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Jones Sherwin DAVIS

Jones Sherwin DAVIS

Male 1817 - 1901  (83 years)
Person ID: I2512  Marsh/Holcomb Branch  |  Last Modified: 1 Dec 2023


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  • Name Jones Sherwin DAVIS 
    Birth 29 Oct 1817  Holden, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4] 
    Gender Male 
    Died 1 Feb 1901  Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 5, 6, 7, 8] 
    Age: 83 
    Cause: Asthemia, Old Age 
    Buried Forestdale Cemetery, Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    • Jones S. Davis, 83, familiarly known as "the founder of Holyoke," died at the Holyoke city hospital yesterday afternoon. Monday Mr.Davis received a fall in front of the Young Men's Christian association building on Monday and he was taken in the hospital. It was not thought his condition was serious, but owing to his extreme age and his feeble condition, he was not able to recover from the shock. By the death of Mr. Davis, Holyoke loses a man who was formerly very active in public affairs and one who was prominent in the early life of the community.

      Mr. Davis was born in Holden and began his work in cotton mills in Athol. He later worked in Chicopee and Valley Vale. He went to Holyoke in the '40s and entered the employ of the Lyman mills. He was made their first agent and held that position for 20 years. During his term of service with the Lyman mills, he did much toward building up the business. He applied himself to the work with great vigor and the present big plant is due in no small measure to the start the mills got at the hands of Mr. Davis. He was also a popular man among the employees and did a great deal for their interest. It is said by some of the older residents of the city that he had been known to close the mills and take the employees out for a day's outing. He possessed a genial nature and those who were employed under him are warm in their praise for the manner in which they were treated by him.

      While he was agent of the Lyman mills, Mr. Davis made a visit to England and Scotland for the purpose of studying methods of work in the cotton mills. He was refused admission to a number of factories, as the owners wished to keep their own secrets as to manufacturing. Mr. Davis, however, succeeded in his purpose. He obtained board in the family of a mill superintendent in Scotland, and by him was taken to the mill, and shown the working of machinery and methods of manufacture. He secured many valuable suggestions, and returned to Holyoke to put them in practice at the Lyman mills.

      Mr. Davis devoted much attention to improving the condition of Holyoke, which was then a town. One of his first steps was the laying out of Prospect park. The site overlooking the Connecticut River, where the famous dam is now located, commanded a fine view in those days. Later he opened up Hampden Park, which is now a pride to the city. Mr. Davis's home was at the corner of Dwight and Maple streets, overlooking the park. The property is still owned by the Lyman mills.

      After severing his connection with the Lyman mills, Mr. Davis conceived the idea of making a summer resort of Ingleside, and he chose the beautiful site where the buildings of the Brightside institution are now located. He erected a fine hotel on the spot, and it was a famous resort for miles around. People flocked there from all points, and some of the gayest times of those days were spent in that hotel. Mr. Davis proved to be as successful a landlord as he was a businessman, and he prospered there for a number of years. About the only thing he failed to accomplish was in getting the Yale-Harvard boat race one year to take place on the course of the river running past his place. He worked hard to accomplish this, but the college crews refused to go any nearer Holyoke than the North-end bridge. After running the hotel for a number of years, he sold the property to Rev. P. J. Harkins and went South, where he remained for some time. On his return to Holyoke he was less active, and for the past 20 years had led a retired life. He was seen on the street daily up to the time of his fall. He leaves a son, who resides in the South, a niece, Mrs. C. E. Haywood, and a grandson, George Davis of Holyoke.

