Submitted by Sharon McMahon
Phoebe Touhig enjoyed retelling the story of her father’s military service during the Revolutionary War. Samuel D. Davis was born in York County, Pa., and served as a substitute for his father who was drafted but chose not to serve. As Phoebe’s obituary recounts, when Samuel was accepted for military service at the recruitment station when he was just over the age of 16, “George Washington patted the lad on the back and said he was glad to have him in the army.”
Mrs. Touhig was born on December 19, 1832 in Carroll County, Ky., when her father was 71 years old. At the age of 18, she moved to Shelby County, and married Albert Talkington of Brazil, Ind. Albert and Phoebe later moved to Tipton County where Mr. Talkington passed away. Her second marriage was to Joseph Thomas, and her final marriage to James Touhig, both of whom she outlived. Phoebe died on May 14, 1923 at the age of 91, having lived in Hamilton County for 45 years. Her last residence was on Harrison Street in Noblesville, and she was laid to rest nearby in Crownland Cemetery.
A REAL daughter is a first-generation descendant of a Revolutionary War patriot, and one who joined the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). In January of 1923, just months before her death, the NSDAR Magazine published a brief story about Mrs. Touhig along with the four-generation family photo. She is the only known REAL daughter in Hamilton County.
As a part of the Horseshoe Prairie Chapter’s (NSDAR) 50th Anniversary celebration, Phoebe will be honored with a commemoration ceremony and NSDAR insignia later this year. The Horseshoe Prairie Chapter invites the descendants of Mrs. Touhig and the public to join in the ceremony.
For more information, please contact Shirley Hunter Smith, 50th Anniversary Chair, at shirley1776@yahoo.com.
Sharon McMahon is the Regent of the Horseshoe Prairie Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.