Son of William Fernilson DAVIS, b. 19 Mar 1788, Union County, South Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location, d. 16 Jul 1846, Rutherford County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location
Mother Sarah "Sally" WOMACK, b. 6 Sep 1793, Rutherford County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Aft 1866, New House, Cleveland County, NC

Hamby and Arabella had eight children. The family was raised on a farm near New House. Hamby served during the Civil War with the "Sandy Run Yellow Jackets". Enlisted with his brother Simon with Capt. Edwards 34th Regt. "Hamby was tough as whitleather and was shot and 'skelped' a number of times but never seriously hurt" . (Info taken from CIVIL WAR HISTORY by James C. Elliott) See notes on Simon D. Davis.

He is identified in "North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865 as being wounded in the arm at Gaines Mill, Virginia on June 27, 1862 and then captured at the North Anna River, Virginia on about May 24, 1864. He was confined at Point Lookout, Maryland on May 30, 1864 until paroled on or about March 14, 1865 and transferred to Boulware's Wharf, James River, Virginia where he was received on March 16th for exchange.

The 34th Regiment participated in some of the more famous engagements of the Civil War; Mechanicsville, Gaines Mill, Frazier's Farm, Malvern Hill, Cedar Run, Manassas Plains, Ox Hill, Bolivar Heights, Sharpsburg, Shepardstown, Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Hanover Junction, Second Cold Harbor, Riddle's Shop, Petersburg, and Appomattox Court House when Lee surrendered.

A. P. Hill's Corps. were the first Confederate columns to reach the vicinity of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863 (Day 1 of the Battle of Gettysburg) with Heth's Division in advance and Pender's (34th Regiment) following a few miles distant in support. Heth's Division rapidly engaged the Federal forces at Willoughby Run (a creek). Pender's Division was the first of the Confederates to come in support and took a support position for Pettigrew's Brigade who held the Southern front.

Scales Brigade with the 34th led by Colonel Gordon charged McPherson Ridge driving the Federal line back to Seminary Ridge. The Confederate forces then assailed Seminary Ridge with Scale's Brigade (34th Regt.) at the extreme west of the Confederate line.

"After heavy fighting and serious losses we passed up the ascent, crossed the ridge and commenced the descent just opposite the Theological Seminary"; General A. M. Scales.

Nightfall of the first day found Hill's Division in possession of Seminary Ridge.

"The first day was a real North Carolina day. It was fought by 32 North Carolina Regiments and 2 North Carolina battalions along with a total of 36 other regiments from other Southern states. In this first engagement, while other brigades suffered heavily, those of NC fared the worst. Scales Brigade (34th Regiment included) suffered heavily, as did all of them."
- Taken from the Confederate Veteran, "The First Day at Gettysburg", by Capt. S. A. Ashe of Raleigh, NC

Hamby is mentioned in a letter from Ancil Dycus to his wife, written on May 29, 1864, in which he says that Hamby is missing and feared in the hands of the Yankees.

In the 1900 census Hamby is living in the house next to John Jiles Greene and Charlotte. Hamby is listed as the Head of household with his youngest son "Dexter" and Dexter's wife Mary.

Hamby's family is listed in the 1880 census living at the homeplace with Arabella and eight children. His first wife was Sarah Melton.

LDS AFN is 2JSL-19

Buried in Sandy Plains Church Cemetery with both wives.