Records of Early Dodsons in America

 These are names from a variety of sources for Dotson/Dodsons who came to America.  In many cases, we have no records that they were settlers or that they continued to live here.  Some went back to England.  Some were granted land for bringing others to the colonies.

Authorities on early Virginia land records tell us that the colonization act, while setting forth requirements for doling out land in the colony, was loosely construed and carelessly administered. An individual was due certain acreage of land based on the number of persons, for whom he paid passage, who would come into the Virginia colony as settlers. There seems to have been a good deal of fraud connected with the system as there often is in profitable ventures. We are told that an individual was not always “fresh” from England – he could be imported from the Maryland, New England or Carolinas colonies. Also, an individual could make a trip back to England, or to one of the other American colonies, and his name be used again on someone’s importation list upon his return. There is no way of telling exactly how long an individual had been in the Virginia colony when his name was used on someone’s importation list. The date on those records is the date the patent was issued and there is no indication of the date the people were actually imported. These people could have been in the colony for several years before their names were used for the purpose of securing land. Many people came to Virginia to take a look and then returned to England or to another colony.  From: “The Dodson (Dotson) Family of North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia: A History and Genealogy of Their Descendants Volume Two” by Williams and Lucas.

A few Dodsons came as indentured servants to America.

Francis Dodson of Middlesex Virginia had an indentured servant, William Blundell for 7 years in about 1698.

William Dodson was indentured in 1679 in Rappahannock Virginia.  Notes say he was sold from a master who resided in Rappahannock Virginia to a master in Middlesex Virginia.

Henry Dodson, born about 1750, occupation Paper Stainer, came from London to Maryland in 1774.

From many other sources we know a few of the men listed below made settlements. Read about Dodson Families who were early settlers in America.

1622 31 July Robert Dodson Jr. came to Virginia at the expense of Robert Dodson Sr aboard the ship James.

1623 30 April Robert Dodson Jr. said that he had firsthand knowledge of the plantations east of Jamestown.

1624 16 February John Dods is listed as living in Virginia at the "Neck of Land" near the James River

From A VIRGINIA CHRONOLOGY 1585-1783, by William W. Abbot, published by THE VIRGINIA 350th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CORPORATION, 1957.

1622 March 22 "At eight of the clock on that fatal Friday morning," the Indians surprised the English settlers up and down both sides of the James, killing about one-third of approximately 1200 whites in Virginia.  March 25, 1623. George Sandys wrote that the plague which followed the Indian massacre had been twice as fatal as the massacre itself. January 1625. A muster, or census, ordered by the Crown, was taken in January 1624/25, showing a total population of 1232. 

1624 February 16 Following is part of the list of the names of the living in Virginia from The Complete Book of Emigrants 1607-1660, by Peter Wilson Coldham: . and of those who have died since April 1623. It is unknown whether the John Dods listed as killed had any relation to the Dotson or Dodsons of Virginia.

At the College Land:  Living: Thomas Marlett; Christopher Branch; Francis Boot; William Browning; Walter Cooper; Willaim Welder; Leonard More; Daniell Shurley; Peeter Jorden; Nicholas Perse; William Dalbie; Esaias Rawton; Theoder Moises; Robert Champer; Thomas Jones; David Williams; William Walker; Edward Hobson; Thomas Hobson; John Day; William Cooksey; Robert Farnell; Nicholas Chapman; Matthew Edlow; William Price; Gabriell Holland; John Wattson; Ebedmelech Gastrell; Thomas Osborne.

Killed: John Wood; William More; Thomas Naylor; John Hunter James Howell; William Lambertt. At the Neck of Land Living: Mr. Kingsmeale; Kingsmeale's wife; 2 Kingsmeale infants; Raphe Griphin; Frances Compton; John Smith; John Filmer; Edward, a negro; Thomas Sulley; Sulley's wife; Thomas Harwood; George Shedam; Peter Staver; Thomas Popkin; Thomas Sides; Richard Perse; Perse's wife;his man Allen; Isabell Pratt; Thomas Alnut; Alnutt's wife; John Paine; Roger Redes; Elinor Sprad; Luke Boys; Mrs. Boys; Robert Halam; Joseph Royall; John Dods; Elizabeth Perkinson; Wm. Vincent; Mrs Vincent; Allexander Bradway; his wife Bradwaye; John Price; his wife Price; Robert Turner; Nathaniell Reeve; Serjeant Wm Sharp; Mrs Sharp; Richard Rawse; Thomas Sheppy; Wm Clemens; Thomas Harris; his wife; Ann Woodley; Margarett Berman; Thomas Farmer; Hugh Hilton; Richard Taylorhis wife; Josua Chard; Christopher Browne; Thomas Oage; his wife; infant Oage; Henry Coltman; Hugh Price; his wife; inf.Price; Mrs Coltman; Robert Greene; his wife; infant Greene. Dead: Moses Conyers; George Grimes; William Clements; Thomas Fernley.

