Fayette Co., AL: Descendants of William Davis
Fayette County, Alabama
 
~ Descendants of William Davis ~


WARNING: Errors ahead!  Please use this information as a guide rather than a gospel.


1. William DAVIS
(son of John DAVIS and Mary HAWKINS) b. 1802, TN ("on the Cumberland river"), m. (1) 10 Oct 1823, in Jefferson Co., AL, Arminthea Calhoun "Mintie" PEDEN, b. ca 1804, Fairview, Greenville Co., SC, (daughter of John "Jack" PEDEN & Elizabeth PEDEN) d. Nov 1837, Fayette Co., AL, m. (2) 1838, in Fayette Co., AL, Margaret CHEEK, b. 05 Apr 1818, Giles Co., TN, (daughter of Valentine CHEEK & Elizabeth McGILL) d. (1854/1859), Red River Co., TX.  William died ca 1849, Red River Co., TX, bur. Maple Springs (now Bogata) Cemetery, Red River Co., TX [1, 10].

Children of William Davis & Arminthea C. Peden:
2.    i  Catherine White DAVIS, 1826-1903.
3.   ii  James Robert DAVIS (a/k/a Robert James DAVIS), 1831-1891.
4.   iii  Nancy Jane DAVIS, 1834-1932.
5.   iv  John Peytin DAVIS (a/k/a John Peden DAVIS), 1836-1860.

Children of William Davis & Margaret Cheek:
6.   v  Sarah Ann DAVIS, (ca 1840)-(?).
     vi  Thomas J. DAVIS b. ca 1842, AL, d. 06 May 1862, Corinth, Alcorn Co., MS (Civil War).
     vii  Mathew Valentine DAVIS b. ca 1844, AL, d. reportedly in Civil War.
7. viii  Margaret Lucinda DAVIS, (ca 1847)-(?).

NOTE:  Tradition says that the DAVIS family moved from Tennessee to Jefferson Co., AL, settling "at old Eliton, where Birmingham now stands, soon after the War of 1812 was over" [1].  William DAVIS was married in Jefferson County on 10 Oct 1823 to Minty PEYTON (per marriage record) or Mittie Calhoun PEYTON (per tradition).  Her actual name was Arminthea Calhoun PEDEN, according to Eleanor M. HEWELL's The Pedens in America (1961).  The couple moved to Fayette County reportedly before the birth of their first child [1].

Little is known of William DAVIS' existence in Fayette County.  Several men of this name were recorded there on the U.S. census in 1830 and 1840, yet none of these enumerations is an exact match to William's family.  It is presumed that he settled a few miles northeast of Fayette Court House, where two of his brothers, Alvis DAVIS and John Hawkins DAVIS, owned land.

William remarried soon after his first wife's death.  His new bride was considerably younger than himself, but she must have seemed a natural choice � two other brothers already had married into the CHEEK family.  In 1846, William accompanied his in-laws to Red River Co., TX.  The group settled at or near the village of Maple Springs (now Bogata), which had been established a few years earlier by relatives of Margaret CHEEK.  William DAVIS was recorded on Red River County tax lists in 1847 and 1848 with three head of cattle worth about $100.

There is said to be a letter "on file from Fayette County Ala in June 1848 or 1849 addressed [to] 'Curtis HOWTON,'" that recounts the death of William DAVIS: "He was killed by being thrown from a 'foolish mair [sic]' that he [was] breaking to ride" [2].  He was buried in what is now Bogata Cemetery, "just south of a large monument.  Lies by the side of Valentine CHEEK, his wife's father" [1].  Neither of these graves is marked today.

A widowed Margaret DAVIS was recorded next to her parents on the 1850 U.S. census of Red River Co., TX (p. 196).  Conspicuously absent from this enumeration are William's children from his first marriage.  They reportedly "went back to Ala. to their sister, Catherine White DAVIS (Mrs. Isaac NORMAN)" [1], yet they were not recorded in that 1850 household either.




SECOND GENERATION

2. Catherine White DAVIS b. 06 Dec 1825, Fayette Co., AL, m. 1840, in Fayette Co., AL, Isaac NORMAN, b. 1819, SC, d. 13 May 1868, Fayette Co., AL, bur. Fayette Co., AL.  Catherine died 11 Jun 1903, near Rice's Crossing, Williamson Co., TX, bur. Hutto City Cemetery, Williamson Co., TX [10].

