KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, and to all whom these presents may concern, be it known that I, John C. Davidson, of the County of Leavenworth and State of Kansas, being of mature age and sound mind and realizing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death and being desirous of making full and complete provision for the final settlement and disposition of all my worldly goods and possessions after my dissolution, do hereby make and declare this my last Will and Testament.

First. It is my wish that all my just debts and funeral expenses, be first paid out of my estate.

Second. I give, devise and bequeath to my brother Thomas Davidson all of my property, both personal and real, during his natural life, and at his death, it is my wish, that said estate be sold and equally divided among my nephews and nieces, as follows: share and share alike, Clyde C. Davidson, one sixth; Bertha Howard, one sixth; Thomas Alexander Davidson, one sixth; Paul G. Davidson, one sixth; and Belle Norwine, daughter of my sister Martha J. Stafford, deceased, one sixth; Leta M. Davidson, one twelfth; John C. Davidson, one twelfth; the last two mentioned are children of my nephew John C. Davidson Jr., deceased and Hattie Davidson. The interest of said last mentioned children shall be paid to the Tonganoxie State Bank, to be held in trust for said Leta M. Davidson and John C. Davidson until they reach the age of majority.

I make constitute and appoint Thomas Davidson, without bond, of Leavenworth County and State of Kansas, executor of this my last Will and Testament, and I hereby _____ each and every will and codicil heretofore made by me.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day of May 1918.

{signed} John C. Davidson

The foregoing instrument was subscribed in our presence and acknowledged to us by said testator, and subscribed by us at the request of said testator, in his presence and in hte presence of each other, this 17th day of May, A.D. 1918.

{Signed} {3 signatures}

Campbell A. Davidson of Leavenworth County, Kansas, age 28
Mary M. Haas of Leavenworth County, Kansas, age 18

Married 2 March 1873

W. A. Marshall {April 10, 1850- July 30, 1910}

Mary A. Baker, wife of W. A. Marshall {April 14, 1859- July 22, 1932}

I didn’t find a full-up detailed obituary about him, but I found two small death announcements.

One was in the Indiana Democrat in Indiana, PA where he used to live. (Dated 11/26/1885)

James Baker, formerly of Marion, this county, recently died in Kansas.

Not a lot of info in that one, was there?

Unfortunately, there isn’t much in the local Lawrence, Kansas paper – where he had lived for about 6 yrs before his death:

Jas. Baker, a farmer living near Sibley, died yesterday afternoon at 4 o’clock, of consumption. The deceased has been a resident of Kansas for the past six years, and was universally respected by all who knew him.  He will be buried to-day in Oak Hill cemetery.

This Indenture, made this the first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Seventy Seven, between Lyman P. Weeks of Baldwin City in the County of Douglas and State of Kansas of the first part, and Mary Weeks of the second part. Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, in consideration of the sum of Fifteen hundred $1500.00 Dollars to him duly paid has sold and by these presents does grand and convey to the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns all that tract or parcel of land, situated in the County of Douglas and State of Kansas and described a: follows to wit: the North west quarter (1/4) of the South East quarter (1/4) of Section number fifteen (15) in Township Number Fourteen (14) in Range Number Twenty (20), with the appertenances, and all of the estate, title, and interest of the said party of the first part therein, and the said Lyman P. Weeks does hereby consent and agree that at the delivery hereof he was the lawful owner of the premises above granted and seized of a good and indefeaseble state of inheritance therein  free and clear of all incumbrance and that he will Warrant and Defend the name in the quit and peaceable possession of the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns forever against all persons lawfully claiming the same.

In Witness whereof, the said party of the first part has hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year last above mentioned.  Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of S.N. Walker.

Lyman P. Weeks
Addie M. Weeks

State of Kansas, County of Douglas} SS

Be it Remembered that on this first day of January A.D. 1877 , before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and State came Lyman P. Weeks and Addie M. Weeks to me personally known to be the same person who executed the foregoing instrument and duly acknowledge the execution of the same.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and applied by official seal on the day and year last above mentioned.

S.N. Walker Notary Public

Received May 30, 1877 at 2:20 P.M.

[? his name] Register of Deeds

I think that they must have made a mistake in the date on the deed.  Sarah Weeks didn’t die until 1875 and Samuel married Martha in October of 1876. It would have been a simple mistake to leave the seven off.

