Dolor Davis

Dolor Davis was born sometime before 1600, in Kent, England. He married Margery Willard in 1624 in England. Margery's brother Simon would become a lifelong friend of Dolor Davis. Nothing is known of him until he sailed to America in 1634. He quickly bought 25 acres (10 ha) of land on the west side of the river in Cambridge, Massachusetts.^[1] On April 17, 1635, his wife and three kids arrived on the Elizabeth, and they decided to live in Cambridge. On June 4, 1635, Davis bought a lot of half a rood for a home, which was located on what is now the corner of Winthrop and Dunster streets.^[2]

However, Davis and his friend Willard decided not to stay in Cambridge, like many of the settlers during the years of 1635-1636. In August of 1635, Davis and Willard sold their land in Cambridge to Richard Girling.^[2] It is unknown where Davis lived for next few years, but it was most likely Concord. He moved to Duxbury in 1638, and in 1638 tried to become a freeman of Duxbury, but was rejected.^[3] During the year of 1640, Davis was granted 50 acres (20 ha) and land for his cows to graze. He became a member of the Duxbury Church in 1640 as well.^[4]

Barnstable

In 1643, Davis moved again,this time to Barnstable. He and his sons appeared on a list of men in Barnstable between "16 to 60 years of age to bear arms".^[5] In June 1645, he was sworn in as a member of the Grand Inquest of Plymouth Colony. He also tried to become a freeman, and a year later he became a freeman of Barnstable.^[6] In 1652, Dolor Davis was chosen as a surveyor of highways in Barnstable. In 1654, he was then chosen to become the constable of Barnstable.^[7] He continued to live in Barnstable and practice his trade as a carpenter until he left for Concord in 1655.

Concord

In 1655, Davis moved again, this time to Concord, Massachusetts, his home for the next 11 years. He bought 152 acres (62 ha) of land, in an assortment of different parcels, from Roger Draper of Concord.^[8] This property soon became Davis's homestead in Concord. He also met up with his friend Simon Willard while he lived in Concord. In 1659, he was recorded as one of the landowners in Concord. Sometime during his stay in Concord, his wife Margery died. Alone, he left Concord in 1666 back to Barnstable. He spent his last years of his life in Barnstable, until he died in 1672.

Pronunciation of his first name

Dolor Davis's name is pronounced dollar. Throughout his life, the variations of his name are spelt Dolor, Dolar, Dolard, Dolord, Dolore, Dollard, Dolerd, Dollerd, Dollar and Dollar.

Marriage and children

Dolar Davis married Margery Willard of Horsemonden, Kent, in 1624. Margery Willard was born sometime around 1602, as that is when she was christened. They had six children, three who were born in England and the other three born in America. They were:

• John, born 1626, England
• Mary, born 1631, England
• Elizabeth, born 1633, England
• Samuel, born 1635, Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Simon, born 1640, Massachusetts
• Ruth, born 1645, Barnstable, Massachusetts

References

1. ^ Town Records of Cambridge
2. ^ ^{a b} Cambridge Proprietors Records
3. ^ Plymouth Colony Records, Volume 1
4. ^ Duxbury Parish Records
5. ^ Plymouth Colony Records, Volume 8
6. ^ Dolor Davis : a sketch of his life with a record of his earlier descendants (1881) by Horace Davis
7. ^ Plymouth Colony Records, Volume 3
8. ^ East Cambridge Registry of Deeds

Persondata
Name	Davis, Dolor
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Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death	1672
Place of death