Davis Family History
PETER DAVIS FILE:
Peter married SUSANNAH MEADOWS 7 Jan l799 in Greenbrier Co.,Va.
It has been learned that PETER DAVIS' early family left WALES in the British Isles, traveling to HOLLAND where they lingered long enough to pick up the nickname "BLACK DUTCH" because of their dark complexion and dark features.
They may have been in Holland for several generations before sailing to the New World where they made it to the colony of North Carolina where Peter was born about l765.
Samuel Davis families have the same story, someone was a native American.
It is generally believed that Peter Davis was the son of William Davis who is buried
on Madam's Crk. Rd. in Summers Co.
We do know Peter had a sister Sarah who married Aires Meadows who
was the son of Francis Meadows, Sr. and Mary Bell Meadows.
It is thought too, that Susanna is the dtr. of William Meadows who is buried
in the Jumping Branch / Madam's Creek section of Summers Co.
For a very long time, we have assumed she was the dtr. of Josiah and Mary Bell Meadows,
but more and more evidence has surfaced making us believe she was the daughter of
WILLIAM MEADOWS.
PETER DAVIS BORN ABT l765 NORH CAROLINA MARRIED
SUSANNAH MEADOWS 7 Jan l799 GREENBRIER CO.
PETER DAVIS and Susannah owned land at Powley's Crk. Summers Co. before moving to Fayette Co. settling in Pax,WV.
CHILDREN OF PETER AND SUSANNAH MEADOWS DAVIS
#l. Abigale m. David Bragg 25 March l829 Grnbr. Co.
#2. Sally m. Martin Pettry 31 March l846 Fayette Co.
#3. John m. Mary Ann Fox (Sister to Jane Fox Below & d/o Wm. Fox.
Mary's death date 18 April l870
. JOHN2 DAVIS (PETER1) was born 1808 in Raleigh County, VA. He married MARY ANN FOX Bef. 1842, daughter of WILLIAM FOX and ELIZABETH DURHAM. She was born ABT 1812, and died April 18, 1870 in Fayette County, WV.
#4. Joseph m. Margaret Martin (dtr./o. Dinah Kincaid Martin
#5. PRISCILLA SUSAN M. RICHARD TYREE ( brother to LUCY WIFE OF
SAMUEL L. DAVIS)
#6. William m. Jane Fox M. 8 July l842 (sister to Mary Ann Fox Above)
#7 SAMUEL L. married Lucinda "Lucy" Tyree(Sister to Richard both are
married 26 Aug. l848 (Both Lucinda and Richard are children of Satterwhite and Rhoda Taylor Tyree)
Mathew Ellison, Father of The Missionary Baptist Faith.
THEY OWNED NEARLY ALL OF
MAPLE FORK. Homeplace at the
last residence of Andy Tyree home.
#8. Rachael m. Ephriam Cales Raleigh Co. her death reported to have been
caused by cancer reported by her husband in Ral. Co.
records June l6,l886. She was 66 yrs old.
#9. Rebecca m.John Evans lived at Cirtsville
Probably 2 other children
#10. Polly m. Edward Vandal (Son of AbrahamVandal founder of
Town of Fayetteville)
#11. .Thomas m. Jamina Vandal (sister of Edward above) d/o Abraham
Vandal as above.
#1. .JOHN DAVIS B. l8l0 Virginia married Mary Ann FOX Mary Ann was b. abt l814 Va.
. JOHN2 DAVIS (PETER1) was born 1808 in Raleigh County, VA. He married MARY ANN FOX Bef. 1842, daughter of WILLIAM FOX and ELIZABETH DURHAM. She was born ABT 1812, and died April 18, 1870 in Fayette County, WV.
William , the son of John and Elizbeth Durham Davis
. W
ILLIAM3 DAVIS (JOHN2, PETER1) was born February 26, 1832, and died May 14, 1901. He married LUCINDA WILLIAMS December 15, 1853. She was born June 6, 1836, and died November 26, 1895.More About W
ILLIAM DAVIS:Burial: May 16, 1901, Mount Tabor Baptist Church Cemetery, Raleigh Co., WV
More About L
UCINDA WILLIAMS:Burial: November 28, 1895, Mount Tabor Baptist Church Cemetery, Raleigh Co., WV
This photo taken when he was in his mid-50s |
William and Lucinda Williams Davis Parents of Wm Newton "Bud" Davis whose youngest Dtr. Mattie married Russell Davis, son of Henry Davis |
William DAVIS born abt l832 Va. SEE PHOTO
William Newton "Bub"
Ruth born abt l834 "
Peter l837 "
Samuel l841 "
John l844 "
Racheal l846 "
Irvin l849 Raleigh Co, WV
2. ABIGAIL DAVIS married David G.Bragg(son of John Bragg and Nancy Ball) l808.
Date of marriage: 25 March l829 Grnbr. County
David died 5 Oct. l863 in Hancock Co., Indiana
Louis J. Bragg born abt. 1830
Peter l833
Ernest l836
James Milton Bragg l838 died 13 Apr. l900
Mary Ann l841
Joseph l844
Selah l849 (March 30)
3. SALLY DAVIS born abt. 18l4 Virginia. Married Martin Pettry on 20 Mar. l830
Martin b. abt. 1811 in Va.
James Pettry born abt l829 Virginia
Peter l832 "
Flora l833 "
Resy l835 "
John l838 "
Jame l841 "
French l843 "
Elizabeth l846 "
Emily l849 Raleigh Co., WV
4. JOSEPH DAVIS Married to Margaret Martin on 24 Apr. l840 Fayette Co, WV
5. RACHEL DAVIS Born l820 FAYETTE CO. Va. Died l6 June l886 RALEIGH CO.
Married to Ephraim Cales (son of John Cales and Mary "Polly" Cales)
Date of Marriage 26 Aug. l848 in Fayette Co., Va.
