Friday, March 23, 2012

Serendipity - Finding Catherine Brock Davis

I started my family research in 1976. The Brock surname is one of my Maternal direct lines. My maternal grandmother was a Brock. In the early days of research there was no searchable database for census and Ancestry.com didn't exist. You found people on the Census by converting your Surname to a Soundex Code and then searching the soundex to determine your Census ED, city and state. Then you pulled the roll of film for your state and county covering the ED found on the soundex and searched the Census film for your ancestor. It took a while to do census research in those days.


Back then I would have never found William L. Davis and Catherine Brock.  Oh, I knew about them, they were in the 1860 Census, married, with one child but I never could find them in the censuses beyond 1860, the 1870-1920 census. So you move on thinking they met with an unfortunate accident, they all died or they moved. Sometime around 2000, I corresponded with a fellow Brock researcher in Florida. His ancestors were also Brock's from Chesterfield County. It was while searching for his ancestors that the serendipity moment happen and I found William & Catherine.


William L. Davis was born in 1834 in NC. He appeared in the census in 1860 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, United States.1 He served in the military J. C. Coit's Chesterfield Light Artillery in 1861–1865 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, United States.2 William  is listed in the 1870 & 1880 Census for Duval County, Florida, United States.3 4 Catherine in her Civil War pension application states that William died on 3 Jul 1891 at the age of 57 in Woodtown, Duval Co., FL5.  after being struck by lightning. 


William L. Davis and Catherine Brock were married either on 6 Jan 1856  or 2 Mar 1857 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, United States.6 7 Catherine Brock, daughter of Squire H. Brock and Rachel Parker, was born in Mar 1837 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States. 8 9 10 11 12 She appeared in the census in 1900 & 1910 for Duval County, Florida, United States.13 15 She applied for a Civil War Pension for Service of William L. Davis on 7 Nov 1903 in Duval County, Florida, United States.14 . She died on 2 Jul 1917 at the age of 80 in Jacksonville, Duval, Florida, United States. A Memorial has been created for her at www.findagrave.com.23

Note: On two different pages in Catherine Civil War pension application she lists two distinct different dates for her marriage to William L. Davis.

William L. Davis and Catherine Brock had the following children:

           +2              i.   Theodore Manly Davis, born 1858, SC; married Mildred King.
              3             ii.   Cecelia J. Davis was born in 1860. 16
              4            iii.   Richard M. Davis was born in 1866 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States. 17 18
              5            iv.   Louisa Ann "Lucy Ann" Davis was born in 1869 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States. 19 20
              6             v.   Willie Davis was born in 1872 in FL. 21
              7            vi.   James Davis was born in Jun 1874 in Duval County, Florida, United States. 22
           +8           vii.   Charles Augusta "Gussie" Davis, born Jan 1880, GA; married Minnie Roberta Mosley.
 

