DEDICATION AND SPECIAL THANKS
I have to dedicate the Solomon Davis page to Carrell Dutt, a cousin who I corresponded with back in the very early 1970's. She descends from Solomon's daughter, Tillie (Davis) Pridy. Also, special thanks to Vennie (Tramel) Nelson who is no longer alive and to Thomas G. Webb, historian for DeKalb County, TN. It was the four of us working toether back around 1969-1971 that we were able to piece together the family of Solomon Davis and his two wives.
Solomon Davis was born January 1, 1802, date is from tombstone, probably in Rutherford Co., North Carolina as his father and grandfather were both listed on the 1800 Rutherford Co., NC. As a young boy of only about 6 or 7, he moved with his parents and settled in the Hannah's Branch area of what was then Smith County, TN. In the mid 1830's this area would be in Cannon Co., TN for about 2-3 years and in 1837 became part of DeKalb County where the area is today.From various records, we know that Solomon supported the Union during the Civil War. We also know that three of his sons, George W., Reuben and Joseph fought for the Union. He was administrator of his father's estate and his name also appears on a couple of bonds as security.
We have the marriage dates of his children from the Bible record of his son, Joseph. Back in January 1971, the Bible was in the possession of Margaret 'Maggie' Davis Moser. We received the information through Vinnie McMahan.
In this picture taken in the mid 1920's, Uncle Friend Davis, the s/o Robert Davis and Handy Page and gs/o Solomon Davis and Anna Kelley, is standing in front of the grave of Solomon Davis at the Pisgah Methodist Chruch Cemetery very near the old Davis homeplace in Hannah's Branch. Many of the Davis family are buried in this cemetery. The church is still active today.Below are more recent pictures taken by Melba Love of the graves of Solomon and his first wife, Anna (Kelley) - my direct ancestors.
Pisgah Cemetery Transcriptions
PISTOLE FAMILY
Solomon Davis married Sarah L. 'Sally' Pistole on January 3, 1822 probably in the Smith Co., TN area. No marriage record or bonds has been found. The date is from a Bible record and other Pistole records do verify this marriage. Sarah was born September 2, 1802 in Pittsylvania Co., VA. and died about 1835 about the time that her daughter, Sarah was born. She probably died in childbirth or shortly after. Sarah Pistole was the d/o Thomas Pistole and Lacey Reynolds who had married Sept 20, 1790 in Pittsylvania Co., VA. Thomas Pistole was the s/o Thomas Abraham Pistole (b. abt 1739 Bristol Parish, Prince George Co., Virginia and died 26 January 1811 at Chatham, Pittsylvania Co, Virginia.
KELLEY or KELLY FAMILY - my direct line
Actually we know very little about the Anna Kelley who Solomon Davis married Oct 1, 1834 probably Smith Co., TN (date is from Bible Record). They were married within months after the death of Sarah L. (Pistole) Davis. When Sarah had died, Solomon was left with seven children between the age of infancy and 10 years. Anna was born about 1807 - 1808 in North Carolina, according to census records, and she died March 23, 1875. The 1850 census for Solomon and Anna does list a woman, Gracy Kelley as age 65 born in NC living with them. Solomon and Anna also named their only daughter, Grace C, - so we have always assumed that this Grace Kelley born about 1785 North Carolinia to be Anna's mother. We do not know who Grace was married to, but apparently he died before the 1850 census. If you're researching the Kelley/Kelly families that lived in the Pisgah - Hannah's Branch area of DeKalb Co., TN and were living there in 1835, Please write me.
