Now we've added more letters from the Davis Family below Stanley's. Check them out. This page is an example of the good luck a family researcher had using her computer, the internet, and our Lenawee County MIGenWeb pages and mailing list. But I will say no more. Just read what Wilma and Janine have to say. These letters were written to Diane Oslund, the creator of this website. Used with permission of Wilma Fleming Haynes. If you see any connection to your family here, please contact Wilma.
Dear Diane: This is a letter to tell you of my thanks and deep appreciation for your help..it all started out a very normal day. I was looking at the lists I had subscribed to..and somehow I found my self on the Lenawee county, Michigan web page. I don't know how I got there..I thought I should send in what I have on our family that was in Lenawee and Hillsdale counties. Which I did. The next day I went back to see if I had done everything ok and saw a letter from you to the list (note the Lenawee County Mail List) that said: "Hi Everybody, this was sent to me a few days ago so that I could get to you Lenawee County researchers So please if you respond, don't click reply as you would get my address." The letter said: "There is a letter for sale on the ebay auction line on the Net which concerns the 18th Michigan Infantry, Co. D (which was composed of many Lenawee county men, including a relative of mine.) I wonder whether there is any way to get a quick message on Gen Web for Lenawee county to see whether there are any relatives of either men involved in the letter who might want to ask for a transcript of the letter. I have a set of letters from somone else in the 18th Michigan, Co. D which I got by asking the dealer involved whether he would [make] me a copy. If it is a request from a relative, they usually will at a low cost. The letter is from Lieutenant Stanley W. Davis and is to a Mr. Camp concerning the death of his son. It would be nice for the relatives to at least know this letter exists. It's being sold by someone in Gettysburg, so presumable a dealer as opposed to a family member. Any way feel free to do with this what you will." signed Janine Packard I almost passed it by but the name Stanley Davis caught my eye..and held me there until I read the above letters. I copied the letters and kept looking at them, finally after about three days I decided, "what the heck, why not write her and tell her our gr grandmother had a brother Stanley Davis and see if it could be the same one, altho at this point I didn't think it was our Stanley." The letter I wrote to Janine 3 days later said: "Janine: I saw your letter of last Wednesday re: Stanley W. Davis. This is of interest to me, our gr grandmother had a brother Stanley Davis b 1837 in Cayuga county, NY. The Family moved to Lenawee county, Michigan. What makes me feel this could be "our" Stanley is this: Their mother was Sophia Williams, their father was Joshua Davis. Stanley W (the W could stand for Williams, his mother's maiden name.) I would love to have a copy of that letter. You asked if there was a quick way to get a message on Gen Web for Lenawee county...has any one answered you? Signed Wilma Fleming Haynes Janine answered and told me no one else had shown an interest in the letter. I offered to send money for it..I told her that a copy was fine by me, that I wasn't even sure this was our Stanley, but evidence points that it probably is..he was in the Civil War. We wrote back and forth a few times and finally decided it had to be "MY" Stanley Davis. I then rec'd this letter from Janine: "Hi, I spoke to the person selling the letter and he is happy to give me a copy. I've sent the money already. When I get it, I'll send a copy to you if you send me your address. I was initially interested as my relative, Ira Packard Jr fought in the 18th MI Infantry as well and I am interested in learning what ife was like for them. I told her how I found her letter and how wonderful it was that you (Diane) had put it out on the list. I offered to send her money for the copy, she told me no, she was happy to do this. A week or so went by and one day there was a letter from her via e mail. "Dear Wilma, I now have the letter from Stanly W Davis, I am sure he is your relative. Don Harvey keeps a very good web page on all the Michigan men in the Civil War. He lists all the companies and their members. In the 18th Michigan Co. A is listed Stanley W Davis and Charles W Davis. In the letter I have (and