BEDFORD COUNTY

1781 Will of Robert Mitchell. mentions wife Mary, sons Samuel, Daniel, Robert, Stephen. Witness: John Dowdy, James Davis, James Freeman. Sureties: Jesse Leftwich, Stephen Preston. Teste: Jas Steptoe

1787 Bedord Tax List

Edward Dowdy 00000

Ezekial Dowdy (Joel Leftwich charged w/ tax)

John Dowdy 2003 10 stud horse 0.15.0

1800 Bedford Tax List

John Dowdy Sr. 1-3

John Dowdy Jr. 1-2

Elijah Dowdy 1-0

Hunley Dowdy 1-3

William Dowdy 1-2

Claybon Dowdy 1-0

Ezekiel Dowdy 1-0

James Dody 1-0

1805 Nov 28, pg 120 Will of John Dowdy.

Wife Mary.

Sons Ezekel, John, Elijah, Claybun, Wyatt.

Daughters Nancy, Ann White.

Exec: son John, Samuel Mitchell.

Wit: M. Graham, Valentine Sturman, Hundley Dowdy.

Recorded July 28, 1806

1806. Sept 22, pg 124. Inventory of estate of John Dowdy recorded

1807, Hundley and William Dowdy from Thos. Pullen, DB 12, p. 187, 172 a. adj. Henry Latham.

1810 Bedford VA Census

Hunley Dowdy 20010 - 52010 (born 1765 - 1784)

John Dowdy 01010 - 00100 (born 1765 - 1784)

John Dowdy (SM) 00010 - 00100 (born 1765 - 1784)

Moses Dowdy 00100 - 00000 (born 1784 - 1794)

William Dowdy 20010 - 42010 (born 1765 - 1784)

1820 Bedford VA Census

Hundley Dowdy 310001 - 22401 (born before 1775)

John Dowdy 210101 - 11111 (born before 1775)

Wiett Dowdy 000010 - 40010 (born 1775 - 1794)

William Dowdy 311101 - 20401 (born before 1775)

1830 Bedford VA Census

John Dowdy - 0001100100000 - 0001000100000 (age 50-60; born 1770-1780)

Moses Dowdy - 00000010000 - 0000000000100 (age 40-50; born 1780-1790; female age 80-90)

William Dowdy - 0012100100000 - 01012001000 (age 50-60; born 1770-1780)

 

1835, William Dowdy, Sr. to Henry Wilkes, trustee, DB 25, p. 186, person. property.

1836, William Dowdy from Abner Cobyns, DB 25, p. 200, 185 1/2 a. on headwaters of Glady Branch.

1840 Bedford County Census

Southern District

Cary A. Dowdy 1000100000 - 100010000 (age 30-40; born 1800 - 1810)

Elijah Dowdy 211001000 - 0012010000 (age 30-40; born 1800 - 1810)

Hundley Dowdy 0000100010000 - 000020001000 (age 20-30; born 1810 - 1820)

Jesse Dowdy 1000010000 - 200010000 (age 30-40; born 1800 - 1810)

Richard Dowdy 111010000 - 021010010000 (age 20-30; born 1810 - 1820)

William Dowdy Sr. 0000200100000 - 00023001 (age 50-60; born 1780 - 1790)

Note: William Sr, Hundley, Cary A., and Richard are living adjacent to each other

Northern District

Moses Dowdy 000000010000 - 00000000000 (age 50-60; born 1780 - 1790)

1841, William S. Dowdy to Elijah Drewry, Jr. to Thomas J. Phelps and trustees, DB 31, p. 100, personal property and inventory in estate of William Dowdy.