OLD SOLOMON DAVIS HOMEPLACE
This picture was taken in the late 1920's when my great uncle Friend Davis and great aunt Aunt Delia Davis, children of Robert Davis and grandchildren of Thomas Jasper Davis and great grandchildren of Solomon Davis, made a 'pilgrimage' to their parent's birthplace and where they had courted and started their married life. At the time, they were surprised to discover that a a baby brother, Fealie Davis, was buried at Pisgah Methodist Church Cemetery.In a letter from Carrell J. Dutt, dated September 8, 1973, she writes to me:
"Sometime ago ago you had mentioned that Solomon Davis's (his second wife,Anna Kelly) Davis were buried at Pisgah. We had no trouble reaching Pisgah, after a few simple directions. We rubbed the white blackboard chalk on the Solomon Davis stone (and after having set it upright) the printing came out great in the colored picture. You had mentioned that the Solomon Davis house had been standing when you were back there one summer and we stopped to see a Mr. Simpson (who lives north of Pisgah) and at 87, he knew exactly how to get to theSolomon Davis farm. We stopped our car near the sawmill there at the Pisgah community and started walking up the tree covered two-lane road . . .went through two gates (as people are pasturing in the area) and at the end of the road we found the old barns and house! It looks that at one time a narrow road may have gone out southeast from the house. I wondered who may have lived there or was it to a field?It was just fantastic! . . . you know, just like a fairyland dream! We took so many pictures . . . to have for my Mother, as she didn't feel that she could make the trip back with us. Stan found an old, old horse shoe. The house had hay stored in it. The chimey, on the south side of the house has pulled away from the house several inches, but it is still standing upright. We also checked with another woman down in southeast of the churhc, and she had verified the location of the house. One could tell that the front door had been a later replacement, but the split-logs had really been built to endure.
People were so cordial and willing to help and it was all just fantastic. More like a pilgrimage, you know, we felt blest the whole week witht he turn of events.
To go to the old Thos Prida farm, one takes the same road out of Dowelltown, and instead of going around to the right, we turned at the left road, which pointed to Cooper's Chapel. . . . We knew that the old Pridy farm touched on the northeast corner on Dismal Creek, and other than birch and beech threes, etc, we had nothing to go on. At the courthouse, I just could not find any owners (in the late 1800's) who had it after Henry Hayse . . . (Hayes had bought the 30 acres from Priday in 1850) so, the second day out there, I had decided that we would drive the whole length of Dismal Creek (after I had found a topography map, and a county employee, who knew areas all around there had marked the length of the creek) .. anyway, I had thought I could tell my mother that we had driven the length (the roads over that way weren't even as good as the ones to Pisgah) to Dismal, at least. Well we met a car with a man and his son in it,, and was asking questions about where Dismal ran out and he said that it on to the top of the hill (or ridge, beyond us). Anyway, we started discussing about our Priday ancestor etc., but I had never told him a thing about the number of acres in the old frm, but he asked, "Is that the old Tom Hayse place; my family bought it from him! I had been led to believe that since I couldn't find a deed on later transactions, that it may have been an heir, and sure enough, Tom was a son of Henry Hayse, I had verified later. Anyway, Mr. Rowland said that there was 30 acres in that parcel. . . I knew that tht we had found the farm! . . ."
1832/33 - Dr. Wright's Day Book"lists Louis Y. DAVIS, Aaron DAVIS and SOLOMON DAVIS"
Nov 5, 1836 - DeKalb Co., TN Deed Book D, pp. 25-26
"Joseph DAVIS to SOLOMON DAVIS 62 1/2 acres on Hannah's Branch"
June 6, 1836 - Cannon Co., TN Court Minutes Book A 1836-1841
"Thomas LAWRENCE appointed guardian of Elijah DUNCAN who it has been represented to this court is so far impaired with old age that he is not capable of taking care of his estate; Laurence posted bond with securities John DAVIS and SOLOMON DAVIS for $500."
Oct Term 1836 - Cannon Co., TN Court Minutes Book A 1836-1841
"JOHN DAVIS represents to the court that one Elijah DUNCAN of this county is very much in the decline of life and impaired in mind and in his opinion incapable of taking care of his person or estate; the court ordered that the sheriff summon a jury of 12 men to ascertain from the best means in their power the true state and condition of said Duncan and report to the present term of this court; which being done, the jury of inquist reports as follows: the undersigned after hearing all the testimony in our power to collect, believe that said Duncan is incapable of either taking care of his person or property; we also understand from the witnesses that the said Duncan has the following property, that is to say, about four acres of corn, one horse, 6 head of cattle and between 20 and 30 head of sheep, some 15 or 20 head of hogs, two beds and some other household furniture, and 124 (last number in fold of book) acres of land, /s/ Joseph CLARK, David D. HIPP, Jacob BERGER, Moses CUMMINGS, John EDDINGS, William F. GEORGE, Arthur WARREN, Thos. CAVATT, Daniel M. STEWART, James SMITH, and Robert BAILEY, jury of inquest. Whereupon the court ordered that JOHN DAVIS be appointed guardian of the said Elijah DUNCAN with power to sell (by Giving the legal notice) the whole or so much of the perishable property of said Duncan as he thinks necessary; whereupon the said JOHN DAVIS together with his securities Soloman DAVIS and Joseph DAVIS, gave bond for $1,000."
