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Ancestors of Mahala Davis
Generation No. 1
1. Mahala Davis, born 11 Mar 1809 in Washington County, Indiana; died 08 May 1902 in Harrison County, Indiana. She was the daughter of 2. John Davis and 3. Sarah Litsey. She married (1) George Seacat 09 Apr 1829 in Harrison County, Indiana. He was born 09 Oct 1805 in Lincoln Co., Kentucky, and died 09 Oct 1883 in Harrison County, Indiana. He was the son of Peter Seacat and M. Elizabeth Mason.
Notes for Mahala Davis:
Mahala left the following Will, recorded in Harrison County, Indiana - In the name of the all wise creator, and the benevolent Father of all, I Mahala Seacat surviving widow of the late George Seacat, deceased, being feeble and infirm in body, but of sound mind, and disposing memory do declare this writing to be my last will and testament. Item First: I give and bequeath to my children who may be living at the time of my death, the one seventh part of all my estate, both real and personal; that is the one seventh part to each of my said children who may be thus living at the time of my death, and should any of my children, who are now living die before I do, I then will and bequeath to their children that are surviving at the time of my death, that portion of my estate that their parents would take if alive, under this will. Item 2 - I give and bequeath to the children of Hamilton Seacat deceased, the one seventh part of my estate real and personal. Item 3 - I give and bequeath to Mary I Weathers and Cora Weathers, children of Saphronia Barkshear deceased, one seventh part of my estate real and personal. Item 4 - I give and bequeath to Matthew Seacat, William Seacat and John Seacat, children of John Seacat deceased, the one seventh of my estate. Item 5 -The reason I do not will to the children of Logan Seacat anything is because of advancements I had made to him the said Logan Seacat in his life time, said advancements amounting to more than I am able to give to any of my other children, or to the descendants of those who are dead. Item 6 - I hereby appoint my beloved son Monroe Seacat executor of this my last will and request that he as soon after my death as possible pay all just debts and funeral expenses and then convert all my property into money, and as soon as the same can by him be done, I wish the same to be by him distributed as directed in the foregoing bequests by me made. Given under my hand and seal as my last will and testament this 2nd day of April 1897.
More About Mahala Davis:
Burial: Mt. Zion Cemetery Harrison County, Indiana
Notes for George Seacat:
1850 census of District 45, Harrison County, Indiana, NA M432-149, page 404, George Seacat, 44, born in Virginia, farmer, Mahala, 41, born in Kentucky, Hamilton, 18, born in Indiana, Montgomery, 16, born in Indiana, Monroe, 14, born in Indiana, Sydney, 12, born in Indiana, Harrison, 10, born in Indiana, Sofrona, 6, born in Indiana, Minerva, 4, born in Indiana, John, 6 months, born in Indiana.
1860 census of Blue River Township, Harrison County, Indiana, NA Film M653-264, page 247, George Seacat, 55, born in Virginia, Mahala, 51, born in Kentucky, Montgomery, 26, born in Indiana, Monroe, 24, born in Indiana, Sydney, 22, born in Indiana, Harrison, 20, born in Indiana, Sophrona, 17, born in Indiana, Hulda, 15, born in Indiana, Minerva, 13, born in Indiana, John, 10, born in Indiana.
1870 census of Blue River Township, Harrison County, Indiana, NA Film M593-321, page 15, George Seacat, 64, born in Virginia, farmer, Mahala, 40, born in Kentucky, John, 20, born in Indiana, farmer.
1880 Census of Blue River Township, Harrison County, Indiana, NA Film T9-0282, Page 208A, George Seacat, 74, born in Virginia, farmer, Mahala, wife, 71, born in Kentucky, keeping house, parents born in Virginia.