Ephraim Cales b. l829 Greenbrier Co. D. l9 Sept l894 Raleigh Co
Mary Jane Cales
Sarah Cales
Ellizabeth Cales b. l3 Mar. l853 Raleigh Co
Celia Ann l Dec l855 "
Susan 7 May l860 "
6. PRISCILLA DAVIS born l8 April l821 Virginia. Married to
RICHARD TYREE(son of SATTERWHITE TYREE AND
RHODA TAYLOR TYREE) l844 Fayette Co.
Richard Tyree b. 6 - 12 - l8l3 Virginia d. l0 - 20 - l89l Fayette Co., WV
PRISCILLA B. 4 - l0 - l821 D. 11 - 14 - 1875
BOTH BURIED PAX COMM.CEM. which was a part of their home property.
It was with this son, Richard, that Saterwhite and Rhoda "Roady" Taylor Tyree were living at the time of
their deaths. In the same home, Peter Davis and Susannah Meadows Davis were living at the time of
their deaths. Therefore, we conclude the 4 unmarked graves beside Precialla and Richard Tyree are those
of each of their parents. It is for that reason, many state without question, the burial site of the four
individuals are buried at Pax Community Cemetery.
CHILDREN;
Granville m. Celly Davis
Mallisea m. _____Painter
Priscilla m. _____Feazell
Richard Jr. m. Mary Thompson
Mary m. ____Craddock
Richard Tyree's second Wife
Virginia ___________
Children
Joseph (Funeral Home operator in Oak Hill, WV)
Rhoda
Charles
7. JAMES DAVIS b. l848 Fayette Co., Va.
.8. REBECCA J. DAVIS M. JOHN EVANS (lived at Cirtsville)last child of Davis Peter and Susannah Davis
No Doubt, 2 other children of Peter and Susannah Meadows Davis were:
see above info.
9 Mary Polly married Edward Vandal Sept 12,l823 Greenbrier Co.
10. Thomas married" Jamina Vandal were children of Abraham Vandal, Founder of Fayetteville.
Notes on Peter Davis
Earliest recorded deed from ELIJAH MEADOWS to Peter then FROM Peter
To JEREMIAH MEADOWS
Wherever Peter and Susannah moved, Jeremiah found with them in the records
From the Glade Creek area l5 miles west of the Richmond Farm at Sandstone in Summers co. on to Pax
1815 Giles Co. Tax Officer reported heads of household in Glade Creek - New River-Little Falls
l. William Meadows
2. Richard Davis History of Raleigh Co.
3. John Bragg
4. Peter Davis
Oct. l7,1803 Jeremiah Meadows m. Ester Roach (first wife)
Nov. ll, l847 Jeremiah Meadows married Celina Johnson by Rev. Jno. Bragg
1810-l820 Peter Davis Greenbrier Co. living just below Big Bend, on the New River just
below Hinton on Squire Wm. C. Richmond farm.
Election for new courthouse FAYETTEVILLE (History of Fay.Co.-The Great Falls)
Peter Davis and Jeremiah Meadows VOTED FOR Abraham Vandal against S.Tyree
1840 Census Fayette Co. - Paint Creek (Later called Pax)
PETER DAVIS l female aged 70 - 80 2 males younger
JEREMIAH MEADOWS l male between 70 - 80 and l male between 15-20
Family of
SAMUEL L. DAVIS (b) ABT 1827 Virginia - married Lucinda Obedient "LUCY" TYREE (DTR. OF SATTERWHITE AND RHODA TAYLOR
TYREE) she born 9 Nov. l827 death l-31-08
Both buried John W. Davis Cemetery
Maple Fork, Raleigh County
A. JOHN DAVIS m. Nancy Powers(Nancy B. l5 Jan l857 Floyd CoV)
LUTHER M. BELVA WILLIAMS
GEORGE M. BLANCHE TYREE
HARVEY M. DOROTHY BLAKE(DOROTHY DTR. OF PRESTON BLAKE AND -------- ROGERS . DOROTHY'S GRANDFTR. WAS REV. ROGERS)
Arnold
Bill
Athlene
Jack
REBECCA M. NOAH ROLES(no children)
LUCY M. EDWARD PITTMAN
Everette
Bevertte
Clara Bell
Mabel
MARY M. JOHN PAYNE
Pauline (Mrs. Fred Arthur)
Margaret
Mildred
Della
June
WILLIAM DAVIS Never married
SHOT AND KILLED LAWSON
DAVIS (his cousin son of Wm) once home from Prison, John Davis tried invain to secure a medical cure for his son, but to no avail. Bill died in l9l6. He requested the family build a box and fill it water in order to baptize him. They did so, hauling the water on horse-drawn carts from the creek.
Finally, Bill asked that Lawson's wife, Della come to his bedside. John W. Davis rode to Weirwood in a horse -buggy to ask her to come, she agreed.
She went to Bill's bedside, returning from his room with tears in her eyes, he had ask her to forgive, and she had. He died early the next morning.
Mom and her younger sister, Jenny Bell remembered the day of the shooting. They were playing on the front porch when Bill finished work, cleaned up, saddled his horse and left. He mussed their hair as he stepped past them. Bill road off getting a good ways from the house, when he returned, having forgotten his pistol which he put in the pocket of his jacket,mounted the horse and was gone.
Before dark, Aunt Neally (Cornelia Bowyer Davis) came to the crest of the hill and yelled for Becky who was home alone with the smaller children born to John W Davis and his 2nd wife, Virginia Bowyer Davis. Becky went into the yard to answer Aunt Neally and to have her yell the AWFUL NEWS THAT BILL HAD SHOT AND KILLED LAWSON DAVIS. Becky and the little ones, not knowing what to do, just spent the evening crying and clinging to each other. Aunt Nealy walked back to her house. It would be morning before Becky and the others would find out the details.
It does not take a specialist in family dynamics to see the destruction to the family of John W.Davis after this shooting. Becky was engaged to marry Prince Tyree, a relative of Louden Tyree). The shooting ended that relationship and she was left to marry Noah Roles - 27 years her junior.
