Person:John Davidson (112)

Page 232.--34th July, 1769. Robert (mark) Allison's will--To son James, has received his part; to daughter Mary Davison, has received her part; to son John, 10 shillings; to daughter Agness; to son Robert, infant, testator's home plantation; to son Francis, infant, 250 acres on Mill Creek; to son Halbert, received his part already; to wife Hannah; to daughter Janet. Teste: Alexander (mark) McClure, Arthur McClure, Joseph Walker, Joseph Walker, Jr. Proved, 15th August, 1769, by all except Joseph Walker, Jr. Hannah Allison qualifies, with Alex. and John McCluer. (Note: Robert Allison was the father-in-law of John Davidson).

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Information on John Davidson

From Genforum.com post of Bill Davidson:

Mrs. Mary (Allison) Davison was the wife of John Davison (shown on some records as "Davidson"). John Davison left his will in Rockbridge Co., VA in 1802, and his children with Mary were Sarah "Sally" Davison (married James Gilmore in the 1780s), Jinny Davison (married William Davidson, Junior in 1799 in Rockbridge Co., VA....William "Junior" was from an almost certainly different/unrelated Davidson family that had come into that area of VA from the Buckingham/Prince Edward Co., VA area around 1769), Robert Davison (married Sarah "Sally" Davidson in 1801 in Botetourt Co., VA....this Sarah "Sally" Davidson was a sister of the above William Davidson, Junior) and John Davison, Junior (he married Sarah "Sally" Rootes; John "Junior" was not mentioned in his father's 1802 will, because John "Junior" had already died about 1798, leaving several children).

It also APPEARS that John and Mary (Allison) Davison had another daughter who was named Agnes Davison (though she was not mentioned in the 1802 will; Agnes was probably named for Agnes Allison). Agnes Davison married Richard Shanklin, and Richard left his own will in Botetourt Co., VA in 1800, and the witnesses included a John Davison. The other witnesses on that 1800 will were the above William Davidson, Junior, his brother Baker Davidson and their father William Davidson, Senior (whose wife was Martha Baker). Richard Shanklin and the "William Davidson, Senior family" were neighbors in Botetourt (and that may be how/why William Davidson, Senior's family came to know...and ultimately marry into...the John Davison/Mary Allison family of "next-door" Rockbridge Co., VA).

I have more information if you are interested. There were five UNRELATED Davidson/Davison/Davisson families in the Augusta/Botetourt/Rockbridge area of VA in the 1700s who currently have living male DNA donors in the Davidson/Davison/Davisson DNA testing project (including the above William Davidson, Senior family). The above John Davison who married Mary Allison represents a POSSIBLE sixth such family in that area, and we currently have no DNA donor who "traces back" to that John Davison (so we do not know at this time if he was related to ANY of the other five families in that area of VA in the 1700s with that same general surname). We hope to someday find a living Davi(d)son male from that family who will join the DNA testing project. Comments/questions?

Source: http://genforum.genealogy.com/allison/messages/5841.html

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LW&T of John Davidson

The last will and testament of John Davidson, dated January 2, 1802, expressing his wishes regarding the distribution of his estate after his death. He bequeaths property and livestock to his wife Mary, children Robert, Sarah Gillmore, and Jinney Davidson, with specific provisions regarding land inheritance. John names Robert and James Gillmore as executors of his will.

Dates

   January 2, 1802

Names and Relationships

   John Davidson (testator)
   Mary Davidson (wife)
   Robert Davidson (son)
   Sarah Gillmore (daughter)
   Jinney Davidson (daughter)
   James Gillmore (son-in-law)

In the Name of God Amen - I John Davidson of Rockbridge County and Commonwealth of Virginia, being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for it, therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to Die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say, Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it, and my body I recommend to the Earth to be Buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Exrs nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Mighty power of God, and as touching such Wordly Estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give, demise and dispose of in the following manner and form Viz . - Imprimis, I allow all my just debts to be paid out of whole Estate, and I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Mary the mansion house with the benefits of one third part of the land while she lives, as also here mare Bunny for her use and disposal as also her pick of three Cows and six Sheep which number is to be kept up for her, as also all my household furniture, and I allow my son Robert to lay in Yearly and reasonably a sufficient stock of bread and meat for her and her family of every necessary kind, and as her riding mare is getting old I allow a good redoing Beast saddle and bridle to be paid out of the Estate one year after my decease for her use and dispose. Item I give to my Daughter Sarah Gillmore ten dollars to be paid three years after my decease. - Item I give to my daughter Jinney Davidson ten dollars to be paid three years after my decease. Item I give to my Son Robert all the Land I am in possession for his use and disposal forever, provided he has Issue, but if he dies before his present wife without Issue then the land to be divided between my two daughters Sarah Gillmore and Jinny Davidson for their use and disposal saving to Roberts present wife the right to the house she now live in, and one third part of the Land while she lives unmarried or on the place, but if she marries or leave the place, then the land to be divided as above mentioned, But if he my Son Robert should survive his present wife and marry another and have Issue the land is to be for his use and disposal as before, But if the said Robert Should still die without Issue, then the land to be divided as above mentioned, have to his second wife as to the first, and I now give to my son Robert my house Bolton, and if after my debts is paid there should be any remaining Stock left, I allow them to be equally divided between said Robert and his mother, he shall raise a kitchen for his mother at the end of her Chimney And I allow my son Robert and James Gillmore my son in law to be my Exrs of this my last will and testament, all and singular my lands messuages and tenements, Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and year above written -

Signed Sealed published pronounced and Declared by the said John Davidson as his last will and testament ⎬

John Davidson ℗

In presence of us John Houston, John Scott, William Scott & Smith Scott

At Rockbridge County Court 1802 This writing purporting the last Will & Testament of John Davidson deceased was produced in Court by Robert Davidson and James Gillmore executors therein named & proved by John Houston & William H. Scott subscribing Witness & ordered to be Recorded. And on the motion of said Executors who made oath according to Law a Certificate is granted them for obtaining probate thereof in due form they having with Robt Black & William H Scott their Securities entered into & acknowledged Bond in the sum of Six Thousand dollars conditioned according to law

References