The quest to trace our family origins can sometimes lead us through a maze of historical events and genetic connections. For descendants of Joseph Davis, whose children were born in Ireland and who appeared in an 1824 lease agreement in County Wexford, Ireland, this journey delves into the rich tapestry of Welsh and Irish history and explores the intriguing world of genetic genealogy.

The Welsh Connection

Davis is a common surname in Wales, but it's also widespread in England, Ireland, and other English-speaking countries. The name is derived from a patronymic system meaning "son of David". In Wales, this process of transitioning from patronymic naming to hereditary surnames didn't become widespread until the late 16th or even the 17th century, which is much later compared to other parts of the British Isles. This late adoption of permanent surnames in Wales forms the first piece of our puzzle.

The Protestant Clue

The religious background of the Davis ancestors provides another clue. They were Protestants, a detail that aligns with many of the settlers who moved from Wales to Ireland during the British colonial efforts of the 17th and 18th centuries. Known as the Plantation of Ireland, this period was marked by the confiscation of land from Irish landowners by the English crown and its subsequent distribution to colonists from Britain, many of whom were Protestant.

This Protestant migration was particularly significant in eastern Ireland, in counties such as Wexford and Wicklow. During this period, Wexford, for instance, became a hub for English-speaking Protestants. This was largely due to its strategic location near the coast and its relative proximity to Wales, making it one of the primary landing spots for those crossing the Irish Sea.

County Wicklow, on the other hand, was established as a county in 1606, around the start of the Plantation period. Wicklow was an area of significant English influence during the early plantation period. Its nearness to Dublin, the epicenter of British control in Ireland, made it a natural destination for English and Welsh settlers.

Joseph Davis, being a Protestant from County Wicklow or County Wexford, aligns well with this historical narrative. If the Davis family had indeed arrived in Ireland from Wales during the 17th or 18th centuries, they would likely have been part of these Protestant communities that settled in counties like Wicklow and Wexford. It is in this historical and religious context that the Davis family appears to have put down their Irish roots.

The Humphrey Connection and Beyond

Several years ago, my father's cousin, Barry Davis, decided to delve deeper into our family history. Barry is a direct patrilineal descendant of Joseph Davis — a fact robustly supported by both traditional genealogical records and modern autosomal DNA testing. To further investigate our family's origins, Barry undertook a 67-marker Y-DNA test.

The results were illuminating. Barry's Y-DNA showed several close matches with various surnames, including Humphrey, Jones, Cox, Davis, and Bridges, suggesting a rich tapestry of connections within the British Isles.

Among these, the Humphrey matches stood out. At a mere 2 genetic steps difference, these matches suggest a quite recent common ancestor in the male line — potentially as recent as the 17th or 18th century. This aligns well with historical records suggesting the Davis family's migration from Wales to Ireland, a period when hereditary surnames were starting to become the norm in Wales.

Barry's other close Y-DNA matches bear the surnames of Jones, Cox, Davis, and Bridges. These names are widespread in the British Isles and add weight to our Welsh ancestry hypothesis.

Perhaps most interestingly, many of these close matches fall within the Y-DNA haplogroups R-M269 or its subclade R-L21. These haplogroups are common among people of Northern and Western European descent, particularly those from the British Isles. This genetic fingerprint adds another piece to the puzzle, further reinforcing the likely Welsh roots of our Davis family lineage.​

Piecing it Together

From the family lore, the timing of the adoption of surnames in Wales, the religious background of the Davis ancestors, and the results of the Y-DNA testing, it appears likely that the Davis family migrated from Wales to Ireland during the period of the Plantations in the 16th-17th centuries.

This hypothesis is supported by the Y-DNA matches with families of Welsh origin, including the Humphries and Jones families, and potentially others. These genetic links suggest a common male-line ancestor, likely around the time that surnames were becoming fixed in Wales.

