My in-laws are clearing out their home at the moment, and I was lucky enough to find a letter among their papers which was sent to my husband's maternal grandmother from Mrs. Florence Hull of Staten Island, New York. The letter is undated but was sent after the marriage of my mother in law and her two sisters. It contains information about both the Norton and Davis families. Here are some exerpts:
"The relationship re The Bingham's is because--
Your grandmother, Louise Norton, married Adoniram J. Davis and her sister, Amanda Norton, married Danfreth Pepper and had:
Louise C. Pepper married Davis A. Bingham and they had:
1/ George Albert Bingham married Lora McLaughlin and had:
Dr. Albert Bingham married Florence Newell (Michigan)
2/ Jennie married Samuel French (3 children)\
3/Joel W. married Maud Davis (3 children)
4/ Eva Bingham--unmarried\
\
So you see the Davis' married the Binghams' and vice versa. I am related to the Davis' through my Mother's maternal line but how it comes in, I have never ascertained. Mother told me that her Mother, Sarah Woodworth Norton was always called Polly McLay--"Aunt Polly". In our Lewis line I find one of them married Davis' also.
I have a picture of your parents' home in my collection and the next time I write, I'll send it to you, also--I think I have a tin type picture of your Great Grandparents, William and Amaryllis Norton, who are both my Great, Great Uncle on the Norton side and my Great, Great Aunt on the Andrews side. William married Amaryllis Andrews and his Brother Charles married her sister, Julia Andrews, the latter of whom were my Great-Grandparents.
This summer I do not expect to travel except to New Jersey for a week at the Manse of my Cousin and yours also, namely, Rev. Dr. Donald R. Pepper. He is a Minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Bennardsville, N.J. My beloved Father, was responsible for getting him in the Ministry and Mother and Father treated him as a Son, whom they never had. I was away at Finishing School when he was born, so he seems like a boy to me. He is President of the "Browning Society" this year of which I am a member...\
\I note that Canada is severing Colonial ties with the U.K. after all these years. I know Grandmother Sara Norton was born under the Crown and very proud of this, and Dad's Grandmother, (maternal) was born in England and was Lady Susan Potter, whose Father was a Lord. It's those people in Quebec who are responsible, and are probably mostly Catholics. Am I correct and forgive me, if any of your relatives married Catholics, for I have two or three friends of that religion but I don't like their religion one little bit.
....Whatever became of Cousin William Davis, and I think there was Harriet Davis, called "Happy" who had a curvature of the spine because her nurse dropped her as a baby...
Now, please write me soon for I do worry about you and think of you everyday.
Take good care of yourself and I hope and pray all is well with you.\
Love always, Florence"
It's interesting to know that a tin type photograph of William and Amaryllis Norton existed at one time. I don't know of its present whereabouts. If anyone out there has it, I'd love to see it!
Showing posts with label Adoniram J. Davis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adoniram J. Davis. Show all posts
Monday, July 27, 2015
Sunday, July 6, 2014
The Davis Family in "1816-1991: A History Scrapbook, Aylmer Baptist Church"
The Davis family of Aylmer were pioneers in the area and staunch Baptists. The Aylmer Baptist Church's "History Scrapbook" mentions several members of the family briefly. William Davis, father of Adoniram Davis and our ancestor, was one of the church's first deacons, a title which appears on his gravestone.
"Among the first acts of the infant church was to name William Teeple and William Davis to the office of Deacon....These men bore the title of deacon as a signal honour and were known by it throughout the community. The Elgin County Atlas refers to both men in this style."
In 1868, Adoniram and his father William were on a committee to raise funds for a larger building:
"The congregation had already recognized that they had outgrown the old chapel. Seats were not available for all who wanted to come, and so at the annual business meeting on April 6, 1868, members accepted a recommendation put forward by Dr. Davidson to begin planning immediately for expanded accomodation....The fund raising committee consisted of Dr. Davidson, Dr. G.F. Clark...Deacon Clutton, Deacon Davis, A.J. Davis and Elias Adams." (p. 16).
The Davis family is mentioned in the chapter entitled "Pillars of the Church by George Lemon". Jehial Davis is a brother of Deacon William Davis.