June 1838 - DeKalb Co, TN Court Minutes
"Thomas HUNT was appointed overseer on Smith Fork Road from the ford of the creek at the mouth of Dismal down to to the ford at JOHN REYNOLDS' shop and had as his hands "SOLOMON DAVIS, Pharis LAWRENCE, Lewis LAWRENCE, Isaac TAYLOR, Randal PAFFORD, Asa DRIVER, and Abner SELF, etc.".
July 24, 1839 - DeKalb Co, TN Deed Book A, pp. 304-305
"SOLOMON DAVIS of Smith County to Moses ALLEN his interest a tract of land belonging to heirs of Thomas PISTOLE dec'd and Joseph PISTOLE deceased. The wife of SOLOMON DAVIS, as heir of Thomas PISTOLE and Joseph PISTOLE, is entitled to a eighth part. William PISTOLE signed the trust deed with said SOLOMON DAVIS."
1840 DeKalb Co, TN Census, p. 19
"Solomon Davis 22001-00001"
(Neighbors on one side included: Ferris SELF, Shadrick KELLY, Charles HILL, Thomas PAFFORD, James ARNOLD) (Neighbors on other side included: Samuel VANOVER, Rebecca HENDRIXSON, John SPENCER, Samuel/Harrison/Nancy NEEL, John OWENS, Elijah DUNCAN,)
1843 - DeKalb Co, TN Dekalb Co, TN, Administration Book B, p l42
"SOLOMON DAVIS administrator of John DAVIS dec'd"
Nov 17, 1843 - Dekalb County Book Estate A, pp. 255-257
Sale of John DAVIS, dec'd, personal property by SOLOMON DAVIS, administrator
--buyers: John DAVIS, Joseph DAVIS, Aren DAVIS, Abigail DAVIS,Milton WARD, Lewis LAWRENCE, Newton MURPHYJuly 17, 1845-December 15th - DeKalb Co., TN --These names were taken from the original ledger book, which is in the possession of Ed Organ, Nashville, TN, a direct descendant of Eli Vick. A copy is held by Dale Givan Cantrell, Liberty, TN. (This store was located on Eli Vick's place, near Allen Bluff and Forks of Pike, DeKalb Co. TN.)
"SOLOMON DAVIS is listed as a buyer from this store."
1850 - DeKalb Co., TN Agriculture Census
"50 improved acres, 160 unimproved acres, $410 value of land, $150 value of farming implements, 5 horses, 4 cows, 2 working oxen, 12 other cattle, 12 sheep, 35 swine, $370 value of livestock, 34 bushels of wheat, 1000 bushels of corn, 35 bushels of oates, 100 pounds of tobacco"
Neighbors on one side included -Westley OVERALL, Pharis LAWRENCE, James BATEY, John REYNOLDS, Isaac W. OVERALL, Joseph HULLETT, Wm HULLETT, James TUBB)
Neighbors on the other side included - Morgan LAWRENCE, Thomas S. PRIDY, Charles HILL, R. PAFFORD, Silas HILL, Isaac TAYLOR, Abner SELF, Abner SELF Sr, Pharis SELF)
See 1850 Agriculture Census 1850 - DeKalb Co, TN Census
Solomon DAVIS 48 NC $400. land value Farmer Ann 43 " Nancy A. 21 TN George W. 18 TN Farmer-School Benjamin F. 17 TN Farmer-School Sarah L.?S.? 15 TN School Reuben P. 12 TN School Thomas 10 TN School Joseph P. 8 TN School Gracie 6 TN Gracy KELLEY 65 NC(Neighbors include: #533 Pharis LAWRENCE, #536 Morgan LAWRENCE, #539 Charles HILL and with him is Nancy PAFFORD who is 70, #540 Randolph PAFFORD, #541 Jiles (Giles) HILL, #544 Abner SELF with wife Nancy LAWRENCE & granddaughter Nancy DRIVER)February 26, 1855 - Dekalb Co, TN Administrator Book, pp. 7l-72
Settlement made by Thomas LAWRENCE, administrator of Elziabeth PISTOLE, dec'd
- Receipts for slaves given by: $26.43 eachJames PISTOLE
Zachariah ROBINSON & wife Alsa
James LEE & wife Anna
William R. PISTOLE
SOLOMON DAVIS & wife Sarah
Pilot DEEN & wife Sarah
Benjamin PISTOLE & wife LanirSept 8, 1855 - DeKalb Co., TN Deed Book F, p. 83
"Martin FOUTCH to SOLOMON DAVIS 102 1/2 acres in the 10th District"
Feb 20, 1860 - DeKalb Co, TN Deed Book H, p. 95
"SOLOMON DAVIS to T.W. FITTS 102 1/2 acres in the 15h District."