The children of John W., and Virginia were quickly "married off" to men who were strangers to the community and in the area working for cash wages in local coal mines.
Mom was married on Christmas Day, l915 at the home the preacher, Rev. Amos Bailey, the father of Josie who married Joseph Tyree. They made their home there for decades.
There is no record that any of the marriages were held at the John W.Davis home place and no one has any knowledge of him attending any of their weddings.
From an Early Tin Type Left to Right: John W. - Henry - their father, Samuel L. Davis |
CHILDREN OF JOHN W. DAVIS AND HIS SECOND WIFE VIRGINIA BOWYER
John W Davis was a prosperous saw mill operator. Finally, being able to ship by rail from Pax, his lumber was bought by the finest furniture makers in and around Detroit.
His son, William, "Bill" was his "heir apparent". Bill had the reputation of being the best saw mill man around. John W. traveled often to Detroit meeting with buyers. Often,
he would purchase entire rooms of furniture and have it shipped for his home.
John W. Davis also owned a Saloon in Mt. Hope abt. 1900. It is was believed that the fire that destroyed Mt. Hope in 1910 probably burned the Saloon which was not rebuilt.
Sparrell Davis m. Gertie Bowyer Davis
Made his home in the homeplace where his children
Children of Sparrell and Gertrude Bowyer Davis:
Howard (Tine)
Troy
Jeff
Harold
John
Jane "sis"
David
Dorothy Mae
Elizabeth "lizzie" m. John Catlett They made their home
in the originial John W Davis homeplace near the
Family cemetery. Children of John and Eliz. Davis Catlett are:
Russell
John Thomas
Erma Jean
An invalid son who lived abt 2 years
Verna June
Norma Jewell
Richard Adair
PRUDA MAE m. Omer Bowyer
Herbert Allen "Tom"
James Lawrence
Omer Jr. "Bob"
Bill Joe an invalid son who lived abt
2 yrs.buried John W Davis cem
Betty and a 2nd dtr. Mary Ruth
JENNY BELL M. CARL PITTMAN
Herman
Carl Jr.
Lucille (Mrs. Arthur Hurd)
Louise (Mrs. Carl Ellis)
An invalid son who lived about 2 yrs
Lodema (Mrs. Jr. Addison)
Lula Bell (Mrs. Don Legg)
Benny.
It does not take a specialist in family dynamics to observe the destruction of this family once Bill did the terrible murder. The dtrs of Virginia Bowyer Davis were "married off" as early as possible to men who were in the area working for cash wages at the coal mines .
Of these weddings,, and none of them were held at the home but instead, the girls went
to home of a local preacher where the groom was waiting for the ceremony.
#2.ALEXANDER (Marriage date Apr.9,1888)
M. MARY ELIZABETH KINCAID "MOLLY" their home on road past Jenny Bell
and Carl Pittman's at Maple Fork.
Molly KINCAID dtr/o Morris Kincaid whose home was beyond Lizzie Catlett's to the last property. Family cemetery on that property.
Their dtr. Allie married Andy Tyree, son of Louden and Delonia Bowyer Tyree
At the date of their marriage:
Alex. Davis age l9 years 11 months
Molly Kincaid age l4 years and l month
Both born Raleigh Co. info given by Henry Davis
Children of Alex. And Molly were:
Allie m. Andy Tyree, son of Louden and Delonia Bowyer Tyree
Tennis m. Margie
Barbara m. Bill Jewel
Amanda "Mandy" m. Mason Tyree, son of Newton Tyree
Madge m. Willis Davis (Bradley)
Lucille m. Jr. Kincaid (Calif)
Bobby m. Eliz. Barley (Calif)
Mandy and Mason lived on the Geo. Burn Bowyer Rd. at Maple Fork (last house)
Pearl Davis ( info unknown)
Ward Davis lived at Scarbro wife and children unknown
Ira m. lived at Shady Springs wife and children unknown
Samuel m. Delphia Worrell from Sand Branch lived at Maple Fork on what is now
Delphia Road.
Their children included:
Ruby (deceased)
Doris m. Bill Marcus lives at Maple Fork
Ella June m. Jack Treadway lives at Maple Fork
Larry lives at Maple Fork
Donald lives at Daniels
Billy lives on homeplace
Glen " " "
Dreama " "
Alex and Molly Davis buried in the Sam. Davis Cem. on Delphia Rd. at Maple Fork homeplace cemetery
#3. WILLIAM married Elizabeth Humphrey of Pax. Where they made their home
located right of TP from Pax to Beckley. Large 2 story white house.
William born l847 married 27 Nov. l865
Children:
Buren Davis lived at Pax married Marie Horch
Mary Ann Davis Gallagher lives in his homeplace
Marquerite lives with Mary Ann
Seymour had "NEED MORE SALOON' at Cirtsville
Garfield buried at Wm. Davis homeplace cemetery
Lewis m. Rhoda Tyree Jan 22,1902
He was 29 years old
She was 21
Lewis was son of Wm. & Eliz. Humphrey Davis
Rhoda was dtr/o Richard and Virginia Tanner Tyree
LAWSON DAVIS m. Della Tyree, dtr/o LOUDEN AND DELONIA BOWYER TYREE
Their children
Harold
Armur
Hartzell (dtr)
Bell
Rebecca
Mary Francis m. George Givens lived at Maple Fork
Emmie m. Price Davis
Joy m. Grady Angle
Morton
Mabel
Faye
Carrie m. James Maynor
Violet
Carrie
James
Grace m. James Shrewsbury
Amy
James
Nancy Ellen
Martha Ann
Ruth
Lewis m. Rhoda Tyree
Clara
French
Vernon
Troy
Garfield m. Ollie Sweeney after her death, he m. Alberta Painter
Gustava
Willow
Lovell
Ardith
James
Seymour (William Evertte) m. Emma Tolber
Prunora
Polly
Bill
Betty Jean
Buren m. Marie Horch
Mary Ann m. Michael Gallagher
Marquerite m. 2nd husband, Jack Moore
#4.. HENRY DAVIS Married CORNELIA FRANCIS BOWYER
B. 1861 D.1944
Sister to Delonia (Louden Tyree's wife
also to Virginia Bowyer, wife of John W. Davis
Henry's Brother.(for a complete list of her family, see second Bowyer file)
2 Brothers of Cornelia lived on Maple Fork too,
They were Elbert Bowyer m. Eliza Tyree (dtr/o Garland)
George Burn Bowyer m. Sarah, sister to John W.Davis
children of Henry and Cornelia "Neely" Bowyer Davis
James L. "Pete" born 1890 left for Texas as a young man
went into WWI, returned to NYC 1918, fell victim of
the flu epidemic, died, taken to San Antonia, Tx for burial
Nancy m. Lawson Williams
Russell Davis m. Pearl ________She died in childbirth.
