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 when she was about 26 years old. James 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. He married his first wife, Mehitable, in 1658.

James and Mehitable's children included:
John Davis, born in 1660 and
James Davis (1663, married Bethiah Leach).

Mehitable died on June 9, 1666.  

Elizabeth and James's children included:
Elizabeth Davis (1669, married Isaac Littlehale and John Stacy),
Abigail Davis (1672, married Ensign William Haskell),
Susannah Davis (1676),
Hannah Davis (1679),
Ebenezer Davis (1681),
Mark Davis (1683)

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, 1696/97 when she was 59 years old.

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 War 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.