The following is my transcription (I apologize for any errors) of Dover Origins by John Eagleston expanding on the John E. Dover 1934 letter and John's theory of known early family relationships. Source information not included except as noted. I discovered this piece several years ago through a reference by another researcher and then found the same piece had been filed with several libraries. John Eagleston intended for this to be a public document. The additional copy I purchased came from the Clayton library in Rabun County, Georgia as I wanted to see if the version I was sent was the same as he had written. It was. Please note that John Eagleston told me that nothing was cast in concrete for the theory of family relationships. You'll see some inconsistencies with the two versions of the 1934 letter. John's personal sources are not known, but I see pieces in Origins that I have heard repeated over the years from other sources. John's collection of Dover information didn't contain some of the information others of us have ... and we (the others) have differences in what information we have. John's theory of family relationships is based upon the information he had at hand. To reinforce Sharon's comments about the two 1934 letters, I have a copy of a one page family tree (drawn as a tree) that came from the family of J. R. Dover (referenced in the letter)(it was in an attic chest) that does not match up exactly to the 1934 letter. ***********************DOVER ORIGINS**************************** The following genealogy was for the most part organized in 1934 by John E. Dover, the fourth son of William Dover who was born in Yorkville, South Carolina in 1829 (John E. Dover was born in January 1888). The information gathered from his father and "Abram" Hardin. The original Dover was "John Dover from England. He was a machinist and millwright by trade and first landed at Fall River, Massachusetts in 1765. He came later to the Piedmont section of South Carolina and located on Kings Creek, at the foothills of Brown's Mountain, back of the Dillinger place and set up a set of mill rocks. He went back to Fall River because of an uprising of war of Indians. He was gone seven years. He returned in 1774 to the same place as before." These dates are questionable. The Indians had sued for peace in 1761 following two autumns of crop and village destruction by organized campaigns of the frontiersmen of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Peace reigned for fifteen years, until 1776 when the British incited them during the Revolutionary War. On the pension application of Francis J. Dover, he claims to have been born in June of 1760 on the Haw River about forty miles from Guilford, North Carolina. The earliest land transactions for the Dovers are the following sales by John and Zephaniah: York Co., S.C. Deed Book C, page 424, (no date copied). John Dover of Camden District to Thos. Jenkins. 250 pds. E. side of Broad River and on both sides of fork of High Shoals to Branch of Kings Creek being part of land conveyed by deed of sale from John Fondren to John Dover, 141 acres. Witnesses: Francis and Wm. Jenkins. York Co., S.C., Deed Book F, page 270, 18 December 1779. Zephaniah Dover of York to Gilbert Moss, 11 pds. 13 shllg. Land of Bells Branch of Kings Creek. Land was granted to Zephanial Dover. Witnesses: W. M. Sandlin, John Thompson, Moses Edmiston. Lincoln County, North Carolina, 9 October 1783, John Dover received a land grant of 100 acres on Long Branch of Buffalo adjacent Joseph Claborn. "He took part in the Revolutionary War and was in the battle at King's Mountain." The Dover's property was on or adjacent to King's Mountain where the battle was fought. The battleground park office at the foot of King's Mountain is said to be located on Dover land. In Draper's 'King's Mountain and Its Heroes', page 233, is the statement: "A Mr. Dover, says Colonel Logan, was likewise met on