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1. Thomas DOWDY
born about 1730 likely in
Virginia; died intestate 1802 in Chatham NC (Estate sale Dec
2 1802). Thomas first appears in Sussex Virginia records as early
as 1757 when he was involved in a court case. He sold land apparently
in right of his wife Lucy in Sussex in 1761 and then sold the
land he and his wife were living on in 1771.
1761 Sussex VA
Deed Book B, pg.236 Thomas Dowdy & wife Lucy Dowdy, Etheldred
Jelke & wife Phillis Jelke, Matthew Hubbard & wife Mary
Hubbard, to Nathan Northington for 73 pounds, 19 shillings, 6
pence, 215 acres on north side Great Swamp, bounded by Joseph
Prince, Wyche’s Road, Dowdy’s present line, a great
Branch & corner of said Dowdy & Northington (Lucy Dowdy
and Phillis Jelke relinq’d their Rights of Dower) Dated
& recorded 29 Nov 1761.
1771 Sussex VA
Deed Book D, pg. 365 Thomas Dowdy & wife Lucy Dowdy to Nathan
Northington Jr, an infant son of Nathan Northington, the Elder,
for 32 pounds, 113 acres being the land whereon Thomas Dowdy
now lives on the north side of the Great Swamp adj the lands
of Robert Linn, Reubin Baird, Nathan Northington the Elder, and
James Hubbard, and a deed from Wm. Battle to the said Thomas
Dowdy. Witn: Ambrose Grizard, David Mason, Nathan Northington
& Nathaniel Raney. Dated 1 Jun 1771, recorded 20 Jun 1771
The family apparently moved to
the Rocky River area in Chatham County NC sometime between the
sale of land in Sussex VA in 1771 and the first documentary evidence
of their appearance in North Carolina in 1778.
1778 Feb Chatham
County Court. John Nall's district to be divided by a road leading
from Phillip Suttons mill to the Rocky River near the Baptist
meeting house thence to Capt Herndon's line to Orange County
line and including Thomas Dowdy's
married Lucy _______________;
probably in Sussex County
Virginia; she died prior to 1790 in Sussex VA [note: the following
Lucy must be for the wife, since the daughter is still alive
and ultimately married Augustine Tysor]
1790 Sussex VA
- Will of Patrick Lashley, dec'd. Estate pays Harmon Bishop for
making coffin for Lucy Dowday
Children of Thomas DOWDY of Rocky
River, Chatham NC and Lucy ________:
2. William
DOWDY b abt 1758; killed
by Tories during the American Revolution in Chatham NC; died
unmarried in 1782.
1782 April William
Dowdy killed by Tories. Report of Col David Fanning: "...I
had set out for Chatham, when I learned a wedding was to be that
day. On my way I took one prisoner before I came to the house.
Ther being but five of us, we immediately surrounded the house
in full charge. I ordered them immediately out of the house;
three of my men went into the house and drove them all out, one
by one; I caused them all to stand in a row to examine them,
to see if I knew any of them that was bad men. I found one, by
the name of William Dowdy, concealed upstairs. One of my men
fired at him as he was running from one house to the other. He
received the ball in the shoulder. I then, having my pistols
in hands, discharged them both at his breast, with which he fell,
and that night expired. I then parolled the rest, on the 25th."
Entered 212 acres of land on
the waters of Nick's Creek (Rocky River) in May 1779. Was granted
212 acres of land by the state in 1785 (postumously). Brother
Thomas Dowdy Jr. sold this same land according to law as William's
sole legal heir (as eldest brother) in 1789.