      Mr. Davis was the founder of the New England cotton manufacturers' association and formerly an influential member. The association was formed in 1865 while Mr. Davis was agent of the Lyman mills. A meeting was held at Young's Hotel in Boston on July 9 of that year, the call being signed by Mr. Davis and sent out in accordance with the suggestions of Gov. Straw of New Hampshire and Phineas Adams of the Stark mills at Manchester, N.H. The association had about 50 members at the start, but now has over 500, and represents many millions of capital invested in cotton manufactories in the New England states. The rules provide that only men directly in the business can be members, and there has been a constant change on this account. Mr. Lyman dropped out when he left the employ of the Lyman mills and the Hadley Paper company at Holyoke. In 1897, on the suggestion of some of the older members, he was re-elected as an honorary member. Mr. Davis was leader in forming, and the captain of, the Cabot guards, a crack military organization of Chicopee 30 and 40 years ago. Source: Springfield Republican 2 Feb 1901

      ---------------

      Davis's death record records his burial in Forestdale Cemetery. Davis, while still agent for the Lyman Mills, was president of the Forestdale Cemetery Association when it was founded in 1862. The company also contributed to its creation.
    Notes 
    • Called Forestdale Cemetery. They do not have plot information for Jones Sherwin Davis. Death record lists Calvary as the cemetery. There are 2 Calvary Cemetary's in Holyoke. Calvary - Gates of Heaven (Catholic Cemetery) and Calvary Cemetery

  • Parents

    Family ID: F1255 Group Sheet  |  Family Chart  
    Father Benjamin Lamb DAVIS (ID:I2510),   b. 23 Dec 1791, Holden, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 22 Dec 1844, Smithville, Chenango, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 52 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Mother Mary Polly PIERCE (ID:I2511),   b. 11 Mar 1791, Athol, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 18 Mar 1855, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 64 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Marriage 18 Jan 1816  Athol, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22] 
    Marriages
    Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Marriages Pg 119    		Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Marriages Pg 119
    Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Vital Record Transcripts    		Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Vital Record Transcripts
    Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Births Marriages and Intentions Deaths 1791-1844 Vol. 2 Part 2 Pgs 184-185    		Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Births Marriages and Intentions Deaths 1791-1844 Vol. 2 Part 2 Pgs 184-185
    Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Copy of Records Proprietors of Pequoiag Vital Records and Town Meetings 1734-1863 Pgs 147-148    		Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Copy of Records Proprietors of Pequoiag Vital Records and Town Meetings 1734-1863 Pgs 147-148
    Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Copy of Records Proprietors of Pequoiag Vital Records and Town Meetings 1734-1863     		Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Copy of Records Proprietors of Pequoiag Vital Records and Town Meetings 1734-1863
    Children
    +1. MaleJones Sherwin DAVIS (ID:I2512) (current person) ,   b. 29 Oct 1817, Holden, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1 Feb 1901, Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 83 years)
    +2. FemaleCaroline Alona DAVIS (ID:I2669),   b. 8 Nov 1818, Holden, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 17 Oct 1878, Shrewsbury, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 59 years)
     3. MaleFrederic Augustus DAVIS (ID:I539036448),   b. 27 Jul 1821, Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 12 May 1872, Chautauqua, Chautauqua, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 50 years)
     4. MaleJames S. DAVIS (ID:I2513),   b. 1820, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Yes, date unknown
     5. MaleWilliam G DAVIS (ID:I539036449),   b. 13 Jan 1824   d. 17 Jul 1825 (Age 1 year)
    +6. FemaleAdeline Hall DAVIS (ID:I2670),   b. 10 Sep 1825, Athol, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Yes, date unknown
    +7. FemaleMehitabel Lamb DAVIS (ID:I2509),   b. 1829, Montréal, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 3 Jan 1863, Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 34 years)

