Dodson - Smoot Connections
Maryland
Dotson/Dodson - Smoot Connections
The Charles Dodson line of Richmond County Virginia
and some Dodson Pennsylvania lines have undocumented
information about Smoot connections. Information about the
Smoot-Dodson connection is documented in Charles, Calvert and Prince George counties in Maryland, but has not been documented in
Virginia or Pennsylvania.
More important,
DNA from
the Dodson men from Charles County, MD does not match with the Dodson line in Chester or Bedford Counties,
Pennsylvania. However, the DNA seems to be a closer match with descendants of the
Richmond County VA Dodson line.
The
following information is what I have collected about the Dodson-Smoot
connections in Maryland. It's still possible there could be a connection
to Virginia or Pennsylvania, but to
date I have found no documentation - only family stories.
Captain
Barton Smoot, eldest son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Barton) Smoot, was
born 1688 in Pickawaxon Hundred, Charles County MD. At the death of his father
in 1704, he was referred to as a minor, but at the subsequent death of his
uncle, William Barton, he completed the administration of his parent's
estate. At a subsequent rent roll of Prince Georges County, "Barton
Smoot by marrying the widow of Henry Hawkins" was in possession of 300
acres of "Stone Hill", adjoining "Notley", surveyed 1669 for
Edward Mattox.
It is said that a Barton Smoot was in Charles County, Maryland in 1712 when he
had a son Thomas Smoot who married an Eleanor (surname unknown).
They supposedly had 3 children: William Barton Smoot, Margaret Smoot and
Sarah Ann Smoot.
William
Barton Smoot was born about 1730 in MD, and died about 08 Jan 1817 in
Maryland. He married Margaret
Dodson about 1757 in Probably Maryland.
She was born about 1733 in MD. Although she is not named in the 1735 will
of John Dodson, she may be his daughter because of her relationship to Walter
Dodson who is named as a son in John Dodson's will. Walter indicated in his will in 1773, : I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Henrieter Dodson part of a tract
of Land called Sarum whereon I now dwell & one hundred fifty acres more of less
during her life and after her decease the above mentioned land to be sold and the money to be equally
divided between my brothers and sisters. 18 June 1796 William Barton Smoot (of Thomas) and wife
Margaret, Jacob Dodson and wife Lydiea, William B Dodson and wife
Letishia, Ignatius Dodson and wife Cloe, and Mary Dodson, all of Charles
County, to Luke White Barber of St. Marys for 150 pds current money of MD, part of a tract called Sarum which
Walter Dodson, dec'd of Charles County, died seized of; also all right of grantors to the last will and testament of
sd. Walter Dodson. William Barton Smoot served in
the Revolutionary War first as a private and later as a sergeant in the company
of Captain Walter Hanson, 12th Battalion of Charles County Militia. He
maintained his seat in Port Tobacco Parish. On June 24,
1784, William Barton Smoot of Thomas conveyed to John Howard Marshall the tract
known as "Parendure's Lot". Margaret Smoot, his wife, relinquished her
third. The will of William Barton Smoot was dated October
6, 1816, and proved in Charles County on January 8, 1817. He bequeathed his
wife, Margaret, the use and occupancy of his entire real estate during life,
then to his son John Weems Smoot. His wife also received the entire personal
estate during life then to all the children. His daughter Amelia Tabbs Smoot was
granted a room in his house during her single life. His brother, Thomas, was to
be supported with board and clothing by his widow as heretofore accustomed, but
in the event that Thomas should survive the widow, then Thomas was committed to
the care of the testator's son John.
Sarah
Ann Smoot was a daughter of Thomas Smoot and a sister to William Barton
Smoot. She was born 4 June 1744 in Charles County, Maryland and died
30 August 1820 in Charles County. She married a John Dodson,
Her husband, John Dodson, is said to be a son of John Dodson Jr.
John Dodson Sr. had named his son John in his will of 1734 I give unto my Dearly and well beloved Son John Dodson a parcel of Land
containing fifty acres to run as the Branch Runs and takes in the young orchard with it being part of Dodsons Courage to remain his during his life.
John Dodson Jr. wrote his will in 1736 in Calvert County and died the
same year. He wrote I give and Bequeath to my well beloved Son John Dodson my best
featherbed & furniture & my young mare & her increase. He
also wrote: My Will & mind is that the remainder part of my Estate be equally
divided amongst Seven of my Children Which are James Dodson John Dodson Elias
Dodson Benjamin Dodson Joseph Dodson Elenor Wooden & Sarah Dodson & their Heirs
for ever.
(Regarding
a Revolutionary War pension) 24th day of February 1827 Be
it remembered that on this day, twenty fourth day of February, Anno Domini 1827,
there has been addressed to us satisfactory evidence to prove that Elizabeth
Radcliff who made the foregoing declaration on oath and has subscribed the power
of attorney herewith connected, is a niece and one of the heirs of
William Smoot late a lieutenant in the Continental Army of
the revolutionary war (being the daughter of Barton Smoot a brother of
said William Smoot) and that the other heirs of the said
William Smoot are in number, to wit:
Henry Dodson, Robert Dodson, John Dodson, Middleton Dodson, Eleanor
Dodson, and Sarah Dodson, children of Sarah Dodson, sister of
Lieutenant William Smoot, all living in Prince Georges County in the state
of Maryland and that the above named persons are all the heirs of the said
William Smoot know to be living. In
witness of all which, I have hereunto affixed my and seal in my capacity of a
Justice of the Peace this � John
B Wills (All were living in Prince George's County, MD)
Prince George's County, Indexes of Church Registers, King George's Parish,
DODSON, Sarah Smoot, b. 17 Apr. 1793, dau/o John & Sarah.