you will have soon) Stanley W Davis is writing as the officer of the 18th MI, Co D. to the family of James Camp, who has died. He says that he did not know James well or long. This makes sense as Stanley was obviously promoted from Co A where he was an ordinary soldier, to Co. D as an officer. Stanley also writes of the death of "his own dear brother" (who is surely Charles W Davis isn't he) at the hands, not of the Confrederates, but of drunken Kentuckyains.I think you will love the letter. For only 2 and a half pages, it is poigant and moving. I'll send it airmail tonight. Plese let me know if Charles W Davis is Stanley's brother. Cheers, signed Janine Packard" It wasn't long before my fax rang, there was a letter from Janine, with the letter from Stanley following..this is the letter from Janine. "4 June 1998 Yes, this is "our" Stanley's letter. You see his brother Charles W Davis had died in the civil war..I had his papers from the war department. I had noticed the papers were signed by a Stanley W Davis..but never did I think that was his brother! Charles W Davis the son of Joshua and Sophia (WILLIAMS) DAVIS, a volunteer in Company "A" 18th Michigan Inf., was killed at Nashville, Tenn 27 Nov 1863. I could see where Charles items, his clothing, etc., had been sent to his father..(which was Stanley's father also.) How hard this must of been on Stanley..the brother he adored, the parents he loved..yet all he could do was act as the officer in charge! I thanked Janie, as much as one can on e mail...telling her of my feelings, I rec'd this from her. "Hi Wilma, I now have the fax copy as well as the hard copy..it is a lovely letter and 134 years later it brings tears to my eyes..Stanley shows love, compassion and most of all he shows he cared..for his brother and his men. His brother Charles W Davis's body was sent home to be buried at Church's Corners Cemetery, next to his infant brother Arthur P Davis who had died at 8 months on 18 Sep 1851. Charles and Stanley's mother Sophia (WILLIAMS) DAVIS died 8 years after Charles' death on 25 Dec 1871, she was buried near her sons at Church's Corners Cemetery. My feelings on the above events is complete AWE...it is wonderful to me that this could happen..when I relize all the people in the world & how many are on line...and we found each other...I am in complete awe!! what are the odds of that happening? I believe with all my heart that it was supposed to happen, we have the letter written 134 years ago..full of sorrow, even tho the happenings are of long ago. Ya, I am in AWE!! Don't you wonder where the letter has been all of those years? Has it been in a box with other special papers in a attic/basement or a drawer, carried around by each new generation until there is no more interest in the contents of the box? It was kept safe until during the time of our life where we have internet and fast communication, where we could learn of it and now have it safely tucked away in our safe..what will happen to it in the future? Will my children take as much of an interest in it as we have? I now have a map of Wheatland and Pittsford where Stanley lived..I have a copy of Wheatland township and the spot Joshua Davis lived. I have a copy of the 1903 Hillsdale County Michigan, Compendium of the History and Biography of Hillsdale Co., MI, showing Stanley and Charles in the 18th infantry. It says of Charles and Stanley: Charles W. Davis, Co., A; shot at Nashville, Tenn; 27 Nov 1863. Stanley W. Davis, com. 2nd Lieut. 31 Jan 1863; wounded and captured at Athens, Ala, 24 Sep 1864; must. out 26 June 1865. I am now searching for more about Stanley, who he married, children, etc. I never knew anything about him,until this letter. Here is Stanley's letter written 137 years ago.. Decatur, Ala Mr Camp Well Diane, that is the story...I am sure you don't want to post the whole thing, you can edit and use what you wish..BUT, it is really hard for me to write something and not go into detail! My best to you and again THANK YOU for putting Janine's letter out. Wilma, Where do I begin to edit such a passionante and moving set of letters? I could not bring myself to do so. Thus I have put it up just the way you sent it to me. I am sure others will be inspired by your luck. I really appreciate the time and trouble you went to to share this wonderful find with us. Little did I know when I put Janine's email on the mailing list that you would be there to find it. Stanley's letter is indeed a tribute to the kind of