This Indenture made this the Twenty six day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Seventy in between Samuel Weeks Peter H. Weeks Mary Weeks only heirs at law of Sarah A. Weeks deceased except the party of the second part, of Baldwin City and State of Kansas of the first part and Lyman P. Weeks of the second part.  Witnesseth, that the said parties of the first part in consideration of the sum of One Thousand ($1000) Dollars to them duly paid have sold and by these presents do _____ ______ and quit claim unto the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever.  all that tract or parcel of land situated in the County of Douglas and State of Kansas and described as follows to wit:  The South three and one third (3 1/3) acres of the North Six acres of the South Forty (40) acres of the East Sixty (60) acres of the South West quarter (1/4) of section thirty four (34) Township Fourteen (14) Range Twenty (20) formerly Block Seventy Eight (78) in Baldwin City as shown by the Plot on file in that office of the Register of Deeds of Douglas County Kansas, with the appertunances unto the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever.

In witness whereof, the said parties of the first part have hereunto Signed. Sealed and Delivered in the presence of S.N. Walker

Mary Weeks {seal}
P. H. Weeks {seal}
Samuel Weeks
Martha R. Weeks

State of Kansas
County of Douglas}
Be it Remembered that on this first day of January A.D 1877, before me a Notary Public in and for said County and state came Mary Weeks Peter H. Weeks to me personally known to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument and duly acknowledged the execution of the same.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal on the day and year last above written. S.N. Walker Notary Public

State of Indiana
Clark County}
Before me William C. Hester a Notary Public in and for said Clark County and State of Indiana personally came Samuel Weeks and Martha R. Weeks and acknowledged the execution of the foregoing deed.
Witness my hand + notarial seal William C. Hester Notary Public
Recorded June 16 1877 at 11 am ? Register of Deeds

I’m not sure what year she graduated in, but she was born in 1915, so probably in the early 30′s.  She went to Tonganoxie High School in Tonganoxie, Leavenworth, KS.

We’ll be heading up for the funeral this weekend, so I might be a little scarce on here for the next few days.

Louise was the matriarch of her family at 96 years old and was immensely helpful when I started on my genealogical journey 12 years ago.  She was full of so many wonderful family stories.

The last time we saw her was this past May and I was lucky enough to have interviewed her about her amazing birth story, which I posted earlier this month.  I will add it again here today for those of you who didn’t get a chance to watch it.  It’s remarkable to think that she lived such a  beautiful, long life after such a precarious beginning.

It’s hard to believe that she’s gone.

John Davidson was originally from Virginia.  He moved to Missouri, where he married Sophia Talbot. They then moved to present-day Douglas County, Kansas in 1854 and on to Leavenworth County in about 1863.

John was present at the 1855 Kansas election, a botched affair. It is so nice to be able to put him into the context of the turbulent times.  Missourians crossing the river just to vote.  But the testimony is also very helpful, because he gives specific dates that he moved (which I didn’t have) and there’s just something about knowing that this testimony is straight from his mouth.

The following was found in the book titled: Kansas Affairs (Report of the Special Committee appointed to investigate the troubles in Kansas with the views of the minority of said committee), by United States. Congress. House of Representatives, 34th Congress, 1st Session, printed in 1856.

He gave testimony in regards to the election of 30 March 1855.
John C Davidson recalled.
Examined by Mr. Reeder:
I was here at the election of March 30, 1855.  I moved into the Territory in July 1854, from Carroll County, Missouri.  I had moved to Missouri from Virginia in 1839.  I saw a large body of strangers encamped here on the day of the election in March 1855.  I was at one camp composed of men I knew in Carroll County when I lived there.  I had conversations with two of them upon the subject of their being here.  I do not recollect that they told me how many were here from Carroll County or from Missouri.  They told me they came here to vote; that they considered they had a right to vote here; that according to the way the Kansas-Nebraska bill was drawn up, they had a right to vote here while they were residing here, and they were residing here while they were here.  They said they came here to vote and intended to vote, and would not be driven from the polls; that each man of them was prepared to go eight rounds without loading and the ninth round with a butcher knife.  They said they had come into the territory some two or three days before the election and intended to go back as soon as the election was over.  They said they did not intend to settle here.  The men I talked with said they came from Carroll County.  I saw men here from Lexington that I was acquainted with, but had little conversation with them.  I do not recollect of seeing any men from other places I was acquainted with.

By Mr. Woodson:
The men I was talking with said that eastern men were coming up the river with pasted on the front of their hats, in large letters, that they intended to make Kansas a free state, and that they considered they had as good a right to come here and vote as the eastern men.  I did not hear any other reason given.

Thankfully, it is fenced in and well-maintained. And the owners of the farm even met us out there to help us find it.  They were very nice and helpful!  They have many ancestors buried there also.  I love that so many of the families in this area have stuck around for over a hundred and fifty years.