Russell then married MATTIE, youngest dtr. of William Newton ( Bub) and Lena Fleshman Davis from
Maple Fork
Henry and Nealy died within 24 hours of each other in 1944, buried at the
John W Davis Cemetery at Maple Fork. Russell and both wives
Are also buried there.
burial site Henry and Cornelia Bowyer Davis, their son Russell standing with hat extreme right |
Children of Russell and Mattie Davis are:
Leah Francis (lives Winona)
James (decased)
Gaylean m. lives Winston-Salem NC.
Bub m. lives near Cleveland, Ohio
Lotus m. Shirley Treadway lives Sand Branch
Jane Louise m. Gay Treadway " " "
Lena Bell lives Statesville, NC.
Lucy Mae m. (2 sons) lives Statesville, NC
The last 2 children born to HENRY AND CORNELIA WERE:
Twins were born in Aug. 28,l893 named Cleao and Cudy.
Cleao d. 3 July l894
Cudy d. 6 Mar l896
The OLDEST DTR. OF HENRY AND NEALLY DAVIS IS;
Nancy Davis m. Lawson Williams lived at Maple Fork
Just beside the newest church.
Clearance m.Eunice McGowan
Constance m. Georgia Maynor of Clear Creek.
Calvin m. Ruth Hurd (deceased) lived at Mt. Hope
Clifford m. Opal (deceased) lived at Maple Fork sons Jack/Others
NANCY DAVIS had 2 children prior to her marriage to Lawson Wms.
Madge m. Deck Davis son of Bub Davis Maple Fork
Ted (deceased) m. Dolly " "
Ivan " m. Ida of Oak Hill
Margaret lives in Barboursville
Carmen Davis m. NormaDewitt lived in Ohio (deceased)
HENRY DAVIS SERVED AS THE FIRST POST MASTER AT MAPLE FORK
THE POST OFFICE WAS LOCATED IN HIS STORE. P.O. CALLED
NESCO. BEN FEAZELL CARRIED THE MAIL TO PAX ON HORSEBACK.
P.O. STOPPED IN l926 when mail delivered from Mt. Hope RFD. His home was a large 3 story house on the right on the first property on the Davis Cemetery Rd at Maple Fork. There too, he had a store which he operated until the house was destroyed by fire. By that time, a hard surface road served Maple Fork. Then, he
Built a store along that road where he and his wife lived in a smaller house near the store.
There is a store on that property today at Maple Fork. Their son, Russell, built his home on the original homeplace site.
#5. Mary Susan Married Ben Feazell
Eleck - Louise - Virginia (married Charles
Maynor - Child: Azil)
Celia (married John Maynor- Child:Lillian
and
Tyree)
Azil
and Lillian were family history experts.
May have been other Childeren
Buried at John W, Davis Cem. at Maple Fork
#6. MARTHA DAVIS married John Feazell
B. l857
1880 Census shows Martha living in her parents home (Samuel/Lucy
Tyree Davis)
Martha listed as 22 years old WIDOW
Ruth S. (4 years old in l880) Feazell (married Ed Humphrey)
May have been other Feazell children-later Census ref.
Matha's second marriage to JAMES JACKSON CRADDOCK in Nov l882. Their home large 2 story landmark
Home on the right before the Maple Fork Church across from the Samuel Davis home.
they are buried at Pax near the former High School in the bottom right corner.
JACK CRADDOCK no doubt, brother to Ruth Susan who m.Granville Tyree Jr.
Martha and Jack Craddock children
Rebecca m. Wilbur Tyree son of Newton lived in home place
James: Killed in mining accident at Garden Ground
John Thomas Catlett (Lizzie's son) survived.
Rhoda "Choochie" married Sherman Tyree son of Granville Jr.
Versal m. lived in Port Royal Va.(deceased)
Russell m. Edith Wriston (deceased)
Son "Little Russ" lives in Beckley (midget)
Mary (married ______ Moore)
WIlliam Craddock (married Dora Tyree Dtr. of Newton Tyree)
Martha
Davis and Husband Jack Craddock
#7.JANE DAVIS m. Abner "Ab" Toney lived near Samuel and Lucy's home
B. l850 in Fayette co (Pax)
Their children:
Robert "Bob" Toney
(May have been other children)
Reference to Abner Toney in Okey Stover's book, "History of Upper Paint Creek"
"Samuel Davis and Lucy Tyree Davis helped each of their children with a large
gift of land at Maple Fork and helped them build their home(each had landmark
house) then expected them to do well. If they did not do well, Samuel and Lucy
left them alone, having nothing else to do with them."
A quote in the book from Abner Toney,( m. Jane Davis.) "Before the marriage,
Samuel Davis called me 'Abner'. After the wedding, it was 'Ab' and hardly
That."
#8.SARAH DAVIS m. George Burn Bowyer (brother to Virginia w/of John W. Davis)
Sarah was a sister to John W Davis therefore, their children were double first cousins.
B. l8 Jan l865 Fayette Co. Pax
D. 24 Jan l920 Buried at John W. Davis Cem. At Maple Fork
Marriage date 6 Dec, l884
Geo. Burn B. 8 Sept. l864 Died 6 Dec. l929
Their property situated from hard road at Maple Fork west along the Burn Bowyer Rd.
