Dear Marcie:
I just returned from the East Coast, researching and spending time with No. 2 daughter and family.
Yes, when I first came to Davenport, I heard so many stories about Col. George Davenport, that I thought I would
try to prove or disprove some of the savory ones. I only found the truth to be much blacker than the rumors. The
story has been very popular with various organizations. Luckily there are no survivors of the two sons of the Col.
Lida Greene would like me to do the story for the Annals, but I am not a writer. Of course, Zachariah Goldsmith
appears and there is enough for a whole new story. I'll tell you briefly how it goes.
The Col. was born in 1783 in England as George King. He came to the U.S., entered service and married Margaret
Bowling Lewis (sometimes spelled Louis), a widow, who was 17 years older than himself. She had two children William
and Susan who was a child of 5 when they were married in 1805. In 1816, August 16 Margaret Davenport with her two
children, came to Ft. Armstrong, where George was supplying the troops with food.
In 1817 George and his step-daughter, Susan, had their first child, George L'Oste and in 1823 they had another
son Bailey. Margaret, Susan, George Sr. and the two boys all lived together on the Island.
The Col. was murdered on 4 July 1845 and his wife Margaret died 23 August 1847. They were both buried in a plot
behind the "mansion" on the island and later interred in Chippiannock. (cemetery in Rock Island). Susan
Lewis Goldsmith is buried beside her mother. (Instructions in her will)
The Rev. Z. Goldsmith preached the funeral sermon of the Col. and the text is in "Banditti of the Prairie."
he was the first minister to hold regular Episcopal services in this area and the first service was Thursday 14
Oct. 1841. He divided his time between Rockingham and Davenport. He continued until 1849 when he was displaced
from the ministry. He resigned 3 April 1849. On 19 June, 1849, Susan Lewis married for the first time the Rev.
Zachariah Goldsmith. He died in the summer of 1854 from Delerium tremons but Susan had divorced him previously.
It is such a sad story, Marcy, as he wasn't even buried by the church and I have a record of his 8 years of baptisms,
marriages, etc.
I have not had time to do more research on this man and I only have abstracted the will but will pass on to
you what I have and can get more if you wish. It seems that George Jr. was not fond of Goldsmith and kept bringing
suit against him concerning property that Susan had deeded to him. When he died he still owned quite a bit of Davenport
property.
I am sending the notes that I have and hope that you will find them useful. I would love to help if you should
want to do more research on this man.
Oct. 21, 1841 we are happy to learn that the Rev. Mr. Goldsmith, late of Prince George County, Virginia has been
selected by Bishop Kemper of the Protestant Episcopal Church to preside over the parishioners of Davenport and Rockingham
and when convenient to visit our neighbors of Rock Island. As a friend to morals and good order, we hail his arrival
amongst us with pleasure, and trust his labors may be abundantly blessed in this wild but beautiful region. We
are requested to state that service will be held on the coming Sabbath at half past 2 p.m. in Taply's room nearly
opposite the LeClaire House. --Davenport Gazette
Mrs. Susan M goldsmith died in Rock Island, on 8/5/1878 at the residence of her son, Bailey Davenport where
she had lived for 20 years or more. She was born at Erie, Pa. in 1801 and was 77 years old at the time of her death.
Davenport Gazette: 20 March 1851 "The Gazette allows Goldsmith an advertisement at the usual rates and article
relative to Goldsmith's Ecclesiastical trial which was recently held and was slanderously reported by the Banner."
(Marcie, I tried to locate the article in the Banner but didn't find it, neither did I spend much time on it.)
Goldsmith's will: Children John Mason Goldsmith and Mary Mildred Goldsmith. Nephew, Zachariah H. Blakistone
received the house on the corner of Maine and 7th for kindness to my 2 children. 2 girls in the house of Isaac
Little received $15. A niece, Precilla B Blackstone. Should his children died before age 21 his nephew ZD, Blackistone
P10 Milestown St. Mary's County Maryland.
Wm. Collins (brother in Sons of Temperance) August 2, 1854 and probated 4 day Sept. 1854. (letter incomplete)
