For decades, researchers have connected the Dowdy family of Deep River in Chatham NC to another Thomas Dowdy family of Rocky River, Chatham NC which migrated to North Carolina from Sussex Virginia. However, there is clear evidence that these two families are distinct and separate. While it is likely the two families are related, no evidence of that link is known.

1. Thomas DOWDY Sr. - born about 1733 (estimated by birth of dau. Lucy); First appeared briefly in the 1753 Sussex VA Albemarle Parish registry with first wife Elizabeth Parsons. Moved to the southern part of Orange County, later Chatham County NC along the waters of Deep River by 1763; died before Feb 1815; Will dated 1805 and proven in Chatham NC court in 1815.

Thomas Dowdy of Chatham NC gave material aid and a gun to the revolutionary cause. He also served as a soldier in the NC militia. The accounts of the auditors of Hillsborough District, NC, in custody of the North Carolina Historical Commission, show payments for sundries furnished. The Treasurer's and Comptroller's papers, Revolutionary Army Accounts, Vol. XI, p.50, folio 3, in the North Carolina Archives, show pay vouchers for Thomas Dowdy that were paid in 1783-84.

Will of Thomas Dowdy - Will names daughters Nelly Goodman, Lucy Dowdy, Sarah Dowdy, and sons John, William, Thomas, James, Armstead, and Balaam to have one dollar. son Joab on dollar, one mare, bed & furniture, son Benjamin one horse, bed & furniture, and daughter Rebecca Dowdy one mare, bed & furniture. Wife Rebecca Dowdy to have rest, consisting of land, tenements and furniture until her death. After her death to be divided among Thomas Dowdy, James, Dowdy, Armstead Dowdy, Balaam Dowdy, Joab Dowdy, Benjamin Dowdy and Rebecca Dowdy. Dated 27 January 1805. Witnesses: John McIntosh & Charles McGee. Proven in court February session 1815 by John McIntosh

Critical to this lineage theory is the belief that this Will appears to differentiate between children of an unnamed 1st wife, viz: Nelly, Lucy, Sarah, John and William, and children of the 2nd wife Rebecca, viz: Thomas, James, Armstead, Balaam, Joab, Benjamin and Rebecca. Identifying Elizabeth Parsons as this Thomas Dowdy's 1st wife finally solves various research problems caused by several Chatham deed and court records. These records have perplexed Dowdy researchers for a decade.

married 1st. Elizabeth PARSONS daughter of Robert Parsons of Sussex Co Virginia; she died sometime before the birth of Thomas Dowdy Jr, approximately in 1774 .

13 May 1798 Thomas Dowdy, Senior, gave Power of Attorney to his son William Dowdy, “to sue for, recover & receive all sums of money and dower rights of and from the Estate of Robert Parsons, deceased, whose daughter, Elizabeth, I married.” . Witnesses: M. McKenzie & J. McBride. Proven at Chatham NC May term of court 1798

children of Thomas Dowdy Sr. and Elizabeth Parsons

2.i Lucy DOWDY - born January 7 1753 Albemarle Parish Sussex Virginia. Unmarried in 1805

1753 January 7. Lucy Dowdy daughter of Thomas Dowdy and wife Elizabeth born. Robert Parsons, Elinore Parsons, and Elizabeth Askins godparents. Albemarle Parish Register

2.ii Nelly DOWDY - born about 1760 (estimated by the census HH of her ?husband Ambrose Goodman)

married [Ambrose] GOODMAN sometime between 1790 and 1800, and certainly before 1805 at the signing of her father Thomas Dowdy's LW&T.

Note: The Goodman surname is absent in the mid area of North Carolina and rare in 1790 NC census. However, an Ambrose Goodman suddently appears in the Chatham NC 1800 and 1810 census. The family disappears from the census records of any state in 1820 and also not found in 1830.