Bounty Land Entry
# 738; name: William Dowdy; dated: 22 May 1779; location: waters
of Nicks Creek; acres: 212
1789 Chatham
Co NC - Deed Bk. E, pg. 106-107 "This Indenture made this
4th day of December, 1789, between Thomas Dowdy, Junior of the
County of Anson, NC, planter, of the one part and Thomas Dowdy
Senior of Chatham Co NC, Yoeman, of the other part. Witnesseth
that the said Thomas Dowdy JR for an in consideration of the
sum of 30 pounds to him in hand paid by the said Thomas Dowdy
SR, doth hereby acknowledge. All that tract or parcel of land
(112 acres) lying & being in the said County of Chatham,
on Nicks Creek, it being part of a larger tract or parcel (212
acres) granted to William Dowdy, deceased, by a grant bearing
date 23 day of September 1785, and registered in the Registers
office in Book D, pg. 328-319, recourse being thereunto will
more fully appear. With the said William Dowdy, dying without
issue, his brother Thomas Dowdy JR, by heirship became solely
entitled to the said land, etc, etc. Witnesses were Berkley Dowdy
and Josiah Rogers. Proved during November session 1790 by Josiah
Rogers."
It is believed
that the following William Dowdy who was a "rightful heir"
of Thomas Dowdy Sr, was not Thomas' son William, wwho was clearly
dead. The William Dowdy represented in the 1806 land sale was
instead the heir of Thomas' son John Dowdy who died in 1792.
It is clear that John's heirs would need to be represented in
the 1806 sale of Thomas' land:
Chatham NC Deed
Book O, pg. 299 Thomas Dowdy, George Dowdy, Barkley
Dowdy, Edward Bray (husband of Anne Dowdy), Augustin
Tyser (husband of Lucy Dowdy) & William Dowdy,
rightful heirs of Thomas Dowdy, deceased, in consequence
of Thomas Dowdy dying intestate, sold to William Norman
(husband of Sarah Dowdy) for 52 pounds, 10 shillings,
182 acres on Rockey River, Normans present corner, Brays corner,
Bridges line, and Rachel Dowdys line. Witnesses Thomas
Hadley, Joshua Hadley, Wm. Lewis, Hannah Hobson. Dated the 1
Mar 1806. Proven February session 1807 by oath of Thomas Hadley
& Hannah Hobson
2. Thomas
DOWDY, Jr. born 2 Oct
1759 AlbemarleParish, Sussex Co., VA. Thomas was christened 2
Mar 1760 in Albemarle Parish by Rev. William Willie. His sponsors
were Benjamin and William Seaborn and Aggy Woodward; moved to
Anson County NC sometime before 1789 (possibly located in an
area under dispute with next door Chesterfield District SC at
the time) Thomas Dowdy Jr. of Anson County NC sold land inherited
from his brother William to their father Thomas Dowdy Sr. in
1789.
1789 Chatham
Co NC - Deed Bk. E, pg. 106-107 "This Indenture made this
4th day of December, 1789, between Thomas Dowdy, Junior of the
County of Anson, NC, planter, of the one part and Thomas Dowdy
Senior of Chatham Co NC, Yoeman, of the other part. Witnesseth
that the said Thomas Dowdy JR for an in consideration of the
sum of 30 pounds to him in hand paid by the said Thomas Dowdy
SR, doth hereby acknowledge. All that tract or parcel of land
(112 acres) lying & being in the said County of Chatham,
on Nicks Creek, it being part of a larger tract or parcel (212
acres) granted to William Dowdy, deceased, by a grant bearing
date 23 day of September 1785, and registered in the Registers
office in Book D, pg. 328-319, recourse being thereunto will
more fully appear. With the said William Dowdy, dying without
issue, his brother Thomas Dowdy JR, by heirship became solely
entitled to the said land, etc, etc. Witnesses were Berkley Dowdy
and Josiah Rogers. Proved during November session 1790 by Josiah
Rogers."
married ?Ann_____________; an Ann Dowdy appears as head of household
in the Chesterfield SC 1820 census with teenage children, the
same census Thomas Dowdy suddenly disappears.
THOMAS DOWDY OF CHERAW/CHESTERFIELD
CO SC
It is clear to the website
editor that the Thomas Dowdy of Rocky River (b Albemarle Parish
Sussex VA in 1759) is the same person who lived in Chesterfield
SC in the early 1800s. The 1789 deed places Thomas Dowdy, Jr."of
Anson" into the Rocky River family. And it is well known
to researchers that many families of Chesterfield SC appeared
(partially due to border disputes) at various times across the
border in Anson NC. In this website's opinion, he is clearly
not the same Thomas Dowdy who appears in the southern part of
Chatham NC around the Deep River area of the county, as has been
theorized by Dowdy researchers for decades.