Tracing family history is a complex process that requires piecing together various pieces of evidence from different sources. This investigation into the Davis family history highlights how genetic genealogy, combined with traditional research methods and historical context, can provide valuable insights into our ancestors' past. However, it's crucial to remember that these conclusions are based on probabilities and general historical context. To achieve more definitive conclusions, detailed genealogical research and/or more comprehensive genetic testing is required.

Regardless of the uncertainties, one thing remains clear: the journey through our family's past is a fascinating exploration of history, culture, and genetics, that brings us closer to understanding our place in the world.

When we look at an old map, we're presented with an opportunity to trace the paths of our ancestors, uncovering the terrain of their lives and stories of their struggles and triumphs. Recently, I was fortunate enough to have such an experience, armed with an map of the concessions and lots of Beckwith Township in Lanark County, Ontario and land indentures in FamilySearch. This map became my time machine, enabling me to trace the land holdings of my ancestors, Duncan Campbell and his son, John Duke Campbell.
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Duncan Campbell, my 4x great-grandfather, was an early settler in Lanark County, who set his roots down by acquiring his first 100 acres through a land grant in 1824, after first settling the land in 1818. This was a period when the government of Canada was encouraging the settlement of the Canadian frontier by offering land grants to individuals who were willing to clear and cultivate the land. Duncan must have proven himself worthy of this grant, and this marked the beginning of his journey as a landowner.

Duncan's land acquisitions didn't stop there; his portfolio expanded through purchases, until he had gathered an impressive total of 450 acres by the time of his death in 1850. Within this expanse, there were 250 acres situated in concession 4, lots 11 and 12, located just above Franktown. This piece of land was bequeathed to his son, Archibald Campbell, through land indentures before Duncan's death. The remaining 200 acres, located in concession 10, lots 10 and 11, were left to another son, Donald Daniel Campbell, also known as Daniel.

Tragedy struck the Campbell clan when Daniel and his wife, Janet Duff, passed away soon after in 1852. Their land was inherited by their children, Donald Daniel Campbell Jr. and Margaret. The children, still too young to manage the land themselves, moved in with family members – Daniel Jr. went to live with John, and Margaret was placed under the care of her mother's parents.

The story of Duncan's eldest son, John Duke Campbell, my 3x great-grandfather, also stands as a testament to the determination and hard work of the era. Following in his father's footsteps, John acquired his first 100 acres through a land grant in 1844. Over the next 18 years, through acquisitions and purchases, he amassed an impressive estate of at least 700 acres.

John's journey as a landowner wasn't static, however. He sold some of his land prior to his death in 1888. After his passing, his wife Elizabeth and his executors sold much of the remaining land, providing inheritances to their children, including my 3x great-grandfather, Peter Campbell, who farmed near Prince Albert in the North West Territory. 
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The journey into my family's past, marked out in rectangles on an old map, has been a profound experience. These lands, skillfully cultivated by my ancestors, served not just as their homes but also as their livelihoods. These tracts of land represent the physical legacy of the Campbell family – a testament to their hard work, perseverance, and enduring presence in the history of Beckwith Township.

Though the lands may have changed hands over time, the memory of my ancestors' steadfast resilience remains, encapsulated in the folds of an 1880 map and the heart of their descendant.

Ancestry is a mystery that often involves painstaking research and the ability to connect loose threads of information. Recently, I re-embarked on a journey to learn more about my 3x great-grandfather, John D. Campbell, and his likely father, Duncan Campbell, of Beckwith Township, Lanark County, Ontario. My expedition took me back into the uncharted territory of digitally unindexed records on FamilySearch, leading to exciting discoveries.

In my previous exploration, solid indirect evidence made a compelling case for the relationship between Duncan and John. For instance, I found Archibald Campbell – listed as an uncle of one of John's children – residing on the land previously owned by Duncan Campbell. This curious coincidence helped me construct the genealogical framework of the Campbell family.

