William Dodson (1758 - 1840)

Born 29 Mar 1758 in Frederick County, Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 11 Mar 1840 at age 81 in Nelson County, Kentucky, United States

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Biography

William Dodson is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A207856.

William Dodson was born the 29th of March, 1758, in Frederick county, now Shenandoah County, Virginia.

William Dodson enlisted in the Revolutionary War about February, 1776 in the 8th Virginia Rifle Regiment.

William Dodson made a declaration in open court in Nelson County, Kentucky on the 14th of January, 1833, for the purpose of obtaining a pension based on his Revolutionary War service. The declaration appears as follows: "State of Kentucky, Nelson County - On this 14th day January 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Nelson County Court now sitting William Dodson a resident of the said county and State aforesaid aged Seventy 74 years, who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he enlisted in the eight Virginia Rifle Regement, he thinks in the month of February in the year 1776 for the term of two years; that at the time he entered the service he was a resident of Shenandoah County [Dunmore County until 1778] Virginia, that he served two year & two months - two months over the time enlisted for when he was discharged at the valey forge by Gen [Charles] Scott. That he was commanded by Colonls Muhlenburg & Boman [sic: Peter Muhlenberg and Abraham Bowman] and in the company of Capt Richard Campbell. That after his enlistment they started from Stevens Town and went to Williamsburgh from thence to Suffolk & Norfolk, from thence to Tarberry & Hillsbury, through N. Carolina, to Camblin to Charlestown and to Savannah, to Sansberry and there we were stationed & Gen. Lee was commander in chief. We then returned to the North and wintered at the Valley forge. That he was in an engagement at Brandywine & also at German Town. At the first place Gen. Scott commanded. At the last he does not recollect who commanded; Gen Scott however was there. I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State. Interrogatories propounded by the Court: 1. Where and in what year were you born? Ans. I was born in Shenandoah County on the Shenandoah river Virginia, on the 29 of March 1758. 2. Have you any record of your age? Ans. I have none. 3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live? Ans. In Shenandoah County. I moved from there to Kentucky, and have lived in Nelson County of said State untill the present time. 4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom. Ans. I volunteered. 5. State some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service. Ans. I have stated all I know or can now recollect in this declaration. 6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? Ans. I received my discharge from Gen. Scott but it is lost. 7. State the names of persons to whom you are know in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and good behaviour your services as a soldier of the Revolution. Ans. Thomas Duncan. Thomas Linthicum Subscribed and sworn to the date aforesaid [signed] Wm his X mark Dodson ^[1]

William Dodson made his last will and testament on the 8th of August, 1839, in Nelson County, Kentucky, and the will was probated on the 8th of June, 1840. Williams will names the following heirs: Squire B. Dodson; William Dodson; Jonathan Dodson; John W. Dodson; Warren Dodson; Eady Virgin, wife of Dorsey Virgin; granddaughter Margaret An Dodson, daughter of Squire B. Dodson, Isaac Dodson. No spouse is provided for in William's will so it is assumed that his wife pre-deceased him.