John and Sophia {Talbot} Davidson arrived in Kansas in 1854 and were amongst the first settlers in Douglas County.  They moved on to neighboring Leavenworth County after a number of years, but were still buried here since some of their children died before them and were laid to rest here. Their great-granddaughter {my husband’s grandmother} is still living in the same county.

John C. Davidson born Mar 24, 1809  died Feb 11, 1869.

Sophia F. Davidson born Feb 18, 1819 died Sept 7 1888.

I believe that this is John’s mother Mary {Caffrey} Davidson.
Mary Davidson born 1767 died Jan 9, 1860.

And here are two of their children who died young.

James F. Davidson born Dec 23, 1843 died Mar 4, 1859.  Hail I. Davidson born Mar 19, 1848 died Apr 8, 1866.

Three Accidents Prove Fatal

A succession of three accidents proved fatal to John Clifford Davidson last Thursday morning about half past eight o’clock, at the home of his father-in-law John Osborne five miles southwest of town.  Mr. Davidson was in his 23rd year and lived north of Pleasant Prairie school house.  The Sunday morning preceding his death he noticed the fire on the farm occupied by Shelby Walker and jumped on a horse, and rapidly rode several miles to the place of the flames.  He evidently injured himself in some way on the trip for he returned complaining of his back.  Tuesday morning he started with a hay rack to help Mr. DeHoff thresh over in the Pony Creek neighborhood.  In going down the Millar hill a neckyoke broke and the horses could not hold back the wagon on the steep incline.  There is a stone fence at the foot of the hill and one of the horses went over the fence and the hayrack was upset.  The rack caught Mr. Davidson and he was injured in his back again but he was able to put the rack back on unaided and keep on his journey.  After he had unloaded a load of wheat at the DeHoff place the wagon struck a small ditch and he was thrown on his back and injured a third time.  He, however held out till noon and after dinner started back home in a buggy.  When he got as far as his father-in-law’s he was in such pain that he could go no farther and he stopped.  Medical attention brought no relief from his injuries and he was in such pain that large quantities of morphine had to be administered to relieve him.  His sufferings ended Thursday morning.

Funeral services were held in Hubbel Hill Cemetery Saturday by Rev. Ballard, and the young man was there laid to rest.

John Clifford Davidson was born in this township December 18, 1890, and has spent all his life here.  On October 6th, 1910, he was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Bertha Osborn, who with one daughter survives him.  Beside the wife and baby he leaves a father, sister, and four brothers as well as many other relatives and friends to mourn his loss.

Card of Thanks

We wish in this manner to thank the many friends and neighbors for their kind assistance and sympathy during the sickness and death of our beloved husband, father, son, and brother.  We also desire to thank the Fraternal Aid, the singers and the pall bearers for their extra efforts, and for the beautiful floral offerings.

Mrs. Hattie Davidson and family. Thos. Davidson and family.

I find his death so heartbreaking.  He was so young (23), had only been married for 3 years, had  a young wife and a baby, and what this article doesn’t mention is that his wife was also pregnant.  He died on July 31st and his wife gave birth to a son on September 19th.

I wonder what his the injury to his back may have been.  It must have been pretty bad to have killed him.

John C. Davidson was my husband’s 3rd great-grandfather. He was born 24 Mar 1809 in Lynchburg, VA. He died 11 Feb 1869 in Kansas.

He is buried in the Ulrich Cemetery in Douglas County, KS (south of Lawrence). This cemetery is on a private farm. There are not many stones there and I’m hoping to do a tombstone census of it when I return to Kansas this May. I will definitely be taking a better picture of this stone!

Doesn’t she look lovely?

The picture is in the possession of my husband’s grandmother.  It is quite large and in a beautiful old frame.

I took these pictures while we were visiting Kansas this past October.  It looks like it belongs in a “hall of ancestors” doesn’t it?

General Affadavit

State of Kansas, County of Shawnee

In the matter of claim for Rebecca Baker, widow of James Baker late of Co. “F” 74″ PA.

Personally appeared before was an officer duly authorized to administer oaths within and for the county and State aforesaid, Joseph Campbell, Topeka Kan. 72 yrs old.

person of lawful age who being duly sworn declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:

I am a brother of Rebecca Baker and was present and know that she was married to James Baker March 4th 1846 in Indiana County, Pa.  Her maiden name was Rebecca White Campbell.  I also know that Rebecca Baker has never re-married since the death of her husband James Baker Nov. 9″ 1885

J. Campbell

Buried in Tonganoxie, Kansas.  Hannah was his 2nd wife.

