Mary Davis (nee Williams) (ABRAHAM'S WIFE) (2 July 1793 - 3 April 1846)
Mary Williams was born at Green Court (later became Green Walk around 1825) on 2 July 1793 and christened 5 August 1793 at Christ Church, Southwark, Surrey, London, England to parents Charles Williams and Martha Williams (nee Webb). At the time her father was listed as a Millwright.
Charles, Mary's father, is listed as living in Gravel Lane, Southwark, (where Tate Modern now stands), London on 2nd August 1810 and in 1811 so it’s presumed Mary Williams also was living there.
In 1812, the Reverend Rowland Hill, whose large octagon chapel of Lady Huntingdon's Connexion used to be a well-known place in Christchurch parish, opened almshouses in Gravel Lane for 24 poor widows belonging to the congregation. Could this be why they moved?
Charles her father is then listed as living at Hatfield Street (which runs parallel to Blackfriars Road) in Surrey, London in 1815.
Her father died in 1817.
Mary Williams and Abraham Hopkins Davis met at the Surrey Chapel inLondon , England Davis 8 December 1818 at Church of St. Martin London Church of St Martin Outwich
Mary Williams and Abraham had five children.
1. Mary Ann Davis – born 26 September 1819 in the Parish of St Botolph, Bishopsgate, London and christened at Surrey Chapel, Blackfriars Road, Lady Huntingdons, Southwark, Surrey, England on 18 October 1849. Mary was named after her mother Mary and her mother's materal grandmother Ann Fielder.
2. Emily Davis – Born at Charlotte Street (called Union Street since 1912) in the Parish of Christ Church, Surrey, England on 30 August 1821 and christened on 28 September 1821 at Surrey Chapel, Blackfriars Road, Lady Huntingdons, Southwark, Surrey, England
3. Helen Davis – Born at Charlotte Street (called Union Street since 1912) in the Parish of Christ Church, Surrey, England on 12 May 1824 and christened at Surrey Chapel, Blackfriars Road, Lady Huntingdon, Southwark, Surrey, England on 10 Nov 1824. Helen died at 14 months in the Parish of Christ Church, Surrey, England on 16 July 1825 and is buried at Union Street Deadman's Place, Surrey, England.
4. Frederick Charles Davis - Born 9 January 1827 in the Parish of Christ Church, Surrey, England and christened at Union Street Independent Church, Southwark, Surrey, England on 28 February 1827. Note that the christening papers listed mother Mary's maiden name as Williams.
The family is living at Nelson Square East in 1828 according to the Sewerage Rate Books. They were paying 60 pounds a year or 3 pounds a fortnight. [Source: Southwark Library]
5. Alfred Davis – Born 1 June 1834 at 20 past 10 o'clock in the morning at 31 Brunswick Crescent in the Parish of Lambeth, Surrey and christened on 24 June 1834 at Union Street Independent Church, Southwark, Surrey, England. Note that the christening papers listed mother Mary's maiden name as Williams.
On 15 October 1837, Abraham Hopkins Davis, Mary Ann Davis and their children left Gravesend, London for Australia on a ship named “Lord Goderich” as part of the Wakefield Scheme. They travelled for 6 months. There were 157 passengers on board (111 adults and 46 children). Abraham, Mary and their children was given free passage to South Australia even though Abraham and Mary was too old to qualify. Abraham was 41.
The first we hear of Mary Ann in Adelaide is on Saturday 13 July 1839 in the local paper.
In subscriptions towards the erection of a place of worship the following is listed:
Mr and Mrs Davis - 20 pounds
Miss and Mrs Williams - 6 pounds
Miss Davis - 1 pound, 1 shilling
Miss E Davis - 1 pound, 15 shillings
The family is listed in the newspaper on Saturday 30 May 1840 though this time Mary Davis and her mother Martha Williams are absent. The event is for a celebration of the Queen's Birthday. Listed are:
A H Davis Esq. Secretary Chamber of Commerce
Miss Williams
Miss Davis
Miss E Davis
Mary is present in the newspaper on Saturday 24 October 1840 on a list of people present at the Opening of New Port. Listed are:
A H Davis (Abraham Hopkins Davis)
Mrs Davis (Mary Davis, Abraham's wife)
Misses Davis
Mrs Williams (Martha Williams? Harriot's mother?)
Miss Williams (Harriot Williams)
The Williams and Davis' are always listed together at these functions.