1860 DeKalb Co, TN Census (District 12-Hannah's Branch) #1281-1269
Solomon DAVIS 58 M NC farmer $2000 $1500 Anna 52 F NC Thomas J. 20 M TN Joseph P. 17 M TN Grace C 16 F TNNeither Solomon or Anna could read or write.Aug 19, 1868 - DeKalb Co., TN Deed Book J, p. 317
"SOLOMON DAVIS to Thomas J. DAVIS 52 acres in the 12th District"
August 19, 1868 - DeKalb Co., TN Deed Book J, page 318
"SOLOMON to Joseph P. DAVIS 52 acres in the 12th District"
1870 DeKalb Co. TN Dist. 12 (Hannah's Branch), #26-23
Solomon DAVIS 68 M W Farmer 900 739 NC Amea 63 F W Keeping House TN Mary GRIFFITH 17 F W TN1880 DeKalb Co., TN Census, District 12, Source: FHL Film 1255252 - National Archives Film T9-1252, Page 227BThomas J. DAVIS Self M M W 40 TN Farmer NC NC Tennysee DAVIS Wife F M W 22 TN Keeps House TN TN Thenia DAVIS Dau F S W 16 TN TN TN Robert DAVIS Son M S W 12 TN Works On Farm TN TN Malinda DAVIS Dau F S W 5 TN TN TN Solomon DAVIS Father M W W 78 NC Works On Farm NC NC
Daniel Coleman Davis
--b. March 3, 1823 Hannah's Branch, Smith Co., TN
--d. January 1910 Macon Co., TN
--m/1 Rebecca Ann RUSSELL
--March 2, 1848
----d/o John Russell and Martha GRERAD
--m/2 Sarah Ann MORRISON
--Nov 1897
----d/o William Bunberry Morrison and Martha HIGH
- 1850 Macon Co., TN, District 7
- 1860 Atchison Co., KS, Town of Atchison
- 1870 Madison Co., MT, Virginia City
- 1880 Union Co., OR, Silver Lake
- 1900 Macon Co., TN, District 7
From Carol Mills, a descendant, in March 2002:"After Atchison KS, Davis's went to Montana, William Phillip was born at Fort Benton, then they moved to Virginia City, Montana by 1870. Laura was born in Cove, Union, OR in 1869, followed by Minervia (Olive) 1871, Nettie 1873 and Emily (Crissie) in 1875. DC Davis name is listed on the early pioneers arch at the Courthouse in Enterprise, Wallowa Co, OR as arriving in 1876. Wallowa Co was called Union Co. at that time. Daniel and Rebecca lived at Alder Slope when they first arrived in the valley. They moved across the valley to Prairie Creek where Rebecca was post mistress from Sept 7, 1887 to Mar. 1892. Family records show Rebecca and Daniel returned to Tennessee in 1895."
Lucinda T. Davis
--b. abt 1825 Hannah's Branch, Smith Co., TN
--m. James K. BUTLER
-- Dec 23, 1847 DeKalb Co., TN
----s/o Alfred Butler and Katherine ?
- Went to Red Boiling Springs in Macon Co., TN
Telitha B. 'Tellie' Davis
--b. Feb 23, 1827 Hannah's Branch, DeKalb Co., TN
--d. Nov 18, 1905 Bollinger Co., MO
----buried New Trace Creek Cremetery in Bollinger Co., MO
--m. Thomas S. PRIDAY, Jr.