man he surely must have been. Diane This is another old letter I have- written 7 July 1833 - 168 years ago - from Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio. The letter was written by Llewellyn Howell DAVIS - He dropped the Llewellyn and went by L. Howell DAVIS. L. Howell DAVIS was abt 23 years of age when he wrote this letter..just these past two years have I been able to find out who all of these DAVIS' were.. thanks to the kind people on DAVIS-@rootsweb.com L. Howell DAVIS wrote the letter to his 1c Mary A. [A. stands for Adams] DAVIS-His father Isaac DAVIS and Mary's father Joshua DAVIS were brothers -Mary was given her middle name from her mother Hannah [ADAMS] DAVIS' maiden name. Hannah DAVIS was Mary Adams DAVIS' sister I don't know if L. Howell DAVIS ever married, or if he had children, I don't know what he did for a living, when he died - but I do know his parents and their parents etc-- back to the immigrants from Wales. IF any of you have any knowledge of L. [Llewellyn] Howell DAVIS or any one else mentioned in his letter, I would love to hear from you. We are fortunate that Mary kept this letter and it has been passed downthrough out the years. OK - enough said - here's his letter - Hamilton,[Butler co. OH] July 7th, 1833 Dear Cous My dear Cous' you can have but a point idea of what rapturous emotions of strange thought pleasant inexpressionable feelings your adress produced, un-known cousin, were the very best choice of words that you could have made discourse on intensions about one that you have never seen and to elicit a determination to see you. I think it natural and allowable for cousins nearly related to love and respect each other. Dear cous, there can exist anything between us but the kindest reciprocations of feelings--- I have often projected plans of visiting our friends in York state but never found it convenient to do so. I have rambled far to the south. I was absent from my friends two years which time I learned the value of friends. Though [crossed out fashion] fortunate on all my enterprises. I now live in the biography of our family as conscientiously as I can. It consists of eight persons, one is not, three of which have moved and left home---father, [Isaac 3) DAVIS of Llewellyn 2, Llewellyn 1) Ap DAVID- DAVIS] mother [Elizabeth KENNEDY], sisters, Hannah, Mary and brother Isaac jr compose the family now together. Hannah is the eldest of the family, Isaac and Mary are the youngest. I am one by myself only. When visits are made, Hannah as she is the oldest, she gives good advice andthe rest of us must hear it. Isaac is a very industrious, called hand someand loves to live at home. Mary is the pett and some spoiled in that she likes to visit me in town. Sister Nancy lives in Kentucky [Kenton, Kenton county Kentucky] 28 miles from us. she is well situated on a good farm and has children. Mr. [Thomas] Kennedy has been surveying public lands and has improved his fortune very much. Madaline [Magdalene - named after her grandmother Magdalene 3) DAVIS] married to a John VINNIDGE jr., a young buckeye he has a well improved farm of 160 acres---4 miles from Hamilton. They have 4 children and live well at home. We do not regret that we came to this country.... I now have a few lines of unpleasant theme to write. Sister Elizabeth a child who was joy and the lively one of our family is no more. She quit the scenes of this world last September [1832] leaving behind an affectionate husband, Mr John McKOWEN with three little boys to regret an impossible loss. Mr. McKOWEN has a handsome property and will be careful of his boys. Your brother John has a sad narration to give the friends [could that be Quakers?] and us when he returned from the Fa.. [fatherland] if we had then trying times and that same spring quit that country for which we had contracted a settled [hatesed?] was an ungenerous reverse of fortune a discovery of friends who were [--?