"There were around the middle period of this history of the church a number of families I deem worthy of mention. There were the Clarks, the Davis--of the latter there were five families. The Beemers, the Teeples and the VanPatters...I will make a special mention of the Jehial Davis family. Mr. and Mrs. Davis could always be depended upon in all matters relating to the churches best interests. They were regular in attendance at the services and liberal contributors to all financial demands of the church. He was treasurer of the church for many years. He paid all accounts in cash--not by cheque as nowadays. If there were an account due for payment and there were not funds enough on hand to meet it he would pay it out of his own purse and wait for the church to reimburse him, which the church would do at no distant date. He was practically the churches private banker. He was a thrifty farmer and his record of the church's finances were always found correct. Of his two daughters--Mrs. Wm. Coll Sinclair and Mrs. Dr. Baker. The former was a fine singer and was previous to her [marriage] and some time afterwards was a member of the choirs and for all told at least twenty years, and also the secretary of the mission circle for fifteen years. The latter previous to her marriage the organist of the church for twelve years and now and then was a supply. Her salary then was seventy five dollars a year payable quarterly. She was also the organist at the mid-week prayer and praise services and in the sunday school room of the church. The organ there was a cabinet organ. She was a willing worker and always ready either as a pianist or oganist. Dr. Chas. Sinclair a grandson of Jehiel Davis is now and has been for several years the financial secretary of the church and is one of the most capable officers the church has ever had." (p. 28-29).
My mother in law tells me that Minnie Davis and Arthur Scott met in the choir of the Aylmer Baptist church.
Finally, William Davis was involved with setting up the Aylmer Baptist Church's Sunday School:
"In 1849 Anna Beemer, encouraged by her success in day school teaching (she established the first public school in Aylmer) organized a Sunday School with corresponding success. Deacon P. Clayton was appointed superintendant, Reuben Crandall was appointed Secretary-Treasurer and the following four brethren formed a committee: A. Beemer, William Davis, James Lindsay and Reuben Crandall." (p. 41).
One slightly mysterious entry in the book regards an entry in the church minute book of 1853 by Dr. Davidson, the church minister:
"Su Sep 12--A great bustle in the Village. The marriage of Dr. McLay & Polly Davis in the New Chapel--Many objecting to it."
The "Scrapbook" goes on to say that "Objections to the wedding were raised at prayer meeting, but Dr. Davidson gave his consent and the wedding took place before the new building was dedicated." (p. 18).
Polly was the daughter of David F. Davis, Adoniram's brother, so she would have been his niece and William Davis' granddaughter. I have no idea what the objections were about.
This is what the Aylmer Baptist church website has to say about its early history:
"The congregation of Aylmer Baptist has been a witness to the community of Aylmer...for nearly 200 years. Founded in 1816, we are one of the oldest churches in the area. The church was founded by Rev. Reuben Crandall, the first Baptist minister to be ordained in Upper Canada....When he left us, the congregation numbered 30 members. In the early days, services were held in homes and barns near Orwell at Roger's Corner. It was also in this area of early meeting where our pioneer cemetery can be found. We continued to worship here unitl 1843 when a new chapel was built at the corner of Pine Street and John Street, in Aylmer.
Our present structure was not built until 1870-1871. It was built under the pastorship of Rev. Dr. T.L. Davidson. The estimated cost of the church building was $16,000 which included a $1,000 organ and a $400 bell.
One highpoint over our years was reached between 1901 and 1903, under a great preaching pastor, named Rev. Dr. J. Vining, who built up the congregation to 1,100 people in a building built to accomodate 750..."
"Among the first acts of the infant church was to name William Teeple and William Davis to the office of Deacon....These men bore the title of deacon as a signal honour and were known by it throughout the community. The Elgin County Atlas refers to both men in this style."
In 1868, Adoniram and his father William were on a committee to raise funds for a larger building:
"The congregation had already recognized that they had outgrown the old chapel. Seats were not available for all who wanted to come, and so at the annual business meeting on April 6, 1868, members accepted a recommendation put forward by Dr. Davidson to begin planning immediately for expanded accomodation....The fund raising committee consisted of Dr. Davidson, Dr. G.F. Clark...Deacon Clutton, Deacon Davis, A.J. Davis and Elias Adams." (p. 16).
