John Goolman DAVIDSON

  General Notes:

From: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/8524/davidson.html

John Goolman Davidson was of Irish descent and a cooper by trade.He was born prior to 1729, probably in Chambersbury, Pennsylvania, but perhaps in Dublin, Ireland. His ancestor John Davidson came first to Pennsylvania from Ireland with his wife Jane and sons George, James, Thomas, William, and Samuel. In 1741, he proves importation and takes up land in Orange County, VA. From these Davidsons, John Goolman Davidson is descended. Differing accounts indicate that his father was William and others indicate that his father was Samuel. At any rate, John Goolman Davisdon came to Draper Meadow's settlement. This was the first white settlement on the New River where the city of Blacksburg VA and the campus of VPI now stands. Later he moved and located around 1780 at the head of Beaver Pond Creek in what was then Montgomery Co. VA, now Mercer County, WV. Here, he was joined by Richard Bailey and family and they erected a fort to be used for protection against the Indians. A portion of the city of Bluefield is built on lands formerly the property of John Goolman Davidson and his descendants. John Goolman Davidson was murdered by Indians on March 8, 1793. A monument was erected by Dr. James Joseph Davidson at the burial site near Rocky Gap, VA. Davidson's wife was Martha and their known children were ten in number.

From: http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/h/o/w/Debra-L-Howard/BOOK-0001/00 02-0001.html

Will of John Goolman Davidson born 1729
Wythe County, Virginia
Written on July 1791

In the name of God Amen, July 1791 John Davidson of Wythe County and State of Virginia being very sick and weak in body but in and of perfect mind and memory thanks be given onto God calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men ? to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my sole unto the land of almighty God that gave it and my body to recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executor nothing doubting buy at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and a touching such wordly Estate where with I hath pleased you to ? me in the life I give and devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and from first I give and bequeath to my sons Andrew, John and George Davidsons my land at the mouth of Absolam ?? 400 acres to be decided between them as follows..Georges coner to stand at the meadow and run the along the old line to the corner at the Pounding Mill Crench and then the creek to be the line from that through and the remainder part of said Land to be divided between Andrew and John in quantity and quantity likewise I bequeath a tract of mine lying on the Crushy(?) Fork known by the name of the quakers cabans to John Burk likewise I bequeath to my Daughter Betse a track of mine lying of the head waters of Lortons(?) Lick Creek likewise I do bequeath to Martha my beloved wife the plantation on which I now reside which I bought of my son William Davidson to be for her support if thee thinks proper to keep house upon it if not to dispose of the same to George Peery or John Belle for or at its value and to take her maintenance out of the same Land likewise I do bequeath my two sons John and George my still and my wife the third of the (unreadable line) while thee lives. Likewise I bequeath to my sons Wm and Joseph Davidson one Englis Crown Starling ? to George Peery, Lo Brown and John Belle to each of them I bequeath one Crown Starling to be ? out of my estate and I do here by utterly disallow revoke and disannul all and every other formed testaments, will, legacies bequest and Executors by me in any wise before named will and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness in hereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 22 day of July in the year of our Lord 1791.

Signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the John Davidson as his last will and testament in the presents of us (Signed) John Davidson who in his presents and the presence of each other have here unto subscribed our names

Robert Wallace
David Wallace

John married Martha DRAPER.