Michael Peter Davy UE (1773 - 1831)

Born 5 May 1773 in Stone Arabia, Montgomery County, New York,

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Friermouth) Davy — married 1793 in Ernestown Township, Lennox Addington County, Ontario, Canada

Descendants

Died 1 Feb 1831 at age 57 in Ernestown, Addington, Upper Canada

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Bill Dunkley [send private message] and Mechelle Tait [send private message]

Parentage: From historical context, Michael was very possibly the son of Peter Davy Jr (born ca.1753) and not Peter Davy Sr. (born 1724). If estimate of birth year is correct, Michael was likely too young to have fought in the American Revolution. It does appear, however, that he fought in the War of 1812. See also the Russ McGillivray comments below.

Biography

Birth: 15 MAY 1773 Schenectady, Stone Arabia, New York, United States

Baptismal sponsors: Bernard Kaiser, Barbara Emg (source: Maryly Penrose book)

Michael Davy son of Peter was probably born in what is now New York State. His parents lived in the vicinity of Little Falls New York and that is most likely his birthplace. Date of birth is unknown.

He and his brothers served in the British army during the War of the American Independence. After the war was over, the Loyalists who were in the American Colonies were treated very harshly and their lands were confiscated. Michael and his brothers emigrated to Upper Canada. Records from the Public Archives give the following data:

• "Michael Davey, Ernestown, states residence since 1784 (In Canada). His petition for land is as follows: "Michael Davey having resided in this province since the year 1784 and having drawn no lands prays for an assignment for himself and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Adam Freymouth, United Empire Loyalist, 4 Oct 1798."
• He was granted lot 32 2nd Concession Pickering, York County, consisting of 200 acres.

From the military records in Ottawa is the following extract: "Michael Davey, private, 49th Regiment, discharged under provision general order 6th Dec. 1814.

United Empire Loyalists got additional lands by petitioning the Government for them. Each child of a Loyalist was also entitled to petition and receive lands. Lands received by petition were often sold, and the Loyalist or his children may never have resided on such land grants.

Michael Davy lived in Ernestown Township. We do not know whom he married for a 2nd wife, if any. We do not know for certain the dates of his and his wife's deaths. Both are probably buried in unmarked graves in Ernestown Township. Near Odessa or Bath, Ontario, Canada.

Children

The famous Reid book^[1] on Loyalist families lists 12 children for Michael (not necessarily in birth order):

• Peter DAVEY
• John M. DAVEY
• Michael DAVEY
• Henry DAVEY
• Thomas M. DAVEY
• George M. DAVEY
• Adam DAVEY
• Benjamin D. DAVEY
• Sally DAVEY
• Salome DAVEY
• Elizabeth DAVEY
• Mary DAVEY

Notes from Russ McGillivray

Noted Loyalist researcher McGillivray summarises some of the highlights of Michael Davy's life in Canada as follows, verbatim:^[2]

• 1) Arrived [in Canada] in 1784 but drew no land.
• 2) Not listed in the muster roll of disbanded soldiers settled in Ernestown, 7 Oct 1784
• 3) Did not claim any military service or status as a Loyalist [McGillivray says in a footnote: This raises a doubt as to whether Michael was a son of Peter Davy U.E. ,or else he would have used that relationship to petition for land in the absence of his own military service.]
• 4) Married about 1793 to Elizabeth, daughter of John Adam Freymouth,^[3] a U.E. Loyalist
• 5) Petitioned 4 Oct 1797 for land for himself and his wife. He was recommended for 200 acres as U.E. but apparently did not receive any land
• 6) 19 June 1806 Michael purchased from John Davy half of Lot 25, Con 5 of Ernestown which had originally been granted to Peter Davy.
• 7) There is a will dated 1 Feb 1831

Will & Testament

HIS LAST WILL AND TESTIMONY IS TRANSCRIBED AS BEST I CAN FROM A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT.

In the name of God.. I Michael Davy of Ernest Town of the Incorporated County of Lenox and Addington, Midland District and Province of Upper Canada, Yoeman, being very sick and weak in Body, but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God calling into mind, the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men, once to die, do make ordain this my last will and testimony that is today principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul unto the hand of Almighty God who gave it and my body, I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian Burial at the discretion on Executors nothing doubting. the general.

I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching the worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with this life. I give and bequeath. and dispose of the same in the manner following.

Viz

First I give and bequeath unto my eldest son Peter Davy the sum of one pound of lawful money to be paid to him in one year after my decease together with the fifty acres of land and other property which I in my lifetime have given to him suffering to make an equal portion with the rest of my heirs,

Next I give and bequeath to my second eldest son John Davy the other 50 acres which joins the 50 acres above mentioned or the value of it to be paid to my son John by my eldest son Peter aforementioned. I give and bequeath to my second eldest son John, Two acres of land lying in the rear end of the lot of land now in my possession number 24 in the Second Concession of Ernest Town.

Next I give and bequeath to my third son Michael Davy two acres of land in the rear of said lot before mentioned.

Next I give and bequeath to my fourth eldest son Henry Davy one acre of Land in rear of the lot before mentioned.

Next I give and bequeath to my fifth eldest son Thomas Davy on acre of land in the rear of said lot before mentioned,

Next I give and bequeath to my sixth eldest son George one acre of land and in rear of said lot,

Next I give and bequeath to my seventh eldest son Adam Davy one acre of land in rear of said lot,

Sources

1. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20030518073612/http://qschooner.com/reid/d0000/g0000020.html#I1095
2. ↑ http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~russmcgillivray/genealogy/davy/page1.html
3. ↑ https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Freyermuth-67

• William D. Reid, The Loyalists in Ontario: The Sons & Daughters of The American Loyalists of Upper Canada, Hunterdon House, Lambertville, New Jersey USA, 1973.

• “COMPENDIUM of Early MOHAWK VALLEY FAMILIES” by Maryly Penrose

• WikiTree profile Davey-104 created through the import of export-BloodTree.ged on Dec 3, 2011 by Mechelle Tait.

• WikiTree profile Davy-220 created through the import of Smith_Wood Family Tree.ged on Feb 22, 2012 by Brock Smith.