The Davis family is mentioned in the chapter entitled "Pillars of the Church by George Lemon". Jehial Davis is a brother of Deacon William Davis.
"There were around the middle period of this history of the church a number of families I deem worthy of mention. There were the Clarks, the Davis--of the latter there were five families. The Beemers, the Teeples and the VanPatters...I will make a special mention of the Jehial Davis family. Mr. and Mrs. Davis could always be depended upon in all matters relating to the churches best interests. They were regular in attendance at the services and liberal contributors to all financial demands of the church. He was treasurer of the church for many years. He paid all accounts in cash--not by cheque as nowadays. If there were an account due for payment and there were not funds enough on hand to meet it he would pay it out of his own purse and wait for the church to reimburse him, which the church would do at no distant date. He was practically the churches private banker. He was a thrifty farmer and his record of the church's finances were always found correct. Of his two daughters--Mrs. Wm. Coll Sinclair and Mrs. Dr. Baker. The former was a fine singer and was previous to her [marriage] and some time afterwards was a member of the choirs and for all told at least twenty years, and also the secretary of the mission circle for fifteen years. The latter previous to her marriage the organist of the church for twelve years and now and then was a supply. Her salary then was seventy five dollars a year payable quarterly. She was also the organist at the mid-week prayer and praise services and in the sunday school room of the church. The organ there was a cabinet organ. She was a willing worker and always ready either as a pianist or oganist. Dr. Chas. Sinclair a grandson of Jehiel Davis is now and has been for several years the financial secretary of the church and is one of the most capable officers the church has ever had." (p. 28-29).
My mother in law tells me that Minnie Davis and Arthur Scott met in the choir of the Aylmer Baptist church.
Finally, William Davis was involved with setting up the Aylmer Baptist Church's Sunday School:
"In 1849 Anna Beemer, encouraged by her success in day school teaching (she established the first public school in Aylmer) organized a Sunday School with corresponding success. Deacon P. Clayton was appointed superintendant, Reuben Crandall was appointed Secretary-Treasurer and the following four brethren formed a committee: A. Beemer, William Davis, James Lindsay and Reuben Crandall." (p. 41).
One slightly mysterious entry in the book regards an entry in the church minute book of 1853 by Dr. Davidson, the church minister:
"Su Sep 12--A great bustle in the Village. The marriage of Dr. McLay & Polly Davis in the New Chapel--Many objecting to it."
The "Scrapbook" goes on to say that "Objections to the wedding were raised at prayer meeting, but Dr. Davidson gave his consent and the wedding took place before the new building was dedicated." (p. 18).
Polly was the daughter of David F. Davis, Adoniram's brother, so she would have been his niece and William Davis' granddaughter. I have no idea what the objections were about.
 |
| Aylmer Baptist Church, 1902. |
This is what the Aylmer Baptist church website has to say about its early history:
"The congregation of Aylmer Baptist has been a witness to the community of Aylmer...for nearly 200 years. Founded in 1816, we are one of the oldest churches in the area. The church was founded by Rev. Reuben Crandall, the first Baptist minister to be ordained in Upper Canada....When he left us, the congregation numbered 30 members. In the early days, services were held in homes and barns near Orwell at Roger's Corner. It was also in this area of early meeting where our pioneer cemetery can be found. We continued to worship here unitl 1843 when a new chapel was built at the corner of Pine Street and John Street, in Aylmer.
Our present structure was not built until 1870-1871. It was built under the pastorship of Rev. Dr. T.L. Davidson. The estimated cost of the church building was $16,000 which included a $1,000 organ and a $400 bell.
One highpoint over our years was reached between 1901 and 1903, under a great preaching pastor, named Rev. Dr. J. Vining, who built up the congregation to 1,100 people in a building built to accomodate 750..."
Saturday, July 5, 2014
The Will of Adoniram J. Davis
Adoniram J. Davis (1830-1903) was the son of William Davis and Mary Sibley of Elgin, Ontario. He was the husband of Louisa Norton of New York and the father of Mary/Minnie (Davis) Scott (who married Arthur Herbert Scott) and Dr. William Norton Scott, who later moved to Spokane, Washington.
