Dowdy Family History

The Richard Dowdy Sr. family arrived in the District 7, Hickory Withe, area of Fayette County around 18371. In 1843, members of the Dowdy family included Richard S., his wife Martha, and children Richard Dowdy Jr. and wife Elizabeth, Mahala and husband David W. Monroe, Amanda and husband Alonzo Robertson, and William P., and Mary2. It is not clear which of these individuals actually arrived in Fayette County with Richard Sr. and Martha in 1837. Richard Dowdy Sr. died in October of 1842 leaving Martha and at least two adult children, Mary, and William P. residing in the area (FCMB B, pg. 378). It also appears that Richard Jr. with wife Elizabeth, and Amanda with husband Alonzo Robertson were in the area. Upon the death of her husband, Martha assumed the role as head of their District 7 household. In July, 1846 she acquired a 172 2-acre land entry near the family's original property3 (FCEB ?, pg. ?). In 1850 Martha was still residing near Hickory Withe. Members of her household included daughter Mary (23), son-in-law Alizo Robertson (38), along with William (8), Alfred (6), and James (4), children of Alizo and Martha's deceased daughter Amanda C. (also referred to as Manda) (FCGC1850). Later in 1850 Martha died. Her will directed that her land be equally divided among her children, but that the dwelling house go to daughter Mary who was apparently already living there (FCWB A, pg. 406). Mary surfaces in the record again in 1900 as a 74-year old hotel keeper in Moscow, Tennessee (FCGC1900).

Richard Jr. and his wife Elizabeth were married and had two children, Linas and Rebecca before coming to Fayette County. Their arrival could have been as early as 1837 when the first of this Dowdy family arrived, or as late as December 1838. The Dowdy family's first involvement with the Ames Plantation land base occurred on 31 December 1838 when Richard Jr. acquired a 28-acre entry in District 14 of Fayette County (FCEB B, pg. 352, map T1). The following day, 1 January 1839, Richard Jr. sold the entry to Patrick H. Dowdy. The selling of the tract to Patrick casts considerable confusion on the issue, but it appears that Richard Jr. most likely maintained ownership of the property4.

It is not known where Richard Jr. and his family lived initially. They may have resided on their 28-acre parcel, if they did in fact maintain possession of it, or they may have resided at the Hickory Withe land of Martha. Regardless of their place of residence, the family of Richard Jr. and Elizabeth continued to grow after their arrival in Tennessee. Around 1839 two children, Amanda C., and Sarah J., were added to their family (possibly twins) , and around 1843 Arun S. was born (FCGC1850). Evidence suggests that between 1845 and 1846, Richard Jr. died leaving the household in the hands of Elizabeth5.

On 4 April, 1846 Elizabeth filed claim to the same 28-acre land entry entered by her husband Richard Jr. in 1838 (map T1). Elizabeth sold this small tract to her brother-in-law William P. on 15 June 1848. In July, 1847 Elizabeth purchased an additional 100 acres, located a short distance away, from Jesse Burton (FCDB M, pg. 423, outside map coverage area). According to the 1850 Fayette County General Census, 42-year-old Elizabeth was a head of household residing just a short distance from her brother William in District 14. Included in the household were five children; Linas F. (16), Rebecca A. (15), Amanda C. (11), Sarah J. (11), and Arun S (7). By 1850 Elizabeth was operating a small farm consisting of 155 acres. This acreage is thought to have been comprised of the 100 acres purchased from Jesse Burton, and a 52 2-acre entry (#203) which was filed in her husband, Richard's, name in 18456 (FCEB C, pg. 94, map T2). Elizabeth's farm was a small scale operation. In 1850 she produced only two bales of cotton along with 200 bushels of Indian corn and 10 bushels of sweet potatoes. She also had a few head of milk and beef cows as well as hogs (FCAC1850). Farm labor was provided primarily by the family with the assistance of one 67-year- old female slave (FCSC1850).

