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Birth and death dates from a Davis family Bible.

Joseph Davis’s parents lived in Dunnsville at time of birth. The Essex County Birth Records provide a different birth date than that recorded in the Davis family Bible: 8 April 1873. [Essex County Birth Records, page 148.] The birth certificate of Lily Bell Davis states that Joseph was born in Ozeana, Virginia.

1880 U.S. Census for Essex County, Virginia:
Dwelling 256, Family 256, Chapel Grove election precinct
Davis, Saml, white, male, 58, married, cordwainer
Davis, Frances C., white female, 41, wife, married, keeping house
Davis, Maddison, white, male, 16, son, single, works on farm
Davis, Warren, white, male, 14, son, single, works on farm, in school
Davis, Cora, white, female, 12, daughter, single, at home, in school
Davis, Robt S., white, male, 9, son, single, at home, in school
Davis, Joe, white, male, 7, son, single, at home, in school
Davis, E. E., white, male, 4, son, single, at home
Davis, Cecilia, white, female, 2, daughter, at home
Everyone was born in Virginia. E. E. and Cecilia are unable to read; E. E., Cecilia, Joe and Robert are unable to write.

Joseph Davis married Emma W. Boughan on 30 October 1892 in Essex County, Virginia. He was 20, single (not widowed), born in Essex County and living in Essex County. She was 18, single (not widowed), born in Essex County and living in Essex County. Parents were Saml. Davis and Frances C. Dunn, and Thos. W. Boughan and Mary Taylor. Joseph was a farmer. Alexander Fleet performed the ceremony. [Essex County, Virginia, Marriage Register 1, page 109, line 38.]

A deed was made on 18 March 1895 between F. C. Davis, R. S. Davis, Joseph Davis and Emma Davis his wife, Cora Davis, C. Celia Davis and C. P. Taylor of the first part, and John Waller Jones of the second part, all of Essex County. The parties of the first part for $250 sell 35 acres in the Rappahannock District bounded on the north by Richard Bayton, on the west by R. C. Brizendine, on the south by the estate of Samuel Davis and on the east by the road leading to Wright and Brizendine’s grist mill. Signed F. C. Davis, R. S. Davis, Joseph Davis, Emma Davis, Cora Davis, C. Celia Davis, and C. P. Taylor. Recorded 5 January 1899. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 59, pages 274-275.]

A deed was made of 2 August 1899 between Robert S. Davis and Lucile Davis his wife, Celia A. Mitchell who was Celia A. Davis, John R. Mitchell her husband, Cora E. Durham who was Cora E. Davis, and Charles T. Durham her husband, parties of the first part, and Joseph Davis, party of the second part, all of Essex County. For $180 the parties of the first part sell all of the interest that they acquired “as heirs at law of Samuel Davis deceased in a certain tract of land of which the said Samuel Davis died seized and possessed situated and lying in Rappahannock Magisterial District Essex County Virginia, on the main county road leading from Dunnsville to Center Cross, and adjoining the lands of Richard Bayton, Austin Brizendine & James Southard this being the same tract of land conveyed to Samuel Davis by deed from Thomas Croxton & Muscoe Garnett Commissioners having date on the 20th day of November 1869, and of record in the clerks office of Essex County court Deed Book 52 page 233, less 9 acres 2 roods [sic] & 36 poles conveyed by Samuel Davis to J. R. Southard by deed bearing date the 21 day of March 1885.” Signed R. S. Davis, Celia A. Mitchell, J. R. Mitchell, Cora E. Durham, and Charles T. Durham. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 59, page 428.]

1900 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Rappahannock District, household 357
Davis, Joseph, b. Apr 1873, m. 6 years, farmer, owns, mortgaged, farm schedule 314
Davis, Emma W., b. Apr 1874, m. 6 years, 3 children, all of whom survive
Davis, Grayson, b. Jul 1893
Davis, Liliin [sic] B., b. Jun 1895
Davis, Joseph H., b. Sep 1898
Davis, Francis C., mother of Joseph Davis, b. Dec 1841, widowed, had 7 children, 5 of whom survive
Everyone but the children could read and write.

Joseph Davis married L. B. Croxton on 10 August 1905 in Essex County, Virginia. He was 33, widowed, born in Essex County and residing there. She was 24, single, born in Essex County and residing there. Parents were Samuel Davis and F. C. Dunn, and Drury Croxton and C. H. Stevens. Joseph was a farmer. Joseph Lewis performed the ceremony. [Essex County, Virginia, Marriage Register 1, page 158, line 31.]