William's Will reads as follows: I William Dodson of Nelson County and State of Kentucky do hereby make this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say I desire that all the perishable part of my estate be sold as soon as may be convenient after my death and out of the monies arising therefrom all of my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid. I give my son Squire B. Dodson one hundred and twenty acres of land which I now live on with all its appertauances thereunto attached to him and his heirs forever. I give to my son William Dodson one dollar which is to be paid to him by my hereafter named Executors and he is to have no more of my estate. I give to my son Jonathan Dodson one hundred dollars to make his land equal in value to the land I have given my son John W. Dodson, the land I have given my son Warren Dodson I believe is worth as much as the land I have given my son John W. Dodson. I have given my daughter Eady Virgin who intermarried with Dorsey Virgin as much good property as will make her land equal to the land I have given my son John W. Dodson. I give my granddaughter Margaret An Dodson daughter of my son Squire B. Dodson one hundred dollars and one good bed beadstead & bead clothing sufficient for the bead. I have given my daughter Eady Virgin who intermarried with Dorsey Virgin one yellow girl a slave by the name Ellis to her and her bodily heirs forever which she is to take at her valuation and if said slave should amount to more than her portion of my estate she must pay back the rest of my heirs, whatever it may be and the rest of my heirs whatever it may be and the rest of my estate, both real and personal of what nature or kind it may be, not herein before particularly disposed of, I desire it may be equally divided among my several children that is to say Isaac Dodson, John W. Dodson, Warren Dodson & Squire B. Dodson and of the slave I have left Eady Virgin should not amount to her portion of my estate she must have the balance in money and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my sons John W. Dodson and Jonathan Dodson executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills or testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 8th day of August 1839. Teste William M. Foster, William Lent [signed] William his X mark Dodson (SEAL) At a county court held for Nelson County at the courthouse in Bardstown on the 8th day of June 1840, the last will and testament of William Dodson dec'd was exhibited in court and proved by the oaths of William M. Foster, & William Lent subscribing witness thereto and ordering to be recorded . . ."^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Pension transcript: http://revwarapps.org/s30994.pdf
2. ↑ Will: Nelson County, Kentucky Will Book 3, pages 101 & 102; and pages 279, 280, & 281.

• Date of Birth and Revolutionary War Service from: U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900 [database on-line]. Ancestry.com. Original data: Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Research Notes

These records were extracted from microfilm at the US National Archives. 14 Jan 1833. Nelson Co KY. William DODSON, aged 74 years, resident of Nelson Co KY. RW Pension Declaration. Nelson Co KY, 14 Jan 1833: William DODSON, born 29 Mar 1758 in Shenandoah Co., VA, on the Shenandoah River, he entered service as a pvt. in 8th VA Rifle Regt. abt Feb 1776 for a term of 2 years as a resident of Shenandoah Co VA, was discharged at "Valley forge" by Gen. SCOTT, was commanded by Col. MUHLENBURG and BOWMAN in the Company of Capt. Richard CAMPBELL. He volunteered for service, and upon enlistment they started from Stovers Town [DNFP: now Strasburg, Shenandoah Co, VA] and went to Williamsburgh and from there to Suffolk and Norfolk, then to Tarboro and Hillsboro, through NC to Camblin? [dnfp: Camden?] to Charleston and Savannah to Sanbery? [Combs: Sunbury?] and were stationed and Genl. Lee was commander. We returned to the north and wintered at Valley Forge; in engagement at Brandywine and German Town. He received a discharge from Gen. SCOTT, but it is lost. Since the Revolutionary War he has lived in Shenandoah Co., VA, and moved from there to Kentucky and has lived in Nelson Co. since that time. Thomas DUNCAN and Thomas LINTHICUM in his neighborhood can testify to his service in the Revolution. s/William [X] DODSON. Thomas DUNCAN and Thomas LINTHICUM, residents of Nelson Co., KY attested to the veracity of his statement. Also in the file was the deposition of James HARREL, dated 17 Jun 1833, Nelson Co., KY, confirming… added that William DODSON enlisted under Lt. Matthias HITE.

400 acre land warrant for KY land issued by VA March 14, 1780 to William Dotson

Former VA Counties, (now in KY) - Kentucky Co, VA, was formed in 1776 from the “soon to become extinct” Fincastle County. In 1780, Kentucky County itself became extinct when it was divided into three parts forming Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln Counties. In 1785, Nelson Co was formed from Jefferson County.

From "Henry & Sara Watson" information: Nelson County - In 1810, Henry Sr. and Sara were getting old, probably 75 years old or more. So they put up for sale the 400 acres. Sixty acres they sold to son James. 151 acres they sold to son William for . The remaining 189 acres they sold to William Dodson for an undisclosed amount.

