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Katherine Brown married John R. Davis, son of Cephas Davis and Elizabeth Robinson, on 30 January 1869.

Adella Davis is the daughter of John R. Davis and Katherine Brown. Adella Davis married Keeling.

John R. Davis is the son of John R. Davis and Katherine Brown.

Albinus Davis was born on 26 March 1765 in Elizabeth Town (became Hagarstown), Washington County, Maryland.^1,2 He was the son of Col. Richard Davis and Sophia Simpson. Albinus Davis married Sarah Carter, daughter of Richard Carter and Frances Carter, before 1790.^3,4 Albinus Davis died on 28 May 1812 in Elm Grove, Ohio County, West Virginia, at age 47. The transcription on Albinus' tombstone in the cemetery churchyard says: "Albinus Davis died May 28, 1812, aged 47 years, 2 mos. 2 days." Just before his death he freed his slaves.^5,6

Albinus was only about 10 at the time, but his father and brothers served in the Revolutionary War. Their names are found in many of the old records, letters and orders of the period (and the sources for said records can also be found here). To read some of these, click on the icon. The family "made brilliant and distinguished records in the Revolutionary War."⁷

Albinus Davis and Sarah Carter appeared on the census of 1790 at Washington County, Maryland. The census shows the family consisted of 1 male over 16 years of age (Albinus), 1 female (Sarah), and 3 slaves, two of whom were most probably Bill and Nace.⁸

Rozina Davis notes that "Albinus went to Kentucky in 1794 or 1795 with Arthur Carter and Richard Carter, brothers of Sarah Carter [his wife], but returned to Hagarstown in 1796, where on September 29, 1796, he certified his intention of settling."³

At the request of Albinus Davis the following certificate was recorded the 1st day of October 1796.

     STATE OF MARYLAND
     Washingtonn County, To-wit:

          This day came ALBINUS DAVIS, before me the subscriber, Collector of the Tax for the County aforesaid, and
          satisfied me by his own oath that he has removed within this County aforesaid from the State of Kentucky,
          with a bona fide intention of settling therein and has brought with him the following Negroe Slaves, to-wit:

               Negro Harry, aged about thirty nine years
               Negro Minty (Harry's wife) aged about twenty-seven years
               Negro lass (Daughter of Minty) aged about sixteen years
               Negro Bill aged about Nineteen years
               Negro Nace aged about seventeen years
               Negro Druse aged about fifteen years, and
               Negro Jacob aged about ten years.

          That he has brought the aforesaid slaves with an intention of working them for his own use and not for sale.

          Given under my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of September, 1796.

                         Rezin Davis (SEAL)
                         Collector of the Tax for Washington County,

     State of
     Maryland, Washington, To-wit:

          I hereby certify that the aforegoing is a true copy of certificate taken from Liber 1 folio 857 one of the Land
          Records of Washington County the same having been recorded October 1st, 1796.

          IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto subscribe my hand and affix the seal of the Circuit Court for Washington
          County, this 4th day of June A.D. 1923.

                         EDWARD OSWALD
                         Clerk of the Circuit Court of Washington
     (SEAL)                County, Maryland


NOTE: "Negro Bill aged about nineteen years" had been bequeathed to Sarah Carter by her grandfather, Richard Carter. Albinus had inherited the slave named Ignatius from his father which was probably "the Nego Nace, aged about seventeen years."³

In 1797 Albinus purchased a farm in what was later to become Elm Grove, West Virginia "where descendents still live today" (at least as of circa 1920-1930 when Rozina Davis made these notes).^9,10

Albinus Davis and Sarah Carter appeared on the census of 1810 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.¹¹

A Schedule of the Personal Property of Albinus Davis, Deceased, was recorded on 28 May 1813 at Ohio County, West Virginia, signed and witnessed by John Bonnett and Isaac Davis (probably Albinus' brother) who did the appraisal, and Wm. Chapline, Jr., the Clerk of the County. Although it has been stated that he freed his slaves before he died, it appears that there are still six that have been listed here as "personal property." A PDF transcription is attached.¹²

* * * * *

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).³

Sarah Carter was born on 30 December 1769.² She was the daughter of Richard Carter and Frances Carter.¹ Sarah Carter married Albinus Davis, son of Col. Richard Davis and Sophia Simpson, before 1790.^1,3 Sarah died on 16 April 1825 in Elm Grove, Ohio County, West Virginia, at age 55 years, 3 months and 17 days. She was buried in the cemetery of the Old Stone United Presbyterian Church. The transcription of her tombstone found in churchyard cemetery says: "Sarah Carter Davis wife of Albinus Davis died Apr. 16, 1825, aged 55 yrs. 3 mos. 16 days.^4,5"

Sarah was the only daugher of Richard Carter. She is mentioned in the Will of her grandfather, Richard, dated July 9th 1782 (transcript of said Will can be found with the senior Richard Carter).¹

Sarah Carter and Albinus Davis appeared on the census of 1790 at Washington County, Maryland. The census shows the family consisted of 1 male over 16 years of age (Albinus), 1 female (Sarah), and 3 slaves, two of whom were most probably Bill and Nace.⁶

Rozina Davis notes that "Albinus went to Kentucky in 1794 or 1795 with Arthur Carter and Richard Carter, brothers of Sarah Carter [his wife], but returned to Hagarstown in 1796, where on September 29, 1796, he certified his intention of settling."¹

At the request of Albinus Davis the following certificate was recorded the 1st day of October 1796.