1800 Chatham NC Census - Ambrose Goodman age 26-45, wife age 26-45

Ambrose Goodman owned 150 acres of land in Chatham Co,. NC joiining John Hays and John Thompson. . Ambrose Goodman had an outstanding debt of 10 lbs 13 shillings. A deed was made to John Hayes who purchased the land at public auction for 3 pounds 6 shillings On 15 August, 1809

1810 Chatham NC Census - Ambros Goodman age 26-45, wife over the age of 45.

2.iii Sarah DOWDY - unmarried in 1805; untraced.

2.iv John DOWDY, Sr. - born 1760 to 1770 (as shown by various census profiles) Owned land on Harts Creek in Chatham Co. NC.; age 60-70 in 1830 Chatham census with wife age 50-60 (unindexed); likely died before the 1840 Chatham Co NC census.

See the descent of John Dowdy Sr. of Harts Creek, Chatham NC

2.v William DOWDY - probably born about 1766; was of legal age and living in Chatham County NC in 1798 when his father granted power of attorney for William to secure any portion of the estate of his grandfather Robert Parsons who lived in Sussex Virginia

13 May 1798 Thomas Dowdy, Senior, gave Power of Attorney to his son William Dowdy, “to sue for, recover & receive all sums of money and dower rights of and from the Estate of Robert Parsons, deceased, whose daughter, Elizabeth, I married.” . Witnesses: M. McKenzie & J. McBride. Proven at Chatham NC May term of court 1798

William at approximately age 32 is likely living in his father Thomas Dowdy Sr's 1800 census HH with 3 step-brothers and 1 step-sister. Three other step-brothers are already in Georgia. It is also likely, this William Dowdy is the person known as the "hatter" in various Chatham County records.

See the family group analysis of various William Dowdys of Deep Creek, Chatham NC

 

married 2nd Rebecca [ POE ]; she likely died sometime before 1818 when son Thomas Dowdy was granted administration bond for the estate of his father Thomas Dowdy, dec'd. and certainly by 1820 when the children began the process of selling their father's land as legatees of the estate.

Newspaper article from July 1930
“Poe Reunion Recalls Famous Man: Gathering at Pittsboro This year Outstanding for Heroic Tales about Jesse, Who Left Virginia to Come to Chatham County in Revolutionary Days” by Myrtle Ellen LaBarr

"...Nor have I yet been able to learn the given name of his [Jesse's] father or mother, though the latter may possibly be available in some tradition of the Dowdy family. His mother later married a man of that name, by whom this first Jesse Poe had a half brother Thomas Dowdy, long a leader in May’s chapel church, as shown by Purefoy’s old History of the Sandy Creek Baptist association, published about 1858...."

Note: Jesse Poe featured in the 1930 news story was of a similar generation as Thomas Dowdy Jr (see next). Poe died February 15, 1859. And Thomas Dowdy Jr (next) is indeed the person referenced in the Sandy Creek Baptist publication. Supposedly, a young Jesse, his widowed mother, and step-brother Benjamin Poe b 1749, later a revolutionary war solider, migrated from Culpepper VA to Chatham where his mother supposedly married Dowdy. Benjamin Poe's pension record shows he enlisted in Chatham NC; therefore, the family was in Chatham before the Revolution (and the widowed mother could have married Thomas Dowdy and borne their first child, Thomas Dowdy, Jr. in 1774)

children of Thomas Dowdy Sr and Rebecca [ Poe ]

2.vi Thomas DOWDY Jr. born abt 1774; age 76 in the 1850 Chatham NC census; likely living in father's 1800 census HH; named in his father's 1805 LW&T; was a very large slave owner; a leader in May's Chapel Baptist Church (aka Georges Creek Church); d. Apr 1859 Chatham NC;

1823 “Saturday before the 4th Sunday in October” - Meeting of the Sandy Creek Baptist Association at Fall Creek Meeting House (Chatham Co) representing May’s Chapel, formerly known as George’s Creek Church: Thomas Dowdy, Thomas Beal, John Gilmore

