Samuel M. Davis

Samuel McGee Davis is buried at Providence Cemetery in Itawamba County. Providence Cemetery is a lovely cemetery located across the road from Providence Church, just north of Tremont along Providence Road. He was born in Gwinnett County, Georgia, the fourth child of eleven children born to Jesse Davis and Elvira McGee.

Samuel fought in the Civil War, enlisting while the family was living at St. Clair County, Alabama. He joined the war effort in 1861 when he was just 17 years old and served until he was discharged due to a disabling injury a year later. After regaining his health, Samuel re-enlisted and served with the 58th Alabama Infantry until being transferred to the command of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. He served until the end of the war.

Annals of Northwest Alabama
History of Marion County
pages 268-269

"Samuel M. Davis, born in Gwinnett County, Georgia, in 1844, was the son of Jesse Davis and Elvira McGee. In the Civil War he served with the St. Clair County 58th Alabama Infantry, Bates Brigade, Stewart's Division, Buckner's Corps, and saw service at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, the conflict was so bitter that many had to be left without a Christian burial. "Sherman was so close behind us that we could not stop," mourned the old Confederate. Later he was transferred to the command of General Nathan Bedford Forrest. To his last day, he talked about "The Wizard of the Saddle." After Appomattox, Samuel M. Davis, like thousands of defeated Southern veterans, returned to his home. It was a wilderness of weeds and brambles. His cattle and personal property were scattered to the four winds and he had no money, no food, no help, except his own faith in his strong arms. He bought a little farm on Bull Mountain Creek among the hills of Marion County, and married Emily Lacy."

1880 Census
Marion County, Alabama
Beat 3, Township 9 Range 15
Samuel Davis 36 GA NC NC farmer
Emily J. 36 AL GA GA
William C. 12 MS GA AL
Luler E. 10 MS GA AL
Jesse A. 8 AL GA AL
Emmer J. 6 AL GA AL
Sheriff 2 AL GA AL son

Based on the above census record, the family moved from Itawamba County, where they were found in the 1870 census, to just across the state line in Alabama around 1871 or 1872. William C. Davis, the twelve year old son in the above household, grew up to become Lieutenant Governor of Alabama. Read more about him here.