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James Barrington Davis

Private, Company E

34th Texas Cavalry

By his great-grandson

Charles E. Workman, Jr.

James Barrington Davis was born 20 February 1828 in Mount Sterling, Kentucky(1), son of Col. Josiah Davis and Martha (Patsy) Chandler, and grandson of James Davis, a soldier in the American Revolution(2). Originally from Virginia, James Davis had moved to Bryan's Station, Fayette County, Kentucky where Josiah Davis was born 8 March 1797. By the time of James Barrington's birth, the family had again moved to Mt. Sterling, Montgomery County, KY.(3)

Josiah Davis and Patsy Chandler were married on 10 February 1820.(4) Of their 12 children, James was fourth born. His father became a prosperous farmer and politician, serving in the Kentucky State Legislature for many years, and was a Colonel in the State Militia.(5)

James Barrington Davis was educated in Mt. Sterling and the family believes he served with Kentucky troops in the Mexican War. Returning home, he worked on the family farm while resuming his education in Law. Josiah Davis died at the age of 50 in 1847.(6) In the mid 1850's James moved to Bonham in Fannin County, Texas where he opened a law practice and on 20 April 1858 married Miss Mary Eliza Beauchamp, formerly of Morgan County, KY, but living in Paris, TX with Harriett Graves Wooten and her husband Dr. T. D. Wooten. The wedding reception took place at the Wooten home.(7) The couple then began housekeeping in Bonham. Mary Eliza would return to the Dr. Wooten's home in January 1860 for the birth of her first child, Martha and a second child, Anne, was born here less than 11 months later.(8)

Texas voted to secede from the union in early 1861, and in April 1862 James Barrington Davis enlisted as a private in Company E, 34th Cavalry, Texas.(9) At that time Mary Eliza closed their home in Bonham and moved in with the Wootens for the duration of the war.

Surprisingly, in 1862 while still in the Army, James ran for and was elected to the Confederate Texas Senate.(10) There is no record of his discharge from the Army, so it is assumed he was excused during the time the Senate was in session. He held his seat in the Senate until the end of hostilities in 1865. He and Mary Eliza never returned to Bonham, but lived in a small cottage in Paris on Dr. Wooten's property.(11) On 8 November 1865 twins, Mary Eliza (Molly) Davis and Josiah Mebane Davis were born. It was a difficult delivery with complications. Mary Eliza Beauchamp died five days later. At 37 years of age James Barrington Davis found himself a nearly destitute widower with four young children, two of which were the twins only 5 days old.

As a Former Confederate soldier and member of the Texas legislature during the War of the Rebellion, it was necessary to obtain a pardon from the United States government in order to practice law.(12) The exact date he was able to resume his practice law is not known, but he is listed as a lawyer in the 1870 census of Lamar County. That census also shows that his net worth was far below that of some of the other local lawyers, such as Sam Bell Maxey or Henry Lightfoot.

His daughter Martha (Mattie) married William F. Braggins on 27 January 1879; Anne married Edwin Dickinson on 15 November 1882; and Mary Eliza married William Lemuel Williams (Grandson of Lemuel Hardin Williams) on 27 November 1884. All weddings were in Paris.(13) His only son, Josiah Mebane Davis, never married and died 16 March 1891.

James Barrington Davis died in Whitesboro, Grayson Co., TX on 12 February 1884.(14) He is buried in the family plot, Evergreen Cemetery.

When his daughter, Martha (Mattie) Davis Braggins died on 18 December 1910, the Paris News reported her death and added this about her father - "She was the eldest daughter of Judge James Davis, a Kentuckian of the old school who came to Texas before the war. Later he moved to Lamar county, married and reared his family, during which time he was prominent in politics and represented this county in the Legislature, holding that office at the time of his death in the early '80's."(15)

Descendants of Josiah(2) Davis

Generation No. 1

1. Josiah(2)³ Davis (James², Hugh(1)¹) was born 8 March 1797 in Bryans Station, Fayette Co., Kentucky¹, and died 1 March 1847 in Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., Kentucky¹. He married Martha (Patsy) Chandler Prewitt¹ 10 February 1820 in Kentucky¹, daughter of Robert Prewitt.