Nonetheless, as the adage goes, "nothing beats direct evidence," and it's on this principle that my research expanded. This time, I had the fortune of finding Duncan's 1849 will, which put forth unequivocal facts. It stated that John was a son of Duncan, and he had sons named John and Archibald. 

"First I give and bequeath to Catherine my dearly beloved wife the sum of one hundred pounds currency to be paid to her by my executors at my decease also the use of a free house to be made fit and comfortable for her reception by my son Archibald at his own expense during the term of her natural life..."

"I also give and bequest to my son John the sum of five shillings currency to be paid to him at my decease... I also will that part of my Real or Landed Estate known as the west half of number eleven in the tenth concession of the township of Beckwith aforesaid be sold after my decease by executors after being duly advertised, and that the purchase money be disposed of in the following manner, that is to say _ Twenty pounds is to be paid to my son John.."

This newfound knowledge furthered my understanding of the family dynamics and filled in gaps previously left by indirect evidence. The land's inheritance provides a possible reason for Archibald's presence on the estate. Additionally, identifying Archibald as Duncan's son solidifies the link between Duncan and John.

During my research, I was fortunate to find academic work by Professor Michael E. Vance, who extensively detailed Duncan Campbell's life. His research presented a broader historical context surrounding the family, shedding light on why they emigrated from Scotland. Duncan's rich narrative, courtesy of Professor Vance, is summarized in Duncan's Wikitree profile.

One discovery that surprised me was the revelation of John's middle name. Contrary to my initial assumption, his middle name wasn't Duncan but Duke. This was a departure from my initial hypothesis but another piece of the puzzle, nevertheless.

My exploration has led me to some fascinating excerpts from wills and land records, each piece contributing to the grand portrait of the Campbell family lineage. While each record unfolded a new chapter in the family story, the task isn't finished yet. With every uncovered detail, there is a further need to revisit the previous research and reshape our understanding of the family history.


​Last Will and Testament of Duncan Campbell 

Land Indenture Regarding the Estate of John Duke Campbell

FamilySearch has a number of records that lack any digital index. Typing in a name for a record search will only pull up those records that have been digitally indexed. There are many sets of records that FamilySearch has not digitally indexed, although the records might have it's own written index.

One of these are the will books of Clark County, Kentucky. And in one of those books, is the last will and testament of Sarah Rippy, my wife's 5x great-grandmother. I had written a proof that Elizabeth Rippey, my wife's 4x great-grandmother, was Sarah's daughter, not her daughter-in-law, but I did it without direct evidence. That will provides direct evidence.

The will mentions Elizabeth as her daughter, who is caring for her in her last days. Elizabeth and her son, John Rippey, lived with Sarah on the 1850 U.S. census, so she is certainly the same person. George Burch served as a witness. George was a neighbour and was also the 1st cousin, 1x removed of Mary Jane Burch, who would marry John Rippey, to become my wife's 2x great-grandparents. 

I Sarah Rippy of the county of Clark and State of Kentucky do make and publish this as and for my last will and testament, herby revoking all other wills by me at any time heretofore made.

1st I desire that after my decease my body be decently intered.

2nd I will and bequest unto by beloved daughter Elizabeth Rippy all my landed estate containing about thirty acres be the same more or less together with all my personal estate of every nature and kind whatsoever, to have hold and enjoy forever, after paying my just debuts and funeral expenses,

3rd whereas my son William V Rippy, and my daughter May Jones living in Missouri are doing will. I have thought proper not to make a donation to them, not from want of affection, but as I am infirm, and my daughter Elizabeth has the care and trouble of me in my sickness, I have thought proper to give her my property.
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4th And lastly I appoint my son G Rippy my Executor to execute this will, this 19th day of May 1853.

Attest Jas H G Bush Sarah (her mark) Rippy
Geo (his mark) Burch

Clark County June Court 1853
This last will and testament of Sarah Rippy deceased was produced in court and proved according to law by the oath of George Burch a witness thereto Subscribed and ordered to be recorded, which is here done.