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WHO WAS - W. W. Davison
in Plum Township
Venango County, Pennsylvania
By Howard Strawbridge October 4, 1956

W. W. Davison, one of the leading citizens of Plum Township in his time, was born May 5, 1812, in Mercer County. He was descended from Irish Presbyterian ancestry and the family were early residents of central Pennsylvania from whence Isaac Davison, the father, moved to Mercer County.

In early life W. W. followed the potter's trade. His full name was William Wilson Davison, but people generally called him 'Wilson.'

He married Bithiah Van Dyke who was born Jan. 12, 1811. Her father had been one of the early settlers of Butler County. In 1835 Mr. and Mrs. Davison moved from Centerville, Butler County, to Venango County, settling in Plum Township where he engaged in farming. His 200-acre farm embraced the present village of Sunville with his residence a short distance to the south, being located on the corner just south of the former store building. Here he lived the rest of his life. He purchased this tract from William A. Walker, through Walker's attorney from Philadelphia, for $325. This land had originally been patented to James Pettigrew, a Revolutionary War lieutenant, on Sept. 30, 1787.

Founded Sunville Village

W.W. founded the village of Sunville in 1837. He laid out the lots in what was then a dense forest. A day was set for a public sale and several lots were sold. During the years he dealt much in land purchases and disposals. utterly dozens of deeds are recorded in his name.

In 1838 he and his brother James placed a pottery in operation, but this business never passed beyond the experimental stage.

Four of his brothers with their families settled in the Sunville and Bradleytown areas. They were John, James, Robert and Isaac Davison.

Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Davison were charter members of the Sunville Presbyterian Church which was organized in 1839. He was ordained as one of the elders at the time of the organization. He helped to erect the original church building which was made of logs, and gave the land on which the church was built. He remained an influential member of this church until his death. He also deeded the land for the original M. E. Church.

He was a very public spirited citizen, a man of great business enterprise, and was well known throughout the county. He was for many years a Justice of the Peace. He was also appointed postmaster of Sunville on June 16, 1854, and served for slightly more than a year. The first store in Sunville was opened by him. Years later two of his sons took over the mercantile business. He also maintained a fine library of books in his home.

Was Leading Republican

He was a leading Republican, and was one of the pioneers of that party in Western Pennsylvania.

In 1857 he was appointed associate judge of Venango County and in 1858 he was elected to the position. Under this title he even performed a few marriage ceremonies. He was serving as associate judge at the time of his death.

Mr. and Mrs. Davison were the parents of seven children. They were: Elizabeth J. Davison, Mrs. Isabella Jennings, J. Alexander Davison, Cyrus R. Davison, Mrs. Sarah Davis, Mrs. Mary Cooper, and I. H. Davison.

Mr. Davison like to hunt very much. One wet day he went deer hunting and got entirely soaked. As a result he developed pneumonia and died in his home on May 18, 1862, aged 50.

At his death he owned a 147-acre farm just south of Sunville. Four cows were kept on this farm.

In his will he divided up his possessions among his widow and children. He willed his rifle to his son, Alex. One interesting phase of his will is that he willed two lots north of the M. E. Church to his daughter, Mrs. Mary Cooper, "but my will is that in no case shall she or her heirs or assigns have power to use said lots for a burying ground." Evidently Mr. Davison was opposed to the expansion of the old Methodist burial ground, because he was a Presbyterian and thought that the cemetery behind the Presbyterian Church was sufficient for all. The above mentioned M. E. Church was the original church of that denomination in Sunville with its small cemetery which sat several rods south of the second M. E. Church building which was torn down in early 1947.

The widow, Mrs. Bithiah Davison, died March 1, 1876 at the age of 65.

Transcribed by Penny Kulbacki Minnick
minnick862@verizon.net

Disclaimer:there may be errors due to transcription ofinformation from both early and late (current contributors) work.