the march," (the day of King's Mountain Battle, about one mile from the battleground), "and imparted some information to the Whig leaders of Ferguson's movements and whereabouts." In Francis J. Dover's pension application he states that he was living about a mile from King's Mountain when he first volunteered for service. There are no lists of battlefield combatants containing the names of any Dovers although these lists are not, by any means, complete. There are no pension applications made by Dovers which claim participation in this battle although they were actively engaged in the cause. Three Dovers did have Revolutionary Claims in South Carolina: John, Zephaniah, and Francis. They are as follows: No. 406, Lib. V - Issued 8 August 1785 to Mr. John Dover for L 0..5..1 Sterling Rations for 15 Men & 16 Sheaves of Oats in 1780 as per account audited - Principal L O..5..l Interest L O..O..4 - -No. 448, Book Q - Issued the 20th of May 1785 to Mr. John Dover for Sixteen Shillings and four Pense Sterling for Forage Supplied the Militia per Account Audited. Principal - L O.. 16..4 - Annual Interest L O..l, -. No. 194, Book L - Issued 5 October 1784 to Mr. Zeph. Dover for One Pound fourteen Shillings and three Pense half Penny Sterling for 24 Days Militia Duty as a Private under Lieutenant Daniel Smith in 1781 as per Account Audited - Principal L 1..14..3 1/2. Annual Interest L 0--2--4-.. The Stub Entry to Indents for Rev. Claim to Francis was not obtained but a breakdown of his extensive military service is given in a later section. The old Hambright Cemetery is just a quarter of a mile down the road from the park office. The old Dover Cemetery is about a half mile, or so, further toward the west. It is across the road from a church. There are quite a few stones but reading them is extremely difficult because of their age. The Dover womenfolk were active on the battlefield after the conflict. The widower, LTC Fredrick Hambright is said to have met his second wife, Mary Dover, daughter of a John Dover, while she was attending to his wounds. He was supposed to have been taken to the Dover home where she nursed him back to health. "His sons were: Elijah, Eephaniah, John, William, and James. Elijah lived and died near Antioch Church, Cherokee County. I visited him when a small boy, He died soon after, ninety years old then. Several of his boys went to Georgia." He was listed as being 79 years old (b. 1771) on the 1850 census of York County, so he would have been ninety in 1861 or 17 years before John E. Dover, the author was born. Elijah's wife, Mary, was listed as 81 years old (born ca. 1769). 'Eephaniah and family settled in Georgia, William and family settled later in western North Carolina and west (East?) Tennessee. James and family settled in Broad River, now Cherokee County. John was a farmer and lived in York County. Sallie was also from this first generation. She married Col. Frederick Hambright. She was his second wife." The Colonel's wife was actually named Mary (b. 9 January 1762). Based on the census records: Zephania Dover was born before 1755 which, when coupled with military and property records, make him look more like a brother of John #1, than a son; William is never found in the censuses; James was born sometime before 1774 and was only on the 1790 census; John was also born sometime before 1774 and remains in the county (his cemetery stone indicates he was born in 1779, but the 1850 census indicates 1785); Mary was born on January 9, 1762; there was an Elizabeth buried in the Shiloh Presbyterian Church Cemetery. She was born approximately 1747 and died February 21, 1788 (41 years old), She may have been the wife of the original John Dover. These are probably not the only children of the original John Dover. Surely there was more than one daughter and it is very likely that Francis and Hezekiah were sons. If Zephaniah is actually a younger brother of John #1, perhaps