M#48 GEORGE "GARY" DAVIS...M#49 NANCY BETTS

All of the family data for this and succeeding generations of M# maternal ancestors has, as noted earlier, been taken almost solely from the U.S. census records, using accepted research practices and suitable care in the assessment of the validity of the data. Finding information which illuminates a family based on familiar but inaccurate data doesn't make an ancestor of someone who isn't an ancestor.

For these reasons, data concerning this and succeeding generations of antecedents will be set forth without unnecessary explanation as to source and validity, except as this author deems desirable.

* * *

M#24 George W. Davis's parents appear to have been M#48 George "Gary" Davis and M#49 Nancy Betts.

Gary was born about 1824 in Virginia, probably in Harrison County. It was most likely Gary who was the George Davis who married Nancy Betts on 27 August 1846. Gary and Nancy were farmers who worked $3,960 worth of Elk Township, Harrison County farmland in 1870.

M#49 Nancy Betts was born about 1821 in Virginia, probably in Harrison County also. Nancy and Gary had at least four children, of whom sons Burl and William were recorded as 'idiotic' in 1870 -- probably retarded:

M#48.1 Burl Davis- b 1848;

M#48.2 George W. Davis- b November, 1849, m in 1868 to Mary Ann [M.?] Davis[?]- b 1851, seven children;

M#48.3 Zelda S. Davis- b 1855;

M#48.4 William E. [or I.] Davis- b 1850.

* * *

While not documented, it is this author's opinion that M#49 Nancy Betts' parents were M#98 Collin Betts and M#99 Elizabeth Adams. At this writing, this author has no further knowledge of Elizabeth's family.

The best evidence for this relationship is that of the number of Betts' families in the immediate vicinity of the Gary and Nancy Betts-Davis family. Collin and Elizabeth are of the most appropriate age; and that a daughter of the Davises was apparently named after Collin and Elizabeth Betts' daughter, Zelda; and that Nancy and Gary Davis apparently settled on a farm next to probable-brother John Betts -- possibly having purchased or inherited the land, a $1,500 - 1860's dollar spread. The John Betts land was valued at $3,200, and the Collin Betts' property in 1860 was valued at $2,840.

Collin Betts would have been born about 1797. Elizabeth Adams was born about 1795. According to the IGI, they were married in 1809 by Reverend Isaac Morris in Harrison County. In 1860, Collin and Elizabeth shared their home with three children:

M#98.9 Zelda Betts- b 1838;

M#98.10 Hamilton Betts- b 1843;

M#98.11 Martha J. Betts - b 1853.

Other possible children of Collin and Elizabeth include:

M#98.1 John Betts- b 1819, m Miss Susan- b 1824; at least four children: M#98.1.1 Mary E. Betts- b 1844; M#98.1.2 Columbia Betts- b 1847; M#98.1.3 Love A. Betts- b 1850; M#98.1.4 Emily Betts- b 1856.

M#98.3 William Betts- m 28 March, 1844 to Roanna McPherson;

M#98.4 Granville Betts- b 1827, m to Miss Matilda; children: M#98.4.1 Malissa J. Betts- b 1851; M#98.4.2 Frances M. Betts- b 1853; M#98.4.3 Lavinia Betts- b 1856; M#98.4.4 Emma R. Betts- b 1858, m 28 November, 1886 to Samuel R. Ruckman; M#98.4.5 Lettie Betts- m 22 November, 1888 to Stewart Leott.

M#98.5 Randall Betts- m 20 April, 1848 to Matilda Davis;

M#98.6 Sophie Jane Betts- m 17 April, 1848 to Thomas George;

M#98.7 Emily S. Betts- m 12 December 1850 to John Monroe.

* * *