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     Nettie Wasson married William Davis, son of Richard Carter Davis and Margaret Keyser.

     Margaret Davis married Claud Young. Margaret Davis was born in 1895. She is the daughter of John Calvin Davis and Edna Scott.

     Charlotte Davis was born ?unknown. She is the daughter of John Calvin Davis and Edna Scott.

     Philip Davis was born in 1899. He is the son of John Calvin Davis and Edna Scott.

     Donald Carter Davis was born in 1901. He is the son of John Calvin Davis and Edna Scott.

     Claud Young married Margaret Davis, daughter of John Calvin Davis and Edna Scott.

     Donald Young was born ?unknown. He is the son of Claud Young and Margaret Davis.

     Cephas Davis was born on 12 October 1798 in Elm Grove, Ohio County, West Virginia. He was the son of Albinus Davis and Sarah Carter. Cephas Davis married Elizabeth Robinson, daughter of John Robinson and Rosannah Robinson, on 9 September 1825 at Elm Grove, Ohio County, West Virginia. Marriage record typed in ledger: Ohio County, VA. This will certify that on the 9 of September 1825 Cephas and Elizabeth Robinson by Virtue of License joined in marriage by me. Simon Lauck. Attested to by Jno McColloch, Clk Ohio Co.^2,3 Cephas died on 10 March 1848 at Elm Grove, Ohio County, West Virginia, at age 49 years, 4 months and 27 days. He was buried in the cemetery of Old Stone Church. The transcription of his gravestone said "Caphas Davis Sr. Mar. 10, 1848 49 yrs 4 mos 2 days." His death was due to Black Erysipelas, a streptococcal infection that can obviously become quite deadly, especially when they had no antibiotics in 1848. His son Albinus died the same day and one wonders if he somehow got infected, too, or it was just a very strange coincidence.^4,5,6

A commissioner, Jacob Gooding, was appointed to settle the estate of Cephas Davis on 29 January 1850 at Ohio County, West Virginia. The Settlement of the Estate was filed in the Office for Records July 24th 1852.⁷

John R. Davis, surviving executor of the estate of his father Cephas Davis Sr., presented an account for settlement of his father's estate on 7 February 1866 to the Recorder's Office, Ohio County, West Virginia, paying out among other expenses that portion of the estate due Cephas' daughter Elizabeth who had been a minor at his death and was now of full age.⁸
     
Cephas Davis appeared on the census of 1810 in the household of Albinus Davis and Sarah Carter at Elizabeth, Ohio County, Virginia. This census enumerated 4 free white males: one under 10 (probably one of the sons), one 10-15 who must have been Cephas who was about 12 at the time, one 16-25 (probably one of sons), one 26-44 who must have been Albinus who would have been 45 in 1810; 3 free white females are listed: one under 10 who must have been Sophia who would have been about 9; one 10-15 (don't know who she was unless there was another girl in the family whose name I haven't found yet), and one 26-44 who most probably was Sarah who would be about 41. There are also 5 slaves enumerated.⁹

Cephas Davis and Elizabeth Robinson appeared on the census of after 13 December 1830 at Ohio County, Virginia. The enumeration lists two white males under age 5 who would be John R (4) and Albinus (just born); one male 30 and under 40 would be Cephas about 32. The free white females enumerated are one under 5 who would be Sarah (2), and there are two between 20 and 30, one of which must be Elizabeth, and I don't know who the other would be -- perhaps a relative or a servant.¹⁰

Cephas Davis and Elizabeth Robinson appeared on the census of 1840 at Ohio County, West Virginia. The census listed 2 males under 5, probably Cephas (3) and Richard Carter (5); 2 males 5-10, Alibinus (10) and not sure who other boy would be; 1 male 10-15 would probably be John R (14), and the male listed 40-50 would of course be Cephas who would be about 42. The females enumerated show one under 5 and two between 5 and 10: I find none under 5 but Frances who would be 7, Rosannah who would be 8, and Sarah who would be 12. The female enumerated between 20 and 30 must be Elizabeth.¹¹

He settled on the home place in Elm Grove, West Virginia where he later died in 1848.¹²

Cephas Davis left a will on 10 March 1848 at Elm Grove, Ohio County, West Virginia.

Following is a transcribed copy of Cephas' Last Will and Testament which he signed on his death bed, or actually had signed for him by his doctor Thomas Yates as he was too weak to sign his name himself.

CEPHAS DAVIS

     I. Cephus Davis resident of Ohio County and State of Virginia. Being of Sound mind and Judgment, do now make my last will and testament in manner and form following viz. I. Bequeath to my wife Elizabeth Davis the Farm on which I now live. During her natural life time. together with two of my best horses. three Cows & a yearling Heighfer. forth head of the best of my flock of Sheep.

