This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: mikekwms Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.dodson/2021.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I also noticed there was a Ralph Dodson in 1810 Rockingham Co., NC. I also noted that a Daniel Dodson was also listed there and was old enough to be Ralph's father. Were they even related? I dunno. In 1777 Daniel lived in Guilford Co. when he purchased 404 a. in Pittsylvania Co. on Cascade Creek. Same Daniel? No proof. Some things that can be documented. * Ralph was listed on the Pittsylvania Co. personal property tax lists in 1790. * In Feb 1800 Ralph was sued by John Stegall over a debt. Suit was dismissed later that year. * 1801 - Ralph sold 100 a. of land in Pittsylvania Co. to one of the 3 George Dodsons. If this Ralph indeed did live in Rockingham Co., NC in 1810 then a search of that county's deed books might shed some light on this as to when he acquired the land and where he came from, assuming he owned the land on which he lived. Some incidents involving Ralph and his presumed sons: * Carter Dodson's first marriage to Alcy Dodson (of Pittsylvania Co.) took place in Caswell Co., NC in 1818. The marriage to Alcy doesn't mean that Carter lived in NC. Caswell Co. is so close to Pittsylvania that many couples eloped, got married there, and returned to Pittsylvania Co. This practice continued well into the late 1800s. His 2nd marriage was to Nancy Myers was 1824 in Pittsylvania Co. * Dec 1822 - Ralph & Carter C. Dodson defendents in a breach of peace suit. (Dismissed) * 1824 - Deed of trust. Carter C. & Ralph owe Jesse Smith. * 1825 - Ralph arrested on a warrant sworn by Jesse Smith. * 1826 - Carter Dodson was charged with assault on James Garland with a stick on the streets of Competition (Chatham). * Aug 1826 - Carter C. Dodson, Bennett G. Dodson & Thomas Dodson resigned as patrol in the bounds of the 101st Militia (Part of Pittsylvania Co.) * Dec 1826 - Carter Dodson was surety for the marriage of Thomas Dodson to Betsy Myers. He and Thomas married sisters, daughters of Stephen & Dicy Myers. * Aug 1828 - Wm A. Anthony found not guilty of an assault on Carter C. Dodson. As you can see, this was a pretty colorful family. Thomas H. Dodson is the only son I've been able to prove. When he died in 1859 county records listed his father as Ralph and his mother as Elizabeth. (Thomas Dodson's male line ended when his only son Whitmell died fighting for the Confederacy in 1863.) In VA, counties didn't begin keeping birth and death records until 1853 so no official county records exist that show the deaths of Ralph Dodson and his wife. The Rev'd Elias Dodson's journal on the history of Dodsons does not mention Ralph. The later research of Rev'd Silas Lucas (2 books, very complete) also does not attach Ralph in the Dodson family tree. That certainly is not encouraging for persons researching this family. Ralph's probable children (not proved) include Carter C., Elisha H., Sarah & Bennett G. (and likely others.) Eventually Carter & Bennett left the county. Bennett G. took a 2nd wife in Gallia Co., Ohio and ended up in WV where he is shown in the 1880 Putnam Co. census living with son-in-law Joseph Tackett. I do not know what happened to Carter C. after 1836. Ralph Dodson was surety for the 1823 marriage of Sarah Dodson to Nathaniel Ricketts. (I think this was Ralph's daughter by Elizabeth Bennett.) "B.G." Dodson lived next door to Nathaniel Ricketts in 1830. Ricketts remained in the county. Sarah Dodson Ricketts died in 1882 at age 83. Ralph lived alone in 1830 (census.) The Poor House paid for Ralph's burial in 1833. It is likely that he was destitute and may have been living at the Poor House, which was administered by Camden Parish. If Ralph was buried on Poor House property he is in an unmarked grave. None of the Poor House burials had markers and any written records of such burials are lost. The burial site of Thomas Dodson, Nathaniel Ricketts and others is unknown. I don't know who Ralph's first wife was or where they were married. None of this addresses the original question of Ralph's parentage, but I thought a little background on this elusive family might be of interest. Take it for what it's worth. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>