Searching for my GGF, Thomas Robert Davidson from birth to 1900. Can you help?

Question

My GGF Thomas Robert Davidson was born 1874 and died 1938. He appears in the 1900 census married to my GGM Eliza Preston Davidson.  I have a letter saying he was born in Wayne County, Mississippi and his father was John Hall Davidson and his mother was Kate. I can find no accurate info on his father, his birth, or anything else. Stories from family members say his mother died when he was young and his father left him with Ira Mott, in Washington County, Alabama. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Here is his death info:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDTF-576

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/3GK3-PZM

 

and his burial info:

 

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=davidson&GSfn=thomas&GSmn=r&GSbyrel=all&GSdy=1938&GSdyrel=in&GSob=n&GRid=29506725&df=all&

 

Answer 2

Here is a Ira J Mott listed with his son and wife (WA cty, AL):

http://www.southerncemeteries.org/vital,records/delayed,certificates,washington.html

Answer 3

There is a Thomas Robert Davidson, age 7, listed with his family on the 1880 U. S. Census.  The father's name has been interpreted to be Wm C. and N. C.  It looks like Wm C to me when it's enlarged.  His age is listed as 35 and the mother Melissa is listed as 36.  There are four older sisters and one younger brother on this census taken in Lauderdale, AL.  On another document Malissa Hendrix is listed as the mother.  No D.O.D. found for either.

Family trees on several sites are quite a muddle, not giving sources.  I've seen Thomas Robert's name listed on both family trees.

The John Hall Davidson and Katie Baxter Davidson are listed on the 1880 U. S. Census in St. Louis, Mo.  She is listed as 18 yrs. old, and John is 24.  No child is listed with them.  She was born in MO; his birth place has been listed in both KY and LA.   No D.O.D. for either was found.  She would have been a very young mother if both her and Thomas's birth dates are correct on available records.  So, it might be worth checking into the William C. and Malissa Hendrix connection.