Jane Simpson (Cook) Davis (abt. 1759 - 1845)

Born about 1759 in South Carolina

Descendants

Died 3 Oct 1845 at about age 86 in Woodville, Mississippi

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Biography

Samuel Davis married Miss Jane Cooke; a Georgia girl of good North Carolina family and connected with—if not closely related to—the Hardins, who moved early to “the Dark and Bloody Ground” and for whom a Kentucky County was named. The pair had eight children during their Georgia life and then Samuel Davis—seeing larger and quick returns for the planter in newer and less crowded territory—followed his wife's friends. He had no inheritance, as his widowed mother lost her all in the trying days that followed the Revolution; so he removed to Kentucky and began life anew on a tobacco plantation in Christian County. [[1]]

The eldest child of Samuel Davis and Jane Cook, was Joseph Emory Davis, born in Georgia but a lawyer and planter, residing at the “Hurricane” Plantation, Warren County, Miss. He married Miss Eliza van Benthysen. He was a great stay and aid to his father and, after his death, became its head and parent, rather than guardian, of the younger children. Little Jeff was devoted to him, and the later statesman never forgot to express his love and admiration of his elder. Joseph Davis rose to great influence and regard in his State and section; and acquired wealth.

The next brother was a doctor and planter: Dr. Benjamin Davis, of St. Francisville, La. He married Miss Aurelia Smith, of that parish, and died at an advanced age after a quiet, respected and useful life.

Samuel Davis, Jr., was the next in age. He was a planter and resided near Vicksburg, Miss. His wife was Miss Lucy Throckmorton and their only living child is Mrs. Helen Carey, of Rapides Parish, La. There were three sons: Benjamin, Samuel and Robert; the eldest of whom left six children in Idaho. Isaac Davis, the fourth son, was also a planter and resided at Canton, Miss. He married Miss Susan Guerly, and left one son, General Joseph R. Davis, of the Confederate Army; and two granddaughters.

The fifth brother and youngest child was Jefferson Davis, the President.

Anna Davis, the eldest daughter, married Luther Smith, of West Feliciana, and had a family of six, two of whom were daughters; Joseph Luther, Gordon, Jedediah, Lucy and Amanda.

Amanda, her next sister, married Mr. Bradford, of Madison Parish, La. Her living children are Jeff Davis Bradford, an engineer now stationed at Fort Moultrie, in Charleston Harbor; Elizabeth Bradford White, widowed, and residing in New Orleans in winter and Kentucky in summer, and Mrs. Lucy Bradford Mitchell, widow of Dr. C. R. Mitchell, of Vicksburg, Miss.

Lucinda Davis, the next sister, married Mr. William Stamps, of Woodville, Miss. Her children are all dead and her grandchildren are Mrs. Edward Farrar and Mrs. Mary Bateson, of New York, and Mrs. William Anderson; Hugh, Richard and Isaac Alexander, and one great grandchild, Miss Josie Alexander.

Matilda, the fourth sister, died in childhood,

The youngest and next in age to the later President, was his boyhood's companion and delight, “Little Polly.” She was Mary Ellen Davis, who married—without changing her name—Robert Davis, of South Carolina, and left one daughter, who is still living, Mrs. Mary Ellen Davis Anderson, of Ocean Springs, Miss.

Note About Mother of Jane Simpson Cook

Rice University had a page indicating that a Jenny Strahan was the wife of William and mother of Jane. Once the data was challenged, the page was removed. Here is the note received from Rice University. Lee-5956 14:12, 9 January 2018 (EST) Our website does NOT indicate that Jefferson Davis supplied the name of his grandmother; indeed, we do not know her name. Likewise, we are unable to trace the source for Jennie Strahan and find no mention of her in our research files. That page was written in 1998 and will be corrected. From our best information--published genealogies and the records of Davis family members and our own extensive files--we believe Jefferson Davis' mother was Jane [Simpson] Cook, daughter of William Cook of Edgefield District, S.C. PJ Davis, Rice University. Page removed http://jeffersondavis.rice.edu/JaneCookDavis.aspx

Notes

Currently, Findagrave for this Jane Simpson Cook Davis has her incorrectly attached to parents (Col) William Cooke/Cook and his wife Sarah Simpson. Request has been made to have that connection severed at FindaGrave. (eb 10/8/23)

DAR no longer recognizes either this Jane Simpson Cook Davis OR Mary Anne Cooke Martin as daughters of Col William Cooke + wife Sarah Simpson of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. (eb 10/8/23)

Death

Jane Davis died in 1845. She wrote her will in 1839 and it was proven Feb 1846.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Will records: "Mississippi Probate Records, 1781-1930"
   Catalog: Will records Record of wills v. 1-2 1824-1882
   Image path: Mississippi Probate Records, 1781-1930 > Wilkinson > Wills 1824-1882 vol 1-2 > image 226 of 446
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L9QX-S9M8-S (accessed 9 June 2022)
   • 1846 Will Bk 1 p.1