"I Adoniram Judson Davis of the Town of Aylmer in the County of Elgin yeoman do make publish and declare this and this only to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills and testaments or documents of such nature and kind by me heretofore made.
1. I direct that my just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses be paid by my executors...as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.
2. I decree and bequeath to my beloved wife the use, income and profits of all my Estate real and personal so long as she shall live and after her decease my executors are to realize and convert my Estate into money and subject to the pregoing provisions I devise and bequeath one fifth of my estate to my Grand daughter Lousia Clark, now of Three Rivers in the State of Michigan to be paid over to her at the expiration of one year after the decease (of my said wife?) if she has attained the age of twenty eight years (line illegible) during such year, but if she has not attained such age then my said Grandchild is to receive annually the income accruing on such one fifth until she attains such age and until said one-fifth is paid over to her.
3. I devise and bequeath to (my son?) William Norton Davis, M.D. of Waterford in the County of Norfolk subject to the foregoing two fifths of my estate absolutely and I devise to my daughter Minnie Louisa Scott of Montreal in the Province of Quebec subject to the foregoing two fifths of my estate absolutely and freed from the management or control of her husband or any other person whatsoever.
4. My executors are to have full power and authority to sell and convert any or all of my estate and keep the proceeds invested in Mortgages or Real Estate Bank Stocks or such other securities as they decree advisable except Chattel Mortgages and Promissary notes but the Income to be paid to my wife as long as she shall live.
5. And I nominate constitute and appoint my said wife Louisa Adelia Davis and my said son and daughter William Norton Davis and Minnie Louisa Scott Executors of this my will.
In witness whereof I have duly signed .... sixteenth day of September A.D. 1898.
(signed) A.J. Davis
T.H. Backhouse
Barrister at Law
Aylmer, Ont
May Weisbood
Stenographer,
Aylmer, Ont.
Adoniram's grandchild Louisa Clark is the child of Ursula Davis, who married Dr. Whitman Clark of Three Rivers, Michigan on May 13, 1874. Whitman's passport application, filled out in 1910, says he was born in Ingersoll Ontario and moved to the United States in 1871. It also states that his daughter Louisa Clark was born in Centreville, Michigan, on May 16, 1876. The Michigan Deaths and Burial Index on Ancestry reports that Ursula died at the age of 23 on September 28, 1878 in Three Rivers, Michigan. The cause of death is not stated.
In fact, I have never attempted to track all of Adoniram and Louisa's children. In the 1851 census, Adoniram and Louisa are newlyweds living in with Adoniram's family, and they do not appear to have any children. In the 1861 census Adoniram and Louisa have three children: Amarillas, aged 9, Ursula, aged 7, and William, aged 1. In the 1871 census (which has several strange mistakes--Louisa is written as Laura and the family is marked down as being of German origin) Adoniram and Louisa are living with 18-year-old Anna (probably Amarillas), 16-year-old Ursula, 10-year-old William and 7-month-old Mary. In the 1891 census, Adoniram and Louisa (now 51 and 54, respectively) are living with only one child, Minnie (the family nickname for Mary), now aged 10. We know that Minnie and William survived their father, and Ursula probably died before 1880, leaving one child. What happened to Amarillas?
The family tombstone in the Orwell Cemetery in Yarmouth Township memorializes two more of Adoniram and Louisa's children, Judson and Wallace. Wallace does not appear on the 1860 census, so he probably died before the age of 5.
"I Adoniram Judson Davis of the Town of Aylmer in the County of Elgin yeoman do make publish and declare this and this only to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills and testaments or documents of such nature and kind by me heretofore made.
1. I direct that my just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses be paid by my executors...as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.
2. I decree and bequeath to my beloved wife the use, income and profits of all my Estate real and personal so long as she shall live and after her decease my executors are to realize and convert my Estate into money and subject to the pregoing provisions I devise and bequeath one fifth of my estate to my Grand daughter Lousia Clark, now of Three Rivers in the State of Michigan to be paid over to her at the expiration of one year after the decease (of my said wife?) if she has attained the age of twenty eight years (line illegible) during such year, but if she has not attained such age then my said Grandchild is to receive annually the income accruing on such one fifth until she attains such age and until said one-fifth is paid over to her.