Children of Catherine W. Davis & Isaac Norman:
i
William Murrah NORMAN b. ca 1841, Fayette Co., AL, d. 22 Mar 1864, Tuscaloosa Co., AL (Civil War).
ii
Martha Jane NORMAN b. 25 Mar 1843 (1844 per ts), Fayette Co., AL, m. 04 Sep 1859, in Fayette Co., AL, Thomas Jefferson PEEPLES, b. 16 Sep 1839, Murray Co., GA, (son of Drewry Murrah PEEPLES & Mary Frances COLLIER) d. 29 Mar 1916, Dalton, Whitfield Co., GA, bur. Mt. Zion Church Cemetery, Murray Co., GA.  Martha died 08 Jan 1901, Dalton, GA, bur. Mt. Zion Church Cemetery.
iii
Alexander P. "Alex" NORMAN b. 15 Jan 1846, Fayette Co., AL, m. 02 Jan 1868, in Fayette Co., AL, Mary Ann MONTGOMERY, b. 20 Feb 1840, Fayette Co., AL, (daughter of James Madison MONTGOMERY & Mary Elizabeth STROTHER) d. 21 Aug 1901, Fayette Co., AL, bur. Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery, Fayette Co., AL.  Alex died 11 Aug 1906, Taylor, Williamson Co., TX, bur. Hutto City Cemetery.
iv
Mary Pricilla NORMAN b. Jan 1847, Fayette Co., AL, m. 07 Jan 1875, in Williamson Co., TX, Thomas Harris BRYAN, b. 07 Mar 1854, Jackson Co., AL, (son of James R. BRYAN & Susannah DENMAN) d. 04 Nov 1923, Hutto, Williamson, Co., TX, bur? Hutto City Cemetery.  Mary died (1900/1906), probably Williamson Co., TX.
v
Amanda C. "Manda" NORMAN b. 27 Feb 1850, Fayette Co., AL, m. 30 Dec 1874, in Williamson Co., TX, James David SMITH, b. Jan 1846, Ripley, MS, d. 1918, TX, bur. Hutto City Cemetery.  Manda died 17 Aug 1915, Hutto, Williamson Co., TX, bur. Hutto City Cemetery.
vi
Josephine M. NORMAN b. ca 1851, Fayette Co., AL, m. 30 Jul 1868, in Fayette Co., AL, Henry P. PEARSON (a/k/a Philip H. PERSON), b. ca 1845, AL, (son of Alexander PEARSON), d. (aft Sep 1870), (Lee Co., MS).  Josephine died 1878.
vii
Emma Gene NORMAN b. 14 Apr 1854, Fayette Co., AL, m. 26 Jan 1875, in Williamson Co., TX, John WILSON, b. ca 1850, AL.  Emma died 14 Dec 1929, Houston, Harris Co., TX, bur. Hutto City Cemetery, Williamson Co., TX.
viii
Martin Bynum NORMAN b. 10 May 1856, Fayette Co., AL, m. 12 Sep 1882, in Williamson Co., TX, Nettie Bell MAYHALL, b. 28 Apr 1868, Edgar Co., IL, (daughter of Samuel Independance MAYHALL & Martha OFFUTT) d. 26 Dec 1958, San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX, bur. Hutto City Cemetery.  Martin died 16 Jul 1921, Normans Crossing, Williamson Co., TX, bur. Hutto City Cemetery.
ix
Lilla Louisa "Lou" NORMAN b. 04 Aug 1859, Fayette Co., AL, m. (1) 22 Jul 1874, in Williamson Co., TX, William CRIST, b. ca 1852, m. (2) 11 Jan 1891, in Williamson Co., TX, Alexander Washington BRYAN, b. 22 Jan 1858, Jackson Co., AL, (son of James R. BRYAN & Susannah DENMAN) d. 29 Dec 1928, Taylor, Williamson Co., TX, bur. Hutto City Cemetery.  Louisa died 30 Jan 1917, Williamson Co., TX, bur. Hutto City Cemetery.

NOTE:  Catherine and Isaac NORMAN were recorded in Fayette County on the U.S. census in 1850 and 1860 (pp. 97a & 464, respectively).  Federal land records show that Isaac claimed more than 320 acres in Section 24, Township 15 South, Range 13 West, and Sections 18 & 19, T15S-R12W, in June 1858 [3].  He enlisted at Fayette Court House in Palmer's Co., Alabama State Reserves Cavalry, CSA, on 15 Jun 1864 [4].