        1. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 118; Line 15, Dwelling #343, Family #342, Household of Wm. DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2007); citing  National Archives Microfilm M653_1217. 1860 CENSUS: Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Roll: M653_1217;  Image 239; Family History Library Film #0805217, Page 118; Line 15, Dwelling 343, Family # 342, Wm. DAVIS, age 25, born in NC; Catherine [BROCK] Davis, age 20, born in SC; Manley DAVIS, age 2.
        2. "Civil War Service Records, South Carolina," digital images, iArchives, Fold3 (http://www.fold3.com/image/77193666 : viewed March 2012), William L. Davis; citing M267, Civil War Service Records, South Carolina; Capt. J. C. Coit's Company, Chesterfield Light Artillery.
        3. 1870 U. S. Census, Duval County, Florida, population schedule, Mandarin, Duval County, Florida, Page 572A, Line 11, Family 470, Dwelling 398, Household of  William L. DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2007); citing NARA publication Roll: M593_129. 1870 CENSUS: Mandarin, Duval County, Florida, Roll M593_129; Image 291; Family History Library Film 545628, Page 572A, Line 11, Family 470, Dwelling 398. William L. DAVIS, age 40, Laborer, born in NC; Catherine DAVIS, age 35, born in SC; Theodore M. DAVIS, age 12, born in SC; Cecilia J. DAVIS, age 10, born in SC; Richard M. DAVIS, age 05, born in SC; Louisa A. DAVIS, age 02, born in SC.
        4. 1880 U. S. Census, Duval County, Florida, population schedule, Mayport, Duval County, Florida, enumeration district (ED) #38, Page 642C; Line 45, Dwelling 211, Family 227, Household of William L. DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2008); citing NARA publication Roll: T9, Roll 0126. 1880 CENSUS, Mayport, Duval County, Florida, FHL Film 1254126, National Archives Film T9-0126, Enumeration District 38, Page 642C; Line 45, Dwelling 211, Family 227; William L. DAVIS, age 46, born in NC, Occ:Fisherman, Fa: NC, Mo: NC; Catharine DAVIS, Wife, age 36, born in SC; parents born in SC; Amander DAVIS, Son, age 22, born in SC; Robert DAVIS, Son, age 14, born in SC; Lucy Ann DAVIS, Daug., age 11, born in SC; Willie DAVIS, Son, age 8, born in FL., Jimmie DAVIS, Son, age 6, born in FL., Gussie DAVIS, Son, age 5 months, born in FL.
        5. Florida, "Confederate Pension Applications," digital images, floridamemory.com (http://www.floridamemory.com: accessed 2012), Application of Catherine B. Davis, 24 July 1909, widow's pension application no. A03212, for service of William L. Davis, (J. C. Coit's Chesterfield Light Artillery); citing National Archives microfilm
publication "M267, Civil War Service Records, South Carolina.".
        6. Ibid.
        7. Ibid.
        8. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, Page 168A, Line 18, Dwelling 1068, Family 1068, Household of Squire H. Brock; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2011); citing  National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851. 1850 CENSUS:  Chesterfield District, South Carolina, Roll: M432_851; Image: 340, Page 168A, Line 18, Household 1068/1068, Film #444814. Squire H. BROCK, male, age 45, born in SC; Rachel BROCK, Wife, age 35, born in SC; Mary A. BROCK, Daughter, age 21, born in SC; James A. BROCK, Son, age 19, born in SC; Elizabeth  BROCK, Daughter, age 17, born in SC; Sarah J. BROCK, Daughter, age 9, born in SC; Samuel BROCK, Son, age 7, born in SC and John W. BROCK, Son, age 4, born in SC.
        9. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Population Schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 118; Line 15, Dwelling #343, Family #342, Household of Wm. DAVIS. 1860 CENSUS: Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Roll: M653_1217;  Image 239; Family History Library Film #0805217, Page 118; Line 15, Dwelling 343, Family # 342, Wm. DAVIS, age 25, born in NC; Catherine [BROCK] Davis, age 20, born in SC; Manley DAVIS, age 2.
        10. 1870 U. S. Census, Duval County, Florida, population schedule, Mandarin, Duval County, Florida, Page 572A, Line 11, Family 470, Dwelling 398, Household of  William L. DAVIS. 1870 CENSUS: Mandarin, Duval County, Florida, Roll M593_129; Image 291; Family History Library Film 545628, Page 572A, Line 11, Family 470, Dwelling 398. William L. DAVIS, age 40, Laborer, born in NC; Catherine DAVIS, age 35, born in SC; Theodore M. DAVIS, age 12, born in SC; Cecilia J. DAVIS, age 10, born in SC; Richard M. DAVIS, age 05, born in SC; Louisa A. DAVIS, age 02, born in SC.
        11. 1880 U. S. Census, Duval County, Florida, population schedule, Mayport, Duval County, Florida, ED #38, Page 642C; Line 45, Dwelling 211, Family 227, Household of William L. DAVIS. 1880 CENSUS, Mayport, Duval County, Florida, FHL Film 1254126, National Archives Film T9-0126, Enumeration District 38, Page 642C; Line 45, Dwelling 211, Family 227; William L. DAVIS, age 46, born in NC, Occ:Fisherman, Fa: NC, Mo: NC; Catharine DAVIS, Wife, age 36, born in SC; parents born in SC; Amander DAVIS, Son, age 22, born in SC; Robert DAVIS, Son, age 14, born in SC; Lucy Ann DAVIS, Daughter, age 11, born in SC; Willie DAVIS, Son, age 8, born in FL., Jimmie DAVIS, Son, age 6, born in FL., Gussie DAVIS, Son, age 5 months, born in FL.
