Dave -- It is a good idea about listing Pennsylvania Davidsons. My earliest known Pennsylvania Davidson was John Davidson. JOHN DAVIDSON John Davidson was born about 1728. I do not know if he was born in what became America or if he was born in Scotland. Recently, I heard he had been in England, before coming over here. I believe he married someone by the name of Tabitha, but I have no documentation to prove this. He died about 1801. John had eight children. There could be two wives, because you will see that after the birth of Elizabeth, there is a ten year time frame with no children. John Davidson's eight children are: : James -- no information at all. Jean -- married James Park -- both buried in Smith Cemetery, South of Bel mont, N. C. Joseph -- married Mary (Polly) Park John -- born 1761 in Pennsylvania and died 1856 in Jasper County, GA (This is my direct ancestor) Elizabeth -- born 1761 -- married John Leeper -- both buried in Smith Cemetery, South of Belmont, N. C. Mary -- born 1771 married Gilbert Shaw -- probably buried in Georgia -- Gilbert was Revolutionary Soldier -- killed by a tornado in Georgia Samuel born 1774 -- married Elizabeth Mayes -- moved from South Carolina to IL -- both buried in Mount Zion, IL William born 1776 -- married Elizabeth Mayes (Samuel and William married cousins with the same names) -- both buried in Mount Zion, IL JOHN DAVIDSON -- son of above John Davidson. According to the answers this John Davidson gave to the Pension office Department of War - John was born in 1761 in Pennsylvania - on the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia. He was called to service (enlisted at 16) while living in Union District, South Carolina. He was in numerous engagements and was wounded in the head and right hand by a sword in the Battle at Cowpens. After the war, he resided in Union District, South Carolina - then in Green County, Georgia - and then Morgan County, Georgia - and then Jasper County, Georgia. John Davidson, R. S. and his wife (unknown) had six children. He died in Jasper County, GA in 1856 at 95 years old. In a newspaper article about John Davidson's death, Rev. Talmage who was then the president of Oglethorpe University in Georgia, said "He was born in Pennsylvania of Scotch-Irish parentage." Another documentation with a Pennsylvania connection is from a letter in some Davidson material. A letter with "The Oaks" on the letter head was written by Benjamin M. Davidson, John Davidson's grandson. It said in cursive writing that "John Davidson died 1856, age 95, born on the banks of the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia in 1760. He fought for independence and was wounded and drew a pension. He once held a deed to the land on which the Conventional Exposition building stood in Fairmont Park, Philadelphia. He lived in Morgan, Green, and Jasper Counties." I am 100% positive about John Davidson (1761 - 1856) being my ancestor. Also, I do have documentation that John called Mary Davidson Shaw his sister. Everything else is from the book "Leaves of the Tree", records from other "cousins" and family members, church records and some research in Mount Zion, IL at the Presbyterian Church. This is why I am eager to have my brother, John Davidson, do the DNA test. In a message dated 5/7/2006 6:10:14 A.M. Mountain Standard Time, [email protected] writes: May I ask that listers who have PA located Davidson's post who, when and where they were? I'm trying to find someone who relates or could relate to my line so we may share research ideas and notes. Also trying to better understand where *early* Davidsons were in PA so I can either include or exclude them from consideration in my research. My Davidson: John Davidson, m. Ann Martha Thompson, mid-1700's, Lancaster then West Pennsburough Twp - Cumberland Cty, PA. My ancestor is one of their sons William, b. 1750. Will appreciate your help! Dave Koester Barrington, Illinois [email protected] Personal Web Page http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~koester/index.html