[Map is a detail from James Bowden, The History of the Society of Friends in America (Vol. II: Pennsylvania and New Jersey (London: W & F.G. Cash, 1854), opposite p. 1]
Paschall Davis was born about 1757 in what was then Chester County (now Delaware County), Pennsylvania. He was the son of Isaac Davis (1721-1785) and Joanna Paschal (1727-1772), who were Quakers. In 1771, Isaac Davis, his wife and children requested a certificate of good character to transfer their membership from Haverford Monthly Meeting to Chester Monthly Meeting.
By 1775, Paschal Davis had moved to Newlin Township in Chester County, Pannsylvania. Though the war had not yet begun, difficulties with the British military made life difficult for the colonists. Since Pennsylvania was dominated by the Quakers at the time, there was no compulsory military conscription. Some concerned citizens joined together as “Associators” to drill and prepare for war. Paschal Davis was among those who joined. He became a member of the Chester County Militia as a Private under Captain Joseph Luckey in the 7th Company.
Serving in the militia would have cost Paschal his church membership, since Quakers are against war. It must have been a difficult decision to make, but it is clear that Paschal chose to serve in spite of this sacrifice. He never seems to have renounced his service before a church tribunal in order to be readmitted to church fellowship. No further mention of him is made in Quaker records.
In 1779, Paschal’s name appears on the Tax Roll for Newlin Township, Chester County, PA. Paschal is listed as a single Freeman:
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| Paschal Davis' name is listed on the right hand page, in the bottom right hand side, third from the bottom. |
Paschall Davis married Martha [Unknown Maiden Name] (1759-1850). Some believe that she was a daughter of Peter Hull of Augusta County, VA. This is highly unlikely for the following reasons:
- No Martha was mentioned in Peter Hull's will of 1817. It mentions a wife, Barbara; eldest son, Henry; son, Peter; daughter, Susannah Kinkead, wife of Thomas; daughter, Barbara Sitlington, wife of John; son, Adam; son, Jacob; son, William; son-in-law, William Harvey; and grandson, Mathew Harvey. (Abstracts from the Records of Augusta County, Virginia, Lyman Chalkley, Vol. II, page 240.)
- Peter Hull Jr. (whose will was registered in 1817) was probably a contemporary with Martha, and not old enough to be her father.
- The elder Peter Hull (Will registered in Augusta County in 1775) had unnamed children mentioned in his will, however, any Martha who would have been in Augusta VA in 1775 could not be Paschal Davis’ wife, since the Hull family was in Augusta VA before Peter Hull Sr. died in 1775. Paschal Davis was in Pennsylvania until at least 1781 (per tax lists), and he was probably married and having children before he moved to VA in 1790.
- Researchers who have studied the Hull family of Augusta VA do not list a Martha among the children of Peter Hull Sr. (d. 1775).
Paschal and Martha had the following children:
1. Susannah Davis 1776-
2. Joanna Davis 1780-1862
3. Mary Francis "Polly" Davis 1784-1860 m. Thomas Williams
4. Deborah Davis 1788-
5. Jesse Davis m. Ann Williams [dau. of Hazael Williams]
In 1781, Paschal was taxed in New London Township (with Samuel Davis, who may be a cousin). He has 120 acres, 2 horse, 3 cattle, and a Grist Mill for milling grain:
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| Paschal Davis in New London tax list. His name appears on the left page, second after Samuel Davis. |
Sometime between 1781 and 1790, the family relocated to Augusta County, Virginia.
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| Paschal Davis moved, with his family, from New London Township in Pennsylvania to Augusta County, Virginia in the vicinity that would later become Bath County. The journey was about 272 miles in distance. |
In 1790, Paschal appears on the Tax Roll in Augusta County, Virginia with 1 tithe [male over 21], and 3 horses. By this time, all of his known children had been born, but were still too young to be tithed. Bath County formed from Augusta in 1791. The area in which the Davis family was living was in the part that was separated to create Bath County, the family can be found in Bath County thereafter.
In 1793, Paschal purchased acreage on the Bull Pasture River in Bath County, Virginia from George Benson for 10 pounds [Bath County, VA Deed BK 1 p. 110].
In 1794, Paschal witnessed the will of Mathias Benson. Martha was also a witness, and this is one of the sources we have for her first name.
From "Abstracts of the Wills and Inventories of Bath County, Virginia, 1791-1842", By Jean Randolph Bruns, pg. 6:pg. 48 - Will of Mathias Benson, Sr. (X) of the Cowpasture, dated Dec. 1, 1794.
Beq: to sons George, Errowin [Erwin] and Babel $1 or 6 shillings and no more
to daughter Elizabeth Pullin $1 and no more affirm gift of slave to Gust to Babel'
to wife Nelly land on dry branch, a branch of Jackson River, and balance of estate, including Negro woman named Patience, boys Harry and Joseph and wench Nanney
Wit: William Sherard, Paschall Davis and Martha Davis Probated February 1795 Court Exec: Wife
[Mary Francis (Davis) William’s daughter married a Pullin as well. The Pullins were also neighbors to the Rough family in Bath County VA.]
Paschal was a neighbor to the Benson family, but there may have been related to them as well given that Paschal was a witness to the wills of both Mathias and his wife Nelly Benson.
On the 7th of July 1801, Paschal sold 58 acres of land in Bath County, to James Botkin:
Paschal and Martha DAVIS to James BOTKIN. 58 acres on both sides of Bullpasture, but mostly on the east side, adjoining Hinds and Parrot; patented 1 June 1784 to John Miller, who conveyed to John McAlister, who conveyed to William Wilson, who conveyed to Pascal Davis. Consideration: £50, VA. Signed: Pascholl Davis, Martha Davis. Witnesses: none.
Acknowledged in court by both, 7 July 1801. No delivery shown. Recorded: 3:246-247. [Bath County VA Bk 3, pp. 246-247]
Will Book 1 Bath County VA:
p. 473 Power of attorney by Joseph Backhouse to James Davis to convey to Paschal Davis land in Bath. Wit: Charles Erwin, Joseph Erwin, Hamelton Benson. Also signed by Hannah Backhouse
[Charles Erwin lived on the Bullpasture and married Dorothy Stuart. Erwin Patterson (and so the Erwins as well) was associated with the Williams family of Augusta VA, who later married into the Davis family.]
p. 429 Will of Nelly Benson of the Cowpasture dated July 7, 1808 Wit: John Devericks, Paschall Davis and James Davis (son of Paschal) Probated June 1809 Court Exec: son Mathias and grandson Hambleton Benson Beq: to grandsons…
In 1810, the census finds Paschal still in Bath County, VA. The children had all grown, so census records show only Paschal and Martha in the household.
1810 Census Bath County VA:
Pascal Davis 1 m over 45, 1 f over 45, 1 slave
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| Paschal Davis in the 1810 Census in Bath County, Virginia. Note that son James is enumerated just two households away. |
1820 U. S. Census Bath VA:
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| Paschal Davis in the 1820 Census in Bath County, Virginia. Note that son James is listed right above him. |
Paschal Davis died in 1829, and was buried near his home on Davis Run, near the Bull Pasture River, in Bath County, Virginia.
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