Key Facts

Snapshot:	farmer; owned slaves
Parents:	328Arthur Davis 329Charlotte Adams
Born:	2 May 1818 in or near Montgomery County, Georgia
Died:	Thursday 21 July 1891 Montgomery County, Georgia
Buried:	Spivey Family Cemetery, Treutlen County, Georgia Coordinates: N32.42713 W82.65686

164Thomas was born 2 May 18181 in or near Montgomery County, Georgia2 to parents 328Arthur Davis and 329Charlotte Adams, as explained below.

Problem: Resolved Who were 164Thomas' parents? Although I have no found document that explicitly names 328Arthur Davis and 329Charlotte Adams as the parents of 164Thomas Davis, the relationship can be inferred from several sources: 328Arthur Davis married 329Charlotte Adams in Montgomery County, Georgia on 17 July 1817,3 and 164Thomas Davis was born in/near Montgomery County2 9.5 months later.1 The 1840 census lists 328Arthur immediately after 164Thomas.4 Thus, the two men probably lived very close to each other, and their close proximity suggests a relationship. In 1856 164Thomas applied to administer "the estate of Wiley Davis, deceased," 5 who in 1850 had been living in the household of 328Arthur Davis.6 Wiley Davis was probably a son of 328Arthur, and brother of 164Thomas. In 1890 164Thomas purchased a considerable portion of the livestock belonging to 328Arthur Davis' estate, plus the rights to his mark and brand.7

The 1840 census shows 164Thomas with a young woman—probably his "wife" 165Samantha McLendon, who appears in some later censuses and who bore at least some of 164Thomas' children, including 82Thomas,8 even though no marriage record has been found—along with a young girl.4

1840: 164Thomas' family in militia district 51 (map), Montgomery County, Georgia. Full page.4

The 18509 and 186010 censuses show 164Thomas' family growing. The 1850 census9 and an 1854 tax record11 show that they lived in militia district 51 (map). The 1860 census shows that 164Thomas owned three slaves.13 You may also be interested in his farm schedule entries: 185012: 1, 2, template, transcription; 186014: 1, 2, template, transcription.

1850: 164Thomas's family in militia district 51 (map), Montgomery County, Georgia. Full page.9

1860: 164Thomas' family in Mongtomery County, Georgia. Full page: 1, 2.10

1860: 164Thomas' slaves. Full page.13

By 1862 164Thomas had relocated to militia district 1221 (map), according to a local militia roster. The roster also lists his height as 6'1".15

In 1867 the U.S. Congress passed several Reconstruction Acts. These Acts divided the former Confederacy into several military occupation zones, which were ruled by Union military commanders. The Acts also directed the commanding officers to register Southerners who wanted to vote in upcoming elections. One registration requirement was to swear an oath of loyalty to the United States; the obvious intent was to disfranchise any lingering Confederate resistance. 164Thomas signed his oath on either 5 July or 5 August 1867 as a resident of militia district 1221.16

1867: 164Thomas' Reconstruction-era voter registration oath.16

The 1870 census is unique in that it describes 164Thomas' son Hiram as "Idiot" (visible on the full page).17 You may also be interested in 164Thomas' 1870 farm scheduling entry: 1, 2, template, transcription.18

1870: 164Thomas' family in Montgomery County, Georgia. Full page.17

His 1880 census entry is below.19 You may also be interested in his 1880 farm schedule entry: entry, template, transcription.20

1880: 164Thomas' family in militia district 1221 (map), Montgomery County, Georgia. Full page.19

An 1882 tax return shows that 164Thomas owned "wild land" in nearby Laurens County, specifically in district 16, lots 40 and 41,21 although I doubt he ever lived there.

In late 1884 164Thomas hosted a fish fry that was mentioned in the local newspaper. The article is lengthy, so I've transcribed the most pertinent portions below.22

