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James Davis, Catawba Creek to Davis Fancy
b.Bef 1707
Facts and Events
James Davis was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia
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Importation to Orange County, VA
- Headrights were grants of 50 acres of land per "head" - or per white male over the age of 16 who transported himself to the colonies. They appeared in the Court of Common Pleas in Orange County, Virginia. These headrights functioned as the only real immigration record for English, Scot or Irish immigrants during that time period. The headright identifies the country of origin and generally the port of entry in the colonies.
- 24 July, 1740. Importation List in Order Book I of Orange County, VA: "James Davis came into court & made oath that he imported himself Mary, Henry, William and Samuel Davis from Ireland imediately into this colony at his own charge & that this is the first time of his proving his and their rights in order to obtain Land which is ordered to be certified."
- James received a grant of 50 acres at that time; Lived for the first few years of the 1740's in the Catawba Creek neighborhood, south of the James River
Early Survey in Augusta County, VA
- Survey Record 1, page 45, Augusta County Court: "Survey for James Davis, 1300 acres of land in Augusta County - lying on the head of Brances of the Indian river at a place called Davis' Fancy. This 19th March 1747, J.B. (James Buchanan, deputy surveyor for Thomas Lewis, Surveyor of Augusta Co.) Thos Lewis sac"
- James settled on "Davis' Fancy" farm (now Smythe County, VA, formerly Augusta County, VA). It is believed that the James Davis family had been living on the Fancy for some time when the survey was entered.
- "History of Southwest Virginia 1746-1786, Washington Co., 1777-1870, by Lewis Preston Summers, written 1903: "Stephen Holston, who settled at the head spring of the Middle Fork of Holston some time prior to 1748, did not remain long at this place, but sold his right to James Davis, who on the 19th of March 1748, had John Buchanan, deputy surveyor of Agusta co., Va to survey for him at this point a tract of land containing 1300 acres, to which he gave the name of "Davis' Fancy" and descendants of James Davis occupy a portion of this land to this day."
- The Davis survey of Holston's land included the 400-acre "corn rights" for which Holston was entitled to payment, so James Ball concludes that the James Davis family did live first on Catawba Creek,
- The family was forced to flee Davis Fancy during the French and Indian War (1754-1763).
- James and Agnes did record land transaction back at Catawba Creek area, designated as Davis' Branch, at this time. In 1754, James sold 626 acres on Catawba Creek to Col. William Preston. And 200 acres were sold by James and Agnes on 17 Nov 1757 to Col. William Preston. (The Holston River was also known as Indian River and called the Cherokee River by the French and the Hogoheegee river by the Indians).
- During their enforced absence from the Fancy, James drew a deed of gift, dividing 1000 acres of the property among the three eldest sons, Henry, William and Samuel (Augusta County Deed Book 8, page 4, 17 Mar 1758). He reserved for himself the remaining 300.
- Colonel William Preston, in a letter of July 27, 1762, mentioned militia having "gone to Reed Creek to help in the family of James Davis and two or three others that dare not venture to travel." This might refer to this James Davis family as the headwaters of Reed Creek were adjacent to the Fancy.
Early Land Acquisitions in Augusta County, VA
- Page 514.--16th November, 1757. James Davies to Wm. Preston, £50, 200 acres on northwest side of the Catawbo on Davies Branch, patented to Davies, 10th September, 1755; signed James (mark) Davies. Teste: James Dunlap. Delivered: McGilbert by your order, 3d October, 1759.
- Page 4.--15th March, 1758. James Davis to sons Henry, William and Samuel Davies, love and affection, 1,300 acres known as Davies' Fancy on the Indian River. 1st, to Henry, a portion on the South Fork known as the Beaver Dam, down the said Fork to where the two Forks meet; 2d, to son William, 350 acres; 3d, to son Samuel, 350 acres. Signed, James ( ) Davies. Delivered: Wm. Davis, May, 1765.
