Willian Murphy Davis
SOURCE: GOODSPEED HISTORIES OF SEBASTIAN COUNTY ARKANSAS
Submitted by Judy Spears
Would love to make a connection to this family....
Judy
William Murphy Davis was born in DeKalb County, Ga., April 2, 1840,
and is a son of William M. and Frances (Morton) Davis. His father was
born in Virginia, and when young went to South Carolina, where he learned
the blacksmith's trade, and grew up upon a farm. From South Carolina he
went to Georgia, and in 1845 came to Arkansas. In 1852 he removed to
Texas, and there died in 1855. He was a farmer by occupation. The
mother was a native of Virginia, but was married in Pendleton District,
SC. She died in Jefferson County, Ark., in 1863, and was the mother of
nine children, of whom our subject is the only survivor. The others
were Miles A., Unity, Mary, Gabriel, Franklin, Caroline, Lewis and
Frances. The grandparents on both sides were natives of Virginia, who
went to South Carolina. The paternal grandparents died in that State,
but the maternal grandparents died in Georgia.
William Davis was but four years of age when brought to Jefferson County,
Ark, where he grew up upon his father's farm. Being the oldest child
he was needed upon the farm, and consequently received but a limited
education. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I, of the Ninth Arkansas
Volunteer Infantry, Confederate States Army, and served in that company
until discharged in 1862. He was present at Grant's defeat at Belmont.
He then enlisted at St. Charles, Ark, under Capt. Peoples, Confederate
Army, and served until mustered out in 1865.
The company was disbanded at Louisville, Ark., with other Southern
troops. After the war he engaged in farming in Jefferson County, Ark,
but in 1872 came to Sebastian County, where he bought eighty four acres
of land, fifty of which he cultivates. In 1869 he married Margaret,
daughter of James Carr, a native of Gibson County, Tenn. Mrs. Davis
came to this State when young, and has borne eight children, all save
one now living: Dorah, Phaeby, Marshall, Morgan, Marches, Estelle,
Motier, Ida L, and Morgan (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Davis belong to
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Davis has served his
township as school director and overseer, and in politices is a
straight Democrat.