Genealogy is an avocation for me. For about twenty-five years I have researched about twenty different family lines. None of these "trees" have proved to be easy. One of the more difficult lines is DAVIDSON (DAVISON). Family tradition has it that the Davidsons came here, that is, along Broad River in both North and South Caroline, from Virginia. According to Nell Nugent's CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS, Vols. I and II, which covers the early settlement of Virginia, this belief is probably true. In Vol. I three Davidsons are mentioned: Jon in Isle of Wight County in 1642; Patrick on the west side of the Petomeck in 1657; and Charles in Westmoreland County in 1658. Vol. II lists seventeen Davidsons who migrated from England before 1700. Some of these Davidsons bear familiar family names. Mary Davidson Robinson, Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a descendant of Alexander Davidson, who was born in Gloucester County, Virginia on 3 January 1744. This Alexander was apprenticed to a blacksmith. He had at least two brothers, James and Phillip, one of whom was apprenticed to a tailor. Alexander lived on Broad River and Sandy Run Creek of present-day Cleveland County, North Crolina, and then moved on to Kentucky with his entire family. My thanks to Mrs. Robinson who has kindly furnished me with the foregoing information about Alexander, James and Phillip and also the following information about Alexander and his family. Alexander Davidson was married twice. His first wife was Anna Bridges whom he married in 1768, probably in Virginia. Their children are: James Davidson, born 1768. Nothing else is known about James or his family. John Davidson, born 1770, married Sarah Ellis, the youngest sister of his stepmother. John Davidson was received into the fellowship of Sandy Run Baptist Church, Mooresboro, Cleveland County, North Carolina in October 1788. Alexander Davidson, Jr., born 1772 Hezekiah Davidson, birth date unknown, died in 1841. He married first Lettice Isbell (15 Oct 1795, Rutherford County, N.C. mb). After her death he married Ellenor Wilson on 24 November 1800. William Davidson married Aspassia Ellis. Elijah Davidson, born 23 February 1782 in Rutherford County, North Carolina, died 24 april 1870 in Oregon. On 4 February 1802 he married Margaret Murphy (in Barren County Kentucky, by The Rev. Carter Tarrant. mb). Margaret Davidson, birth date unknown, married Rubin Bostick on 12 September 1797(Rutherford Co., N.C. mb). The will of Charles Bostick, probated in Rutherford County, N.C. in 1813, names Margaret Davidson Bostick as the widow of Rubin. Anna Davidson married Jesse Goolman. After Anna Bridges Davidson died in 1782 or 1783, Alexander married Mary Ellis, born 8 January 1762. She is a daughter of Jacob Ellis. Her mother's maiden name was Spencer. Alexander and Mary's children are: Benjamin Davidson, born 3 Apr 1784 in Rutherford County, N.C., died 2 March 1822 in Barren County, Kentucky. He married Nancy Depp on 30 November 1814 (in Barren County, Kentucky. mb). Jesse Davidson married Susan Depp (4 Jan 1814, Barren County, Kentucky. mb). Isaac Davidson, born 31 March 1786 in Rutherford County, N.C. died 16 September 1853 in Kentucky. He married Susan (Susannah) Dodd (19 Jul 1810, Barren County, Kentucky. mb). Abram Spencer Davidson first married Laura F. Stoddard and then Mariah S. Landis. Jacob Ellis Davidson married Mary Winn. Asa Davidson married Amanda Gassaway. Two other sons are names only: Allen and Albert Bishop Davidson. Elizabeth Davidson married Dr. Benjamin Thurston. Sarah Davidson married George W. Holland. The first appearance of Alexander Davidson in North Carolina seems to be in the Nash District of Caswell County. He is listed with some other names familiar to the Rutherford- Cleveland County area in 1777. To mention a few: Charles Breedlove, Charles Bostick, Moses Bridges, Benjamin and William Hawkins, Samuel and Enoch Hamrick, James Ketcher- sides, Bushore and Joseph Sutle and David Womack. Alexander first bought land in this area in 1782. In a grant from North Carolina, he received 75 acres "adjoining and above his own land, including Gutheries improvements". Perhaps there is an earlier grant that I have not found. The first Davidson to live on Broad River seems to be James who bought land on a branch of Loe's Creek of Broad River in 1771. Alexander Davidson joined Sandy Run Baptist