Disposition of Land
- Page 194. March 1, 1770. James Davis and Agnes his wife to William Davis. 100 pounds. 350 acres on the waters of New River, a part of 1300 acres called "Davis' Fancy." Witnesses: Robert Doak, Samuel Davis, Alexander Wylie, John Montgomery, John Willey. [Botetourt County Deed Book 1].
- Page 539. August 13, 1770. James Davis and Agnes Davis his wife to William Preston. 215 pounds. 626 acres on Catawba Creek. Witnesses: Arthur Campbell, Robert Doack, Samuel Davis, William Thompson, Granville Smith, Israel Christian. [Botetourt County Deed Book 1]
- Page 197. February 20, 1771. James Davis and Agnes his wife to Henry Davis of Bedford County. 260 acres in the County of Botetourt, at the head of Holstn River, a part of 1300 acres called "Davis' Fancy." [Botetourt County Deed Book 1].
- Page 199. March 1, 1771. James Davis and Agnes his wife to Henry Davis of Bedford County. 100 pounds. 140 acres on the branches of Holsten River, part of 1300 acres called "Davis' Fancy." [Botetourt County Deed Book 1].
Records of James Davis in Augusta County, VA
- 19 Jun 1743 Augusta County, Virginia; Robert Davis baptised; son of James Davis.
- Vol. 1 - APRIL AND JUNE, 1746 Court Judgements - James Davis vs. Andrew McClure and James McClure.--Bond dated 25th August, 1743. Andrew was from Bucks County. James McClure from Augusta. James Davis of Augusta. Writ dated 25th January, 1744.
- Nov. 24, 1753 Augusta Co. VA, pg. 76: Road ordered from Saml. STALNAKER'S", ON Holston River, to James Davis's-Saml. Stalnaker to be overseer, with these workers; James Davis and his two sons, Frederick Corlock, David George and Conrad Corlock, Frederick Starn, Jacob and Adam Stalnaker, Jacob and Henry Goldman, Isaiah Hamilton Shoemaker, Timothy Coe, HUMPHRY BAKER AND SON, Goege Stalnaker, Adam Andews, Mathias Sarch, Michael Hook, Martin Counce, Jacob Mires...
Notes for James Davis
- James lived in the region as new county formations were occurring. For county research:
- Augusta 1745-1770
- Botetourt 1770-1772
- Fincastle 1772-1777 (Jan 1773-Dec 1776)
- Montgomery 1777-1789
- Wythe 1790-1832
- Smyth 1832 -
- Dr. Howard McKnight Wilson in "the Tinkling Spring - Headwater of Freedom" recounts that the United Presbyterian congregation of 45 families on the waters of Holston River and Reed Creek gave 40 pounds for benefit of Princeton College on 14 Oct 1768. One of the committee of five which was responsible for raising this contribution was a James Davis.
- James Davis Homeplace served as a tavern or a stage-stop along the Wilderness Road. Monument sign in Virginia Rt. 11, ten miles east of Marion, VA:
- "K 30 Stephen Holstein (Holston), coming here before 1748, gave his name to the river and valley. James Davis settled on this place, "Davis Fancy," in 1748 and his home became a neighborhood fort. (commission 1939) Rt. 11 was the Old Buffalo Trail followed by Indian traders and hunters."
- The James Davis Homeplace/Gammon's Farm is a brick Federal style house, built about 1800 on the site of the original log dwelling of Davis Fancy, and believed to incorporate the foundation of the earlier log structure, circa 1750. It was used as a tavern along the Wilderness Road in the early 19th Century. The stone springhouse is behind the house. The original smokehouse is no longer standing.
- Most of this information was taken from "James Davis Family and 'Davis Fancy'" by James D. Ball of West Lafayette, IN), unpublished manuscript dated 1973 or 1977. Regarding the Smyth Co., VA pioneer.
- In 1782, James deeded land, house & belongings in Davis' Fancy to son Joseph. Last recorded document of James Davis; probably lived with Joseph and his wife Margaret. James had disposed of all his assets, left no will
Sources
"THE DAVIS FAMILY, JAMES DAVIS OF DAVIS' FANCY", Page 24 of "HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE LIFE AND TIMES OF OUR THOMPSON AND WARD ANCESTORS"
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