--Dec 26, 1848 DeKalb Co., TN
----Military Service: Civil War, Co. C, Jeffer's Regt, Mo Calvary
----s/o Thomas Prida, Sr. who is on 1850 Wilson Co., TN Census
- 1850 DeKalb Co., TN census,
- 1850's to Madison Co., MO
- after to Bollinger Co., MO
*Click on Tellie's name to go to the Pridy page and more details and pictures.**This picture is courtesy of Edgar L (Tripp) Noice
Nancy Ann Davis
--b. abt 1829 Hannah's Branch, DeKalb Co., TN
--d. Nov 9, 1870 DeKalb Co., TN
----buried Polly Griffith Cemetery, DeKalb Co., TN
--m. William W. GRIFFITH
--Nov 25, 1852 DeKalb Co., TN
----b. May 16, 1832
------s/o David Griffith and Mary 'Polly' HARDCASTLE
------gs/o Jonathan Griffith, Jr. and Elizabeth E. 'Betsy' WILLIAMS
Daughter Mary Griffith, age 17, is listed with grandparents, Solomon and Anna Davis on 1870 DeKalb Co., TN Census, Hannah's Branch.Does anyone know when William Griffith died or where he is buried? Did William and Nancy only have the one daughter? Please write me if you know anything about Nancy's family.
George W. Davis
--b. abt 1832 Hannah's Branch, DeKalb Co., TN
--d. aft 1880 Census
--m/1 Melinda Jane 'Emily' GRIFFITH
--Oct 28, 1852 DeKalb Co., TN
----marriage record as Melinda J & Bible has Emily - dates agree
----d/o David Griffith and Mary 'Polly' HARDCASTLE
----gd/o Jonathan Griffith, Jr. and Elizabeth E. 'Betsey' Williams
--m/2 Lucinda DAVIS
--abt 1859
----said to be his cousins (not 1st)
---- relationship not proven yet!
----b. October 14, 1839 TN
----d. October 28, 1905 DeKalb Co., TN
------buried Snow Hill Methodist Church Cemetery, DeKalb Co., TN
------d/o Solomon Davis and Saluda BROWN
--------Solomon and Saluda lived Wilson Co., TN
Lucinda Davis, wife of George W. - abt 1898
daughter, Ada (Davis) Farler and Ada's children Alton and DaltonLucinda's Grave at Snow Hill Methodist
- 1850 DeKalb Co., TN, age 18 with parents in District 12
- 1860 Logan Co., KY, Rabbitsville
--with Lucinda's sister, Susan (Davis) Preston- 1880 DeKalb Co., TN, District 12
Benjamin F. Davis
--b. abt 1833 Hannah's Branch, DeKalb Co., TN
--d. 1870's probably Liberty, DeKalb Co. TN
--m. Lettie B. 'Lucy' GRIFFITH
--September 18, 1855 DeKalb Co., TN
----d/o David Griffith and Mary 'Polly' Hardcastle
----gd/o Jonathan Griffith, Jr. and Elizabeth E. 'Betsey' Williams
Benjamin is a bit of a mystery. We have his marriage record from the Bible record. He is 17 with his parents on the 1850 DeKalb Co., TN census - District 12. I don't know where he is in 1860. The 1870 census is shown below:1870 -census, DeKalb Co., TN, Liberty PO, Dist. 13, house # 54-53 Benjamin Davis, 36, M, W, farmer, $700-482, TN Lettie Davis, 37, F, W, keeping house, TN Mary Davis, 22, F, W, TN Charles, 1, M, W, TN William, 3/12, March M, W, TN.*Who is Mary Davis and whose children are these? Please write me if you know anything about what happened to Lettie, Benjamin and if they had any descendants?However, the 1880 census, lists Lettie Davis, age 47, divorced, back home with her parents - David Griffith.
Sarah L. Davis
--b. abt 1835 Smith Co., TN
--d. aft 1850
- Age 15 on 1850 DeKalb Co.,TN census
Sarah would have been born about the time of her mother's death. Bible record which gives marriages of her siblings to the early 1860's time frame, gives nothing on Sarah. Any information on Sarah, please write me.