Church, Moores- boro, Cleveland County, N. C., by letter from Buffalo Baptist Church, Cherokee County, S. C., in April 1787. He was then living on Sandy Run Creek. Church records show that alexander was a very religious man. He was a delegate to the Association many times and was sent to "cite' someone to meeting almost too many times to count. In June, 1795, he was allowed to "exercise his gift", that is, to preach; he was then ordained a minister in July 1796. Mary, second wife of Alexander, joined the church and was baptized in July 1788. A Davidson--Rachel-- whom I can't identify, joined Sandy Run in November, 1788. Alexander Davidson moved his whole family to Kentucky in 1797 or 1798. On 5 November 1798 he organized the Mt. Tabor Baptist Church of Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky. While still in Rutherford County, Alexander Davidson was a Justice of the Peace during the year 1783. See page 88 of the HISTORY OF OLD TRYON AND RUTHERFORD COUNTIES, N.C., 1730-1936, by Clarence W. Griffin. Each time I think I am on my way to figuring out this family puzzle, I find I have stumbled into something else I don't understand. The Alexander Davidson, Jr., who lived along the Broad River and who left a will in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, is not the son of the Alexander who went to Kentucky. If Phillip came to North Carolina with James and Alexander, I have not been able to find a deed for land. As with many of the old pioneer families, the Davidson brothers had a bad habit of naming their sons for each other. And every family has a Margaret. The deeds of Rutherford and Cleveland Counties of North Carolina and of York and Spartanburg Counties in South Carolina reveal some interesting information. For instance: (Rutherford) A deed for an estate settlement made on 7 December 1803 lists the legatees as William Davidson, Jacob and Elizabeth Arner, John Bridges, Joseph Collins, Amelia Bridges, George Bridges, Elizabeth Bridges and Rachel Bridges. In this deed the heirs sold 200 acres on First Little Broad River to James Bridges. Since my great grandfather is named William Bridges Davidson, I think that this deed has some significance. This William Davidson may be either his father or his grandfather. Some Davidson Deeds show that they gathered around Camp's Creek, now a part of No. 1 Township, Cleveland County, North Carolina: 1810: William Davidson bought 120 acres on Camp's Branch. Wit: Moses Davidson. 1810: (Registered May 1833) William Bridggers Davidson boght 100 acres on Camp's Creek adjoining William Davidson Sr.'s line. 1821: William Davidson sold Moses Davidson land on the North Prong of Camp's Creek, adjoining Moses Davidson. Wit: James Davidson. 1824: (Registered Novembr 1833) Alexander Davidson, William Davidson and Sarah Davidson sold Moses Davidson land on Camp's Creek adjoining Alexander Davidson. 1830: William Davidson sold land on Main Broad River at the mouth of Ashworth Creek, the next creek west of Camp's Creek. As you will notice, three of the forgoing deed were registered in 1833. Evidently an estate was settled at that time. A possible theory, and it is only theory, is that James Davidson, who settled on Broad River in 1771, is the father of William Bridges Davidson, Alexander Davidson, James Davidson, Moses Davidson, Sarah Davidson and Margaret Davidson. York County, South Carolina, is also full of Davidson. As early as 1786 a William Davidson was buying land on Fishing Creek. The cluster of Davidsons near Clark's Ford of bullock's Creek seems to more nearly parallel the Broad River Davidsons. In 1785 John Davidson, who had earlier given his oldest son Elias part oa a patent, gave his four minor sons the remainder of the patent. These sons were named Robert, John, James and Hugh. One of the York County's William Davidsons married Jane J. Young, a daughter of James young, as evidenced by an estate settlement deed in 1814. In 1857 William B. Davidson, Mary Davidson, Isabella Davidson and Elizabeth a. Davidson sold Robert Davidson land on Clark's Ford of Bullock's Creek "adjoining ourselves". A little later William B. Davidson sold Bethany Church, on Bullock's Creek, some land. These people are, no doubt, relatives. Spartanburg Deeds show all the family names--William, James, Margaret-- living near the North-South Caroline line in the same area of Camp's Creek. I have, however, not been able to make a family