George left the following Will, recorded in Harrison County, Indiana - I, George Seacat of Harrison County and State of Indiana, do make and publish this my last will and testament. Item First - I will and bequeath to my wife Mahala Seacat all of my household and kitchen goods of every description and if she does not wish to keep all of them she shall divide such as she does not wish to keep equally between my three daughters Saffronia Weathers, Hulda Hancock, and Minerva Totten and that she also have in addition to the household goods herein all that the laws of the State allows her both real estate and personal property. Item Second - I will and bequeath that my executor sell at public sale all of my personal property not heretofore given to Mahala Seacat in this will and collect all of my outstanding debts and pay all the debts that I may owe of every description. Item Three - I will that my executor shall pay to the children of Hamilton Seacat $50 to be divided equally between them (to wit) George Seacat, Matilda Seacat, Sydna H Seacat, Mary Seacat, Mahala Seacat and William Seacat. Item Four - I will that my daughter Minerva Totten have a certain note that I hold on her husband Joseph T Totten delivered and given up to her as her full share of my estate and no more. Item Five - I have heretofore given my son Harrison Seacat in the way of an advancement $200 and to my daughter Saffronia Weathers $250 and to my daughter Hulda Hancock $250. Item Six - I further will and bequeath that my executor divide the remainder of my estate equally share and share alike after first deducting the advancements herein stated from the shares Hulda Hancock, Harrison Seacat, Saffronia Weathers, between Logan Seacat, Monroe Seacat, Harrison Seacat, Saffronia Weathers and Hulda Hancock my children, and to my grandchildren Sydna Seacat, William Seacat and John Seacat who are the children of my son John Seacat deceased to have one share divided between them same as their father would receive if living. Item Seven - I will that my son Monroe Seacat and my son-in-law Enoch Hancock, be appointed by the court as the executors of this will. Item Eight - I will that my executors Enoch Hancock and Monroe Seacat keep in their hands the shares bequeathed to my grandchildren Sydna M Seacat, William Seacat and John Seacat, the children of my son John Seacat until they arrive at 21 years of age and keep the same at interest. Witness my hand and seal the 5th day of October 1883.
More About George Seacat:
Burial: Mt. Zion Cemetery Harrison County, Indiana
Generation No. 2
2. John Davis, born 11 Jul 1767 in Hedgesville, West Virginia; died Abt. 1860. He was the son of Edward Davis and Mary. He married 3. Sarah Litsey 21 Aug 1790 in Nelson, Kentucky.
3. Sarah Litsey, born 09 Dec 1766 in Augusta, Virginia; died Abt. 1842 in Indiana. She was the daughter of Anthony Litsey and Susanna Slack.
Notes for John Davis:
The Litsey Family formerly Litching and Litsey and Their Descendants, by David Randolph Litsey (1952) - Permission for their marriage was given by Randel Litching (Sarah's brother). Randel Litching acted as Surety.
Mercer County, Kentucky, Deeds, Book B, Page 658 - This Indenture made this November 5, 1796, between John Davis of the County of Mercer and state of Kentucky the one part and Edward Briscoe of the County of Washington and State aforesaid of the other part... For and in consideration of 60 pounds... one certain tract of land containing 290 acres lying in the county of Washington on the beech fork and bounded as follows... Beginning at a Hickory and Ironwood running N 22 W 280 poles to 3 white oaks corner to the old patent line, thence S 70 W 187 poles to 3 sugar trees, thence S 22 E 222 poles to the creek a sugar tree and buckeye in the division line now by Samuel Taylor, thence with the swirl meanders of the creek 199 poles to the beginning... Witnesses: Jeremiah Briscoe, Edward Briscoe, and George Dry.
Washington County, Kentucky, Deeds, Book A, Page 453 - This Indenture made this March 7, 1797 between John Davis and Sarah his wife of...County and State of Kentucky of the one part and Benjamin Hardin of Washington County and State of Kentucky of the other part... for and in the consideration of 28 pounds... on certain tract or parcel of land situate and being in the county of Washington on the waters of the Beech Fork...28 3/4 acres... Witnesses: Henry Hardin, James Davis, and Joseph Rounder.
Washington County, Kentucky, Deeds, Book J, Page 210 - This Indenture made this August 12, 1828 between John Davis and Sarah his wife of Harrison County and State of Indiana of the one part and James Bentley of Washington County and State of Kentucky of the other part... for and in consideration of $2,250... a tract or parcel of land situation and being in the county of Washington on the waters of the Beech Fork... 225 acres.
Washington County, Kentucky, Deeds, Book J, page 216 - This Indenture made this August 12, 1828, between John Davis and Sarah his wife of Harrison County and State of Indiana of the one part and Henry Hardin of the County of Washington and State of Kentucky of the other part... for and in consideration of $1,837.50... one certain tract, piece or parcel of land situate lying and being in the county of Washington and state of Kentucky and on the waters of the Beech fork, containing 183 acres, two roods and thirty eight poles...
