Home site of Irish immigrant and early pioneer George Davidson (died 1760). Davidson came to the United States in the early 1740s, settling initially in Pennsylvania. In 1750, Davidson moved to North Carolina, making his home in the Catawba River Valley. George Davidson was a planter and operated a tavern on his plantation, selling food and drink to newcomers to the area and to traveling traders. By the late 1750s, Davidson’s family consisted of his wife (the widow Margret Simmerel), three sons (George, William, and Samuel), a daughter, and a step-son (James Simmerel). George Davidson’s most distinguished son was Revolutionary War General William Lee Davidson (1746-1781), who was killed at the Battle of Cowan’s Ford in 1781 and for whom both Davidson College and Davidson County are named.
Location (approximate): 35.5490, -80.8855
Sources:
Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation. nd. “Early History of Davidson and Lake Norman Area” Available: http://www.catawbariverkeeper.org/about-the-catawba/catawba-history/early-history-of-davidson-and-lake-norman-area
North Carolina Office of Archives & History. nd. “William Lee Davidson.” Available: http://www.ncmarkers.com/print_marker.aspx?id=L-23
General William Lee Davidson Collection. Davidson College Archives, file number DC060.