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Herndon Davison and Angeline Clayton

Grandparents of Robert Herndon Davison

Herndon Davison was born December 11, 1812 in Barren County, Kentucky. His father, Thomas was an Irish

immigrant and his mother, Ann Alexander Lewis was the grandniece of George Washington. Herndon grew up
with his family on a plantation/farm near Beaver Creek, in Barren County, Kentucky. When Herndon was 23, he

married 15‐year‐old Elizabeth Short. They had four children together and in 1854, after Thomas died, Hern‐
don’s 24‐year‐old niece Mary Hansford joined the family. Mary, a lunatic since birth, had been under the care

of Thomas since her mother passed away.

In 1857, what should have been a cause for celebration turned into sadness. Elizabeth died while giving birth to
a baby boy, who was born alive. He apparently did not make it to his third birthday because he was not listed in

the 1860 census. Elizabeth left behind four children between the ages of seven and fifteen.

Herndon was engaged in farming and owned 12 slaves to help with the farm and the children. It would be

three years before he married again. On July 10, 1860, Herndon married his neighbor, Angelina Clayton. Prior
to their marriage they signed a prenuptial agreement that stated, “Whatever they each now own or shall ac‐

quire in the future, by any means will remain as though they are not married.” With the Civil War just
beginning it was a very turbulent time, especially for a slave owner.

Just 42 weeks after Herndon and Angelina were married; they had their first child, William G. Rhodes, and two
years later, their second child, Anne Mariah was born. This joyful time was tempered by news of the

conscription act, making all men between the ages of 20 and 45 liable to be called for military service with the
Union army. This caused even more tension in Barren County where

war sentiments were already divided. Neighbors now could be called to
fight against neighbors and cousin against cousin.

On February 9, 1865, Herndon and Angelina's 3rd child, a son, was born.

This is our line. There was no question about Herndon's strong
Confederate beliefs when they named the baby Jefferson Davis at a

time when all hope of a Confederate nation was lost. Just two months

later Confederate General Lee surrendered to Grant. The remaining
Confederate troops were defeated, and on December 18 the thirteenth
Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, abolishing slavery.

These were very difficult times; Herndon lost a son from his first marriage

Lee surrenders to Grant in the war and Angelina lost a brother. Yet, life went on as normally