Andrew Davidson

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 16, 2015

1. Andrew Davidson Marker

Inscription.
Site of the pioneer cabin of Andrew Davidson. While he was absent, Indians burned his cabin, tomahawked his children, and captured his wife. Mrs. Davidson was sold to a Canadian family from whom she was ransomed.

Erected 1973 by West Virginia Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1791.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 15.151′ N, 81° 12.526′ W. Marker was in Bluefield, West Virginia, in Mercer County. It was at the intersection of West Cumberland Road (U.S. 52) and Bland Road (U.S. 52), on the right when traveling south on West Cumberland Road. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 103 W Cumberland Rd, Bluefield WV 24701, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker

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was in the Southern Coalfields.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Bluefield (approx. 1.2 miles away); Bailey Building (approx. 1.2 miles away); Elizabeth Kee (approx. 1.2 miles away); Kee Federal Building (approx. 1.2 miles away); Old City Hall (approx. 1.3 miles away); Peery Building (approx. 1.3 miles away); The West Virginian Hotel (approx. 1.3 miles away); Bluefield Daily Telegraph Building (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bluefield.

Also see . . . Andrew Davidson's Family Killed. Chapter from Emory L. Hamilton's Indian Atrocities Along the Clinch. Excerpt: “In the spring of 1791, Andrew Davidson was living at the head spring of East River, about a half mile below the eastern limits

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 16, 2015

2. Andrew Davidson Marker

of the city of Bluefield, West Virginia. In addition to himself, his family consisted of his wife Rebecca, his three small children, two girls and a boy, and a "bound" boy and girl named Broomfield. The bound children were very young, between seven and ten years old, and were more in the nature of proteges than servants. Mrs. Davidson was a granddaughter of James Burk from whom Burk's Garden received its name. Mr. Davidson had gone on a business trip to Smithfield, formerly Draper's Meadows and now Blacksburg, Virginia. It was the sugar making season, and a few days after her husbands departure for Smithfield, Mrs. Davidson was busily occupied gathering sugar water from sugar trees close to the house. While she was thus engaged, several Indians, who could speak English, came upon the scene. They told her that she and her children must go with them to their towns in Ohio. She was in a delicate condition, and unfit to undertake the long and fatiguing trip she was required to make.

“The Indians went into the house and took such plunder as they wished to carry away, set fire to the cabin, and began their homeward journey with their

Photographed by Dave W, August 18, 2024

3. Andrew Davidson Marker

The area of grass behind and to the right of the traffic pole and the cement block containing a Blue Star marker is where the mounting pole was prior to removal.

six prisoners. When they arrived at a point near where Logan Courthouse, West Virginia, is located, Mrs. Davidson gave birth to a child. After allowing the mother a rest of two hours, the march to Ohio resumed. ” (Submitted on October 24, 2015.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,073 times since then and 1,572 times this year. Last updated on August 19, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 24, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on August 19, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.