LOTHAIR, Nov. 15. [1884] [...] Notice having been given in due time, that on a certain day there would be a fish fry at Sturgis' lake on the great Oconee, preparations for a good time were made, and soon enough our happy anticipation[?] were not thwarted. I accepted an invitation, at the instance of Mr. Thomas Davis sr. who dispatched horse, buggy, and driver for my accommodation, and in less than the time it takes to tell it, I found myself swiftly gliding over hill and dale to the house of that noble son of Montgomery [County], whose character is kindness, and hospitality. Before I had time to satisfy my curiosity, which was constantly excited by the beautiful, and picturesque sceneries as they presented themselves, by way of meandering turn outs, I was ushered under the pendant roof and domicil of this generous husbandman, where courtesy and charity abide. Favors were freely lavished upon all present, and nothing was lacking to satisfy the internal or external requirement of human nature. After a short respite, and ceremonial compliments, I was well entertained by Mr. Davis, who in brief manner rehearsed many interesting incidents connected with his juvenile life to which I listened attentively. But the one most interesting, and enjoyable was the subject of longevity, which a peculiary characteristic to the Davis family. He stated that he was now sixty six years of age, and resides within a few miles of where he was born, and raised. He has always been a farmer, never bought corn, and used to drive fat hogs to Savannah, and beef cattle to Augusta. Indeed he is a neat, complete and scientific farmer. But the most remarkable account and that most worthy of notice, was concerning his father who still survives him and is just now entering his 90th year. [...] But then the morning dawned and as the sun gradually peeped from his place and began to scale the walls of Heaven without favor or affection, I emerged from my resting place and [...] soon the hour of feasting arrived and such a dinner as Mr. Tom. Davis is accustomed to have served for his friends, was announced, and we will now leave the readers to enjoy his imagination.

In 1886 his son Isam J. Davis, who can be seen in the 1880 census excerpt above,19 killed a man during a political argument on election day.23 On 29 October 1886 162Thomas helped him make bail.24

1886: 164Thomas bails his son Isam out of jail. Full page.24

An 1890 tax digest shows that 164Thomas owned 400 acres in militia district 1221.25

1890: 164Thomas paid tax for 400 acres in militia district 1221, Montgomery County, Georgia. Wider copy: 1, 2.25

164Thomas died 21 July 1891. His death was reported in the local newspaper.26

164Thomas' brief "obituary." Full page.26

164Thomas is buried in the small, somewhat isolated Spivey Family Cemetery in Treutlen County at coordinates N32.42713 W82.65686. Below are photos of his tombstone. The epitaph is fairly unusual: "Remember me as you pass by. As you are now so once was I. As I am now so you must be. Prepare for death and follow me." 1

He died intestate, but there is at least one estate record.27

Sources Cited:

1: Tombstone of Thomas Davis, Spivey Family Cemetery, Treutlen County, Georgia at coordinates N32.42713 W82.65686. Photograph taken by 1Bryant Knight, circa 2010.

2: "Letter from Montgomery," The Eastman Times (Eastman, Georgia), Thursday 27 November 1884. The article reads in part, "He [i.e., 164Thomas] stated that he was now sixty six years of age, and resides within a few miles of where he was born, and raised." In other words, he was born in Montgomery County or very near to it.

3: Montgomery County, Georgia. Marriage book A (1810-1908), n.p., marriage of Arthur Davis and Charlott Adams. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBZJ-2PC?i=152&cc=1927197&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AKXJV-TZ1>, accessed 19 August 2019.

4: 1840 U.S. Federal Census. District 51, Montgomery County, Georgia. Page 215, Thomas Davis household. NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 47. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBQ-4KT?i=2&cc=1786457>.

5: Southern Recorder (Milledgeville, Georgia), Tuesday 5 August 1856, page 4, column 4, about 75% of the way down the page. Georgia Historic Newspapers, <https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn82016415/1856-08-05/ed-1/seq-4/print/image_600x817_from_2913%2C6188_to_3947%2C7595/>, accessed 19 August 2019.

6: 1850 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Militia district 51, Montgomery County, Georgia. Page 100A, dwelling 75, family 75, Arthur Davis household. NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 78. Familysearch.org: <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6FF7-XY4?i=34&cc=1401638>.

7: Montgomery County, Georgia. Bills of Sale, Volume A (1874-1911), page 104. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L935-2WP4?i=235&cc=1999178&cat=202439>, accessed 19 August 2019.

8: Treutlen County, Georgia death certificate 17102 for Thomas Davis. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3S4-D6XZ-L?i=184&cc=1385727>, accessed 6 September 2018.

9: 1850 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). District 51, Montgomery County, Georgia. Page 34, dwelling 67, family 67, Thomas Davis household. NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 78. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6FF7-NVW?i=33&cc=1401638>.

10: 1860 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Montgomery County, Georgia. Page 14, dwelling 92, family 92, Thomas Davis household. NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 131. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBF-SSFW?i=13&cc=1473181>. (page 14) and <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBF-91TZ?i=14&cc=1473181> (page 15).