March 3 1851. Record of Wills D pages 42, 43. Will of Thomas Dowdy
In the name of God amen. I Thomas Dowdy of the county of Chatham and state of North Carolina, being of sound and perfect mind and memory blessed be God, do this 3rd day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say first, I give and bequeath my soul to God from whence it came and body to be buried in decent Christian Burial and all my just debts to be paid 2nd. I give to my beloved wife Sarah Dowdy all my real estate both land and negros and also my personal property consisting of stock of all kinds of household and kitchen furnature. also one road waggon and fixtures and every thing else that I may die in possession of during my aforesaid wife's natural life and after the death of my wife, I wish my negros to be valued and drawn for by my children share and share a like the following children share in the above mentioned property, towit: James Dowdy, Thomas Dowdy, William A. Dowdy, Allen Dowdy, Thos. Dowdy [sic] and Armsted S (?). Dowdy and daughter Mary McIntyre, wife of Duncan and Sarah Stedman wife of James M. Stedman one half acre of land to wit My family grave yard I except for the purpose of a burial ground to be laid off in a square by my Extr. and I hereby make and ordain my son William A. Dowdy and my son in law James M. Stedman Extrs. of this my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I the said Thomas Dowdy have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal the day and date above weritten signe d sealed and declared in the presence of us: Test: O.A. Tyser, Jordan Tyser. <L.S.> Thomas Dowdy. Proved May Term, 1859 B.C. Cotten C. C. C.

married Sarah [ RIDDLE ] born 1774; age 76 in the 1850 Chatham NC census; died: will dated 27 Sep 1860

27 September 1860 [will book?, page # ?] Will of Sally Dowdy
In the name of God Amen. I Sally Dowdy being of sound and declining mind an memory blessed be God do make publish and delcare this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say...Item 1st One half of the property which I die possessed of whether real or personal, including my half of the interest part, portion and claim which I may have in and to the estate of my late husband Thomas Dowdy, I give and bequeeath to my son Mathew Dowdy and his heirs forever - Item 2nd. I give and bequeath to my son William A. Dowdy forand during the term of his natural life the other half of all the porperty both real and personal of which I die possessed including the half of all my interest, part portion of claim in and to the estate of my husband the late Thomas Dowdy- and after the death of my said son Wm A. Dowdy, I give devise and bequeath the portion [?] given to my son William Dowdy to my grandson Madison Dowdy and to him forever. Item 3rd. I nominate and appoint my son Mathew Dowdy executor of this my last Will and Testament- In testimony wherof - I have [?] set my hand and seal this 27th day of September A.D. 1860. <s> Sally (herXmark) Dowdy. Wit: John Manning, A: McIntyre. L. J. Merritt

See the descent of Thomas Dowdy Jr. of Georges Creek, Chatham NC

 

2. Balaam DOWDY b 31 Mar 1777 NC; likely living in father's 1800 census HH; moved to Franklin Co. GA by 1813 when he appears with brothers James and Armstead in the tax roll; On 29 March 1837 he purchased land from M. W. Stamper in Cherokee County and lived in that county until his death at the age of 101; d 2 Mar 1878 in Canton Cherokee GA. Buried Dowda Family Cemetary; Changed his name to "Dowda" following move from Hall GA to Cherokee GA. Member of Shoal Creek Baptist Church in Cherokee GA

Deed Book X, pg. 271 Power of Attorney given to Thomas Dowdy by his brothers James Dowdy, Aarmstead Dowdy Balaam Dowdy & Benjamin Dowdy of Franklin co. Georgia, to sell their land they inherited from their father, Thomas Dowdy (II). Witnesses Samuel Mosby Sr, James Dowdy & Benjamin Dowdy. 24 Nov 1820. Proven during Chatham Co NC May Session 1821 by oath of Benjamin Dowdy.

married Keziah RIDDLE 2 May 1806 in Chatham Co NC; daughter of Thomas Riddle. died 29 October 1865 in Keithsburg,Cherokee County GA

1820-70, Page 117, May Term 1832 for Chatham County Court Records included a petition that Balaam Dowdy and his wife, Keziah, being non-residents and failing to appear should be excluded from the settlement of the estate of the late Thomas Riddle, deceased. In the Nov. 1832 Term, pp. 118-10, the petition was amended to include them in the settlement of the estate.

