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Note: Peter Davault was the second child of Frederick and Margaret Davault. He was born on the joint homestead of Frederick and Valentine Davault located at DeVault's ford on the Watauga River in Wasshington County, Tennessee. Peter was ten years old when his parents moved to the new community of Leesburg, Tennessee. Frederick constructed the DeVault Tavern at Leesburg and Peter lived there until he married Mary Hoss on October 27, 1831. A Tennessee court record dated 11 October 1830 says that Peter was the overseer of the road from east of Bowman's house to the west end of the long bridge. The record also states that Peter's brother Henry was one of several helpers. Peter's term as overseer ended on October 11, 1831. These dates are important as several old histories state that Peter arrived in Missouri before 1831. This earlier date appears to be incorrect. Peter was married to Mary Virginia Hoss on October 27, 1831. Shortly after the marriage, Peter, his wife, Mary and Peter's brother, Henry, left for Missouri. They traveled in two wagons drawn by oxen. Peter and Mary homesteaded a tract of land on the Boone's Lick Road. It was located about a mile from the future town of New Florence. Their first home was a log structure of two rooms separated by a covered entrance. The house was said to provide protection from "the red man and his strange associates, already there." Like his father, Peter, began to cater to travelers along the road, providing a place to rest and obtain refreshments. Like his father's place, this place soon became known as the "Davault Tavern." In the census of 1850, Peter's property was valued at $9,000.00. By 1860 the valuation had increased to $39,000.00 -- the largest of any of the grandsons of Henry Dewald of York Co., Pennsylvania. For his time Peter was a very wealthy man. When Peter died, he left no will. His son, Fred, administered the estate and signed an affidavit on October 8, 1907, 35 years after Peter's death. (The original records were destroyed by fire on April 12, 1901.) Peter and his wife were both buried in the Davault Family Plot across the road from their house. When Virginia (Maughs) Davault Loyd (widow of Peter's brother Henry) died on October 7, 1895, she was buried in the New Florence Cemetery. Twenty-three days later, Fred and Alf Davault removed the body of their uncle, Henry, and placed it beside that of his wife. They also transferred the bodies of Henry and Virginia's two sons, Elijah and John, the body of their Aunt Catherine, who died in 1850, and the bodies of Peter and Mary Davault. The Peter Davault Homestead is located on the Old Boone's Lick Road, one mile south of the present site of New Florence. It is also 4 1/2 miles east of Danville and is along the line of the state highway. The place passed into the possession of descendents of his daughter, Catherine, who married David Knox. By 1968 the old building had been destroyed to make room for Interstate 70.
Letter from Peter Davault to his brother John Davault dated May 30, 1840.
Mr John Davault Leesburg, Washingt Tennessee May 30 1840 Dear Brother: I now take my pen in hand to inform you that we are all enjoying health at present. Henry and his family also the same blessing. I received your letter dated April 10 which gave me great satisfaction to hear from you and that all are well and doing well, particular Father and Mother, for I long to hear from them at times, we get letters seldom. I believe with you, the way they have been slipping off from them is a caution, but I am afraid that the place has become so slippery, that there will be more slipping done yet before very long and leave the old folks by themselves. Tell David I have first honored father with his name. I have a boy a year old before yesterday, which I call Frederick and define any one to show a pertine boy than he is. He has been walking for some time and can begin to talk. Little Henry is going to school in Danville and can read quite well and commencing to write and will soon write you a letter. Tell Mr Duncan he must not think hard of me for not writting him before. He wrote a very fine letter, but most too mysterious on politicks for me to comprecate; tell him he must not decline writting to me for I shall write him an answer yet soon some time when I have a leisure moment or too. I have nothing of importance to write you at this time. The politicks of this state is card to a great extent; there was in St Louis the largest meeting that has ever been seen in the west, there was thought to have been 3.000 people, besides the city, pulling canoes and log cabins and buildings of dimentions made of logs and sticks; even went so far as having wagon beds full of clay and men on them digging graves; and coffins setting on them as they went along. I have to send a letter tonight, and it is getting late. I will stop for the present, I intend to have said more. Your affectionate brother, Peter Davault Note: This letter was sent before the time of stamps. The envelope was a plain sheet of paper, folded and the back sealed with sealing wax. The letter had been placed and remained for almost 100 years in a wooden mail pouch where it hung in the DeVault Tavern, Leesburg, Tennessee. In 1946, the letter was given to Newland DeVault by John's son, Russell DeVault. Today (2004) the letter is in the possession of Newland's daughter, Jean (DeVault) Switzer. In 1999 I was told by Mary (DeVault) Butcher, present owner of the Davault Tavern (Tennessee), that the mail pouch had been stolen some years ago. Addendum: Sometime before Jean Switzer passed away, she gave some of Newland's materials to Marcy Lombardi, including the above letter.
