Person:James Davis (5)

"James Davis, immigrant ancestor, was born in England about 1583-88, and was among the early settlers of Haverhill, Massachusetts, whence about 1640 he removed to Haverhill, where he was one of the first board of selectmen in 1646. He was probably a brother of Thomas Davis, lawyer, born about 1602, who came from Marlborough, England, in the ship "James", April 1635, and settled in Newbury; was admitted a freeman June 2 1641; removed to Haverhill where he was a proprietor and town officer; his wife Christian died April 7, 1668, and he died July 27, 1683, having no descendants of the male line, as far as we know. James Davis was excused from training by the county court at Hampton (New Hampshire) in 1650, on account of his age. His sons James Jr. and John were also proprietors of Haverhill. His wife Cicely died there May 28, 1673, and he died, aged about ninety-six years, we are informed, January 29, 1676. His will was dated March 17, 1675, with codicil of July 22, 1675, and proved 1680, naming sons John; Stephen and Ephraim Davis, sons of Ephraim; James Guild or Gile, son of Samuel. Children: 1. James Jr., the eldest, married December 1, 1648, Elizabeth Eaton. 2. John, born about 1623, married December, 1646, Jane Peaslee. 3. Judith, married, September 1, 1647, Samuel Gile (Guild). 4. Ephraim, died September 25, 1679; married, December 31, 1659, Mary Johnson, who married again November 1, 1682, Edward Clarke. 5. Samuel, mentioned below. 6. Sarah, married June 18, 1683, John Page."

"...James Davis, who was born in England about 1595, married at Thornbury, co. Gloucester, England, 11 June 1618, Cicely Thayer (baptized at Thornbury 1 May 1600, died 28 May 1673, daughter of John and Joane (Lawrence) Thayer), immigrated to New England and settled at Newbury, where he was admitted a freeman 4 March 1634/5 but in 1639 moved to Hampton and in 1644 to Haverhill, where he was selectman, grand juryman, and representative to the General Court, and died 29 January 1678/9..."

DAVIS, JAMES, Newbury, Hampton, Haverhill, m. in Thornbury, co. Glouc., 11 June 1618 Cicely Tayer (Thayer), bp. there 1 May 1600, dau. of John and Joane (Lawrence). Himself, their three eldest children, and his younger bros., Samuel, Thomas, John and Ephraim, are named in the will of his father, John Davys of Acton-Turville April--Nov. 1626, this place a chapelry on the edge of Wiltshire, ab. 30 m. from Marlborough. Other wills of his relations in the same place are found, incl. his grmo. Agnes Davis, wid., 10 Mar. 1587-8--9 July 1589. Arthur Clark (5) was app. his br.-in-law. He was called ± 60 in 1663, ± 96 at death 29 Jan. 1678-9. Made freeman at Newbury 4 Mar. 1634-5. Hampton gr. 1639, rem. to Haverhill in May 1644. His gr. at Hampt. he sold 17 Aug. 1648, four years aft. his removal. Both at Hamp. and many yrs. at Haverhill he was Com.t.e.s.c. He was often selectm. and gr.j. and Rep. 1660. … Will 17 Mar. 1675-6, cod. 22 July 1678. Wife -Sissilla- d. 28 May 1673. Ch: James, bp. at Thornbury 4 July 1619. John, bp. at Thornbury 28 Jan. 1620-1. Sarah, named in grfr.'s will, app. d.y. Judith, m. 1 Sep. 1647 Samuel Guild, d. May 1667, ch. Ephraim, m. 31 Dec. 1659 Mary Johnson. 9 ch. Samuel. Sarah, m. 18 June 1663 John Page, liv. 1714. 1 dau.