Children of Josiah(2) Davis and Martha Prewitt are:

2 i. Elizabeth⁴ Davis, born 12 May 1821 in Montgomery Co., KY¹; died Abt. 1843 in Montgomery Co., KY. She married Henry Prather Reid Abt. 1840 in Montgomery Co., KY.

3 ii. Flora Davis, born 19 February 1823 in Montgomery Co., KY¹.

4 iii. Mary(2) Davis, born 18 August 1825 in Montgomery Co., KY¹; died 2 November 1902. She married Henry Prather Reid Abt. 1845 in Montgomery Co., KY.

+ 5 iv. James Barrington Davis, born 20 February 1828 in Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY; died 12 February 1884 in Whitesboro, Grayson Co., TX.

6 v. Robert R. Davis, born 7 August 1830¹.

7 vi. William Russell Davis, born 22 November 1832. He married Mary Frances Seamands.

8 vii. Samuel Davis, born 8 March 1835 in Montgomery Co., KY¹. He married Emily Nelson 21 October 1861 in Montgomery Co., KY.

9 viii. Josiah(3) Davis, born 16 October 1837 in Montgomery Co., KY¹; died 9 August 1902. He married Annie Green 27 January 1875.

10 ix. Patty Davis, born 8 June 1840 in Montgomery Co., KY¹; died Abt. 1842 in Montgomery Co., KY.

11 x. Sarah(2) Davis, born 16 November 1842 in Montgomery Co., KY¹; died Abt. 1850 in Montgomery Co., KY.

12 xi. Fanny McPherson Davis, born 5 July 1845 in Montgomery Co., KY¹; died Abt. 1853 in Montgomery Co., KY.

13 xii. George Washington Davis, born 1846 in Montgomery Co., KY¹; died 1846 in Montgomery Co., KY.

Generation No. 2

5. James Barrington⁴ Davis (Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born 20 February 1828 in Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY², and died 12 February 1884 in Whitesboro, Grayson Co., TX³. He married Mary Eliza Beauchamp^4,5 20 April 1858 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX⁵, daughter of Augustus Beauchamp and Elizabeth Denson.

Children of James Davis and Mary Beauchamp are:

+ 14 i. Martha(Mattie)⁵ Davis, born January 1860 in Paris, Lamar Co., Texas; died 18 December 1910 in New Orleans, LA.

+ 15 ii. Anne Davis, born December 1860 in Paris, Lamar Co., Texas; died in Unknown.

+ 16 iii. Mary(Mollie) Eliza Davis, born 8 November 1865 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX; died 15 November 1931 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR.

17 iv. Josiah Mebane Davis, born 8 November 1865 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX⁶; died 16 March 1891 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX⁶.

Generation No. 3

14. Martha(Mattie)⁵ Davis (James Barrington⁴, Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born January 1860 in Paris, Lamar Co., Texas, and died 18 December 1910 in New Orleans, LA. She married William F. Braggins 22 January 1879 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX.

Children of Martha(Mattie) Davis and William Braggins are:

18 i. Earle⁶ Braggins, born Abt. 1880 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX. She married William Peele Abt. 1902 in New Orleans, LA.

19 ii. Nancy Braggins, born Abt. 1883 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX; died in New Orleans, LA. She married Raymond Kirkpatrick Abt. 1901 in New Orleans, LA.

20 iii. Wilber Braggins, born Abt. 1886 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX. She married Thomas Barnes.

21 iv. Robert Braggins, born Abt. 1888.

22 v. William(Jr.) Braqqins, born Abt. 1891.

15. Anne⁵ Davis (James Barrington⁴, Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born December 1860 in Paris, Lamar Co., Texas, and died in Unknown. She married Edwin Dickinson 15 November 1882.

Children of Anne Davis and Edwin Dickinson are:

23 i. Molly⁶ Dickinson.

24 ii. Neal Dickinson.