     All my household furniture and as much of my farming utensils as she wishes to retain, my farm lying in Mashal County Va. to be rented for eight years, and the rest applyed to Schooling my children. at the Expiration of that time to be Sold and divided equally among my children as they become of age. The farm on which I live to be disposed of in like manner at the death of my wife. I will the note which I hold on James Robinson to my Son John Davis. The other moneys due me to be collected and used for the payment of my debts. I appoint my wife Elizabeth Davis and my Son John Davis the executors of this my last will and testament in testimony of which I have hereunto affixed my name and Seal. this tenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.

                his
           Cephas X Davis      Seal
                 mark
in presence of
          Joshua A. fry
          Thomas. Yates

OHIO COUNTY COURT APRIL TERM 1848

The last will and testament of Cephas Davis deceased was this day produced in Court for probat. Whereupon Joshua Fry a witness to Said will. being Sworn says I. attested Said Will in presence of Testator and at his request. and that my signature to Said Will as a witness is in my own hand writing. Doctor Thomas Yates the other subscribing Witness to Said Will attested the Same in my presence and in the presence of Testator at the Same time that the testator requested Witness Yates to write his testators name for him testator to said will and that he heard testator Acknowledge the Signature so written to be his and said that Said paper was his Said Testators last Will and testament and that the testator was at the time of So doing of Sound mind and memory. that he was at the time Sick in bed at his testators own house in this County and that he died Shortly after his then Sickness. testator attempted to sign his own name to said will but being to weak to do So he testator requested Yates the other witness to do it for him which he did.
                                   Joshua A. fry

Thomas Yates the other subscribing witness being first Sworn Said that he attested the Said will here now Shown to the Court as the will of Cephas Davis the testator that the signature Thos Yates is in my own hand writing made in the presence of the testator. and at his request the other witness to Said Will also attested Said Will in my presence and in the presence of testator (Said witness being Joshua Fry) the body of Said Will is in my hand writing. I was his attending Physician and wrote Said will at his testators request. and but Shortly before his death, testator took the pen in his hand and attempted to Sign his name to Said Will but his hand shaking he requested me to sign his name to Said Will for him. which I. did and then he acknowledged the Same. The Testator was at the time of Sound and disposing mind and memory I read the paper to him twice. and after I. had written his name to it. he acknowledged it and Said that the Said paper was his will.
                                   Thomas Yates

And thereupon the Court considering the said will to be duly proved, the Same is ordered to be recorded.
                                   Test. Jno McColloch Clk.¹³

* * * * *

Letters from Family Records, mostly regarding "Black Bill"

Rozina writes that "Richard Carter Davis often spoke of Black Bill who took care of him in his boyhood" and Sarah Carter "is mentioned in her grandfather, Richard Carter's will, dated 1782 and bequeathed nego boy William or Bill. In 1796, on returning to Maryland from Kentucky, her husband [Sarah's husband Albinus I believe is who Rozina means] in a certificate to the Tax Collector of Washington County, MD lists "Negroe Bill, aged about 19 years, which would make him about 5 years old at death of Richard Carter" [Sarah's father]. This certificate can be seen with Albinus' records.

It appears that James Oliver and Rozina Davis, obviously were researching Black Bill, and following is a bit of correspondence they received concerning Bill, among other things.

From letter of Mrs. Amanda Davis written in 1923 when she was over 90 years of age to James Oliver Davis (great grandson of Albinus Davis):

"Isaac Davis had neither brothers or sisters. He was has mother's only child.

Your great grandfather Albinus and a brother Isaac was born and raised at Hagarstown, Maryland. Isaac was a hatter by trade. He went to Baltimore a young man. Visited at my grandfather Askew's home, married my mother's oldest sister, Kezia Askew, brought her to Hagarstown, then I think they, the two, Albinus and Isaac decided to come to Virginia. Your great grandfather brought several slaves. Isaac brought one man and one woman. Albinus' slaves to be freed at his death --- Well, the slaves scattered out. Bill, I think was a small boy. Freedom was not so much to him. He often came back to the old place. Later he came back and made his home with them and after your grandfather died, he staid with your grandmother. Helped her raise the family. He never had any name but Black Bill, Mrs. D's colored man. He died at her home and she gave him a decent burial. Our folks and Askews did not bring any slaves with them. My aunt Kezia and Uncle Isaac, he was half brother to your great grandfather, they had a large family: Albert G. oldest, Hanson, Joshua, then seven girls, I know Albinus was oldest -- your great grandfather. He was dead before I was old enough to mind. Uncle Isaac and Aunt Kezia was living till I was grown."

From a letter from Mrs. Elizabeth J. Stewart [Elizabeth Jane Davis], daughter of Cephas Davis:

I can't tell you how old Black Bill was and don't remember the date of his death but it must have been in the early 50's, I was quite small, could not have been more than 10 or 11 years old. You wanted to know when the slaves were freed and by whom. Albinus Davis freed them before he died. I don't know why he freed them but Black Bill would never leave father and after Father's death he staid with Mother until his death.

