William Lee Davidson was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in about 1746. A resident of Rowan County, he served as a lieutenant in that county's militia under colonial Governor William Tryon in 1767. When the American Revolution broke out, Davidson became a major in the 4th Regiment of the North Carolina Continental Line and was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 5th Regiment after the Battle of Germantown in 1777. He then commanded the 3rd North Carolina for about 18 months. His regiment surrendered to the enemy at Charleston, South Carolina in May 1780 while he was on leave, and he then became a general of the Salisbury District of the North Carolina State Troops. During the Battle of Cowan's Ford on February 1, 1781, Davidson was shot and killed while leading his men into battle.