6. Obadiah Davisson (1720-before 1800)

Obadiah (Obediah) Davisson Sr. was born about 1720 in Wading River, Suffolk, New York to Josiah Davisson and Mary Skelton. Married a woman named Elizabeth in New Jersey where all his children were born. He migrated to Virginia with his wife and children, along with some of his brothers and their families in what is believed to be the late 1760's. At this time, information I have come by is from a collection of private trees, message board posts and historical books. Not much is to be known of Obadiah's daughters. I will continue my research; but at this time, I would share what I know. I will add more as I find it. Special attention must be paid, because Obadiah had a son named Obadiah Jr. And with records it can be easy to switch information or confuse one with the other.

This book on the History of Harrison County makes quite a few mentions of Obadiah. On page 22, it talks of the pioneers and where they settled. Daniel Davisson is Obadiah's brother, and the first to settle in Harrison County.

"...John Nutter located on the West Fork river near Clarksburg and Obadiah Davisson above him, near where the salt works was afterwards located, and Daniel Davisson where Clarksburg now stands.

These are the principal settlements made in Harrison County prior to  the year 1774."

Here is a 1787 land record for Harrison County (formerly Monongalia) for 380 acres in Obadiah Sr's name.

The Harrison County Genealogical Society has more information on Obadiah and his family. He is found on his father's page, as the author is a descendant of one of Obadiah's siblings. Here is what it says..

"...Most of the following was extracted or paraphrased from Russell Davisson’s book. Obediah [son of Josiah and Mary Skelton Davisson] settled on the West Fork River near the old Saltworks and eventually owned 3,054 acres on Davisson Run. His son, Nathaniel, was killed by Indians September 8, 1778, near the William’s farm at the mouth of Indian Run on Tenmile Creek, about a mile above Marshville. His body wasn’t found until six months later. He had been shot and scalped. 

PROPRIETOR OF CLARKSBURG

Another of Obediah’s son’s, Daniel, owned four hundred acres of land between Elk creek and the West Fork river where most of Clarksburg is now situated. His cabin was allegedly located on Chestnut Street between Pike and Main streets. This Daniel Davisson is known as the `proprietor’ of Clarksburg having donated land in Clarksburg for the original courthouse. He later built a large stone building on the northwest corner of Second and Main streets where he lived for many years. For a long time he kept an ordinary, a tavern or eating house serving food and drink. It was authorized by the county court held 18 Sep 1787. Russell Davisson’s grandfather told him that next to Daniel Davisson’s ordinary was a large livery where he also provided stalls, hay and oats for the horses of his customers. Much of his business was from those visiting the courthouse so he was quite the entrepreneur.

Major Davisson was one of the leading men of the county being at various times on a commission to locate a road, a surveyor of roads, a trustee for Randolph Academy and a delegate to the House of Burgesses in 1802-1803. He brought ‘civilization’ to Clarksburg by being awarded a contract for the erection of stocks, a whipping post and pillory at the court held on March 18, 1785. He was commander of Nutter’s Fort during the Revolutionary War. Daniel also donated the land for the old Hopewell Baptist Church and he and his wife, Prudence Izard Davisson, are buried in that burying ground, now the Daniel Davisson DAR Cemetery. This is located at the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets in Clarksburg. It is the earliest known record of the building of a church in the county."

Other mentions of Daniel can be found in the book of Harrison County's history, as can the story of Nathaniel.

I have seen his death recorded as 1786 and after 1806. But, as I have shown, he was alive in 1787 and here is the 1789 Tax List, that shows Obadiah in Harrison County. I haven't found a tax record for him in 1800, so I am inclined to believe he passed away sometime between 1790-1800. It has been close to impossible to find an online version of the Harrison County Will Book. So I can not be sure when he passed away.

Known children of Obediah Sr and Elizabeth:

1. Isaac (b. about 1746 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey and died 1847)
2. Daniel (b. about 1748 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey and died 1819)
3. Hezekiah (b about 1750 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey d 1797)
4. Nathaniel (b about 1753 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey d 1778)
5. Josiah (b about 1758 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey d 1838)
6. Elizabeth (b 1760 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey d 1795) 
7. Obadiah Jr. (b 1762 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey)
8. Mary (b 1765 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey d before 1840 in Harrison County, Va)