Overview

Location

Davis Bend, Warren Co., MS. The map at the following link shows "Hurricane Island" near the location of this plantation just south of Vicksburg. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/maps/mississippi/statemap/1866cmsrlaline_waterproof.jpg

Date Constructed/ Founded

In 1824 Joseph Davis purchased this 11,000 acre property. He closed his Natchez area law practice in 1827 and moved his family to this plantation. He sold off tracts of his land to others who established neighboring plantations.

Associated Surnames

Davis, Montgomery

Historical notes

Benjamin Thornton Montgomery: Shortly after being sold from Virginia, Benjamin attempted to escape and returned in 1836. Instead of punishing him, Benjamin and his owner reached a mutual understanding that if Benjamin promised not to run, he could learn to read and write, earn money, and manage a store. Ben subsequently became proficient as a mechanic, machinist and civil engineer. Ben later conducted a merchantile business and kept all records and accounts of his family and his slave master. In 1867, Jefferson Davis (Joseph's brother and former President of the Confederacy) sold his 4,000 acre estate to Benjamin Montgomery.

Isaiah Thornton Montgomery, Founder of Mound Bayou: Born in May, 1847, I.T. Montgomery learned from his father, Benjamin Montgomery, and his father's master, soon becoming the private secretary and attendant of Mr. Davis. Isaiah served in the U.S. services on the gunboat, Benton. He was at the battle of Grand Gulf, and saw Grant cross and assault Port Gibson, Jackson and finally Vicksburg. After I.T. Montgomery moved to Vicksburg he opened a colony (ca. 1886) and laid out the town of Mound Bayou, the L.N.O. and T.R. Railroad, in Bolivar County. I.T. Montgomery went on to become a Warren County Republican Convention delegate. In 1888, he was placed on the Republican County Committee in Bolivar County.

Associated Slave Workplaces

Rosemont Plantation (Wlkinson Co., MS)

Associated Free Persons

• Joseph Emory Davs (b.1784-d.1870) - owner; son of Samuel E. Davis of Rosemont Plantation

• Aurelia Smith Davis - first wife of Joseph E. Davis (m.1810)
• Florida Ann Davis (b.1811-d.1891) - daughter of Joseph E. and Aurelia S. Davis
• Mary Lucinda Davis (b.1816-d.1846) - daughter of Joseph E. and Aurelia S. Davis
• Caroline Davis (b.1823-d.1907) - daughter of Joseph E. and Aurelia S. Davis

• Eliza van Benthuysen (b.1811-d.1863) - second wife of Joseph E. Davis
• Nancy Davis (b.1828-d.?) - daughter of Joseph E. and Eliza V.B. Davis

Associated Enslaved Persons

Slaves of Joseph Davis

• Benjamin Tornton Montgomery - from Virginia; mechanic, machinist, civil engineer, and merchant; purchased
• Mary Lewis Montgomery - wife of Benjamin T. Montgomery
• Isaiah Thornton Montgomery (b.1847-d.1924) - son of Benjamin T. Montgomery; founder of Mound Bayou, MS (1867)

• 365 slaves

Research Leads and Plantation Records

• none reported yet

Miscellaneous Information

• none

References

• McMillen, Neil. Isaiah T. Montgomery, 1847-1924. http://mshistory.k12.ms.us/features/feature82/Isaiah_Montgomery.htm
• Mound Bayou MS Resource Guide: City of Mound Bayou, MS Facts and Information http://www.pe.net/~rksnow/mscountymoundbayou.htm
• Franklin, John H. and Schweninger, Loren. (1999) Runaway Slaves: Rebels on the Plantation. Oxford University Press.
• Rootsweb World Connect Project - The UPDIKE GENEALOGY
• Charles Dawkins, "James Gillam Wood" 2007, rootsweb, http://jeffersoncountyms.org/jgwood.htm (retrieved 30 Nov 07).

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