Francis is the individual referred to as Eephaniah, who moved to Georgia. In his 1838 Revolutionary Pension Claim, filed in Habersham County, Georgia, Francis J. Dover states that he was born on June 28, 1760 on the Haw River, North Carolina about forty miles from Gui1ford. He was living in York County when he first volunteered on 11 July 1777 and remained there for three or four years after his discharge in 1781. In the York County Court Minutes, Book A, page 136, (January 1788), Francis Dover served as a witness in a local land transaction. Hezekiah Dover was a witness for Francis' application and he states that he was a brother to Francis and was about sixteen years old at the time of the Revolutionary War. It appears that Francis was the oldest son of John, followed by daughter, Sarah, then probably Hezekiah, Zephaniah, Elijah, John (ca. 1785). and William, who may have been born about the time of death of an Elizabeth Dover, the possible wife of John Dover #1. "John Dover #1 lived to be 110 years old and is buried in the Shiloh Graveyard." If this is true, why did he never appear in any of the censuses, at least living with one of his son's families. There is never more than one John Dover shown on any of the York County censuses. After 1790, the only possible entry would be the John (b. pre-1755) in Buncombe County, North Carolina in 1800. The Dover's "were carefree, fun-loving, hard working people; great lovers of music, both instrumental and vocal, Some of them (had) the finest (voices) of their time: clearness and smoothness of tone, vocally. No serious crime was ever charged any of them. The above facts were gathered from my father and Abram Hardin. I believe them to be true. I have no doubt but that all the Dovers in this country sprang from this one family as I could never learn of any others coming over to this country." The York County Court Minutes, 1786 to 1797, Book A, contains several entries pertaining to John Dover. Thursday, January the 17th, 1788, page 144: "Ordered that a Ded. Po. Issue to Esquire Pearson to take Deposition of Doctor Hames Freeland & wife, or the nearest magistrate to the house of the Doctor, in the in the suit John Dover against Jacob Hofstitler, giving 20 days notice to the Def't." "Ordered that a Ded. Po, Issue to Georgia to take deposition of John Williford & wife at his house on Ogeechee before the nearest Magistrate, the State vs. Dovers." Thursday, July 17th, 1788. "John Dover vs. Jacob Hofstitler. Slander, Dismissed at plaintiff's cost." According to John E. Dover, the following are the children of John Dover #2, b. ca. "l779", d. 1866 (aged "87" years), buried in the old Dover Cemetery, and his wife, Elizabeth ______, b. ca. "1789", d. 27 March 1856 (aged "67" years) buried in the Old Dover Cemetery: 1a. A daughter, b. ca. 1800-1810. 2a. Sealy (Celia) Dover, b. 24 December 1812, d. 20 December 1889, buried at Mt. Paron Church Cemetery, north of Gaffney, South Carolina , m . Berryman Moss , b. 21 September 1814, d. 23 November 1891. 3a. Martin Dover, b. ca. 1812, m. Matilda ________ b. ca. 1806. 1b. James M., b. ca. 1832, York District, South Carolina. 2b. Pinckney, b. ca. 1834, York District, South Carolina. 3b. David T., b. ca. 1838, York District, South Carolina. 4b. John H., b. ca. 1840, a farmer and father of John, a large cotton mill owner and operator, d. 1932, Shelby, North Carolina, m. ________ Toms. 5b. Robert A., b. ca. 1845, York District, South Carolina. 4a. A daughter, b. ca. 1810-1820. 5a. John Dover #3, b. 22 May 1816, d. 18 July 1889, buried in the old Dover Cemetery, m. Dorinda Louise Whisenant, daughter of Aaron W. Whisenant and Martha Patsy Hardin (Benjamin and Rebecca Martin Hardin) b. 20 April 1825, in York County, S.C., d. 21 May 1898 , in Cherokee County, S.C., buried in the old Dover Cemetery. 