1635 - 2 October Edward Dodson, 21. Persons embarked on the John of London, Mr. James Waymoth, bound from London to St. Christopher’s:  Page 148: "The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776”, by Peter Wilson Coldham

1635 - Benj Dodson Place: Virginia Source:  Greer, George Cabell. Early Virginia Immigrants, 1623-1666. Richmond VA: W.C. Hill Printing Co., 1912. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1978. Repr. 1982. Page: 96.  

1635 - 22 June: Captain William Pierce, Esq received 2000 acres for the transportation of 40 persons including Benjamin Dodson.  Virginia Magazine of History and Biogrpahy.

1643 - Thomas Dodson by Richard Richards, Charles River Virginia. Source:  Greer, George Cabell. Early Virginia Immigrants, 1623-1666. Richmond VA: W.C. Hill Printing Co., 1912. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1978. Repr. 1982. Page: 96.  

1650/51 Northumberland County VA Gervase Dodson arrived in county

1651 - Anthony Dodson New England/Massachusetts - Several sources including Colket, Meredith B., JR. Founders of Early American Families: Emigrants from Europe, 1607-1657. Cleveland: General Court of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America, 1975, Page 92. 

1658 29 November Northumberland County VA Thomas Dodson 1200 acres on the high lands above the head of the Dividing Creeks 

1661 Nov 20 Virginia No county listed Edward Dodson 920 acres land grant

1662 - 4 April The following apprenticed in Bristol: William Dodson to Phillip Harris, 4 years Jamaica "The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776”, by Peter Wilson Coldham Page 39. 

1663 - Abram Dotson Year: Place: Virginia  Date when grant was received for land in area cited. Original certificates are on file at the Land Office, Richmond, Virginia. Source: Nottingham, Stratton. Certificates and Rights, Accomack County, Virginia, 1663-1709. Baltimore, MD: Clearfield Co., Inc., 1997. 
Page: 3 “Virginia Colonial Records, 1600s-1700s, “Cavaliers and Pioneers, Patent Book 5: JOHN RENNY, 400 acs. Accomacke Co., 23 February 1663, pg 274, (223). At the N. Br of Muddy Cr., beg. At a great swamp, running N. towards Messango Cr. Trans of 8 persons:…Abra. Dotson

1664 3 October Henrico County VA 376 acres awarded to Tho. Ligon and Capt Wm. Farrar for transporting 8 persons including Wm. Dodson. 

1670 - Anthony Dodson Virginia.  Source: Nugent, Nell Marion. Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants. Vol. 2: 1666-1695. Indexed by Claudia B. Grundman. Richmond, VA: Virginia State Library, 1977. Page: 91  

1677 - 1-31 October  William Dodson Shippers by the Cecilia (Caselius), Mr. John Body, bound from London for Virginia.  Page 227:  "The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776”, by Peter Wilson Coldham

1677 - Anthon. Dodson - Virginia. Source: Nugent, Nell Marion. Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants. Vol. 2: 1666-1695. Indexed by Claudia B. Grundman. Richmond, VA: Virginia State Library, 1977, Page 178.

1679 - William Dodson Gender: Male Year of Indenture: 1679 Place of Indenture County: Rappahannock Colony: Virginia Comments: Sold from a master who resided in Rappahannock County, Virginia to a resident of Middlesex County, Virginia in 1679. Source: Ruth Sparacio and Sam Sparacio, Order Book Abstracts of Middlesex County, Virginia 1677-1680 McLean, Virginia: The Antient Press, 1989, page 60, quoting Middlesex County, Virginia Order Book 1:175a.

1680 - 17 August - 4 September 1680. Shippers by the Charles, Mr. Samuel Phillips, bound from London for Virginia: William Dodson Page 121:  "The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776”, by Peter Wilson Coldham

1681 - Lancelot Dodson. Reprieved for transportation for Barbados December 1681. London. “Emigrants in Bondage, 1614-1675”  7-26 September 1682. Shippers by the Mary, Mr. John Harris, bound from London for Virginia: William Dodson   Page 139: "The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776”, by Peter Wilson Coldham

1683 - 2 March 1683-27 April Thomas Dodson Shippers by the Thomas & Susan, Mr. David Edwards, bound from London for New England. Page 41:   "The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776”, by Peter Wilson Coldham

1685 - 3-9 October Shippers by the Katherine, Mr. Samuel Dodson, bound from London for Carolina Page 423:  "The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776”, by Peter Wilson Coldham

1686 - 2-14 December Shippers by the Katherine, Mr. Samuel Dodson, bound from London for Virginia and Maryland Page 280:  "The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776”, by Peter Wilson Coldham

1687 Middlesex County VA Francis Dodson on list of men who "upon further examination that the persons underwritten are thought by this Court capable to serve as footmen and to finde themselves with Armes." 

1688 - 18 September  Shippers by the Katherine, Mr Samuel Dodson, bound from London for Carolina. Page 126: "The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776”, by Peter Wilson Coldham

1688 -  William Dodson and James Franklin received a grant of 360 acres in Bristol Parish, Henrico County "on the north side of a great branch of Swift Creek for transporting eight negroes into the colony", 23 April 1688 - Virginia Patents, Book 8, page 655.

