HENRY POLK DAVIS
8 ^thTENNESSEE (DIBRELL'S) CAVALRY
CSA

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Born: 14 November 1844 in Jackson County, Tennessee
Died: 22 March 1903 in Putnam County, Tennessee
Buried: Cookeville City Cemetery, Putnam County, Tennessee ( FindAGrave)
Parents: William and Margaret (Bilbrey) Davis

Married: Lydia Ann Solomon on 4 May 1871 in Putnam County, Tennessee
Born: 2 September 1848 in Clay County, Tennessee
Died: 14 March 1917 in Putnam County, Tennessee
Buried: Cookeville City Cemetery, Putnam County, Tennessee ( FindAGrave)
Parents: Chesley and Ann (Unknown) Solomon

Children:

1. Oriegon Morrow Davis
2. Flora Viola Davis
3. Lemeul Herman Davis
4. Festus Roscoe Davis
5. Edgar Kendrick Davis
6. Beulah Amelia Davis
7. William Cleveland Davis
8. Alfred Newton Davis
9. John Ridley Davis
10. Margaret Ann "Maggie" Davis

RELATIVES WHO SERVED

• Uncle: Columbus Jackson Davis - 13th Tennessee (Gore's) Cavalry Regiment
• Cousin: J. H. Davis - 25th Tennessee Infantry and 13th Tennessee (Gore's) Cavalry Regiment
• Cousin: Henry Milton Davis - 25th Tennessee Infantry and 13th Tennessee (Gore's) Cavalry Regiment

MILITARY INFORMATION

25th Tennessee Infantry Regiment

No Service Records Found

13 ^thTennessee (Gore's) Cavalry Regiment
(also known as 8 ^thTennessee Cavalry)
Company C

ABSTRACT:

• Entered military as Private and left as a Private
• Enlisted 1 March 1862 in Cookeville, TN
• 30 June - 31 Dec 1864: Present

No Soldier's Pension

WIDOW'S PENSION APPLICATION ABSTRACT

W2467

( Download Full Pension Application)

ABSTRACT:

• Lydia A. Davis
• Filed: 26 March 1909
• Widow of H. P. Davis
• C 8 TN Cavalry
• Accepted
• Full Name: Lydia Ann Davis
• Resident of TN: All her life
• Born: 2 Sep 1848 in Clay County, TN
• Maiden Name: Lydia Ann Soloman
• Husband: Henry Polk Davis born 14 Nov 1844 in Jackson County, TN
• Married: 4 May 1871 by Rev. S. Davis in Putnam County, TN
• Husband: Enlisted in the 25th TN Infantry in 1861 and then in the 8th TN Cavalry Co C Dibrell's Regt.
• Died: in Cookeville, TN on 22 March 1903
• Have: 7 boys and 3 girls. Two are dead.
• Attest: Columbus Jackson Davis
• Witness: G. W. Judd
  • Have known Lydia Davis for 40 years
  • She has lived in Cookeville since her marriage in 1871.
  • He was well acquainted with H. P. Davis.
  • Davis was born in Jackson County in 1844.
• H. P. Davis died in Cookeville in March 1903

Supporting Documents

• War Department (29 March 1909) - Sends Service Records

CENSUS DATA

• 1850 Census: Overton County, TN, Page 36
  
• 1860 Census: Putnam County, TN, Page 13
• 1870 Census: Putnam County, TN Page 109
  
• 1880 Census: Putnam County, TN, Page 79A
• 1900 Census: Putnam County, TN, Page 25A

ESTATE RECORDS

Putnam County, TN
Inventories of Estates, Page 161
L. H. Davis Administrix of H. P. Davis dec'd Estate
26 June 1903