NOTE: It turns out that Bill's name was William Tutely and he was born in about 1777 -- this was discovered as he was enumerated with the family on the census of 1850 -- see Albinus' daughter-in-law Elizabeth Davis or grandson Richard Carter Davis. (KSD 18 October 2006).¹⁴

     Elizabeth Robinson was born on 20 June 1804. She was the daughter of John Robinson and Rosannah Robinson. Elizabeth Robinson married Cephas Davis, son of Albinus Davis and Sarah Carter, on 9 September 1825 at Elm Grove, Ohio County, West Virginia. Marriage record typed in ledger: Ohio County, VA. This will certify that on the 9 of September 1825 Cephas and Elizabeth Robinson by Virtue of License joined in marriage by me. Simon Lauck. Attested to by Jno McColloch, Clk Ohio Co.^1,2 Elizabeth Robinson died on 23 April 1864 in Elm Grove, Ohio County, West Virginia, at age 59 years, 10 months and 3 days. She was buried in the cemetery of the Old Stone Church and her gravestone says: "Elizabeth Davis wife of Cephas Davis Died Apr. 23, 1864 60 yrs 10 mos 3 days.³"
     
Elizabeth Robinson and Cephas Davis appeared on the census of after 13 December 1830 at Ohio County, Virginia. The enumeration lists two white males under age 5 who would be John R (4) and Albinus (just born); one male 30 and under 40 would be Cephas about 32. The free white females enumerated are one under 5 who would be Sarah (2), and there are two between 20 and 30, one of which must be Elizabeth, and I don't know who the other would be -- perhaps a relative or a servant.⁴

Elizabeth Robinson and Cephas Davis appeared on the census of 1840 at Ohio County, West Virginia. The census listed 2 males under 5, probably Cephas (3) and Richard Carter (5); 2 males 5-10, Alibinus (10) and not sure who other boy would be; 1 male 10-15 would probably be John R (14), and the male listed 40-50 would of course be Cephas who would be about 42. The females enumerated show one under 5 and two between 5 and 10: I find none under 5 but Frances who would be 7, Rosannah who would be 8, and Sarah who would be 12. The female enumerated between 20 and 30 must be Elizabeth.⁵

Elizabeth Robinson appeared on the census of 9 July 1850 at District 44, Ohio County, Virginia. Cephas had died in 1848 and Elizabeth (46) was now the head of the household which consisted of Rosannah (18), Frances (17), Richard C. (15 and occupied as a Farmer), Cephas (12 and in school), James W. (8 and in school), and Elizabeth (5 and in school). The value of real estate owned by the family was $1500. Missing from this census due to their deaths were Sarah who died in 1840 age 12, Arthur who died at 1 in 1841, and Albinus who died in 1848 aged 18. There is also a Black gentleman, William Tutely (age 70), enumerated with the family. This is very interesting because as one may note in correspondence included with data for Albinus and Sarah, Cephas and Richard C. Davis, this must be "Black Bill" who was discussed in those letters; he was originally one of Albinus Davis' freed slaves, although he stayed on with the family until his death. And now we know his last name and his age!⁶

     John R. Davis was born on 31 July 1826. He was the son of Cephas Davis and Elizabeth Robinson.

John R. Davis, surviving executor of the estate of his father Cephas Davis Sr., presented an account for settlement of his father's estate on 7 February 1866 to the Recorder's Office, Ohio County, West Virginia, paying out among other expenses that portion of the estate due Cephas' daughter Elizabeth who had been a minor at his death and was now of full age.¹ John R. Davis married Katherine Brown on 30 January 1869. John R. Davis died on 20 July 1875 at age 48 years, 11 months and 20 days.
     

John R. Davis appeared on the census of after 13 December 1830 in the household of Cephas Davis and Elizabeth Robinson at Ohio County, Virginia. The enumeration lists two white males under age 5 who would be John R (4) and Albinus (just born); one male 30 and under 40 would be Cephas about 32. The free white females enumerated are one under 5 who would be Sarah (2), and there are two between 20 and 30, one of which must be Elizabeth, and I don't know who the other would be -- perhaps a relative or a servant.²

John R. Davis appeared on the census of 1840 in the household of Cephas Davis and Elizabeth Robinson at Ohio County, West Virginia. The census listed 2 males under 5, probably Cephas (3) and Richard Carter (5); 2 males 5-10, Alibinus (10) and not sure who other boy would be; 1 male 10-15 would probably be John R (14), and the male listed 40-50 would of course be Cephas who would be about 42. The females enumerated show one under 5 and two between 5 and 10: I find none under 5 but Frances who would be 7, Rosannah who would be 8, and Sarah who would be 12. The female enumerated between 20 and 30 must be Elizabeth.³

John R. Davis appeared on the census of 13 June 1860 in the household of Richard Carter Davis and Margaret Keyser at Brimfield Township, Peoria County, Illinois. Richard is listed as head of household, age 24; occupation as a farmer, with value of personal real estate at $525. Margaret who would have been 26 is listed as well as their 1 year old son, John C. Also Richard's brother John R. Davis, age 33, is listed as living with them and his occupation appears to be "peddling."⁴