The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-01-15
Can't. James M. Davis.

IlulnSS Ol the uea'" VI '"''
gentleman will be received with the pro-
foundest regret wherever he was known.
He died at his home in Camden yester-
day morning, after a painful and pro-
tracted illness, in th' 44th year OF his
age.
James Moore Davis, the second son
of the late Rt. Rev. Thomas F. Davis,
D. D.. was born in Wilmington, N. t.,
on the 9th of April 1884, his father
being at that time practising attorney
Of the Wilmington bar. Entering short
ly thereafter the Episcopal ministry, he
removed with his family to Salisbury
where the early boyhood of the subject
of this sketch was spent. His father
being called to the Rectorship of Grace
Church. he came to Camden In the
year 1916, and from that time until
the moment of his death Capt. Davis
was most intimately allied with the peo-
pie among whom he lived. Having
been thoroughly prepared for college
: by that veteran teacher, MIR. Leslie Nc
Candless. he entered the South Carolina
College in 1853, and graduated in the
class Of 1856. Choosing the law for
a profession, he entered the office of his
life long friend, Captain (now judge
J. B. Kershaw, where he pursued his
studies with that care and Industry
which characterized him through life.
He was admitted to the tar in 1883,
and at once entered into copartncrshlp
with his preceptor under the firm name
Of Kershaw & Davis. On the 24th
of November, 1859, he married MISS
Mary Louisa DeSaussure, eldest daush'
ter of Maj. John NJ. DeSaussure, who
survives.
When Governor Pickens called for
volunteers in 1861, he responded at
once, entering the service in Grcgg's lst
sc. ", as second Lieutenant OF the
DeKa,b Rifles from this county. lie
went with his command TO Charleston,
and, after the fal! Of Fort Sumter, to
Virginia, where he remained until July,
1861, when the term, six months. for
which his regiment had enlisted, expired,
and he returned to South Carolina. But
he did not come home to stay, Tor soon
thereafter he returned to the army as
an officer of the 18th s. @. ", ofwhich
he served as adjutant for several years,
and afterwards, until the surrender at
Appomattox, upon the staff Of General
Kershaw, participating in all the
engagements in which his command
took part, and receiving, during the
struggle, several severe wounds, from
one Of which, received at Gettysburg,
he suffered until few months before
his death. Wherever placed he gave
the fullest satisfaction to all with whom
he was associl,ed. Whether with tho
invincible Army of Northern Nir-
cinia, uron the plains Of Chickamauga,
or in the mountain businesses OF East
Tennessee, James Davis was always
Known as the cheerful and conscientious
soldier. who considered tic discharge
Of duty, under any and all circums'an'
ces. paramount 30 every other consldera-
ton. In the army, as in private lie,
tlose who knew him best will revere
his memory most.
Returning home at the close OF the
war. Captain Davis resumed the prac'
tice of his profession, in the .ctive pur'
su;t Of which he continued Until few
weeks before his death, when he was
afflicted with the disease which term'n-
ot.d his life. Hcwas Jealous in every
GOOD work. aud South CaroliGa had no
son. either native or adopted, who was
moro devoted to her interests. in
every enterprise, affecting the welfare
Of his fellow citizens, he bore a proml-
nept part. Iu politics he was outsPo-
ken AZ to his views aud always followed
that course which in his judgment was
proper. Being close observer of the
logic of events, he became an early adv9-
cafe of the movement which resulted IN
the election of Hampton, and during the
campaign Of 1876 none contributed
their time, talents and means more will
lingly than he for the redemption OF
his State. He was tw.ce elected lnten-
dant of Camden, and declined reelec-
tiop for the third term. At the time
of his decease, he was member oi the
board Of Commissioners appointed to
investigate the Indebtedness Of Kershaw
Couty. and, had he lived, there is no
rosi,ivn within the gift Of the cople to