An American Family History

Samuel Davis, Sr. and Mary Waters married on March 20, 1656 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts where Mary’s parents lived. 

The first child named, Mary Davis, was born on January 26 1656/57 in Lancaster. Elizabeth Davis Church was born on November 11, 1658 in Charlestown.

About 1660 Samuel became one of the original proprietors of Groton. He was granted 20 acres of land. The family lived in the part of the town that later was “known as the “Community.” His house was on the north side of the community road, then a part of the Lancaster Highway,  a few rods east of the corner where the road turns . . .”

Mary Davis Lewis Pratt was born on January 31, 1661/62. John Davis was born on March 10, 1663/1664. Sarah Davis Cady was born on August 12, 1667. Samuel Davis, Jr. was born on January 8, 1669/1670. Barnabas Davis was born on April 17, 1672. A daughter was born on February 10, 1673/74.

During King Philip's War, Mary and the children relocated to Charlestown where Patience Davis Green was born on April 10, 1674 and  Nathaniel Daviswas born about 1675. In 1675/76, Samuel's wife, Mary and their five children lived with his aunt and uncle, Patience and William Ridland’s in Charlestown.

On March 2, 1676, Groton was attacked and burned. Only four of the protected homes survived. The remaining residents abandoned the town and fled to safer areas. Samuel Davis’s name appeared on a list of  residents who wished to leave Groton

According to your Excellency's commands, we have sent an account of those, that are either actually removed, or are meditating of it. Our people are reduced to that degree that they find themselves unable to subsist any longer - would pray your Excellency either to grant liberty for their remove, or that they may be reduced here entirely to garrison of the town militia for the preserving the frontiers.

The residents of Groton, including the Samuel Davis family, returned in 1678 to rebuild the town.

Their son Barnabas died on August 12, 1690 in Charlestown.

The town remained somewhat peaceful until 1689 when the attacks of King William's war began. Barnabas died in 1690 in Charlestown. On March 17, 1691/92, the Davis family was assigned to a garrison .

As well as Samuel and his family the garrisons included:
Lieutenant Jonas Preacott and Widow Sawtell 
Nathaniel Lawrence, 
James Knap, 
Ellis Barron, 
Samuel Scripture, 
Ephraim Philbrick, 
Daniel Pierce, 
John Barron, 
Stephen Holden, 
John Perham, 
John Davis, 
Nicholas Cady
Cornelius Church, 
John Cady, 
Joseph Cady
Joshua Whitney, 
Joshua Whitney, jr., 
Peleg Lawrence, 
Jonathan Lawrence, 
James Fiske, 
Samuel Fiske, , 
Robert Robin, and their families. 

Samuel Sr. died in 1699, John was shot by Indians in 1704, and Mary died in 1713.    

Mary Pratt moved to Chelsey, Elizabeth Church moved to Voluntown, Sarah Cady moved to Killingly, and Samuel, Jr. stayed in Groton.

The estate inventory showed signs of prosperity. It mentioned a watch, a wig, silver shoe and knee buckles, a clock, a desk, oval tables, chairs with carved backs, a carriage (chair) three negro slaves, two pews in the Chelsea Meeting House and many other objects.  Besides the Old Mansion House and the house that his son Thomas lived in, the estate included two barns, a tan house and  yard, and a shoemaker’s shop. (from Seven Generations by Walter Pratt)