--] such in prosperous times has poisoned us against our native place as I have said before, we do not regret coming to this country. Pride and ambition were connected with ability to towards our family estate on the country offered many opportunities for industry and enterprise and we were not idle lookers as we have been as fortunate as we were unfortunate. Fath-- time it as so dejected and out of spirits that he thought impossible for us or do more than acquaint a ------ [supos--] and finish a limited education. Isaac and myself are now both of age and have our property so fixed as to be out of the reach of our Fa.. [he has Fa .. with a line over the two dots] persecutors. We have 240 acres of good land with 15 dollars for acre, besides it some capital employed in merchandizing which I attend to. You invite me to visit you. I would do so if I could but scarcely think that I can make it with father [Isaac DAVIS] thinks that he will visit you this fall. I do not remember of seeing him so much elated as when he read your letters he said that he yet had a prospect of seeing his brother [Mary'sfather Joshua DAVIS] this side of the grave. This is where he put the address I did not like that place much. Mary, I expect when you write to me again it will be to invite me to your wedding for the eyes being like the eastern girls you must write soon the very day you receive this letter. I have heard two sermons today. There is a young gentleman waiting to ride a few miles in the country this evening. I wish it was to see you. I would rather see you than anyone that I know this evening." He signed the letter along the left side of the page.. Along the edge of the 2nd sheet he wrote "Our family all joins in sendinglove." Along the edge of left side of the 1st sheet he wrote "Mary as you are not settled yet, I think you and one of your brothers might visit us..do come I want to see you." This last part [below] of his letter is written across the main body of theletter - (Cous--I am not in general an egotist but my excuse is obvious I know that you must have been concerned about us for your brother [John] knows that our prospects were gloomy when we embarked for this country.) I am glad that you have quit the cold and ice country of York [her family moved from Aurelius, Cayuga, New York] but I think that you have not ventured south enough yet. I have been in Trumbul county and Mercer county where your brother Howell has settled. End of letter. Mary Adams DAVIS was married 2 years later in Trumbull county, Ohio on 3 June 1835 TO Francis 8) HAYNES - They became our 1st great grandparents. Francis was the judge of Trumbull county for many years. Here is another thought - on the heading of his letter he wrote HAMILTON 7 July 1833- was that Hamilton county, Ohio or was that Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio? Wilma Fleming Haynes gencon@harborside.com This is a letter we have in our family written from Manchester, Washtenaw, Michigan - dated 20 April 1846 from Hannah 4) DAVIS to her father Joshua 4) DAVIS [her mother Hannah 6) [ADAMS] DAVIS had died in 1836. Hannah was born in 1820 at Aurelius, Cayuga, New York - Hannah never married - she was teaching school at Franklin [now called Tecumseh] Lenawee county, Michigan. At the time Hannah wrote this letter - she was visiting some people in Manchester, Washtenaw, Michigan - She was writing to her widowed father Joshua DAVIS [her mother had died 18/19 Sep 1836] Her father, Joshua DAVIS was living in Bristolville, Trumbull county Ohio. There are some place's I can't read - her hand writing is kinda hard to read in places. When they wrote these letters, they used every part of the paper - writing up side down on one page - then it is folded so that the back is used for the envelope - The letter is folded to about 4 1/2 inches x 3 inches - this was the place to put your address - on the left is a large stamped circle, within the circle it says - "Manchester 22 Apr Mich" Then there is a stamp that say's PAID that is stamped where we would put a stamp in our time period. Manchester PAID Apr 22 Mich Mr. Joshua Davis Bristolville, Trumbull Co Ohio The way the letter is folded there is sealing wax to hold it together-where you see these kind of brackets [ ] that is me explaining who she is talking about - My Dear Father It is a long time since I have written to you and now I will resume that duty which I neglected not because I did not want to write I thought you had become so infirm that it would be a task for you to answer my letters. But now I fear I am keeping you in suspense by not writing for I presume you are looking for me to write you by this time as I wrote to Elizabeth that I would return to Ohio this spring, but I have concluded that it was best to alter my plans a little. I wrote to Francis [her brother-in-law Judge Francis HAYNES of Trumbull county, Ohio] requesting him to (find a) school for me and to write of it and tell me if he could ( ) but as he has not written the probability is that he has not engaged one and although