The family moved to Texas about 5 years after Isaac's death.  Catherine died at the home of her son Martin in 1903 [1].


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3. James Robert DAVIS (a/k/a Robert James DAVIS) PHOTO b. 23 Nov 1831, Fayette Co., AL, m. (1) Annie Prince HENRY, b. 06 Jun 1831, AL, (daughter of Samuel HENRY & Margaret HUBBARD) d. 04 Sep 1871, Kemper Co., MS, m. (2) ca 1872, in Kemper Co., MS, Adeline Virginia (OVERSTREET) HOUSTON, b. Sep 1837, MS, (daughter of Henry OVERSTREET & Nancy Ann CARTER) d. ca 1916.  James died 08 Apr 1891, Kemper Co., MS [1, 5, 6].

Children of James R. Davis & Annie Henry:
i
(Rev.) William Henry DAVIS PHOTO b. 11 May 1853, Fayette Co., AL, m. ca 1874, in Kemper Co., MS, Margaret S. CLARK, b. 23 Dec 1853, SC, (daughter of Malcom CLARK & Effie WILKS) d. 28 Sep 1907, Kemper Co., MS, bur. Clark Chapel Church Cemetery, Kemper Co., MS.  William died 21 Sep 1934, bur. Clark Chapel Church Cemetery.
ii
Joseph Glover DAVIS (a/k/a Glover Joseph DAVIS) b. 01 Jan 1855, Fayette Co., AL, m. ca 1879, in Kemper Co., MS, Margaret Elizabeth PALMER, b. Mar 1857, AL, d. 1937. Joseph died 11 Oct 1903, Comanche Co., TX.
iii
Clarke DAVIS b. 02 Jan 1857, Fayette Co., AL, d. young.
iv
Harvey Ralston DAVIS b. 05 Oct 1858, Fayette Co., AL, m. Mary Francine MARTIN, b. 29 Aug. 1863, TX, d. 11 Nov 1946, Wellington,
Collingsworth Co., TX, bur. Plainview Cemetery, Hale Co., TX.  Harvey died 25 Mar 1924, TX, bur. Plainview Cemetery.
v
Harriet Isabella "Hattie" DAVIS PHOTO b. 28 Mar 1861, MS, m. 1880, Kemper Co., MS, Malcolm Washington CLARK, b. 01 May 1857, Kemper Co., MS (son of Malcom CLARK & Effie WILKS) d. 23 Dec 1929, Kemper Co., MS, bur. Clark Chapel Church Cemetery, Kemper Co., MS.  Hattie died 22 Mar 1912, bur. Clark Chapel Church Cemetery.
vi
Robert Ann IZELLA DAVIS b. 03 Jan 1863, MS, m. ca 1883, in Kemper Co., MS, James Ulysses GEORGE, b. 12 Jun 1859, TN, d. 27 Mar 1903, Kemper Co., MS, bur. Hopewell Methodist Church Cemetery, Kemper Co., MS.  Izella died 08 Feb 1932, bur. Hopewell Methodist Church Cemetery.
vii
Givens McHubbert DAVIS b. 12 Mar 1867, MS, d. 08 Jul 1867, MS.
viii
Gaines Murrow DAVIS b. 12 Mar 1869, MS, m. (1) Nannie A. CONDREY, 25 Dec 1887, in Cross Co., AR, d. ca 1896, m. (2) Ella (-----). Gaines died (after 1940), (Walters, Cotton Co., OK).
ix
Samuel Walton DAVIS b. 28 Apr 1870, Kemper Co., MS, m. ca 1895, in Kemper Co., MS, Nancy Jane YOUNG, b. Feb 1872, MS.  Samuel died 22 May 1929.