11: Montgomery County, Georgia. Tax Digest for 1854, militia district 51, n.p., entry for Thomas Davis. Ancestry.com ("Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1893" / Montgomery County / 1854 / images 54 and 55 of 72), accessed 18 August 2013. You can see (cropped) copies of the images here: 1, 2.

12: 1850 U.S. Federal Census (Agriculture Schedule). Montgomery County, Georgia. Pages 527 and 528, entry 23, Thomas Davis farm. NARA microfilm publication T1137, roll 3. The NARA provides a helpful template.

13: 1860 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Montgomery County, Georgia. Page 6 (also numbered 378a), slaves of Thomas Davis. NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 149. Archive.org: <https://archive.org/stream/acpl_slavecensus_08_reel08#page/n180/mode/1up>.

14: 1860 U.S. Federal Census (Agriculture Schedule). Montgomery County, Georgia. Pages 5-6, entry 4, Thomas Davis farm. NARA microfilm publication T1137, roll 5. The NARA provides a helpful template.

15: Major Farquhar's 4 March 1862 roster of Montgomery County, Georgia militia submitted to Georgia Adjustant General Henry C. Wayne. Cited in: Robert Scott Davis, History of Montgomery County, Georgia to 1918 (WH Wolfe Associates, 1992), page 175.

16: Georgia's 1867-1868 Voter Registration Oath Books. Volume 86 (Montgomery County Book A), page 223, entry 48, Thomas Davis. Ancestry.com ("Georgia, Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath Books, 1867-1869" / Oath Book / Montgomery / 15 / image 126 of 249), accessed 27 October 2021. The corresponding microfilm at the Georgia Archives is microfilm 296/35.

17: 1870 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Montgomery County, Georgia. Page 64, dwelling 322, family 322, Thomas Davis household. NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 166. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-XKP3-5QY?i=63&cc=1438024>.

18: 1870 U.S. Federal Census (Agriculture Schedule). Montgomery County, Georgia. Pages 13-14, entry 32, Thos Davis farm. NARA microfilm publication T1137, roll 8. The NARA provides a helpful template.

19: 1880 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Militia district 1221, Montgomery County, Georgia. Enumeration district 78, page 219A, dwelling 11, family 11, Thos Davis household. NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 159. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBM-987B?i=3&cc=1417683>.

20: 1880 U.S. Federal Census (Agriculture Schedule). Militia district 1221, Montgomery County, Georgia. Enumeration district 78, page 13, entry 5, Thomas Davis farm. NARA microfilm publication T1137, roll 17. The NARA provides a helpful template.

21: Heritage Center, Laurens County Library, Dublin, Georgia. Mr. Allen Thomas' collection of original Laurens County, Georgia 19th-century documents / folder for Thomas Davis Sr. / file #1. The library's index entry for this record reads, "Thomas Davis of Lothair, Montgomery County made his tax return on Laurens County land identified as 16th land districts, land lots numbers 40 and 41. Return made before Simeon Sikes, tax commissioner of Montgomery County."

22: "Letter from Montgomery," The Eastman Times (Eastman, Georgia), Thursday 27 November 1884, page 1, column 3. Georgia Historic Newspapers, <https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn85034047/1884-11-27/ed-1/seq-1/>, accessed 19 September 2023. I've written a still partial but fuller transcription of the article.

23: The Montgomery Monitor (Mt. Vernon, Georgia), 14 October 1886, page 2. Georgia Historic Newspapers https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053231/1886-10-14/ed-1/seq-2/#words=Red+Bluff+manslaughter.

24: Montgomery County, Georgia. Superior court minutes book for the years 1886-1889, page 91. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR1-9917-L.

25: Montgomery County, Georgia. Tax Digest for 1890, militia district 1221, pages 1-2, line 41, entry for Thomas Davis. Ancestry.com ("Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1893" / Montgomery County / 1890 / images 3 and 4 of 17), accessed 18 August 2013.

26: "Local Items," The Mongtomery Monitor (Mt. Vernon, Georgia), Thursday 23 July 1891, page 3, leftmost column. Georgia Historic Newspapers, <https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053231/1891-07-23/ed-1/seq-3/>, accessed 19 August 2019.

27: Montgomery County, Georgia. Ordinary Court Minutes, Volume 4 (1891-1903), page 43. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR1-2SK9-S?i=53&cat=107252>, accessed 19 August 2019.