Henry Dennison Davis of Killingworth

Henry Dennison Davis, the son of Leonard Davis and Arta Hill, was baptized in the Union Episcopal Society April 22, 1827. We published the family history for Leonard’s family in October and September of 2013. In the Killingworth town records and in the Congregational Second Society records we find recorded his marriage to Diantha Griswold on October 21, 1846. The fact that the marriage was recorded in the Congregational records suggests Diantha’s family were members. Henry on the other hand was a member of Union Episcopal Society. The name Diantha is of American origin. It is a contraction of the two names Diana and Anthea. In her death record she is identified as the daughter of Ebenezer Griswold having been born in Killingworth. Her date of death is March 12, 1901. The record lists her age as 81 years 2 months and 6 days suggesting a date of birth on May 6, 1820. The 1900 census places her birth in January 1820. Town records identify her mother as Anna Campbell of Middletown. Her parents are buried in the Nettleton Cemetery in Killingworth. Henry and Diantha are buried in the family plot in the Stone House Cemetery. “Davis Henry D., died Dec 16, 1868, age 42 yrs”. Davis Dianthia Griswold, wife of Henry D. died Mar 12, 1901 age 81 yrs”. _____________ Henry’s will and the census records paint a picture of the life shared by Henry and Diantha. The life of the Davis family was centered around the large farm created by his grand parents Azuba Griffin and Henry Davis. His father Leonard Davis inherited the lion’s share of the farm, which in turn was divided between Henry and his siblings. They added to the farm ground by buying up surrounding properties. The 1850 and 1860 Killingworth census shows living in 3 successive households, Henry’s mother Arta, Henry and Diantha and the family of his sister Orpha with her husband William Skinner and their children. They each owned a portion of the original farm I suspect they farmed it in something of a cooperative manner. ________________ When Henry died in 1868 he left behind a detailed will. “Estate of Henry D. Davis late of Killingworth in said district deceased. The subscribers appointed to set out and distribute to Diantha Davis widow of said deceased”. The inventory in the will suggests that Henry had lived the life of a successful farmer. Of a personal nature is listed 3 different hats, a black frock coat, a black sack coat, cashmere pants, black pants, cashmere vest, satin vest and calf boots. Listed is a writing deck and books including 2 Bibles. For a gentleman’s leisure a fowling piece and a bamboo fish pole. Listed are an ox cart, sled and wagon and a buggy wagon. Also listed are the implements needed to run a farm. The family larder contained large amounts of beef and pork also potatoes and turnips. Included are wine, cider and sorghum barrels. Included in his bequests was $56.75 to the Episcopal Society in whose record’s Henry’s name appears frequently. He leaves some of his property to his sister Orpha Skinner and his brother Joel H. Davis along with his sister Eleanor Francis’s children. The 1870 census shows Diantha still living next to her sister in law Orpha Skinner. By 1880 the Skinners have moved to Haddam and Diantha is living alone living on the assets left to her by Henry. In the 1900 census she is part of her brother Stephens’s household. Stephen had never married they died one month apart in 1901 both listed as the children of Ebenezer Griswold. Diantha and Henry did not have any children. The cause of Henry’s death is listed as epilepsy. Diantha was 6 years older than Henry, a somewhat unusual circumstance, and never remarried living for 34 years as a widow. I have a suspicion that they were a somewhat handicapped couple that found contentment, companionship and a comfortable life together. _______________ Henry Dennison Davis / Leonard / Azuba Griffin / Samuel Griffin / Samuel Griffin of Killingworth