Davis Creek Community

                 A BRIEF HISTORY OF DAVIS CREEK Community

                         By James T. Blankenship

        Dictated by James T. Blankenship and written by Fern Dillon

The settlement of Davis Creek dates back to about 1832. First settler was 

Paul H. Davis, who came from Virginia and located on Black Fork then Wayne 

County, but was later divided and the place of his location is now Caboll. 

Mr. Davis laid a land warrant for 622 acres of land and built a house near 

the sight where T. J. Bolin's house now stands, which has been a land mark 

for many years. 

Mr. Davis reared a large family of children; four boys, Paul H. Jr., 

James, and Moses, and one girl, Louisa, who married John Coborn. The older 

families of the Davis' have all passed away, but a large number of 

grandchildren are yet living, of whom some are now teachers in the public 

schools. Davis Creek took its name from the first settlers. 

The next to settle on Davis Creek was Samuel Blankenship who emigrated 

here from Franklin County, Virginia in 1833. From that time he lived in 

Cabell County until his death in 1890. 

Mr. Blankenship had a family of ten children. Those still living are the 

only girl, Fanny, who lives in Florida, and four boys, J. T. of Davis 

Creek, Jeff and E. G. of Huntington, and Reece of Four Pole. The oldest 

boy of the family, M. T. (now deceased) was a local pastor in the M. E. 

Church, South. 

In the following year after Mr. Blankenship came here, (in 1843) John Ward 

located and built his home where R. W. Hensley now lives. Mr. Ward reared 

four boys, Thomas, William, G. W., and David. 

Spottswood Hughes came here from Virginia in 1836 and settled on Davis 

Creek where he reared his family, two boys, L. D. and Ralph and four 

girls, Virginia, Bettie, Anna, and Fannie. 

When the Mexican War began in 1846 Spottswood Hughes enlisted under 

Captain Elisha McCommas and in the beginning of 1847 he went to Mexico, 

but he never returned and it was supposed he was killed in a battle. 

L. D. Hughes the son of Spottswood Hughes reared a large family of girls 

and boys. The girls were: Mary (who taught in the public schools), Alma, 

and Addie. The boys now living are: William, Arnold, and Gallie, who live 

at the old home place. 

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