Toward Sand Branch running almost to the Rock Quarry.
Their Children were: Andrew Bowyer buried Tyree/Ream Cem. Maple Fork
m. Ellen Tyree( see photo of Andy driving Model T below)
John m. Jessie both deceased
4 children are
Howard
John Herbert of Sand Branch
Jane ( no other infor)
Hilda (no other info)
John Bowyer Owal and Tilden |
Tillden m Maxine - Jo Ann and Ruth (no other info)
Til buried at John W. Davis Cem'
When I took my first job with Ben Lewis in Mt. Hope,
I rode to work in the mornings with Til.
Model T, first car purchased on Maple Fork by Geo. Burn Bowyer and Sarah Davis Bowyer, son Andy driving |
His kindness to me will always appreciated.
Ruth Susan m. James Martin
Son: Ira m ___________lived at Sun (deceased)
children of Ira Martin
Phillip lives Pax
Pat lives in Md.
Below, dtrs. of George Burn Bowyer/Sarah Davis bowyer. Ruth Susan Holding son Ira Martin, Delonia, Macie on their homeplace |
Judy works in real estate
And other children
Andy,
James
Edith
Macie m. Emmit Bowyer (Brother to Omer Bowyer)
Sarah m. Harlowe Wms. (deceased) sev. Children
Gladys m. Mike Yoakie at Scarbro buried Oak Hill
Son: Mike Jr (deceased) buried with Dad
Irene m. Herman Pittman lives at Maple Frk.
Owel Bowyer m Junita Painter (deceased) Oel lived at Cirtsville and built a church on the
Right just as you travel toward Spruce Mtn. see above photo of Owel
Mae m. Jim Vick lived on corner of the home property Maple Fork
Near Macie also lived on a corner of the home property.
Children of Mae and Jim Vick (Jim ran a beer garden where
Evelyn's house was later built)
Mike (deceased)
James lives Baltimore. His 1st wife Treadway (deceased)
George "Bubby" lives in Beckley area
Evelyn m. David Godbey live in Mae's home
Delores "sissy" lives in Calif.
Dallas, her oldest son m, no children buried at
John W Davis cem.
Delonia "Lonie" married Otto Pruitt
l. dtr. Dolly m. Price Brock lived at
Weirwood with their 4 sons
Jimmy
Bobby
Jerry
Bill
Elizabeth "Lizzie" m. Robert Lafferty had
l. dtr. Kathleen m. _____ Lively
Robert Lafferty was killed in a RR. Accident, however, before
His death, he and Lizzie lived near Mom and Dad near
Sophia in that Gulf coal mining area of Ral. Co. when "Tom"
(oldest son of Omer/Prudie Bowyer) was an infant. In late
l9l9 or so, Mom (Pruda Bowyer) was stricken with the Spanish
Flu that swept through the nation killing thousands of people
Following W W I. She often spoke of how very kind Robert
Lafferty's family was to her during that crisis illness.
Mom was a miracle survivor of that epidemic.
After Robert Lafferty's death, Lizzie m. Charles
Hamilton They lived in upper Maple Fork with
Sons: William and Charles and dtr. Ruby.
Lucy m. Jim Cottle both buried Tyree/Bream Cem. Maple Fork
Their children: Samuel/Ralph/Don/and "Wash"
Dtrs. Were Madaline and Pearl
Harrison m. Lula lived at Cirtsville (home taken by TP)
Children: Henry single (deceased)
Margie (deceased)
Aston lives at Cirtsville
Other children unknown
Henry died in infancy. Family saying to make point"Hate God and
'Little" Henry." Also beauty, "Prettier than fruit in a jar"
George Burn Bowyer and Sarah Davis Bowyer owned the FIRST AUTOMOBILE
On Maple Fork. Their son, Andrew, "Andy" drove it for them. When they
Approached a curve, Aunt Sarie would say, reportedly , "Blow my horn Andy."
George Burn sold timber to purchase the auto.
Land given to them by Sarah's Father, Samuel Davis, who likewise, gave each
Of his children a sizely number of acres since he owned most of Maple Fork
FAMILY OF JOHN W. DAVIS
John Washington Davis b. l0 Oct. l859
d. 24 Mar.l926 Married l7 June l880 Ral. Co.
FIRST MARRIAGE TO; Nancy Ann Powers b. 15 Jan l857 Floyd Co., Va. d. 20 Feb 1892
NANCY'S MOTHER DIED BIRTHING HER. AT AGE 13, Nancy's FATHER BROUGHT HER TO LIVELY (NEAR PAX) WHERE THE HOMEPLACE IS STILL SEEN JUST OFF THE PAX TOLL BOOTH ON THEWV TURNPIKE. a LARGE TWO STORIED WHITE HOUSE. HIS BROTHER'S HOMEPLACE IS VISIBLE FROM THE MOSSEY EXIT OF THE
WV TURNPIKE (A LARGE TWO STORIED HOUSE).She too is buried at John W. Davis Cemetery at Maple Fork
CHILDREN OF THIS FIRST MARRIAGE;
#l. Martha Davis
b. 17 Apr. l878
d. 12 Oct. l882 buried at John W.Davis Cemetery, Maple Fork
#2. Luther Jackson Davis
b.30 Mar 1882 Raleigh Co.
d. abt. 1940
Luther was an engineer on the Virginia RR on
The Paint Creek Run.
Having been injured in a train wreck, he died of injuries soon there afterwards.
MARRIED TO: Belva WILLIAMS dtr/o Rev. Tom Williams . Her mother.
was a Maynor whose father
owned a store at the mouth of Sand Branch at Maynor.
At the time of his death, Luther and his family were living in Athens, W.V.
Children:
Gladys m. Ed. Carmen lived Crab Orchard,WV
Both are buried at John W.Davis Cem. Maple Fork.