Little is revealed about Elizabeth and her family in the archival record during the period from 1851 until 1857. It appears likely that she maintained her residence near her brother William P. in District 14. In June of 1857 she sold her 100-acre tract to ???? Black (FCDB U, pg. 307). In November of that same year Elizabeth along with her children Linas, Sarah, Amanda and Arun (possibly Irene) Dowdy sold their 52 2-acre tract to William P. (FCDB V, pg. 109, map T2). It is not clear what happened in the life of Elizabeth after 1857. She does not appear in the 1860 census in Fayette County. Was she missed by the census taker? Did she die or possibly move out of the area?

Of Richard and Martha Dowdy's children, William Preston made the most significant contribution to the history of the Ames Plantation land base. Born in Virginia on 13 March 1816 William arrived in Fayette County with the Dowdy family as a single adult. It is likely that he played an important role in helping the Dowdy family establish themselves on their new property. William's father died in 1843, a fact which must have served to elevate his responsibility in the household7. On 15 December 1846 William married Lucy E. May, the daughter of William Meredith May and Catherine Jarrett8. The May and Dowdy families were neighbors, with the Mays living immediately south of the land occupied by Elizabeth Dowdy. The marriage of William and Lucy marked the beginning of a period of land acquisition which culminated in a sizeable plantation operation. William's first acquisition occurred in June of 1848 with the purchase of Elizabeth's 28-acre parcel (FCDB N, pg. 513, map T1). During the next 9 months William purchased three tracts which adjoined his earlier purchase. These included a 152 2-acre tract from Frances Laughter (FCDB O, pg. 203, map T3), a 137-acre tract from James Green (FCDB O, pg. 224, map T4), and a 105-acre tract from Ann S. White (undocumented, map T5), bringing his total land holdings by 1850 to 422 2 acres9. During 1850 William P. and neighbor Benjamin Moody exchanged two 6-acre tracts near where their property bordered (FCDB P, pg. 376, map T6 & FCDB O, pg. 512, map T7). Along with their land holdings, William and Lucy's family grew during this period. Sons William Preston Jr. and Richard Oscar, and daughter Mary Virginia were born between 1847 and 1850 (FCGC1850).

The 1850 Fayette County Agricultural Census reveals details of the Dowdy's budding plantation. His farming operation was typical of mid-sized farms of the period. Livestock included the usual array of meat, milk, and draft animals. Crop production consisted primarily of corn, sweet potatoes, and cotton. The 17 bales of cotton produced is most noteworthy, as cotton was the area's principal cash crop. By 1850 William owned 15 slaves, the names of which are currently unknown, and had employed the assistance of an overseer, D. T. Laughter, who resided with the Dowdy family. (FCSC1850 & FCGC1850).

In the years to follow, the Dowdy family prospered. During the 1850's William was involved in several business deals which suggest considerable financial success. In 1852, William loaned his brother-in-law, Marcellus A. May, $610 for which he received a mortgage to Marcellus' share in his father William M. May's estate (FCDB R, pg. 168, not shown on map). In 1857 he purchased James M. Duke's share of the 500-acre Merrit Duke estate (FCDB U, pg. 159, not shown on map), along with 52 2 acres from his sister-in-law Elizabeth (FCDB V, 109, map T2). On 24 March 1858 William sold 24 acres of his Ann S. White tract to S. P. Phillips, owner of adjacent parcel (FCDB W, pg. 195, map T8).
In 1858 William and Lucy lost their eldest son William Preston Jr. He was buried in Ebenezer Cemetery near Williston in Fayette County. By 1860, the Dowdy family had added several children including Florence May, Walter Davis, Lucy Ella, Sam Edgar and William Preston Jr.10 (FCGC1860). Their last child, Minnie Kate, is assumed to have been born sometime after 186011.

The success of William and his wife Lucy is clearly demonstrated in the 1860 Fayette County Agricultural Census. The production of the Dowdy plantation increased tremendously during the previous decade with cotton production recorded at 90 bales, up from 17 in 1850. Likewise, there was a significant increase in all types of livestock and crop production. This increase in production necessitated an increase in labor which is reflected in the Dowdy's slave holdings increasing from15 to 39 by 1860 (FCSC1860).

