Colonel Jacob Davis

A Patriot of the American Revolution for MASSACHUSETTS with the rank of COLONEL. DAR Ancestor # A030345

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=22154541 : Founder of Montpelier, Vermont. Davis was a farmer and Colonel in the Worcester County militia, served throughout the Revolution, and likely took part in the crossing of the Delaware and attack on Trenton on Christmas, 1776. In 1780 he became involved in acquiring undeveloped land in Vermont, including obtaining the charter for a town he called Montpelier. In 1787 he moved his family to Brookfield, the settled town closest to his undeveloped land. For the next several years he cleared land in Montpelier, becoming its first permanent settler in 1790, and surveying most of the town and laying out its streets. Davis served for several years in the Vermont House of Representatives, and held several local offices including Justice of the Peace. In addition to operating a successful farm, Davis built a grist mill and saw mill. In the early 1800s, creditors obtained judgments against him, which he believed to be unfair, and he was sentenced to "freedom of the yard," which confined him to an area near the Chittenden County jail. Davis moved to Burlington to comply, and lived there for twelve years, refusing all attempts to settle the suits. In 1814 his creditors offered to settle on terms so favorable to Davis that he decided his honor was satisfied, so he accepted. He then prepared to return to Montpelier, but took ill and died before making the journey.

Family links:

Parents:

 Edward Davis (1714 - 1784)

 Abigail Larned Davis (1719 - 1805)

Spouse:

 Rebecca Davis (1744 - 1823)*

Children:

 Rebeccah Davis Lynde (1770 - 1840)*

 Thomas Davis (1772 - 1864)*

 Mary Davis West (1773 - 1858)*

 Hannah Davis Wing (1774 - 1807)*

 Lucy Davis Hubbard (1782 - 1839)*

 Clarissa Davis Worthington (1789 - 1864)*

Burial: Elm Street Cemetery Montpelier Washington County Vermont, USA

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A Patriot of the American Revolution for MASSACHUSETTS with the rank of COLONEL. DAR Ancestor #: A030345 Founder of Montpelier, Vermont. Davis was a farmer and Colonel in the Worcester County militia, served throughout the Revolution, and likely took part in the crossing of the Delaware and attack on Trenton on Christmas, 1776. In 1780 he became involved in acquiring undeveloped land in Vermont, including obtaining the charter for a town he called Montpelier. In 1787 he moved his family to Brookfield, the settled town closest to his undeveloped land. For the next several years he cleared land in Montpelier, becoming its first permanent settler in 1790, and surveying most of the town and laying out its streets. Davis served for several years in the Vermont House of Representatives, and held several local offices including Justice of the Peace. In addition to operating a successful farm, Davis built a grist mill and saw mill. In the early 1800s, creditors obtained judgments against him, which he believed to be unfair, and he was sentenced to "freedom of the yard," which confined him to an area near the Chittenden County jail. Davis moved to Burlington to comply, and lived there for twelve years, refusing all attempts to settle the suits. In 1814 his creditors offered to settle on terms so favorable to Davis that he decided his honor was satisfied, so he accepted. He then prepared to return to Montpelier, but took ill and died before making the journey.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Mar 31 2018, 7:18:27 UTC