I am writing in hopes of sparking some interest among William Davidson descendants, of which there are many to join me in the search for William's ancestors. My line is from William's son James from 1st marriage. But Iam equally interested in all lines & branches. MY NOTES & FACTS FOR WILLIAM DAVIDSON: WILLIAM DAVIDSON was born about 1790 in North Carolina, and died March 09, 1847 in Wayne County, Tn. He married (1) UNKNOWN 1810. He married (2) DICENA MCMAHAN BLACKSHEAR 1840 in Wayne County, Tn. DOB: William Davidson was born not earlier that 1790. On the 1840 Wayne County, Tn., census he was listed as being between 40-50 years old so he must have been born about 1790. PLACE OF BIRTH: According to the 1880 census which ask the question of his children "Where was your father born? Hannah Davidson Thomas, his daughter answered "North Carolina." His son James Davidson also on the 1880 census did not answer the question. His children Alfred & Louisa by 2nd marriage were both dead in 1880. DATE OF DEATH: The date of death 9 March 1847 is reported in deposition taken from his daughter Hannah (Davidson) Thomas in 1887. CHILDREN: William had three children by his first marriage to UNKNOWN. James born 1812 in Ky or Tn.? M: Nancy Goldsmith, Cassy County Ky in 1830. Robert born 1817 in Tn. M: Unk 1841. Twin sons Isaac & John went to live with Steven Davidson, s/o above James Davidson in 1858. Hannah born 1825/25 in Tn. M: Thomas, no children. By his second marriage to Dicy Blackshear he had two children: Alfred , born 1839 died 1875. Many descendants Louisa., born 1844, died Unk, never married. LAST WILL: William is said to have left a will but it was later lost or destroyed during the Civil War. In a deposition taken from Hannah Davidson Thomas on 17 June 1887 she tells what was supposedly in William Davidson's last Will and Testament. "He left me one cow and calf, one feather bed and a spinning wheel. To James and Robert he left one dollar each. To J.N.Blackshear two horses, yoke of oxen and some hogs. After his debts were paid the balance was to go to Alfred and Louisa Davidson." Hannah Blackshear Keaton, William's step daughter also said in a deposition taken 17 June 1887 the Will contained the following: "William left Hannah, his daughter one cow and calf, one feather bed and a spinning wheel. To James and Robert he left one dollar each. To J.N. Blackshear two horses, one yoke of oxen and some hogs. Also that J.N. Blackshear was to have $140.00 guardian money as his ward and also he made provision for her (Hannah) to have her money out of sale of his tiimber when sold (he was her guardian). Also William made provisions for the care of Hannah's sister who was an invalid. The remainder of his effects to go to Alfred and Louisa and that his wife should wind up his business." Forty years after William died B.D. Keaton and Williams' descendants brought suit against the Blackshears claiming they had cleared Williams' land, sold the timber and raised crops on it. They also asked for a share of the land that William had left. There are some 160 pages to this court case which lists all of Williams' descendants, as of that date and this proves the Davidson line. The land was sold by order of the court and divided among all of William's descendants, as of that date. William's 2nd wife Dicena McMahan Blackshear was first married to Elijah Blackshear and had 4 children: Hannah P. Blackshear, b: 4 Nov 1833 ;Lucendia b: 13 Apr 1823 and died Sep 1849; James and Jessee Marion were twins born 10 Jan 1829. Hannah P. Blackshear married Burton Dill Keaton (B.D). This is the same B.D. Keaton that was appointed as guardian of Steven S. Davidson's 6 youngest children and the one who brought the suit against the Blackshear's. FAMILY CIVIL WAR INVOLVEMENT: William's 1st son James, had among other children: Steven S. Davidson, joined CSA Biffle's cavalry in Dec 1862 in Wayne County and survived the war. Thomas Davidson, joined the Union 6th Cavalry in Madison County, Tn., 1863 and died in Union Hospital in La Grange, outside Memphis in July 1864 of typhoid fever. He was 18 years old. (I have service records for both). As for Williams Ancestors I have not found his first wife or his Parents. If anyone is interested in assisting me in this search I will provide ALL descendant information, clues, leads, notes, etc., in my possession. Sincerely, Laroice "Dave" Davidson, Hololulu, Hawaii e-mail [email protected]