John Harris Pickens Davis and Family

John Harris Pickens Davis was the son of William Kinchen Davis and Eloniza Jane Pickens. He was born on 11 February 1851.

Source: [Jane Pickens Davis that is on a page from a book.], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth420/: accessed June 21, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

Miss Eloniza Jane Pickens Davis was the daughter of John Harris Pickens (afarmer and stock raiser) and Eleanor Elizabeth Cooper

🏠1860 - 10-year-old John lived with his father (1) W. K. Davis (age 38), mother - mentioned in the census as Eveline Pickens (age 21), siblings - Elvira (age 8 ), Kinchen (age 5). Other persons recorded at their household in Fort bend, TX were Miss S J. Grun (age 22, born in Texas) and Daniel Davis, stockraiser (age 22, born in Missouri).

Source: [J.H.P. Davis at the age of 16.], photograph, 1867; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1498/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

🏠 In 1870, 18 year-old John lived with his parents and siblings (2) - Eleonora (age 16), Kinchen William (age 14), and Archetta (age12) - in Richmond, Precinct No. 4, Fort Bend, Texas. Johns occupation recorded by a census clerk was "attends stocks" (raised by his father William).

Five years later, on ⚭ 10 February 1875, young John Harris married Miss Susan Elizabeth Ryon (3). She was born on 10 December 1855, to Col. William M. Ryon and Mary Moore Jones.

John and Susan had three children: 

Daisy Belle (born on 22 November 1875/died on 15 June 1878),
Mary Elizabeth - called Mamie (born on 13 September 1877),

Source: [Photograph of Mamie Davis as a child], photograph, [1881..1882]; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8171/: accessed June 21, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

 
Thomas Walter (born on 7 September 1879).

 

 

Source: [Tom Davis as a baby], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2290/: accessed June 21, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

2 June 1880 - another census in the town of Richmond, Enumeration District #4, Precinct #1 (4).
John H. P. Davis (age 29) ran a stock farm. His wife S. E. (24) was keeping home and looking after their children Mary (age 2) and Walter (9 months old). Two servants lived in the household: Maria Sparks (age 19) and Frank Roper (age 20).

Two prior photos combined together - Source: [Mamie Davis George and T.W. "Bud" Davis], photograph, 1882; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth7087/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

Source: [Photograph of Mamie Davis George as a young girl], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8544/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

♦ 30 October 1884 - Susan Elizabeth died. Tom was 14, and Mamie was 16 then.

Source: [Thomas Walter "Bud" Davis wearing a striped shirt and a hat], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8201/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

 Source: [Mamie E. Davis as a young girl], photograph, [1891..1895]; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8177/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

On ⚭ 27 November 1888, John Harris Pickens remarried.

Source: [Photograph of J.H.P. Davis. Davis is wearing a tweed jacket], photograph, 1879; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8267/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

The marriage took place in Simpson, Kentucky (5, 6). 

John's second wife was Belzora (Belle) Ryon, daughter of James Ryon and Elizabeth Miller, born on 28 October 1850, in Kentucky.

Source: [Belle Ryon Davis.], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1497/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

 

 

Source: [Belle Ryon (Davis) resting her arms on a fireplace mantel], photograph, [1870..1880]; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8227/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

7 October 1896 -19-year-old  ⚭ Mary Elizabeth (Mamie) married Mr. Albert Payton George (7), born in Texas, on 7 October 1873, to Albert Lamar George and Ella Graves.

Source: Morris. [Miss Mamie Davis as a young girl.], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth431/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

🏡 1900 - John (a banker) and Bell lived in Justice precinct #1, Richmond, TX. They employed three servants - Aaron Sherald (age 22), John Spencer (age 18), and George Spencer (age 20), who also lived in their household (8).

Source: [Photograph of Mr. And Mrs. J.H.P. Davis], photograph, 1910; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8236/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

 

Source: [J.H.P. Davis House in Richmond, Texas. Davis standing in front yard.], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth702/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

Source: [J.H.P. Davis bank building], photograph, 1910; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth754/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

12 September 1918 - WW1 time - Tom was drafted (9).

🏠 1920 - Thomas was recorded together with John H P and Bell (age 64) during another census. Ms. Lolla Scott (age 40) was the family house keeper and Mr. Paris Price (age 20) was employed as servant (10).

♦ 31 May 1922- Tom died at the age of 41.

Source: [Thomas Walter (Bud) Davis wearing a felt hat], photograph, [1915..1922]; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8193/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

♦ 22 May 1927 - John Harris Pickens Davis left this world. In his life, besides running a stock farm, he also owned a bank.

Source: [J.H.P. Davis with gray hair and a gray mustache], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8239/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

Mr. Davis very muck resembled his father William 

Mrs. Bell Ryon Davis passed about three years later, on ♦ 4 February 1930 (11).

