Note: The following is a statement by Linus A. Davidson concerning my knowledge of our Davidson ancestors.  (This is an edited copy of that statement dated 3/2/2001)

 

There was a Patrick Davidson that lived in Cumberland County, Middleton Twp PA born about 1696 and died 6 November, 1754, in Middleton Twp.  He had 3 sons, Samuel, William and George.  He was a notable person.  He and his son William patented land in the location which is now part of the town of Carlisle in Cumberland Co. PA.  This land was required by William Penn's agent for the location of the town of Carlisle (to be county seat), and was therefore deeded back to William Penn in 1752 for that purpose.  Samuel and  William each had a son Patrick.  Ref:  History of Cumberland County PA (Page 230) by Rev. Conway P. Wing, D.D. 1879

 

Following extensive research, during or before 1969, Dr. Don Davidson decided that William, son of Patrick born 1696, (who deeded land for the location of the town of Carlisle), was the father of Patrick born ca1747.

 

A family record, handed down through various family members, shows that Samuel (son of Patrick born ca1696) was the father of Patrick born ca 1747.  This is based on a diary of Patrick born 1794, (my Great-grandfather), which seems to be lost to this generation.  Patrick is known to be inclined to record dates, etc.  Virginia (Holloway) Porter is descended from Jane, sister of my Great-grandfather, Patrick born 1794.  She has in her possession several books that were his property that she inherited.  The fly leaves and other blank spaces bore `doodling' and notes.      

 

There is also a discrepancy between real estate and census records which would indicate that Patrick (son of William born ca 1724) could not have been our ancestor.  It is possible that there was an error in the real estate records.  All we can say at the present time is that we believe that our Patrick is the son of Samuel or William.  My personal belief is that Samuel is our ancestor. 

 

Returning to the problem of just who was the father of Patrick the Rev war Soldier called Patrick Sr, if it was William, then Patrick lived in Middleton Twp with his father until after 1785, the date of the real estate deed.  In this deed, made in Cumberland Co. Middleton Twp. William Davidson and Sarah his wife, in transferring land to their beloved son Patrick, state as follows:   ........"tract, parcel or piece of land whereon he, the said Patrick Davidson now liveth, situate".......etc.  The question here is:  was the scribe who wrote this document in error in stating "where he now liveth".  The Tax  records show Patrick Davidson on the Metal Twp tax list beginning 1767.  One was supposed to be taxed in the Twp. where he lived.  If both of these legal records are correct, and those two Patricks are the same person, then William born ca1724 is not our ancestor.  I think there could have been an error because I have known of errors in legal documents.  William was the son of Patrick born ca1696 as was Samuel.  Regardless of which one of these cases is the truth, that would make Patrick born ca1696 be the grandfather of our Patrick born 1747.  This is the earliest known Davidson ancestor that we have been able to find.  There is really no controversy about who the grandfather of Patrick Sr. is, only about which of the two Patricks is the father.  In either of these cases, Patrick born ca1696 would be our ancestor.  The two Patricks concerned are cousins, one born of Samuel and one born of William.

 

 

Dr. Don Davidson stated that he had researched all court houses in the  area around Cumberland Co. and made the decision about the children of Samuel and William.  The children of William and Samuel both include a Patrick.  As determined by Dr.Don, the families of William and Samuel are shown on my family group sheets.  As previously stated, family records indicate that Samuel is our ancestor.  However the children of Samuel, (as determined by Dr. Don), do not match.  Therefore, (as can be seen), much depends on the research by Dr. Don.  It seems that the decision depends on which is right; Dr. Don's research or notes in family records attributed to one of Patrick's (born 1794) descendants.  

 

 

Statement by Bob Davidson, Carlisle, PA, bdavid@pa.net, received 10/9/01

 

 

Bob, Thanks so much for the printout. All of the work that I have 

done leads me to the same conclusion as your father -- your Patrick is 

NOT the son of William. I have one further piece of material to prove 

that point. The Patrick who lived in Middleton (later North Middleton) 

Twp. died in 1834. His will is in the Cumberland County Will Book 

K-514. His wife is not listed but his children are Patrick, Samuel, 

George, William, John, James, Sarah married to Samuel Waugh, Elizabeth, 

Nancy and a grand-daughter Sarah Ann Nesbit whose mother was the late 

Isabella Davidson married to John Nesbit. 

Now as to your Patrick being the son of Samuel, I'm about 85% 

convinced. Several Davidson families went to Franklin County by 1744. 

I'm still going to look close at the possibility of any other Patrick 

being from that county. I'm pretty sure that there are no candidates 

but I'll check it out. Am also looking at the possibility of the old 

General. Thanks again, Bob