My West Virginia Pioneer Families

My Lineage from Richard Dotson

National Archives Number S 5364

State of Virginia
Tyler County to wit:
On this 10th day of June 1833, personally appeared in open Court before Robert Gorrell; William Bond; John D. Wells; & James G. West, Justices of the Peace, constituting the County Court of Tyler County, now sitting. Richard Dotson, a resident of said County and State of Virginia, aged 81 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832, that he was born in Shenandoah County (now Frederick) State of Virginia . . . 

Son William Dotson

January 8, 1865 - Doddridge County death records show his name as William Dotson Sr, age as 88 years 1 months. This register (Vol. 3, page 8) shows his birthplace as Hampshire Co, VA & his parents as Richard and Mary Dotson; information given by son William Dotson

Grandson Emanuel Dotson

Family Write-Up by descendant Letha Nutter Zinn: In the early 1800's a home was established on Cabin Run, about two miles from Toll Gate, which derived its name from the tollgate on the North Western Turnpike.  This home was established by Emmanuel and Hannah (Sears) Dotson.  He was a descendant of Richard Dotson.   

Minnie Kendall Lowther's History of Ritchie County "William Dotson, son of James (or Richard) married Miss Mary Franks, and settled at Greenwood, in Doddridge county in his younger days, where he reared quite a family of sons and daughters, who were as follows:  Emanuel . . . "

9/13/1850 Census DOTSON, Emanuel farmer born in Virginia Age 50 Years, Hannah  46  born in VA  

1880 Census Amanuel is showing in household of Hiram & Malvina Dotson, as white male, age 82, father of Hiram, a farmer b. WV, his father b. VA, mother b. VA

Emanuel is buried at Toll Gate Baptist Cemetery North of Old Route 50 just east of Toll Gate WV.  Gravestone shows died 12 Feb 1881 age 81 years, 11 months, 11 days. Death Register Ritchie Co, WV 1853-1903 page 36 shows death 2/12/1880 age 83 old age, farmer.  

Great Grandson Hiram Dotson

An 1855 land record confirms his relationship to William (grandfather) and that Susan J was his wife at that time:   Deed for 140 acres on Dotson’s Run  

This indenture made and entered into this December 8th 1855 by and between Hiram S. Dotson of the County of Ritchie in the State of Virginia of the one part, and David Davisson, of the County of Harrison and State aforesaid of the other part.  Witnesseth: that the said Hiram S. Dotson, for said consideration of the sum of six hundred and thirty six dollars, to him in hand paid by the said Davidson the receipt whereof, is hereby acknowledged hath granted, bargained,  sold and released, and by these present does grant, bargain, sell  and release to David Davisson, two certain tracts, or parcels of land lying and being principally in the County of Doddridge and state aforesaid, situate on the waters of Dotsons Run, one of the Said tracts being the same that was granted to William Dotson, grandfather of said Hiram S Dotson by letters patent from the state aforesaid, bearing date the twelfth day of June 1815. . .

Ritchie County WV Death Records p. 85 Dotson, H. S. Sept 25, 1899 Ritchie Co. pleurisy 76 parents Emanuel and Hannah Dotson, farmer, no place given for birth, consort Melvina Dotson.

Great Great Grandson Amos Dotson

Amos was born in Ritchie Co, VA and is first showing in 1850 census as part of household with father, Hiram age 26, mother Susan age 23, brothers Mansfield age 6, Spencer age 5, Perry age 3.  Amos is showing as 7/12 and born in Virginia .  He is still in his father's household in 1870 census.   

Obituary from newspaper:  

"Amos A Dotson a prominent citizen of near Grace died Jan 4, aged 79 years 1 month and 15 days.  He was born Nov. 19, 1849 at Toll Gate Ritchie Co.  He was married to Evelyn Harper and moved to Wirt Co in 1876 where he has since lived.  He was a member of the ME Church at McCutcheon's chapel for over 40 years.  He is survived by two sons, W. D. Dotson where he died, Orville Dotson of Ivan, Wirt Co, three daughters Mrs. Nettie Corbitt of Akron Mrs. Dorothy Thornberry Oakland Cal. and Mrs. Orma M Paul of Colorado.  Mrs. Dotson died 30 years ago."

Great Great Great Grandson William Dotson

Obituary Jan 13, 1969 The Parkersburg (WV) Sentinel  

"Funeral services for the Rev. William D. Dotson, 85, of Spencer, Rt 4, who died Monday in the St. Joseph 's Hospital will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Gilboa Baptist Church near Reedy. The Rev. Paul Morrison and the Rev Leon Strickland will officiate with burial to be in the Hodam Cemetery near Reedy. Born in Wirt county, he was a son of the late Amos and Eveline Peck Dotson.  The Rev. Mr. Dotson had served in the Baptist ministry in Wirt, Calhoun and Roane Counties for over 50 years.

Great Great Great Great Grandson Orville Clyde Dotson

Record of Birth in Wirt County , WV  

Portion of his autobiography:

I, Orville Clyde Dotson, fifth son of William Dountain and Mary Emma (Miller) Dotson was born on Saturday, August 5, 1911, about 2 P.M. on a rainy afternoon, in the same old (rebuilt) log house in which my mother was born 30 years before.  Although the address was Palestine (Wirt Co.) WV, the old house was nearer Lucille , WV , and in the Buffalo community at the head of Falling Timber and Thorn's Run.

Great Great Great Great Great Granddaughter Betty Dotson Renick

Record of birth in Wood County, WV