group out of any of them. William Bridges Davidson of Camp's Creek married Nancy Ann Wray of Grassy Pond, Cherokee County, S.C.; and they lived in No. 1 Township, Cleveland County, N.C., on Camp's Creek until 1873. On 17 December 1872 William B., Davidson bought land in Rutherford County on Floyd's Creek. This property is on both sides of the road and just south of Floyd's Creek Baptist Church. The deed excepted "2 acres included in the above boundry has been by me transferred to Floyd's Creek Church for a church and burial ground and is not calculated in the above acres of land." An additional deed from W. B. and Nancy Davidson and James H. Carpenter to the Deacons of Floyd's Creek Church transferred three acres and use of water of a spring for the sum of $1 for 99 years, or as long as used for a babtist church. almost as soon as the property in Rutherford County was secured, William and Nancy Davidson sold their land in No. 1 Township. A Cleveland County, N.C. deed dated 25 January 1873 is for the sale of their home place. Beginning in 1873 William and nancy Davidson lived the remainder of their lives in Rutherford County. Their home stood where the white frame house just south of Floyd's Creek Baptist Church now stands. The only "Davidson" thing left on the property is a log smokehouse. William Bridges and Nancy Ann Wray Davidson are my great grandparents. Their children are: Susan, who was born 10 December 1836 and who died on 9 October 1910. She married James Tate, a son of Jesse and Nancy Tate. He was born 15 October 1836 and died 10 February 1920. Their children are: Arlington W. "Brud" Tate, born 26 November 1856. He married Sarah Webb. Nancy Tate, who married Marlo Hawkins. Volney Tate, born 20 May 1859, married Hannie R. Robbins, "Need" was married twice. That is all I know about him. John Pinkney Tate, born 20 Jun 1867, died 28 February 1901 he married Addie S. Wray. Sherman Tate, born 6 Jun 1870, was married twice. His first marriage was to Millie Carpenter, and his second to Annalizer McGinnis. Martha "Sis" Tate, born 23 March 1872, died at Floyd's Creek. She married Adolphus V. Vickers. Jonah "Joney" Tate was born 23 September 1875 and died on 28 Apr 1937. He married Susan Jones. Landrum R. "Tinker" Tate, born 24 December 1879, died 3 Jul 1959. He (?) married Jesse Peterson, a Baptist minister. (?) Margaret was born in 1841. She lived near Harris, N. C. with her son Elisha E., born February 1869, died 6 May 1935, who married Eula I. Womack. She is buried at Floyd's Creek Baptist Church. Julia Ann, born 1843, married Adolphus Jones, a son of William and Minurvia Jones. This Adolphus was a piano salesman. Their only child is James A. D. Jones, born 1868. Pinkney was born in 1846 and was killed in the Civil War while a member of Company C., 2nd NC Junior Reserves, CSA. He is the only Davidson with a marker, a Civil War Iron Cross, in the Camp's Creek Baptist Church cemetery. To the best of my knowledge he was never married. Adolphus Dewitt, a Baptist minister, was born 18 September 1848, and died 12 December 1928. He lived near Gaffney, Cherokee County, S. C., for many years. Beaver Dam Church, between Gaffney and Thicketty Creek, is a permanent monument to his interest in religion. the orininal church is still used and is in almose the same condition as when it was built. "Dolph" was married twice. His first wife was Ida Tindall, born 5 September 1860 and died 1 March 1895. Their children are: William Tindall Davidson, born 7 august 1870, died 20 October 1955. He married (1) Genevieve Clark, and (2) Mary Collins Garrett. Elizabeth Nancy Davidson, born 10 October 1880 and died 1911 Unmarried. Guy Whitfield Davidson born 21 April 1882 and died 6 January 1957. He married Ella Vassey. Clayton Davidson born 15 October 1883, died 19 August 1885. Unmarried. Broadus Monroe Davidson, a minister, was born 10 April 1886 and died 16 October 1958. He was married to Irene Hartsell. Roland Dewitt Davidson, born 10 april 1886, died 16 October 1958. On 13 December 1913 he married Lydia Greene. Elmotie Davidson, a boy, was born 24 Mar 1889 and died 10 December 1891. Unmarried. Adolphus Dewitt Daidson was born 27 September 1891 and died 1 July 1892. Unmarried. Myrtle Edwards Davidson, born 23 July 1893, died 29 December 1970. She married Sampson Huff. The second wife of Adolphus Dewitt Davidson was Carrie Eugenia Vassey. They had three children: John Boyce