        12. 1900 U. S. Census, Duval County, Florida, population schedule, Jacksonville City, Duval County, Florida, enumeration district (ED) #43, Page 181B, Line 79, Family 56, Dwelling 59, Household of James DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2008); citing NARA publication Roll: T623, Roll 167. 1900 CENSUS, Jacksonville City, Duval County, Florida, T623, Roll 167, Enumeration District 43; FHL microfilm 1240167; Page 181B, Line 79, Family 56, Dwelling 59; James DAVIS, age 25, Single, born June 1874 in FL, father born in NC, mother in SC;  Catherine DAVIS, Mother, widowed, age 63, born Mar 1837 in SC, 7 children, 7 Living; Gus DAVIS, Brother, age 20, born Jan 1880 in FL., parents born in FL, father born in NC, mother in SC.
        13. Ibid.
        14. Florida, "Confederate Pension Applications," digital images, floridamemory.com (http://www.floridamemory.com: accessed 2012), Application of Catherine B. Davis, 7 Nov 1903, widow's pension application no. A03212, for service of William L. Davis, (J. C. Coit's Chesterfield Light Artillery); citing National Archives microfilm publication "M267, Civil War Service Records, South Carolina.".
        15. 1910 U. S. Census, Duval County, Florida, population schedule, Jacksonville Ward 2, Duval County, Florida, enumeration district (ED) #0072, page 6B, Line 86, Dwelling 337, Family 395;, Household of  Catharine DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2008); citing NARA publication Roll: T624_159. 1910 CENSUS: Jacksonville Ward 2, Duval County, Florida, Roll T624_159;  Enumeration District: 0072; Image: 202; FHL microfilm: 1374172, page 6B, Line 86, Dwelling 337, Family 395; Catharine DAVIS, age 71, Widower, born in SC; parents born in SC; Willie DAVIS, Grandson, age 22, born in FL., parents born in FL.; Mabel  DAVIS, Granddaughter, age 18, born in FL., parents born in FL.
        16. 1870 U. S. Census, Duval County, Florida, population schedule, Mandarin, Duval County, Florida, Page 572A, Line 11, Family 470, Dwelling 398, Household of  William L. DAVIS. 1870 CENSUS: Mandarin, Duval County, Florida, Roll M593_129; Image 291; Family History Library Film 545628, Page 572A, Line 11, Family 470, Dwelling 398. William L. DAVIS, age 40, Laborer, born in NC; Catherine DAVIS, age 35, born in SC; Theodore M. DAVIS, age 12, born in SC; Cecilia J. DAVIS, age 10, born in SC; Richard M. DAVIS, age 05, born in SC; Louisa A. DAVIS, age 02, born in SC.
        17. Ibid.
        18. 1880 U. S. Census, Duval County, Florida, population schedule, Mayport, Duval County, Florida, ED #38, Page 642C; Line 45, Dwelling 211, Family 227, Household of William L. DAVIS. 1880 CENSUS, Mayport, Duval County, Florida, FHL Film 1254126, National Archives Film T9-0126, Enumeration District 38, Page 642C; Line 45, Dwelling 211, Family 227; William L. DAVIS, age 46, born in NC, Occ:Fisherman, Fa: NC, Mo: NC; Catharine DAVIS, Wife, age 36, born in SC; parents born in SC; Amander DAVIS, Son, age 22, born in SC; Robert DAVIS, Son, age 14, born in SC; Lucy Ann DAVIS, Daug., age 11, born in SC; Willie DAVIS, Son, age 8, born in FL., Jimmie DAVIS, Son, age 6, born in FL., Gussie DAVIS, Son, age 5 months, born in FL.
        19. 1870 U. S. Census, Duval County, Florida, population schedule, Mandarin, Duval County, Florida, Page 572A, Line 11, Family 470, Dwelling 398, Household of  William L. DAVIS. 1870 CENSUS: Mandarin, Duval County, Florida, Roll M593_129; Image 291; Family History Library Film 545628, Page 572A, Line 11, Family 470, Dwelling 398. William L. DAVIS, age 40, Laborer, born in NC; Catherine DAVIS, age 35, born in SC; Theodore M. DAVIS, age 12, born in SC; Cecilia J. DAVIS, age 10, born in SC; Richard M. DAVIS, age 05, born in SC; Louisa A. DAVIS, age 02, born in SC.
        20. 1880 U. S. Census, Duval County, Florida, population schedule, Mayport, Duval County, Florida, ED #38, Page 642C; Line 45, Dwelling 211, Family 227, Household of William L. DAVIS. 1880 CENSUS, Mayport, Duval County, Florida, FHL Film 1254126, National Archives Film T9-0126, Enumeration District 38, Page 642C; Line 45, Dwelling 211, Family 227; William L. DAVIS, age 46, born in NC, Occ:Fisherman, Fa: NC, Mo: NC; Catharine DAVIS, Wife, age 36, born in SC; parents born in SC; Amander DAVIS, Son, age 22, born in SC; Robert DAVIS, Son, age 14, born in SC; Lucy Ann DAVIS, Daug., age 11, born in SC; Willie DAVIS, Son, age 8, born in FL., Jimmie DAVIS, Son, age 6, born in FL., Gussie DAVIS, Son, age 5 months, born in FL.
        21. Ibid.
        22. Ibid.
        23. Jim Tipton, Find A Grave, digital image, http://findagrave.com; Headstone for Catherine B. Davis; (1837–2 July 1917); Memorial # 57125615; Record of the Old Jacksonville City Cemetery; Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, USA; Accessed on March 2012.
    

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