See
the descendants of Thomas Dowdy Jr. of Rocky River, Chatham NC
2. John
DOWDY born 24 Apr 1762
Albemarle Parish, Sussex Co., VA. John was christened 22 Jun
1762 by Rev. Willis. His sponsors were Nathan Northington, John
Sands and Martha Seaborn. John was not listed in the list of
rightful heirs of Thomas Dowdy in the 1806 sale of his land.
John Dowdy's estate was administered in Chatham County NC in
1792.
1792 Loose Papers
- NC - Chatham Co Administrators Bond - John Dowdy, dec’d
Hannah Terry & James Terry bonded to be Administrators for
the estate of John Dowdy Estate. Bondsman was Christopher Hornaday.
May 1792
married Hannah WHITEHEAD; born 1765 in Caswell, NC; daughter
of Josiah WHITEHEAD; She married 2nd, James TERRY; Hannah TERRY'S
will, dated 11 Apr 1835, mentions her daughter Sarah, son William
Dowdy and grandson Hiram Dowdy. Hannah Terry's daughter Catherine
Terry married her mother's nephew, James Dowdy of Lauderdale
Co AL., a pensioner of the War of 1812.
See
the descendants of John Dowdy, of Rocky River, Chatham NC
2. George
DOWDY born 17 Dec 1764
Albemarle Parish, Sussex Co., VA. George was christened by Rev.
Willis on 21 Apr 1765, his sponsors were David Mason, John Sammons
and Winefred Hutchens. He moved to Chesterfield District SC sometime
before 1790, and then to Lauderdale County AL. Returned to Chatham
NC to sell land [signed document] in 1806 as a "rightful
heir" of his father Thomas Dowdy. Received a patent for
40 acres in Lauderdale County AL from the US government in 1835
(but is not a head of household in the 1830 census at age 66)
married ____________WHITEHEAD (according to family tradition originating
out of SC and Alabama)
See
the descendants of George Dowdy, of Rocky River, Chatham NC
2. Nancy Anne
DOWDY
born abt 1770; the family
moved to Barren County Kentucky; she died sometime after 1806
in KY. On the 6th day of October 1796, Thomas Dowdy conveyed
"in consideration of the love, good will and affection which
I have and bare towards my dear and loving daughter, Anne Bray,
wife of Edward Bray, Jr,..."
married Edward BRAY Jr - acted as guardian in 1803 for his neice
Rachel Dowdy, daughter of Lucy Dowdy
See
the descendants of Nancy Dowdy, of Rocky River, Chatham NC
2. Bartley
DOWDY born 8 Aug 1770
Albemarle Parish, Sussex Co., VA. Bartley was christened 28 Oct
1770 at Albemarle Parish. His sponsors were Nathanial Newsom,
James Burns and Mason Bird. He was given land by his father Thomas
Dowdy in 1801. And with Thomas Hadley, he was named administrator
of his father Thomas Dowdy's estate.
Deed Book L,
pg. 300 Thomas Dowdy gave, “for Love and Affection”
to his son Barkley Dowdy, two tracts of land on Nicks
Creek, one containing 44 acres being a part of Thomas’s
Grant dated 23 Sep 1785, the second containing 56 acres being
part of his Grant dated 7 Jul 1794. Witnesses: John Johnson &
Anthony Chamness. Deed dated 8 Nov 1796. Proven in court during
February Session 1801
Bartley died in an accident in
1818 reported in the Raleigh Register newspaper at the time.
1818 The Raleigh
Register of 20 February 1818: "the body of Barlett Dowdy,
of Chatham county, was found in the Snow on the 6th instant,
after lying six days. It is supposed he was in liquor, and [upon
his] lying down, the Snow fell and covered him, and he rose no
more!"
