Many thanks to Margie Richardson for sending the above pictures of my grand uncles, Woody Burl Davis and Munden Paul Hargrave.  It is a great starting point for my research into their military service.  I hope to meet with Woody’s daughters, Judy Kay and Cheryl, next month.  Margie will send more info on Paul’s service in the near future.  Woody served with the United States Marine Corps and Paul with the United States Navy, both during World War II.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis (brother of Woody Burl Davis)

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis (sister of Annell Hargrave (Davis)/brother in-law of Munden Paul Hargrave)

Sherman Harry Davis Pocket Watch

This pocket watch was given to me by my uncle, Sherman Patrick Davis, when I graduated from the University of Delaware in 1999.  It belonged to my great grandfather, Sherman Harry Davis.  He passed away 5/5/1992 in Tyler, Smith County, Texas.  I am lucky to have this among my family belongings.  I’ve kept it locked away for many years and will pass it down to my son when he graduates from Texas A&M University in 2027.  If you have any family treasures you’d like to contribute, please take a picture of the item and email it to me.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Sherman Harry Davis

Wiley Berry and Leta Louise Gibson (McKinney) Headstone

I recently received the following comment on ancestry.com regarding the above picture, taken in the Noonday Cemetery in Noonday, Smith County, Texas:

Her actual birthdate was October 22, 1911. Years ago, I found her birth certificate entry made by her father, Samuel McKinney filed at the Smith County Courthouse in a large book. I’ve been told that when this headstone was made, the year 1911 was put on (or was to be put on) the stone, but she thought she was born in 1912 and made them change it. She was my grandmother; I’m the daughter of her eldest daughter. I gave her a copy of her birth certificate at her birthday party one year – I think it made her mad because she said that made her one year older! We all still smile when someone mentions that story.

The comment was submitted by Barbara Purdue (Massey), a distant cousin through the Gibson family (see post below regarding Eliza Ruth Gibson (Harris).  I’ve replied to her comment and hope to post more information soon.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Marjorie Leaine Davis  (Kirkpatrick) – Burla Eugene Kirkpatrick (Gibson) – Berrien Wiley Gibson (common ancestor)

Arthur, Jennie, and Florence Backus Portrait

Portrait of my 2nd great grandfather, Arthur Bernard Backus (Backhouse), his first wife, Jennie Maria (Sarles), and their daughter, Florence Emma Backus, taken approx. 1893 in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – Georgia Lou Davis (Barlow) – Katie Maybelle Barlow (Backus) – Arthur Bernard Backus (Backhouse)

The tombstone featured this Tuesday is of my 3rd great grandmother, Eliza Ruth Gibson (Harris).   My wife and I visited her grave 2/09, on a road trip through northern Texas.  Eliza Ruth was born in 1839 in Washington County, Arkansas to Samuel and Jane Harris (Smith).   Her family moved to Cherokee County, Texas between 1844 and 1850.  She later married my 3rd great grandfather, Berrien Wylie Gibson, on 6/24/1858 in Tyler, Smith County, Texas.   They resided in Smith County, Texas until Berrien Wylie’s death in 1888.  She was later committed to the North Texas Hospital for the Insane (now the Terrell State Hospital) in Terrell, Kaufman County, Texas.  Eliza Ruth was a patient there from approx. 1900, until her death on 10/21/1920. 

Eliza Ruth Gibson Death Certificate

Her death certificate lists the cause of death as “Arteriosclerosis”, with “Insanity” as a contributing factor.  Due to privacy laws, I have been unable to obtain any of her patient information from the hospital or the state of Texas. 

She was buried in Wildwood Cemetery, located on the hospital grounds, in a numbered grave.  Through the generosity of donors and volunteers, the Wildwood Cemetery Association has placed a “dignified and permanent headstone inscribed with the name and dates of birth and death” on many of the graves, including Eliza Ruth’s.  Please click here to read more about the hospital, Wildwood Cemetery and the “Numbers to Names” campaign.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Marjorie Leaine Davis (Kirkpatrick) – Burla Eugene Kirkpatrick (Gibson) – Eliza Ruth Gibson (Harris)

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James Nead Davis Military Record

My paternal grandfather, James Nead Davis, served with the United States Marine Corps from 6/6/1946 – 4/29/1947.  His date of entry into the service occurred one day after the declaration of German defeat was signed by the four allies on 6/5/1946.

“Papa” graduated from Robstown High School in Robstown, Texas 5/1946 and worked as a service station attendant before his enlistment.  His U.S. Marine Corps Report of Separation (see above) listed Math as his course of greatest interest.  What I find interesting is that his name and signature are  “James Neal Davis” on the report.

James Nead Davis Graduation Portrait

Currently, I don’t have any pictures of James in uniform.  His high school graduation portrait (see above) was taken shortly before his enlistment in the Marines.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis

Welcome to my new blog, dedicated to my family tree research.  I’ll do my best to keep everyone updated on my progress (as well as trying to keep things straight in my head!)  I hope you check back often.  Please send any suggestions to my email address, davis-brian@att.net.