1820 Census of Nelson County, Bardstown: William, Isaac, Jonathan, Westley - all listed as Dotsons and listed together.

Posted Internet: Isaac Dodson b abt 1784, Wesley Dodson b abt 1794/1800 and Warren Dodson b. 1800 are all sons of William Dodson. He deeded them land in Nelson Co. Source book 17 Page 337; William Dodson to his son Warren Dodson 24 July 1827; Page 338; William Dodson to his son Wesley Dodson 21 July 1827; Page 339; William Dodson to his son Isaac Dodson 24 July 1827

According to Will of William Dodson recorded in Nelson County Court 08 June 1840, he listed the following: I desire it may be equally divide among my several children, that is to say Squire B. Dodson, son William Dodson, son Jonathan Dodson, son John W. Dodson, son Warren Dodson, son Isaac Dodson, son Eady Virgin, daughter Margaret Ann Dodson grandaughter

Posted on Internet: Isaac sold the land that his father gave him and moved to Ballard County, Kentucky where he died before 23 Dec 1852. Wesley either died or moved from Nelson county before his father died as he sort of disappears from the Nelson county records. William stayed in Nelson county and raised his family there.

Do not know William Dodson's (born 29 Mar 1758) first wife. It is believed to maybe have been a Coffeman. But do not know for sure. His 2nd wife (bore him no children) was Mary Polly Ortkies (the widow of Isacc Rynearson/Rinerson) On his pension application he states his wife is Mary.

1830 Census Will Dodson is showing in the Eastern District of Nelson County, KY (probably son William) Name: Will Dodson Home in 1830: Eastern District, Nelson, Kentucky Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1 Free White Persons - Males - 60 thru 69: 1 Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 2 Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1 Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1 Slaves - Males - Under 10: 3 Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 1 Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 1 Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 1 Free White Persons - Under 20: 3 Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2 Total Free White Persons: 6 Total Slaves: 6 Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 12

Same page is:

Westley Dodson Males - 1 under age five, 2 age ten to fifteen, 1 age 20 to 30; 1 age 30 to 40

Will. Dodson 1 age 20 to 30 and 1 age 60 to 70 (This is probably father William).

Isaac Dodson 3 males under age 5; 3 males age 5 to 10; 1 male 20 to 30 and 2 males 40 to 50

Warren Dodson 1 male under 5 one male 30 to 40

Posted by O. Ray Dodson: Yes, William of Nelson County, KY, served in the Rev. War for two years beginning in Feb. 1776. He was a member of the 8th VA Rifle Regiment. After numerous engagements he was discharged at Valley Forge. Also, his 2nd son was Squire who married Martha Rynearson on 11/30/1835 & Eliz. Riney on 4/12/1842. He had at least 5 brothers. Another, Edy, a sister I believe, married Dawson (Dorsey) Virgin. This info was supplied by Kathryn L. Wiseheart of Hemet, California, in about 1980.

Note in Ancestry Magazine: Nov-Dec 1996 1840 will (Nelson County KY) William Dodson mentions a young yellow woman named Ellie. This indicated the Dodson family did own slaves . . . "

Posted on GenForum: I have Dodson family (African American) from Bardstown area. G-G Grandmother was a Nancy Dodson (b VA 1798); her daughter was a Sharlotte (b 1820 KY), sons Alford, and Moses. Any of these sound familiar? Sharlotte is my line; she married a Solomon Beam.

Posted Ancestry by Mike Finley 27 April 1998 Dorsey VIRGIN b. PA ca. 1787 d. Graves Co KY Aug 1859 Edissai DOTSON/DODSON b. 1790 d. Graves Co. KY 1860/70 (dau. of William Dotson, sister of Warren, Wesley, & Isaac Dotson, all in Nelson Co. in the 1820-30's) William beleived to be the same William in land grant in Jefferson Co, of 400 acres in 1780 (bk. A, p106)

Nelson Co. KY Marr. Bonds Dawson (sic) Virgin - Ede Dotson 24 Mar 1808 Harriet D. Virgin-James B. SEAY 20 Oct 1831 (Seay b 1801 in Wash Co. KY, son of Jacob Seay) The above two families relocated to Graves Co. KY ca. 1833