in a letter last winter he gave me a cordial invitation to return and make his house my home and I presume I should be welcome to spend the summer these two considerations prevent my doing so, first honest pride forbids my taking advantage of their offer for so long a time, whist I can maintain myself, secondly, you know that my time is my only dependence for a lively-hood and it seemed rather imprudent to let the summer pass without earning anything. Therefore I have engaged to teach there three months. I shall commence the first of May, and close the latter part of July and with the permission of providence will visit your the forepart of August and remain in Ohio until October. But if your health fails I wish someone would write to me and I will close school at once and go to you. I might have visited you this spring and come back to Michigan in time to commence a summer school, but, if I had done so you might be taken sick by the time I got back to Michigan and I should have been just as anxious to see you again as I am now. I have taken a school in Franklin [it is now Tecumseh - Michigan in Lenawee co] where I taught two years ago this summer. It is a lovely place, and most of the inhabitance are not very intelligent but they are very friendly indeed to those that chance to please them. When I went amongst them before, it was under very unfavorable circumstances. Some of the principal supporters of the school were universalists, and others did not trouble themselves enough about religious subjects to have any need. For that reason I supposed they would declare opposition to prayers in school, a duty which I thought I ought to perform, on the other hand they had formed an idea (as I afterwards heard they said) that I was a might bigot, and they would not like me at all. However we were all ......... They proved more obliging and I more agreeable than was anticipated. They pronounced me the best teacher they ever had and offered me their school last spring, and now rejected other teaches that would teach for a dollar a week and give me ten shillings. Now Father I did not write all this to brag but just to give you an idea of your daughter Hannah's situation but with what slight knowledge Hannah's situation but with what slight knowledge of human nature that I possess, I know that people are capricious beings and the good will of my old employers may change to dissatisfaction this summer. I am now at Mr DAVIS' in Manchester I have been here most of the spring. Mrs. DAVIS and I have been intimate friends for five years. Her health is quite poor which makes her rather low spirited and my presences is necessary to drive away the blues. I was at .... of Stout? last Saturday, they were all well, I still consider their house my home and they are all very kind. Joshua [her brother and my 3rd gf] and his family are well and getting along pretty well. They have six children. We heard from brother John lately his daughter Mary is married to a man by the name of Norman WRIGHT. Sister Elizabeth wrote last winter that she thought she should go to .......country this Spring but I am in hopes that she has given it up and that I shall find her in Trumbull county if I am fortunate enough to get there. I wrote to her some time ago but have not had any answers, but perhaps there is a letter in the office in Franklin now from her. Father if it is not to great a task I should like very much to have you answer this direct to Franklin Tipton Office. Please to tell Elizabeth when you see her to neglect writing no longer if she has not already written. Give my love to Mary [her sister Mary Adams DAVIS who married Francis 8) HAYNES the judge in Trumbull county, Ohio our 1st gr grandparents] and her family. I should like very much to see them all. I need not say dear father that I want to see you for you know it - Oh the anxiety that I felt last fall on hearing of your illness although the intelligence did not reach me until after you was much better and even now I sometimes fear that we will not meet again on the world but sill hope whispers that we shall, if we do not Oh may we spend a happy eternity age then. I feel satisfied father that you are ready to try the realities of that state, that your hope is fixed on Rock of Ages and that your trust is in one that will be with you and support you even through the dark valley of the shadow of death. [this is where the letter was addressed] But not so with me temptations often assail and conquer; doubt