Davidson–Smitherman House
The Davidson–Smitherman House, also known as the Davidson Plantation, is a historic plantation house in Centreville in Bibb County, Alabama, United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 6, 1988.
History
The house was built in 1837 for Samuel Wilson Davidson, a native of North Carolina. He settled in Bibb County in 1819. He was one of the first people to purchase lots along the east bank of the Cahaba River in what would become the city of Centreville during 1823. Davidson eventually amassed farmlands amounting to more than. His real estate was valued at $12,000 and he owned 98 slaves in 1850. By 1860, Davidson was the most extensive planter and wealthiest citizen in the area. He died in 1863.Henry Damon Davidson was born on the property in 1869, his family had been enslaved.
The house remained in the Davidson family until 1869, when it was purchased by Thomas and Betty Smitherman. Thomas Smitherman was a prominent local attorney. Smitherman descendants retained the property until it was sold to William E. Henderson in 1963. He, in turn, sold it after two years to Charles L. Hollinsworth, who sold it to Gladys Pittman Leggett in 1972.