OBITUARY

Putnam County Herald
25 March 1903
Vol. I, No. 7, Page 8

Putnam County Loses One of Her Best Known Citizens - Henry P. Davis died at his home in this city last Sunday afternoon from a complication of diseases, his fatal illness being brought on from exposure and getting wet while attending the funeral of Capt. Walton Smith two weeks ago. While all knew he was very low, the news of his death was a great shock to our citizens. He was buried Monday evening with Masonic rites, Rev. W. H. Carr assisting, in the presence of an immense concourse of friends and neighbors, who came to pay their last tribute of respect to the honored dead. Henry P. Davis was born in September, 1844, in what is now the First district of Putnam county, but was then a part of White county. When the Civil war broke out, although only a boy, he enlisted in Capt. Shaw's Co. 25th Tennessee Infantry, serving his full term of twelve months, and re-enlisted in Dibrell's cavalry, with which command he served until the end of the war, participating in many battles and campaigns, and making a fine reputation as a soldier. He mustered out at Washington, Ga., in May, 1865. After the war he returned home and worked for some time at the oil wells on Spring Creek, earning money with which he paid his way through Cumberland Institute, a school then flourishing in White county. In 1870 he was elected county court clerk of Putnam county, serving efficiently for eight years. He was a member of the legislature in 1881-2, retiring with added honors. Early in life he professed religion and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church, since which time he had been an active member, and one who enjoyed a happy christian experience. He was an elder in the church at the time of his death. In the 70's he married Lydia Solomon, who survives him, as do also three daughters, Mesdames. R. P. Morgan and Whitley Hyder, and Miss Maggie; and six sons, O. M., Lem H., Roscoe, Edgar, Will and Newton. All were at his bedside but two, Lem and Edgar. He also leaves two sisters, Mesdames. Wm. Huddleston and Leroy Carr of this county, and three brothers Stephen D. and J. Richey of Texas, and John, who resides near Cookeville, as well as many other relatives, the family being large and influential. Henry P. Davis was one of the most widely known and best loved citizens of this section, and his death causes a loss that can never be filled. He was a model citizen, loyal friend and neighbor, a loving husband and indulgent father. The Herald unites with the entire community in extending heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved ones.

The Nashville American
24 March 1903
Page 7

COOKEVILLE, Tenn., March 23. - (Special.) - Yesterday afternoon, Hon. Henry P. Davis, one of the most prominent men in this part of the State, died at his residence in this city after a ten days' illness with heart trouble. He was an able and successful lawyer and had long been on of the most popular members of the Cookeville bar. He had held many positions of honor and trust and had been one of the Democratic leaders in this county ever since the civil war. He was born and reared in this county and was 58 years old. At the age of 17 he entered the Confederate army and served with great gallantry throughout the civil war as a member of Gen. George G. Dibrell's famous Cavalry. In 1870 he was elected County Court Clerk of this county and served eight years. In 1881 he represented Putnam and White Counties in the General Assembly. He leaves a wife and nine children -- six sons and three daughters. His burial took place this afternoon at the City Cemetery and was conducted under the Masons and Confederate Veterans in the presence of a vast concourse of people.

Putnam County Herald
15 March 1917
Vol. XV, No. 11, Page 1

MRS. H. P. DAVIS - Mrs. Lydia A. Davis, widow of late Henry P. Davis, died Wednesday afternoon at her home in this city after an illness of several weeks. She was about 68 years old and was a most estimable Christian lady. She had been a devoted member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church from her childhood. Her husband was a prominent attorney of this city and was County Court Clerk of this county from 1870 to 1878 and held many other positions of trust and hone. He died fifteen years ago. The following children survive: Mrs. R. P. Morgan, O. M. Davis, Will Davis, Newton Davis, and Miss Maggie Davis of this city, Roscoe Davis of Harriman and L. H. Davis of Georgia.