Hubbel Hill Cemetery, Tonganoxie, Kansas.

He was a brother to my husband’s ancestor, Mary Ann Stafford.

She was born 13 Oct 1877 in Vinland, Douglas, Kansas and died 26 Sep 1882, before her 5th birthday.

She was the daughter of Peter Henry Weeks and Julia Ann (Snider) Weeks.

She is buried in Pioneer Cemetery, Baldwin City, Douglas, Kansas.

Here is what I have on her:

18 Feb 1819 She was born in Montgomery County, Missouri.  Source: History of Leavenworth County, Kansas by Jesse Hall and Leroy Hand. c. 1921

1833 Warren County is formed from Montgomery County

18 Jan 1842 She marries John C. Davidson in Warren Co., MO.  Source: Misouri Marriages to 1850

23 Dec 1842 A son, James F. Davidson is born in Missouri.

Abt. 1845 A son, Campbell Alexander Davidson is born in Missouri.

19 Mar 1848 A son, Hail I. Davidson is born in Missouri.

4 Sep 1850 Living with her husband and 3 sons in Carroll Co., MO.

25 Aug 1851 A son, Matthew David Davidson is born in Carroll, Co., Missouri.

Abt. 1853 A daughter, Martha Jane Davidson is born in Missouri.

Jul 1854 They move from Carroll Co., MO to Douglas Co., KS.

7 Oct 1855 A son, John C. Davidson is born in Douglas Co, KS.

16 Feb 1858 A son, Thomas Talbot Davidson is born in Douglas Co., KS.

4 Mar 1859 Her son James dies and is buried in Ulrich Cemetery, Douglas Co., KS.

30 Jul 1860 Living in Willow Springs Twp, Douglas Co., KS with her husband and children.

19 May 1865 Living in Alexandria Twp, Leavenworth Co., KS with her husband and children.

8 Apr 1866 Her son, Hail Davidson dies and is buried in Ulrich Cemetery.

11 Feb 1869 Her husband, John C. Davidson, dies and is buried in Ulrich Cemetery.

15 Jul 1870 Living in Stranger Twp, Leavenworth Co, KS with her children.

1 Mar 1875 Living in Stranger Twp, Leavenworth Co., KS with her son Campbell and his wife, and her other children.

10 Jun 1880 Living in Stranger Twp, Leavenworth Co. KS with her sons John and Thomas and a girl Esther Hopkins, age 17.

7 Sep 1888 She dies in Kansas and is buried in Ulrich Cemetery in Douglas County, KS.

As you can see, I have her pretty well documented from the time of her marriage on.

I’m trying to figure out who her parents might be.

I found a very helpful website, dedicated to the Talbot family.   The Descendants of Matthew Talbot, Gentleman.

Of special interest to me was the page titled “The Hale Talbot Story”  by Ann Talbot Brandon Womack and Farris W. Womack, dated Feb. 2002.

It documents the Talbot line down to a Hale Talbot who settled in Montgomery County, Missouri – where Sophia was born.

1 Hale Talbot b: 05 Dec 1754 in Bedford Co.,VA d: 31 Aug 1828 in Montogomery Co.,MO-L’Outre Island, MO-McKittrick
.. +Elizabeth”Betsey” Irvine b: 05 Jan 1760 in Bedford Co.,VA m: 18 Sep 1778 in Bedford Co., VA d: 01 Sep 1827 in Montogomery Co.,MO-L’Outre Island, MO-McKittrick

. 2 Jane Talbot b: Abt. 1779 in KY d: Aft. 1850 in Prob Warren Co.,MO
….. +James Talbot, MD b: Bet. 1771 – 1780 in Prob Bedford Co.,VA or Kentucky m: 29 Jun 1806 in Madison Co.,KY d: Aft. 1840 in Prob Warren Co.,MO

. 2 Nancy (Ann) Talbot b: Bet. 1784 – 1788 in Prob Madison Co.,KY d: Bef. Jun 1845 in Montgomery Co.,MO-Loutre Island
….. +Irvine Smith Pitman b: 09 Sep 1790 in Kentucky m: 1815 d: 22 May 1862 in Missouri

. 2 Christopher Talbot b: 09 Jun 1788 in Madison Co.,KY d: 22 Aug 1856 in Montogomery Co.,MO-L’Outre Island, MO-McKittrick
….. +Susan Parrish b: 25 Jan 1785 in Prob Kentucky m: 07 Oct 1811 in Madison Co.,KY–page 56 d: 30 Nov 1844 in Montogomery Co.,MO-L’Outre Island, MO-McKittrick