  • Family

    Family ID: F1926 Group Sheet  |  Family Chart  |  Last Modified: 23 Nov 2023  
    Wife Louisa C COUGHIN (ID:I539037574),   b. 1817, Mount Vernon, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 8 Jun 1893, Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 76 years) 
    Marriage 29 Nov 1840  Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [23, 24] 
    Children 
    + 1. MaleFredrick Sherwin DAVIS (ID:I539037575),   b. 21 Jan 1848, Chicopee, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 16 Jan 1900, Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 51 years)  [Father: Birth]  [Mother: Birth]
    ▻ Cornelia A. KNIGHT  m. Yes, date unknow
      2. MaleFrank A DAVIS (ID:I539037576),   b. 1849, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Yes, date unknown  [Father: Birth]  [Mother: Birth]
    Marriages
    Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Springfield Births Marriages and Death    		Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Springfield Births Marriages and Death
    Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Springfield Births Marriages and Death Pgs 258-259    		Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Springfield Births Marriages and Death Pgs 258-259
    Vital records of Springfield, Massachusetts to the year 1850 Volume 3 Springfield Page 867    		Vital records of Springfield, Massachusetts to the year 1850 Volume 3 Springfield Page 867

  • Other Personal Events

    Census 1850  Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Census 1855  Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    Masonic Membership 16 Nov 1855  Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Name: Jones Sherwin Davis
    Residence: Holyoke
    Occupation: Manfcr
    Nativity: 29 Oct 1817 Holden
    Lodge: Mt. Tom
    Initiated: 16 Nov 1855
    Passed: 4 Jan 1856
    Raised: 1 Feb 1856
    Deceased: 1 Feb 1901 
    Census 1860  Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [12] 
    Census 1870  Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [13] 
    Newspaper Articles 22 Jan 1884  Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [14] 
    Census 1900  South Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [15] 
    Patriarch & Matriarch
    Rev. Joseph DAVIS,   b. 16 Jul 1720, Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 4 Mar 1799, Holden, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years)  (Great Grandfather) 
    Mary Dunsmore BREWER,   b. 17 Nov 1736, Weston, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 20 Feb 1836, Castine, Hancock, Maine, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 99 years)  (Great Grandmother) 
  • Photos
    Jones Sherwin Davis    		Jones Sherwin Davis
    Documents
    Massachusetts US Compiled Birth Marriage and Death Records 1700-1850 Holden Pg 31    		Massachusetts US Compiled Birth Marriage and Death Records 1700-1850 Holden Pg 31
    Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Holden Vital Record Transcripts Pg 31    		Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Holden Vital Record Transcripts Pg 31
    Birth and Death Certificates
    Massachusetts US Death Records 1841-1915 _Pre 1903 1901    		Massachusetts US Death Records 1841-1915 _Pre 1903 1901
    Census
    1850 United States Federal Census New Hampshire Rockingham Portsmouth    		1850 United States Federal Census New Hampshire Rockingham Portsmouth
    Indexes
    Massachusetts US Death Index 1901-1980 1901-1905</br> Volume Number: 517, Index Volume Number: 47 Page: 108    		Massachusetts US Death Index 1901-1980 1901-1905
    Volume Number: 517, Index Volume Number: 47 Page: 108
    Mason Membership Cards
    Massachusetts US Mason Membership Cards 1733-1990    		Massachusetts US Mason Membership Cards 1733-1990
    Newspaper Clippings
    Editors Transcript Jones S Davis for Chief of Police    		Editors Transcript Jones S Davis for Chief of Police
    Transcript-Telegram
    Holyoke, Massachusetts
    Tuesday, January 22, 1884
    Pg 4
    Obituaries
    Transcript-Telegram Holyoke Massachusetts Saturday February 02 1901 Obituary for Jones S Davis    		Transcript-Telegram Holyoke Massachusetts Saturday February 02 1901 Obituary for Jones S Davis
    Transcript-Telegram Holyoke Massachusetts ·Saturday February 02 1901 Jones S Davis    		Transcript-Telegram Holyoke Massachusetts ·Saturday February 02 1901 Jones S Davis

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 29 Oct 1817 - Holden, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 29 Nov 1840 - Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 1850 - Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 1855 - Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMasonic Membership - 16 Nov 1855 - Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 1860 - Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 1870 - Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsNewspaper Articles - 22 Jan 1884 - Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 1900 - South Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 1 Feb 1901 - Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Forestdale Cemetery, Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Address Cemetery Location Village Town City County/Shire State Country Parish Province Region Township Area Continent Not Set
  • Reference  Mark and Amy Kosinski. "Jones Sherwin DAVIS". Four Branches Genealogy. https://www.fourbranches.org/tng/getperson.php?personID=I2512&tree=mhkr (accessed April 29, 2024).

