Obituaries and Gravestones for the Davis Family, Elgin, Ontario.

Our Davis family roots come to us through Deacon William Davis, who was born in New York and moved to Elgin, Ontario with several siblings in 1809 or 1810.  He had fourteen children, of whom twelve survived, including Adoniram J. Davis, who in turn was the father of Minnie Davis (see previous post).  With the help of a kind person in Elgin who looked up some newspaper articles for me, I now have some new information via. several obituaries of Deacon Davis's children, including my husband's great-great-great grandfather Adoniram.

William Davis' Grave, Orwell Cemetery, Ontario. "In memory of Dea W. Davis, died Apr. 25, 1865 AE 79 Yrs. 4 MS."

It might be  helpful to list Deacon Davis' children before we begin. With his first wife, Temperance Leek, he had Richard (b. 1805), William Hempstead (b. 1806), Warren F. (b. 1807), Septimus (b. 1809) and Mahetible (date unknown).  With his second wife, Mary Sibley, he had Elizabeth (Betsy) Jane (b. 1818), Temperance (b. about 1819-1821), David F. (b. 1822), Joel Wallace (b. 1827), Adoniram (b. 1830), Ursula (b. abt. 1831), Euseba (b. abt. 1835), John (b. 1837) and Edwin R. (b. 1843). Two of these must have died in infancy or childhood since there are several references to the Davis family consisting of 12 children.  I'm guessing perhaps Temperance and Mahetible, since they don't appear on any further records.   I can't find death records or tombstones for them, though.

From the "Aylmer Express", 17 Sept. 1903 p1.c1.

"We are sorry to chronicle the death of Mr. A.J. Davis, which took place at his residence on Pine Street on Friday last, Sept. 11th.  Mr. Davis was in his 74th year, and for many of years (sic) was a resident of Aylmer and vicinity and one of our leading citizens.  He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, and many friends and relatives mourn his decease.  The funeral took place on Sunday from his late residence to the Baptist church, where a very impressive service was held. Interment took place in the Orwell cemetery." 

From the "Aylmer Express", 24 Sept. 1903 p. 12 c. 3.

"The following additional facts concerning the late A.J. Davis which we were unable to give in our last week's issue will be of interest to many of our readers.  He was born on the old Davis homestead in Orwell in 1829, his father, Deacon William Davis, being one of the first settlers in Malahide, coming here in 1810, from New York.  When 23 years of age he married Louisa A. Norton and the union proved a most happy as well as long one, she having been a model of kindness and faithfulness during both health and sickness up to the time of his death.  Mr. Davis was at one time Canadian representative of the Whitney Music Co., of Detroit, and also valuator for the Hamilton Trust & Loan Co., in both of which he was very successful.  He afterwards engaged largely in the real estate business and is said to have handled over a million dollars worth of property.  His beautiful home on the 8th concession was known all over the country, and his genial happy disposition made it one of the most pleasant in the country.  He was a faithful member and a liberal supporter of the Baptist church, and a liberal in politics.  Besides a wife he leaves one son, Dr. W.N. Davis, of Spokane, Wash., and one daughter, Mrs. A.H. Scott, of Montreal.  Two brothers and one sister of a family of 12 remain, viz., David F. of Orwell, Edwin R., of Delaware, and Mrs. U. Barber, of Chicago."

I had assumed that Adoniram was a farmer for some reason (some of his brothers are), but it appears he was a businessman. It's interesting to see how many of his siblings ended up back in the United States, and his son as well.

From the "Aylmer Express", 7 March 1907, p.1 c.5.

"The remains of the late Mrs. A.J. Davis were brought here on Friday last for interment, from Mount Holly, Vt., where she died very suddenly from heart failure the Wednesday previous.  She had had a severe attack about a week before but had about recovered when she was taken again and died before the physician could arrive.  The deceased had gone to visit her sister about a month ago, while her daughter Mrs. Scott was taking a trip through Europe with her husband and is now in Spain.  After her illness the week before Mrs. Davis made the request that in case of her death she should  be brought to Aylmer to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Davis G. Bingham.  This request was complied with, her nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. Horton accompanying the remains.  A short service was held at the house and public public services afterwards in the Baptist church, where deceased [sic] worshipped for many years as an honored member.  She was in her 82nd year and until recently has resided in this section for many years being one of our oldest and most esteemed citizens." 

Mrs. A.J. Davis was of course Louisa Norton, and I wonder if the niece and nephew who accompanied her body home were really Mr. and Mrs. Norton.  Of course, her sister could have married a man named Horton.  It sounds like Louisa may have moved into the home of Arthur and Minnie Davis in Montreal  in her later years.  The Binghams were probably relatives;  William Davis and Mary Sibley's oldest daughter Elizabeth Jane Davis married a William Bingham.

Adoniram and Louisa Davis, Orwell Cemetery. 

Also in Orwell cemetery are graves for two of Adoniram and Louisa's children who died young.  I'm not sure of their exact ages, but Adoniram and Louisa married in 1852, so Judson would have to be under 8 years old, and Wallace under 13.

Joel Davis, who was the next brother up from Adoniram (three years older) died in 1893.  Here's his obituary, from the "Aylmer Express", 16 March 1893, p.4A.

"AT REST:  After a long and tedious illness, borne with true Christian patience, one of the most esteemed, and useful citizens of this section, passed away to his reward at his home on the 9th con. on Monday last, in the person of Mr. Joel W. Davis.  Mr. Davis was a son of the late Deacon William Davis, one of the very earliest settlers in this section, who came here in 1809, and settled on what is known as the old Davis homestead at Orwell.  Here he raised a family of nine sons and three daughters.  He was one of the organizers of the first Baptist church in the county, viz. the old Malahide Baptist Church formed in 1816.  The late Joel W. Davis was born on the old homestead and lived there until the time of his marriage to Miss Catherine Adams, daughter of the late Wm. Adams, about 37 years ago, when he moved out on the 9th con., where he resided the balance of his life.  He was a consistent member of the Baptist church for a great many years, and was elected to the office of deacon, to succeed his father, on Jan. 9th, 1864, since which time he has been one of the leading as well as most consistant [sic] living members of that church.  

