John Davis (13 Sep 1772 - 27 May 1843)

John Davis was christened on 13 September 1772 in the All Saints' Church, Church of England, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, England (familysearch.org) to parents William Davis and Mary Mulcock. He was one of 8 children to William and Mary (Martha 1770, William 1775, Elizabeth 1777, Thomas 1779, Susannah 1781, Henry 1783 and Joseph 1785). The children were all christened at All Saints' Church, Church of England, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, England.

On the 7 August 1794, John married Mary Edmonds at Bishopstone, Oxfordshire, England. The Edmonds dynasty was from Bishopstone. 

Bishopstone to London

They left for London almost immediately.

The first evidence of them being in London is on 9 March 1795 after he was married.  John was insured by Sun Fire Office insurance for the contents of 8 Churchyard Row, Newington Butts, Surrey.

The insurance record states:

"John Davis at No. 8 Churchyard Row, Newington Butts, gent, on his household goods in his now dwelling house only situate as aforesaid brick not exceeding one hundred and forty pounds. 
Plate therein only not exceeding forty pounds. 
Printed books and wearing apparel therein only not exceeding sixty pounds on each.  Total 300 pounds."

Children we know of are:

1. Abraham Hopkins Davis (1796-1866) born at 8 Churchyard Row, Newington Butts, Surrey and christened twice. Once at St Mary's Church in Newington Butts and a second time at Bishopstone in August of that year, and

2. Martha Dix (nee Davis) (1800-?).Christened 6 June 1800 at Bishopstone.

Around 1818, he attended church at Surrey Chapel in London with his wife and two children (published in The Evangelical Magazine 1866 pg 783).

He was a witness at his son Abraham's wedding on the 8th December 1818 at the Church of St. Martin, Outwich, City of London.

In 1819, John became the full-time Assistant Secretary of the Religious Tract Society at 13 Paternoster Row, London EC4. Shortly afterwards he also became the Superintendent of the Depository as well. He looked after the day-to-day guidance, accounts and correspondence of the Society's affairs.

In 1820, the Religious Tract Society sent John travelling to the North of England then Edinburgh, Glagow and Haddington.

In September 1830 he is listed as having written a report for the Religious Tract Society for a meeting held in London.

1841 Census - He was recorded living at Parish St Gregory by St Paul, London, England with wife Mary and grand-daughter Mary Dix. His occupation is a bookseller.

In 1842 he retired from the Religious Tract Society.

John died on the 27 May 1843, aged 70, in Wantage, Oxfordshire, England (published in The Gentleman's Magazine 1843 pg 105).

His wife Mary, went on living at Wantage, Oxfordshire, England. In the census of 1851 (listed at age 73), she is shown living with her house servant Sarah Gregory (26). Mary's occupation is listed as Assistant Fundholder. Her address is listed as Wallingsford Street, Wantage.  She lived very close to two pubs.  "King's Arms" at 39 Wallingsford Street and next door was "Waggon's and Horses".  She lived closest to "Waggon's and Horses" according to the Census.  Both of these places exist today although "Waggon's and Horses" is no longer a pub.  See photos below:

"King's Arms", 39 Wallingsford Street, Wantage

"Waggons and Horses" Pub which no longer is open

In the census of 1861 (listed at age 83), she is shown living with her house servant Ellen Rolls (19). Mary's occupation is listed as Fundholder. Her address is still Wallingsford Street, Wantage.

Mary died in Wantage on 6 July 1861.  This is how Wantage looked about 10 years after Mary died.  See photo below.