John Davidson, Esq. and Mary Beatty

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Husband John Davidson, Esq. ^{1 2}

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           Born: 14 Aug 1814 - Big Beaver Twp, Beaver (later Lawrence) Co, PA 1 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 1895 2
         Buried: 

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         Father: Andrew Davidson (1782-1866) 1 3
         Mother: Jane Whan (      -1862) 1

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       Marriage: 28 Mar 1838 1

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• Residence: : Big Beaver Twp, Lawrence Co, PA.

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Wife Mary Beatty ^{1 2}

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           Born:  - Lawrence Co, PA
     Christened: 
           Died:  - Lawrence Co, PA
         Buried: 

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         Father: Jonathan Beatty (      -      ) 1
         Mother: 

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Children

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1 M William T. Davidson ²

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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2 F Margaret Jane Davidson ²

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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3 F Lydia Davidson ²

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 1881 2
         Buried: 

         Spouse: John Abdill (      -      ) 2

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4 M John Watson Davidson ²

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            AKA: J. Watt Davidson 4
           Born: 5 Apr 1856 - Big Beaver Twp, Lawrence Co, PA 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Lemira Rose (      -      ) 4
           Marr: 26 Oct 1881 2

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General Notes: Husband - John Davidson, Esq.

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Although his educational advantages were exceedingly meagre, Mr. Davidson made a diligent improvement of his spare time, and by reading and study fitted himself for a teacher, and taught the first school in his district that was organized under the common-school law of Pennsylvania. He always took a deep and active interest in education, and, in the capacity of school director, and in other ways, rendered valuable service in that department of public improvement. He also filled other important offices in his township.
In 1842 he was made major of a volunteer battalion in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and, after serving seven years, was replaced in the same position, and served five years more. His first commission was issued by Governor David Porter, and the second in 1849, by Governor Wm. F. Johnston.
In March, 1850, Mr. Davidson was elected justice of the peace for five years, and was four times re-elected, thus making a period of twenty-five years that he filled that position. This record is seldom reached anywhere. His ministrations were characterized by great conservatism, caution and prudence, and his decisions were rendered with the strictest rigor and equity, and in a most impartial manner. It was always his aim to effect, if possible, a peaceful compromise between parties proposing litigation, and so successful were his efforts, that many a law-suit was spoiled for interested attorneys, so that the remark became current among them that "if all the justices were like Mr. Davidson, they [the lawyers] would have to take down their shingles."
Squire Davidson was a staunch Republican, and was a member of the New Castle convention in 1855 that inaugurated this party-movement for Lawrence County.
In religious views he was a Presbyterian, and for upwards of a quarter of a century was connected with the Newport church.

His family consisted of four sons and three daughters, of whom one daughter and two sons died in infancy.

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General Notes: Wife - Mary Beatty

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She died at fifty-five years of age.

1 —, History of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1877), Pg 199.

2 Aaron L. Hazen, 20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1908), Pg 934.

3 Aaron L. Hazen, 20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1908), Pg 932, 934.

4 Aaron L. Hazen, 20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1908), Pg 450.