Bartley DOWDY's estate was probated
5 Jun 1818 in Chatham NC leaving his widow Frances DOWDY.
1819 Loose Papers
- NC - Chatham Co (FHC film #1065099) Account of the estate of
Barkley Dowdy submitted by Thomas Hadley, Administrator,
amount of sale Jun 5, 1818 - $108.43, Frances Dowdy, widow
$2.00, Jesse Stout $5.00, whole amount = $115.43. dated 6 Aug
1819
married Frances ______ born 1765 to 1770 (estimated by various
census including Frances being age 60-70 in 1830 Chatham NC census);
she does not appear in Chatham records after 1830.
See the descendants of Bartley Dowdy, of Rocky
River, Chatham NC
2. Sarah DOWDY born about 1776 in Chatham Co NC [Sarah Norman was age 74 in 1850 Monroe
Ky census living alone in HH; Therefore born about 1776 ]
Chatham NC Deed
Book N, pg. 4 Thomas Dowdy gave “for natural love
and affection” to daughter Sarah Norman, wife of Wm. Norman,
100 acres on Mudlick Creek. 27 August 1802, witnessed by Edward
M. Dorsey Jr & Robert Harman. Proven November session 1802
by Edward Dorsey
married William NORMAN - born about 1775; In 1806, he purchased
with his wife Sarah Dowdy, the land inherited by the heirs of
her father Thomas Dowdy of Rocky River, Chatham Co NC.
Chatham NC Deed
Book O, pg. 299 Thomas Dowdy, George Dowdy, Barkley
Dowdy, Edward Bray (husband of Anne Dowdy), Augustin
Tyser (husband of Lucy Dowdy) & William Dowdy,
rightful heirs of Thomas Dowdy, deceased, in consequence
of Thomas Dowdy dying intestate, sold to William Norman
(husband of Sarah Dowdy) for 52 pounds, 10 shillings,
182 acres on Rockey River, Normans present corner, Brays corner,
Bridges line, and Rachel Dowdys line. Witnesses Thomas
Hadley, Joshua Hadley, Wm. Lewis, Hannah Hobson. Dated the 1
Mar 1806. Proven February session 1807 by oath of Thomas Hadley
& Hannah Hobson
This land was
sold to William Dowdy in 1812 and the family moved to Barren
Co KY (later became Monroe Co. Ky). William Norman was a millright;
owned and operated a mill on Rockbridge of Little Creek, Monroe
Co. Ky.; He died sometime before 1850.
3. Caleb NORMAN m.
Sarah Bushong in 1819
2. Lucy DOWDY; born about 1780; died about 1835 Hamilton
County, OH.
Chatham NC Deed
Book O, pg. 299 Thomas Dowdy ( II ), George Dowdy,
Barkley Dowdy, Edward Bray (husband of Anne Dowdy),
Augustin Tyser (husband of Lucy Dowdy) & William Dowdy,
rightful heirs of Thomas Dowdy, deceased, in consequence
of Thomas Dowdy dying intestate, sold to William Norman
(husband of Sarah Dowdy) for 52 pounds, 10 shillings,
182 acres on Rockey River, Normans present corner, Brays corner,
Bridges line, and Rachel Dowdys line. Witnesses Thomas
Hadley, Joshua Hadley, Wm. Lewis, Hannah Hobson. Dated the 1
Mar 1806. Proven February session 1807 by oath of Thomas Hadley
& Hannah Hobson
married Augustine TICER. Moved to Hamilton Ohio. Living in Hamilton
County Ohio in 1824 when as attorney for Rachel Dowdy, he sold
her land in Chatham County NC
1824 Deed Bk
AA. Augustine Tysor and Lucy Tysor of Hamilton Co OH attorneys
for Rachel Dowdy of same place to William Dowdy
of Chatham Co NC, tract in Chatham Co on Nixes Creek adj John
Johnson, Horace D. Bridges adn ?Isham Pussor, 100 ac. it being
a tract of land conveyed from Thomas Dowdy to the said
Rachel Dowdy.
See
the descendants of Lucy Dowdy, of Rocky River, Chatham NC
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Thomas Dowdy