I have more on Samuel Wilson DAVIS. Apparently he was known more simply as Wilson. Does anyone have anything they can add to the data I list below for the whole part of the family that lived in Hancock County, Illinois? Although I wish to apologize in part for the length of this post, it will make it possible for others to attach to my lines, I hope... Thanks, Vince Summers *********************************************************************** SAMUEL WILSON7 DAVIS (RICHARD6, RICHARD5, JOHN4, JOHN3, THOMAS2 DAVYS, HENRY DAVIS1 (DAVYS), THE ELDER) was born January 17, 1807 in Virginia, and died May 08, 1877 in Carthage (Hancock), Illinois. He married SARAH SPITLER May 18, 1836 in Rockbridge Co., VA, daughter of DANIEL SPITLER and ELINOR EMMERY. She was born June 14, 1812 in Botetourt Co., VA, and died September 11, 1879 in Carthage(Hancock), IL. Notes for SAMUEL WILSON DAVIS: Buried at the Old Carthage Cemetery, Carthage, IL 1841 List of Taxpayers has Samuel W. Davis listed with the road precinct of 55 -- Brian's Forge to Rock Forge. Marriage Date from Rockbridge Marriage Book. Suffered a stroke, then died two years later from pneumonia. The Carthage Gazette of May 9, 1877 says, under "local matters" Yesterday morning about one o'clock, Wilson Davis, who has been an invalid for a number of years, died. Notes for SARAH SPITLER: Buried Old Carthage Cemetery Cause of Sarah's Death -- Paralysis of heart - sudden death. Attending physician: A. Spitler, MD, of Carthage, IL Children of SAMUEL DAVIS and SARAH SPITLER are: i. ELIZABETH ELLEN8 DAVIS, b. June 03, 1837, VA; d. June 27, 1893; m. JOSEPH OSCAR BOTTS, October 27, 1858, Near Plymouth, Illinois; b. August 21, 1834; d. March 07, 1912. Notes for ELIZABETH ELLEN DAVIS: Died of cancer. A church obituary excerpts thusly... Converted and joined the Church in her 18th year. She and her family removed from Iowa to Kansas in 1881. Suffered the last six months of her life. Mother of four children. They and her husband outlived her. Married near Plymouth, Ills., Oct. 27, 1858 Notes for JOSEPH OSCAR BOTTS: Was in the Civil War (a church obituary) At age 4 was moved to St. Mary's Illinois. In later years went farther west, becoming a Methodist, but then came back to Illinois in 1898. Became a Baptist. ii. JAMES MARSHALL DAVIS, b. March 17, 1839, Rockbridge Co., VA; d. July 10, 1917, Kirkwood(Tehama), CA; m. MARTHA ELLEN ARTZ, March 27, 1862, Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois; b. November 27, 1844, Woodstock(Shenandoah), VA; d. February 08, 1926, Kirkwood(Tehama), CA. Notes for JAMES MARSHALL DAVIS: Buried Kirkwood Cemetery Kirkwood is abt. 5 miles south of Corning. "In the year 1862, Mr. and Mrs. Davis started across the plains for California in a covered wagon, the wagon train being piloted across by Mrs. Davis' uncle, Captain Alee Mero. In December, 1862, Mr. and Mrs. Davis stopped at Salt Lake City where their first child, now Sarah Dora Prator, was born. After the child's birth, Mr. and Mrs. Davis pushed on to California and settled in Sacramento in 1864. From here the family moved to Cauada[Redwood City], San Mateo County ... they then went to Santa Cruz ... The family then came to Tehama County and settled in the neighborhood of Corning, then Riceville. In this neighborhood the family lived ever since." (newspaper article) Died of Heart Disease. Notes for MARTHA ELLEN ARTZ: Died of Carcinoma Cancer iii. SAMUEL SPITLER DAVIS, b. 1841, VA; d. September 01, 1864. [I have much more on this person, thanks to you!] Notes for SAMUEL SPITLER DAVIS: Died in Battle of Jonesboro, GA. Buried at Marietta National Cemetery, Marietta, Georgia, grave 5545. He fought for the Union. iv. JOHN WILLIAM DAVIS, b. 1844. v. MILDRED EMMALINNE DAVIS, b. February 07, 1847, VA; d. December 05, 1927; m. CHARLES W. GOODRICH, December 28, 1865. Notes for CHARLES W. GOODRICH: HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY, pp. 1212 & 1213 GOODRICH, Charles W. Among the representative citizens and successful farmers of Hancock County, none stands higher in public esteem than Charles W. Goodrich, owner of 220 acres