Unknown County GaArchives Biographies.....Davis, Jesse M. 1808 - 1868
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 4, 2005, 1:50 pm

Author: J. H. Campbell

JESSE M. DAVIS.

  The subject of this sketch was born in Wilkes county, Georgia, about the year
1808. He was the son of Rev. William Davis, whose history is also found in these
records, and who had two other sons who were Baptist ministers. Jonathan and
James, who were older than Jesse M. His father was a most interesting character,
as may be seen by reference to his biography, as were also his brothers.

  During his boyhood, Jesse M. Davis labored with his brothers on their father's
farm, and the entire time he attended school could not have exceeded twelve
months. Possessed of a superior mind, and being of studious habits, in this
brief period he acquired the rudiments of a good English education, which he
continued to improve as long as he lived. He was endowed with a portly person, a
commanding presence, a musical voice and ready delivery, and was altogether a
most fascinating speaker. He had few equals as a conversationalist.

  At what age Mr. Davis made a public profession of religion, the writer is not
informed, but it is believed to have been in his early manhood. Upon leaving the
parental roof, he engaged in the practice of law at Elberton, Elbert county. But
he seems to have pursued this calling with but little ardor, and in a few years
to have entirely abandoned it. It is probable this step was taken that he might
devote himself to the ministry, as we find him, at the age of twenty-four, (and
soon after his marriage to Miss Barton,) fully engaged in the sacred calling. By
whom he was ordained, we have not been able to learn, but soon after his
ordination he removed to Lee county, where he resided the greater part of his
life, and where he accumulated considerable property by farming. He was
considered as belonging to the class of "respectable planters." He was married
three times. Of the fruit of his first marriage, Mrs. Weston, of Dawson, and
Mrs. Swann, of Blakely, are yet living. By his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth
Gilbert, he had only one child, E. W. Davis, a highly respectable lawyer, of
Blakely. By his last wife, Mrs. McGooldrick, he had no children.

  His home in Lee county was known as Pleasant Level, and is remembered by many
as a most delightful retreat, not only on account of its ample appointments, but
especially for the noble Christian hospitality with which its visitors were ever
entertained. Though often urged by his friends to allow his name to be used for
worldly offices, he invariably declined, feeling that he already occupied the
highest position to which a mortal can attain—that of an Ambassador for Christ.

  In 1858, he removed from Lee to Decatur county, where he resided during the
war, and by the results of which he was rendered very poor. He bore this reverse
of fortune in such a spirit as might have been expected in a man so eminent for
piety.

  Soon after the close of the war, under an invitation from the church at
Blakely, Georgia, he become its pastor, where he died and is buried. Among other
things that were true of him, the following are deemed worthy of special mention
as being characteristic: That he never received remuneration for ministerial
services until his private means were swept away by the war and he was left
almost penniless; that he never had a personal falling out with any one, in the
church or out of it; that he never indulged in bitter sectarian controversy, and
was beloved by Christians of all denominations; that though he denounced sin,
he-never denounced sinners. He was ever persuasive in manner, kind in spirit,
and was eminently successful in winning souls to Christ.

  After a long and painful illness, borne with the greatest Christian fortitude,
he died August 14th, 1868. Some hours before his departure he blessed and bade
adieu to his family, and announced his readiness for the summons to the other
shore. The following brief extracts from a letter by his daughter, Mrs. Swann.
to her sister, Mrs. Weston, will give a faint idea of the manner of his death:
"For a mouth preceding his departure, he suffered more than tongue can tell or
pen describe. His body was much swollen from dropsy, his breathing painful and
difficult, and his back and hips terribly ulcerated. Thus he lay for many long
and dreary weeks, suffering more, as it seemed to me, than it was possible for
human nature to endure. Yet his hope of speedy deliverance never failed to give
him comfort, and his faith in the Lord Jesus grew firmer and stronger to the
end. Often, when his extreme sufferings would cause his face and body to be
covered with great drops of cold, clammy sweat, he would call upon me to read
the scriptures to him, which he would repeat after me, adding exclamations of
praise and joy. He would frequently repeat stanzas of hymns, and only the day
preceding his death he repeated over and over several times, with apparent
pleasure—

    'Farewell, vain world, I'm going home,
     My Saviour calls, and bids me come.'

  "One night he lay for hours in the most awful agony of pain. I sat by him,
holding his clammy hands in mine, and watched his torture until I felt my heart
would break. Yet there came from his pale, trembling lips these words, 'My Lord,
and my God!' 'My Lord, and my God!' as if his poor soul was struggling through
the billows to get nearer to his Saviour. When somewhat relieved, he said, 'Thus
much, and ten-fold more, am I willing to suffer for His dear name's sake. I
would not exchange the peace of mind which I have, to be at ease and dwell in
all the splendors of earth.' Though sometimes delirious, he never lost sight of
the Saviour, whose name was almost constantly on his lips." He often prayed, and
requested his friends to pray that he might pass away without pain or
struggling. His desire in this respect was granted, for his death was
instantaneous, and without the slightest spasm or contortion.

  Thus passed away a good man, who was greatly beloved by all who knew him,
leaving behind a character, of which his posterity will never have cause to be
ashamed, and an example worthy of being followed by all men.


Additional Comments:
From:

GEORGIA BAPTISTS: HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL
BY
J. H. CAMPBELL,
PERRY, GEORGIA.


MACON, GA.: J. W. BURKE & COMPANY. 1874.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by
J. H. CAMPBELL,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.


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