See the descent of Balaam Dowdy of Cherokee County Georgia

 

2. Benjamin DOWDY born about 1780 in Chatham County NC; likely migrated to Georgia by 1800 census; moved to Henderson TN

Benjamin moved to North Georgia with his brothers and cousins. In 1810 he purchased 50 acres of land in Jackson County GA. He appears as a tax defaulter in 1818 and 1820 next door Franklin County GA and appears in the 1820 Jackson County census with 2 sons age 0-10.

Deed Book X, pg. 271 Power of Attorney given to Thomas Dowdy by his brothers James Dowdy, Armstead Dowdy Balaam Dowdy & Benjamin Dowdy of Franklin co. Georgia, to sell their land they inherited from their father, Thomas Dowdy (II). Witnesses Samuel Mosby Sr, James Dowdy & Benjamin Dowdy. 24 Nov 1820. Proven during Chatham Co NC May Session 1821 by oath of Benjamin Dowdy.

However, he apparently returned to Chatham County appearing in Chatham Co court road orders in 1826-7 and the 1830 Chatham Co NC census (age 40-50) with a younger wife (age 20-30), one male child (age 0-5) and one female child (age 0-5). He does not appear in the 1840 census for Chatham NC. He also be the Benjamin who appeared in Henderson Co TN before 1840, appearing in that census age 50-60 with 3 sons viz: ages 0-5, 5-10, and 10-15; with 3 daughters viz: 0-5 and 2 aged 5-10. His wife was age 30-40. She apparently died before 1850. The names of children in the 1850 Henderson TN census hints of the connection to the Chatham NC Benjamin Dowdy

1850 Census
Page125B, Dist 2, House #88
DOWDY, Benjamin m 70 NC
Armistead f 22 NC
Emelite? f 16 TN
William m 10 TN
Matthew m 8 TN
Robert m 6 TN

The identification of this Benjamin Dowdy is too tentative to construct a proper theory at the moment. Under Review

 

2. James DOWDY b 1770 to 1780 (Randolph Co AL 1840 census) ; likely gone to Georgia before 1800 census; named in his father Thomas Dowdy's 1805 LW&T; moved to to Franklin GA by 1802 when he qualified to draw as a single person in the 1805 land lottery. James appeared in Franklin GA tax lists beginning in 1805 with his brother Armstead Dowdy.

Deed Book X, pg. 271 Power of Attorney given to Thomas Dowdy by his brothers James Dowdy, Armstead Dowdy Balaam Dowdy & Benjamin Dowdy of Franklin co. Georgia, to sell their land they inherited from their father, Thomas Dowdy (II). Witnesses Samuel Mosby Sr, James Dowdy & Benjamin Dowdy. 24 Nov 1820. Proven during Chatham Co NC May Session 1821 by oath of Benjamin Dowdy.

He appears on Franklin GA tax records through 1822 when he sold 76 acres with his wife Sarah.

1822 Mar 8. Franklin Co GA DB B pg 148. 76 ac from James Dowdy of Franklin to William Wiley on S. Fork of Nails Creek . Adj: Anthony Story, Wm gilmore, opposite head of Dowdy's Spring Branch and near Armsted Dowdys still house. Signed James Dowdy, Sarah Dowdy (x) wit: Saml Mosely, Armsted Dowdy.

