Davidson Sr. dec'd having been duly sworn for that purpose we proceeded on the 10th and 11th of August 1849 to appraise the following property shown to us as belonging to said Estate Viz.?

1 roan horse .00 Sarah(girl) 0.00

1 Small Wheat stack 5.00 Quinn 550.00

12 Harrow Teeth 1.80 1 Bed stead Bed & furniture 8.00

1/3 of 8 acres of growing corn 10.00 1 Do Do Do 7.00

1/3 of 7 Do " " oats 6.00 1 Large Bible 1.00

2 Hand stacks of Wheat 2.00 1 Lot old Books .50

Dinah (Negro woman 75.00 1 Side Saddle 4.00

Charlotte (Negro woman) 400.00 1 Blind bay Horse 5.00

James Pearis (Negro Boy) 200.00 8 head Geese 1/6 2.00

Isaac (old man) 50.00 1 Small mare & Colt 40.00

Biddah Negro woman 300.00

Given under our hands this 11th day of

August 1849 James Calfee

Elias Hale Johnston Bane

A Copy

Teste C. W. Calfee C. C.

Virginia: In Tazewell County Court Nov 26th 1851?This appraisment was returned to Court & ordered to be Recorded??Teste Geo. W. G. Browne C?A Late bill of the personal property of Col Joseph Davidson Deceased made on the 5th day of January 1850 by John B. George Executor at Lortons lick in the County of Mercer the late residence of the deceased?

Nancy Sullender one Roan horse .50

Same 12 Harrow teeth 1.121/2

Same 1 Small oats stack 1. "

Will of Joseph Davidson - Tazewell Co VA-Vol.3, page 36

James W. Davidson, corn in the crib,

being the third appraised Growing .00

Zachariah W. Davidson, the wheat that was appraised 8.121/2

Riley Hambrick, one mare & colt 41.38

Robert W. Davidson, one blind bay horse 3."

Two bedsteads & furniture one large bible one lot of

old books one side saddle & 8 head of geese the whole

being appraised to the sum of .50 cents was by consent

of the heirs present given up to the Widow of Col. Davidson

John B. George Exec.

Virginia In Tazewell County Court Nov. 26th 1851

This account of sales was presented in Court and ordered to be

recorded.

Teste Geo. W. G. Browne C(lerk)^[6]

1. ↑ Dodd, Jordan. Virginia, Marriages, 1660-1800 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1997.
2. ↑ Archives of the Pioneers of Tazewell County, Virginia Editor: Netti Schreiner-Yantis, Transcribed and Edited by Publication: self, 1973 Page: 310
3. ↑ Census Title: 1820 United States Federal Census Record for Joseph and John Davison Place: Virginia > Tazewell > Not Stated > 7 Date: 7 Aug 1820 Media: digital Source Locality: Fourth Census of the United States, 1820. (NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. DATV Feb 2011
4. ↑ Census Title: 1830 United States Federal Census Record for Joseph, Henry and William Davidson Place: Virginia > Tazewell > Not Stated > 17 Date: 1830 Media: digital Source Locality: Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. DATV Feb 2011
5. ↑ Census Title: 1840 United States Federal Census Record for Joseph and John Davidson Place: Virginia > Mercer > Not Stated > 7 Date: 1840 Media: digital Source Locality: Sixth Census of the United States, 1840. (NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. DATV Feb 2011
6. ↑ Source: #S1085