“MRS. PHILA (KIES) DAVIS came of a family which has long been known in Connecticut. It is a family tradition that the first of whom there is definite record—Ebenezer McKee (as the name was then written), the Killingly settler—or his parents, were from Scotland. Ebenezer McKee is first of record in Killingly, Conn., in 1713, on the 19th of April, of which year two of his children were baptized in the old Killingly church on Putnam Heights. The name gradually underwent a change, first in the dropping of the ‘Mc’ and finally to Kies by this branch of the family in 1710…."

Her parents were Wilson Keys, born September 13, 1774, and his first wife, Betsey Hulet, who died February 18, 1829. “Randall and Phila (Kies) Davis were married March 18, 1818, and to them were born the following family: Eliza A., born Dec. 21, 1819, married Dec. 21, 1852, Philetus King; Maria A., born Dec. 31, 1821, married Oct. 12, 1861, James Darling; Elvira, born May 21, 1823; Joseph W., born May 23, 1826, married Sarah Chamberlain, and their children were Edwin and Walter; Mary E., born June 5, 1828, married April 5, 1853, Edward Davis, and they have one child, John R.; George R., born Jan. 24, 1831, married Betsey Warren, and their children were Frank, George (deceased), and Minnie M. (now Mrs. Dr. Warren); Phila F., born May 14, 1834, married Charles Dorrance, and they have no children; Ellen L., born March 4, 1837, married George Lloyd, and they have no children; and Edwin W., born April 25, 1839, married May Benham, and they have three children: Vinnie D., Joseph V. and Aida E.

“They story of Randall Davis and Phila Kies Davis, his wife, is of interest, not so much for what they did as for what they were, and the influence they left in Danielson through their descendants. We first hear of them as keeping a hotel in the south part of the borough of Danielson, in the large house afterward occupied for many years by Edwin Ely, our largest dry goods merchant, which is still in good repair, being used as a Romish convent. This was in the days of turnpikes, stages and toll gates, when frequent relays of horses were needed, and travelers often required meals and a night’s lodging.

“Afterward he bought a farm near the northern part of the borough, where he lived many years and where most of his children were born. Later, he built a commodious and more modern structure near by, where he lived until his death.

“The old house is still remembered by some. It stood on a gentle eminence on the east bank of the highway, now Main street, leading to Dayville. It was two stories in height, painted red, as was the fashion of the time, and was overshadowed by a magnificent elm, while tall lilacs with great clusters of purple bloom grew near the door way. A little south of the house a pretty brook spread out into a broad pool by the roadside, furnishing cooling refreshment for tired and thirsty man and beast.

“Here grew up five daughters and three sons, and in the kindness of their hears, Mr. and Mrs. Davis made room for two lone orphan boys, upon whom they bestowed the same care and education which they gave their own children….

“Mrs. Davis was a church member and a constant attendant at service, when able, even to old age, and the large family of growing sons and daughters filled the long pew each Sunday. The daughters all married, the oldest son, Joseph, and the youngest, Edwin W., went West and engaged successfully in banking; the second, George R., became a prosperous farmer in the home of his boyhood; and an adopted son, George Lloyd, became a prominent citizen in business and educational affairs. The youngest son, Edwin W., came back for occasional visits, bringing his wife and children, and on one of these visits gave to his native place—the home of his boyhood—a tract of land in the center of our borough, which is now our beautiful ‘Davis Park,’ with its soldier’s monument and cannon, its fountain, its music stand, its flower beds and winding paths, to be held forever as a filial tribute and loving memorial to the memory of his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Randall Davis. [Mrs. C. H. N. Thomas.”

--Commemorative Biographical Record of Tolland and Windham Counties Connecticut Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and of Many of the Early Settled Families, Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1903, pp. 163-164.