Washington County, Kentucky, Will, Book B, Page 129 - May 22, 1811 - John was named an Executor of the will of his long-time friend John Champion. They estate, recorded in Washington County, Kentucky, was witnessed by Henry Hardin and James Davis.
Jefferson Land Entries, 1808-1818, by Janet C Cowen (1984):
#10720 October 14, 1816 - John Davis of Washington County, Kentucky, 160 acres, SE quarter Section 34, T02S, R03E.
#10947 November 5, 1816 - John Davis of Washington County, Kentucky, 160 acres, SE quarter Section 08, T03S, R03E. This tract is the quarter section east of the Moberly Church and Cemetery in Spencer Township, Harrison County.
#11000 November 9, 1816 - same as #10947.
#12934 July 7, 1817 - John Davis of Harrison County, Indiana, 130 acres, NE quarter Section 03, T03S, R03E.
#12935 July 7, 1817 - John Davis of Harrison County, Indiana, 134 acres, NW quarter Section 03, T03S, R03E.
In addition to the tracts that John Davis bought from the US Government, the southwest quarter, section 8, T3, R3 (Moberly); the southeast quarter, section 34, T2, R3; the northwest quarter, section 34, T2, R3; the East half northwest quarter, section 35, T1, R2 (Blue River Township); the northwest half, section 3, T3, R3; the northeast quarter, northeast quarter, section 3, T3, R3.
Harrison County, Indiana, Deeds, Book B, Page 88 - 16 Aug 1817 - John Davis bought: the southwest quarter of section 34, T2, R3 from John Mathis.
Harrison County, Indiana, Deeds, Book D, Page 38 - John Davis bought the East half, southeast half, section 33, T2, R3 from Jonathan Peter.
John also bought the northwest half, section 1, T3, R2 from John Hollowell May 3, 1820. This last tract was located on the Blue River on the East side of Harrison County. During the 1820s and 1830s John Davis had a mill and distillery there. John's sons, Thomas and Edward, also used the site to load flatboats with whiskey and produce for transport to New Orleans. Thomas and Edward would float their goods down the Blue River to the Ohio River and follow the Ohio River to the Mississippi River and continue on until they reached New Orleans. After arriving in New Orleans, they would sell the flatboat and cargo and return to Harrison County.
1820 census of Harrison County, Indiana, NA Film M33-14, page 54, John Davis 2 males < 10, 1 male 10-16, 3 males 16-18, 3 males 18-26, 1 male >45, 2 females 10-16, 1 female >45
1830 census of Blue River Township, Harrison County, Indiana, NA Film M19-27, page 67, John Davis Sr (image not available on Ancestry.com).
John later sold most of this land to his children on December 19, 1834. The deeds for these transactions can be found in Harrison County, Indiana, Land Records Book H, pages 304-309.
1840 census - unable to locate record
1850 Census of 45th District, Harrison County, Indiana, NA Film 432-149, page 292, David Askerns, 55, born in Indiana, Nancy, 51, born in Kentucky, John Davis, 80, born in Virginia, Dennis Askren, 21, born in Indiana, farmer, Edward Askren, 19, born in Indiana, farmer, Warren Askren, 17, born in Indiana, farmer, Susannah Askren, 14, born in Indiana, Elizabeth Askren, 10, born in Indiana.
John died in 1851 probably at the home of his daughter Nancy. Both John and Sarah are buried in the family cemetery located on what is today the Jerome Davis farm in Section 34, Township 2 South, Range 3 East in Spencer Township. There are no stones in the cemetery. From a conversation with Jerome Davis in 1980, I learned the stones were removed from the cemetery during the late 1800s at the request of Lucinda (Seacat) Davis, who had reported seeing ghosts in the cemetery.