1b. Felix H. Dover, b. January 1844, was owner of a cigar company, lived in Tampa Florida, m. Jane Amanda Dixon, daughter of Peter and Asenath Whisenant "Dickson" (of Joseph R. and Unity Hardin Whisenant) ch: Rush, Richard, Cleo. 2b. Daniel D. Dover, b. 20 May 1847, d. 26 November 1908, m. Mary Jane Hardin, daughter of Noah and Harriet B. Camp Hardin, b. 11 April 1852, d. 9 May 1939, ch: Lillie, Ollie, Lloyd (died young). 3b . George Dover , b. ca. 1847, York District, South Carolina. 4b . Teresa (Tressa) Dover, b. 18 July 1850 in York District, South Carolina, d. 11 July 1902 in Cleveland County, N. C., m. ca. 1876, Perry Mulls Gibbons (Givins?), ch.: Corinda, John J., Jesse K., and Pearly Jane. 5b . Martha E. Dover, b. 28 June 1852, d. 1 January 1893, m. John Bishop Fulton (son of Anastasia 'Stacy' Fulton., unwed), had 10 children: Charles, b. 23 August 1869; Myra, b. 11 August 1871; Nora, b. 22 July 1875; Ida, b. 1875; Minnie, b. 12 March 1878; Frances; Wylie Irvin, b. 12 October 1883, m. Bertha Wells; George; John Theodore, b. 24 April 1889; and Elizabeth. 6b. Perry Dover, b. 1 July 1856, d. 25 September 1922. 7b . Mary Dover, b. 18 July 1859, d. 24 April 1941, m . Aaron Hardin. 8b . Permelia Dover, b. 29 August 1861, d. 6 November 1921, m . Mathias Turner. 9b. William A. Dover, b. 13 February 1866, d. 20 September 1928, a merchant in Grover, North Carolina, m. Minerva Bell, ch: Curtis, Louis, John, Darwin. 6a. Thomas C. Dover, b. ca. 1819, York County, South Carolina, m. Lucinda L. Givens, b. 1820, York County, South Carolina. 1b. William E., b. 1845, York County, South Carolina. 2b. James R., b. 1846, York County, South Carolina. 3b. Annie Elizabeth E., b. 5 March 1850, York County, South Carolina. d. 16 July 1937, Catlin, Illinois, m. 5 April 1877, Frank P. Elgin, b. January 1852, ch: Martha; Gussie, b. 1779; Alice b. 1881; and Everett, b. 1887. 7a. Mahalia Dover, b. ca. 1820, had no children. 8a. Francis 'Fanny' Dover, b. ca. 1823, died at the home of her sister, Mrs. Celia Moss. 9a. Zepheniah Dover, b. ca. 1825, m. Adalee b. ca. 1827. 1b. Barbara, b. ca. 1846, York County, South Carolina. 2b. Rebecca, b. ca. 1849, York County, South Carolina. 10a. Asa Dover, b. ca. 1828, York District, South Carolina, m. (1) Sarah _______, ch: John T., b. 1850, Charlie, Lawson, Robert, Lee, Murklan, Elizabeth, and Mattie, m.(2) _______, ch: Will and Manayla. Others report Asa's descendants as: m.(l) _________, ch: Mary Jane Dover Grayson, m. (2) ________, ch: William F. Dover, m. (3) __________, ch: Mattie Dover Hord, Nora Dover Lindsay, Elizabeth Dover Lerechuex , Charlie Dover, Jacob Lee Dover, Robert Samuel Dover, Lawson Dover, and Merklin Dover. 11. William Dover, b. 1829, Yorkville, South Carolina, d. 1919, Chattanooga, Tennessee, a farmer, carpenter, and contractor, m. Mary Theresa Whitice (Whitehurst) of Dalton, Georgia. 1b. Adolph C., b. ca. 1868, d. 1905, Charlotte, North Carolina, unmarried. 2b. William E., m. Rosa Griffin of East Chattanooga, Tennessee, ch: Eugene and William E. Jr. 3b. George L., b. ca. 1883, m. Erma Kendall of Chattanooga, Tennessee, no children. 4b. John E., author of this genealogy, b. January 1888, m. 7 October 1919, Mary Eugene Ruble of Lott, Texas, ch: John Jr. 5b. Lula, m. Joseph Trimby, ch: Mary Jane, Ruth, Joe, Charles. 6b. Alice, m. J. Gid Lovelady of Daisy, Tennessee. 7b. Lillie, m. J. W. Hall of Tuscumbia, Alabama, ch: Nell Tendell, Mary Bell Harris, Laurie Hall. 8b. Raymond H., b. ca. 1890, ch: Raymond H. Jr. 12a. Willis Dover, b. ca. 1833, York District, South Carolina. The children of Zephenial Dover appear to be the following: 1a. A son, b. ca. 1774-1782. 2a, A daughter, b. ca. 1774-1784. 3a. A daughter, b. ca. 1774-1784. 4a. A daughter, b. ca. 1784-1790. 5a. A daughter, b. ca. 1784-1790. 6a. A daughter, b. ca. 1784-1790. 7a. A daughter, b. ca. 1784-1790. 8a. Zepheniah Dover, Jr., b. ca. 1794-1800. 1b. A son, b. ca. 1810-1820. 2b. A daughter, b. ca. 1810-1820. 3b. A daughter, b. ca. 1810-1820. 9a. A daughter, b. ca. 1790-1800. 10a. A daughter, b. ca. 1790-1800. 