Bluefield in Mercer County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Andrew Davidson
Erected 1973 by West Virginia Department of Archives and History.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • 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. 37° 15.151′ N, 81° 12.526′ W. Marker is in Bluefield, West Virginia, in Mercer County. Marker is at the intersection of Cumberland Road (U.S. 52) and Bland Road (U.S. 52), on the right when traveling south on Cumberland Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bluefield WV 24701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bluefield (approx. 1.2 miles away); Elizabeth Kee (approx. 1.2 miles away); West Virginia (Mercer County) / Mercer County (approx. 1.6 miles away); Bluefield State Teacher’s College (approx. 1.8 miles away); Bluefield State College (approx. 1.9 miles away); Bluefield College (approx. 2.2 miles away in Virginia); Tazewell County Va./West Virginia (approx. 2.7 miles away in Virginia); Bluefield Virginia (approx. 5.3 miles away in Virginia). 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 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 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 June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 942 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 24, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.