Barnabas Davis
© January 2005
Compiled by Teresa Martin Klaiber
22937 Long Branch Road, Rush, KY 41168
Barnabas Davis married Patience James 01 July 1625 in Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucestershire, England.
Tewkesbury Abbey is situated on the river Avon. The Abbey's dimensions are almost identical with those of the original Westminster Abbey.
Patience James, was born About. 1603 in England; died 15 November 1690 in Massachusetts. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth James.
In 1635 Barnabas Davis was retained by John and William Woodcock, acting as an accountant, to handle their affairs in America. He sailed to America and returned to England bearing letters from Mr. Hooker for William Woodcock. He landed in Portsmouth and going to London was directed to again take the next ship to America involving a plantation in Connecticut. He had a visit at Twekesbury before returning to London to board a ship for Boston.
Barnabas conducted business with Mr. Hooker involving 400 acres. Communications with Hooker and others were made but before the "accountant" could board another ship he was conscripted as a soldier against the Pequots which detained him nearly a year. During an 1836 crossing he is known to have been aboard the Blessing.
The family made the journey to America in 1639 to settle. At the time Barbabas and Patience had three children, Samuel [our ancestor], Patience and Barnabas. Three more children were born in Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Charlestown which is now annexed as part of Boston was established in 1628. In 1980 our family visited Charlestown Harbor where the U. S. S. Constitution is berthed.
The Woodcock’s owed Barnabas money and a suit was born in March 1640. The Boston court verdict granted Barnabas all money due him from wages and expenses. However The Woodcock’s disputed the verdict stating that expenses were paid by one brother and that service under William Woodcock needed to be proven. In the heat of the case it was discovered that the Woodcocks had held his family bedding, brass and pewter and there had been some "wear" to the articles. He also had traveled with servants which had been a burden.
Settled in Massachusetts his occupation has been described as a tallow chandler. He made and dealt in tallow candles. He had property which included 3/4 of an acre on the side of Bunker Hill. When Barnabas died 27/8 November 1685 the inventory included tallow and moulds.
Children of Barnabas Davis and Patience James are:
i. Samuel Davis, born in Gloucestershire, England; died 28 December 1699 in Groton, Middlesex County Massachusetts; married Mary Waters 20 March 1655/56 in Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
ii. Patience Davis, born in Gloucestershire, England.
iii. Barnabas Davis, born 1638.
iv. Nathaniel Davis, born Abt. 1642 in Charlestown, Suffolk County Massachusetts; died May 1724.
v. Hopewell Davis, born Abt. 1644 in Charlestown, Suffolk County Massachusetts.
vi. James Davis, born Abt. 1650 in Charlestown, Suffolk County Massachusetts; married Elizabeth Randall.