11a. Shared Dover, b. ca. 1794-1804. 1b. A son, b. ca. 1810-1820. 12a. Frederick Dover, b. ca. 1794-1804, a newly wed in 1820. 13a. A daughter, b. ca. 1804-1810. 14a. A daughter, b. ca. 1804-1810. The children of Elijah Dover appear to be the following: 1a. A daughter, b. ca. 1794-1800. 2a. A daughter, b. ca. 1794-1800. 3a. James Dover, b. ca. 1800-1802. 4a. A daughter, b. ca. 1800-1804. 5a. A son, b. ca. 1802-1804. 6a. A daughter, b. ca. 1810-1820. 7a. A son, b. ca. 1810-1820. 8a. A daughter, b. ca. 1815-1820. 9a. A son, b. ca. 1815-1820. The children of Hezekiah Dover (this Hezekiah is possibly the eldest son of Zepheniah) appear to be the following: 1a. A son, b. ca. 1794-1802. 2a. A son. b. ca. 1794-1802. 3a. A son, b. ca. 1804-1810. 4a. A son, b. ca. 1804-1810. 5a. A son, b. ca. 1804-1810. 6a. A son, b. ca. 1810-1820. 7a. A son, b. ca. 1810-1820. Francis J. Dover left York County three or four years after his discharge from the army in l783. This was probably about the time his home in York County burned, as he reported in his pension application. He moved to Pendleton District, South Carolina, where he appears on the 1810 Census (20201-01210-00). If his middle initial, J., stands for John, it would explain the young John Dover family shown on the 1800 Pendleton District Census. It is quite possible that his brother, Hezekiah, went with him explaining why neither of them were remembered in York County. Francis remained in Pendleton District until he and his family moved to Habersham County, Georgia sometime between 1813 and 1820. The 1820 census of Habersham County, Georgia, entries 99, 102, and 103, respectively, show: Dover, Johnson 200130-30010-0 Dover, Francis 001201-00001-0 Dover, Anderson 100100-20100-0 In the Habersham County, Deed Book A, page 185, Abraham Eason of Morgan County, deed 18 February 1822 to "Jonathon" Dover, 25 acres on water of Deep Creek, granted to said Eason. Page 310, "Jonston" Dover, deed, 1 March 1822 to John Jourdin to lot 117 of 13th District originally granted Abraham Eason 18 February 1822. In Deed Book B, 1823-1824, page 142, November 13, 1823, Amos Love of Lawrence County, Georgia to Francis Dover to lot 45 of 13th District. Page 127, January 17, 1824, captioned Putnam County, Georgia, James Whitfield to Johnson Dover to lot 152 of 12th District. In Deed Book C, 1824-1826, page 142, undated, Moses C. Gilham of Clarke County., to Anderson Dover to lot 53 of 13th District, granted to said grantor, Wit: Lott M. Logwine, William Elliot. Probated before Joseph Jones, J.P. Clarke County, Anderson Dover drew land in Lee County in the 1827 lottery. In this same lottery, Francis Dover drew land in Muscogee County as a Revolutionary Soldier (other records indicate 247-2 Troup County, granted 11/11/1833). The following is a list of the children of Francis J. Dover, b. 28 June 1760, Haw River, North Carolina, d. 13 December 1851, Habersham County, Georgia, m. ______ Posey, d. prior to 1850, Habersham County, Georgia: 1a. Johnson Dover, b. 1787, South Carolina, m. Huldah ________b. ca. 1788, South Carolina, ch: Casey, b. ca. 1824, Georgia. 2a. Anderson Dover, b. ca. 1789 (or 1794-95), South Carolina, moved to Murray County, Georgia by 1850 which became Whitfield County by 1853, m. (1) Jane Cross, had ten children, m. (2) Mrs. Catherine Hancock. First four sons in Gordon County, Georgia by 1860. 1b. Allen Dover, b. ca. 1818, South Carolina. 2b. Larkin C. Dover, b. ca. 1825, Georgia. 3b. Henry S. Dover, b. ca. 1831, Georgia. 4b. William Dover, b. ca. 1834, Georgia. 5b. Mancel Dover, b. ca. 1839, Georgia. 3a. Possibly Rebecca, b. ca. 1793, South Carolina, m. Thomas Cross. 1b. S., b. ca. 1830. 2b. L, a female, b. ca. 1827. 3b. C, b. ca. 1832. 4b. E., a female, b. ca. 1835. 4a. Mitchell Dover, b. ca. 1797, South Carolina, m. Malinda ________ b. ca. 1802, North Carolina. 1b. M. J. Dover, a female, b. ca. 1829, "North Carolina"?. 2b. L. T. Dover, b. ca. 1833, Georgia. 