Putnam County Herald
12 April 1917
Vol. XV, No. 12, Page 2

MRS. LYDIA ANN DAVIS - Mrs. Lydia Ann Davis, who died at her home in Cookeville, Tenn., March 4th, 1917, at 1:30 p. m. was the wife and widow of the late Henry P. Davis, who died March 22, 1903, about 14 years prior to her death. Her maiden name was Lydia Ann Solomon. She was the daughter of Chesley Solomon and Annie Solomon, who came from North Carolina to Tennessee and settled in Clay County. Her mother died when she was about the age of seven. She came to John Pendergrass at the age of seven and made her home there until she was sixteen years of age. She came then to William Davis and made her home there until her marriage. She was married to Henry P. Davis, son of William Davis, May 1871. The same year of her marriage to Henry P. Davis, who had been elected Court Court Clerk of Putnam County, they moved to Cookeville, Tenn, and made their home there until his and her death. There were born to Henry P. and Lydia A. Davis ten children, seven boys and three girls; one daughter, Beulah, and a baby son, John Ridley, being dead; two sons, Lemuel and Edgar, are away and not heard from in five years: four sons, Origen, Roscoe, William and Newton Davis; and two daughters, Viola Morgan and Maggie Davis begin at home. She was a devoted Christian and church member, having professed religion at the age of seventeen, in White county, at old Zion Camp Ground. She connected herself with Cumberland Presbyterian Church and remained a member of that church as long as she lived. Funeral services were held in the Cumberland Presbyterian church by Rev. V. B. Costello, pastor. There was a large attendance of relatives and friends. After the services her remains were laid to rest in the city cemetery in the presence of a large audience. ...

ADDITIONAL DATA

• Death Certificate: Putnam County, TN (1917) #405 - Mrs. Lydia A. Davis
• Davis, Henry Polk - Bible Record
• The Cookeville Press
  9 March 1899
  Page 2
  
  H. P. DAVIS, ESQ.
  One of the old war horses and most eminent citizens of Cookeville is Mr. H. P. Davis, who was born on a farm in Putnam county in 1844. Disengaging himself from bucolic pursuits, he apprenticed himself to and learned the cabinet maker's trade, which he plied for several years. During the late civil war he fought valiantly for the Southern cause - enlisting in the 25th Tenn. Inf., in July, 1861, he served to served to (sic) to September, 1862, under Col. S. S. Stanton, when he became a member of the 8th Tennessee cavalry, and served to the close of hostilities. In 1870 he was elected to the county clerkship of Putnam, and being of a mind to do that which was right and able, continued to serve eight successive years. From 1880 to 1882, he represented White and Putnam counties in the legislature, and in this exalted position, establish an enviable record. In 1889 he entered upon the study and practice of law, that which has continued to occupy his time and attention. Mr. Davis has been an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church since 1865, and is a Mason in good standing.
• Putnam County Herald, 28 October 1937, Page 4
  DAVIS FAMILY REUNION HELD HERE SUNDAY
  One among the earliest and sturdiest pioneers to locate in this section was Henry Davis. His farm was about four miles southwest of Cookeville, and is now known as the Fred White farm. He reared a large and highly respected family of fourteen children. He was the great-grandfather of Mayor Ezra Davis, Judge B. C. Huddleston, Will C. Davis and many other residents of this city and county. He was the grandfather of W. M. (Morgan) Davis and Esq. H. J. Davis. Three sons of Henry Davis, Sr., all whom owned farms and reared their families near Cookeville and in the same community in which their father located, were outstanding men in the early history of Putnam county. They were the Rev. Stephen Davis, a widely known pioneer Cumberland Presbyterian minister who served as trustee of this county; Capt. C. J. (Jackson) Davis, one of the most highly esteemed citizens of this county in his lifetime. He was a Confederate solider, for many years a leading member of the county court, an active and devoted elder in the Presbyterian church, and twice represented Putnam county in the general assembly. The other of these three prominent pioneer brothers was William Davis, a man of great strength of character, a devoted elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and a leader in the old Lees Seminary church. His farm, now owned by Joe Cronk, is generally known as the Davis farm. William Davis was the father of a large family of children, among them being Henry P. Davis, for many years one of the most prominent citizens of Cookeville, a Confederate soldier, a lawyer, a former county court clerk of this county and representative in the general assembly. He was a resident of Cookeville from his young manhood until his death in 1903. He reared a large family, among his children being Will C. Davis, well known Cookeville business man, and Mrs. R. P. Morgan, of this city. Newton Davis, a son of William Davis, was a highly esteemed young business man of Cookeville until his death many years ago. Mrs. William Huddleston, mother of county Judge B. C. Huddleston, was a daughter of William Davis. Stephen Davis and other sons of William Davis emigrated to Texas in their young manhood where resided until their deaths. John B. Davis, a son of William Davis, continued to reside at the old homestead until his dath in old age, which occurred several years ago. Only oneof the children of William Davis is now living -- this sole survivor of her father's large family being Mrs. Mary Jane Carr, now 86 years old, widow of the late Leroy Carr. On last Sunday a reunion of descendants of the three noted pioneer brothers -- the Rev. Stephen Davis, Capt. C. J. Davis and William Davis -- was held at the Cumberland Presbyterian church in this city. It was a largely attended and most enjoyable affair. The Texas branch of the Davis clan have, for several years, met in an annual family reunion, and on this happy family reunion, and on this happy family occasion a number of these Texas relatives were present as guests of honor or their Tennessee kinspeople -- they were Dillard Davis, Mrs. Stella Davis Caldwell, Mrs. Dora Davis Donnell, Mrs. Maggie Davis Gibson and Mrs. Lila Carr Carroll, of Breckenridge and Eliasville, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Okla. All of these out-of-the state relatives are descendants of Stephen Davis, except Mrs. Maggie Gibson, who ia a grand-daughter of Capt. C. J. Davis. After attending the morning preaching service the large Davis family assembled in the commodious dining hall of the church were the long tables were loaded with everything good to eat. Judge B. C. Huddleston acted as toatmaster (sic) and made a feeling and appropriate talk which was responded to by Mr. Dillard Davis, of Texas, and all of the other Texas and Oklahoma kinspeople. Judge E. H. Boyd, Rev. Hugh Goodpasture and Homer Reeves, as guests and friends of the family, also made talks, paying tribute to the Davis family and the find contribution which it has made ever since pioneer days, to the religious, fraternal, business and civic life of Cookeville and Putnam county.
  