Obviously, the Dowdy family was impacted by the Civil War. It does not appear, however, that the events of the War years resulted in a significant loss of the Dowdy's land or monetary holdings12. In the years following the War William continued to expand his property ownership. In 1867 he purchased 100 acres from Hiram P. Guy (FCDB Y, pg. 171, outside map coverage area). In 1868 William purchased 345 acres, adjoining his property on the south, from his brother-in-law M. B. Moody (FCDB Y, pg. 496, map T9). Evidence suggests that William also purchased 556 acres from Benjamin Moody, and 387 acres from S. P. Phillips, however there is no documentation to provide details13 (map tract T10 for Moody tracts and T11 for Phillips tract). Other evidence of William's financial success is his ownership of 5 town lots in the town of Moscow (FCDB 1, pg. 409) and the mention of numerous Arkansas land holdings in his will (FCWB B, pg. 281-283).

William and Lucy are absent from the 1870 Fayette County Census. Daughter Florence M. Dowdy, at the age of 17, is listed as head of household. The remainder of the household is comprised of the minor children of William and Lucy, including Walter, Lula, Sarah, Minnie Kate, and Eugene. This absence of William and Lucy is unexplained as they were both living in 1870. William died on 16 December 1871, leaving his estate to his wife Lucy until such time that their children married or reached the age of 21 when each would acquire an equal share. Lucy Dowdy died in 1891. Both she and William were buried in Ebenezer Cemetery near Williston in Fayette County.

Genealogy

1. Richard Dowdy of Cumberland County, Virginia

+ Martha ______
            Born abt. 1786 in Virginia

Children of Richard and Martha: (birth order unknown)

2. Richard Jr.

+Elizabeth ????

Children of Richard Jr. and Elizabeth

3. Linas F.
        Born abt. 1834 in Virginia

3. Rebecca A.
      Born abt. 1835 in Virginia

3. Amanda C.
      Born abt. 1839 in Tennessee

3. Sarah J.
      Born abt. 1839 in Tennessee

3. Arun S. (possibly Irene instead of Arun)
        Born abt. 1843 in Tennessee

2. Mahaley (also spelled Mahala)

+ David W. Monroe

2. Mary
        Born abt. 1827 in Virginia

2. Amanda C.
        Died between 1846 and 1850

+ Alizo Robertson

Children of Mary and Alizo:

3. William
        Born abt. 1842

3. Alfred
        Born abt. 1844

3. James
        Born abt. 1846

2. William Preston
            Born 13 March 1816 in Virginia, died 16 December 1871, buried in              Ebenezer Cemetery, Fayette County Tennessee

+ Lucy E. May
            Born 17 October 1825, died 16 December 1891, Ebenezer                 Cemetery, Fayette County, Tennessee

Children of William and Lucy:

3. William Preston Jr.
        Born 19 September 1847, died 3 August 1858, buried         Ebenezer Cemetery, Fayette County, Tennessee

3. Richard Oscar
        Born abt. 1848

3. Mary Virginia
        Born abt. 1849

3. Florence May
        Born abt. 1852

3. Walter Davis
        Born abt. 1854

3. Lucy Ella
        Born abt. 1856

3. Sam Edgar
        Born abt. 1858

3. William Preston Jr. changed to Eugene Preston btw. 1867 and 1871.

3. Minnie Kate

2.  Other possible children of Richard Sr. and Martha - Sarah, Rebecca, and Virginia

Endnotes

1  Time of arrival in Fayette County is based on the following evidence. Richard Dowdy is not present in the 1836 Fayette County Tax List. On 10 March, 1838 Richard Dowdy sold a portion of an occupant entry in the name of William H. Russell to the building committee of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in District 7.. Evidence suggests that the Dowdy family arrived in Fayette County from Cumberland County, Virginia. Fayette County Court Minutes Book B, page 431 states ".... William P. Dowdy administrator of Richard Dowdy dec’d and produced in open court a power of attorney from himself to Spencer Palmore of Cumberland County in the State of Virginia to receive and grant a quit acquittances for the inheritance of Richard Dowdy dec’d in the estate of James Dowdy deceased and for other purposes therein expressed ......" .  Back