James next appears on the 1844 Benton Co AL tax assessment and then in next door Randolph County AL and then Clay County AL (formed from Randolph in 1866). James DOWDY and Sarah DOWDY became members of Shiloh-Delta Primitive Baptist Church (founded 1837 at Delta, then Randolph County, AL, later Clay County) sometime before 1852.

married Sarah Poe she is named in the estate of her father Stephen Poe of Benton (later Calhoun) County Alabama. Stephen Poe had migrated to Alabama from Franklin Co GA.

1846 Nov 9. Benton Co. AL - Petition by administrator of Stephen Poe: Heirs: Lydia Poe Brady, James Dowdy and wife Sarah Poe, Mary Poe Smith, Eliz Poe Smith, James W. Poe, Samuel Poe of GA, Stephen Poe, Nancy Poe Holland, Jane Poe Sutherland

See the descent of James Dowdy of Franklin County Georgia

 

2. Armstead L. DOWDY born about 1781 in Chatham Co. NC [date set by the rules of the 1805 GA land lottery]; likely gone to Georgia before 1800 census; named in his father Thomas Dowdy's 1805 LW&T; moved to Franklin GA by 1802 when he qualified to draw as a single person in the 1805 land lottery. Armstead appeared in Franklin GA tax lists beginning in 1805 with his brother James Dowdy. He appears on Franklin GA tax records through 1833 and moved by April 1834 to Talbot GA when his daughter Rebecca was married there in that year.

Deed Book X, pg. 271 Power of Attorney given to Thomas Dowdy by his brothers James Dowdy, Armstead Dowdy Balaam Dowdy & Benjamin Dowdy of Franklin co. Georgia, to sell their land they inherited from their father, Thomas Dowdy (II). Witnesses Samuel Mosby Sr, James Dowdy & Benjamin Dowdy. 24 Nov 1820. Proven during Chatham Co NC May Session 1821 by oath of Benjamin Dowdy.

Armstead next appears in the 1850 Talbot Co GA census age 65 with wife Elizabeth and 4 children still in the HH. He died sometime between 1850 and 1860.

married Elizabeth CROSS 30 May 1816 in Franklin GA; Elizabeth last appears in the 1860 Clay County Alabama census age 63 b SC with daughter Mary A. Dowdy, age 33

 

See the descent of Armstead L. Dowdy of Talbot County Georgia

 

2. Joab DOWDY b 1780 to 1784 Chatham Co NC; likely living in his father's 1800 HH; moved to Graves County Kentucky sometime between 1830 and 1840 when he appears on the census there.

1810 Chatham NC census: Joab DOWDY 00010-20100 (b.1765-1784)

1830 Chatham NC census: Joab DOWDY 0120001-1112201 (b.1780-1790)

1840 Graves KY census:  Joab DOWDY 00101001-00124001 (b. 1780-1790)

Any information about the descent of Joab Dowdy would be appreciated.
Under Review

 

2. Rebecca DOWDY born about 1783 (range estimated from father's 1800 census HH and placed after the birth of brother Joab due to the order of children in her father's LW&T. Also, based on the ages of her children in the Clarke HH, she was likely born in the early 1780s); Rebecca was named in her father's 1805 LW&T.

married John CLARKE after 1805 as named without husband in her father's LW&T, but before 1821 when named as a devisee of her father's estate.

Deed Book N, pg. 331-332 Thomas Dowdy ( III ), for himself, and as Attorney for Armstead Dowdy, James Dowdy & Balaam Dowdy of the State of Georgia, and John Clark and Rebecca Clark, his wife, Joab Dowdy, and Benjamin Dowdy, all devisees of Thomas Dowdy ( II ) deceased, sold to Col. James Taylor, for $500, two tracts of land land left to them in will of their father, Thomas Dowdy (II). One tract of 50 acres on North side of Deep River, Taylors present line, & William Dowdy’s corner. The other tract of 84 acres also on Taylors other line. Witnessed by Thomas Ragland & James Kirby, on 15 Aug 1821.

PLEASE EMAIL ANY CORRECTIONS

WANTED: DESCENDANTS TO FILL IN DETAILS