3b. D. A. Dover, b. ca. 1837, Georgia. 4b. C. Dover, a female, b. ca. 1839, Georgia. 5b. A. Dover, a female, b. ca. 1843, Georgia. 5a. Thompson Dover, d. between 1840 and 1850, m. Phebe, b. ca. 1798. 1b. C. Dover, a female, b. ca. 1825. 2b. N. Dover, a female, b. ca. 1828. 3b. F. Dover, b. ca. 1834. 4b. G. W. Dover, b. ca. 1837 5b. E. Dover, a female, b. ca. 1838. 6b. P. Dover, a female, b. ca. 1842. 7b. S. Dover, a female, b. ca. 1843. 8b. W. Dover, b. ca. 1846. 9b. L. Dover, a female, b. ca. 1847. 10b. A. Dover, b. ca. "1846". 6a. William Simpson Dover, b. ca. 1805, South Carolina, from Habersham to Walker County, Georgia by 1840, d. Texas, m. Lucy Dooley, b. South Carolina, d. Texas. 1b. Possibly Elizabeth Dover, m. Larkin Goodson, ch: John, b. 2 January 1841, Walker County, Georgia, d. 6 March 1921, Cherokee County, Texas. 2b. Julia Ann Dover, b. ca. 1851?, Georgia, d. 1899, Cherokee County, Texas, m. 1851, Henry David Broom, b. ca. 1831, South Carolina, d. 1885, Parker, Texas. 7a. Possibly Hannah Dover, m. 19 December 1832, Habersham County, Georgia. William W. Green, b. 3 February 1818, ch: Henry H. Jesse M., Alfred W., Susan E. , Lousia J. . Mary A., Laura A., Cella A., Sarah A., William W., Hannah E., John F., Grisham, Benjamin M., and Carolina. Francis J. Dover entered the service of the United States as a volunteer on approximately 11 July 1777 in Guilford County, North Carolina under Captain Jenkins and Colonel Paisley and General Rutherford. His unit was marched to Salisbury, North Carolina where they were stationed , under the same officers, for about five months. They were then marched to York District, South Carolina and from there to Camden where they were stationed for some time. From Camden they were marched through the country in South Carolina to the Congaree and Wateres River where he joined General Gates. Captain Jenkins having been killed near Ninety-Six, Lieutenant Copeland was appointed in his place. They were afterward marched through the country in different directions, sometimes advancing, sometimes retreating, and sometimes detached on scouting parties. He was sometimes on detached service under Colonel Hambright, Colonel William Grimes, General Smallwood, and General Butler. He was with General Gates at his defeat near Salisbury and from there marched to Salisbury and then, again, to the Congaree River in South Carolina where he was placed under the command of General Green. He had served regular tours of duty, one beginning as the other ended for a total of twenty-three or twenty-five months (he couldn't remember whether it was one month over or under two years). In June or August of 1779 he enlisted in the Regular Continental Army at Ankrums on the Congaree as a private under Captain George Ross, Colonel Washington, and General Green. He was stationed at Ankrums about three months and was then marched about the country in different directions, not specifically recollected, until January 1781 when he was in the battle at the Cowpens. There, under General Morgan (Gen. Green being at Broad River) they beat the British. From the Cowpens they marched about the country until the month of March, when he was again in battle against the British at Guilford, North Carolina where he was wounded in both the leg and the arm. At Guilford he was under General Green and the British were under Lords Rawdon and Cornwallis. After the battle he went to different points to watch the movement of the enemy until finally they got into their entrenchment's at York in Virginia. He remained at this siege until the surrender of Cornwallis. After the taking of York, he was marched to Newburgh, North Carolina, at which place and in the neighborhood he was stationed for upwards of twelve month and until Peace was proclaimed. He was regularly discharged by Captain Bluford, Major Thompson and Colonel Lacy, in November 1783 after a total of four years of Continental service.