1842 Will of William Dowdy,

In the name of God Amen I William Dowdy sen. of the County of Bedford and State of Virginia being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory blessed be Almighty God for the same do make and publish this my last will and testament in manor and form following that is to say First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth all my land being and lying on the west side of the Dumplin mountain road and adjoining Jacob Shepherd Hundley Dowdy and others withthe appertainnances thereto during her life time not to be destroyed willfully so as to injure the sle of said land at the expiration of her time, excluding her from any lot or part of the balance of my lands. I do also give and bequeath unto my beloved son Cary A. all my lands except that portion alloted to my wife in free and full possession so as to make a crop without interruption after my death for and in consideration of the improvements made by him on said land after his crop if finished I wish for said land to be sold at the discretion of my executors and 50 dollar given out of the proceeds to each of my beloved sons. The balance of which I want equally divided between each of my children. I also allot to my beloved daughter Suey one cow and feather bed and furniture to make her equal with my other daughters donations. I also wish for all the balance of my property to be sold and after myjust debts is paid and my beloved wifes thirds taken out to be equally divided amongst each of my children that part going to my daughter Pheniba who intermarried with John Drewry to go to her and to the heirs of her body forever likewise my daughter Ann who intermarried with Michael Crotty to go to her and the heirs of her body forever. I also give and bequeath to my granddaughter Sabin also Emily Arthur daughter of Elizabeth Arthur who intermarried with William Newman one feather bed and furniture and I hereby appoint my sons Jesse and Cary A. sole executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made in witness whereof I have herunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two. Signed, sealed, published, declaered by the above named Mr. Dowdy Sen. to be his last will and testament in the preasants of us who have herunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the preasance of the testator. David H. Creasy Wm . X Dowdey Sr. His mark Walter B. Dowdey [SEE DOWDY BRANCH #26] Hundley Dowdey, Sen.

At a court held for Bedford County the 21th day of August 1844 this last will and testament of William Dowdey Sr. Deceased was produced in court proved by the oath of David H. Creasey, Walter B. Dowdey and Hundley Dowdey, Sr. subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded And on the motion of Cary A. Dowdey and Jesse Dowdey the executors therein named who made oath and together with James wilson, Daniel B. Stenvens and William Wade their securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of 3000 dollars conditioned according to law certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate on said will in due form. Teste R.C. Mitchell, CBC

1844 - Inventory and appraisement of the estate of William Dowdey Sr. Deceased, taken the 29th day of October 1844 came to $384.93. Items were sold for $360.84 1/4 Will and inventories in file.

1850 Bedford County Census

Southern Division

Wm. Dowdy age 40 laborer
Martha A. age 25
Frances age 11
Mary age 10
Samuel age 8
Letitia age 6
Ann B. age 4
Virginia F. age 6/12

Lucy Dowdy age 60 (in HH of Daniel Stevens

Mary Dowdy age 19 (in HH of Thomas Crouch)

Hundley Dowdy age 80 laborer
Ellin age 65
Amanda Williamson age 17

Mary Dowdy age 30
James F age 7
Mary J. age 6
Ann W. age 4
Jack Darby age 55 blk laborer

Cary A. Dowdy age 38 farmer
Judith M. age 38
William A. age 9
Paschal H. age 9
Susan A. age 5
Lora B age 2 (male)

Henry Dowdy age 34 laborer
Mary age 28
Samuel hagan age 39 laborer

Note: Henry and Cary A. are living adjacent

Milley Dowdy age 22 (in HH of Martha Bondy)

Northern Division

Moses Dowdy age 64 farmer
Liddy Taylor age 40

 

1860 Bedford County Census

Southern Revenue District - Davis Mills PO

J. W. Dowdy 30 Farmer
M. 24
L. A. (male) 5

Mary Dowdy 60 (in HH of Wm Feather)
E. (female) 28

James Dowdy 36 (in HH of William Worley, Merchant)
E.J.K 28
Nannie 5/12
Mary 24

S. J Dowdy 6 (in HH of Jas. Mays)

L.T. Dowdy 24 Farmer
F. E. 21
J.H. (male) 2
Infant (male) 8/12

Richard Dowdy 49 Farmer
L 50
J. C. (female) 18
W. B. (male) 15
H. C. (male) 12

Henry Dowdy 45 Farm Hand
Mary 39
George C[ro]uch 12

A. Dowdy 23 Gentleman (in HH of A. Overstreet)

William Dowdy 46 Carpenter
M. (female) 30
F. (female) 9
M. (female) 18
L. (male) 16 blacksmith
L. 14
A. B. (female) 12
W. H. (male) 10
S. M. (male) 8
Infant (female) 1/12

next
W. B. Dowdy 42 Farmer
Jnor 14
A. M. (female) 12
M. J. (female) 10
Wm. 8
P. F. (male) 6
E. J. (male) 4

next
K. A. Dowdy 48 Farmer
J. M. 48
Wm 20 Farm Hand
P.H. (male) 18
A. (female) 16
L. B. (female) 12