Several children incld. Forest/Nancy/Jim Bob/Sam
Margaret m. ____Wiley from Bluefield WV
Jean (spouse unknown)
Leah M_____________Farmer lived in Mullens, WV.
Clifford lived near Itmann,WV was mine superintendent.
Thomas never married
#3.George Washington Davis
b. 6 Sept., l883
d. after l960
Died in Florida
Married Blanche Tyree (Blanche's sister Lillian, married Charley Ferrel
Their Mother was Becky Ed. Who lived with Charley
Ferrell and Lil'. The "Ed" attached to her name, probably identified her husband, no doubt "Ed Tyree" which was a common occurrence at that age.
It is thought this Ed Tyree was the son of Mathew Tyree , no doubt, a brother to Lucinda wife of Samuel Davis
The 2 of them had no children.
They went to Florida early in the dev. of the Fl. RR. George
was employed as an engineer.
He and Blanche died at their home in Tampa,Fl.
Both are buried in Florida.
#4. Harve Davis
d. after l960
Married Dorothy Blake dtr/o Preston Blake who lived at the
End of the Hess Lively Rd. at Maple Fork.
Dorothy's sisters included Thelma m. "Gussie" Tyree., son of Joseph Tyree.
Lena m. Hess Davis, Macil m. Geo. Craddock,
Harve and Dorothy buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Ral.Co.
Harve worked in the mines at Summerlee.
Their home was at the lower end of Maple Fork toward Cirtsville before
crossing the RR tracks on the left, just across the road from Harve's sister
Lucy and her husband, Ed Pittman. Harve worked in the mines in Fay Co.
Their children
Arnold m. lives in Florida
William "Bill"/"PeeWee" m lives Michigan died l999
He is buried in Michigan where his wife and children live.
Jack m. lived in Ohio deceased buried Heron, Ohio
Jack and his wife, Nell had l dtr. Denese, who lives in Ohio.
Athelene m. Jennings Moses from Oak Hill moved to
Ohio with their l son. Both are buried in Ohio.
#5.William M. Davis SEE ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE IN PREVIOUS FILES
b. 22 Feb l887
d. 27 Aprl916
#6.Rebecca Jane Davis m. Noah Roles both buried John W Davis Cemetery
b.abt l887
d. l950s
Married Noah Roles no children 2 dtrs of Noah's by his first wife. One
Lived with Becky - Delphia m. Bill White from South Carolina. They
Had 3 children Willie/James Noah/ Jack.
Becky and Noah also raised Noah's brother Jim;s son, James Roles.
Noah worked in the mines at Kaymoor and at Summerlee in Fay. Co.
They lived on the far side of the John W Davis Farm finally selling it
to the Chapman family and building a house close to the road just
beyond the home of Omer Bowyer at Maple Fork.
Those who knew Becky, admired her cooking skills.
It was she too, who remained in the home to take care of the
4 children born to John W Davis and his second wife, Virginia Bowyer
#7.Lucy Davis m. Edward Pittman lived near RR tracks at Cirtsville on property
given to them by John W Davis
b. 9 Mar. l891
d. after l940
both she and Ed. are buried at the John W Davis cemetery.
Ed. worked as a Blacksmith, finally built a small building near
their house and operated a small grocery store.
Their Children
Everette single buried John W Davis Cem.
Bevertte m. lived at Beaver buried at the same cem.
Clara Bell m. Luther Richmond, lived in Baltimore
Edward Lee Richmond lives South Sand Branch
Lowell Samuel Richmond lives Ohio
Luther and Clara both buried John Davis Cem.
#8. Mary
b. 20 Feb. l892 (her Mother died birthing her) She was cared for in the home
of her Aunt Jane (m. to Ab. Toney)
d. after l950 buried at John W Davis Cem. At Maple Fork.
Married to :
John Payne who worked in the mines at Oswald where they lived.
It was believed that John died at work and that it was reported by the miners
as an accident in order to ensure WV Workers Compensation
for his family.
Their children:
Pauline m. Fred Arthur lived at Prosperity,WV (deceased)
Margaret m lived in Tenn and Ind. (deceased)
Mildred m. lives near Nashville, Tn.
June m. lived in Ft. Myers, Fl. (deceased)
Della m. lived in Fla. She and her husband worked in a mission field in
Texas.
After John Payne's death, Mary and her dtrs. moved to Kilsyth. Finally,
Mary lived with her dtr. June at Maple Fork where she worked as a
cook at the Price Hill School when I was a student there.
As a new born infant, Mary was taken to her Aunt Jane's
home where she was cared for until John W. Davis'(her father)
second marriage.
JOHN WASHINTON DAVIS AND HIS SECOND WIFE VIRGINIA A. BOWYER
Virginia was :
b. 25 March l872 in Summers Co.
d, 12 Feb. l90l of pneumonia
buried at John W. Davis Cem. At Maple Fork
She was the dtr of Andrew Lewis and Nancy Jane Kirby Bowyer
Of Forest Hill in Summers Co.
Her sisters were Cornellia m. Henry Davis (Brother of John W.)
Delonia m. Louden Tyree
Maggia m. Wm. B. Shanks remained in Summers Co
Her brothers were: Elbert Bowyer m. Eliza Tyree, lived Maple Fork
Geo. Burn Bowyer m. Sarah Davis (sister to John W.) lived at Maple Fork.
Bibb Bowyer remained in Summers Co.
Rebecca Bowyer m. Henry Tyree lived in Hinton,WV
Other family members remained in Summers Co.,(see complete list under second Bowyer file)
John W. Davis built the present homeplace for his wife, Virginia,
After they had lived in his older home located where the present day
house of Lizzie Catlett is on road to the cemetery.
My mother, Pruda Mae Davis, was the first child born in the new
house in 1898 .
JOHN W. AND VIRGINIA A. WERE MARRIED l6 June l893
THEIR CHILDREN
#l. Sparrel Davis m. Gertie Bowyer dtr. of Walter and Virginia McDowell Bowyer
(sister of Omer Bowyer)
Born l894 D. l967 buried John W Davis Cem.
