The Davis Family
First Generation in America
John Davis (abt. 1650, WALES? - 1712, CT?)
married Abigail Cook (abt. 1650 )
Second Generation
John Davis (1675, CT - 1767, CT?)
married Sarah Chatfield (1686, CT - 1721 CT)
Third Generation
Capt. Joseph Davis (1708, CT - 1722, CT)
married Mary Wheeler (1714 CT - 1764 CT)
Fourth Generation
Col. John Davis (1755, CT - 1848, CT)
married Mehitable Thomas (1764, CT - 1852, CT)
"Col. Davis... was promoted to the rank colonel. In times of peace as in times of war he was a leader among men and he left the impress of his personality upon his locality in imperishable memory that the anniversary his birth is still celebrated at High Rock Grove where he lived." -- “Hon. Rufus Mallory.” Portrait and Biographical Record of Western Oregon…” Chapman Publishing Company, 1904. (Google Books.)
"John Davis, who went on to become lieutenant colonel in the Connecticut State Militia, was born on Chestnut Tree Hill, which was then part of Derby, in 1775. He was christened in St. James Episcopal Church, Derby, and his family later became active in St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Oxford.
During the American Revolution, British forces occupied New York, and groups of British troops swept all throughout southwestern Connecticut. They would kidnap and carry back to New York all the young men they could capture. They hoped to persuade some of the captives to join in the fight against the patriots, and those who would not join them would at least not have a chance to join with the patriots against the English forces.
During those times, a British sweep captured young John Davis near his family home at the present junction of Chestnut Tree Hill and Route 43. They held Davis prisoner in New York for some time. Although many of the Episcopalians were loyalists, Davis refused to take up arms for the English. He eventually escaped and returned to Oxford. Despite this experience, John Davis did not join the patriot army, either.
For many years, his descendants suspected he was a loyalist during the Revolution. It was not until the national bicentennial in 1976 when a researcher discovered that Davis had taken the Oath of Allegiance to the Patriot cause soon after he returned to Oxford from his capture. This made his descendants eligible for membership in the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution.
Davis was active in local government. While Oxford was still a part of Derby, Davis was a member of the committee that laid out the present Town Green. The group got local folks to work together to clear the land of brush and brambles. When Oxford was officially incorporated in 1798, the Green served as the training ground for the local militia. The militia held Training Days, or Muster for Training, several times each year.
Davis earned the title of Colonel in the Connecticut State Militia, serving as Lt. Colonel of the Connecticut 32nd Regiment infantry.
Col. John Davis developed a successful apple orchard. He developed a variety known as the Davis Green, which became the foundation stock for several orchards in this area that his adult children owned.
He was a prominent citizen and a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Among his family were selectmen of Oxford and members of the state legislature.
John married Mahitable Thomas in 1782. Together, they had 14 children who survived infancy; all but one lived to become adults.
Col. Davis died following a fall from a horse at the age of 93. He had a young colt that was not fully trained, and he alone could ride it. One winter day, the horse slipped and the fall injured the old man. His injuries confined him to bed. Before he fully recovered, the house caught on fire and burned to the ground. The old man died shortly after, apparently from the stress and shock of the two incidents.
His death came on Nov. 17, 1848. His grave is in St. Peters Episcopal Cemetery, on Governor's Hill Road. There is a stained glass memorial window in the church dedicated to the memory of Colonel John and Mehetible Davis." -- "Col. John Davis: The Fascinating Life and Death of a Local Legend Town historian takes a look back at a man who served his town and country." By Dorothy DeBisschop, Patch Poster | Mar 22, 2011 12:47 pm ET. https://www.geni.com/people/Col-John-Davis/6000000011081617184
Mehitable was the daughter of generations of English colonists going all the way back to the early 1600's. Her ancestors helped form the short-lived New Haven Colony, which later merged with the Connecticut colony. For more about her and her family, click --> here.
Fifth Generation
Lucretia Davis (1790, CT - 1867, CT)
married Samuel Mallory (1782, CT - 1854, CT)