Person:Elizabeth Davidson (31)

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Elizabeth Davidson
b.1783
d.27 Apr 1845
m. 2 Jun 1761
  1. Rebecca Davidson1762 - 1824
  2. Isabella Davidson1764 - 1808
  3. Mary 'Polly' Davidson1766 -
  4. Robert Davidson1769 -
  5. Violet Jane Davidson1771 - 1821
  6. Sarah Davidson1774 - 1842
  7. Margaret Davidson1777 -
  8. John Davidson1779 - 1870
  9. Elizabeth Davidson1783 - 1845
  10. Benjamin Wilson Davidson1787 - 1829
Facts and Events
Name Elizabeth Davidson
Gender Female
Birth? 1783
Marriage to William Lee Davidson, Jr.
Death? 27 Apr 1845

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nc/county/mecklenburg/hopewell/pg5.htm

Elizabeth Davidson—called "Betsy"—married William L. Davidson, a son of Gen. Wm. Lee Davidson, who was killed February I, 1781, at Cowan's Ford, while resisting Cornwallis as he crossed the Catawba river.* Mr. David- son and wife lived three miles east of Davidson College. Here he operated very successfuly a large farm, raising everything that would thrive in our climate. He exper- imented with silk culture"planted an orchard of multi- calus, a species of the mulberry, to feed the silk worms. He also built houses especially for the worms to work in—to spin the cocoons. He succeeded admirably in raising the silk, but the price paid for the raw material as so small, it would not justify the labor and expense attached to the industry. There was quite a silk fever passed over the country about this time, (1844), but only a few persons went to much expense in trying the exper- iment. It only lasted a year or two until every one abandoned the idea of silk farming. One or two elegant gowns and a few pairs of fine stockings were all that sur- vived of this attempt to make silk culture a part of our industries. Mr. Davidson donated the lands for Davidson College, and was one of its chief supporters; did a great deal to get it under way. The college was named in honor of his father, Gen. Davidson. He was a man of fine physi- cal proportions, and also of mental attainment, wielding great influence in the upper section of the county. It was his custom to entertain the senior class after their final examination, by having them to dine with him—not forgetting to have a number of ladies grace the occasion. This oasis in student life was ever looked forward to with anticipated pleasure. After spending the best years of his life in the home of his youth, surrounded with the friends of his early manhood, and done much for the cause of education, his beloved wife having been called home, he moved to Alabama, and engaged in farming on a larger scale. During his life he did much for his friends. He gave a home to his nephew, John Caldwell, at the age of nine years, and provided for him till he reached his major- ity. Mr. Davidson died about the close of the Civil War, leaving a good name that will be honored by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. Mr. Davidson did not live within the boundary of which we write, but hav- ing married a daughter of Major Davidson, and having associated with the Hopewell people, and exercised a good influence there by his great force of character, we deemed it proper to give this short sketch as due him, and also due his wife's kindred. He had no offspring to per- petuate his name.