My Genealogy Home Page:Information about William M. Davis
Rev. William M. Davis (b. January 07, 1765, d. October 31, 1831)
Notes for William M. Davis:
Rev. William Davis was born in Va., Jan. 7, 1765, and married Nancy Easton, in Va.Miss Easton was born and reared in Philadelphia, Pa., and was a Quakeress, but later in life joined the Baptist Church.About 1793 Mr Davis with his family, which was of considerable size, moved to the State of Ga., and settled in Wilkes Co.He was an excellent Baptist minister as well as four of his sons and many of his grandsons.We find in Campbell's GEORGIA BAPTIST, the following elaborate sketch of the life and ministerial work of Mr. Davis:
"Rev. William Davis was a native of Orange Co., Va., where he was born Jan. 7, 1765.His parents were poor but honest and respectable, and were members of the Episcopal Church.He became concerned about his soul at the early age of nine years.Two sermons which he heard about this time, one by an Episcopalian, the other by a Presbyterian, made a deep impression on his mind.The Baptist, then called 'newlights' commenced preaching in his native county about the same time.Much was said against them, as those who were 'turning the world up side down'which raised much anxiety in the mind of young Davis to hear them.The first opportunity of the kind he enjoyed was to hear an exhortation and prayer from one John Bledsoe.This served to deepen his religious impressions, and frequently at that tender age he was known to go forward voluntarily and ask the minister to pray for him.He continued serious by turns, until in his fourteenth year, a conversation he had with a pious negro in his father's employment (a Baptist) fully awakened him to a sense of his lost condition as a sinner.For some six months, his mind was in great distress.During those days of darkness he went far and near, by day and by night, as far as lay in his power, to hear the gospelfrom the Baptist preachers, who were itinerating through the country.One night he went some four miles from his father's residence to attend a meeting held by Elijah Craig.During the service his feelings became such as to unnerve him, he swooned away, and remained in a helpless state for some time.In this condition the Lord brought him deliverance to his soul.He rose rejoicing, and began at once to exhort his fellow mortals to flee from the wrath to come.At this time his parents resided in Culpeper County, and were opposers and persecutors of the Baptist.William left the parental roof, rather unceremoniously perhaps, walked some fourteen or fifteen miles to a Baptist church inOrange Co., called Blue Run, where he was immersed in his fifteenth year."
"As soon as he had discharged this solemn duty, he returned home and submitted himself to his parents.Soon thereafter, being encouraged by his brethren, he was in the habit of exercising publicly in exhortation and prayer.These exercises were sanctified to the conversion of his parents, his two older brothers, his youngest brother and several of his sisters.All of these became Baptist and continued in the comfort of the Holy Ghost until their death.At sixteen years of age though much against the will of his friends, Mr. Davis, volunteered as a soldier of the Revolution, and was for some time under the command of General Lafayett.He was wounded in the head, suffered greatly from fatigue and hunger.While the Army of Lafayette was on a forced march to join Washington in the capture of Cornwallis, young Davis was without a morsel of food two whole days.This having come to the ears of the General, he was sent to is tent, and with his own hands he furnished the youthful soldierwith food.This kindness, on the part of Lafayette, was remembered with gratitude al his life.He was heard to mention it during his last sickness.He was present at the surrender of Cornwallis, and after the war returned to his family, in Va., where he enjoyed the friendship and confidence to the Madisons, Barbours and other distinguished men of the State."
"In 1788, he was licensed to preach the gospel, while yet in his native State, and was ordained in Georgia by Dozier, Thornton and Thomas Maxwell in 1793.His education was quite limited, yet he was a man of strong mind, excellent memory, and a fine imagination.His manner was easy yet forcible.He was an original thinker, and his style of oratory was peculiar to himself-bold and energetic.His character was without spot or blemish, and his piety was of a high order.One fact proves that he lived the religion that he preached; eleven out of twelve children which he had, became worthy members of the church during their parent's life time; three of them preachers--Jonathan, James, and Jesse and two others, Jeptha and William Deacons.As a pastor, he stood high with the church which enjoyed his watchful care.The church in the fork of Broad river (Elbert County), he served twenty years; that at Beaver dam twelve years; Clark's Station nine years, etc.He possessed the faculty of drawing out his brethren, who were called of God to the ministry; among those who raised up under him, were the following; E. Shakelford, Isaac Shuttle, Elijah Mosely, Isham Goss, James Holis and Sylvanus Gibson."