THE LIFE OF WALTER QUINTIN GRESHAM by Matilda Gresham, 1919, a two volume biography on John and Sarah's grandson Walter Quintin Gresham, tells more about John Davis' family. In 1815 he [John] moved to Harrison County, Indiana, taking with him the minor children of his large family of ten sons and six daughters. Of the sixteen, fourteen lived to be three score and ten and seven past ninety, and all reared large families... John Davis, the grandfather [of Walter Gresham], lived to be almost one hundred, dying in the early '50's [1850s]. From the time Walter Q Gresham knew him, he lived with and was cared for by Aunt Nancy [Askren]. Although his strong anti-slavery views caused him to seek, with his growing family, the wilds of Indiana Territory, John Davis was a considerate, charitable, and kindly man, and to the last a Democrat. But he was a strong Union man, and he read Daniel Webster's speeches. His sons, Thomas, Henry, and Robert, joined the Republican Party, while Anthony, Anderson, and John adhered to the Democratic. Several brothers of John Davis, great-uncles of Walter Q Gresham, with their growing families, settled in that neighborhood. Many of the offspring migrated to Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. At one time one of them said tome [Matilda Gresham], "We had 900 on the list, and then we quit counting." The women were good housekeepers, and the men were then, and still are [1919], mainly prosperous farmers... The mother of Walter Q Gresham, Sarah Davis, was born near Springfield, Washington County, Kentucky, September 15, 1807... Among the California gold seekers were Anthony, brother of the mother of Walter Q Gresham. Anthony turned all his resources into cash and moved his family to the Willamette Valley in Oregon, where his descendants have prospered... An ex-office holder under Andrew Jackson, Anthony Davis remained a Democrat to his death. On behalf of the Gresham family, Walter Q Gresham became the correspondent with Uncle Anthony... Uncles Henry, John and Robert Davis [to Walter Gresham], with their families, lived on sections adjoining the John Davis homestead. Aunt Betsy, married Enoch Martin, Aunt Mahaly to George Seacat, and Aunt Nancy to David A Askren, lived with their growing families near by. Aunt Polly, married to Abraham Stevens, lived just over the line in Washington County, not far from Fredericksburg, and close to John Rankin, the keeper of the first station on the Underground Railroad north of Corydon...
ANDREW DAVIS, another grandson of John and Sarah's, made some notes on his heritage in 1935. A transcription of these notes was given to me by Rae (Davis) Walk in 1980 - About 1816, John Davis built a log house on some land near Corydon which he had bought from the Government. Later his son, Thomas Davis, built a brick house on the same spot and used some of the materials of the old house. This house still stands and is the home of George Carrington Davis. On this farm are buried John Davis and his wife Sally Litzy Davis, Charles Peter and others - no markers. John Davis came from Virginia through Kentucky into Indiana. John was so opposed to slavery he would not remain in Kentucky. He was in Hardin County, Kentucky, a short time. John Davis was French, Irish and Welsh. The Wyandotte Indians used to camp on the farm later owned by John Davis. Flints, arrowheads, and tomahawks are found in number on the place. There is a large spring there which was the attraction for the Indians. Several important Indian battles were fought on the ridge adjoining the farm. After the brick house was built by Thomas Davis, an Indian Chief came back and slept on the floor of the living room in front of the fireplace. He refused the offer of a bed. John Davis had sons, Jake, Jim, and Ed in addition to the ones mentioned in the Gresham Book. A son of Jake's lives at Crandell and is named Litzy Davis. Also said John Davis had four brothers and one sister. One brother lived at Lanesville. Mrs Crabb said her mother [Jane Pennington Davis] lived at the old Davis home. Once she saw wolves from the back door.
Children of John Davis and Sarah Litsey are:
i. Mary (Polly) Davis, born 13 Nov 1791; died 31 Jan 1882.
ii. Anthony Litsey Davis, born 04 Mar 1792; died 03 Nov 1866.
iii. James Davis, born 11 Feb 1793; died Bef. 1840.
iv. Edward Davis, born 26 Aug 1795 in Washington County, Indiana; died 1834 in Crawford County, Indiana.
Notes for Edward Davis:
He never married. During the 1830s Edward ran a store in Leavenworth, Indiana. He died there in 1834. The probate of his estate is recorded in Harrison County, Indiana. His father was named Executor. Many of the documents in the file are in his father's handwriting.
v. Nancy Davis, born 16 Oct 1798; died 06 Feb 1889.
vi. Jacob Davis, born 08 Apr 1800; died Bef. 1880.
vii. Thomas Davis, born 13 Oct 1801; died 26 Dec 1883.
viii. John Davis, born 24 Mar 1803; died Aft. 1880.
ix. Elizabeth Davis, born 02 Dec 1804; died 29 Oct 1858.
x. Henry Davis, born 23 Jun 1806 in Washington County, Kentucky; died 07 Mar 1885; married Sarah Harbison Pennington 27 Mar 1829 in Harrison County, Indiana; born 06 Feb 1810 in Harrison County, Indiana; died 22 Mar 1893 in Harrison County, Indiana.
