* Note: Error on third line on page 1, which is Great Great Grandfather, but should be Great Grandfather.

John Davis came from Ireland in 1700’ to Amherst County, Virginia. He was Father of five children: John, James, Joe, Sam, and Mary. Sam our Great Great Grandfather married Jean Marshall. They with five children moved to Crab Orchard, Kentucky, in 1779. Crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains on horses. Their goods on packed horses. The 2 youngest children were carried in baskets slung over the saddle. My Grandfather John William generally called "Jockey" was one of the 2 thus carried. These pioneers with others lived for a while in a fort. The men would go each day with their guns to a spot selected by one of them for his future home cut and prepared logs for their houses. Next was the hewing and building. At last all had homes built. The land from which the trees were cut was for cultivation. Don’t you know they had a time with stumps? Well everything was hard but they had stout hearts.

     One morning Great Grandfather went out to the deer lick to suprise a deer but none there. When he returned to the house there were Indians in war paint and feathers. He knew he could not cope with them so he ran for the fort 5 miles distant. He was not hampered by clothes as he had on only his shirt. Two of the Indians followed him a short distance stained their hands with poke berry and held them while Great Grandfather escaped. Great Grandmother knew what it was. There were only 4 of them but Great Grandmother thought there were more. They made Great Grandmother understand to get breakfast. She was as long about it as possible. They tore her feather beds shook them to see the feathers fly. Great Grandmother got out 2 silk dresses she had brought from Virginia. In those days every woman had a silk dress when she married Great Grandfather, she had 2 bright colors. The Indian tore them into ribbons and decorated themselves. One found a barrel of soft soap, scooped up a hand full thinking it was molasses and put it in his mouth. That was so funny to the others. Finally they decided to go take Great Grandmother and her children with them. She carried the baby 18 months old. She made the oldest boy carry his Grandfather. She was afraid if he give out walking they would kill him. She tore off pieces of her apron and dropped it so the men could easily follow. They saw her at it, threatened her so she broke limbs off that were in her way. Finally the men from the fort caught up with them, the Indians grabbed the baby, slained it against a tree. Threw a tomahawk at the mother and boy, but they were so close and didn't take good aim, so they missed. The baby got well lived to be 70 years old. Had something done to the fracture after she was grown.

     Our Mother, Sarah Katherine Threlkeld Davis, came to Missouri when she was 9 years old, in l838. Father came in 1832. They were married on June 9, 1850. Went to Montgomery County on honey moon, went horse back. Mother married in white swiss dress. Second day dress was shades of lavender silk. I still have a piece of ribbon that was on her wedding bonnet canary color. I think life was very pleasant for them. There were about 11 or 12 Negroes. Everything was raised on the farm. Spinning, weaving and clothes made lots of work. Father died September, 1861, the year the Civil War began. The militia stoled what ever they wanted. Mother was left with 5 children. The oldest 10, the youngest 1. The Negroes stayed till 1865. The Negro men had gone to war, both died. Mary, the mother, hired out and the older children. She bought her a little home near the covered bridge in Paris. Mother told her she could live on in the cabin, but she could not furnish food and clothes. The estate was divided with Father's sisters. The stock brought very little. He had fat cattle and hogs, but people were afraid to buy. Mother had 80 a. and cows, horses and a yoke of oxen. She, with the children made a living. No help. We always had enough substantials to eat and warm c1othes spun and woven suits. All our neighbors were like that. Had a nice horse. Mother was afraid he would be stolen. She had Jack, the 9 year old boy, ride him and she rode another. Took him to Mexico and sold him. It was about 20 miles. Jack rode home behind her. The militia came, searched our house for men and armies, but found neither. It was very amazing.