An American Family History

Elizabeth Batcheller Davis was born about 1640 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts. Her parents were Joseph Batcheller and Elizabeth Warner.

She married Captain James Davis (Davies) on December 6, 1666. He was born about 1636 in Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts. He was the son of John Davis . James was a farmer and possibly a ship's captain.

Elizabeth was the second of James’ three wives. His married his first wife Mehitable, in 1658. James and Mehitable had at least two sons; John Davis, born in 1660 and James Davis born in 1663. Mehitable died on June 9, 1666.  

James served as ensign in the trainband in 1681 and as captain in 1689. He was “very sickly” as a consequence. He was a selectman of Gloucester and was town representative for eight years..

Elizabeth died on January 1, 1697.

James married Mary Collins Elwell Cook on August 3, 1697. She was born on March 8, 1646 in Salem. She was the daughter of John and Joanna Collins and was already a widow twice. She had been married to Joseph Elwell and John Cook.

In 1699, James received a grant of Straitsmouth Island for his service in the French and Indian wars from the General Court. Straitsmouth Island is a small island east of Cape Ann near Rockport, Massachusetts.

James died on May 1, 1715 and Mary died on March 9, 1725 in Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts.

John Davis bought of Richard Window, in 1656, his house, barn, orchard, and land. This property was situated probably near Walker's Creek, as Wrindow had a house there in 1651. After a residence of several years in town, Davis removed to Ipswich; leaving here his two sons, James and Jacob.

The former had a house and land, which he sold to Joseph Allen in 1674. A few years later, mention is made of his house on the right hand of the way from Long Cove to Mr. Walker's; perhaps the same occupied by his father. Three generations of his family gave to the town some of its most valued and useful citizens; men who, during a whole century, were constantly in office, and, whether filling civil, military, or ecclesiastical stations, always securing the best reward of public service, public confidence.

James Davis was appointed by the General Court ensign to the trainband in 1681; and, in 1689, received his commission as captain. No means now exist for ascertaining what active service he performed in these offices: but we find, that, in 1693, he was "very sickly " in consequence of sickness he received in the "country service in Sir Edmund Andres's time;" and that he received in 1699, from the General Court, a grant of Straitsmouth Island, for the charge and expense he had been at and the time he had spent in the late wars with the French and Indian enemy. He was repeatedly elected to the office of selectman; and, for eight years, served the town as its representative.

His death took place May 1,1715. By his first wife Mehetabel who died June 9, 1666, he had four children; of whom two, John, born in 1660; and James, 1663, lived to maturity.

By his second wife (Elizabeth Batchelder of Wenham), whom he married Dec. 6,1666, he had seven children; one of whom (Ebenezer) became a citizen of considerable prominence. This wife died Jan. 1, 1697;

and, Aug. 3 of the same year, Capt. Davis married his third and last wife (Mrs. Mary Cook), who died March 9, 1725, aged seventy-nine.