Got to the courthouse at about 1100. Cameras, pocketknives and cell phones are not permitted in the building. I had planned to photograph some of the records, so was disappointed. As it was, I spent most of the day just finding and looking up the records so it wasn’t such a problem after all. As I was leaving, I asked the clerk’s assistant if it was possible to bring a camera in to photograph records, and she said that it was OK as long as I let the guard know when I came in what I was going to do.
I spent the first part of the day reviewing deeds. Each of the deed books had an index at the beginning organized alphabetically, so it was fairly easy to find things. Occasionally there were index pages that had deteriorated and the referenced page numbers were missing. I did not generally look for those deeds in an effort to make the most of my time.
The rest of the day was spent looking over wills. As with the deeds, the will books had indexes. The wills didn’t have as many direct references to family as I had hoped, but I did pry out a few nuggets.
Here are some sketches and possible diagrams based on my notes:
Will of Thomas Davis, dated 4 Mar 1721
Wife: Elizabeth
Sons: John, Thomas, William, Edward, Benjamin. Son John was referred to as though no longer living or no longer living in Isle of Wight or environs.
Daughter: Frances Williamson
Son (in law) George Williamson
Grandson: Thomas Davis
Will of Thomas Davis, dated 15 Aug 1734
Daughter: Elizabeth (Gray)
Brother: Samuel, and two other not named.
“Syster:” Prudence Wrenn
Also mentions William Davis, son of William Davis and John Davis, son of Samuel Davis.
Will of Robert Davis, dated 22 Jan 1736.
Wife: Elizabeth
Sons: Thomas and “Artor” (probably Arthur). A deed recorded in 1752 refers to Arthur Davis and wife Mary and Elizabeth, widow of Robert Davis.
Will of Samuel Davis, dated 16 Nov 1738.
Wife: Amy
Sons: John, described as the elder son and Samuel the younger son.
Daughters: Mary, Sarah, Amy, Marcilla.
Brother: John Davis
Brother in law: Nicholas Bourden
Also, will of Samuel Davis (the son) dated 28 Nov 1750 provides additional detail on this family.
Mother: Amy Jones
Sisters: Mary White, Sarah Davis, Amy Davis, Marcilla Davis
Cousin: Ann White
Father in law: (named as executor) Joseph Jones.
Will of John Davis, dated 2 Jul 1750.
Son: Samuel
Nephew: William Goodrich.
Executor: John Goodrich (possibly son in law).
Will of William Davis, dated 28 Aug 1757.
Wife: Deborah
Sons: William, John, James
Will of Edward Davis, dated 14 Mar 1759, proved 4 Oct 1759.
Sons: John, Thomas, Edward
Daughter: Ann
Witnessed by Benjamin and Edward Davis, possibly brother and son?
Will of Maj. John Davis, dated Feb 1762, proved 2 Apr 1762.
Wife: Jane
Daughter: Elizabeth
The next step will be to try to fit some of these families together to build some fabric. I have some old issues of the Diggin’ for Davises newsletter that may be helpful in assembling these into a picture of the relationships.
More to come….
I have a lot of information on Davises of Isle of Wight Counties. Please email me and tell me exactly what you are looking for.