• Putnam County Herald, 13 August 1953, Page 3, "Some Prominent Pioneer Citizens in Early Putnam County History - Early History of Putnam County" by Ernest H. Boyd
  Henry Polk Davis - Henry P. Davis (1844-1903) was a son of William Davis a leading pioneer resident of this County. He was born and reared on the old William Davis farm three miles Southwest of Cookeville. He was born Nov. 14, 1844 and was therefore under seventeen years of age at the outbreak of the Civil War. He volunteered as a Confederate soldier, became a Lieutenant of his Company and made a notable record as a soldier. He taught school in his young manhood and in 1870, when he was only twenty-five years of age, he was elected County Court Clerk of Putnam County, in which office he served for eight years. In 1880, he was elected Floterial Representative from Putnam and White Counties. While he was County Court Cler, he studied law and was admitted to the Bar. For several years after his admission to the Bar, he did not confine himself to the practice of his profession but engaged in the mercantile business and other business pursuits, but, for about twenty years prior to his death, he was engaged in the practice of his profession. For several years, he was associated in the practice with the late Judge George H. Morgan, under the firm name of Morgan and Davis. He was a man of splendid native ability, a most fluent and forceful speaker and was an informed man of deep convictions and high moral courage. From his young manhood he was a devoted member of the Cookeville Cumberland Presbyterian Church in which he served as Elder for many years and until his death. He also served for years as Superintendent of its Sunday School. He was an active member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a deeply religious man. He reared a large family. Will C. Davis, a well known Cookeville business man is one of his sons, H. Dawson Morgan, widely known Cookeville produce merchant, and Dr. Cecil Davis, Cookeville druggist, are his grand-sons. The mother of Judge Beecher C. Huddleston was his sister.
• Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly, Vol. 1, Pages 224-225
  HOUSE, 42nd General Assembly, 1881-83; representing Putnam and White counties; Democrat. Born in Putnam, then a part Jackson County on November 14, 1844; son of William Davis. Attended Cumberland institute, White County; studied law. Married in Putnam County on May 4, 1871, to Lydia Ann Solomon, native of Clay County, daughter of Chesley and Anne Solomon; fourteen children-- Viola, Mrs. Whitely Hyder, Maggie, O. M., Lem H., Roscoe, Edgar, Willard, Newton, Will C., and four whose names do not appear. Worked in oil fields to pay way through school; practiced law at Cookeville, Putnam County; incorporator of "Stock Store," Cookeville. County court clerk, 1870-78; postmaster at Cookeville. In Confederate army; enlisted at Livingston, Overton County on July 31, 1861, as private, Company F., 25th Tennessee Infantry; discharged in July, 1862 "by reason of begin a non-conscript;" had already enrolled as private in Company C, 13th Tennessee Cavalry, often called 8th Tennessee Cavalry, March 1, 1862, at Cookeville; served with command to end of war; paroled at Washington, Georgia on May 9, 1865. Ruling elder in Cumberland Presbyterian Church; member Free and Accepted Masons, Died at Cookeville March 22, 1903; place of burial not stated. Nephew of Columbus Jackson Davis, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
• Upper Cumberland Researcher, Spring 2000, Pages: 25-26: The following is a transcription of a letter that Henry Polk Davis wrote to his brother, Stephen Davis, who was living in Berryville, Carroll County, AR. It was postmarked 29 July 1872 from Cookeville.
  