CHILDREN BY ANNA KELLY
Reuben P. Davis
--b. July 22, 1836 Hannah's Branch, Cannon Co., TN (at this time)
--d. March 12, 1904 DeKalb Co., TN
----Military: pvt. of lt. William G. Davis, Company A, 5th regmt of TN Calvary (Union)
----buried Martin Cemetery, DeKalb Co., TN
--m. Elizabeth GRIFFITH
--Sept 18, 1855 DeKalb Co., TN
----b. June 11, 1836 DeKalb Co. tN
----d. March 18, 1917 DeKalb Co., Tn
------buried Martin Cemetery, DeKalb Co., TN
------d/o John L. Griffith and Sarah L. ?
------gd/o Jonathan Griffith, Jr. and Elizabeth E. 'Betsey' WILLIAMS
Reuben and Elizabeth raised their grandchildren, Clarence P. and Robert P. Kirby when their daughter, Nancy Tennessee Davis divorced her husband, Robert Shelly Kirby.
Civil War Monetary Claim for John Davis Mentions 3 sons of Solomon and a testimony by Solomon's son, Reuben
Thomas Jasper Davis
--b. January 16, 1840 Hannah's Branch, Dekalb Co. TN
--d. Feb 9, 1897 Hannah's Branch, DeKalb Co., TN
----buried Pisgah Methodist Church Cemetery in DeKalb Co., TN
--m/1 Delia A. Lawrence
--Dec 28, 1861 DeKalb Co., TN
----d/o Thomas Laurance and Susannah Pafford
------gd/o William Laurance and Sarah CARUTHERS
------gd/o Thomas Pafford and Nancy ?
--m/2 Tennessee 'Tennie' ROBINSON
--abt 1879
----d/o Levi D. Robinson and Elizabeth 'Betsy' SEWELL
------gd/o William Robinson and Sarah Delilah BAIN
----Tennie m/2 John Riley TRAMEL
----December 20, 1896 DeKalb Co. TN
------s/o John Harrison Tramel and Martha Jane McCLELLAN
--------gs/o Shadrick 'Shade' Tramel and Elizabeth McINTIRE
--------gs/o William M. McClellan and Elizabeth WEISNER
----------gt gs/o William Baton Tramel and Anice FISHER
----------gt gs/o Archibald McIntire, Jr. and Sarah WHITE
*MY DIRECT LINE - click on his name for more information!
This picture is courtesy of Melba Love
Joseph P. Davis
--b. abt 1842 Hannah's Branch, DeKalb Co., TN
--d. July 12, 1903 three miles North of McKinney, Collin Co., Texas
----buried Williams Cemetery, Collin Co., Texas
--m. Amanda Jane SELF
--abt 1864
----b. December 10, 1843 Dowelltown, DeKalb Co., TN
----d. November 17, 1895 McKinney, Collin Co., TX
------buried Williams Cemetery, Collin Co., TX
------d/o William C. Self and Leanne SPENCER
--------gd/o Abner Self and Nancy LAURANCE
--------gd/o Moses Spencer and Barbara Jane STINSON
----------gt gd/o Bradley Self and Unknown
----------gt gd/o William Laurance and Sarah CARUTHERS
----------gt gd/o John Spencer and Nancy Ann KERR
Nancy (Laurance) Self was the sister of my direct ancestor, Thomas Laurance who married Susannah PAFFORD.*Click on Joseph's name to go to the Pridy page and more details and pictures.
Grace Caroline 'Gracie' Davis
--b. 1844/6 Hannah's Branch, DeKalb Co., TN
--d. aft 1880 probably DeKalb Co., TN
--m. John Rutherford LAWRENCE
--Feb 1, 1862 DeKalb Co., TN (his cousin)
----b. 1843/45 DeKalb Co., TN
----d. aft 1880 probably DeKalb Co. TN
------s/o Lewis Laurance/Lawrence and Elizabeth DAVIS
--------gs/o William Laurance and Sarah CARUTHERS
--------gs/o John Davis Sr. and Abigail DUNCAN
Lewis Laurance was a brother to my direct ancestor, Thomas Laurance who married Susannah PAFFORD.
