Notes for: Sylvanus Davis

1870 Census, Doddridge Co, WV (New Milton District), enumerated on Aug 8 1870:
Sylvanus Davis, 22, farmer, b. Va; Sara E, 22, b. Va.

1880 Census, Ritchie Co, WV (Grant District), enumerated in Jun 1880:
Sylvannus Davis, 33, works on saw mill, b. W.Va; wife Sarah E, 33, b. Pa. (Note: All other references to Sarah's birthplace have indicated (West) Virginia, with her marriage record specifying Harrison County.)

"Sylvanus Davis, mailman; built tram roads for lumber company; blacksmith in mines; he served as a cook in Company G, 6th Regiment, Infantry, during the Civil War, in the Union Army. While trying to scavenge for food, he was nearly captured by his brother, Captain Anderson Davis of the Confederate Army. This close call was not known until the brothers exchanged stories after the war was over. The family lived in Doddridge County, where Sylvanus served as a mailman, according to his son Llewellyn.
"In 1923, a silver dollar was presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution to Salvanis Davis for the best tall tale at the Civil War Convention. The coin was given by Elizabeth Ann "Annie" Davis to Sharon Ann Sprouse in 1945.
"Sylvanus built his own home atop a hill on Fleming Street in the community of Summit Park just outside Clarksburg, WV. Deuron built his home on a neighboring hill on Lewis Street near the end of the street car line. Sylvanus built the Spatafore store and helped build the row of houses beside the store. There was no church in the community, so with the help of others, he built a church within sight of his house, now known as the Union Mission Church."

Source: "Davis - The Settlers of Salem West Virginia," pp. 128-129.