I TOO AM A GREAT GRANDAUGGTER OF MARK PRICE DAVIS:
It has been 2 ½ years since my precious grandmother passed away, transitioning to the other side, and receive her glory in heaven, where she feels pain no more, and is reunited with her beloved husband, parents, and family. Oh how I miss her so.
Once again I was sorting through her folders and I came across an absolutely incredible set of papers-handwritten no less. It was a copy of Mark Price Davis’ Will (1829). Mark Price Davis was my 5th great grandfather, father of Rebecca and Martha, the sisters discussed in the previous stories: “The Letter, 1862” and “The Mystery of the Smith Graveyard.”
Although the Will was incredible, it was the gem at the bottom of paper that took my breath away. It stated:
“Copied August 16th, 1963… by Emma Barrett Reeves, a great granddaughter of Mark Price Davis, thru his daughter Martha Christian Davis, who m Geo Blakey Smith.”
The next line said, “I too am a great granddaughter - by daughter Rebecca Myers Farmer Lyon,” signed Dollie Myra Lyon Echols.
Reading further on, the document stated, “I too am a great great granddaughter - thru the line of Edward Lyon & Rebecca Price Davis,” signed Mary Effie Pinkston Rainford.
When I read these beautiful women’s names and realized I was looking at the signatures of my 5th great auntie’s (Martha) granddaughter, my great grandmother Mary Effie and her “mother,” Dolly Echols, all added to Mark’s Will, wanting to be accounted for and remembered by anyone that came along and found the document in future generations…I was overcome with emotion trying to comprehend all that I was feeling. I had an overwhelming need to add my name to that list of great women.
Tears fell down my cheeks as I added my name and declaration, “I too am a 5th great granddaughter of Mark Price Davis, through Rebecca Myers Price Davis, my 4th great grandmother, and then Mary Effie Pinkston Rainford, my great grandmother, Julia Lynch, thankful to be part of something so magnanimous.