A. Dowdy (male) Farm Hand (in HH of Winfrey Willard)

Mary Dowdy 45
James 17
M. J. (female) 16
A. W. (female) 13

1865 [after this date] Confederate Disability Application and Receipts (acts of 1882, 83, 84, 86, 87)
Artificial Limbs

Charles B. Dowdy

1938 Sept 30 Dickson County (TN) Herald newspaper (article published in Historical Sketches of Dickson Co TN by Jill K. Garrett, 1971)

Jessie A. Dowdy of Sylvia TN (Dickson Co)

"...I was born March 6, 1854 on a farm in Bedford county, Virginia, the son of William and Martha Hudson Dowdy. . The whole family of four boys and seven girls was born there. ONly one besides myself is living, a sister, Mrs. Sarah Frazier of Nashville.

I never went to school a day in my life. I don't know one letter from another and if I did I couldn't see it now. When I was young times were hard. They call the times hard now, but theynare not like they were then. When a man had such a family as my father did and only one to work, he was up against it. I have deformed feet and never worked at all while we lived in Virginia. I was thirteen years old when we moved from there to Christian county , Kentucky, to another farm. We went on a train, for we didn't have any wagon. We didn't have anything but necessities.

I can remember a little about the Civil War, the squads of men, etc. but I wasn't old enough to remember much. We were living in Virginia at the time and times were awful hard.

We didn't stay in Kentucky very long. In 1881 we came to Montgomery county, Tennessee, and lived on a farm in the neighborhood of Clarksville. I had been there two years when I was married to Nettie Brown. We had four children. Three of them are living and I can't tell about the other. He may be living and he may be dead. He has been away from home and I haven't heard from him in fifteen years. His name is Irvin. The others are Mrs. Minnie Smith of Cheatham county, Mrs. Alma Henly of Montgomery county, and Allen Dowdy of Sylvia. I have 13 grandhcilfdren and two great-grandchildren.

Nettie died on Labor Day in 1913. We had been to a picnic and while coming home the horse ran away with us in the buggy. She lived about two and a half hours afterwards. Four months after she died I married Ella Brock of Dickson, having just come here to live. I bought this place and have been here since and have bought more land around it. I have 151 acres on the White Forks of Yellow Creek and sixty acres here.

I am a member of the Church of Christ and I feel like I am doing the best I know and that's all I can say, let it be right or wrong. Dont' any of us know. We'll have to find out later.

I am in good health, but I can't see good, for I'm almost blind. I wear a pair of glasses that are not much good. I hear all right and I feel just as well as I ever felt in my life. Being crippled has hindered me all my life from abyhood on and old age mekes me no account now.

Ella and I live here alone. I don't work, don't do anything. I havent' been outside the yard at night that I know of in three years. They have been holding two big meetings here but I haven't been to any of them..."

[editor's note: The family of Jesse A. Dowdy is very difficult to pin down. Parents William and Martha don't seem to be found in various Bedford census. However, the narrative appears to be off by 1 year as this family is enumerated (without father William) in Montgomery TN in the census taken July 12 1880]

1880 Census of Montgomery Co KY - Dist 11
Marthy Dowdy 63 b VA Mother
Sam M. 24 b VA Son
Jesse A. 22 b VA Son
Sarah J. 16 b VA daughter
Lillian P. ?10 b VA daughter

BEDFORD VA DOWDY MARRIAGE BONDS (although extracted from the Quaker encyclopedia, it does not suggest families were Quaker)

Aug. 9, 1787; Ezekiel Dowdy & Jane Freeman; James Freeman, Surety; Married by James Mitchell, Aug. 11, 1787.

Feb. 28, 1792; Thomas Creasey & Drusilla Dowdy, dt William and Lucinda; Alex. McCollom, Surety; Married by Joseph Drury, March 1, 1792.