25 iii. Davis Dickinson.

26 iv. William Dickinson.

16. Mary(Mollie) Eliza⁵ Davis (James Barrington⁴, Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born 8 November 1865 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX⁶, and died 15 November 1931 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR⁶. She married William(2) Lemuel Williams 27 November 1884 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX⁷, son of John Williams and Elizabeth Provine.

Children of Mary(Mollie) Davis and William(2) Williams are:

27 i. Ferry Annette⁶ Williams⁸, born 2 February 1886 in Albany, Shackleford Co., TX⁸; died 28 April 1887 in Albany, Shackleford Co., TX⁸.

+ 28 ii. Mary Elizabeth(2) Williams, born 18 February 1888 in Albany, Shakelford Co., TX; died 17 November 1918 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR.

+ 29 iii. Berenice Dickinson Williams, born 20 December 1892 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX; died 26 March 1944 in Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR.

+ 30 iv. Molliejo(Sissie) Williams, born 30 January 1897 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX; died 24 April 1977 in Webster Groves, St. Louis Co., MO.

+ 31 v. Ruth Frances Williams, born 3 June 1908 in Bentonville, Benton Co., AR; died 9 April 1984 in Tampa, Hillsboro Co., FL.

32 vi. Ruth Royle (Foster Child), born 1887 in Birmingham, England⁹; died 1969 in Missouri Masonic Home, St. Louis, MO⁹; Foster child. She married Arthur Dillon Stevens Abt. 1905 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX.

Generation No. 4

28. Mary Elizabeth(2)⁶ Williams (Mary(Mollie) Eliza⁵ Davis, James Barrington⁴, Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born 18 February 1888 in Albany, Shakelford Co., TX, and died 17 November 1918 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR. She married Edwin Franklin Jackson 8 November 1911 in Central Meth. Ch, Bentonville, Benton Co., AR, son of George Jackson and Virginia Jackson.

Child of Mary Williams and Edwin Jackson is:

+ 33 i. Mary Virginia⁷ Jackson, born 13 September 1912 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR.

29. Berenice Dickinson⁶ Williams (Mary(Mollie) Eliza⁵ Davis, James Barrington⁴, Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born 20 December 1892 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX¹⁰, and died 26 March 1944 in Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR¹⁰. She married William Abidjah Cain 11 October 1915 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR, son of James Cain and Dora Gholson.

Children of Berenice Williams and William Cain are:

+ 34 i. James William (Bill)⁷ Cain, born 20 January 1917 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR; died 1 November 1998 in Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR.

+ 35 ii. Charles Edwin Cain, born 19 February 1919 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR.

+ 36 iii. Bessie Williams Cain, born 18 October 1922 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR.

30. Molliejo(Sissie)⁶ Williams (Mary(Mollie) Eliza⁵ Davis, James Barrington⁴, Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born 30 January 1897 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX, and died 24 April 1977 in Webster Groves, St. Louis Co., MO. She married Charles Gilbert Ellington Abt. 1920 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR.

Child of Molliejo(Sissie) Williams and Charles Ellington is:

+ 37 i. Charles Gilbert⁷ Ellington,Jr, born 19 December 1922 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR.

31. Ruth Frances⁶ Williams (Mary(Mollie) Eliza⁵ Davis, James Barrington⁴, Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born 3 June 1908 in Bentonville, Benton Co., AR¹¹, and died 9 April 1984 in Tampa, Hillsboro Co., FL¹². She married Charles Edward Workman, Sr. 13 February 1930 in Joplin, MO¹³, son of Augustus Workman and Pearl Goodman.

Child of Ruth Williams and Charles Workman is:

+ 38 i. Charles Edward⁷ Workman, Jr, born 5 May 1934 in City Hospital, Fayetteville, AR.

Generation No. 5

33. Mary Virginia⁷ Jackson (Mary Elizabeth(2)⁶ Williams, Mary(Mollie) Eliza⁵ Davis, James Barrington⁴, Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born 13 September 1912 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR. She married David Lewis Leflar 4 March 1939 in Honolulu, Hawaii), son of Stephen Leflar and Louisa Yancey.

