The Davisons origins
are still unclear, some clues are given by Johns son-Henry who in his detailed
will of 1604 leaves considerable property in Norton St.Phillips and Shepton Montague
to his children. The property in the latter known as Knowle Park still stands
as a much altered farmhouse in the village, and there is a record of John Davison
of Norton St. Phillips in a document dated 1583. In the same year there is a record
for Freshford for" John and his fellowes-one named William Gibbs". The
document that reveals his prominent place in the village is the 1588 listing of
those in Somerset who contributed to the Defence of the country at the time of
the Spanish Armada. He gave £50 a considerable sum at the time, which must
of held him in good stead when he later was able to buy the Manor of Freshford
and considerable property from Queen Elizabeth1 for just £49-16-3d. This
historic document has come down to us thanks to the survival of the Methuen Archives,
now at Wiltshire Record office in Trowbridge, which contain many of the early
documents relating to the family. To see an illustration of this beautiful vellum
manuscript click on the picture in the side panel.. He settles his property on
his son -Henry, who himself gives to his own son his house- Pittes Place in the
same year of 1603.
If you are interested to see more on John Davison click on Freshford
Manor Deed for 1603 and Armada List
for 1588with John Davisons entry. The family tree for the Davisons family
can be seen by clicking on Davison`s
Tree.