James McCluney Davison Sr., owner of 23 slaves

This post is part of an ongoing project to record names of enslaved people of Greene County, Georgia I find in historical records.

James McCluney Davison Sr. was born 1806 in Ireland. After immigrating to America, date unknown, he married Mary Ann Southerland in Greene County, Georgia on January 14, 1833. Mary died about 1849 after having had four children by 1845. James married his second wife, Margaret Moore, on July 6, 1852 in Greene County and they had four children by 1860. James died suddenly on July 7, 1860 in Griffin, Georgia. His body was returned to Greene County and he was buried at Woodville Cemetery in Woodville. James’ considerable estate was probated in Greene County. One page in the extensive estate record includes an inventory of 23 slaves owned by James at the time of his death. 

An Inventory, or list of Articles, Goods, Chattels Belonging to the Est. of J. M. Davison late of Said County deceased, appraised by the Undersigned on Monday, Oct. 1, 1860.

Rhea - Blank - " " " " "

Tom - Do - " " " " "

1 Aaron - Negro Man - 1400.00

2 Albert - Negro Man - 1500.00

3 Jim - Negro Man - 1200.00

4 Anthony - Negro Man - 500.00

5-6 & 7-8 Abbey & 3 children - 1800.00

9, 10, 11 & 12 - Ned-Sarah + 2 children Adaline & Jo - 2000.00

13 Toby - Negro Boy - 1300.00

14 Matilda - Negro Girl - 1000.00

15 Jepe - Negro Boy - 700.00

16 Anna - Negro Woman - 200.00

17 Winney - Negro Woman - 1000.00

18 & 19 Patsey & child - Woman - 1400.00

20 Fain - Woman - 200.00

21 Charlotte - Girl - 1200.00

22 Nancy - Girl - 1200.00

23. Jonas - Negro Man - 400.00

 - 17,000.00

Below is a copy of the 1860 U.S. Federal Census Slave Schedule taken a month before James’ death.

As administrator of the estate, James’ son, James M. Davison Jr., requested to the courts that it would be in the best interest of the estate to “… keep the negroes belonging to said estate together for the time being, or present year, and with them or such portion, as may be deemed necessary – to work, and carry on, the Plantation or farm, belonging to said estate in this county – during the present year, for the benefit of said estate … .”

References 

• Death of James Davison, Sr., Planters’ Weekly, Greenesboro, Georgia, July 11, 1860.
• James M. Davison, Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742-1992.
• U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedule, Greene County, Georgia, 1860.