. 2 Thomas Talbot b: 07 Mar 1795 in Madison Co.,KY d: 20 Sep 1869 in Warren Co.,MO
….. +Henrietta LNU b: Bet. 1807 – 1808 in Virginia

. 2 [1] William Irvine Talbot b: 13 May 1795 in Prob Madison Co.,KY d: 14 Jun 1874 in Prob Warren Co.,MO
….. +Jane Lewis b: 1811 m: Bef. 1838 d: Bef. 1850
. *2nd Wife of [1] William Irvine Talbot:
….. +Catherine Jane Helsey b: 1804 in Virginia m: Abt. 1847 in Missouri d: Jun 1881 in Missouri

. 2 David I. Talbot b: 17 May 1798 in Madison Co.,KY d: 24 Nov 1852 in Montogomery Co.,MO-L’Outre Island, MO-McKittrick
….. +Susan M. Clark b: 26 Mar 1810 in Missouri/Kentucky m: Bef. 1830 in Prob Montgomery Co.,MO d: 11 Jan 1852 in Montogomery Co.,MO-L’Outre Island, MO-McKittrick

. 2 Elizabeth Talbot b: Bef. 1800 in Prob Madison Co.,KY d: 12 Sep 1844 in Montgomery Co.,MO
….. +Mathias McGirk b: 1783 in Greenbrier Co.,VA m: 03 Mar 1818 in St. Charles Co.,MO d: Bet. 03 – 14 Sep 1842 in Montgomery Co.,MO

. 2 Sophia F. Talbot b: 01 Mar 1803 in Prob Madison Co.,KY d: 30 Nov 1849 in Boone Co.,MO
….. +Fletcher Wright b: 08 Feb 1805 in Tennessee m: Bef. 1830 in Prob Montgomery/Boone Co.,MO d: 10 Sep 1843 in Boone Co.,MO

. 2 Mary Ann “Pauline” “Polly” Talbot b: 1806 in Prob Madison Co.,KY d: Aft. 1880 in Montgomery Co.,MO
….. +James Pitzer b: 1805 in Virginia m: Bef. 1830 in Prob St. Charles/Montgomery Co.,MO d: Bef. 1880 in Montgomery Co.,MO

Notice the similarity of the names?  Thomas.  Hale.  Matthew.  David.  James.  Sophia.

I know, I just know, that she belongs to this family.  This was not a heavily settled area during this time period.  It is not a coincidence. But where does she fit in?

She was born in 1819, so she appears to be too young to have been one of Hale’s children. Besides, there is already a daughter named Sophia.  My Sophia has to have been the daughter of one of Hale’s children.  But which one?

The above mentioned website has an impressive amount of research done on it.  This is a listing of the children of Hale Talbot in the 1830 census.  Sophia would have been about 11 years old in 1830.

It appears that the only family she could have fit in with was that of James and Jane Talbot.  Jane was actually the daughter of Hale.

Jane Talbot married her half first cousin, James Talbot, son of Isham Talbot and Elizabeth Davis,  in Madison County, Kentucky in 1806.

James and Jane Talbot lived a few houses away from Hale and Betsey and by 1810 they had two young children.  The son show on the Census appears to be Isham H. Talbot, no doubt the “H” stands for Hale and the daughter must be Martha J. Talbot.  Martha married John A. Hunter in 1833 in Missouri and gave birth to four children.  She died in 1841 when all of her children were very young.  The 1850 Census shows those children living with their grandmother, Jane.

Yet more names in common.  My Sophia named her first son James and her only daughter Martha Jane.

And in 1840, there is a female living in the household of Dr. James Talbott who is 20 yrs old.  He was living in Warren County (which is where she married John Davidson in 1842).

James Talbot appears to have died in between 1840 and 1850, because Jane Talbot is listed as the head of family and living in Warren County. A 26 yr old Matthew Talbot (probably her son) and her Hunter grandchildren (from her daughter Martha) are living with her.  (There is the Matthew name again!)

So, do I have any direct evidence yet?  No.

But I think that I’m on the right track.

I will be driving through Missouri in May.  I think that I will try to stop in Warren County and see what I can find.  I checked the Warren County Usgenweb site and the library has will and probate records from 1833 to 1889.  Maybe I can find James’ will?

I am going to attempt to research the known children of James and Jane Talbot – Isham H., Martha J., and Matthew to see if anything comes up that might mention Sophia also.

Any other suggestions?