Maria Davies

Miriam “Maria” Harris Davies

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Birth: Circa 1819 in London, England

Death: February 16, 1901 in Victoria, B.C.

Plot: Row F – Plot 30

Gravesite Details:
A shaft carved from Beaver Cove marble by Mortimer & Reed once stood on the granite base.

Inscription:

REST
MARIA DAVIES
Relict of J. P. Davies
Died
February 16th, 1901
Aged 82 years.

Transcription:

Rest
Maria Davies
Relict of J. P. Davies
Died
February 16th, 1901
Aged 82 years.

Biography:
Maria Harris was born in London, and could trace her family history to the expulsion of Jews from Portugal in 1492. As a young woman Miriam Harris went to Sydney, Australia and became an umbrella maker. In 1843 at the age of 24 she married Judah P. (J.P.) Davies. She helped him run a business and had three children (Elizabeth, Joshua, and Cecilia).

Attracted to California by the gold rush, the family set out, but was shipwrecked off the coast of Monterey, California. After drifting for 6 weeks they made it to land and settled in Monterey. J.P. ran a hotel, Maria had Henry (Harry) and David. The family moved to San Francisco where Phillip was born. In 1863 the family moved to Victoria. J.P. and Joshua ran JP & Co. auction house. The Davies were a wealthy and prominent family. Maria ran a large household. She sang, and recited long poems that she remembered from her childhood.

Miriam died in 1901 at the age of 82. Accounts of her death vary, but what is known is that around 2pm on February 16, 1901 there was a fire at the Davies home. The gardener was working outside and smelled smoke. He rushed inside but wasn’t in time to save Mrs. Davies. It’s unclear how she actually died. The coroner ruled ‘accidental death.’ She is buried beside her husband, JP Davies.

Parents:
Frances
Henry Harris born 1800

Sibling:
Esther Harris (1831-1905)

Spouse:
Judah Philip (J.P.) Davies (1820-1879)

Children:
Elizabeth Davies Schultz (1844-1866)
Joshua Davies (1846-1903)
Cecilia Davies Sylvester (1848-1935)
Henry “Harry” Davies (1850-1916)
David Lewis Davies (1852-1924)
Phillip Judah Davies (1854-1943)

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