Children of James R. Davis & Adeline V. Overstreet:

x
Annie Virginia DAVIS b. 21 Feb 1873, Kemper Co., MS, m. (1) ca 1914, Albert Wesley COOK., b. 01 Jan 1854, Neshoba Co., MS, d. 21 Dec 1923, Neshoba Co., MS, m. (2) 23 Sep 1926, in Kemper Co., MS, James Edward LUKE, b. 25 Dec 1871, Preston, Kemper Co., MS, d. 21 Mar 1947, Noxubee Co., MS.  Annie died 08 Jan 1932.
xi
Margaret Victoria DAVIS b. Dec 1874, Kemper Co., MS, m. Milton W. TERRY.  Margaret died 1948.
xii
Nellie Brogham DAVIS b. Jun 1878, Kemper Co., MS, m. ca 1899, in Kemper Co., MS, John Walton CLARK, b. Nov 1877, MS.  Nellie died 1940.
xiii
Robert James DAVIS (Jr?) b. 21 Nov 1882, Kemper Co., MS, m. 16 May 1916, in MS, Lela Day McLAURIN, b. 14 Oct 1887, Kemper Co., MS, (daughter of Hugh Daniel McLAURIN & Effie Wilks CLARK) d. 27 Sep 1980, MS, bur. Clark Chapel Church Cemetery, Kemper Co., MS.  Robert died 26 Jun 1962, Kemper Co., MS, bur. Clark Chapel Church Cemetery.
xiv
Oliver Overstreet DAVIS b. 16 Jan 1884, Kemper Co., MS, m. Frankie (-----), b. ca 1894, MS.  Oliver died 18 Jan 1930.


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4. Nancy Jane DAVIS b. 24 Mar 1834, Fayette Co., AL, m. 07 Apr 1853, in Fayette Co., AL, Benjamin L. NORTHAM, b. ca 1827, NC, (son of John M. NORTHAM & Nancy LAMPLEY) d. 1864 (Civil War).  Nancy died 17 Sep 1932, Covin, Fayette Co., AL, bur. Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, Fayette Co., AL [1].

Children of Nancy J. Davis & Benjamin L. Northam:
i
George William NORTHAM b. 02 Mar 1854, AL, m. 23 Mar 1873, in Fayette Co., AL, Mary E. OTTS, bur. Blooming Grove Cemetery, Lamar Co., AL (unmarked).  George died 11 Sep 1879 (1880 per t.s.), AL, bur. Blooming Grove Cemetery.
ii
James E. NORTHAM b. 03 Oct 1855, Fayette Co., AL, m. 28 Nov 1876, in Dublin, Fayette Co., AL, Nancy Elizabeth WHITEHEAD, b. Dec 1856, Marion Co., AL (daughter of Drury Henry Cox WHITEHEAD & Mary Jane ANTHONY) bur. Taft, San Patricio Co., TX.  James died 27 Jul 1924, Taylor, Williamson Co., TX, bur. Taylor City Cemetery.
iii
Thomas Peyton NORTHAM (a/k/a Thomas Peden NORTHAM) b. 1857, AL, m. 12 Jan 1876, in Fayette Co., AL, Mary Frances HAWKINS, b. ca 1854, AL, (daughter of James Farris HAWKINS & Nancy NOLAN), d. 04 Jan 1940, TX.   Thomas died Jun 1933, TX.
iv
Nancy Wilmoth NORTHAM b. 1858, Fayette Co., AL, d. 1863, Fayette Co., AL.
v
Marvin Gaines NORTHAM b./d. 1860, Fayette Co., AL.
vi
Mittie Ann NORTHAM (a/k/a Mintie Ann NORTHAM) b. 28 May 1862, Fayette Co., AL, m. ca 1878, in Winfield, Fayette Co., AL, Daniel B. HAWKINS, b. Apr 1859, Fayette Co., AL, (son of James Farris HAWKINS & Nancy NOLAN) d. 12 Jan 1950, Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa Co., AL.  Mittie died 20 Jan 1934, Guin, Marion Co., AL, bur. Zion Cemetery (?).
vii
Benjamin Alexander NORTHAM b. 01 May 1864, Fayette Co., AL, m. (1) ca 1888, AL, Martha A. KIRKLEY, b. 26 Feb 1862, AL, d. 04 Mar 1918, bur. Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, Fayette Co., AL, m. (2) Etma CORBELL, b. 09 Jul 1883, (daughter of William Riley CORBELL & Sarah McCRAW) d. 10 Jun 1956, Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL, bur. Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.  Benjamin died 03 Dec 1945, Fayette Co., AL, bur. Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.

