(A private unpublished family genealogy states that all five children were born in Warren County, Georgia, but the census documentation is not in agreement with this statement.)
Marriage and Family
John Davidson married Elizabeth Nichols on 18 January 1813 in Warren, Georgia, United States.[2][Ancestry Sharing Link]
There is some uncertainty as to whether both John Wesley Davidson and Wesley S. Davidson are sons of John William Davidson. John Wesley Davidson is listed as a son in the unpublished family genealogy, as well as being listed as a legatee in the will of John William Davidson. Wesley S. Davidson is not listed in either place, but in the 1850 census Wesley is listed as living in the home and there is no mention of John. John William Davidson's brother Oliver is also listed as having a son named John Wesley Davidson (1830-1903). There will need to be more work done to clarify who these two are and how they are related to the larger Davidson family.
The couple's oldest child, Albert Bird Davidson, was born about 9 months before their marriage in January 1813.
Work Life
Davidson was a farmer, building a significant holding near the town of Whitesville (now unincorporated) on the eastern side of what is now known as Harris County.
Cotton was his primary farming focus. As a cotton farmer in the area known as the "Black Belt", he was also active in securing labor through the purchase of slaves. This activity is documented in each census in which slaves are counted. Black Belt in the American South. (2023, January 15). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Belt_in_the_American_South
1820's
John William Davidson was documented in the 1820 population census on August 7, 1820 as living in Capt Hutchinson's District, Warren Co., Georgia. John would have been 28 at the time of the 1820 census.[3]
This 1820 census provided detailed information on the White members of the household:
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 5
Free White Persons - Males - 26-44: 1
Free White Persons - Females Under 10: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 16-25: 1
Total Free White Persons: 9 (7 under 16; 1 over 25)
This document states there were 9 White people in his household. The two oldest adults would have been John and his wife, Elizabeth. Presumably, the five males under ten years of age were his first five boys: Albert, Elias, Isaiah, Larkin, and Carlton. It's not certain who the two girls under ten years of age would have been, since their three daughters--MercyAnn, Nancy, and MissouriRhetta were born in the next decade. Were these children who died in childhood or is there a mistake with the birthdates for the three daughters?
1820's Enslavement
Davidson, however, was also starting to expand his enterprise through enslavement, which is also recorded in the census. John William had enslaved 4 women who worked on his property, 3 of which were under 14 years of age and 1 was in the 14-25 year old category.
The 1820 census was seven years before the Georgia Land Lottery of 1827 in which John W. Davidson was one of the lucky ones who won land in Muscogee County as part of the government giveaway of the ancestral lands of the Muscogee Creek Indians.[4]Trail of Tears. (2023, January 28). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Tears>
1830's
Two years after the 1827 Land Lottery, John William Davidson appears in the 1830 census, where he is described as living in Warren County Georgia. The record shows his family (and the number of enslaved under his control) had grown significantly in 10 years, since the last census record of 1820. There are now 14 white people (up 5 from 1820) in the household
Free White Persons - Male-Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Males-5-9: 1
Free White Persons - Males-10-14: 2
Free White Persons - Males -15-19: 3
Free White Persons- Males - 30-39: 1 (This must have been John William Davidson himself who would have been 38 years old at the time.
Free White Persons - Females - 5-9: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 10-14: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30-39: 1 (This would have been John's wife, Elizabeth.)
In 1830, the three Davidson daughters would have been 7, 5, and 1 year old, so there is some mystery to be cleared up here about the girls.
1830's Enslavement
In 1830, there are now 17 enslaved individuals (up 13 since 1820). Moreover, the enslaved people now outnumbered the Whites.
Slaves of John Davidson
The decade of 1820 to 1830 was clearly productive for John W. Davidson. He won free land in the Georgia Land Lottery and was able to increase the number of enslaved under his control.[5]
1840's
John was in a census record for Harris County, Georgia. [6]
Name: John Davidson
Home in 1840: Slaughters District, Harris, Georgia
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 4
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59:1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19:2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39:1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 9
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 12
The 1840 census shows that the Davidson family reported 3 more White members.
1840's Enslavement
This document also confirms there were 18 individuals listed as enslaved at this time. Although this is only one more person than the 17 he held in 1830, the census shows a different range of gender and age in 1840. Slaves of John Davidson
Marriages
The 1840's also saw Davidson's children beginning to start their own families. There were four family weddings during this decade.
In about 1845, Davidson completed the large family home that dominated his plantation lands. It was modeled after a mansion in Columbus, Georgia called the Fontaine house, built by John Fontaine the first mayor of Columbus (1836).