Davidson, born 11 October 1900, lives in Florida. He was married first to Dorothy Rogers and is presently married to Marion P. Dorsett. Herbert Ford Davidson, born 21 September 1902, lives in Gaffney, S. C., and has been married twice. He married Ellen Arthur on 28 February 1930; and after her death, a Mrs. Allison, who did not live long. Katherine Eugenia Davidson was born 9 August 1913 and lives in Spartanburg, S. C. She married to Robert William Garner, Jr. Priscilla Jane is my grandmother. She was born on 8 June 1851 and died 22 February 1898. On 6 June 1877 she married Doctor Garner Edwards, a son of William Joseph and Priscilla Carolina Beam Edwards. Doctor Garner Edwards was born 29 October 1853 and died 9 December 1926. Their children are: William Joseph Edwards, born 20 February 1878, died 8 December 1943. He married Tena Bowen. Thomas Cleveland Edwards, born 18 June 1880, died 7 August 1971. Phamie Jackson was his first wife and Myrtle Crawford his second. Sarah Cecil Edwards, born 9 April 1882, died 24 June 1964. She was married to Jafus Arlington Belue. Lona Beatrice Edwards, born 13 august 1884, died 5 November 1961. She eloped with Olaner Joseph Garner. They emigrated to British Columbia, Canada, and their Children live in British Columbia and California. Ida Mae Edwards, my mother, was born 24 May 1888 and died 9 February 1969. She married on 3 July 1916 Lawson Wofford Greene, a son of the Rev. Bryson P. and Mary Angeline Allison Greene. Elmota Enoree Edwards, born 10 October 1891, died 5 August 1892 from the effects of swallowing a brass Cartridge case. Unmarried. S. Clementine "Tine", born in 1856, married Romeo Womack. She had one daughter, Eunice. Marshall Cleveland "Cleve", born 27 November 1859 and died 23 September 1901. He maried Margaret Elizabeth Carpenter. Their children are: Etta Davidson, born 14 October 1881, died 29 september 1906. Elbert Frazier was her husband. Florence Davidson, born 23 april 1889, died 3 November 1970. She married Elijah turner Justice Davidson, born 30 June 1892, died 28 April 1954. He married Carrie Edwards, a first cousin of Ida Mae Edwards Greene. Gomarial Angus "Ang", born 5 Jun 1863, died 6 May 1935. He married Amanda McMahan and their children are: Beulah Davidson, born 2 February 1887, married John Frye. Barney Davidson, born 25 February 1890, married Essie Price. Clyde Davidson, born 23 January 1898, married Julia Barrett. Forrest Davidson, born 19 September 1902, married Julia Donis Burlison and (2) Lillian Frazier. Gomarial Davidson, born 3 May 1914, married Ray Elliott. She lives in Shelby. The 1850 Cleveland Conty, N. C. Census, shows that William Bridges Davidson was a fairly prosperous man. He owned 95 improved acres, 10 wooded acres and 5 unimproved acres. He had one horse, two cows, 4 other cattle, 20 sheep and 13 swine valued at $150. Two churches figure prominently in my davidson line. One is buffalo Baptist Church, Cherokee County, S. C. The church was founded about 1772; however, the first church roll is dated 1803. On this roll are listed: Elder William Davidson, Alexander Davidson son of ------ Davidson because both Alexander Sr., and Jr. were already in Kentucky. ), Moses Davidson, James Davidson, Margaret Davidson (who died in 1804) and Elizabeth Davidson (received by letter in 1816). When Camp's Creek Baptist Church, No. 1 Township, Cleveland County, N. C., was organized in 1822 it became the second church in which the Davidsons were prominent. Buffalo Baptist Church, in August 1822, dismissed these Davidsons who helped to constitute a new church at Camp's Creek: Elder William Davidson, Moses Davidson, James Davidson, Alexander Davidson and Elizabeth Davidson. My mother, Ida Edwards Greene, always said that one of her Davidson great grandparents was a Ruppe and the other was a Rudisill. She did not know which one married a Davidson and which one married a Wray. The 1850 Census of Cleveland County N.C. shows a "Susan", born in 1775, living in the home of William Davidson. The Assistant Marshalls who took the Census were not too careful about different names within a household; however, I am assuming that this Susan is a Davidson. She could, however, be Nancy Ann Wray's mother. As you see, my Davidson information is very sketchy. If you can help me fill in the gaps, I will appreciate hearing from you. Virginia Greene DePriest 628 Hillcrest Drive Shelby, N. C. 28150 (prior to 1972)