Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 1.djvu/239

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BURGESSES AND OTHER PROMINENT PERSONS


Trances Jones, daughter of Orlando Jones, on July 22, 1730; Avas father of Martha Dandridge, who married (first) Daniel Parke Custis ; (second) George Washing- ton. He died August 31, 1756, and was buried at Fredericksburg.

Dandridge, Martha, daughter of Colonel John Dandridge of New Kent and Frances Jones, daughter of Orlando Jones, of King \\'illiani county, was born June 2, 1731. She married (first) Daniel Parke Custis in 1749 and had issue, one son surviving, John Parke Custis, who died in 1781, of camp- fever contracted at the siege of Yorktown, while serving on the staff of General Wash- ington. She married (second) General George Washington. Died May 22, 1802.

Dandridge, Nathaniel West, was son of

Colonel William Dandridge of the council, and Unity, his wife, only child of Colonel Nathaniel West, of West Point. He w^as a burgess from Hanover county from 1758 to 1764, when he was defeated for reelection by Colonel James Littlepage. He contested the election and his attorney, Patrick Henry, made a great speech, but he was not suc- cessful. He married Dorothea, daughter of Governor Alexander Spotswood, and died January 16. 1786, leaving issue.

Davenport, Joseph, first town clerk of Williamsburg. He died in 1761. His son Joseph studied at William and Mary, and in 1755, went to England to be ordained. On his return, the same year, he became minister of Charles parish, York county, and remained such till his death in 1788. His son, Matthew, was wTiting master in the college.


divine, born in New Castle, Delaware, No- \cnil)er 3, 1723, of Welsh extraction, edu- cated under Rev. Samuel Blair at Fogg's Manor, came to Hanover county, Virginia, in 1746. and during his residence greatly increased the Presbyterian influence in Vir- ginia; in 1753 Mr. Davies went to England to solicit funds for the establishment of a college in New Jersey and in 1758, w^as chosen to succeed Jonathan Edw^ards as president. He died at Princeton, New- Jer- sey-, l'\'l)ruary 4, i/f)!.

Davis, James, gentleman, came to Vir- ginia before 1616, as did his wife Rachel; settled in Henrico county. Thomas Davis, his son and heir, patented land in Isle of Wight county in 1633.

Davis, Thomas, was burgess from Martin- Brandon (Captain John Martin's planta- tion) in the assembly of 16 19. He was ex- cluded from the assembly, because Captain Martin claimed an exclusive authority under his patent.

Davis, Thomas, was burgess for Warwick county in the assemblies of 1655-1656 and 1(557-1658. In 1662 he was granted 500 acres, and is called "major."

Davis, William, was burgess from James City in the assemblies of 1642-43, and of 1647.

Dawkes, Henry, an ancient planter, came to Virginia in 1608, and in 1632 his "son and heir apparent," William Dawkes of Varina, patented lands due him for the personal adventure of his father, and for a subscrip- tion to the stock of the London Company, jjaid by his father.


Davies, Samuel, an eminent Presbyterian Dawson, Rev. Musgrave, son of William