John Davidson Home and Sardis Baptist Church
Photographs of this house are in the Library of Congress, part of a survey of historic American homes. Although these photographs were taken in 1936, when the house left to farmer tenants was in an almost abandoned condition, the viewer gets a sense of the careful craftsmanship and detail, as well as the imposing size the building made on the landscape.
[1]
In a book about the family history, T. Whitfield Davidson, had this description of Homestead Place:
"Standing on a hill from which may be seen the town of West Point and three of the largest cotton mills in the United States, the house, humble though it now appears, was built while the Indians were yet in Alabama.
The work was done by the slaves of John Davidson, among whom were carpenters, brick layers, farmers and workmen skilled and taught to meet every service of the plantation. The slaves lived in brick quarters erected by their master for their use." [7]
Davidson was 53 years of age in 1845, a father of 14 children (his oldest, Albert, was 33 years old, and his youngest, Franklin was eight years old). He was moving into middle-age, now a wealthy planter. He was also on his way to becoming one of the largest slaveholders in Harris County.
1850's
In the 1850 census John (age 59), Farmer, was in Negro Heel, Harris, Georgia, United States.[8]
Unlike the census' of 1820, 1830, and 1840, the 1850 census only contained information on the White residents. The enslaved members of Davidson's residence were described on the separate 1850 slave census (see below).
The 1850 census lists 10 white individuals residing at the residence:
John Davidson, 59
Elizabeth Davidson, 57
Mercer (Mercy) Ann Davidson, 27
Nancy Davidson, 25
Missouri (Missouri Rhetta) Davidson, 22
Wesley Davidson (John Wesley) Davidson, 21
Patric (Patrick) Davidson, 19
Whitfield Davidson, 18
Perry Davidson, 14
Franklin Davidson, 14
The boys, John Wesley, Patrick, Whitfield, Perry, and Franklin, are also listed as students.
Marriages
There were four family marriages in the decade of the 1850's, including all three of John William's daughters.
These marriages, as well as the earlier marriages in the family, created new links between John William Davidson and other earlier white settlers/ enslavers in the county.
Slave Census of 1850
The 1850 slave census lists Davidson as having 49 enslaved persons working on his property. [9]
The 1840 census had listed 18 enslaved. This means that between 1840 and 1850 he acquired 21 more enslaved people, more than twice what he had owned in 1840, suggesting a massive investment in the purchase of enslaved people.Slaves of John Davidson
1860's
In the 1860 census Jno (age 67) was in Georgia Militia District 781, Harris, Georgia.[10]
This census counted only White individuals and there is no 1860 slave census to accompany it.
By 1860, the Davidson household had shrunk considerably, and there are only four individuals listed as living at Homestead Plantation:
John William Davidson, 67
Elizabeth Davidson, 66
Frank Davidson, 24
AND Alex Thomas, 45, who is listed as the overseer.
Davidson's real estate is described as being worth $22,654.00 and his personal worth is valued at $50,856.
Slave Census of 1860
As in 1850, in 1860 there was a United States Federal Census that identified white citizens and a separate 1860 U.S. Federal Census--Slave Schedules--in which enslaved individuals were identified by age, gender, and race (Black or mulatto). In 1860, Davidson listed 87 enslaved people on this form. Slaves of John Davidson
Death
John Davidson died 8 May 1862 shortly before the beginning of the Civil War. Initial records describe him as buried in the Davidson Family Cemetary in Pine Hill, Georgia. However, his gravestone is now located in the Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetary in Troup County, Georgia.
I, John Davidson, of said County and State, being of advanced age but of sound and disposing mind and memory, knowing that I must shortly depart this life, deem it right and proper, both as respects my family and myself, that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has blessed me with.
First I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent Christian-like manner.
Secondly I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by my Executors hereinafter appointed.
Thirdly I give and bequeath and devise to my beloved wife, Elizabeth, Lots of Land numbers Two Hundred and Seventy, and Two Hundred and Seventy One in the 4th. District of Harris County, Georgia, and Lots Numbers Forty Six and Forty Seven in the 5th. District of said County and State, for and during her natural life only; and at her death to be equally divided between all of my children: -- the property above bequeathed and devised to my wife to be in lieu of her dower in all of my real Estate. I also give and bequeath to my said wife, two mules named Beck and Rhody, sufficienty of farming utensils, cattle and hogs to be selected by my Executors; -- Also my household and kitchen furniture, an a sufficienty of provisions for one years support.
