Washington DC - Genealogy Trails

Washington District of Columbia

John Davis of Abel
September 27, 1774 - January 22, 1853
Furnished by : John G. Sharp

Biography

John Davis of Abel, who was born in Newark, Delaware, September 27, 1774.
( His name is likely of Welsh background.)
John Davis first worked in Baltimore and later moved into the District of Columbia about 1800 working as a Master Plumber at the Washington Navy Yard for many years. During the war of 1812 John Davis took all the Navy yard records and other valuable documents in his wagon to Montgomery County for safe keeping when the British burned the Navy Yard.
Davis was a Master Mason and a member of Naval Lodge Number 4. He lived on Capitol Hill for some years between 10th and 11th Streets, S.E., and later near the Congressional Cemetery.
He was a leading member of the Baptist Church.
Davis was a member of the old Volunteer Fire Company of Anacostia, D.C., and for many years its treasurer.
John Davis was described as of medium height and build, and although having suffered the loss of an eye, is said never to have worn glasses.
He was twice married and left five children.
John Davis married his second wife, Sarah Walker Davis (September 14, 1787 - September 13, 1881).
Sarah Walker Davis was 94 at her death.
---(The Washington Post, September 13, 1881)
At the age78, John Davis of Abel died on January 22, 1853 in the District of Columbia.

John Davis of Abel is buried in the Congressional Cemetery R55/16.
His wife Sarah Walker Davis's adjoining grave can be seen to the left side of this photo.
John Davis of Abel, was for many years, the Master Plumber of the Washington Navy Yard.
He is listed on the Washington Navy Yard payroll document dated 1819.
See : 1819 Payroll Document
John Davis of Abel, is also listed on the apprentice indenture of Joseph Holroyd, dated 1826.
See : Apprentice Indenture document

Biography
John Davis of Abel, who was born in Newark, Delaware, September 27, 1774. ( His name is likely of Welsh background.) John Davis first worked in Baltimore and later moved into the District of Columbia about 1800 working as a Master Plumber at the Washington Navy Yard for many years. During the war of 1812 John Davis took all the Navy yard records and other valuable documents in his wagon to Montgomery County for safe keeping when the British burned the Navy Yard. Davis was a Master Mason and a member of Naval Lodge Number 4. He lived on Capitol Hill for some years between 10th and 11th Streets, S.E., and later near the Congressional Cemetery. He was a leading member of the Baptist Church. Davis was a member of the old Volunteer Fire Company of Anacostia, D.C., and for many years its treasurer. John Davis was described as of medium height and build, and although having suffered the loss of an eye, is said never to have worn glasses. He was twice married and left five children. John Davis married his second wife, Sarah Walker Davis (September 14, 1787 - September 13, 1881). Sarah Walker Davis was 94 at her death. ---(The Washington Post, September 13, 1881) At the age78, John Davis of Abel died on January 22, 1853 in the District of Columbia.

John Davis of Abel is buried in the Congressional Cemetery R55/16. His wife Sarah Walker Davis's adjoining grave can be seen to the left side of this photo. John Davis of Abel, was for many years, the Master Plumber of the Washington Navy Yard. He is listed on the Washington Navy Yard payroll document dated 1819. See : 1819 Payroll Document John Davis of Abel, is also listed on the apprentice indenture of Joseph Holroyd, dated 1826. See : Apprentice Indenture document

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