 Source: [Photograph of Mr. And Mrs. J.H.P. Davis], photograph, [1912..1927]; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8234/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

Sources:
1. "United States, Census, 1860", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFB-WPJ : Mon Jul 08 23:08:39 UTC 2024), Entry for Wm R Davis and J H P Davis, 1860.
"United States, Census, 1870", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGY-BJF : Mon Jan 13 17:08:03 UTC 2025), Entry for William K Davis and Jane Davis, 1870.
3. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLDR-85C : Mon Jan 20 05:25:31 UTC 2025), Entry for J H P Davis and S E Ryon, 10 Feb 1875.
4. "United States, Census, 1880", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFNC-W72 : Sat Jan 11 08:50:03 UTC 2025), Entry for J.H.P. Davis and S.E. Davis, 1880.
5,6. "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1786-1965", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJ9-1XH2 : Sat Feb 24 06:39:56 UTC 2024), Entry for J H P Davis and Belle Ryon, 27 Nov 1888.
7. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL88-93F : Sat Mar 09 10:54:14 UTC 2024), Entry for Albert P George and Mary E Davis, 07 Oct 1896.
8. "United States, Census, 1900", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3G7-R5G : Tue Apr 29 21:15:30 UTC 2025), Entry for John Davis and Bell Davis, 1900.
9. "United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXH-G2G : Tue Apr 29 08:20:38 UTC 2025), Entry for Thomas Walter Davis, from 1917 to 1918.
10. "United States, Census, 1920", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC9C-4WF : Mon Jan 13 06:50:54 UTC 2025), Entry for John H P Davis and Bell Davis, 1920.
11. "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1977", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K33Y-NHL : Mon Jun 09 23:51:40 UTC 2025), Entry for Belle Ryon Doris and F W Hubbard, 4 February 1930.

About Our Motto

Do you ever happen to feel small and/or unimportant? 

Think of this: There are no ordinary people in this world. 

Even if your name is not a famous one and it is only known to your neighbors (or not even known to them), and you are far from being wealthy - you are special and your being here is important. Everybody has their given purpose in life, even when we do not exactly picture what it is. Where you are at this point of your life is not accidental. We all are where we are needed, even though we may not realize why exactly. 

Some years ago, at a social occasion, a man asked me, "What do you do?". 

I did not mention my professional experience, hobbies, or various projects I was engaged in at that time. I just said, "I am a housewife". That I was, beside other things. It turned into a social observation - the man said nothing else to me. He quickly moved to another, more interesting/more meaningful object to talk to.

 

From my experience: I have noticed many people tend to associate/surround themselves with the "great and famous" only. Even if that fame is very much local, or a "great poet" has never published anything and is great in their mind at most (another example from real life). Such people are not attracted to so-called "nobodies". It is alright, though. Whatever resonates with others, does not have to resonate with you.

Once, while sitting in a waiting room, I noticed an elderly lady (possibly in her 80s or 90s). She was sitting opposite me, a bit to the left. The lady's daughter was accompanying her. I did not know who those women were. 

The elderly mother did not speak. Suddenly, to my amazement, I could feel her soul glowing around her. It was like an aura (11 or 12 inches wide) all around her body. The aura was outside of her, but at the same time, it was coming from her insight. No, I did not see it, I just sensed it. The lady's soul felt extremely beautiful as it radiated with pure love. It did quite move me. I tried not to stare, but I could only precept her soul while I was looking at the very person. When the time came I was to leave the waiting room, I could not help telling the women they were beautiful. 

Every person is a story and every life is full of stories.

We all may feel meaningless and helpless at times, but we are not. No one is a separate being. Our influence on the outside world, the way we affect others, the range of the ripple caused by our actions and words is bigger and more complex than we can comprehend.

All in all, every one is special - whether we realize it or not.

PS
Our thoughts and words are important. They carry energy most of us do not pay attention to. Our thoughts and words usually just come and go as we are more focused on the everyday life matters, situations we encounter. 

Have you ever thought that it might be the opposite - that our thoughts and words create those circumstances?

Since all we do, say, and share, both good and bad, comes back to us in one way or another, I am selfish enough not to wish anybody anything bad.

Let us live our lives the best we can, be kind to others, and spread good. For our own sake.

Synchronicities at The Museum

It has happened to us quite a few times - while watching a movie or when in a museum - the time on the clock in a certain place was the same as on our watches/ or our clock.

 

These pictures were taken at Fort McKavett in May, this year. In one of the barracks - an officer's family house - the clocks in the rooms showed the same time as our watches - when we were visiting each of the rooms.

The same was at the Pioneers' Museum not long ago, when we entered the rooms of a pioneer immigrant's house.

 My watch usually shows "more or less" time as I do not care much about setting it very precisely.

 

Some call it energy alignment, some may say it is an example of synchronicity. Others would say "weird or what?".

 

About Dreams

Do you happen to have vivid and/or weird dreams?

It is said that if you remember such a dream even after decades, it means it really happened.

Two examples of such vivid dreams here.

1. I had that dream in the 1990s. In the dream, it was 2021. There was a library at the top of a very tall building. I flew there and got to the music section. I thought I would check what they had on Led Zeppelin. I looked through the files - there was plenty of music data and information related to some strange ethnic bands whom I had never heard of, but nothing about Led Zeppelin. I couldn't believe it. I was astonished - no band names or singers I recognized.

Why did I think about Led Zeppelin in that dream? I do not know.

2. That dream came about 10 years later. I could see bright, white light all around me, and I was part of that light at the same time. I could feel total calmness, peace, joy, and happiness. It felt so very good, and I wanted it to last forever. 

I thought to myself, "I don't want to wake up".

At the very moment, I heard a voice said, "You have to".

And I did wake up at once. It was very disappointing. At least I felt like that - I was disappointed the dream ended.

In my dreams I happen to go through walls, fly to the outer space, create things and make them appear with the power of my mind. Once, I went back to the year 1917 and people there asked me who would win WW1. Then, still in the same dream, I moved to 1956 and was asked again what would the future bring. In both cases I answered "it is not for me to tell".

Another time, while watching a movie on TV,  I was able to put my hands through the television screen and take from the film set whatever I liked there. It was so cool. I wish I could do it all in real.

On the other hand, the dreams I like best are the ones when I am able to heal people and animals, or bring a dry and dead plant back to life, make it green again. It all - just with the touch of my hands.