Submitted by Descendants: Amy Katherine, John Albert, and John Edward BURNETT
Z. A. “Zara” Davis came to the State of Florida and resided in the area that later became Baker County. He was born 26 September 1826 in Bulloch County, Georgia. He was the son of Samuel Davis and Elizabeth Bennett. Z. A. Davis was married to Mary “Pollie” Bennett circa 1847. He moved to Florida prior to 1850 and was listed in the 1850 census for Columbia County, Florida along with his wife and his two year old daughter Lucinda, who was listed as being born in Florida. Z. A. Davis and his wife had the following children:
Lucinda “Cindy” Davis (1848-1896) married Washington Eddy
Braxton Davis (1852-1896) married Jinsie (Last name unknown)
Noah Jefferson Davis (1854-1922) married Emily Sarah Long and 2nd, Lourilla (Altman) Milton
Richard Bailey Davis (1856-1916) married Elizabeth Charity Eddy
Sarah Davis (1858-1931) married Joe Dowling
Z. A. Davis and his family are listed in the 1850 census for Columbia County, 1860 census for New River County, the 1870, 1880, 1885 censuses for Baker County, Florida. In the census records his name is listed as Zacheriah, Zary and he was referred to as Zara in addition to Z. A. His wife’s name is listed as Mary, but on her tombstone it is listed as Pollie.
He and his wife gave land for one of the first schools in Baker County, Florida. An indenture made on 01 February 1888 by Z. A. Davis and his wife Mary to the trustees of School No. #34, gave one acre of land to be used for a public school. The trustees of the school were Noah Davis, J. S. Dowling and W. H. Johns.
Z. A. Davis died on the 05 September 1894 in Baker Co., Florida. His wife Mary “Pollie” Davis died on 01 September 1894 in Baker Co. They are buried at Taylor Cemetery, Taylor, Baker County, Florida. Z. A. Davis and his children lived in the Taylor area of Baker County, Florida. He was a farmer by occupation.
Z. A. “Zara” Davis was first established as a Florida Pioneer in 2006