NOTE:  Nancy and Benjamin NORTHAM settled near the NORTHAM family farm after their marriage.  In March 1858, Benjamin acquired 320 acres of federal land in Sections 26, 27, & 35, Township 14 South, Range 13 West [3].  The family was recorded in Fayette County's "Middle Division" on the 1860 U.S. census (p. 458).  Benjamin reported real and personal property valued at $500 each.

Benjamin is said to have enlisted in (or was conscripted into) the Confederate army during the Civil War.  "He was home on leave but some of his own people thought he had gone AWOL and one knight [sic] while he was having supper with his family, a group of his own people came and got him.  He was found later in the river wrapped in a sheet. / T.P.'s mother was named Nancy Jane [DAVIS] and lived to be 98 years old.  She smoked a corn-cob pipe" [7
].


*  *  *  *  *

5. John Peytin DAVIS (a/k/a James Peden DAVIS) b. 1836, Fayette Co., AL, m. 1855, in Fayette Co., AL, Mary B. WHITE, b. ca 1839, AL.  John died 1860, Fayette Co., AL [1].

Children of John P. Davis & Mary B. White:
 i  Mittie Etta DAVIS (a/k/a Mintie Etta DAVIS) b. ca 1857, Fayette Co., AL.
 ii  Adolphus DAVIS b. ca 1859, Fayette Co., AL.

NOTE:  John P. DAVIS was recorded with his family in Fayette County's "East District" on the 1860 U.S. census (p. 366).  He was a farmer with real property valued at $200 and personal property worth $100.  He died reportedly soon thereafter [1].  His widow and children then disappeared from the records.



*  *  *  *  *

6. Sarah Ann DAVIS b. ca 1840, AL, m. (1) 25 Aug 1855, in Red River Co., TX, Aaron T. (Tom) WHITE, b. ca 1834, TN, d. 10 May 1862, near Memphis, Shelby Co., TN (Civil War), m. (2) 22 Jan 1864, in Red River Co., TX, Jonathan Philip STROUD, b. 02 Apr 1845, AR, (son of John STROUD & Margaret Caroline HOGUE) d. 01 Jul 1884, Montague Co., TX, bur. Tage Cemetery, Montague Co., TX.  Sarah died ca 1871, Montague Co., TX, bur. probably "Stroud Graveyard" (now Tage Cemetery) [1].

Children of Sarah A. Davis & Aaron T. White:
i
Margaret A. WHITE b. ca 1857, Red River Co., TX, d. (after Jul 1870), (Montague Co., TX).
ii
William Thomas White b. ca 1859, Red River Co., TX, m. 28 Feb 1886, in Montague Co., TX, Mary Ann (HARMON) STROUD, b. 03 Oct 1853, TX, d. 10 Oct 1916, Ringling, Jefferson Co., OK, bur. Tage Cemetery, Montague Co., TX.  William died (after Feb 1886), (Montague Co., TX).
iii
Mary K. WHITE b. ca 1861, TX, m. in Montague Co., TX, (---) STEEDMAN.

Children of Sarah A. Davis & Jonathan P. Stroud:
iv
Lucinda Elizabeth "Lizzie" STROUD b. 09 Oct 1868, Montague Co., TX, m. 27 Dec 1883, in Montague Co., TX, William Austin CURE, b. 09 Sep 1862, TX, (son of Austin Jewitt CURE & Anne Elizabeth BRIDGEWATER) d. 20 Dec 1940, Knox City, Knox Co., TX, bur. Gilliland Cemetery, Knox Co., TX.  Lizzie died 18 Jun 1955, San Angelo, Tom Green Co., TX, bur. Gilliland Cemetery.
v
Clemont M. STROUD b. ca 1869, Montague Co., TX.
vi
Sallie Ann STROUD b. 09 Jun 1871, Bowie, Montague Co., TX, m. 26 Jul 1888, in Montague Co., TX, David Andrew TURNER, b. 01 Jan 1861, Lawrence Co., AL, (son of David M. TURNER & Elmira Jane HARDIN) d. 29 Aug 1924, Campo, Baca Co., CO, bur. Frederick Memorial Cemetery, Tillman Co., OK.  Sallie died 17 Nov 1930, Elkhart, Morton Co., KS, bur. Frederick Memorial Cemetery.