Children of Mary Jackson and David Leflar are:

39 i. Jackson Slay⁸ Leflar, born 6 January 1940 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He married (1) Lois Valkenaar 11 December 1965. He married (2) Diane Ruth Richards 29 December 1973 in Carson City, NV.

40 ii. Stephen Yancey Leflar, born 19 April 1945 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He married Mary Ellen Real 21 June 1987 in Portland, Or.

41 iii. James Preston Leflar, born 25 August 1947 in Honolulu, Hawaii; died 7 November 1989 in Seattle, Wa.

34. James William (Bill)⁷ Cain (Berenice Dickinson⁶ Williams, Mary(Mollie) Eliza⁵ Davis, James Barrington⁴, Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born 20 January 1917 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR, and died 1 November 1998 in Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR. He married Mary Louise Sanders 22 August 1936 in Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR.

Children of James Cain and Mary Sanders are:

42 i. James William⁸ Cain,Jr, born 10 June 1937 in Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR. He married Audrey Bluttman 1968.

43 ii. (Mickey) Richard Michael Cain, born 2 March 1941 in Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR. He married (1) Judith Martin July 1964. He married (2) Mary Dauphin 26 July 1975.

44 iii. Mary Lou Cain, born 24 September 1946 in Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR. She married (1) Walter Vance Smiley,Jr 24 January 1970 in Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR. She married (2) Terry Rasco 1994 in Fayetteville, Ar.

35. Charles Edwin⁷ Cain (Berenice Dickinson⁶ Williams, Mary(Mollie) Eliza⁵ Davis, James Barrington⁴, Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born 19 February 1919 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR. He married Minnie Mae Morgan 13 December 1938 in Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR, daughter of Kenneth Morgan and Callie Potter.

Children of Charles Cain and Minnie Morgan are:

45 i. Carolyn(Cookie) Ann⁸ Cain, born 23 August 1941 in Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO. She married (1) William Victor Tinker in Unknown. She married (2) Gary Richard Hanson 26 June 1971 in Prairie Villiage, KS.

46 ii. )Nancy(Kelly) Sue Cain, born 8 April 1946 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co., OK. She married Stephen Mark Harmsen 19 June 1971 in Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., AR.

47 iii. Corinne(Connie) Cain, born 5 December 1947 in Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., AR. She married Ian(John)Templeton Galbraith 1 July 1978 in Ft. Smith, AR.

36. Bessie Williams⁷ Cain (Berenice Dickinson⁶ Williams, Mary(Mollie) Eliza⁵ Davis, James Barrington⁴, Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born 18 October 1922 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR. She married Earl Warren Chandler 17 June 1945 in Tulas, Tulsa Co., OK, son of Guy Chandler and Hazel Crawford.

Children of Bessie Cain and Earl Chandler are:

48 i. Stephen William⁸ Chandler, born 14 September 1951 in Tulsa, OK; died 3 May 1974 in Pueblo, CO. He married Myrna Highley 22 December 1973 in Reno, Nv.

49 ii. Diana Kay Chandler, born 15 April 1954 in Denver, CO. She married (1) Kim Elam 17 June 1970. She married (2) William Burdette Abt. 1978. She married (3) Michael Claessens January 1991. She married (4) Unknown Lincoln(?) Abt. 1992 in Ft. Collins, CO (?).

50 iii. Mark Alan Chandler, born 15 January 1958 in Denver, CO.

37. Charles Gilbert⁷ Ellington,Jr (Molliejo(Sissie)⁶ Williams, Mary(Mollie) Eliza⁵ Davis, James Barrington⁴, Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born 19 December 1922 in Rogers, Benton Co., AR.. He married Nancy Gordon Perry Abt. 1949.

Children of Charles Ellington and Nancy Perry are:

51 i. (Kathy)Katherine⁸ Ellington, born Abt. 1951 in Unknown. She married Gary McCabe Abt. 1973 in Unknown.

52 ii. Susan Ellington, born Abt. 1955 in Unknown. She married William Reith Abt. 1982 in Unknown.