Mary died on 3 April 1846 at Moore Farm, Reedbeds, South Australia. Her death notice in the “Register” on 4 April 1846 reads “Died on Friday the 3rd instant at Moore Farm after a severe but short illness, Mary, beloved wife of Mr A H Davis in her 53rd year.” She died of black fever.
Mary doesn’t get to see Emily, her second daughter marry or her two sons. There is a possibility she saw one grandchild born, Mary Ann’s first child Emily Jane. Emily Jane was born the same year Mary died 1846 though no dates given.
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| Christ Church, Southwark before it's demolition. This is where Mary would have been christened. |
Charles, Mary's father, is listed as living in Gravel Lane, Southwark, (where Tate Modern now stands), London on 2nd August 1810 and in 1811 so it’s presumed Mary Williams also was living there.
In 1812, the Reverend Rowland Hill, whose large octagon chapel of Lady Huntingdon's Connexion used to be a well-known place in Christchurch parish, opened almshouses in Gravel Lane for 24 poor widows belonging to the congregation. Could this be why they moved?
Charles her father is then listed as living at Hatfield Street (which runs parallel to Blackfriars Road) in Surrey, London in 1815.
Her father died in 1817.
Mary Williams and Abraham Hopkins Davis met at the Surrey Chapel in
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| The residences in Nelson Square before demolition in 1951. |
Mary Williams and Abraham had five children.
1. Mary Ann Davis – born 26 September 1819 in the Parish of St Botolph, Bishopsgate, London and christened at Surrey Chapel, Blackfriars Road, Lady Huntingdons, Southwark, Surrey, England on 18 October 1849. Mary was named after her mother Mary and her mother's materal grandmother Ann Fielder.
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| Mary Ann Davis christening |
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| Emily Davis christening |
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| Helen Davis christening |
4. Frederick Charles Davis - Born 9 January 1827 in the Parish of Christ Church, Surrey, England and christened at Union Street Independent Church, Southwark, Surrey, England on 28 February 1827. Note that the christening papers listed mother Mary's maiden name as Williams.
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| Frederick Charles Davis christening |
The family is living at Nelson Square East in 1828 according to the Sewerage Rate Books. They were paying 60 pounds a year or 3 pounds a fortnight. [Source: Southwark Library]
5. Alfred Davis – Born 1 June 1834 at 20 past 10 o'clock in the morning at 31 Brunswick Crescent in the Parish of Lambeth, Surrey and christened on 24 June 1834 at Union Street Independent Church, Southwark, Surrey, England. Note that the christening papers listed mother Mary's maiden name as Williams.
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| Alfred Davis christening |
On 15 October 1837, Abraham Hopkins Davis, Mary Ann Davis and their children left Gravesend, London for Australia on a ship named “Lord Goderich” as part of the Wakefield Scheme. They travelled for 6 months. There were 157 passengers on board (111 adults and 46 children). Abraham, Mary and their children was given free passage to South Australia even though Abraham and Mary was too old to qualify. Abraham was 41.
The first we hear of Mary Ann in Adelaide is on Saturday 13 July 1839 in the local paper.
In subscriptions towards the erection of a place of worship the following is listed:
Mr and Mrs Davis - 20 pounds
Miss and Mrs Williams - 6 pounds
Miss Davis - 1 pound, 1 shilling
Miss E Davis - 1 pound, 15 shillings
The family is listed in the newspaper on Saturday 30 May 1840 though this time Mary Davis and her mother Martha Williams are absent. The event is for a celebration of the Queen's Birthday. Listed are:
A H Davis Esq. Secretary Chamber of Commerce
Miss Williams
Miss Davis
Miss E Davis
Mary is present in the newspaper on Saturday 24 October 1840 on a list of people present at the Opening of New Port. Listed are:
A H Davis (Abraham Hopkins Davis)
Mrs Davis (Mary Davis, Abraham's wife)
Misses Davis
Mrs Williams (Martha Williams? Harriot's mother?)
Miss Williams (Harriot Williams)
The Williams and Davis' are always listed together at these functions.
Mary died on 3 April 1846 at Moore Farm, Reedbeds, South Australia. Her death notice in the “Register” on 4 April 1846 reads “Died on Friday the 3rd instant at Moore Farm after a severe but short illness, Mary, beloved wife of Mr A H Davis in her 53rd year.” She died of black fever.
Mary doesn’t get to see Emily, her second daughter marry or her two sons. There is a possibility she saw one grandchild born, Mary Ann’s first child Emily Jane. Emily Jane was born the same year Mary died 1846 though no dates given.
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| Mary's death certificate |
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