A Wilson Family Tree
Notes for James Robinson Davis
"History of Saline County, Missouri", Missouri Historical Co., St. Louis, 1881, p. 854:
From biography of John B. Davis: James R. is a member of the present county court of Saline county, a position he has held before, and which his father held before him.
The Hillis/Abney/Franklin/Smith AWT site gives his middle name as Robinson, but information from Robert Davis gives it as Robison. The Reed Family Tree and Find A Grave also have Robinson.
A letter from James R. Davis to a cousin, dated 10 Jun 1868, Longwood, Pettis Co., MO (from the Missouri History Collection, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, MO; transcription obtained from Russell Reed):
Dear Cousin
I have looked for a letter from you for a long time but have not received a line from any of our friends for a long time. We heard Aunt Rebecca was dead and I suppose it is time but no one has informed us of it as yet that we knew it was [MS illegible] I have written to you twice since the war but have not received any answer yet to any of my letters we are all well Mother is living with me an has tolerable health for her age. Shelton has moved to Morgan County and all the balance doging around Politically we are under the nig but never can be socially for I detest negro equality an any of its kindred is nig and all of the advocates of such abominable nonsense a white negro is meaner than the black one but [MS illegible] [MS illegible] in that. Charlotte ought to have something coming to her from Fathers estate but it is said we made it all to Peter Steele if we did it was not intended to be done we did not sell him interest in the property reserved for her. Father [?] I would be glad if you would get a lawyer to look at the deed we made Peter Steele and if anything can be made take the proper course to make it. I do not want to pay anything to a lawyer unless he can make the money out of Charlotte interest there and if you can get one to take it on that way please do so. Give my respect to cous Wil + Family uncle Jacob and all friends and write to me. Mother is very anxious to hear from you all tell uncle Jacob to write and Will and let my [me?] hear from all ours & Clahorn and Moore before another war commences all join me in Respects to you and all
Your Cousin
Jas R. Davis
Have you all moved the grave yard cousin Will said they intended to do so and did he move our babe.
Russell Reed makes the following identifications: Aunt Rebecca refers to Rebecca Van Lear Davis, who died in September 1867. Mother is Sallie Van Lear Davis. Shelton is Shelton S. Abney, James’ brother-in-law. Charlotte is Charlotte Steele Davis, James’ wife. The reference to Fathers estate refers to John David Steele, Charlotte’s father. Peter Steele is Charlotte’s brother. And Uncle Jacob is Jacob Van Lear Jr., brother of Rebecca and Sallie Van Lear. The notes about illegible manuscript are from Russell Reed.]
Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above. ...Mike Wilson
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