  Cookeville, Tenn.
  July 28th, 1872
  
  Mr. S. D. & Margaret Davis
  Dear Bro. & sister,
  
  We take the method of telling you that we are all well and enjoying good health, and truly hope there may reach you in due season and find you all well, and in good health, enjoying the blessings of a Generous Providence. I received you letter some time since, and have no excuse to offer you for not writing soon than this. I acknowledge my faults - and I know that I should have written sooner - Excuse me this time if you feel you can, but I am not entitled to it - business has been such that I overlooked and neglected writing - Lydia say she think that I have not written to you since our baby was born - but I think that I have - in fact - it has been so long since I have written to you - that I cannot tell whether I have written since our boy was born or not - (Sorry to say so)
  
  <2nd page>
  
  Our baby boy was fives months old the 15th of this Instant, he weighs 20 pounds - is as fat as any guinea ??? - he has the prettiest, round black eyes that you beheld - and is as we think and also a great many others - very pretty - he is asgail? As you please, - to have him laughs, hollars & kicks up his heels - and I could say a great deal more about him - but for fear I may weary your ? - henceI will stop - Well, says you "what is his name" - can't you tell? before you close", O; yes, stop, & I'll say? "Origen Morrow", that his name - well; (says you) how did it happen that you named him that well I will tell you I had concluded that I would not name him after any of our kinfolks - I studied and could not get any name to suit me except our kins people had it - Finally we agreed to call him Origin Morrow. The Origen is for a great Speaker & ? Founder of the Church of Christ - that
  
  <3rd Page>
  
  that live shortly after the days of the apostles, - The "Morrow" is for the Reverend Robert Morrow that died some three or four yeears ago in th State of Missouri, a great Cumberland Prsbyterian preacher (The Times) These is much excitement here and in fact all over the State about Elections - there is a great many candidates for the various offices to be filled on Thursday next, as that is the day of Elections; We all expect to make Horace Greely President in Nov. next, for we are all tired, and have had enough of Grants Monopolies, & Government Swindlers to do us the balance of our day, I will grant hiim the privilege of occupying some other that the White House, on 4th March next - Money is scarce here - as Grants right & left _____ have gutted the Safe or Treasury of the United States; I have got the ?? in their pockets or Carpet-bags - enough on politics - We have an extraordinary good wheat crops, such has not been
  
  <4th page>
  seen here in 1855 - Corn crops have never been surpassed here, Such as we now have - I suppose corn will be worth about $1.25 per bbl - bacon is inclining some, is worth from 8110 center per lb - I am building a find house or something like, my front room are 18 x 18 feet - , my building is fort six feet long by 44 wide, it will cost me about $1500 I have it up ???? by weatherboarded & partly covered, I have my lumber here - it cost me about $400.00, The connection are all well so far as I am able to learn, Caroline has another boy. We went out to Bucks about a month ago & had some pictures taken - but did not get back one of Origens, we will go again in a few days a have some more of his taken and send all our pictures to you- You will hear from us again in a short time - for I intend to write often - Lydia says tell Margaret & the children howdy,our love to you and write to us, Yours as ever H P Davis & Lydia

Home of H. P. and Lydia A. Davis. It was located at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and First Street.

Photo Source of H. P. Davis: Pictorial History of Putnam County Tennessee, Page 115.

Photo Source of H. P. Davis' House: Pictorial History of Putnam County Tennessee, Page 192.