Fourthly I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, for and during her natural life only, the following negro slaves to wit:- Champion, a man about thirty years old, and his wife named Sophy, and their children, Richmond, Fanny and Sally, -- a negro woman named Gatsey, and negro boy named John Francis and negro man named Bob about twenty one or two years old; and at her death the said negroes to be equally divided between all of my children (except Nancy Hutchinson and Mercy Ann Grant.)
Fifthly The balance of my negro property, I devise and direct shall be equally divided between my children; except Nancy Hutchinson and Mercy Ann Grant (having already given to them by deeds of Gifts such negroes as I intend them to have, and which negroes so given to them are not included in this Item of my Will.)
Sixthly The Reserve of my personal property, not herein already bequeathed: Such as Mules, Hogs, Money etc; and also my landed Estate not bequeathed to my wife, Shall be equally divided between all of my children, including Nancy Hutchinson and Mercy Ann Grant.
Seventhly I hereby constitute and appoint Albert Davidson and Elias Davidson Executors of this my last Will and Testament, This August 7,1860.
(Signed)John Davidson (L.S.)
Signed, sealed, declared and published by JOHN DAVIDSON as his last Will and Testament in presence of us the undersigned who subscribed our names hereto in the presence of said Testator at his special instance and request and in the presence of each other.
This August 7th 1860
Benjamin Walker - - Fleming Parker - - Gustavus A. Myhand, J.P.
↑1800 United States Federal Census:
"1800 United States Federal Census"
North Carolina > Iredell > Salisbury > image 51 of 72 Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 14 July 2022)
William Davidson.
↑Marriage:
"Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978" Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 4766 #440092 (accessed 13 May 2022)
John Davidson marriage to Elizabeth May on 18 Jan 1813 in Warren, Georgia, USA.
↑1820 Census:
"1820 United States Federal Census"
1820 U S Census; Census Place: Capt Hutchinsons District, Warren, Georgia; Page: 274; NARA Roll: M33_7; Image: 258 Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7734 #1434787 (accessed 29 January 2023)
John Davidson in Capt Hutchinsons District, Warren, Georgia.
↑Register of Land Lotter of Georgia 1827:
"Georgia Land Lottery, 1827"
State of Georgia. Recorder Office. Official Register of the Land Lottery of 1827. Milledgeville, GA, USA: Grantland & Orme, 1827 Ancestry Record 2072 #11695 (accessed 29 January 2023)
Name: John Davidson; County: Muscogee; Captain's District: 107th; Number: 21; District: 15; Lottery Date: 1827; Source: REPRINT of OFFICIAL REGISTER of LAND LOTTERY OF GEORGIA 1827; 32d DAY'S DRAWING-April 12; HANCOCK. page 98.
↑1830 Census:
"1830 United States Federal Census"
Year: 1830; Census Place: Warren, Georgia; Series: M19; Roll: 21; Page: 215; Family History Library Film: 0007041 Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8058 #962783 (accessed 29 January 2023)
John Davidson in Warren, Georgia.
↑1840 Census:
"1840 United States Federal Census"
Year: 1840; Census Place: Slaughters District, Harris, Georgia; Roll: 43; Page: 265; Family History Library Film: 0007044 Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8057 #1759158 (accessed 13 May 2022)
John Davidson.
↑ Davidson, T. Whitfield, Our Scotch Kitch and Kin, Von Boeckmann-Jones Press; Austin, TX, p. 54
↑1850 Census:
"1850 United States Federal Census"
Year: 1850; Census Place: Negro Heel, Harris, Georgia; Roll: 73; Page: 130a Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8054 #18725141 (accessed 13 May 2022)
John Davidson (59), Farmer, in Negro Heel, Harris, Georgia, USA. Born in Georgia.
↑Georgia > Harris > Negro Heel:
"1850 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules"
Georgia > Harris > Negro Heel Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 16 February 2023)
↑1860 Census:
"1860 United States Federal Census"
Year: 1860; Census Place: Georgia Militia District 781, Harris, Georgia; Roll: M653_126; Page: 635; Family History Library Film: 803126 Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7667 #11268365 (accessed 18 June 2022)
Jno Davidson (67) in Georgia Militia District 781, Harris, Georgia. Born in Georgia.
↑ The Davidson Family, complied by Martha Phyllis Davidson, Margaret Davidson Davis, William Hutchinson Davidson, June Lovelace Heard. West Point, Georgia, July 4, 1959. Shared by Davidson descendant Judith Davidson
Findagrave memorial with photo of obit.
Memorial: Find a Grave (has image). Find A Grave: Memorial #132593555 (accessed 13 May 2022) Memorial page for John Davidson (19 Jan 1792-8 May 1862), citing Davidson Family Cemetery, Pine Mountain, Harris County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by Charlotte nmn Hardamon (contributor 46886606).
