John Davidson

26th Jul 1805 - 1898

Claimant or beneficiary

Biography

Son of Henry Davidson (d. 1827), from whom he inherited estates in Jamaica, brother of Henry Davidson and Duncan Davidson (each of whom q.v.), and awardee of compensation for the enslaved people on Providence and Windsor Castle estates, St Thomas-in-the-East Jamaica. He married Augusta Catharine, the daughter of another slave-owner Charles Nathaniel Bayly (q.v.) in 1831.

  1. Born 26/07/1805 and baptised 30/08/1805 at St Mary, Hornsey, Middlesex, son of Henry and Caroline Davidson. John Davidson Esquire, bachelor, of St George Hanover Square, married Augusta Catharine Bayly at St Mary, Marylebone, 30/03/1831.

  2. Death of John Davidson aged 93 registered at Eastbourne Q2 1898; will of John Davidson of 11 Cornfield Terrace Eastbourne who died 28/04/1898 proved 21/07/1898 by Alexander Henry Davidson, retired Major General in Her Majesty's Army, and Wyndham Henry Davidson retired Major in Her Majesty's Army, effects £707 4s 5d.

  3. In 1841 John Davidson aged 36 'Ind[e]p[enden]t was living with his wife Augusta aged 31 and their children (including Alexander and Wyndham) at Hampton Wick. John Davidson and Augusta Catharine Bayly had married at St Mary Bryanston Square 30/05/1831. In 1851 the couple were lodging at 4 Preston Street, Brighton, when he was described as fundholder. In 1861 John Davidson 'army officer' retired was living with his wife given as Catharine at 11 Vernon Terrace Brighton. In 1871 when the couple were staying with their daughter Sophia Chapman in Keymer Sussex he was described as late captain Second Lifeguards.


Sources

T71/867 St Thomas-in-the-East claim nos. 24 (Providence) and 35 (Windsor Castle). 

  1. Ancestry.com, London, England, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 [database online].

  2. FreeUKGen, England and Wales Free BMD Database, Deaths, 1837-1983 [database online]; National Probate Calendar 1898.

  3. 1841 census online; Ancestry.com, London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1932 for John Davidson Westminster St Mary, Bryanston Square 1825-1837 [database online]; 1851, 1861 and 1871 censuses online.

We are grateful to David Smart for his assistance with compiling this entry.


Further Information

Absentee?
British/Irish
Spouse
Augusta Catharine Bayly
Children
Duncan, Sophia
Wealth at death
£707 4S 5D

Associated Claims (2)

£3,598 11s 0d
Awardee
£3,818 4s 10d
Awardee

Associated Estates (2)

The dates listed below have different categories as denoted by the letters in the brackets following each date. Here is a key to explain those letter codes:

  • SD - Association Start Date
  • SY - Association Start Year
  • EA - Earliest Known Association
  • ED - Association End Date
  • EY - Association End Year
  • LA - Latest Known Association
1829 [EA] - 1839 [LA] → Owner

The enslaved people on Providence were 'transferred' from George William Hamilton to John Davidson c. 1829. Davidson's father Henry Davidson sen. had left Windsor Castle and Providence in St Thomas-in-the-East to John Davidson in his will proved in 1827. This is not reflected in the information in the Slave Registers and Almanacs.

1828 [EA] - 1834 [LA] → Owner

The enslaved people on Windsor Castle were 'transferred' from George William Hamilton to John Davidson c. 1829. Davidson's father Henry Davidson sen. had left Windsor Castle and Providence in St Thomas-in-the-East to John Davidson in his will proved in 1827. This is not reflected in the information in the Slave Registers and Almanacs.


Relationships (6)

Son-in-law → Father-in-law
Notes →
C. N. Bayly was one of the witnesses at the wedding of Augusta Catharine Bayly to John Davidson in 183....
Son → Father
Brothers
Brothers
Brothers
Grandson → Grandfather

Addresses (1)

11 Cornfield Terrace, Eastbourne, Sussex, South-east England, England