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2.v William DOWDY, "hatter" - 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 34 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.

William Dowdy was living near (or with) his step-brother Balaam Dowdy around 1806-8 when he served on a road maintenance team with Balaam and with their other step-brother, Jesse Poe.

1806 Feb Court Archibald McIntire is appointed overseer of the road from Brantly's Ferry on Deep River to Bear Creek in the room of Jesse Poe and is to have the following hands to work under him, to wit: His own hands, Col. Taylor's hands on Deep River, Johnston Parish, John Godfrey, Bennett Fields, James Bennett, Elijah Hinson, Henry Moody, Sen., William Dowdy, Balaam Dowdy, Thomas Beal's hands, Henry Poplin, George Poplin, Barney Stewart and Jesse Poe's hands.

1808 May Court. William Dowdy (Hatter) overseer of road with Baalam Dowdy...et al.

William Dowdy "hatter" was also enumerated in the 1815 Chatham NC tax records. He was charged with 1 poll (estimated age about 49) and his 250 acres on Georges Creek was valued at $500. He sold this land in February 1820 to step-brother Thomas Dowdy. Since William is not found in the 1820 census, he may have moved away at this time (at age 52)

1820 Feb 20. Deed Bk X p 211. William Dowdy to Thomas Dowdy two tracts in fork of George's Creek, the waters of Deep River, with Ballard's line, proved 1821 by oath of James Dowdy [note deed plotting software established that the 2 tracts sold were 50 acres and 200 acres]

The 1810 census suggests William Dowdy either married late in life and had no children or never married at all.

?married ______________ female over the age of 45 in William's 1810 census; was probably born about 1862 (this date is an estimation based on her being over age 45 in 1810 census and her ?husband being age 26-45 in the same census). It is possible that the female (+45) enumerated in William's 1810 census HH was not his wife, but one of his older unmarried sisters (daughters of Elizabeth Parsons Dowdy) identified in their father's 1805 LW&T viz: either Lucy Dowdy or Sarah Dowdy.

3. no children (in 1810 HH)

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