Francis J. Dover was probably the first Dover in Georgia with the exception of another Dover .... Joshua. Francis is the oldest and most known Dover in the Dover family. He was a Revolutionary Soldier. I don't know of anyone researching their Dover family that hasn't wondered if/believed that Francis was their ancestor. All I can say is that he didn't father "that" many children. There's absolutely no evidence to support this, but I doubt Francis and Hezekiah were the only sons of their parents. As far as Lawson, I don't know what to think about Francis being his father. If Lawson was born 1800 SC as he always said he was, Francis was 40 years old when he was born (whatever that means). Lawson is perhaps from this Habersham deed: Book D Page 101 William Kitchens to Dawson Dover deed captioned Henry County, Georgia to Lot 52 of 13th District. Dec 29, 1826. Witness: Commick McCarter, Joseph Cross. Probated Henry County, Georgia before Thomas D. Johnson, J. P. Then there's a Muscogee County, Georgia reference for Francis: 1827 Lottery Francis Dover of Habersham County, Georgia, drew land in Muscogee County as a "REV SOLDIER." I believe Lawson Dover is found in the 1830 census for Muscogee County: DARER, Lawson 200002-110001 Columbus 287 Page 287 Lawson Dover? 30-40 1790-1800 Male 30-40 1790-1800 Female 30-40 1800-1810 Female 05-10 1820-1825 Male -05 1825-1830 Male -05 1825-1830 Female -05 1825-1830 There's no doubt that he was in 1840 Harris County, Georgia (next door): Page 261 132001-2111011 L. Dover 40-50 1790-1800 Female 40-50 1790-1800 Female 30-40 1800-1810 Female 15-20 1820-1825 Male 10-15 1825-1830 Male 10-15 1825-1830 Female 10-15 1825-1830 Male 05-10 1830-1835 Male 05-10 1830-1835 Male 05-10 1830-1835 Female 05-10 1830-1835 Male -5 1835-1840 Female -5 1835-1840 Female -5 1835-1840 If Lawson is Dawson in the Habersham deed, then he came from that area. Francis is the only "KNOWN" Dover from that area to be his father, unless maybe it was Johnson Dover. Lawson was "probably" born in Pendleton, SC or York, SC. If Lawson was born in Pendleton, his father should be Francis Dover or John Dover. We know Francis was in Pendleton by 1797. Francis doesn't jump out in the 1800 Pendleton census unless he is a Davis: Page 14 21010-30010 Francis Davis 26-45 1755-1774 Female 26-45 1755-1774 Male 16-26 1774-1784 Male 10-16 1784-1790 Male -10 1790-1800 Female -10 1790-1800 Female -10 1790-1800 Female -10 1790-1800 I have a hunch this could be Francis given the proximity of census neighbors and known deed names associated with Francis. Then there's the 1800 Pendleton census for John Dover: Page 5 40010-20010 John Dover 26-45 1755-1774 Female 26-45 1755-1774 Male -10 1790-1800 Male -10 1790-1800 Male -10 1790-1800 Male -10 1790-1800 Female -10 1790-1800 Female -10 1790-1800 I still suspect this John went to Buncombe County, North Carolina and that some combination of Bailey Dover, Elijah Dover, Frederick Dover, Jeptha Dover and John Dover are the males in the above census. Bailey went to Rabun Co., Georgia; Elijah stayed in Buncombe; Jeptha went to Gilmer (?); Frederick (one or both) went to Rabun, Lumpkin and Gilmer; and John went to Cherokee County, Georgia. All of this can't be true on this John's sons ... what if Lawson's father wasn't Francis ... could be the John from Pendleton. Nothing so far top give any indication of that. I pick up this question later in 1850 Alabama. The 1810 census for Pendleton shows: Page 159 Francis Dover 45+ -1765 20201-01210 Female 26-45 1765-1784 Female 16-26 1784-1794 Female 16-26 1784-1794 Male 16-26 1784-1794 Male 16-26 1784-1794 Female 10-16 1794-1800 Male -10 1800-1810 Male -10 1800-1810 Sharon S. can fill in the pro's and con's from her perspective. As long as we are discussing theory, I'll share one I grudgingly offered privately several years ago ... that maybe the John Dover in 1800 Pendleton was a brother to Francis and Hezekiah. This is how B. J. Frank and I met on the internet ... discussing too many John Dover's. There's room for them, we just have to look at the 1934 letter with a different view. Solving Lawson's parents are an important clue in solving my John's parents .... along with David Dover. Think these could be in part uncle and cousin issues