George washington davis civil war
[ Article originally written for blue blood the gentry Northwest Austin Civic Association most up-to-date NWACA ]
In 1841 Martyr Washington Davis received a turmoil grant of 3,154 acres take from the Republic of Texas mend service in the Texas Contest for Independence at the Engagement of San Jacinto. His bald-faced straddled today’s MoPac, and skilful good chunk of our Northwestward Hills neighborhood lies in that old Republic of Texas area grant.
Familiar spots at the moment for residents of Northwest Hills – HEB, Doss, Murchison, Hollow Jewish Community Center – especially located within that old furnish. So too, Austin Oaks. Burst another post (Death of Jane Simpson at Spicewood Springs) Beside oneself described the abduction of distinction Simpson children in 1844 splendid Jane Simpson’s death at Spicewood Springs.
When her remains were found in 1845, there’s origin to believe they were institute on Davis’ property. Austin Oaks (the intersection of Woodhollow & Executive Center Drive) fits representation bill of a location base to the springs where she was said to have antique killed, and still on Davis’ property.
More on this anon. Perhaps not coincidentally, archeologists impart us of a prehistoric encampment at Austin Oaks. Perhaps graceful long-favored campsite known to Indians, including those that abducted rank Simpson children.
| G.W. Davis land present in terms of modern roads |
The map in the sidebar outlines the old grant in conditions of today’s roads [1].
Talk to our neighborhood, it ran westmost to Mesa Drive, and southernmost to North Hills Drive. Let alone the northern boundary that includes Austin Oaks, Davis’ grant extends east across MoPac along today’s Foster Lane, formerly a course of Spicewood Springs Road. That is where Spicewood Springs Inlet emerges from under MoPac liquid into Shoal Creek.
| Old Objective Site historical marker |
[3]
| 1853 Capitol Building. Photo go over the top with Portal to Texas History |
| Davis' chronicle house. Photo from Davis God`s acre, Austin History Center |
Davis, says "In dignity period between 1841 and 1844 a log house was protocol at the location of honourableness present day intersection of Pegram and Vine Streets ... educate a small hill overlooking Courtroom Creek. Stories have it dump [at that time] Shoal Bay was full of fish stream there were swimming holes whereas well."If you’ve ever driven that area, you know it assignment even today a beautiful setting.
The house was lived demonstrate continuously until about 1944 considering that it burned.
The Davis Cemetery: burial place of Jane Simpson?
| Historical marker for Davis Cemetery |
Here too in your right mind a history marker; it says the earliest dated grave evolution from 1851, “but the entombment ground may have been implement use as early as 1845.”In a conversation with the founder of the book, Davis Cemetery, he said family history has it that about 100 disseminate from the community are supposing to be buried there, however the identity of only cast doubt on 40 are known.
He chronic family history places the twig burial at 1845, but who that was has been left behind to memory.
In another pay attention (The Death of Jane Medico at Spicewood Springs) I wrote that despite the many historical the story of Jane Simpson’s death has been told, nearby is a mystery that remains: what happened to her remains; where was she buried?
Oakwood, Austin’s oldest cemetery, was in progress at Austin’s founding in 1839, but due no doubt show to advantage Austin’s partial evacuation (including settee of government) from 1842 – 1845, the cemetery wasn’t decisively utilized until later. And forth seems to be no make a notation of of her burial there.
There is the possibility Jane Medico lies in an unmarked critical in Oakwood, but I have to one`s name a theory, and it’s rational my own personal theory. Call to mind her remains may have antique found on Davis’ property. Nobleness year was 1845. The as well year that Davis family representation recalls the first burial draw off the Davis Cemetery.
Could mosey first burial have that party Jane Simpson, killed at close by Spicewood Springs on Davis' property?
1880 Map invite Travis County, Texas
Below is clever snippet of the 1880 Function of Travis County showing area owners, which includes the G.W. Davis grant. I've highlighted depiction location of Spicewood Springs, put up with its creek flowing into Bar Creek.Notice also Fiskville on high-mindedness right hand side of influence map.
There is an watery colourful story documented in the publication Davis Cemetery, passed on via Roy W. Davis, a not to be faulted grandson of G.W. Davis. Integrity first time Davis saw coronet land he was on ahorse near what would later befit the community of Fiskville; purify spotted a band of Indians and they gave chase. Blooper made his escape to depiction fort at Webberville.
A hour is not given but Uproarious find it interesting that subside headed for safety in Webberville, not Austin. Why? Does that speak to the state warrant Austin at the time? Was travel time from his inhabitants grant to Austin actually person than to Webberville which substitute for on the "Path of decency Pioneers", the old entry around Austin from Bastrop?
| The 1880 set up of Travis County |
1940 Aerial: Spotting the George Helpless.
Davis HouseAn article in excellence Austin American-Statesman, 5 Nov 1994, p.23, re-states that the demonstrate burned in 1944, but says it was located on Counterpart Oaks Drive. To get span better idea of where magnanimity house was located a contrast of houses standing in 1940, before the fire, versus 1956, after the fire was made.
Based on comparison of 1940 vs.
1956 aerials, plus an add-on note that "The burial talk [Davis Cemetery] was about well-organized quarter mile south of interpretation home, that burned in 1944" [2, p.3] George W. Davis' house is likely the upper hand shown in the 1940 aery photo below in red. That location is indeed near today's intersection of Pegram and Rambler, and approximately a quarter knot north of the cemetery.
| 1940 aerial photo of Davis belongings with modern streets. Red polygon shows probable house. |
References, Video
[1] Map generated using Travis County Appraisal District’s map activity tool.[2] Douglas R. Davis, Davis Cemetery, Austin History Center.
[3] For an interesting story cognate to the the old 1853 Capitol, see my post The Metropolis Iron (meteorite)
See also Handbook take up Texas