Davy Family Database

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The Davy family name presents itself through the maternal side of Donald Nutt's family. This database begins with John Davy Sr. (1775–1849) and Ruth Dorsey his wife. John and Ruth were both born in the state of Maryland, he in 1775 and she in 1776. John's parents have not yet been identified, nor is it known how long this branch of the Davy family has been in America. It is thought that John Davy and his family removed to Stark county, Ohio sometime between 1810 and 1818. Related article: Last Will and Testament of John Davy Sr.

Robert Davy, the subject of this biographical sketch¹, was a grandson of John Davy Sr. Robert was a prominent farmer of Washington township, Hancock county, where he was during his lifetime held in great respect. He was born in what was then Stark county (later Carroll county), Ohio, November 14, 1824, to William Davy (1798–1880) and Phoebe Gordon. It was there that he received his training and education. Upon arriving at manhood he engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed with great success during his life. In June 1847, he was united in marriage with Rebecca, daughter of Henry and Rachel Newhouse. A year later they left their old home for Hancock county, where they purchased eighty acres of land, to which they subsequently added one hundred and twenty. The latter tract, after Mr. Davy’s death, was divided among his children, the original purchase of eighty acres remaining still in the possession of his widow.

A total of ten children were born to Robert and Rebecca Davy between 1849 and 1871. However, beginning in December 1861, the family had to endure its greatest tragedy – diphtheria. During a 21-day period, from December 23 through January 12, Robert and Rebecca lost five of their six children to the childhood disease. Only their oldest child, 12 year-old Ruth, survived. In this order death claimed nine-year-old Rachel, 20-month-old Henry, seven-year-old Mary Jane, three-year-old John, and five-year-old William. A highly contagious disease, diphtheria came on suddenly and death occurred in a relatively short time. It began with symptoms much like the common cold, then fever would set in, steadily getting higher, until the child grew weaker and sicker and death occurred. The children were buried three and one-half miles east of their farm in Sheller Cemetery where today a row of five tombstones tells the sad story.

Mr. Davy was a worthy man, a practical farmer, a loyal citizen, a loving husband, and an indulgent father. The date of his decease was April 14, 1872. Five children of Mr. and Mrs. Davy lived into adulthood, namely Ruth, James, Elza, Alley and Effie. The last four were born between 1863 and 1871.

Mrs. Rebecca A. (Newhouse) Davy was born in Carroll county, Ohio, in January 1827, Her parents, Henry and Rachel Newhouse, removed to Hancock county in 1848. They purchased there eighty acres of land, and upon this they resided during their lives, surrounded with all the comforts of a country home of that day. He was an energetic and successful farmer and stood high in the community. Henry, a native of Montgomery county, Maryland before removing to Carroll county, Ohio, died in Hancock county in the ninetieth year of his age. His wife Rachel was born in Virginia, and died at the age of nearly eighty-seven years in Hancock county. They were worthy citizens and held the esteem of their numerous friends and acquaintances.

1. Portions of this biographical sketch are from A Centennial Biographical History of Hancock County, Ohio (New York: Lewis Publishing Co., 1903), 88-89.

If anyone has additional information on this branch of the Davy family, especially on John Davy Sr., I would be delighted for you to contact me and help fill in any information gaps.