James Dorman Davidson was the son of Rev. Andrew Baker Davidson and wife Susan Dorman. He was raised in Rockbridge County, Virginia. James married Hannah Greenlee and had five sons, all of whom fought on the side of the Confederacy in the US Civil War. Three sons died during the war, one was killed after the official cease fire but before word got to the mountainous area where he was fighting.

James was an attorney, a graduate of Washington College in 1828. He was known as "The Country Lawyer." He also wrote poetry. His diary was published in 1935 as A Journey Through the South in 1836, edited by Herbert A. Kellar. He also taught at Old Field School, before establishing his law practice.

Children of James Dorman Davidson and wife Hannah Greenlee:

• Greenlee Davidson, CSA - died at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, on May 3, 1863
• Charles A. Davidson, CSA - survived the US Civil War, noted for issuing the Allegiance Oath to Robert E. Lee.

Links to additional material;

• http://books.google.com/books/about/A_Curiosity_in_Chancery.html?id=QBVKMAEACAAJ
• To view a portrait of James Dorman Davidson, go to http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/fullRecord.asp?id=60580&qstring=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wisconsinhistory.org%2Fwhi%2Fresults.asp%3Fsubject_narrow%3DShoes. PLEASE READ COPYRIGHT INFO ON THE SITE BEFORE INSERTING THE PHOTO.
• http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/2191672?uid=3739560&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21101107423261