Philip was most likely born in 1801 in Knox County, Tennessee.  Philip purchases Lot 77 in Dallas for $19.50 from the Commissioners of Dallas.  This was one of the early land sales in Dallas by the Commissioners of Dallas.  When and where Philip marries Eliza is unknown.  They have no children.  In the 1840 census Philip and Eliza are living in the household of his Father and Mother, along with his brother Barney his wife Nancy Reed.  Philip purchases from Sarah Eldridge 40 acres of land for $180 on November 21, 1853. (Ocoee Grant SW corner, R2, 3T, 17th S)   In the special tax of 1862, that land is valued at $150, the tax owed is .53 cents.   In the 1860 census, Zerelda Jane Stover, daughter of Louisa Stover Davis, is living in their household. Zerelda most likely is there to be helpful, as children of that time do.   John Dennington, who would later marry Philip�s niece Sarah Davis, is working for him as a hired hand. Tobacco must have been grown on this land as a reference is made to Denningtons tobacco barn.  Philip is dead before 1866, as Eliza rents part of the land to Hinton H. Holder.   By 1870, Eliza can not be found on any census, it is presumed that she died prior to 1870.  Most likely they are buried somewhere in Montgomery cemetery. Although Eliza was illiterate, she was a very astute businesswoman as referenced in an agreement for lease of her land.

 

 

HAMILTON COUNTY DEED BOOK Q Page 362

 

                Article of an agreement paid and entered into between Eliza Davis of the one part and Hinton H. Holder of the other part both of the County of Hamilton and State of Tennessee this day Eliza Davis hath rentera the place that she lives on to H. H. Holder for the term of four years and he is to give said Eliza Davis forty bushels of corn per year, the said Eliza Davis is to have one acre of land around her house and her garden, the said H. H. Holder is to enclose the said place as far as the Dennington tobacco house, he is to have all the inset fencing to enclose the outside fencing he is to leave fencing under a ten rail fence at the expiration of four years he is to have free access to fire wood, he is not to use any board timber on said place we here unto set our hands and seal this September 26, 1866.

 

                                                                                                Her

                                                                                         Eliza X Davis

                                                                                                Mark

 

Attest:

Elihu Robeson

W. A. Robeson

State of Tennessee

Hamilton County.  Personally appeared before me R. H. Guthrie, Clerk of the County Court of said County.  H. H. Holder one of the bargainers in the foregoing lease contract with whom I am personally acquainted, who acknowledged the execution of the same for the purposes therein expressed, on the day it bears date.  Also personally appeared before me Elihu Robeson and W.A. Robeson the subscribing witnesses to the same who being duly sworn according to law deposed and said they were acquainted with Eliza Davis the other bargainer in the contract and that she executed the same for the purposes therein expressed.

 

                Witness my hand at office in Harrison the 31thst day of July 1867.

 

                                                                                R. H. Guthrie, Clerk