Notes for Henry Davis:
1850 U.S. Census, District 45, Harrison Co., Indiana Image 209 of 357 Dwelling 120
Henry Davis male farmer age 44 property value 1500 born KY
Sarah female age 40 born Indiana
Anderson male age 17
Dennis male age 16
Henry c. male age 15
Elizabeth female age 14
Mary female age 10
Angeline female age 7
Hester female age 5
Berelda female age 2
John male age 5/12 all children born in Indiana
1860 U.S. Census, Spencer Twp, Harrison Co., IN., Roll 264 Book 1 Page 26 Image 26 of 27 Dwelling 184-174
Henry Davis male age 53 Farmer Property value 3000 Personal value 805 Born KY
Sarah female age 49 Housekeeping Born Indiana
Elizabeth female age 22 born Indiana
Mary female age 22 born Indiana
Angeline??? female age 17 born Indiana
Hester frmale age 15 born Indiana
Zelda female age 13 born Indiana
John male age 10 born Indiana
Rebecca female age 7 born Indiana
1870 U.S. Census, Spencer Twp. Harrison Co., IN Roll 321 Book 1 Page 210a Dwelling 113
Henry Davis male age 62 Farmer property value 2500, personal value 600 born KY
Sarah female age 53 Keeping house born IN
Elizabeth female age 26 born IN
John W. male age 20 born IN
Nancy H. female age 10 born IN
1880 U.S. Census, Spencer, Harrison, Indiana, FHL Film 1254283 National Archives Film T9-0283 Page 365C
Henry Davis Self M M W age 72 born KY Occ: Farmer Fa: VA Mo: PA
Sarah Wife F M W age 70 born IN Fa: VA Mo: KY
Elisabeth Dau F S W age 43 born IN Fa: KY Mo: IN
John W. Son M M W age 30 born IN Fa: KY Mo: IN
Caroline C. DauL F M W age 25 born IN Fa: Germany Hesse CastleMo: Bavarie
More About Henry Davis:
Burial: Woods Chapel, Harrison Co., Indiana
More About Sarah Harbison Pennington:
Burial: Woods Chapel, Harrison County, Indiana
xi. Sarah Davis, born 05 Sep 1807; died 07 Mar 1906.
1 xii. Mahala Davis, born 11 Mar 1809 in Washington County, Indiana; died 08 May 1902 in Harrison County, Indiana; married George Seacat 09 Apr 1829 in Harrison County, Indiana.
xiii. Anderson Davis, born 25 Jan 1810 in Washington County, Indiana; died Bef. 16 Jan 1838; married Lucy A. Cole.
Notes for Anderson Davis:
Shortly after their marriage they moved to Carroll County, Indiana, where Anderson bought land in Section 8, Jefferson Township on February 23, 1836. Anderson bought the west half of the northwest quarter of section 34, T2, R3 in Harrison County, Indiana, from his father September 7, 1838. He died soon after this transaction took place and on January 16,1839, his widow, Lucy A Davis, sold the tract back to her father-in-law John Davis. No further mention of her has been found. Apparently, they had no children.
xiv. Robert Davis, born 14 Feb 1814 in Washington County, Kentucky; died 14 Feb 1897 in Harrison County, Indiana; married Jane Pennington; born 15 Jan 1815 in Moberly, Harrison County, Indiana; died 1907 in Harrison County, Indiana.
Notes for Robert Davis:
Family Information received from David N. Arasmith (
arasdn@alltel.net) July 2003
1850 U.S. Census, District 45, Harrison Co., Indiana, Ancestry.com Image 3 of 357 Dwelling 103-103
Family lives just 9 Dwellings away from Nimrod Hurst and Mary Pennington Hurst they are Dwelling 112
Robert Davis male age 34 Farmer Property value 500 born KY
Jane female age 32 born IN (Pennington)
Bethsaida female age 14 born IN
Martha female age 11
Woodford H. male age 9
Pedlina female age 8
Anna female age 7
Walter P. male age 5
Enoch male age 3
Amanda J. female age 1
More About Robert Davis:
Burial: Woods Chapel, Harrison County, Indiana
More About Jane Pennington:
Burial: Woods Chapel, Harrison County, Indiana