2  The composition of the Dowdy family is based on information from an 1843 Fayette County Circuit Court case involving the settlement of the estate of Richard Dowdy Sr. (May Term, 1843, Document available in Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Somerville, Tennessee) In addition, Sarah and husband George W. Fletcher, Rebecca, and Virginia are listed. It is assumed, but in no way proven, that Sarah, Rebecca, and Virginia are the children of Richard Sr. and Martha. Others listed in the court case, with the exception of Elizabeth are proven to be the children of Richard Sr. and Martha in Martha’s will (FCWB A, pg. 406). While Elizabeth is listed as the "daughter" of Martha in this will, other evidence including the aforementioned court case clearly indicates that Elizabeth was Martha’s daughter-in-law and wife of Richard Dowdy Jr. Back

3  Martha Dowdy’s will refers to a 172 ½-acre tract (entry 389) as ".... the land that I now reside on ..." . Back

4  While it is entirely possible that this land was entered by Richard Dowdy Sr. instead of Richard Jr., there is strong circumstantial evidence to support Richard Jr. as the entry filer. Any relation between Patrick H. Dowdy and Richard Dowdy Jr. is not clearly demonstrated in the record. Patrick and Richard were named in a trust deed with John T. Patterson on 18 January 1839 involving Richard borrowing $45 from Patterson. (FCDB H, pg. 295). This is the last mention of Patrick H. Dowdy in the record. Further complicating the issue is the presence of a Patrick Henry Downy in the area at this time. Could Patrick H. Dowdy and Patrick Henry Downy be one and the same? Regardless of the identity of Patrick it appears that Richard Jr. and his wife maintained control of the property. Back

5  Date for Richard's death are based on the fact that the last child born to Richard Jr. and Elizabeth was Arun in 1843 and in 1846 Elizabeth was refiling a claim to the couples 28-acre entry in her name. The need for Elizabeth to refile may have something to do with the aforementioned unexplained involvement of Patrick H. Dowdy. Back

6  Entry #203 for 52 ½ acres was filed in 1845 under the name of Richard Dowdy. This Richard Dowdy is almost certainly Richard Jr., as Richard Sr. died in 1842. Back

7  William Preston served as the administrator of his father’s estate in 1843 at the age of 27 (FCMB B, pg. 431). While there is no conclusive evidence, it is felt that William lived in the household with his mother and siblings at least until his marriage in 1846. Back 

8  For additional information of this May family see The History of Fayette County 1986, Fayette County Historical Society Publication, pg. 2. Back

9  No documentation has been found recording the purchase of Ann S. White’s (heir of William Green) 105-acre tract. The parcel became a part of William’s estate and is the land upon which he resided during the Civil War (Map of the Territory North of Grand Junction Tennessee, surveyed by the Federal Army, Department of the Tennessee under the direction of Lt. L. H. Wilson, chief topographical engineer). It is assumed that this tract was owned by William by 1850, the date by which the remainder of William Green’s estate had been liquidated by his heirs. In 1849 William entered a claim for Entry #690 for 47 ½ acres in Range 6 Section 2, near his other property. This tract has not been located. Entry #690 does not appear on the Entry Plat Map of Fayette County and there is no record of William selling this property. Back

10  This William Preston Dowdy Jr. was the eighth child born to William and Lucy. He was born in 1860, 2 years after the death of their first child William Preston Jr. According to William P. Dowdy’s will the second William Preston’s name was changed to Eugene Preston Dowdy between 1867 and 1871 (FCWB B, pg. 281-283) Back

11  Minnie Kate is not listed in the 1860 census but does appear in William’s will as one of his children. Back

12  Note that to date research has not been conducted concerning the direct involvement of William P. or his sons in the Civil War.  Back

13 A Chancery Court decree recorded 30 September 1873 conveys 3 tracts of land from the heirs of Benjamin Moody to the heirs of William P. Dowdy (FCDB Vol 4, pg. 611). This document, which provides boundary calls for the three tracts, indicates that William P. Dowdy purchased this land from Benjamin Moody before his death on 24 January 1864. A deed pertaining to an adjoining tract suggests that William Dowdy or his heirs under the name of his estate owned the Phillips land (FCDB P, pg. 259). The deed states, "bounded on the Southwest & West by lands of said W. J. Hendrick and recently sold by decree of Chancery Court at Somerville, Tn in favor of myself now owned by Estate of W. P. Dowdy". It is unknown when this transaction took place or under what circumstances it was acquired by the Estate of W. P. Dowdy. Back