Milton Reese Davis was born in 1830. His brother Henderson was born in 1832. Family history says Milton was born in Clark County, Indiana, while Henderson was born in neighboring Scott County. So far there is no documentation that we've located that positivly identifies the parents of these boys, but family history says that Harry Davis (of Virginia) and Caroline Smith (of North Carolina) were the parents. There may have been sisters, but these Milton and Henderson are believed to be the only boys.

Information located in 2006 has documented the complete family of Milton and Henderson. The information comes from the Civil War pension papers of James H. Davis. The parents of Milton and Henderson were Henry Davis (of Virginia) and Elizabeth Smith (of North Carolina). The family consisted of twins William and Sarah Ann, John, Milton, Henderson (Henry), Thomas, James, Silas, Eliza, and Elizabeth Davis

Family history also tells us that Henry was one of 3 brothers that left Virginia and went west, with each brother going to a different place. So far we have not located these brothers. Another piece of family history tells us that one of the descendants of Henderson Davis traces the family back to the Revolutionary War, telling cousins that they were eligible for the DAR. The detail of that connection have been lost to Milton's side of the family at this time, and we'd sure like to uncover them.

At this time we have limited family records on Henderson, but they have helped us to locate some census information on that branch of the family. Following is the information we have thus far.

Henderson Davis was born May 14, 1832 and died November 15, 1902. He married Susan Tibbets September 30, 1854 who died before 1860. They had no children. On October 30, 1862 he married Sarah J. Bottorf who was born in Aug 1840 and died January 28, 1917. According to the 1870 census of Charleston Township, Clark County, Indiana the family consisted of Henry Davis (head of household) age 36, Sarah J. (wife) age 29, Luella (daughter) age 6, Jefferson C. (son) age 4, Hattie F. (daughter) age 2, and Sarah A. (daughter) age x/12. All are listed as born in Indiana.

In the 1880 census of Charleston Township, Clark County, Indiana we find Henderson Davis (head of household) age 50, Sarah J. (wife) age 40, Luella (daughter) age 16, Jeff C. (son) age 14, Hattie (daughter) age 11, Sarah An (daughter) age 9, Mary A. (daughter) age 6, Henderson (son) age 3, and Wilson (son) age 1. Now Hattie is listed as born in Illinois with all others born in Indiana. 1880 lists the birthplace of pareents for the first time, and we see Henderson's parents born in Virginia (father) and North Carolina (mother) which is consistent with family history. Sarah J.'s father is listed as Indiana and her mother is not specified.

The 1900 census finds them again in Charleston Township, Clark County, Indiana. In 1900 birth month and year were added to the census. Now we see Henderson Davis (head of household) age 68, born May 1832. Sarah J. (wife) age 59 and born August 1840, Henderson (son) age 22, born June 1877, Wilson E. (son) age 21 born March 1879, Statie (daughter) age 18, born September 1881, Clarence (son) age 15, born December 1884, Dove May (daughter) age 14, born May 1886, and Edwin Fields (grandson) age 3, born October 1896. All are listed as born in Indiana. Henderson's paretns are born Virgina (father) and North Carolina (mother) and Sarah J.'s parents are Indiana (father) and Kentucky (mother).

The family is still located in Charleston Township, Clark County, Indiana in the 1910 census. Since Henderson died in 1902 we find Sarah J. Davis (head of household), age 69. The 1910 census asked about the number of live births for a woman and the number of children living. For Sarah is lists 11 births and 8 children living. Also in the household are Willson E. (son) age 31, Clarence (son) age 25, Dovie May (daughter) age 22, and Stattie (daughter) age 29.

Additional research has uncovered cemetery records for Luella (died 1884) and Hattie (died 1899), and also uncovered a listing for Rosella Davis, daughter of Henderson and Sarah, born April 23, 1872 and died December 1, 1874. this would account for 11 births and 3 not living by 1910. It is not known who grandson Edwin Fields (1900 census) belongs to - it could be a child of Hattie who died in 1899 but that is conjecture. From other family records we know that Jefferson C. Davis married Mayme Coffield and had sons Millard Davis and Glenn Davis. We know that Wilson W. Davis married Pearl Sharp on August 7, 1915. We know that Dove Mae Davis married John F. Schenck on May 31, 1915.

If anyone has additional information on this family, please contact us at the e-mail address listed below. We are especially interested in learning more about the ancestors of Henderson and Milton Davis.
Email:
miltonreesedavisreunion@yahoo.com