Besides being a master gunsmith, Lafayette was a noted blacksmith, wagon and buggy repairer, maker of iron hinges and locks, carpenter, cabinet maker, builder of wooden water wheels for grist mills and builder of coffins and wooden vaults for graves.

He was also a licensed Baptist preacher who supplied pastoral work for area churches. He conducted funerals and performed wedding ceremonies.

My mother and father, Alex Dean and Elsie Plumley Campbell, was the last couple he united in marriage before his death in March 1926. They jokingly contended for years that they might have contributed to his death because their marriage began on a lie.

Each had left home on Sunday morning, Jan. 24, to attend church. Instead of going to church, they met at Reverend Davis’ home with witnesses and had him perform the wedding ceremony.

Lafayette and Mary had two children, Sallie Ella Davis Robertson and Tommy D. Davis. Tommy’s family lived in the house for many years before it was sold. Subsequent owners/residents have included Pearsons, Boones, Hassolds and Renfros.

The house and property have been vastly improved in recent years to become a valuable horse operation known as Lafayette Farm.