Leonard (1751-1828) was born in Orange County, VA, the son of Matthew Davis. He married Susannah Burrus (1759-1830). He passed away about 1835.
After the war, the government opened up lands. Some land was given, as payment, to those who had served in the Revolutionary War. Leonard and his father, Matthew Davis Jr. and their families, sold their land in Orange County, Virginia, and bought land in Surry County, North Carolina, in 1783. (Surry Co., N.Carolina Deed Book #18-218, Book C-29 and 257, Book F-21 and 108. Book G-249 and Grant #7769.)
Leonard and Susanna's family settled on Stewarts Creek in Surry County, where the rest of their children were born. According to the book, "Surry County Heritage-North Carolina Vol. II” pp. 78-79, Leonard and Susannah had 10 children: 1) Jonathan, 2) Jacob, 3) Lemuel, 4)Mary, 5) Thomas, 6) Matthew, 7) Sarah, 8) Isaac, 9) Nancy, 10) William.
For the next 26 years, Leonard's family grew and they farmed the land.
Leonard was then in his fifties when the family moved West. On April 12th, 1809, Leonard bought 443 acres of land in Overton County, Tennessee. (See Overton County deed records for 1809.)
Most of his family moved with Leonard and Susanna, (more than 300 miles West, over the Appalachian mountains) to Overton, Tennessee. However, three of their children and their families stayed in Surry County, North Carolina, and did not go on to Tennessee. These three were the Mary (Davis) and Jonathan Roberts' family, Jonathan and Patience Kersey Davis' family, and Jacob and Winifred Herring Davis' family.
According to the book, "Surry County Heritage-North Carolina Vol. II” p. 79, “On 31 Jan. 1812, Leonard Davis of Overton Co., TN” sold 350 acres on Stewarts Creek, Surry County, North Carolina, to his son. Jacob Davis. See Overton Co. TN Deed Book M-431. “On 1 Jan, 1828, Leonard Davis of Overton Co., TN, sold Jonathan, Jacob, Thomas, Lemuel, Matthew, Isaac and William Davis, Jonathan Roberts, Hugh Roberts and John Stone, 440 acres…All those named, being sons and sons-in-law of said Leonard Davis. See Overton Co, [TN] Deed Book, F-231.”
Leonard and his wife both appear on the 1830 census in Overton County, Tennessee. It is assumed they died during that decade, as they do not appear on the 1840 census.
March 24, 1783, deed Orange County VA, Leonard Davis and wife Susannah of Albemarle County VA to William Davis of Orange County VA. 142 acres in Orange County on Swift Run and Blue Run. On Beasley's line formerly Creeds, Matthew Davis corner, John Roberts line. Witnesses James Beazley, Matthew Davis, John Goodall Jr. Signed Leonard Davis, Susannah Davis. Acknowledged Aug 25, 1783 by Leonard and Susannah Davis. Deed book 18 page 224.
March 23, 1806, will of David Davis, Surry County NC. Wife Anna. Children Squire, Rece, David, Deborah Martin, John, Evan, Drucinda. Brother Thomas Davis and Leonard Davis, executors. Witnesses Robert Harris, TA Word, Thomas Perkins, William Unthank. Probated May 1806. Recorded in will book 3 page 72.
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Leonard is 25 degrees from Herbert Adair, 22 degrees from Richard Adams, 17 degrees from Mel Blanc, 24 degrees from Dick Bruna, 17 degrees from Bunny DeBarge, 30 degrees from Peter Dinklage, 17 degrees from Sam Edwards, 13 degrees from Ginnifer Goodwin, 15 degrees from Marty Krofft, 13 degrees from Junius Matthews, 15 degrees from Rachel Mellon and 18 degrees from Harold Warstler on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.