Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mooregenealogy/sets/72157674811618281

On 10 December 1909, Walter Ryland Davis was born in Ozeana, Essex County, Virginia. He was male, 3rd child in order, both parents were married to one another. Father was Joseph Davis; white; 37; born in Essex County, Virginia; occupation carpenter. Mother was Laura Belle Croxton; white; 28; born in Essex County, Virginia. Parents married on 10 August 1905 in Essex County, Virginia. Certified by Celia Mitchell of Upright, Virginia; aunt; age 81. Supported by transcript of 1910 Federal Census. Applicant signed Ryland Davis, Upright, Virginia. [Commonwealth of Virginia, Delayed Certificate of Birth, 6295, 29 August 1959.]

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, 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

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

Marriage information from an article about the Davis’ 50th wedding anniversary. Also: Walter Ryland Davis married Nannie Gay Brooks on 26 September 1931 (marriage license issued 23 September) in Essex County. He was 21; she was 18. Both were born in Essex, both lived in Contra. He was a mechanic. His parents were Joe and Laura Croxton Davis; hers were Jno. W. and Annie Brizende [sic] Brooks. M. F. Roberts performed the ceremony. [King and Queen County Marriage Register 2, page 68, entry 33.]

On 16 October 1940, Walter Ryland Davis registered for the military. He was a resident of Upright, Essex County, Virginia; age 30; born on 10 December 1909 in Ozeana, Essex County; citizen of U.S.A.; person who will always know address Mrs. Nannie Gay Davis, wife, of Upright, Essex County, Virginia; self employed; place of employment or business Upright, Essex County, Virginia; white; height 5’10”; weight 145 pounds; gray eyes; brown hair; light brown complexion; no other obvious physical attributes; signed W. Ryland Davis. [National Archives, Selective Service Registration Card, Roll 44044-04-00037.]

Upright
Mr. and Mrs. Julian Ball of Richmond, Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp and daughter, Irene, of Baltimore visited in the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Davis and Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis over the week-end.
Anne Webb spent last Thursday night with Annie Laura Davis.
Mrs. Ryland Davis’ mother, Mrs. J. W. Brooks, is right sick at this writing. We hope she will be feeling much better soon.
[The Rappahannock Times, 7 October 1948, page 4.]

Upright News
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp and daughter, Irene, of Baltimore, Md., are spending some time in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Davis this week.
Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis and daughter attended the revival service at Providence Church on Sunday night.
[The Rappahannock Times, 24 August 1950, page 4.]

Upright News
Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis and daughter and Mrs. Ryland Mitchell and sons were among those from here attending the show at Tappahannock High School on last Friday night. It was enjoyed by all.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kopp, of Baltimore, spent the week-end with Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Davis.
Mrs. Joseph Davis has not been feeling so well lately. Do hope she feels better soon.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Harper and family, of Coruch, called in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis on Sunday night.
[The Rappahannock Times, 1 March 1951, page 5.]

Upright News
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp, of Baltimore, and Mr. and Mrs. Julian Ball, Mr. Billy Ball and Mrs. Norman Edwards and son visited in the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Davis and Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis over the week-end.
[The Rappahannock Times, 17 April 1952, page 4.]

Upright News
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp, of Baltimore, Md., spent the week-end in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis and Mr and Mrs. Joseph Davis.
[The Rappahannock Times, 7 August 1952, page 2.]

UPRIGHT NEWS
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp, of Baltimore, Md., paid a surprise visit in the home of Mr and Mrs. Joseph Davis and Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis over the week-end.
[The Rappahannock Times, 9 October 1952, page 2.]

Upright News
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp and daughter, Irene, of Baltimore, Md., are spending a part of their vacation in the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Davis and Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis.
[The Rappahannock Times, 3 September 1953.]

Upright News
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp, of Baltimore spent the week-end in the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Davis and Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis.
[The Rappahannock Times, 17 December 1953.]