"In the middle of life Mr. Davis was a person of fine appearance, weighing upwards of two hundred pounds.He suffered much in after life from dropsy in the chest, and was so debilitated as to make it necessary that he should resign all pastoral charges, yet was in the habit of visiting the churches whenever he was able to ride, and when unable to stand, he would preach in a sitting posture.While thus standing on the borders of the tomb his ministry was greatly blessed.His farewell discourse to the people of Elbert Co. was delivered while he sat on a table in the open air, and such was the powerful effect produced, that it was regarded as the commencement of one of the most glorious revivals ever experienced in that county.He was decidedly favorable to ministerial education, and was one of the Board of Mount Enon Academy.He was opposed to the location, however, and always believed that that was the cause of its failure.The temperance cause never had a warmer friend.On this subject he addressed letters to the Sarepta and Georgia Association, when too infirm to attend their sessions."
"For several months previous to his death he had a presentiment that his end was near--often spoke of it, and arranged all his worldly business with reference to it.All his children were invitedto make him a last visit, and on doing so, he requested each of his sons to lay their hand on the scar on his head (the result of a wound he received in his youth while a soldier of the Revolution) and solemnly charged them severally to be faithful to their country's interest and glory.He was in attendance on a Methodist camp meeting some ten days before his death, when he was taken suddenly ill.His wife, who was absent on a visit, was sent for as also his children.When they arrived he told them the day and the hour he expected to depart hence andhe with Christ.When that day arrived he spent a part of it in writing and to his friends present gave a circumstantial account of his early life.Some two or three hours previous to his exit he was in great pain and frequently called upon God for help.Of his son, Jonathan and James, who had not yet arrived, he spoke in a most affectionate manner.To his son, Isaac (the only one of his children not in the church), he made a most touching appeal to meet his aged father in heaven."
"After bidding his wife and children a last farewell, he desired to be raised up in the bed--then, raising his hands toward heaven, he shouted aloud 'Victory! Victory!Victory!' laid down calmly and instantly expired.This glorious triumph of faith took place on Oct. 31, 1831, in his 67th year."
His widow survived him eleven years.It is rather remarkable that she did not become a professor of religion until after her husband's death.She was finally baptized by her son Jonathan, and died full of years in strong hope of eternal happiness.
From:A GENEALOGY OF THE DAVIS FAMILY by Henry William Clark.
Children of William M. Davis and Nancy Easton are:
- Reuben E Davis, b. September 08, 1790, d. date unknown.
- Lucy Davis, b. January 02, 1792, d. date unknown.
- Elizabeth Davis, b. February 16, 1793, d. date unknown.
- +Lucy Gibbs Davis, b. May 07, 1795, d. date unknown.
- +William Davis, Jr., b. December 08, 1796, Elbert Co., Ga., d. July 17, 1873.
- +Jonathan Davis, b. November 17, 1798, Wilkes Co., Ga., d. August 20, 1869.
- Nancy E Davis, b. June 10, 1800, d. date unknown.
- +Jeptha Vining Davis, b. December 10, 1801, Wilkes Co., Ga., d. date unknown.
- +Isaac Newton Davis, b. June 01, 1803, d. date unknown.
- +James Davis, b. January 22, 1805, Elbert Co., Ga., d. date unknown.
- +Jessie Mercer Davis, b. January 25, 1807, Wilkes Co., Georgia, d. August 14, 1868, Blakely, Ga.
- Tabitha Davis, b. June 10, 1809, d. date unknown.