Besides his widow, he leaves two sons, Mahlon, civil engineer of Woodstock, and Edward E., who holds a responsible position on the railroad at Colorado Springs, Col., and an adopted daughter, Miss Dora McDonald, who is, and has been for years, a true daughter in everything but name.  The brothers and sisters who remain are David F., Adoniram J., and Edwin R, Mrs Bingham and Mrs. Barber, all of whom reside in town except David, who resides a few miles out. 

Mr. Davis was not an old man, not as old as many supposed, being only 65 last August.  His health has been poor for a number of years past, and a year ago last winter he spent in Colorado with his son, in the hopes that the change would do him good.  He was somewhat improved on his return, but soon after began to fail, and finally passed peacefully away on Monday last as stated above.

In politics he was a Reformer, but being of a rather reserved nature, took very little part in public life, farther than to represent his township on the council board for a year or so.  In his death the township of Malahide loses a good citizen;  the Aylmer Baptist church, one of its oldest and most faithful adherents and supporters;  and the family, a kind and loving father, husband, and brother.  We can all learn a lesson from his life and death, and profit by his noble example of christian living. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon from the house, to the Aylmer cemetery, and was one of the largest ever seen in this section."

Here is an obituary for Adoniram J.'s brother, David (Flint or Franklin) Davis, who died a few years after his brother Joel.  From the "Aylmer Express", 7 March 1912, p. 6A c.2.

"MALAHIDE'S GRAND OLD MAN:  Every country, and almost every section of country, has some one man, who, for age, sound judgment, high moral character and honorable dealings, stands out pre-eminently above his fellow man and is looked upon as a kind of father in Israel, its first gentleman and most honored citizen.  We do not know of any person in this section of country who filled that position and came up to that standard so well as Mr. David F. Davis, who passed to the great beyond at his home north of Orwell, on Sunday last, in his 90th year.  A man, full of years and honor, respected and loved by everyone, his death leaves a vacancy in this community which will not be filled for many years, if ever.  Mr. Davis was a son of Deacon Wm. Davis, who settled in this country in the year 1809 and raised a family of 12 children, all of whom have passed away except one daughter, Mrs. U.M. Barber, of Potter Valley, Cal.  Many of the best and leading families in this section at the present day, trace back to this good man with pardonable pride, and perhaps, the descendants of no other one man have done so much for the advancement of this section, both morally and physically as has those of Deacon Wm. Davis.  The subject of this sketch was a noble son of a worthy father, and for years the name of David Davis has stood for all that was honorable and just between man and man.  It is no idle word to say that his word was as good as his bond.  Time and again, questions in dispute have been left to him as sole arbitrator, instead of going to law, because his judgment was considered clear and good, and his integrity beyond question. In his younger days he took a deep interest in municipal matters, and several times was reeve, and member of the county council.  While at the county council, he became interested in the question of a county house, and perhaps to him is due, more than to any other person that it was built when it was.  Uncle David Davis loved clean sport, especially angling, at which he was an expert.  He was never happier than when he was helping someone, and his flowing well, which he turned out on to the road for the use of man and beast, was a great source of pleasure to him.  He was born on the farm where he lived all his life, and where he died.  In politics he was a Reformer and one of the oldest subscribers to the Globe in Canada.  He has also been a regular subscriber to the Express ever since it was started, and seldom came to town without calling, for what to us was always a most enjoyable visit.  He was a member of the Baptist church, and his religion was to do the most good to his fellow man.  He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Albert White and Mrs. (Dr.} McLay and one sister, Mrs. Barber.  Funeral services were conducted at the house on Tuesday afternoon by the Rev. G.R. Welch.  Interment in Orwell cemetery."  

Orwell Cemetery, David F. Davis and his wife Mary.

From Aylmer Cemetery, here is the grave of William Hempstead Davis, 2nd son of Deacon William Davis and his first wife Temperance Leek.  He was born in New York in January of 1806 and moved to Ontario when he was three or four.

Aylmer Cemetery.  Wm. H. Davis DIED Nov 23, 1880, Aged 74 Yrs & 10 M's.

And here is his younger brother Warren F. Davis, born in New York in 1807 and buried in Orwell Cemetery. He died in 1885, but his gravestone  looks quite modern.

In Memory Of Warren F. Davis, Died March 25, 1885 Aged 78 years And His Wife Anna E. Wilcox...

Septimus Davis, the fourth son of Deacon William and Temperance Leek, is buried in the St. Thomas cemetery.  He was also born in New York, in 1809, and would have been an infant upon his arrival in Ontario.  Note the spelling of his name on the gravestone.

In Memory of Septymius Davis, Died May 1, 1883, Aged 74 years & ? Mos. Our Father. 

The grave stone for John Davis is in exactly the same pattern as his father Deacon William Davis.  It's quite intricately detailed.  It's located in Orwell cemetery.  John died at quite a young age but he was married, to Cornelia Jackson.  They had been married for two years when he died.

In Memory of John S. Davis, Died Feb. 5, 1860, AE 23 Yrs. (&5 Ms.?)

Finally, the youngest child, Edwin R. Davis.  He is buried in Orwell cemetery.  

I haven't had lots of luck finding gravesites for the daughters of the family.  I'll keep looking.