of valuable farm land in Carthage Township. He was born in Hancock County, October 8, 1843, the youngest child of Meshack and Rebecca (Ruddle) Goodrich. They had fourteen children born to them, but of them only Charles W. remains. Meshack Goodrich was born in Pennsylvania, December 19, 1794, and died in 1880, at the age of eighty-six years. When he was fourteen years old he went to the Shendoah Valley, taking with him a set of carding tools given him by his father with which to card wool. He remained there until 1839 when, attracted by the accounts he had heard of the lands along the Mississippi River, he came to Hancock County, making the trip with a covered wagon. After his arrival he bought some land from a soldier who wanted to return to his old home. Eighty acres of the original homestead is now in the possession of Charles W. Goodrich. The original deed to this property, signed by the President of the United States, is one of the heirlooms of the Goodrich family. The mother of Charles W. Goodrich, was born in Virginia, November 17, 1797, and she died March 24, 1888, aged ninety-one years. The Goodrich family is one of the oldest in America, the founder of it in this country arriving from his native land of England, to the American Colonies not long after the arrival of the historic Mayflower and his descendants are to be found in practically every state of the Union, and in every honorable profession and calling. Charles W. Goodrich attended the local schools, and was reared to a practical knowledge of farming and stock raising, which industries he has followed all his life. At first he rented a portion of his father's farm, but gradually bought land until he now has a very fine farm of 220 acres, all in Carthage Township. His home is a very pleasant one with many improvements. On December 28, 1865, Mr. Goodrich was married to Miss Mildred E. Davis and they became the parents of a family of children, all living namely: Ada E.; John Frank; Charles E., Emma May, and Arlington R. The eldest, Ada F., was first married to William Weir and they had three children, namely: Blanche Nora, Orin Oscar, and Ora. After the death of her first husband, Ada E. was married (second) to Henry Chamberlain, and they had two children born to them, namely: Charles H. and Frances. Charles H. Chamberlain was graduated from the Burlington High school, and is now serving his country as a soldier. John Frank Goodrich is a graduate of the University of Illinois, and lives at Carthage, Ill. He is married to Elizabeth Moyer. Charles E., who is the third child of Charles W. Goodrich, is a resident of Kansas City, Mo., connected with the 'Frisco line, and he expects to serve his country in railroad work. He is married and has one son, Max. Emma May, the fourth of the children of Charles W. Goodrich was educated in the public schools of Carthage and Carthage College. She is married to James Franklin Bradshaw, a farmer of La Harpe Township. They have five children namely: James Franklin, Jr., Helen May, Charles Wesley, Mildred and Ruth. The family are all Methodists, and Mr. Bradshaw belongs to the Odd Fellows; the largest of Mr. Goodrich's children Arlington R. is a resident of Carthage Township, where he is engaged in farming. For three years he attended Carthage College. He is married to Miss Babel Conklin, and they have two children, Harold R. and Howard C.. They are all members of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Goodrich was born in the Shendoah Valley, Va., February 7, 1847, a daughter of Samuel W. and Sarah Davis, who came to Hancock County by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and settled in Hancock County. Both are now deceased and are buried in the Carthage Cemetery. Mrs. Goodrich was seven years old when the family came to the county, where her life has been practically spent, and here obtained her education. A Democrat, Mr. Goodrich has always voted the ticket of his party, and he has been a school director for over thirty years. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has served it for over thirty years as a steward.