BACK HOME~~
TO SUSAN MATILDA DAVIS ----
JACKSON JONES DAVIS
JACKSON JONES DAVIS was born 19 July
1814, in South Carolina, died 3 August 1890 at Neches, Anderson
County, Texas. J.J. Davis, known as "Jack", married
Elizabeth Johnson about 1832, probably in Fayette County, Alabama.
His wife was born 18 August 1814 in Tennessee and died at Neches
on 20 October 1865. They are buried between Neches and Pert under
an oak tree beside a small creek near their former home. The
double headstone is crowned with a Masonic emblem and beside this
stone is a small marker, dated 1854 which is the grave of an
infant son. There are two slaves buried in their family plot.
Jack and his wife came to Texas about 1845 and lived in Cherokee
County before settling in Anderson County. The first deed record
for land purchased in Anderson County is dated 9 July 1848 and
was part of the Russell Headright Survey. He accumulated land
until, at one time, he
owned 2100 acres. He built a lumber mill between 1850 and 1860
and it was said to have been one of the largest and most modern
in the area.
Jack and Elizabeth were the parents of thirteen children, only
seven of which lived to adulthood. (see chart).
After the Civil War began in 1861, the three oldest sons enlisted
to fight for the Confederacy. Jack Davis did his "bit"
by hauling supplies to the soldiers that were near enough to be
reached by pack mule.
The International Railroad Company decided to build a railroad
through East Texas into Palestine, and their proposed route would
by-pass what is now the town of Neches. Jack wanted the railway
built through his area as it would certainly enhance the value of
his property and that of
his neighbors. In 1871, he made three land donations to the
Railroad Company: (1) dated in March, deeded 216 acres situated
about 2-1/2 miles west of the Neches River and about 1 mile south
of Walnut on Brushy Creek; (2) dated May, a right of way 200 feet
wide across his land; (3) dated
September, 122 acres to be granted on the conditions: "That
the International Railroad build their railway on or before the
first day of December 1873, and a depot between Palestine and the
Neches River and in the town of Neches shall be laid out in
blocks at the said depot site.
~~"I, J.J. Davis, shall be allowed to select half a block,
not necessary to be used by the R.R.Co. for depot purposes, and
the said R.R.Co. shall execute a deed conveying to me the half
block as selected." These lots became part of the town of
Neches and Davis later built a home on his
half-block.
According to family tradition, Jack thought it would be a good
idea to open a saloon and sell whiskey to the railroad workers
during the time the work was underway. He opened the saloon, but
he did too much credit business with the workers and many left
without paying, which
put him in a real financial bind. Jack mortgaged some of his land
to pay his debts and later lost the land through foreclosure in
1874.
Children of ELIZABETH JOHNSON AND JACKSON JONES DAVIS
1 Jackson Jones Davis b: July 19, 1814 in South Carolina d:
August 03, 1890 in Anderson CO TX
. +Elizabeth Johnson b: August 18, 1814 in Tennessee d: October
20, 1865 in Anderson CO TX m: 1832 in Fayette Co Alabama
2 Susan Matilda Davis b: July 31, 1852 in Anderson Co TX d:
December 11, 1942 in Lytton Springs. TX
... +John Andrew Evans b: May 23, 1843 in in SC (moved to Shelby
Alabama as a small child) d: March 01, 1922 in Kyle, Hays Co., TX.
Buried at Lytton Springs. TX m: August 06, 1872 in Anderson CO TX
Father: Andrew Jackson Evans Mother: Nancy Rush
2 William Jefferson Davis b: 1833 in Fayette Co Alabama d:
February 08, 1908 in Normanna, Bee Co TX
... +Mary C. Jacobs
*2nd Wife of William Jefferson Davis:
... +Nancy Adelia Evans Sheffield
*3rd Wife of William Jefferson Davis:
... +Tinny Crisp
2 Pleasant J Davis b: 1835 in Mississippi d: 1863-1865 in the
Civil War
... +Susan Rogers m: September 15, 1856 :
2 Frances M Davis b: 1838 in Mississippi d: 1863-1865 in the
Civil War
... +Lucinda m: 1860
2 Martha Jane Davis b: 1845 in Cherokee Co TX d: 1910 in Neches
Cemetery
... +Henry Harrison
2 Nancy Ann Davis b: 1848
2 Infant Son Davis b: 1854
2 James Buchanan Davis b: August 03, 1856 d: January 08, 1914 in
Neches Cemetery, Anderson CO TX
... +Ida Cora Brown m: February 07, 1882
TO SUSAN MATILDA DAVIS ----