John Davidson Estate land sale.
Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990" Catalog: Wills, inventories, appraisements, guardian and administrator bonds, returns, sales, and vouchers, 1824-1921 Vols. N51-O52 1861-1863 Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Harris > Wills, bonds, inventories and appraisements, returns and vouchers, sales 1861-1863 vol N51-O52 > image 397 of 571; Citing Houston County Probate Court Judge, Georgia.
FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-893T-8XNR (accessed 13 May 2022)
Sketch of John Davidson Plantation Home Built 1840
The Davidson family / [compiled by] Martha Phyllis Davidson
[2]
John Davidson Estate - Division of the Negroes
Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990" Catalog: Wills, inventories, appraisements, guardian and administrator bonds, returns, sales, and vouchers, 1824-1921 Vols. N51-O52 1861-1863 Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Harris > Wills, bonds, inventories and appraisements, returns and vouchers, sales 1861-1863 vol N51-O52 > image 380 of 571; Citing Houston County Probate Court Judge, Georgia. FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G93T-8FHF (accessed 13 May 2022)
John Davidson Inventory of 94 enslaved persons
Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990" Catalog: Wills, inventories, appraisements, guardian and administrator bonds, returns, sales, and vouchers, 1824-1921 Vols. N51-O52 1861-1863 Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Harris > Wills, bonds, inventories and appraisements, returns and vouchers, sales 1861-1863 vol N51-O52 > image 317 of 571; Citing Houston County Probate Court Judge, Georgia. FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-893T-8FWV (accessed 13 May 2022)
John Davidson index entry for probate documents
Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990" Catalog: Wills, inventories, appraisements, guardian and administrator bonds, returns, sales, and vouchers, 1824-1921 Vols. N51-O52 1861-1863 Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Harris > Wills, bonds, inventories and appraisements, returns and vouchers, sales 1861-1863 vol N51-O52 > image 295 of 571; Citing Houston County Probate Court Judge, Georgia. FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L93T-8XC9 (accessed 13 May 2022)
Family History or Pedigree: "U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970" Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2204 #919413 (accessed 17 June 2022) Name: John Davidson; Birth Date: 1792; Birth Place: Warren, Georgia; Death Date: 28 May 1862; Death Place: Harris, Georgia; SAR Membership: 86566; Role: Ancestor; Application Date: 18 Nov 1960; Father: William Davidson; Mother: Frances Childreth; Spouse: Elizabeth Nichols; Children: Isaiah Davidson.
Is John your ancestor? Please don't go away! Login to collaborate or comment, or contact
the profile manager, or ask our community of genealogists a question.
Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com
DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships.
It is likely that these
autosomal DNA
test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with John:
I just transcribed the 1850 slave schedule, which I put in Slaves of John Davidson My goal is to transfer each of the sections above about the enslaved from 1820, 1830, and 1840 census onto the Slave page. I will make sure there is general information about the enslaved in each decade on the JWD page, but the more detailed information will be on the Slaves of John Davidson page. It had suddenly struck me that slavery was a practice that spanned his life, as opposed to being a single moment that is documented after death. I thought by making these changes I would better capture that sense. I will also be making links to "Slaves of John Davidson" throughout the document, so readers will have no trouble getting there to see this information.
I also have extensive information on his land acquisition from the unpublished family genealogy that I will add to the sections that are described by decade on this page. The relationship between land and enslavement is a critical one.
Please contact me if you have any questions about this work. Judy
As a member of the US Black Heritage Project, I have added a list of the slaves owned by John Davidson on this profile with categories using the standards of the US Black Heritage Exchange Program. This helps us connect enslaved ancestors to their descendants. See US Black Heritage: Heritage Exchange Program for more information.
Connections to Super Bowl halftime show performers:
John is
23 degrees from Prince Nelson, 20 degrees from Dan Aykroyd, 15 degrees from Garth Brooks, 27 degrees from Chubby Checker, 20 degrees from Ella Fitzgerald, 15 degrees from Dusty Hill, 30 degrees from Whitney Houston, 18 degrees from Mick Jagger, 21 degrees from Paul McCartney, 17 degrees from Tom Petty, 17 degrees from Chris Stapleton and 23 degrees from Shania Twain
on our single family tree.
Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.
I also have extensive information on his land acquisition from the unpublished family genealogy that I will add to the sections that are described by decade on this page. The relationship between land and enslavement is a critical one. Please contact me if you have any questions about this work. Judy
edited by Judith Davidson Ph.D.