____________________________________________
The Davis cemetery is located on the old Knox and Davis homestead. William Hith Davis I and his family are buried here. The Cemetery is in the back of the home (which still stands today), on the edge of the woods, and borders the property of Newbegun Creek Methodist Church.

William Hith Davis I was born 13 Nov 1795 and died 1 Jan 1853 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. William was the son of Thomas Davis and his wife, Mary Clark Barnes. William was a wealthy planter and owned a lot of land and homes in Pasquotank County, including two plantations he inherited in his babyhood: The Sanders plantation from his uncle, Thomas Barnes. Thomas Barnes will dated March 17, 1796, probated Pasquotank County, Oct. term 1796 states: "The plantation called the Sanders and Asa Williams Plantation and in one called the Sanders Plantation containing 300 acres to Hyth Davis, the 4th son of Major Thomas Davis." The other plantation was from his father in 1798. Thomas Davis's will dated September 15, 1798 states: "William Hyth Davis land and plantation I bought of Jesse Symons."

The old Knox and Davis homestead where the cemetery is located belonged to Hugh B. Knox's wife's family, the Baptist's. Hugh B. Knox and his wife, Ann Baptist were the parents to both of William Hith Davis's wives, Martha Baptist "Patsy" Knox Davis and her sister, Margaret Elizabeth Knox Davis.

Martha and Margaret's father, Hugh B. Knox was born 28 June 1763 and died abt 1825. In December of 1825 William Hith Davis purchased the Knox estate which Martha had sold to her father in 1822, after her mother's death, in the division of the lands of her mother, Ann Baptist Knox, who was left this land by her father, Edmond Baptist.

William Hith Davis and his wife, Martha Knox lived here and had 3 children:

William Hith Davis II (1827 – 1882)

Martha Baptist "Pattie" Davis  (1836 – 1857)

Edward Hugh Davis (1839 – 1904)

William Hith Davis I left all of his property to his two sons, William Hith Davis II and Edward Hugh Davis. He left his daughter, Martha Baptist Davis $25,000. The old Knox and Davis homestead where the cemetery is located went to Edward Hugh Davis when his father died in 1853. Edward later sold the property and moved to Lake Providence, Louisiana, where he married Julia Blackburn, raised a family, and lived there the rest of his life.

Among those buried here are:

William Hith Davis I (he is buried between his two wives)

Martha Baptist "Patsy" Knox Davis, first wife of William Hith Davis, Sr.

Margaret Knox Davis, second wife of William Hith Davis, Sr. and sister to Martha B. Knox Davis.

Martha Baptist "Pattie" Davis Jackson. Daughter of William Hith Davis and his wife, Martha Baptist Knox. Martha was known to be a great beauty. She died young, leaving no descendants. Martha's husband, William Hith Jackson (who was also her cousin) is also buried here.

Palin Jackson (1834-1852). I am not sure of Palin's relationship. After Thomas Davis died his wife, Mary Clark Barnes married Malachi Jackson, they had 3 sons, Palin (born abt 1802), Stephen B., and Barnes B. Jackson. Perhaps this Palin Jackson is a son of one of these Jacksons, which would make this Pailin Jackson the nephew of William Hith Davis I. (just a thought, not proven)

William Hith Davis II was originally buried here in 1882. Fifteen years later his wife had him moved to Old Hollywood Cemetery where she now rests beside him.

-- Susan C. Griffin
____________________________________________