3. I devise and bequeath to (my son?) William Norton Davis, M.D. of Waterford in the County of Norfolk subject to the foregoing two fifths of my estate absolutely and I devise to my daughter Minnie Louisa Scott of Montreal in the Province of Quebec subject to the foregoing two fifths of my estate absolutely and freed from the management or control of her husband or any other person whatsoever.
4. My executors are to have full power and authority to sell and convert any or all of my estate and keep the proceeds invested in Mortgages or Real Estate Bank Stocks or such other securities as they decree advisable except Chattel Mortgages and Promissary notes but the Income to be paid to my wife as long as she shall live.
5. And I nominate constitute and appoint my said wife Louisa Adelia Davis and my said son and daughter William Norton Davis and Minnie Louisa Scott Executors of this my will.
In witness whereof I have duly signed .... sixteenth day of September A.D. 1898.
(signed) A.J. Davis
T.H. Backhouse
Barrister at Law
Aylmer, Ont
May Weisbood
Stenographer,
Aylmer, Ont.
Adoniram's grandchild Louisa Clark is the child of Ursula Davis, who married Dr. Whitman Clark of Three Rivers, Michigan on May 13, 1874. Whitman's passport application, filled out in 1910, says he was born in Ingersoll Ontario and moved to the United States in 1871. It also states that his daughter Louisa Clark was born in Centreville, Michigan, on May 16, 1876. The Michigan Deaths and Burial Index on Ancestry reports that Ursula died at the age of 23 on September 28, 1878 in Three Rivers, Michigan. The cause of death is not stated.
 |
| Ursula (Davis) Clark is buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Three Rivers, Michigan, beside her husband. |
 |
| Ursula's memorial stone, Riverside Cemetery, Three Rivers, Michigan. |
In fact, I have never attempted to track all of Adoniram and Louisa's children. In the 1851 census, Adoniram and Louisa are newlyweds living in with Adoniram's family, and they do not appear to have any children. In the 1861 census Adoniram and Louisa have three children: Amarillas, aged 9, Ursula, aged 7, and William, aged 1. In the 1871 census (which has several strange mistakes--Louisa is written as Laura and the family is marked down as being of German origin) Adoniram and Louisa are living with 18-year-old Anna (probably Amarillas), 16-year-old Ursula, 10-year-old William and 7-month-old Mary. In the 1891 census, Adoniram and Louisa (now 51 and 54, respectively) are living with only one child, Minnie (the family nickname for Mary), now aged 10. We know that Minnie and William survived their father, and Ursula probably died before 1880, leaving one child. What happened to Amarillas?
The family tombstone in the Orwell Cemetery in Yarmouth Township memorializes two more of Adoniram and Louisa's children, Judson and Wallace. Wallace does not appear on the 1860 census, so he probably died before the age of 5.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Dr. William N. Davis, Son of Adoniram J. Davis and Louisa Norton
Adoniram J. Davis' obituary in the Aylmer Express newspaper had alerted me to the fact that, as well as being the father of Minnie (Davis) Scott, he also had a son, "Dr. W.J. Davis, of Spokane, Washington". I had no previous information about this son, but I believe I have found him on the 1900 United States Census.
The information situates him in Spokane Ward 4, District 0070, 1120 Broadway Avenue. He is living with a wife, Maud, and three daughters. Here is the information it contains:
William N. Davis, head of household, married white male, born in January 1861, 39 years old, has been married for 8 years. Born in English Canada, both parents born in English Canada, immigrated to the United States in 1877 at age 23, is a naturalized American, Physician by occupation. They rent their house.
Davis, Maud, wife of household head, married white female, born in September 1867, age 32, has been married for 8 years. Born in English Canada, father born in English Canada, mother born ?udia, immigrated to the United States in 1884 at age 16.
Daughter Evelyn H. Davis, born August 1893, age 6.
