Jonathan Davis was the only son of Captain James and Mary Ederington Davis, born August 16, 1786. He became a Baptist preacher about 1835 and served Rock Creek, Little River and other Baptist churches in the Fairfield District. Davis was pivotal in finding and acquiring land for the Furman Theological Institute in the Fairfield District, and was elected president of the first Board of Trustees in 1835. 

Davis served as vice president of South Carolina Baptist Convention for 10 years. A wealthy planter, Davis lost his estate in 1846 as a result of incurring debts while acting as security for his sons, Dr. James B. Davis and William K. Davis.[1]

Davis married Rebecca Kincaid (b. 1787 – d. 1870) on January 22, 1807 and they had eleven children. Davis died October 5, 1855.