1910 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Enumeration District 40, Rappahannock District, on Ozeana Road, Dwelling 23, Family 23
Davis, Joseph, head, male, white, age 37, second marriage, married 4 years, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, speaks English, farmer on general farm, can read and write, owns farm, mortgaged, farm schedule 20
Davis, Laura B., wife, female, white, age 25, first marriage, 3 children born, 3 children living, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, speaks English, no occupation, can read and write
Davis, Grayson, son, male, white, age 15, single, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, speaks English, no occupation, can read and write, in school
Davis, Lilian, daughter, female, white, age 13, single, born Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, speaks English, no occupation, can read and write, in school
Davis, Harold, son, male, white, age 11, single, born Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, speaks English, no occupation, can read and write, in school
Davis, Roland, son, male, white, age 9, single, born Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, speaks English, no occupation, can read and write, in school
Davis, Pearl, daughter, female, white, age 7, single, born Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, speaks English, no occupation, cannot read or write, not in school
Davis, Allie, son, male, white, age 3, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, no occupation
Davis, Warren, son, male, white, age 2, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, no occupation
Davis, Ryland, son, male, white, age 4/12, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, no occupation

1920 U.S. Census for Essex County, Virginia:
Rappahannock District, Dwelling No. 189, Family No. 199
Enumerated on 21 February 1920
Davis, Joseph, head, owned free, 46, born in Virginia, farmer, general farm, own account
Davis, Lucila A., wife, 49, born in Virginia
Davis, Allie C., son, 13, in school, born in Virginia
Davis, Warren P., son, 11, in school, born in Virginia
Davis, Ryland W., son, 10, in school, born in Virginia
Davis, Virginia H., daughter, 8, in school, born in Virginia
Davis, Lillie M., daughter, 6 or 7 [overprint], born in Virginia
Davis, Robert S., son, 5, born in Virginia
Davis, Elmer D., son, 3, born in Virginia

He lived in Rappahannock District at time of Lillian’s death in 1912.

He lived in Ozeana at the time of Lillie Bell Davis’ birth in 1913.

In the 1917 birth record of Elmer Durwood Davis, Joseph Davis is listed as a farmer. At that time he lived in the Rappahannock District.

On 12 September 1918, Joseph Davis completed a draft registration card, giving his full name as Joseph Davis, residing at Center Cross, Essex, Va., age 45, born 13 April 1873, white, native born citizen, occupation farm, self-employed at Center Cross, Essex, Va., nearest relative wife Laura B. Davis of Center Cross, Essex, Va., tall height, slender build, blue eyes, brown hair, no disabilities, signed Joseph Davis. [World War I Draft Registration Card, Roll 1984711.]

Joseph Davis married Lucile Davis on 8 August 1919 in Gloucester County, Virginia. He was 46, widowed; she was 48, widowed. Both were born in Essex County and resided there. Parents were Samuel Davis and Francis C. Dunn, and S. G. P. Muse and Sarah J. Coates. Joseph was a mechanic. R. A. Folkes performed the ceremony. [Essex County, Virginia, Marriage Register 1, page 213, line 27.]

“Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kopp, who were recently married in Richmond, spent several days last week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Davis near Upright. They will make their future home in Greensboro, N. J., where Mr. Kopp has accepted a position.” [The Daily Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia), 13 June 1923, page 4.]

“Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kopp, of New Jersey, recently visited Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Davis near Upright.” [The Daily Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia), 12 July 1924, page 6.]

1930 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Roll T626-2441, Page 4B
Rappahannock District
Enumeration District 27-6
Enumerated 6 and 7 May, 1930
Dwelling 92, Household 95
Davis, Joseph H., head, owner, lives on farm, male, white, age 55, first married at age 19, not in school, can read and write, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, speaks English, carpenter in building trade, wage worker, at work previous day, not a veteran
Davis, Celia M., wife, female, white, age 59, first married at age 28, not in school, can read and write, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, speaks English, no occupation
Davis, Ryland, son, male, white, age 19, single, not in school, can read and write, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, speaks English, laborer of odd jobs, wage worker, at work previous day, not a veteran
Davis, Warren P., son, male, white, age 21, single, not in school, can read and write, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, speaks English, laborer of odd jobs, wage worker, at work previous day, not a veteran
Davis, May, daughter, female, white, age 17, single, not in school, can read and write, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, speaks English, house keeper for private family, wage worker, at work previous day, not a veteran
Davis, Samuel, son, male, white, age 14, single, not in school, can read and write, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, speaks English, no occupation

A letter to Pearl Irene Davis Kopp:
Upright Va 5/15/39
Dear Pearl Just a line to let you know Aunt Celia is quite sick. She haven’t [sic] been well since Xmas but she stayed up most of the time but she has been in Bed for 8 Days now & I dont much think she will pull through this time. Pearl I wish you would let the rest of them know she is sich & you all come to see her when you can. Give my love to Frank & the children. Sally is still holding on & everybody else is OK. Hope you & all are well & write to us when you can as ever your Loveing Papa

He signed an affidavit on 26 July 1941 verifying the birth date of his son Joseph Harold Davis. He listed his occupation as carpenter, living in Upright.