Note: Fourteen months after receiving this letter, John Davault, of Leesburg, made a trip to Missouri on horseback to see his brothers Peter and Henry and his sister Catherine (Davault) Crawford. When he arrived at Peter's home, neither Peter nor his wife Mary knew him and they would not believe it was he until John showed them his name in his hat band. John had been 12 years old when Peter left Tennessee, he was now 22. John stayed 58 days. He left Missouri on November 16, arriving back at Leesburg, Tennessee on December 11, 1841. He spent 19 days traveling to Missouri and 25 days on the return trip.
PETER DAVAULT BUYS BEATTIE SAYERS HOMESTEAD
Several deads in the possession of Tracy DeVault describe the purchase by Peter Davault of 160 acres described as the Southwest 1/4 of Section 26 of Township 48 Range 5.
Know all men by these presents that I Beattie Sayers of the County of Pulaski of the State of Virginia in consideration of the sum of Eight Hundred and Eighty Dollars to me paid which I do hereby acknowledge to have received of Peter Davault of the County of Montgomery in the State of Missouri do grant bargain and sell unto the said Peter Davault his heirs and assigns the undivided eleven twentieths of the following Real Estate lying and being in the County of Montgomery and State of Missouri and know as South West quarter of Secton Twenty Six Township Forty Eight Range Five West containing one hundred ands sixty acres it being the same land entered by Beattie and Alexander Sayers at the land office in St Louis Missouri in the year 1819 and patented to said Beattie and Alexander Sayers in the year 1824, by the United States, And for myself and my heirs do convenant with the said Peter Davault his heirs and assigns That I will warrant and defend the premises hereby conveyed against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 9th day of November AD 1858. Beattie Sayers
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Hamilton Sayers
Note: There are two other deeds for this same property. The first recorded the 24th of December, 1847. This deed appears to be a county sale to Peter Davault because the property taxes were deliquent. On the 2nd of March 1874 this deed was cancelled and replaced on "account of irregularity."
OBITUARY - The St. Louis Christian Advocate - 21 Aug 1872; a weekly publication of the Methodist Episcopal Church (Article found in Missouri Obituaries 1880 - 1882, Vol 3, Page 7, LDS Church Fiche 6010714.)
Peter Davault died at his home in Montgomery Co Mo, 16 Apr 1872, aged 64 years. He was born in Leesburg, Washington Co TN 28 Mar 1808. He was married to Miss Mary Hass [Hoss] in 1831; moved to MO in 1832, and joined the Methodist Church in 1834 under the preaching of Rev. Andrew Monroe. For 40 years he lived in the same community, thirty-eight of which was in fellowship with the church. He raised 8 children, all men and women grown, 4 of which are ornaments to our church, one of which fills the chair of Professor of Languages, Mathmetics and Physics in Central Female College, Lexington MO. One of his last acts of his life was to give 150.00 for the erection of a church in New Florence, near by where he lived. He lived to see it completed, and heard one sermon preached in it - the dedication sermon by Bishop Marvin. His funeral was preached in it by the writer on the fourth Sabbath in July. His lonely and bereaved widow is waiting to cross over and be with him whom she walked in this life for 40 years. H H Craig.