NOTE:  Sarah DAVIS was born probably in Fayette Co., AL, but spent much of her short life in Texas.  She and her first husband lived for a while in Titus Co., TX, before settling on 160 acres in neighboring Red River County.  In March 1862, Aaron WHITE was transferred from the county militia into the 27th Texas Cavalry, Co. H, CSA.  He died just 2 months later.  Sarah remarried in 1864 then moved with her new husband to Montague Co., TX, in 1866.  The STROUDs settled in the present Tage community, about 5 miles southwest of Montague City.  What is now known as Tage Cemetery is believed to be the former "Stroud Graveyard," established sometime before 1870.

Sarah was recorded with her husband and children from both of her marriages on the 1870 census of Montague County (p. 334).  She died probably before 1872, when Jonathan P. STROUD remarried.  It is supposed that Sarah DAVIS was buried
in the "Stroud Graveyard," although the exact location of her grave is unknown.


*  *  *  *  *

7. Margaret Lucinda DAVIS b. ca 1847, Red River Co., TX, m. 24 Jan 1861, in Red River Co., TX, Jesse Byas MAXEY, b. ca 1839, Warrick Co., IN, (son of Turbyfield F. MAXEY & Malinda BYAS) d. (before 1893), Montague Co., TX.  Margaret died (before 1893) [1, 8].

Children of Margaret L. Davis & Jesse B. Maxey:
i
John Valentine MAXEY b. ca 1864, Red River Co., TX, d. (after Jun 1880), (Montague Co., TX).
ii
Rhoda A. MAXEY b. ca 1867, Montague Co., TX, d. ca 1870, Montague Co., TX.
iii
William T. MAXEY b. ca 1869, Montague Co., TX, d. 05 Sep 1870, Montague Co., TX.
iv
Sam B. MAXEY b. May 1872, Montague Co., TX, m. 01 Oct 1900, in Sulphur, Chickasaw Nation, I.T. (now Murray Co., OK), Nancy ESSARY, b. ca 1882, TX, d. (after 1940), (Carter Co., OK).  Sam died (after 1945), (Carter Co., OK).
v
Mary Adaline "Addie" MAXEY b. Apr 1875 (1873, per t.s.), Montague Co., TX, m. ca 1890, John Calvin PRUITT, b. May 1866, TX, (son of Jesse B. PRUITT & Jane MOORE) d. 1945, Stephens Co., OK, bur. Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Stephens Co., OK.  Addie died 1945, bur. Duncan Municipal Cemetery.
vi
Jennie Bell MAXEY b. 02 Jan 1876, Montague Co., TX, m. 01 Mar 1908, in Bell Co., TX, Benjamin Wilson WHITLEY, b. 05 Feb 1869, Milam Co., TX, (son of Thomas Benjamin WHITLEY & Martha S.E. BURNS) d. 07 Jul 1952, bur. Myrtle Cemetery, Ennis, Ellis Co., TX.  Jennie died 15 Feb 1946, Ennis, TX, bur. Myrtle Cemetery.
vii
Mahalia Elizabeth "May" MAXEY b. 12 Dec 1879, Montague Co., TX, m. 03 Dec 1902, in Bell Co., TX, Harvey Russell WISEMAN, b. 29 Nov 1877, Belton, Bell Co., TX, (son of John Thomas WISEMAN & Sarah Elizabeth TOWNSEND) d. 17 Feb 1943, Quanah, Hardeman Co., TX, bur. Quanah Memorial Park.  Mae died 16 Apr 1967, Amarillo, Randall Co., TX, bur. Quanah Memorial Park.

NOTE:  Orphaned at a young age, Margaret DAVIS was married at about the age of 14.  By the time she was 18, she had left the relative safety of Red River Co., TX, and moved west to the Texas frontier.  Montague County, her new home, bordered the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) to the north and No Man's Land to the west.  Attacks by marauding Indians were frequent:
"September 5, 1870, there lived two families on the west prong of Denton Creek, about six miles southwest of Montague.  Jesse MAXEY, his wife [nee Margaret L. DAVIS], and daughter, Rhoda, and son, Valentine, lived in one end of a double log-house; and T.W. BEALE, wife, and son, Hezekiah BEALE, and daughter, Anna BEALE, lived in the other.  Jesse MAXEY and T.W. BEALE had gone to Sandy Creek, just before sundown.  Grandfather MAXEY, who was staying with his son Jesse B. MAXEY, went out to the wood-pile to cut some wood, and was followed by the two BEALE and MAXEY children.