Upright News
Mrs. Elvin Eanes, Mrs. Ryland Davis and Miss Annie Laura Davis, spent Wednesday of last week in Richmond. Mrs. Davis had an oppointment [sic] with her doctor.
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp and Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis, of Baltimore [sic], spent the week-end in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Davis and Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis.
Mr. Joseph Davis celebrated his birthday on Sunday. We wish for him many more happy birthdays.
[The Rappahannock Time, 15 April 1954, page 2.]

Upright News
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp, of Baltimore, Md., are spending this week in the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Davis.
Miss Annie Laura Davis is on vacation this week.
[The Rappahannock Times, 2 September 1954, page 1.]

Upright
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp, of Baltimore, Md., visited in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis over the week-end.
[The Rappahannock Times, 26 May 1955, page 6.]

Upright News
Mrs. Joseph Davis is spending this week in Baltimore.
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp of Baltimore spent last week in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis.
Mrs. J. W. Brooks and daughters, Mrs. Ryland Davis and Irene and Annie Laurie Davis called to see Mrs. Willard Beazley of Saluda on Thursday afternoon last week.
[The Rappahannock Times, 8 September 1955, page 2.]

Upright News
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp, of Baltimore, Md., visited in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis over the week-end.
[The Rappahannock Times, 22 December 1955, page 3.]

Upright News
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp, of Baltimore, Md., spent several days last week in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis.
[The Rappahannock Times, 29 August 1957, page 3.]

Upright News
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Kopp of Baltimore are spending a part of their vacation with Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis.
[The Rappahannock Times, 28 August 1958, page 6.]

Upright News
Recent callers in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis were Mr. and Mrs. Kopp of Baltimore; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Harper of Ino; Mr. and Mrs. Perry Allen and young daughter of Tappahannock, and Mr. Robert Harper and friend of Richmond.
The Woman’s Society of Christian Service of Lebanon Methodist Church is studying a mission study course in the book entitled “Edge of the Edge.” The second class will be held at the home of Mrs. Ryland Davis on Wednesday night of this week.
[The Rappahannock Times, 15 February 1962, page 3.]

Upright News
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kopp of Baltimore, Md. spent several days last week in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis.
[The Rappahannock Times, 30 August 1962, page 6.]

Upright News
Mrs. Pearl Kopp of Baltimore spent a week end recently in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis.
[The Rappahannock Times, 15 July 1965, page 6.]

Upright News
Mrs. Pearl Kopp of Baltimore, spent the week end in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis.
Mrs. Ryland Mitchell, Mrs. James M. Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Perry Allen and family called in the same home over the week end.
….
Mr. and Mrs. James Melvin Mitchell of Baltimore, Md. visited their parents over the week end.
[The Rappahannock Times, 5 May 1966, page 4.]

Upright News
Recent visitors in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis were: Mrs. Pearl Kopp and family, Mrs. Helen Corbin of Baltimore, Md. also Mr. and Mrs. Henry Paltell and Mrs. Goldie Brizendine of Baltimore, Md.
[The Rappahannock Times, 8 September 1966, page 7.] (Note: Helen Corbin lived next door to Pearl Kopp on Hollen Road in Baltimore.)

Upright News
Mrs. Pearl Kopp and Mrs. Helen Corbin of Baltimore were recent visitors in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Davis.
[The Rappahannock Times, 6 October 1966, page 4.]

Pearl Irene Davis Kopp [Walter Ryland Davis’s half-sister]: “And when he came along, I remember my stepmother was so disappointed that she didn’t have a girl! There was three boys. So she decided she was going to dress him like a girl, and she got him a beautiful little eyelit [?] dress and a curly/cutsy [?] little straw bonnet with a lot of pink ribbons. And he was about six months old, she took him to church. And everybody says, ‘Oh, what a beautiful little girl!’ She wanted a girl so bad she decided to dress him like a girl and take him to church. I though that was the funniest thing, though. Dressed up with his little curls stickin’ all around his little straw bonnet. He had beautiful curls, little blond head.”