James Davis

b.         1761

                        Fauquier County, Virginia

            m.        April 15, 1786

Greene County, then in North Carolina now Tennessee

Mary Brumley                         

                                    b. 1768 in Virginia       

                                    d.  1844 in Hamilton County, Tennessee

            d.         December 9, 1843

                        Hamilton County, Tennessee

c.         Sullivan 1800 – before 1850 m. Elizabeth A.

Philip 1801 – c. 1866 m. Eliza (no children)

Barnabus  c. 1810   m. Nancy Reed 1832 – 1866

James 1811 – 1891 m. Barbara Whittle 1811 – 1898

Wesley 1814 – 1900 m. 1st Nellie Reed 1818 – 1853 2nd  Mary A. Ford 1829 – 1908

Benjamin Franklin c. 1820 moved to Texas then to New Orleans

Much of the life of James is documented through his Revolutionary War pension application.  He was born in Fauquier County, Virginia in 1761 and moves with his parents to what is now Wilkes County, North Carolina.  His service with the military is sporadic, as with most men in the militia.  The most notable battle in which he participated is Eutaw Springs, South Carolina.  At some point during the conflict the family moves to Greene County, at that time part of North Carolina, so he continues to reference the area as North Carolina.  The location is north of the Nolichucky River.  It is believed his father is Thomas Davis, but there needs to be further research. However research in the Revolutionary War Pension records reveal that he had a brother, Thomas, who applied for a pension in Haywood County, North Carolina.  Thomas sometime after 1833 moved to McMinn County, Tennessee, where he died.

James married Mary Brumley in Greene County in 1786; Barnabus Brumley serves as bondsman.  It is believed that her father is Augustine Brumley, as his will lists a daughter by that name.  In his deposition James states his father and mother were alive at the time of his marriage.  There must have been a question of his age as they had to state when he was born.  Not included in his pension application, but found many years later is the roster of men that went with John Sevier, in what was is referred to as, the last battle of the Revolution – that of Chickamauga and Chief Dragging Canoe.  That campaign took him to what will become Hamilton and Marion County.  James secures a land grant No. 529 for 50 acres adjoining his own land and Allison’s survey.  By 1798, he has moved to Knox County and sells 50 acres that he owns in conjunction with Daniel Creamer for 40 pounds.  He states that land is adjacent to Barnabus Brumley’s line. 

They reside in Knox County for about 10 years.  They continue moving: Campbell County; White County; Jackson County, Alabama; and Marion County, Tennessee.  Unfortunately, because his recollection of time, his deposition does not accurately reflect the correct number of years he lived in each location. 

In 1831, he purchases Lot 67 in Dallas, then the seat of Hamilton County, for $45.   There is great land speculation in Dallas; the Commissioners of Dallas sold Lot 67 in August for $6 and 12 1/2 cents.  In 1832, James purchases Lot 66 for $200, although the deed was not recorded until July 1833. (Book B p. 64)  This is only speculation, but in order to pay for this purchase, on July 18, 1833, he sells his mulatto woman, Jane, to Aaron Rawlings for valuable consideration, a price is not mentioned.  (Book B, p. 85)  On July 22, 1833, Aaron Rawlings sells Jane for $300 (Book B, p. 86).  It is not known how Jane came into James’s possession, or if he owned additional slaves.  On January 4, 1836, that Lot is sold to Smith Heaton for $150.  Smith Heaton executes a promissory note for $50 for payment on December 25, 1836, 1837, and 1838.  From the court records it appears that Smith Heaton defaults on the property, however the land records state that Smith Heaton sells back to James Davis the Lot for $50.  (Book E p. 368).

The Treaty of New Echota, December 29, 1835, and its proclamation May 23, 1836, caused a rush to the land in the eastern part of Hamilton County.  James and Mary and their sons relocate to that area called Long Savannah.  It is presently called Snow Hill.  They are listed in a special census of 1836 for District 8.  District 8 becomes the nucleus for the Snow Hill Quadrangle and the families of those early settlers remain in that area today.   That land still belonged to the Cherokee Nation -- where they located was under the control of Chief John Brown.   

When the Ocoee land formally opened, James purchased 160 acres, the legal description is:  Second Range, West of the Basis Line, Third Township and sixth section being the south east quarter of said section beginning at the northeast corner of said quarter.  He was an “Occupant Enterer” – because he was living on the land he purchased.  In the Tennessee State Archives his land is not shown on the original plat book, nor is it entered in the subsequent publication of the Ocoee Land Records.  It is specifically mentioned because three days prior to his death he sells that land to his son Wesley for $320.  (Book E p. 392-393)  However, in 1857, Elizabeth Davis, widow of Sullivan references that same tract of land and states as heir of James Davis she has the right to sell her portion of that land.  Elizabeth sells 5 acres to Wesley Davis for $50. (Book L p. 69-70)  It is assumed that the 160 acres did not go to Wesley but was divided between all the heirs of James. 

In Dallas in 1832, James makes his deposition for a Revolutionary War Pension.  One of the witnesses was Asahel Rawling who states that he has known James Davis for some time and is well acquainted with him.  An Asahel Rawling is listed on the early tax rolls of Greene County Tennessee.  In the vault at the National Archives in Washington is the final payment voucher for James.  James applies in Harrison on September 13, 1843; this application shows that James cannot sign his name and uses an “X.”  His yearly pension is $43.33, and he has applied for his half yearly payment of $21.66.  Accompanying him is Peter Monger who signs as his witness.

His sons Barnabus, James, Wesley and Benjamin Franklin served in Cannon’s Company, Tennessee Mounted Militia – Sabine War.  They were mustered in at Athens, Tennessee, July 25, 1836, for a period of twelve months.  In June 27, 1837, they again served in Capt. Cannon’s Company, First Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry – Cherokee War.  This company was mustered in at Dallas.

In a document published by the Tennessee Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, it states that James Davis is buried is Sequatchie County Tennessee.  This statement is in error for the following reasons:  The History of Hamilton County noted the Revolutionary Soldiers who drew pensions in Hamilton County and included a footnote that stated “They literally lived and died in Hamilton County, although their graves are now in Sequatchie County.” A Daughter doing research incorrectly applied that line.  James was in Harrison to apply for his pension in September and in December immediately before he died, he was in Snow Hill and sold his farm to his son Wesley. 

After doing considerable on-site research, the grave of James Davis was located in the Montgomery Cemetery in Snow Hill.  The headstone is in serious disrepair, but the location is sound.  It was placed under a tree that is now in excess of 150 years, next to him; on his left is the grave of his wife, where a similar headstone was placed.  To his right is his son, Sullivan who died prior to 1850.  Next to Sullivan is the grave of his wife Elizabeth with a marker that was in use in the 1880 time period.  Within Montgomery are many of his sons, grandchildren and others associated with the Davis family.

Compiled and Submitted By Phebe Morgan
            phebem@comcast.net