Apr. 3, 1792; John Dowdy & Mary Foster; Married by Joseph Drury.

Apr. 4, 1792; John Dowdy, Jr. & Mary Foster, dt John; Ezekiel Dowdy, Surety.

Oct. 24, 1794; Bird Creesey & Polly Dowdy; William Dowdy, Surety; Consent of William Dowdy; Married by Joseph Drury, Nov. 23, 1794.

Jan. 27, 1795; William Dowdy & Elizabeth Creasey, dt John; Chas. Creasey, Surety; Married by Alderson Weeks, Jan. 29, 1795.

Aug. 22, 1795; Clabourn Dowdy & Agness Witt; John Wigginton and Joseph Thurman, Sureties; Married by Alderson Weeks, Aug. 22, 1795.

Jun. 27, 1796; George Cannada & Crete Dowdy; Hundley Dowdy, Surety; Consent of John and Hundley Dowdy; Married by Alderson Weeks, July 2, 1796.

Nov. 18, 1796; James Freeman & Nancy Dowdy; John Dowdy, Surety.

Dec. 5, 1796; Hundley Dowdy & Elenor Creasey; John Creasey, Surety; Married by Alderson Weeks, Dec. 8, 1796.

Nov. 29, 1797; Charles Creasey & Judith Dowdy; William Dowdy, Surety; Married by Alderson Weeks, Nov. 30, 1797.

Nov. 1, 1800; George White & Anne Dowdy, dt John and Mare; Eusebius Stone, Surety; Married by Alderson Weeks, Nov. 11, 1800.

Oct. 6, 1804; James Craine & Nancy Dowdy; John Dowdy, Surety.

Sep. 10, 1805; Elijah Dowdy & Phebe Farley; Silvanus Howard, Surety; Married by Alderson Weeks, Oct. 10, 1805.

Jun. 1, 1809; John Dowdy & Polly Howard; David Howard, Surety; Married by James Mitchell, June 2, 1809.

Sep. 11, 1809; Wiatt Dowdy & Lucinda Wood; Peyton Foster, Surety; Milly Wood, consent; Married by James Mitchell, Sept. 12, 1809.

Sep. 9, 1811; John Chaffin & Catharine Dowdy; Peyton Foster, Surety; Consent of John Dowdy; Married by James Scott, Sept. 9, 1811.

Dec. 26, 1811; Wiatt Dowdy & Milly Foster; John Dowdy, Surety; Consent of John Foster; Married by James Scott, Dec. 26, 1811.

Mar. 13, 1815; Bowker Foster & Willy Dowdy; Elijah Dowdy, Surety; Married by Payton Welch, March 16, 1815.

Dec. 25, 1815; Peyton Foster & Patsy Dowdy; Wiatt Dowdy, Surety; Married by James Scott, 1815.

Feb. 28, 1816; Edward Ore & Judy F. Dowdy; Hundley Dowdy, Surety; Married by Peyton Welch.

Aug. 13, 1816; Benjamin Bowles & Jane Dowdy; Richard Anderson, Surety.

Mar. 5, 1821; Michael Crotty & Anny (or Aney) Dowdy, dt William; Henry Shephard, Surety.

Mar. 30, 1821; James Shepherd & Betsy Dowdy; Hundley Dowdy, Surety; Married by William Leftwich, April 5, 1821.

Apr. 14, 1821; Elijah Dowdy, s Zekill and Jaine, Franklin Co. & Charlotte Mayse; James Mayse, Surety.

Nov. 10, 1821; John Dowdy & Elizabeth Mitchell, dt Robert; Charles Crouch, Surety; Married by William Harris, Nov. 15, 1821.

Nov. 26, 1821; Moses Howell & Patsy Dowdy; Hundly Dowdy, Surety; Married by William Harris, Nov. 29, 1821.

Nov. 7, 1822; Woodson Dowdy & Sarah Mitchell, dt Robert; Adam Beard, Surety; Married by James Scott, 1822.

May 24, 1824; Henry Wilks & Judah Dowdy; William Dowdy, Surety; Married by William Harris, May 26, 1824.

Mar. 14, 1825; James Turner & Sally Dowdy; Hundly Dowdy, Surety.

