In looking through the gravestones photos taken at Cemetery Hill, I found the one for Elias Davison and his wife, Jane Starling Davison. Elias was born in Pennsylvania March 19, 1778, and died February 19, 1843. In Washington County. I could find no will for Elias. Jane was born June 23, 1789, and died May 28, 1863, surviving her husband 20 years.
In my opinion women’s wills are more interesting than that of men. It’s not as much about money and land as personal possessions. In this will you can feel the love Jane Davison has for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She gives her granddaughter Susanna her silver plates, tea ware and candle sticks. Her ‘old friend’ Rachel Slaten receives a gift of $30. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren receive silver cups with Jane’s name engraved on them as a ‘memento of their Grandmother’s affection.’ A will that is a joy to read!
Of the four daughters only Susanna Jane lived long enough to marry and have a child. She married Dr. James R. Hughes and their son, Davison Hughes, was born February 17, 1846, and lived three years before his death November 8, 1853. Susanna was born July 25, 1820, and died March 25, 1846.
Eldest son, William Starling Davison, was born May 5, 1814, and died August 25, 1856, so I’ve read, during a trip to Mammoth Cave. Possibly from a fall? I could find no newspaper article about his death, so no actual proof for cause of death.
Lucy Ann Margaret Davison was born February 6, 1817, and died July 4, 1823, at the age of six years. Sally Ann Davison was born August 13, 1827, and died June 6, 1828. Elizabeth Catherine Davison was born June 29, 1830 and died February 18, 1833. Son Elias Robert Davison was born April 21, 1822 and died July 4, 1823. Notice two children died July 4, 1823 – Lucy and Elias. How terrible to lose two children in one day!
Son Edmund Lyne Davison lived to the ripe old age of 84! He was born June 12, 1823 and died June 7, 1907. He was married twice, the first time to Mary Cameron Stites with whom he had three children – Susanna Starling Davison, 1846-1880; Rebecca Stites Davison, 1849-1851 and Samuel Stites Dawson, 1851-1851. After Mary’s death Edmund married Anne Marie Sullivant. The couple had seven children – Sarah Sullivant Davison, 1855-1927; Lucy Jane Davison, 1856-1880. Edmund Lyne Davison, 1858-1859; Michael Sullivant Davison, 1860-1900; Eleanor Calhoun Davison, 1862-1895; and Edmund Lyne Davison, 1866-1880.
Jane Davison Will
Washington County Will Book
Page 330
I, Jane Davison, do make this my last Will and Testament.
1st. I give and bequeath to my niece, Eleanor Calhoun, four hundred dollars.
2nd. I give and bequeath to each of my nieces Mary Duncan and Margaret Davison, one hundred
Page 331
dollars.
3rd. I give to my old friend Mrs. Rachel Slaten thirty dollars.
4th. I give to my granddaughter Susannah S. Davison my silver plates, tea ware and candle stick.
5th. I give to each one of the children of my son William S. and E. L. Davison a silver cup of the value of twelve dollars with my name engraved thereon, as a memento of their grandmother’s affection. My Executor is to purchase said cups.
6th. I give to Elias Davison Thompson, son of William R. Thompson of Indiana, a silver cup of the value of twelve dollars.
7th. My step-son-in-law, Stephen C. Brown, was to pay me twenty-five dollars per annum from the time of the division of my husband’s estate in consideration of my not claiming dower in some town property, which fell to him, now I direct and desire that whatever he owes me from this source he shall expend in the purchase of suitable silver presents to each one of his children and grandchildren as presents from their grand and great-grandmother.
8th. The remainder of my estate of every kind I will and bequeath to be equally divided between my son E. L. Davison and the children of my son William S. Davison. I mean that E. L. Davison is to have one half, and for S. Davison’s children the other half of the residue of my estate after paying the specific devises – hereby revoking all former wills made by me. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 16th day of October 1838.
Jane Davison, her seal
Signed and acknowledged in the presence of Stephen E. Brown and Samuel McDowell
I, Jane Davison, do make the following codicil to my foregoing will. I give and bequeath to my son E. L. Davison all of my household furniture, except what I have specifically devised in the foregoing will.
I desire that the seventh article in the foregoing will in relation to what my step-son-in-law, Stephen C. Brown owed me, he so charged that he is to purchase for each of his children and grandchildren a silver cup of the value of twelve dollars and this shall be in full satisfaction of claim against him. I hereby constitute and appoint my son E. L. Davison my Executor.
Given under my hand and seal this 16th day of October 1858.
Jane Davison, her seal
Signed and acknowledged in the presence of Stephen C. Brown and Samuel McDowell
Page 332
State of Kentucky, Washington County
At a County Court held for Washington County at the Courthouse in Springfield on 26th August 1863, this instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Jane Davison, deceased, with the codicil thereto annexed, was produced in Court by E. L. Davison, the Executor therein named and was proven by the oath of Samuel McDowell, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, who also stated said instrument was signed and acknowledged by the testatrix in the presence of himself and Stephen E. Brown, the other subscribing witness, who also subscribed it in his presence and in the presence of the testatrix and the same was ordered to be recorded. Whereupon the same and this certificate hath been duly recorded in my office in Will Book L, Page 330.
Given under my hand this 31st day of August 1863. R. S. Peters, Clerk, Washington County Court
Categories: Old Wills
Do we know anything about neice Mary Duncan?
Not at this time. I’ll see what I can find!