He and Gertie lived in the John W. Davis home place where his
youngest child, Dorothy Mae, makes her home with her
husband, Mach Ellison.
Howard m. Lockie Worrell of Sand Branch
Several children lived at Maple Fork
Troy m. Bernice Wingate
Lois Ann m. lives in Washington,D.C.
Susan, died about 8 years old
Frankie died in infancy
William Roger, m. lives in their home-
At Maple Fork with wife and 3 children
Jeff Adair m. lived at Maple Fork
Jeff Adair buried at John W Davis Cem.
Two other children died in early childhood, they are:
Frankie and Susie.
Jeff Davis single killed in timbering accident
working for Noah Roles.
Harold Davis m. Mary Whitebird, lives in Minn.
Harold served in WW II as a Ranger landing on Normandy of D Day
John Walter Davis m. lived in N.C.with wife Pauline _____ from McDowell Co.,WV
1 dtr. Victoria
John W. and Pauline buried Beckley (Sunset)
David Darrell m. Margaret Maynor from Sand
Branch live at Maple Fork near the homeplace.
Jane, stricken with paralysis as a young child.
"Sis" lived as an invalid for the rest
of her life of more than 30 years.
Buried at John W Davis Cem.
Dorothy Mae m. Mach Ellison live in the John
W. Davis homeplace which she inherited from
her father, Sparrel. 3 children
Mackie m. lives in Kansas City
Johnnie m. lives near home
Rose m. lives near home
#2. Sarah Elizabeth "Lizzie" m. John Catlett lived in the first homeplace of John W Davis at Maple Fork.
b. l897
d. l980s
John Catlett worked in the coal mines near Scarbro . He became ill and
Spent much of his last years in the hospital at Beckley. He and Lizzie
Are buried at the John W Davis cemetery.
Their children:
Russell m. Maxine Stamper from Pax
Several children lived near Lizzie
An invalid child lived abt 2 yrs. B. John W Davis Cem
Irma Jean m. Curley Allen lives at Stanaford, Ral.Co.
3 children
Verna June m. Gene Adkins (first husband) they had 3 children.
John Thomas m. Kathy ____from NYC no children
Lives near Lizzie's home.
Norma Jewell m. Lloyd Stover. He was violently killed
In an auto accident in the early l990s.
Jewell moved from their home in Crab Orchard to
Beckley.
They had 4 children
Renee m. lives at Maynor,WV
Karroll m. lives at Maple Fork
Ernie lives in Beckley
Randy lives at Maple Fork
Richard Adair, Lizzie's youngest b. l938
m. Johnnie Lynn ____from Baltimore.
They live at Maple Fork with 4 children
Adair had 2 sons by a former marriage
To Glenna Armstrong. (no info)
Adair was a well-known mine belt repairman,
owning his own company until his retirement
only a few years ago.
#3. Pruda Mae Davis m Omer Bowyer 25 Dec. l915 at the Joe. Tyree home at Maple Fork where The Rev. Amos Bailey, Josie Tyree's father lived.
Used John W Davis' buggy drawn by team of white mules.
Becky Davis and Jenny Bell went with them.
b. 20 Jan l898
d. 2l Sept l990 She and Omer buried at Blue Ridge Gardens Prosperity.
They went to housekeeping at Weirwood, where their oldest
Child Herbert Allen "Tom" was born, delivered by
Dr. Bruce who took an epileptic fit while delivering the child.
Herbert Allen b. l917 d. after l990
The coal at Weirwood proved unmarketable, so they moved to the
The "Gulf" coal minining region near Sophia in Ral. Co. before they moved to Nuttalburg in the New River Gorge of Fayette Co.
There , a Mr. White was superintendent of mines.
I wonder if he was kin to Sarah White, Omer's Grandmother.
Both spoke of his thoughtfulness to them. For example, they had
the first kitchen sink with running water in the camp, This mines
was owned by Henry Ford of Ford Motor fame. It was called Fordson
Coal Company. Shut down in the mid l930s. While living there, Dad kept
pigs under the floor. Since the house was perched on a hill, this was easily
done, but the occupants had to be especially quiet or they would awaken
the pigs who would make a frightful noise.
Mom would bring her baby Tom and then Tom and Jim back home to Maple Fork to visit her family by boarding the train at Nuttalburg to Pax. There she'd be met by a family member and driven home or walk to he sister's home (Lucy Pittman) and wait for
a ride up Maple Fork. When her youngest sister (Jenny) lived nearby, they would make the trip home together.
Herbert "Tom" served in the Engineer Corp of the U.S., Army in
WW II receiving the PURLE HEART at the Bridge at
REMAGEN at the Rhine River Crossing by the allies.
James Lawrence was born there abt l920
Jim would develop the Bowyer Mine Supply business in Layland.
Omar Bowyer, ."Bob" was born there
Nov. 30,l926.
Omar was a veteran of WW II serving in Berlin at the time
of the German surrender. Received his education after
WW II, and soon thereafter, went to work for the National
Radio Observatory where he continued to be employed
the time of his death in Aug. l999.
Bill Joe was born between abt l930. He was
An invalid child who lived only a few years and is
Buried at the John W. Davis cemetery.
Mom often said, Bill Joe was the prettiest baby she had.
Mom and Dad lost their life-savings when the bank at Thurmond
closed in the early l930s. There they had $350 or so dollars.
The Pres. Of the Bank at Thurmond was William D., one of the
brothers who organized Thumond's Raiders, a Confederate force,
In the Civil War. The name of the town of Thurmond was named
for them. Capt. Phillip Thurmond was killed in a battled near
Winfield in Putman Co with 27 of his troops during the Civil War.
Upon that loss, Omer Bowyer bought the place at Maple Fork by
forging his Mother's name to the loan document as a surety for
total price or
Purchase price of $750. Grannie never knew that happened!