"A large post-oak stump stood half-way between the wood-pile and creek, and behind this, two Indians had hidden to do their bloody work.  They shot grandfather MAXEY, who ran a few steps and fell.  They also shot Hezekiah BEALE, and killed him.  Anna BEALE was running in front of her grandfather MAXEY, and she was shot down before reaching the house.  The Indians [sic] was so close when he fired, the blaze of his gun ignited her clothes.  And Mrs. BEALE reached the door in time to see the savages do this dastardly deed.  Mrs. MAXEY was running with her baby held next to her breast, to join Mrs. BEALE, and when the Indians shot at her, the bullet went through the baby's head and passed through Mrs. MAXEY's arm.  When Mrs. MAXEY hurried into the house, Mrs. BEALE closed the door, and as she did, a bullet glanced her forehead, knocking her down, and left a gash about three inches long.  Mrs. MAXEY then finished closing the door, and in a second or two, Mrs. BEALE, who was shot, was again on her feet.  When she saw that little Ann's clothes were on fire, she put them out.  The two women then hurried out of the house, and hid in some high weeds, until about ten o'clock p.m. when their husbands arrived.  Mrs. MAXEY still held her dead baby in her arms.  The two MAXEY children were made captives, and carried away.  After M[r]. BEALE and MAXEY returned to their bereaved, and broken homes, the dead were moved to one room to be prepared for burial, and the two wounded women were carried away for treatment.  They were taken to [Jesse's brother] Joel B. MAXEY's home, about one mile away; and from there, to the home of John STROUD, one-half mile further on up the creek.  M[r]. STROUD had a very sick son at the time, and here the women were treated by Dr. John A. GORDON, who dressed their wounds.  The dead were buried next morning in the Stroud Graveyard.

"About one year later, Valentine MAXEY was recovered from the Indians on the Washita, but the fate of his little sister was really never known.  He reported, however, that the last time she was seen, the savages took her toward a brushy thicket, where she was, no doubt, murdered because she was sick, fatigued, and unable to travel further" [9].
The MAXEYs acquired a 160-acre preemption (land grant) from the State of Texas in 1873.  This property was located near Rock Springs, about 5 miles west of Montague City.  Margaret and Jesse MAXEY were recorded in Montague County's Precinct No. 4 on the 1880 U.S. census (p. 445).  They then disappeared from the records.


t.s. = tombstone
*  *  *  *  *

Please send additions/corrections to
Bobby J. Wadsworth



Sources:
1.
Mattie Davis Lucas and Nina Lucas Cole, "Story of the Davis Ancestors of M.D.L.," copy of unpublished family history.  [This information originally "was compiled by Mattie Davis Lucas (Mrs. W.H. Lucas) after years of interviews and correspondence with older members of the Davis Connection -- 1922 to 1932."   Ms. Davis's daughter Nina later retyped and appears to have slightly updated her mother's notes.  Some of the data on William Davis's family was attributed to "Nancy Northam (Mrs. B.L.)."]
2.
Gale George Davis, <[email protected]>, "Re: Davis & Cheek," e-mail message to Bobby J. Wadsworth, 19 Apr 1999.  ["The source of this information is Norman Davis, son of Robert James Davis, who is one of the sons of William Davis and Mintie Peden."]
3.
"The Official Federal Land Patent Records Site."
4.
George Wright, "Palmers Company Alabama State Reserves Cavalry CSA," 06 Jun 2004.
5.
Gale George Davis, "Descendants of Mathew Davis" (online), 30 Oct 2000.
6.
Lee and Walt Vandevender, "A genealogy of some VANDEVENDER and related families with emphasis on Kemper County, MS and surrounding counties," RootsWeb's WorldConnect Project, 21 Dec 2007.
7.
Pat Short, "T.P. Northam Mary Francis Hawkins," RootsWeb's NORTHAM Message Board, 01 Jun 1999.
8.
Glen Maxey, <[email protected]>, "Descendants of Margaret Lucinda Davis," descendant report, June 1999.
9.
"Indians Assault the Beale and Maxey Families," excerpted from the book, The West Texas Frontier, by Joseph Carroll McConnell (Vol. 1, Jacksboro, TX, 1933; Vol. 2, Palo Pinto, TX, 1939).
10.
Lorene Thigpen, <[email protected]>, "Descendants of Arminthea Calhoun 'Mintie' Peden," descendant report, 29 Dec 2007.


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