In 1940, Joseph Davis was mentioned in the 1932 will of his wife Lucelia, which had not been signed. The will stated that Joseph was to receive the 310 he now farms, named Moss Hill. The court accepted the will as valid. [Essex County, Virginia, Wills and Fiduciary Accounts, Book 7, pages 66-67.]

On 3 December 1942 in Essex County, Virginia, in a Methodist ceremony, Jopseph Davis was married to Cora Brizendine, whose maiden name was Cora Boughan. He was 69; male; widower; married once previously; occupation farmer; born in Essex County; father was Samuel Davis; mother was Frances Dunn; resident of Upright, Virginia. She was 61; white; widow; married once previously; occupation housekeeper; born in Essex County; father was Thos. W. Boughan; mother was Mary E. Taylor; resident of Laneview, Virginia. [Commonwealth of Virginia, Certificate of Marriage 39353.]

The marriage of Joseph Davis and Cora Brizendine was recorded on 3 December 1942 at Essex County, Virginia. He was 69, widowed, living in Upright, Virginia, working as a farmer. She was 61, widowed, living in Laneview, Virginia. They were married in a Methodist ceremony. The parents were Samuel Davis and Frances Dunn, and Thos. W. Boughan and Mary E. Taylor. [Essex County Marriage Register Book 3, 1935-43.]

1950 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Enumeration District 29-7, Sheet 29
Dwelling 179, on a farm
Davis, Joseph, head, white, male, 76, married, born in Virginia, working, 20 hours worked, farmer on farm, working on own account
Davis, Cora L., wife, white, female, 65, married, born in Virginia, housework, not seeking work, highest grade attended 8

On 24 December 1954, Joseph H. Davis died intestate. [Essex County, Virginia, Wills, Fiduciary Accounts, Etc., 10, p. 117.]

On 24 December 1954, Joseph Davis died at Upright, Rappahannock District, Essex County, Virginia. He was a usual resident of Upright, Essex County, Virginia; male; white; married; born 13 April 1873; 81 years, 8 months, 11 days; occupation farmer; born at Ozena, Essex County, Virginia; father was Sam Davis; mother was Frances; wife was Cora B. Davis; informant was Ryland Davis of Upright, Virginia; cause of death cerebral hemorrhage due to arteriosclerosis due to hypertension; buried 26 December 1954 at Lebanon M.E. Church, Upright, Virginia. [Commonwealth of Virginia, Certificate of Death 27775.]

An obituary in the Richmond Times-Dispatch stated:
Joseph Davis
UPRIGHT, Dec. 24 — Joseph Davis, 81, a farmer and lifelong resident of Essex County, died Friday at his home here. A member of Lebanon Methodist Church, he is survived by his wife, Mrs. Cora B. Davis; five sons, Grayson, Harold and Roland Davis, of Baltimore; A. C. Davis, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and two daughters, Mrs. Pearl Kopp, of Baltimore, and Mrs. Virginia Ball, of Richmond; two sisters, Mrs. Celia Mitchell and Mrs. Cora Durham, of Upright; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 2 P.M. Sunday at Lebanon Methodist Church here, with burial in the church cemetery. The funeral cortege will leave T. D. Marks Funeral Home, Tappahannock, at 1:30 P.M. [The Richmond Times-Dispatch, 25 December 1954, page 9.]

His tombstone has the following dates: 13 April 1873, 24 Dec 1954.

“He was a sweetheart … a tease … there was always a twinkle in his eye. Not much to say. Pleasant to be around.” -Irene Louise Kopp Moore, 1 September 1991

Pearl Irene Davis Kopp, 27 October 1991:
Course, my father, you know, my father was very easygoing. Nothing, nothing seemed to bother him, you know, he was just easygoing with all of us kids. [She added in the same conversation that he owned a 300 acre farm and at least four horses.]
TM: Did they hire help?
PK: Sometimes we had help. But my father had a big wheat machine, threshing machine. And he used to make his own syrup.
TM: So the men would do most of the farmwork?
PK: Yeah.

TM: When did you first get a car? Did you have a car down there?
PK: 19… 1920. I don't know whether it was before then or not.
TM: What kind of car was it?
PK: But I had to laugh at the old Model T. Model T, you know. What was it came out round then?
TM: Model T?
PK: Well, it was later. Model T, we had a Model T. But my father was always the first with all of them, you know. Something’d come along, he had to be the first one to get it. So he’d buy a car and that would start them off, you know. Then all the people would start buying cars. He [unintelligible] being first.
TM: So you learned to drive on that Model T?
PK: Yeah. Driving around in his car, Model T. It’s funny how all that stuff wore off, isn’t it?

Pearl also told a story that her father was always very patient, but one day she and her silbings were playing cards, and broke into an argument. In a flash, Joseph took all the cards and threw them into the fire, saying that if they couldn’t play nicely they weren’t going to play at all. —TM