#3 John Davis Tombstone

    This is the tombstone of Col. John Davis, who lived on Chestnut Tree Hill.

    When Davis was a young man, he favored the English in their quarrels with the colonies. However, he was kidnapped by a British band who swept across the area. They took him with them to Long Island and held him prisoner. He finally escaped, returned to Oxford, and changed his mind about the British. He took the pledge of loyalty to the patriot cause.

    After the revolution, Davis served with the local militia, reaching the office of Colonel. He reached old age and was still an active farmer. At the age of 90 he broke a colt and rode him from Oxford to New Haven. In the summer before he was 93, he went out with the men to mow the meadows.

    He died in 1848 after a fall from his horse.