Davidson's land in Leeds

Isn't the Internet a wonderful thing?????

Through using books and the Internet we can now pinpoint where Davidson's land was.

Using Family Maps of Jefferson County: Homesteads Edition by Gregory A. Boyd, J.D. (Arphax Publishing Co. Www.Arphax.com), we learn that Davidson's land was located at Alabama's Twp 17-S, Range 1-E, Section 21 on the Huntsville meridian.

Next we go to Earthpoint.us/townships.aspx. Enter the coordinates as listed above. Press "enter." You will get the latitude and longitude of the section. Next ask to fly it on Google Earth. (You may have to add the free app.) When you do, the satellite pictures focus on the requested location BY MAGIC!!

The pinpoint is in the center of the section. Referring to Davidson's parcel on Family Maps, you can see that the parcel is to the right and just a bit lower than the pin. Which puts Davidson's land along a road along the outskirts of the big quarry and pits. This land is probably owned by the Portland Cement Company/Lehigh Cement. Lehigh Cement celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1997, according to a flyer on display at the Jonathon Bass House and Museum.

Why is this important?

In 1884 James McLaughlin got Davidson's heirs to sign off on their shares so he could sell the property. Guess where James's family's land was? You got it: same section as Davidson's. Guess who's located there now, too? Yup. Lehigh Cement.