53 iii. (Betsy)Elizabeth Ellington, born Abt. 1958 in Unknown. She married Charles Davis Abt. 1988 in Unknown.

38. Charles Edward⁷ Workman, Jr (Ruth Frances⁶ Williams, Mary(Mollie) Eliza⁵ Davis, James Barrington⁴, Josiah(2)³, James², Hugh(1)¹) was born 5 May 1934 in City Hospital, Fayetteville, AR¹⁴. He married Sally Charles Eppes 11 June 1955 in Bethany Methodist Church, Purcellville, VA¹⁵, daughter of Charles Eppes and Sallie McGehee.

Children of Charles Workman and Sally Eppes are:

54 i. Lynda Ruth⁸ Workman¹⁶, born 13 May 1956 in Wilmington, DE. She married Brock Anthony Meyer 12 April 1980 in Jewell Box, St. Louis, M0.

55 ii. Charles Edward Workman III, born 24 November 1958 in Buffalo, NY¹⁷. He married Stacey Erin Carr 28 January 1995 in 1st Pres.Church, Webster Groves, St. Louis Co., MO.

56 iii. Stuart Lee Workman¹⁸, born 26 January 1964 in Wilmington, Clinton Co., OH.

57 iv. Jackson Champlin Workman¹⁹, born 20 January 1968 in Wilmington, Clinton Co., OH. He married Amy Elizabeth Dawe 24 October 1992 in St. Louis, MO.

Endnotes

1. Workman, Ruth Frances Williams., "Personal Papers - Workman, Ruth Frances Williams," Handwritten and/or typed correspondence..

2. Tombstone, Evergreen Cem., Paris, TX, Cites Birth and Death dates plus birth in Montgomery Co., KY.

3. Tombstone, Evergreen Cem., Paris, TX.

4. Census, 1850 - Cumberland County, KY.

5. MARRIAGE RECORDS OF LAMAR CO., TX (Vol. 3).

6. Tombstone, Evergreen Cem., Paris, TX.

7. Family Bible - Workman, Ruth Frances (Williams).

8. Tombstone, Evergreen Cem., Paris, TX.

9. Tombstone, Bellfontaine Cem., St. Louis, MO.

10. Tombstone, Evergreen Cem., Paris, TX.

11. Birth Certificate - Ruth Frances Williams.

12. "OBITUARY - Workman, Ruth Frances (Williams)," Tampa Tribune, Tampa, FL.

13. State Of Missouri, Marriage Certificate - Williams, Ruth Frances and Workman, Charles E..

14. Birth Certificate - Charles Edward Workman, Jr., (State of Arkansas).

15. MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE, Eppes, Sally Charles and Workman, Jr., Charles Edward., (Commonwealth of Virginia).

16. Birth Certificate - Lynda Ruth Workman, (State of Delaware).

17. Birth Certificate - Charles Edward Workman III, (State of New York).

18. Birth Certificate - Stuart Lee Workman (State of Ohio).

19. Birth Certificate - Jackson Champlin Workman, (State of Ohio).

Sources

(1) Tombstone of James Barrington Davis, Evergreen Cemetery, Paris, Lamar Co., TX.

(2) Thompson, Seth, Genealogies of Kentucky Families, Genealogical Society of Utah.

(3) Ibid.

(4) Workman Collection, Personal Papers of Ruth Williams Workman. (RWW)

(5) Thompson

(6) Ibid.

(7) RWW

(8) Ibid.

(9) Brothers, Ron, Confederate Regiments of Northeast Texas, Paris, TX, (1999.)

(10) Workman Collection, Letter from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 2 December 1997.

(11) RWW

(12) Email from Ron Brothers - 15 February 1999.

(13) RWW

(14) Tombstone of James Barrington Davis.

(15) Steely, Skipper, The Paris Scrapbook, (Paris, TX: The Lamar County Genealogical Society, 1998), p. 121

©Ron Brothers and Charles E. Workman Jr., All Rights Reserved, 1999.

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