Name: W. L. Davidson
Presbytery: Hopewell
Time of Death: April 29, 1890
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1890, page 37]
The Rev. W. L. Davidson was born July 27, 1814, and died, at his home in Greenfield, Tenn., April 8, 1890, after a short but painful illness. He professed religion at Stanley's camp-ground, south of Yorkville, Tenn., in the fall of 1833 or 1834, and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Major John Wilkins' home in Gibson county, Tenn., then a branch of the Trenton congregation. In September, 1837, he was married to Miss Nancy Barton, of Gibson county, Tenn., with whom he lived happily until his death. He joined Hopewell Presbytery at Pleasant Green campground, September 6, 1840. The first text from which he wrote was 1 John v. 12. He was licensed at Dresden, Tenn., July 27, 1842, in connection with Nathan Hopkins. He was ordained at Mt. Carmel, Tenn., October, 1848, in connection with the father of the writer, W. H. McLeskey, and W. B. Moore.
Brother Davidson was a good and zealous preacher, having most influence where he was known best. He assisted in the organization of the old Antioch church, near his old home in Gibson county, Tenn., and was the leading spirit that vitalized that church till his death. He was a good presbyter, filling all the stations of trust, from the church session to the General Assembly. He was not hasty in coming to a conclusion, but when he took a position he was firm, and was not afraid to define his position in his church or community. His council and judgment were sought, and his decision was a settlement with most parties. He and his wife were blessed with a happy family of four sons and four daughters. One of these died in infancy. All the rest lived as they were brought up, giving their hearts to God in childhood. All are members of the church of their father and mother. Two of the sons are ruling elders partaking much of the spirit of their father in church work.
His eldest daughter preceded him to heaven. Those who knew Brother Davidson and his faithful wife are not astonished at the firm Christian life of their children. He used to say that when he asked "Aunt Nancy" to be his wife, it being expected that he would become a preacher, he felt that the prospect did not afford a sufficient surety to her for a living. His love for her therefore moved him to say to her that he would work hard and wait until he had provided her a living before he joined the presbytery. To this she answered: "No, I will not consent to be your wife upon that ground, but, if you feel called, go join presbytery, obey the call, and we will trust God for the living." Thus they have come down the path of life wanting no good thing. Their home always abounded with plenty. While he preached, in his younger days, all over this country, doubtless they have contributed as much money to the church as any one in the bounds of his work.
He was the man that said once to the presbytery, "Yes, if presbytery says so, I will ride the circuit if I have to walk." He has done his work faithfully and well, and gone to his reward. The church session by their committee, Brothers T. G. Barton, A. H. Johnson, and Jip Martin, have drafted suitable resolutions commemorative of his life and death, feeling that their loss is an irreparable one.
God bless the old church he loved so much. I would commend the family to the grace of their father's God, and the Christian's Savior, who will not forget that they are children of promise, embraced in the covenant of their father. His brothers and sisters most of them are getting old. May God bless them all and keep them until that day when they shall meet in heaven.
May God's blessed spirit lead his bereaved wife and bless her
in her great extremity. May she still be led by the Father's hand,
and be so comforted with hope as to forget the losses here in
the expected joys of the hereafter. "And when the last roll
is called I'll be there."
Gardner, Tenn.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, September 4, 1890, page 2]