     STATE OF MARYLAND
     Washingtonn County, To-wit:

          This day came ALBINUS DAVIS, before me the subscriber, Collector of the Tax for the County aforesaid, and
          satisfied me by his own oath that he has removed within this County aforesaid from the State of Kentucky,
          with a bona fide intention of settling therein and has brought with him the following Negroe Slaves, to-wit:

               Negro Harry, aged about thirty nine years
               Negro Minty (Harry's wife) aged about twenty-seven years
               Negro lass (Daughter of Minty) aged about sixteen years
               Negro Bill aged about Nineteen years
               Negro Nace aged about seventeen years
               Negro Druse aged about fifteen years, and
               Negro Jacob aged about ten years.

          That he has brought the aforesaid slaves with an intention of working them for his own use and not for sale.

          Given under my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of September, 1796.

                         Rezin Davis (SEAL)
                         Collector of the Tax for Washington County,

     State of
     Maryland, Washington, To-wit:

          I hereby certify that the aforegoing is a true copy of certificate taken from Liber 1 folio 857 one of the Land
          Records of Washington County the same having been recorded October 1st, 1796.

          IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto subscribe my hand and affix the seal of the Circuit Court for Washington
          County, this 4th day of June A.D. 1923.

                         EDWARD OSWALD
                         Clerk of the Circuit Court of Washington
     (SEAL)                County, Maryland


NOTE: "Negro Bill aged about nineteen years" had been bequeathed to Sarah Carter by her grandfather, Richard Carter. Albinus had inherited the slave named Ignatius from his father which was probably "the Nego Nace, aged about seventeen years."¹

In 1797 Albinus purchased a farm in what was later to become Elm Grove, West Virginia "where descendents still live today" (at least as of circa 1920-1930 when Rozina Davis made these notes).^7,8

Sarah Carter and Albinus Davis appeared on the census of 1810 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

* * * * *

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).¹

For a wee bit of early history of Carters in the Kent Island area of Maryland, try this link to the Family History section on the Davis-Bean Trees website.

Richard Davis died in Chillicothe, Ohio.^1,2 He was born between 1791 and 1798. Just don't know his birth date. He was the son of Albinus Davis and Sarah Carter.

Richard Davis may be one of the sons who 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.³

John R. Davis died in Jefferson County, Ohio.¹ He was born between 1791 and 1798. Just don't know his birth date. He was the son of Albinus Davis and Sarah Carter.

He had 5 sons and 1 daughter.^1,2
John R. Davis may be one of the sons who 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.³

Col. Richard Davis was born on 10 January 1723 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.² He was the son of Richard Davis and Ruth Warfield. Col. Richard Davis married Sophia Simpson, daughter of Amos Simpson, on 26 March 1746 in Christ Church, Queen Caroline Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.³ Col. Richard Davis married Rachel before 1783. Col. Richard Davis died in 1788 at age 64 years.⁴

On February 9, 1749, Richard Davis of Anne Arundel County deeded 200 acres of "Dear Bought" described as "being in Frederick County near Lingamore" to Daniel Dulany of Annapolis.⁵ Richard and his sons served in the Revolutionary War. Their names are found in many of the old records, letters and orders of the period. To read some of these, click on the icon. He and members of his family "made brilliant and distinguished records in the Revolutionary War" in which Richard was a Colonel.⁶

Richard's will is recorded in Washington County, dated March 20, 1787. Will was probated February 26, 1788. (See attached document: Rozina underscored some words which probably was because of spelling or "typos" in the original document from which she was transcribing from).⁷

Capt. Richard Davis was born on 10 June 1750.¹ He was the son of Col. Richard Davis and Sophia Simpson. Capt. Richard Davis married circa 1770 but his wife's name is unknown .² He died on 26 July 1801 at age 51 years, 1 month and 16 days.³

He and members of his family made brilliant and distinguished records in the Revolutionary War in which Richard was a Captain. Their names are found in many of the old records, letters and orders of the period. Click on the icon for transcript with citations of Davis Family Revoluntionary War Record.⁴ He appeared on the census of 1790 at Maryland, which shows the Richard Davis family consisting of 1 male over 16 years of age, 2 under 16, 7 females and no slaves.^5,6