John, The Richard Davidson in Gibson Co., TN in 1850 that you mentioned COULD be the same Richard Davidson shown on your DNA website under member 22263 in "Family 5." That Richard Davidson on the DNA website was also born in 1798 (so he would have been about 52 in 1850), and he was also born in NC (and his descendants were also in TN). Member 22263 does not list a known wife for Richard Davidson, so Margaret Nickson could be "news" to him (IF this is the same/correct Richard Davidson). I have included member 22263 as a "blind copy" on this e-mail. Note: The last that I heard, no one in "Family 5" knows exactly how this particular Richard Davidson "ties into" that Davidson/Davison family. Several members of that overall family moved from Prince Edward Co., VA (PECo) to the Anson Co., NC area, and they eventually dispersed from there. There was also ANOTHER branch of this same family, however, that was still in the Spotsylvania/Orange/Culpeper Co., VA area, long after the above branch had moved from that area of VA to Amelia/PECo in the 1740s, and any descendants from this other branch of the family seem to be more "mysterious" than the ones who were in Amelia/PECo. I suspect that member 63007 in "Family 5" was from this more "mysterious" branch (based primarily on an association between that member's ancestor and the Abney family, as well as the "process of elimination"). I don't have anything to add at this point on the Mary Davidson in Gibson Co., TN who was age 76 in 1850 and who was also born in NC. The "PECo Davi(d)sons" were apparently not in NC nearly that early, so I would have to assume that this was NOT a branch of that family. If I think of any meaningful possibilities about her, I will let you know. Bill Davidson

Bill, Thanks for the pointer. I forgot to check the DNA site. My bad... I think this is a match because - based on my census analysis - this is likely the only Richard Davidson born at this time frame, living in Tennessee at the appropriate times. And Richard has a son Richard (John) Davidson born at the appropriate time. I lost son Richard John Davidson in the 1860 census as his father had moved on to Missouri. With the data from the DNA site, I am now able to track Richard John Davidson and family in 1870, 1880, & 1900 census in Lauderdale county, TN. Still not identified in 1860. Nor have I been able to identify Nancy Rutherford Davidson, the cousin and wife of Richard John Davidson's son John William (William in 1900 census). That would be a clue to me of where more of the family went after 1860 or maybe to some of the other children of Richard, Sr., who were not living with him in 1850 census. The Davidson research site lists a likely marriage record for Richard John Davidson: Davidson, R. J. m Williams, Margaret J. m 06 Mar 1867 Lauderdale One correction to your note. Son Richard was born in 1837/38 to Richard and his first wife Elizabeth Toombs. They were married in Rutherford county, TN, in 1821 and she seems to have died by 1840 census. Richard married Margaret Nickson in 1842. Margaret has died by the 1860 census. john. At 07:05 AM 11/20/2006, Bill Davidson wrote: >John, > >The Richard Davidson in Gibson Co., TN in 1850 that you mentioned COULD be >the same Richard Davidson shown on your DNA website under member 22263 in >"Family 5." That Richard Davidson on the DNA website was also born in 1798 >(so he would have been about 52 in 1850), and he was also born in NC (and >his descendants were also in TN). Member 22263 does not list a known wife >for Richard Davidson, so Margaret Nickson could be "news" to him (IF this is >the same/correct Richard Davidson). I have included member 22263 as a >"blind copy" on this e-mail. >... >Bill Davidson