GRAVE MARKER
PETER DAVAULT DIED APRIL 16, 1872 AGED 64 Years 18 Days
Newspaper Articles published about 1913 describe the placement of a marker at the site of the Davault Tavern by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
DAVAULT TAVERN
In the spring of 1828, following the path of Daniel Boon, as laid out in 1815, came Peter Davault with his wife, Mary Hoss and took permanent abode upon the tract of land where John U Knox now resides -- the passing of Pioneers over the old Trail being traveled to-day, had been common for some years, but with that nomadic idea of something better farther on, so when Mr. and Mrs. Davault arrived, vast prairies laid to the north, deep woodlands to the south, with not a neighbor within ten miles. Peter Davault, the pioneer, was a son of Frederick Davault, of Jonesboro, Tennessee. He a son of Henry Davault, born in France, coming to America in 1764, landing near Philadelphia, but soon taking up his abode in Hanover County, Pennsylvania, where he passed the period of the Revolutionary War. Henry Davault died at the age 85 years. Leaving Jonesboro, Tenn. Peter Davault and wife, then but a short time married pressed their way by ox teams to this place. A double log house with a broad hallway between was soon erected and protection given against the red man and his strange associates already here. This at once became the Davault Tavern and the Pilgrimager plodding his way westward was given rest and refreshment. The Tavern became the stopping place of tradesmen, as many as 20 men with teams were cared for at a time. Prices were not as to-day a single meal was 15c, Supper, lodging and breakfast with team cared for, was only 50 cents. Great droves of cattle, hogs and turkeys rested here over night. Slaves cared for the dining room while "uncle Sam" whos body lies in the graveyard just to the northward, watched the turkeys until they found a roost in the trees or upon the fences. In 1849 as caravan after caravan passed by, enroute to the gold fields of California, the double log house gave away to a large brick house 2 1/2 story high. The brick for this building were burned just across the road to the east. The present foundation as seen was a part of the brick building. The present frame building took the place of the brick in 1865*. To Mr. and Mrs. Davault were born nine children, Henry, Abraham, Frederick, Alf, John, Kittie, Lou, Emma and Mary. Mr. Davault lived until 1872 and Mrs. Davault until 1882. Four children yet live, John, Fred, Alf and Lou, the latter two rejoiced in being present at the dedication. As the Davault Tavern marker shall stand as a memorial to the Pioneer who braved dangers and hardships that civilization might penetrate westward, may it also stand as an incentive to progress, peace and happiness for the many millions yet to pass over the great National Old Trail.
*Note: According to Eugenia (Garrett) Davault, the bricks were defective and part or all of the structure was replaced; many of the old bricks being used inside the walls of the wooden structure. Eugenia was raised not far from the Davault Tavern and recalled that many peacocks often seen strutting about the place.
MARKERS DEDICATED
In Spite Of Rain, Mud and Cold The D. A. R's Carry Out Program.
All honor in the pluck and grit of the D. A. R's. When Gov. Majors appointed Mrs. Mark S. Salisbury of Kansas City, Mrs. Geo. B. McFarlane of Columbia, State Regent and Mrs John VanBrunt of Kansas City to have charge of the markers on the Old Trail, he evidently knew his ladies. This was the week of dedication, starting in at St. Louis all went well until Foristell was reached. By fighting mud, bad roads and etc., Warrenton was reached. The Wabash was used to Jonesburg were Wednesday, just after lunch the Cross Keys tavern marker was dedicated, and the one at Lewiston as well, with the same ceremonies. The school children sang America, presentation speeches were made by Mrs. Salisbury and Deputy State Highway Engineer Hawkins, acceptances by Mrs. Wardie Ebert Regent of the local chapter and Dr. J. L. Jones. Undaunted, the ladies braved the heavy rains, and muddy roads, however abandoning the automoile and taking to hack, just as Pioneers did of old, they drove to the Davault Tavern, which was reached at 4 o'clock. The marker for this point was in the car at noon yet when the ladies arrived it was duly in place. A program of special interest had been arranged but was canceled on account of the rain. Upon their arrival Mr. and Mrs. John Knox entertained for a few moments after which Mrs. Van Brunt representing the state D. A. R's in a flow of language, eloqunt and full of inspiration presented the marker. This was approved by State Commissioner Hawkins. Mr Alf Davault who was born and reared at the old place in a few words received the marker. Mrs. Chas A Bast of Mexico presented a sketch of the tavern. The ladies drove to Montgomery City and were entertained in the evening by Montgomery Chapter. Thursday morning Danville and Mineola markers were formally dedicated and the trip continued on to Fulton. At Mineola Mrs. Emma Graham made the acceptance for the D. A R's and Mr. Ben Graham for the County.
LETTER from Emily Louise Cardwell Nunnelly, 22 Sep 1988; in possession of Catherine Cook;
Peter Davault home gone in the 1960's to make way for the four-lane I-70 which took the place of the road that was 1st the Boons Lick and then highway 40, on New Florence Cemetery lot #36 purchased 23 Dec 1906 for $10 for 10 grave sites are buried Peter and Mary and their daughter Mary Virginia. These persons were moved to this lot from the Davault family Cemetery. The tombstones are thin white stones and are broken.
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