Margaret was born about 1712 (alternate birth place: Legacorry, County Armagh, Ireland). Some time before 1742, Margaret and her husband, James Summerville (Simeral), decided to emigrate to America. Their daughter Rhoda remained in Ireland, where she was raised by her aunt. James and Margaret together with the rest of their children boarded a ship that had 500 passengers. Shortly before reaching the coast, the captain of the ship put off the entire group on an island (in the Carribbean West Indies, according to some accounts) and gave them rations for a few days. He promised to return and take them to Boston after taking care of formalities. He left with their goods and never returned. By the time they were discovered, 450 had perished. Except for Margaret, the entire Simeral family was lost. The survivors were brought to Boston.
Margaret, in addition to her ordeal, was expecting a child, a boy whom she would name James Franklin Simeral after her late husband.
Around 1743, Margaret married another Irish settler, a widower named George F. Davidson. He had at least three children from his first marriage with Rachel Jones. The family lived near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. George and Margaret had the following children:
Some time during this time, Margaret was re-united with her daughter Rhoda, who emigrated from Ireland and married Humphrey Cunningham on June 29, 1752 in Hanover Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
By 1748 the family had moved to North Carolina. By 1749 George Davidson had received two land grants, each for 300 acres. Over the course of time, he received seven land grants. By 1753 George owned a tavern on his plantation. He died in 1760.
Margaret passed away after 1765.
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