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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Davis Family Miscellaneous Documents
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Davis family | |
| Title | Davis Family Miscellaneous Documents, | |
| Dates: | 1709-1830(Bulk 1709-1758) | |
| Abstract: | Essentially the papers can be described as being Personal Papers of the Family covering several generations. However, because the collection is such a small one, only brief insights are afforded into the life of anyone individual in the family. | |
| Extent: | 1 microfilm reel | |
| Identification: | D-8 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
The Davis family lived in Brookhaven, New York. Captain Davis was a seaman who gained some renown during the French and Indian War as a privateer. He died in Jamaica in 1783 as a result of a gun shot wound. References to his life are found in such publications as the Long Island Forum for February 1963; and Refugees of 1776 from Long Island to Connecticut, by Frederic G. Mather, 1913.
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Scope and Content Note
Essentially they can be described as being Personal Papers of the Family covering several generations. However, because the collection is such a small one, only brief insights are afforded into the life of anyone individual in the family.
This small collection consists of approximately 40 documents, some 22 of which are real estate indentures or deeds. These range in date from 1709 to 1758, with two being dated 1825 and 1820. These deeds refer to land in the Town of Brookhaven, and apparently trace land which belonged to the Davis Family of the area, and perhaps which later came into the ownership of Captain Solomon Davis or his heirs.
The collection also contains 6 letters (one of which exists in fragment only) one of which briefly describes the details of Captain Solomon's death. With the exception of one letter dated 1767 and apparently written to the Captain by a nephew across the seas, the other letters are dated post 1783 and written to other members of the family.
The collection also contains four documents which in one way or another make mention of ships. These are dated 1754, 1757, 1766, and 1819. The 1757 document is a declaration signed by various crew members of the privateer "Snow Royal Hester” commanded by Captain Davis stating that they will not take part in any plot to seize control of said vessel.
There are also notes or fragments containing a few genealogical 18th century entries for some Davis family members. The few miscellaneous documents are a 1748 release signed by Andrew Miller regarding certain land; an 1824 bill; and an 1844 promissory note made out to James Davis, and an undated document fragment.
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Arrangement
Davis Family Miscellaneous Documents are microfilmed on film and are contained in less than of a reel. Dockets on documents which contained them were filmed first followed by body of document. In several cases typescripts of some documents existed. These were also microfilmed, usually after the original.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Davis Family Miscellaneous Documents, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Provenance
The Davis Family Miscellaneous Documents consist in microfilm edition only, the originals being in the possession of Margaret Davis Gass of Miller Place. Through Mrs. Gass' courtesy the collection was microfilmed in Apr 1973 in order to make it available to interested students of Long Island history.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Family Names:
- Davis Family
Subject Names:
- Davis, Solomon
Subject Topics:
- Deeds
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