They moved to Maple Fork in a home purchased from a Mr. Coleman
The land was (formerly) apart of the Henry Davis property. Dad worked for New
River/Pocahontas Coal Co. at Kaymoor, in Fayette Co. in the New River Gorge driving the 24 miles each way, each day. Carl Pittman, Noah Roles and others, rode with him finally in his last truck, a black l941 Chevrolet pick up.
Mom had enjoyed living at Nuttaburg, and never really wanted to move.
She enjoyed the social exchanges with neighbors, the daily walk to the company store
with Jenny Bell or others. There, she found the very first processed food for sale in
tin cans. At first, it was primarily canned tomatoes and canned peaches. These 2 food
items would be life long favorites of both Mom and Dad. She could make a tomatoe dumpling dish that was simply delicious. It truly was Dad's favorite food.
put canned tomatoes that had been sweetened to taste into a hot iron skillet, criss-
crossing it with strips of thin biscuit dough, cover , simmer until dough is done.
At Maple Fork, they had 2 other children:
Betty Vanyla b. Aug l3,l932 d. June 29,l989
m. Charles E. Canterbury of Mt. Hope
2 sons Steven and Kevin Canterbury
After their divorce, Betty married Robert "Bob" Brown.
Betty's ashes in the foot of Dad's grave.
Mary Ruth Bowyer b. May 2,l937 single works for Kan. Co.Bd. of Ed
Lives in Charleston, W V.
#4. Virginia Bell "Jenny" Bell m. Carl Pittman lived at Maple Fork following
almost the same work pattern and living arrangement at her
sister Pruda.
b. Oct. l90l, she was 6 weeks old or so, when her Mother developed
pneumonia and died. Jenny stayed with Aunt Nealy and
Uncle Henry Davis for a few years in her early infancy.
d. Early l990s.
She and Carl are buried in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens
Their children:
Lucille m. Arthur Hurd they lived in the
Washington,D.C. area while their 4 children
Were small.
Lucille now lives in the Maple Valley Estates,
Arthur, deceased.
Herman m Irene Bowyer live at Maple Fork with
Their 3 children.(Diane, Lloyd, and Louis).
Their dtr, Diane, a well-known evanglist
Herman served in WWII seeing action in the
Appine Mtn area of Italy.
Carl Jr. m. Shirley Mase live at Bradley
Louise m. Carl Ellis (he deceased) lives at
Cranberry where her 2 children grew up.
An invalid child lived abt 2 yrs. Buried at. John W Davis Cem
Lodema m. Jr. Addison live at Maple Fork near
The Tyree/Bream cemetery.
Lulu Bell "Pat" m. Don Legg (he deceased) Don was badly
injured when the New River Coal Mines exploded at
Siltex in Mt. Hope. Pat lives in
Oak Hill but lived at Maple Fork while her 3 children
were growing up.
Benny b. l938 lives at Maple Fork with his 2nd. Wife.
He had l son Randy who lives in another state.
Randy's dtr. Is an outst. actress who has
starred in several feature length movies
made for TV.
Jenny Bell and Carl's home was located beside the newest
Church at Maple Fork.
From Peter and Susannah Davis time in the late l700s and early l800s,
it can be observed that the people of the mountains saw sudden and dramatic
changes to their way of life (culture).
On the land, the family was a productive unit depending on each member to fulfill his role to ensure the survival of the group.
Abandoning the land to go to the coal mines where men and boyus could work for cash wages changed every aspect of the lives of the people.,
The family became a consuming group. Those who could not work at the mines had little if an value in the group. However, it was thought to be "bad luck"
if a female went inside a coal mines.
Men worked in the most hazardous conditions and now suddenly, the
inheritance change from the youngest son living on the land taking care of his
aging father, inheriting the homeplace, now life expectancy for men dropped
dramatically. Suddenly it was the youngest dtr. taking care of the aging mothers.
Women of the past suffered loss of life at childbirth, now had a coal camp doctor attending the birthing. She was living longer, but not so the men
Sons went to work at the mines forsaking any plans to go to school. My own father went to work in the mines at age 11 taking care of the mules used to pull the coal from the pits to the surface. When he was about 5 or 6 or so, his family lived at Toney
Fork on Coal River. There the Presbyterian church sent 2 missionary women to help .(SEE PHOTO)
That little boy built their fires daily for them, and in exchange, they taught him to read, write and do sums. That was the extent of his education.
The very first day of my teaching career, I past that church enroute to Clear Fork High School , As humbly as I knew how, I looked at that church and whispered
'THANK YOU" I think I did the same thing every day for 4 years that I taught there.
As the mines failed and began to close one after the other in the l930s Great Depression, I can feel the desperation he and others must have felt in their urgency to buy a few acres of land and get their families back on the soil where they could survive.
That group of coal miners who lived at Maple Fork, including Dad, Carl Pittman, Noah Roles, and a neighbor, Carl Bryant were best of friends. They rode to work together and they shared the work of their farming efforts at home with each other.
On Thanksgiving Day for example, that group of men would get together early in the morning and go from one of their homes to the other to slaughter the
family's pig so the meat could be preserved for winter.
As we think of that holiday today, we think turkey on the table.
Not so then, it was liver, fresh from the slaughter yard, and it was so good.
My sister, Betty Bowyer, Canterbury, Brown, was one to stand behind a
corner just waiting for me to walk by so she could jump out and scare me. One
late Thanksgiving eve. she thought she heard me coming toward the kitchen door.
She jumped behind it, and leaped out to scare Carl Bryant half to death while he
was carrying l/2 a hog taking it to the tables to be salted and stored.
Needless -to-say, that ended my older sister's bad habit of scaring me
every time I walked past!
She and I were fortunate to have grown up with one foot on the land and the other getting readied by a new and different world of work that was for us too.
On the land, chances came slowly over long periods of time. Once
a cash based economy was begun, change occurred quickly catching people off guard and unprepared to cope with it.
No doubt that is why we enjoy the search for our ancestors. We can see how they handled change. For whatever reason, I have truly enjoyed digging up my roots!