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/2736.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi Ruth, I am glad to exchange with you and will follow with you by e-mail also but would like to post a response here as well. It would appear that some trees that I have been reading do list the SAME couple as Thomas and Sarah of Dickson as that of Thomas married Sarah Sweeten. However, the Sweeten marriage information does not seem consistent with other information I have seen. First, some trees I have seen list Thomas and Sarah with 5 sons, no daughters. That is definately inconsistent with other documents existing for this couple. In 1830 there were 4 sons, Jesse, James, Howell and Abraham, and one daughter, Delila, married to John W. Thomas (and if one looks at the 1840 census entries for Dickson we find Howell, Sarah, and John Thomas all living side-by-side). Also, some trees list a daughter to the Thomas who wed Sarah Sweeten in Kentucky, Hannah. I have found no evidence to suggest that Thomas and Sarah had a daughter named Hannah so I am concerned that there were 2 contemporary Thomas and Sarah couples that may be being confused with one another here. The Sarah Sweeten and Thomas of Kentucky were said to be wed at a later date than that of Sarah unknown marrying Thomas Davidson with Jesse Davidson as witness in 1803 Montgomery County, Tennessee: Per Thomas Forehand, Jr., descendant of James M. Thomas who functioned as administrator to Sarah's estate in 1867 and 1868, "Thomas Davidson married a Sarah ? in Montgomery County, Tennessee in 1803. Their marriage was witnessed by Jesse Davidson (we believe to have been thomas' brother). Thomas and Sarah took up residence in the Beaverdam Creek area of nearby Dickson County between 1804-1806 along with other settlers..." I have not seen the documentation for either marriage but would seek anyone's help in locating them. But, I am firm in knowing that the Jesse appearing in Pope County, Illinois is, in fact, the child of Thomas and Sarah Davidson of Dickson County, and brother to my ancestor, Delila Davidson Thomas. Again, per record of Tom Forehand, "...after Sara died (about 1867) a communication (power of attorney) was brought to Dickson County which was for a 'Thomas Davidson' from Denton, Texas--he had sent a William Spencer from Upshaw County, Texas as his representative. This dated 1868 and signed by Thomas Davidson." 1870 Denton Texas census does demonstrate a Thomas Davidson there born 1820s TN. Further, Tom Forehand continues, "Also, about the same time from Illinois came another representative a William Davidson from Pope County representing George Davidson, Sarah Jane Davidson, and Isabel Broadway late Davidson, heirs of Jesse Davidson late of Pope County in the State of Illinois." 1860 Pope IL census reveals Jesse Davidson, 60, TN, in HH with a wife Martha, 53, SC, son George, 13, and daughter Sarah, 23. Living next door is William Davidson and family, William being 29 and reporting birth in Tennessee. Also present in Pope County is Wm D. Broadway along with wife, Isabel R., 34, who reports birth in TN. A marriage license for William D. Broadway marrying "Ebe" Davidson in 1856 is found in Pope County. Lining this information up with the listed heirs reported in Sarah Davidson's estate posted by Ruth sometime ago on the genforum Davidson board, then we see this list is complete for the children of Jesse Davidson except for a J.S. Davidson that I believe is the one who appears in Johnson County, IL. Further support for this is rendered when examining the land records of Pope County, IL. Regardless, the documentation listed here is the evidence of the Jesse in 1860 Pope County, IL as the son of Thomas and Sarah Davidson of Dickson County. I have not been successful in locating this Jesse on the 1850 census and wonder if it is because he and his family is moving. His first land purchase in Pope County is made in 1850 and his son, William, also married there in 1850 so he was obviously there. 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.