Mecklenburg county, in the bounds of the Hopewell congregation, many
years previous to the Revolution. In this vicinity he married Ann
Price, and raised a numerous family. A.M. Barry, Esq., who now (1876)
resides at the old homestead, is the only surviving grandson. Mrs.
A.A. Harry, Mrs. G.L. Sample and Mrs. Jane Alexander, are the only
surviving grand-daughters. He acted for many years as one of the
magistrates of the county, and was a worthy and useful member of
society. He was a true patriot and soldier, and was present at the
affair of Cowan's Ford, when General Davidson was killed, on the 1st
of February, 1781. After this short conflict he, David Wilson and a
few others, secured the body of General Davidson, conveyed it to the
house of Samuel Wilson, Sen., where, after being properly dressed, it
was moved by these devoted patriots to the graveyard of Hopewell
Church, and there buried by _torch-light_.

_John Davidson_ was born in Pennsylvania in 1736. He performed much
civil and military service to secure the independence of his country.
He was appointed by the Provincial Congress, which met at Halifax on
the 4th of April, 1776, a field officer (Major) with Adam Alexander as
Colonel, John Phifer as Lieutenant Colonel, and George A. Alexander as
second Major. He was with General Sumpter in August, 1780, at the
battle of the Hanging Rock, and was a General in the State militia
service. He was enterprising, and successful in business. With
Alexander Brevard, and Joseph Graham, his sons-in-law, he established
Vesuvius Furnace and Tirza Forge iron works in Lincoln county. He
married Violet, daughter of Samuel Wilson, Sr., and raised a large
family. His daughter, Isabella, married Joseph Graham; Rebecca married
Alexander Brevard; Violet married William Bain Alexander, son of John
McKnitt Alexander; Elizabeth married William Lee Davidson, son of
General Davidson, who fell at Cowan's Ford; Mary married Dr. William
McLean; Sallie married Alexander Caldwell, son of Rev. David Caldwell,
of Guilford county; Margaret married Major James Harris. He had only
two sons, John (or "Jackey") and Robert; John married Sallie Brevard,
daughter of Adam Brevard; Robert married Margaret Osborne, daughter of
Adlai Osborne, grandfather of the late Judge James W. Osborne, of
Charlotte.

Major Davidson's residence was about one mile east of Toole's Ford, on
the Catawba river. A large Elm, of his own planting, is now growing in
front of the o