Daughter Isabell Davis, born October 1896, age age 3.
Daughter Mabel Davis, born October 1896, age 3. All born in Washington.
I've also located a physician named William Norton Davis in the Ancestry database "Spokane, WA Directories 1889-93", which collects four years of the R.L. Polk and Co. directories. He shows up four times; three times at the address 21 & 22 Daniel Block, Spokane Falls, and once (1893) at 9 First National Bank Building. I'm convinced that this William Davis is the Dr. W. J. Davis spoken of in the newspaper, since Norton is his mother, Louisa Norton's, maiden name. I think the Aylmer Express got the initials wrong. "William Norton Davis" also corresponds to the "William N. Davis" in the census.
Neither William nor Maud appear on the 1910 census as far as I can tell. However, the three daughters appear as boarders in a home in Spokane headed by a Charles and Lottie Perkins. Their daughter, Charlotte Perkins, age 15, and Charlotte McMurray, the widowed mother of Lottie Perkins, live their as well. Charles Perkins is a 50-year-old public school teacher. Evelyn Davis is 16, and the twins are 13. The Davis girls do not appear to be working. Where are their parents? If they are orphans, why aren't they living with family? This record indicates that their mother was born in New York.
The database "Washington Deaths, 1883-1960" has an Isabel Ramsey in Seattle, Washington, who died on May 2, 1950 at the age of 53. Her parents are listed as William N. Davis and Maude Haley. Is this our Isabel? I can't find a marriage record for her. In the 1940 census there is an Isabel Ramsey living in Seattle, age 43, who is married but not living with her husband at that point (she is listed as the head of a two-person household, along with a 7-year-old son, Herbert). Interestingly, this Isabel is listed as having only completed two years of high school. She has no listed occupation or income.
The information situates him in Spokane Ward 4, District 0070, 1120 Broadway Avenue. He is living with a wife, Maud, and three daughters. Here is the information it contains:
William N. Davis, head of household, married white male, born in January 1861, 39 years old, has been married for 8 years. Born in English Canada, both parents born in English Canada, immigrated to the United States in 1877 at age 23, is a naturalized American, Physician by occupation. They rent their house.
Davis, Maud, wife of household head, married white female, born in September 1867, age 32, has been married for 8 years. Born in English Canada, father born in English Canada, mother born ?udia, immigrated to the United States in 1884 at age 16.
Daughter Evelyn H. Davis, born August 1893, age 6.
Daughter Isabell Davis, born October 1896, age age 3.
Daughter Mabel Davis, born October 1896, age 3. All born in Washington.
I've also located a physician named William Norton Davis in the Ancestry database "Spokane, WA Directories 1889-93", which collects four years of the R.L. Polk and Co. directories. He shows up four times; three times at the address 21 & 22 Daniel Block, Spokane Falls, and once (1893) at 9 First National Bank Building. I'm convinced that this William Davis is the Dr. W. J. Davis spoken of in the newspaper, since Norton is his mother, Louisa Norton's, maiden name. I think the Aylmer Express got the initials wrong. "William Norton Davis" also corresponds to the "William N. Davis" in the census.
Neither William nor Maud appear on the 1910 census as far as I can tell. However, the three daughters appear as boarders in a home in Spokane headed by a Charles and Lottie Perkins. Their daughter, Charlotte Perkins, age 15, and Charlotte McMurray, the widowed mother of Lottie Perkins, live their as well. Charles Perkins is a 50-year-old public school teacher. Evelyn Davis is 16, and the twins are 13. The Davis girls do not appear to be working. Where are their parents? If they are orphans, why aren't they living with family? This record indicates that their mother was born in New York.
The database "Washington Deaths, 1883-1960" has an Isabel Ramsey in Seattle, Washington, who died on May 2, 1950 at the age of 53. Her parents are listed as William N. Davis and Maude Haley. Is this our Isabel? I can't find a marriage record for her. In the 1940 census there is an Isabel Ramsey living in Seattle, age 43, who is married but not living with her husband at that point (she is listed as the head of a two-person household, along with a 7-year-old son, Herbert). Interestingly, this Isabel is listed as having only completed two years of high school. She has no listed occupation or income.
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