The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
James Davis Sr. was born August 8, 1753 at the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, a son of William Davis and Mary, early Scot-Irish settlers. He married Margaret Dunlap. They moved to Stokes County, North Carolina.
In 1777, at the age of 26 years, Davis was drafted into the Surry County Militia as a private and served in Captain Colbert's Company. He was marched to Fort Chiswell, Virginia, to help retrieve lead from the Chiswell Lead Mine to make bullets. Upon his return to Surry County, he served guard duty at the court house protecting the lead.
In the summer of 1780, Davis volunteered to serve in the survey expedition to establish the official line between Virginia and North Carolina. The expedition went as far west as the Cumberland Gap, Kentucky. The line was established on the basis of Shawnee and Cherokee territorial boundaries. This was considered a dangerous exhibition, however; neither tribe bothered the party. The outfit returned home with only meager provisions.
Later in the fall of 1780, the Militia unit was activated again and marched to the Tory settlement of Bryans on the Big Yadkin River. They chased Tories and disbanded the settlement.
In October 1780, Davis was marched to Salem, North Carolina, to guard prisoners taken at the Battle of King's Mountain. He served as a guard for ten days. Davis also stood guard for Governor Nash and the General Assembly while at Salem.
Davis was activated in the fall of 1781 and marched to Gum Swamp near the Little Pee Dee River where they were engaged with Tory militia for one month.
Davis’ final service was for his unit to march to participate in the Battle of Cowpens, however; having enough money, he paid Berry Stone to take his place.
James Davis Sr. died August 17, 1844, at the age of 91 years. His wife preceded him in death in 1838. Davis left a tobacco plantation and land to his children.
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