often arises and I sometimes feel that I might be numbered with those that forget God, oh that the world has no influence over me and my heart entirely satisfied to the will of God, yet still I remember the prodigals return. But I muststop - Farewell Dear Father - Hannah DAVIS If you see Francis and Mary will you give my love to them." Her father Joshua DAVIS - died 9 months later on 27 Jan 1847 at Vernon Twp., Trumbull county, Ohio - I don't know if Hannah ever got to see him again "in this world" as she wrote - Both Joshua and his wife Hannah 6)(ADAMS) DAVIS are buried at Center Cemetery, Bloomfield Twp., Trumbull county, Ohio. I do know that Hannah did get to Trumbull county, Ohio - because that is where she died 14 years after she wrote this letter at age 40.. and is buried next to her father and mother in Center Cemetery. Stanley Davis was born 1837 Burg Hill, Trumbull county, Ohio.. his parents were: Joshua 4) DAVIS b 22 Sep 1806 Aurelius, Cayuga, New York d 26 Aug 1897 Wheatland, Hillsdale, MI bur Church's Corner, Wheatland, Hillsdale, Michigan md 1834 Trumbull county, Ohio TO Sophia 7) [WILLIAMS] b 10 Aug 1810 Brookfield, Fairfield, CT d 25 Dec 1871 Wheatland, Hillsdale, MI bur Church's Corner, Wheatland, Hillsdale Michigan The family moved to Franklin, Lenawee, Michigan when Stanley was about 5 years old. He was raised in Franklin, Lenawee, and Wheatland, Hillsdale Michigan. Stanley served in the Civil War as a Lt. He was the officer in charge when his brother died, his name is at the bottom of the papers -his brother was Charles William DAVIS, he died 27 Nov 1863- how hard that must of been forhim! I know that Stanley was captured during the Civil War, but he either escaped or was released. He wrote a very compassionate letter to a Mr Camp who's son James had died in Decantur, Alabama.. that letter is above. Wilma would like to know who Stanley married and his children... if any of you know of him and of his parents / siblings / families she would like to hear from you.. Wilma Fleming Haynes Stanley was the 2nd child of 8 children... his siblings were: 1. Emma DAVIS b 1835 Burg Hill, Trumbull, Ohio 2. Stanley DAVIS b 1837 Burg Hill, Trumbull, Ohio this is who I am looking for 3. Charles William DAVIS 1839 Union Springs, Cayuga, New York - was killed in Civil War at Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee - bur Churches Corners Cemetery, Wheatland, Hillsdale, Michigan 4. Ursula Adelaide DAVIS b 10 June 1842 Franklin, Lenawee, Michigan md her 1c Orlando Wells HAYNES [our line] 5. Maxwell DAVIS b 1844 Franklin, Lenawee, Michigan 6. Francis [called Frank] DAVIS b 1846 Franklin, Lenawee, Michigan 7. Manning J. DAVIS b 1846 Franklin, Lenawee, Michigan - died 18 Sep 1851 Franklin, Lenawee, Michigan bur Churches Corners Cemetery, Wheatland, Hillsdale, Michigan 8. Arthur P. DAVIS b Jan 1851 Franklin, Lenawee, Michigan- died 18 Sep 1851 buried Churches Corners Cemetery, Wheatland, Hillsdale, Michigan. This is what I have for Stanley - and you know what? I have searched for these families for 30+ years and only this past year 2000, have I been able to find the DAVIS, WILLIAMS and WHITE lines-DAVIS LINE Stanley 5) DAVIS Joshua 4) DAVIS & Sophia 7) WILLIAMS Joshua 3) DAVIS & Hannah 6) ADAMS Llewellyn 2) DAVIS & Magdalene 3) DAVIS Llewellyn 1) Ap DAVID & Bridget Ann JONES WILLIAMS LINE-Sophia 7) WILLIAMS & Joshua 4) DAVIS Richard 6) WILLIAMS & Electra 6) WHITE Nathaniel 5) WILLIAMS & Lois 6) SACKETT Samuel 4) WILLIAMS & Deborah 3) TROOP Parke 3) WILLIAMS & Priscilla 3) PAYSON Samuel 2) WILLIAMS & Theoda 2) PARKE Robert 1) WILLIAMS & Elizabeth 1) STALHAM Stephen -1) WILLIAMS & Mary Margaret -1) COOKE ADAMS LINE Hannah 6) ADAMS & Joshua 3) DAVIS John 5) ADAMS & 2/wf Mary DAVIS Michael 4) ADAMS & Sarah BRYANT John 3) ADAMS & Mychael 3) BOYCE Peter 2) ADAMS & Rachel 2) NEWCOMB Henry 1) ADAMS & Edith 1) SQUIRE John -1) ADAMS & Agnes -1) STONE Henry -2) ADAMS & Rose -1) ........John -3) ADAMS & Alice / Alys -1) .......Robert -4) ADAMS & .......WHITE LINE Electra 6) WHITE & Richard 6) WILLIAMS Capt. Daniel 5) WHITE & Sarah HALE Capt. Joel 4) WHITE & 2/wf Mary DART Joel was md 3x 1st wife was Ruth--- 3rd wife was Eunice COLTON Capt. Daniel 3) WHITE & Ann 3) BISSELL Lt Daniel 2) WHITE & his 1c1r Sarah 2) CROW Elder John 1) WHITE & Mary 1) LEVETT Robert -1) WHITE & Bridget -1) ALLGAR I am sorry this is so long, but I need to tell you all I know about him -and thru his ancestors you might know of him. Thank you very much - |