1690 Oct 23 Henrico County VA Land granted to Henry Wathall for transporting 7 persons - one of which was William Dodson 

1695 - 4-23 December Shippers by the Robert & Samuell, Mr. Matthew Trim & Mr. Samuell Dodson, bound from London for Virginia. Page 107: "The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776”, by Peter Wilson Coldham

1698 - 10 December 1698. Newgate Prisoners reprieved to be transported to Barbados or Jamaica William Dodson of Stepney  Page 198:  "The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776”, by Peter Wilson Coldham

1698 - December Awaiting transportation January 1699 William Dodson. Reprieved for transportation , Middlesex. Page 559 “Emigrants in Bondage, 1614-1675”

1699 - Thomas Dodson Year:  Place: America  Annotation: Date and port of arrival, or date of sentencing or reprieve for transport and port of arrival. Name of ship, crime convicted of, and other information Source: Coldham, Peter Wilson. The Complete Book of Emigrants in Bondage, 1614-1775. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1988.  Page: 234 

1715 - John Dodson Year: Place: Maryland  Annotation: Date and place of mention in land survey.  Source: Coldham, Peter Wilson. Settlers Of Maryland 1679 - 1783. Consolidated Edition. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2002.  Page: 188 

1718 - Francis Dodson. Sentenced to transportation April—Transported 14 yrs May 1718 Tryal Landing Certificate Charles Town August 1718. London. “Emigrants in Bondage, 1614-1675”

1718 - Francis Dodson Place: Charles Town, South Carolina. Source Bibliography: Coldham, Peter Wilson. "Bonded Passengers to America.  Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983. Vol. 3. London, 1656-1775. Page: 45 

1718 - Francis Dodson Year:  Place: America  Annotation: Date and port of arrival, or date of sentencing or reprieve for transport and port of arrival. Name of ship, crime convicted of, and other information Source : Coldham, Peter Wilson. The Complete Book of Emigrants in Bondage, 1614-1775. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1988.  Page: 234 

1719 - William Dodson  Place: Virginia  Annotation: Abstracts of Virginia Land Office patent books 9 through 14, covering the early decades of the eighteenth century.  Source: Nugent, Nell Marion, abstractor. Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants. Vol. 3: 1695-1732. Richmond Virginia State Library, 1979.  Page: 216 

1728 - John Dudson. Sentenced to transportation stealing at Severn Stoke Lent 1728 Transported Expedition to South Carolina. Worcestershire. “Emigrants in Bondage, 1614-1775” Page 581 

1728 - John Dudson Year:  Place: America  Source: Coldham, Peter Wilson. Bonded Passengers to America. 9 vols. in 3. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983. Vol. 6. Oxford Circuit, 1663-1775: Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire.  Page: 86 

1728 - John Dudson Year: Place: America  Annotation: Date and port of arrival, or date of sentencing or reprieve for transport and port of arrival. Name of ship, crime convicted of, and other information may also be provided.  Source: Coldham, Peter Wilson. The Complete Book of Emigrants in Bondage, 1614-1775. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1988.   Page: 243 

1745 -  Walter Dodson Year:  Place: Maryland  Annotation: Date and place of mention in land survey.  Source: Coldham, Peter Wilson. Settlers Of Maryland 1679 - 1783. Consolidated Edition. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2002.  Page: 188 

1746 - John Dodson Year:  Place: Virginia  Annotation: Date of sentencing to transportation and intended destination or date and place of arrival. Where sentenced, reason for sentencing, name of ship, where record found, and other information Midland Circuit Criminal Process Book 1739-1742,  Source: Coldham, Peter Wilson. More Emigrants in Bondage: 1614-1775. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2002.  Page: 48 

1746 -  John Dodson Year:  Place: America  Annotation: Comprehensive list from the Corporation of London Records Office: Royal Pardons 1662-1693; Transportation Bonds 1661-1772; Landing Certificates 1718-1736, and other records. Names with sentences, ships, dates of sailing, and destinations. Pages i-ix report  Source: Coldham, Peter Wilson compiler and editor. English Convicts in Colonial America. Volume 2: London 1656-1775. New Orleans: Polyanthos, 1976.  
Page: 42 

1746 -  John Dodson Year:  Place: Virginia  Annotation: Date and port of arrival or date of conviction for transport and port of arrival. Date and place of felon runaways are also provided. Name of ship and other genealogical and historical information may also be provided.  Source: Coldham, Peter Wilson. The Kings Passengers to Maryland and Virginia. Westminister, MD: Family Line Publications, 1997.   Page: 112 

1754 - Jonathan Dodson. Sentenced to transportation at Quarter Sessions Hull Epiphany 1754. Yorkshire. “Emigrants in Bondage, 1614-1675”

1774 - John Dodson. Sentenced to transportation February 1774 London. “Emigrants in Bondage, 1614-1675”

1774 -  Henry Dodson Year of Indenture: 1774 Gender: Male Date of Birth or Christening: about 1750 Occupation: Paper stainer Year of Immigration: 1774 
Town: London County: England Place of Arrival Colony: Maryland Ship: Chance Place of Indenture Colony: Maryland Residence Town/City: London, Colony: England Source: Gerald Fothergill, Emigrants from England, 1773-1776 (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1913), page 14.