DAVIS FAMILY. Dolor Davis (i), who was the immigrant ancestor of the larger part of the Worcester county branches of the Davis families, was the progenitor of John W. Davis, of Worcester. Dolor Davis came from England and settled in Cambridge before August 4, 1634, when he received a. grant of land in that town. He lived later in Concord and Barnstable, Massachusetts. He was a carpenter and builder. He was born in England and died at Barnstable, Massachusetts, June, 1673. His wife and children came over in 1635 with his brother-in-law, Simon Willard, of Horsemonden, Kent county, who was one of the founders of Concord.
Dolor Davis was admitted a freeman at Duxbury, August 5, 1638-9, and had a grant of land there in 1640. He was admitted a freeman at Barnstable, June 2, 1646, after living there three years. He and his wife were dismissed from the Duxbury church to Barnstable, August 27, 1648. He was surveyor of highways, constable and on various committees of Barnstable. In 1655 ne left Plymouth colony and returned to Massachusetts, where he bought at Concord one hundred and fifty acres and a house. In 1666 he went back to Barnstable and died there.
He married (tirst), March 29, 1624, Margery Willard, who was baptized at Horsemonden, Kent, November 7, 1602, and died prior to 1667. She was the daughter of Richard Willard, yeoman, and sister of the famous Major Simon Willard, mentioned above. The children of Dolor Davis were : John, born in England about 1626, inherited the Concord homestead ; Mary, born in England about 1631; Elizabeth, born in England; Lieutenant Simon, born in Concord, mentioned in sketch of Samuel E. Davis family ; Samuel, mentioned below ; Ruth, born in Barnstable, March 24, 1645. [Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County ... By Ellery Bicknell Crane]
Dolor Davis (i), immigrant ancestor of Phineas Parker Davis and of his daughter, Susie W. (Davis) Whitney, wife of Alfred Herbert Whitney, of Ashburnham. Massachusetts, was the progenitor of the larger part of the Davis families of Worcester county. He 'was born in England and came to America in 1634: his wife and three children came in 1635, accompanied with his brother-in-law, Simon Willard. founder of Lancaster. Mr. Davis had a grant of land in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as early as August 4, 1634; resided also in Barnstable and in Concord. Massachusetts. He was a carpenter and builder. He removed to Duxbury and was admitted a freeman in Plymouth colony, March 5, 1638-39. and June 2. 1646. He and his wife were dismissed from the church at Duxbury and joined the church at Barnstable, August 27, 1648. Simon Willard, his brother-in-law, was captain of a foot company in 1646, major in 1654 and at his death in 1673 the colony lost one of its most distinguished members. Davis married (first) in county Kent. England. March 29. 1624. Margery Willard, who was Iiaptized at Horsemonden. Kent, November 7, 1602, and died prior to 1667. She was the daughter of Richard Willard, of Horsemonden, a yeoman.
Davis had a grant of land in Duxbury in 1640. He was highway surveyor and constable at Barnstable. He returned to Massachusetts in 1655 and bought a hundred and fifty acres in Concord, but finally returned in 1666 to Barnstable and died there in June, 1673. He made his will September 13, 1672; it was proved July 2, 1673. The will stated that his sons Simon and Samuel already had their portions; bequeathed to wife Joanna; eldest son John; son-in-law Lewis and Mary, his wife; daughter Ruth Hall; to the poor of the town where "he may die." The will refers to his sons Simon and Samuel as residing in Concord and to his having gone thither at the charges of Roger Chandler.
His children: 1. John, of Barnstable, born in England about 1626, had the homestead. 2. Mary, born in England, 1631. 3. Elizabeth, born in England. 4. Lieutenant Simon, see forward. 5. Samuel, of Concord and Bedford, ancestor of Governor John Davis. 6. Ruth, born at Barnstable, March 24, 1645. [Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County ... By Ellery Bicknell Crane]