This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: robingarland25 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.davidson/4833.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hello Bill, Yes, I've exchanged extensively with Ruth. And I do agree that Sarah Davidson, widow of Thomas, does "appear" likely connected in the way proposed based on a Sarah mentioned in the settlement of estate of Joseph Davidson of Dickson County. However, I note that several trees for Joseph list this Sarah as a daughter not a daughter-in-law. But I still have many questions/comments. As for Dickson County itself: 1) With this newer discovery of Jesse Davidson in Pope County (in that I have never seen anyone else discuss him other than to list his name among Sarah's heirs), is some evidence to suggest that he was born at least 5-10 years earlier than all other reports I have seen for him. Further, his son's death certificate suggests he is present on the 1830 Dickson census along with at least 1-2 males born by this time. It would seem than unlikely that he is one of the males present in Sarah's HH (which has been previously stated) as she has no younger males listed in her 1830 HH. 2) Given the above, and as I have suspected for some time, it seems more likely that one of the males in her HH is that of son-in-law, John W. Thomas. Considering all the documentation that Sarah Davidson did have a daughter, Delila, and a female of that age is present in the 1830 HH I will suggest the HH members as widow Sarah, sons Howell, James, and Abraham, John Thomas and wife, Delila. 3) Where was Sarah in 1820? I realize she could have lived with relatives as a widow, but if she were in Dickson County and she and children lived with Davidsons then this would be an important bit of information. 4) Viewing some online trees for Abraham Davidson (RW vet) reportedly tied to this family, I am curious about the last listing of family members for him that look curiously close to those of Sarah and her family. Where documentation for all his descendants originate I am uncertain and need help with this. 5) Who were all those Georges on Dickson census? Have they been placed?? 6) What became of Sarah's son Abraham? Obviously from documents he existed, and yes, by 1868 he is noted as away from Dickson County, but where was he prior to this? As for the Pope area of IL: 1) A court document in Pope County in 1842 has a Jesse Davidson, blacksmith, a witness to a case. This court case involved families who lived curiously close to where the Dickson County Jesse landed nearer 1850. Are they the same man? Did Jesse live in the area and return later? 2) Who did Riley Davidson of Pope and surrounding area belong to? Yes, there was a Nancy, but my question is whether there was connection of both Riley and Oliver to this 'other' Davidson family? I do not know where or when the reported marriage to a Nancy Hines took place or the documents to support that...I need help in this regard. 3) The intermarriages with Jesse Davidson's family with Broadways may be simply that the families moved to a common area of IL and became interrelated but it does raise questions in my mind. I think it has also raised questions in the minds of others also as I have seen some suggesting several documented descendants of Jesse's family to that of the group reported as migrating from Stewart County earlier. Did past researchers assume a relationship and use this as supporting evidence to tie the family to the Davidson/Bowman group? 4) I've not been successful in identifying a surviving male Davidson in TN related to the Sarah line. Perhaps highlighting the known relationship of Jesse Davidson to this group could locate someone of the IL line willing to participate in DNA testing. As I have stated previously, I am not a Davidson but a Thomas (by way of John W. Thomas who married Delila Davidson) and I am female so I am not a candidate for such testing. 5) Whether or not there is a direct relationship between the earlier Davidsons in Pope County and the Dickson line it would seem documenting who is who is important (otherwise how does one know who should be tested for which family group?). 6) There are as many or more questions surrounding Davidson men who migrated to the area of Pope and closely surrounding areas (Massac, Johnson, etc.) who came from TN (Henry and Montgomery Counties). I feel that identifying some of the original families will aid Davidson research in TN (considering no one appears to know the origination of the Josiah and William of Henry County, TN I would like to know if some of these men were tied to that group). Finally, who was the wife of Jesse Davidson and where did they marry? It would appear Jesse married before 1825 and possibly in Dickson County. But I have to wonder about an 1842 marriage in Henry County to a Martha Gunter (a possible second marriage). I've seen no one discuss this couple. As far as my research is concerned, I have had to move forward to work backwards to try and discover the actual origins of both my Thomas and Davidson ancestors. Since I am on a roll...has anyone actually examined the pension application of Sarah Davidson, widow of Thomas? Robin Garland Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.