  • Source Citations

    1. [S2776] New England Historical Genealogical Society; Boston, Massachusetts, Massachusetts US Compiled Birth Marriage and Death Records 1700-1850 Holden, 31.

    2. [S2816] pstott, Find a Grave Memorial ID: 221912030, 221912030.

    3. [S2824] New England Historic Genealogical Society. Massachusetts, Massachusetts, U.S., Town Birth Records, 1620-1850, database on-line.

    4. [S2825] Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook), Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Holden Vital Record Transcripts Pg 31, 31.

    5. [S2815] Holyoke Town Clerk, Massachusetts US Death Records 1841-1915 _Pre 1903 1901 for Jones Sherwin Davis, 1840???1911.

    6. [S2818] Transcript-Telegram Holyoke Massachusetts, Obituary for Jones S Davis, 4.

    7. [S2819] Transcript-Telegram Holyoke Massachusetts, Transcript-Telegram Holyoke Massachusetts ·Saturday February 02 1901 Jones S Davis, 4.

    8. [S2836] Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Massachusetts, Massachusetts US Death Index 1901-1980 1901-1905 Jones S Davis, Vol: 517, Index Vol: 47, Page 108.

    9. [S2820] United States Census Bureau, 1850 United States Federal Census New Hampshire Rockingham Portsmouth, 46b.

    10. [S2823] State of Massachusetts, Massachusetts US State Census 1855 Hampden Holyoke Jones Sherwin Davis, database on-line.

    11. [S2817] New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts, Massachusetts US Mason Membership Cards 1733-1990 for Jones Sherwin Davis.

    12. [S2821] United States Census Bureau, 1860 United States Federal Census Massachusetts Hampden Holyoke Jones Sherwin Davis, 241.

    13. [S2822] United States Census Bureau, 1870 United States Federal Census Massachusetts Hampden Holyoke Jones Sherwin Davis, 344A.

    14. [S2826] Transcript-Telegram Holyoke Massachusetts, Editors Transcript Jones S Davis for Chief of Police, 4.

    15. [S2835] United States Census Bureau, 1900 United States Federal Census Massachusetts Hampshire South Hadley District 0648 Jones Sherwin Davis, 9.

    16. [S1695] Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook), Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Marriages Pg 119, 119.

    17. [S1705] Dodd, Jordan, Liahona Research, comp. Massachusetts, Marriages, 1633-1850, Massachusetts, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1633-1850, FHLF: 0823736.

    18. [S2760] Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts, Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Vital Record Transcripts for Benjamin Davis and Mary Pierce, 155.

    19. [S2812] New England Historic Genealogical Society, Massachusetts, U.S., Town Marriage Records, 1620-1850, database on-line.

    20. [S2813] Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts, Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Births Marriages and Intentions Deaths 1791-1844 Vol. 2 Part 2 Pgs 184-185, 184-185.

    21. [S2814] Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts, Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Copy of Records Proprietors of Pequoiag Vital Records and Town Meetings 1734-1863 Pgs 147-148, 147-148.

    22. [S3026] Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts, Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Athol Copy of Records Proprietors of Pequoiag Vital Records and Town Meetings 1734-1863 for Benjamin Davis and Mary Pierce, Pages 183 184 185.

    23. [S2827] Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts, Massachusetts US Town and Vital Records 1620-1988 Springfield Births Marriages and Death for Jones S Davis, 258.

    24. [S2828] New England Historic Genealogical Society, Vital records of Springfield, Massachusetts to the year 1850 Volume 3 Springfield Page 867 NEGHS, 867.