Dec. 21, 1825; John Drury & Anny Dowdy; Hundley Dowdy, Surety; Married by William Leftwich, Dec. 25, 1825.

Jan. 10, 1826; Bassett Roach & Julia Ann Dowdy, dt Johan; Garrell Robinson, Surety; Married by James Scott, Jan. 10, 1826.

Feb. 5, 1826; John Dearin, Jr. & Lucinda Dowdy, dt Mildred; Henry White, Surety.

Dec. 9, 1828; Leonard Phillips & Mary Dowdy; Cornelius Phillips, Surety.

Jun. 1, 1829; Ezekial Williams & Charlotte Dowdy; Blagdon Wood, Surety; Married by James Mitchell, June 1, 1829.

Nov. 16, 1829; Daniel B. Stevens & Zilly Dowdy; William Dowdy, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Nov. 18, 1829.

Jan. 31, 1831; Richard Dowdy & Lucinda Overstreet, dt William and Nancy; George Scott, Surety.

Dec. 24, 1832; Isaac Drury & Sarah Dowdy, dt W. M.; Silas G. Latham, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Jan. 1, 1833.

Nov. 28, 1833; Randolph Robertson & Mary Dowdy, dt Mildred; Henry Stevens, Surety.

Dec. 23, 1833; Burwell P. Jones & Martha Ann Dowdy, dt Mildred; Richard Dearin, Surety.

Dec. 8, 1834; John Overstreet & Lucy Dowdy; John C. Dowdy, Surety; Married by William Leftwich, Dec. 10, 1834.

Dec. 10, 1834; Jesse Dowdy & Susan E. Weeks, dt William; William Weeks, Surety; Married by William Leftwich, Dec. 6, 1834.

Feb. 29, 1836; Lewis Dowdy & Martha J. Holt; Michael Bowyer, Surety.

Apr. 11, 1836; Caleb Fuqua & Emeline Dowdy, dt Mildred; Gorrell Robinson, Surety.

Jan. 5, 1837; David Dowdy & Celia Cheatwood, dt Nancy; John Cofer, Surety.

Oct. 26, 1837; Cary A. Dowdy & Judith Overstreet, dt Wm. and Nancy; David H. Creasey, Surety; Married by William Leftwich, Oct. 26, 1837.

Nov. 27, 1837; Hundley Dowdy & Lucinda Drury; William S. Dowdy, Surety; Consent of Hencetia Drury; Married by William Harris, Dec. 13, 1837.

Nov. 18, 1839; William Dowdy & Patsy Ann Hole; William Hole, Surety; Married by William Leftwich, Nov. 28, 1839.

Nov. 23, 1840; William S. Dowdy & Mary Ann Scott, dt Nancy; David H. Creasey, Surety; Married by James Leftwich, Nov. 26, 1840.

Dec. 28, 1840; Hundley Dowdy & Elvira Drury, dt Percelia; William Shepherd, Surety.

Dec. 28, 1840; Henry Dowdy & Mary T. Cheek; Wm. P. Cheek, Surety; Married by James Leftwich, Jan. 22, 1841.

Aug. 25, 1841; John Drury & Phoeba Dowdy, dt Wm.; David H. Creasey, Surety.

Nov. 28, 1842; James C. Cunningham & Lavina S. Dowdy, dt Hundley; David H. Creasy, Surety.

Aug. 17, 1843; Alexander S. Overstreet & Tabithy Dowdy; William A. Shepherd, Surety.

Mar. 4, 1844; Walter B. Dowdy & Mildred Swain; Calohill M. Swain, Surety; Consent of Nancy Swain.

Aug. 25, 1845; Green B. McCormack & Martha Dowdy, dt Elijah; Richard H. Anderson, Surety; Married by Benjamin Meador.

Dec. 21, 1846; Thomas Hurt & Locky L. Dowdy, dt Hundly, Sr.; Walter B. Dowdy, Surety; Married by William Harris, Dec. 23, 1846.

Dec. 5, 1849; Jubal Giles & Mary Ann Dowdy, dt Elijah; Elijah Dowdey, Surety; Married by Benjamin Meador.