Caswell County Genealogy
 

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Dodson, Dr. Charles Russell M.D.

Male 1814 - 1898  (84 years)


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  • Name Dodson, Charles Russell 
    Title Dr. 
    Suffix M.D. 
    Birth 8 Jul 1814  Granville County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Occupation 1870  [1
    Physician 
    Reference Number 16438 
    Death 13 Oct 1898  Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I16114  Caswell County
    Last Modified 11 Mar 2024 

    Father Dodson, Stephen Lewis,   b. 13 Feb 1778, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 28 May 1852, Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 74 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Mother Smith, Mary,   b. 1787   d. 1882 (Age 95 years) 
    Relationship unknown 
    Marriage 8 Nov 1803  Granville County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Reference Number 637643 
    Notes 
    • North Carolina, Marriage Collection, 1741-2004
      Name: Steven Dodson
      Spouse: Polly Smith
      Marriage Date: 8 Nov 1803
      Marriage County: Granville
      Marriage State: North Carolina
      Source: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT
    Family ID F5372  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Harding, Priscilla Shaw,   b. 1829   d. 17 Jul 1870 (Age 41 years) 
    Marriage 23 Feb 1854  Wake County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Reference Number 154223 
    Notes 
    • Reverend Nehemiah Henry Harding's daughter, Priscilla Shaw Harding (1829-1870), in 1854 married Milton's long-practicing and apparently much-loved Dr. Charles Russell Dodson, M.D. (1814-1898).

      The good Dr. Dodson has a sister, Lucy Mayfield Dodson (1812-1895), who in 1833 married Jacob Able Ramseur (1808-1880), thus becoming the mother of General-to-be Stephen Dodson Ramseur (1837-1864).

      So, Dr. Charles Russell Dodson is the uncle of General Stephen Dodson Ramseur, making Priscilla Shaw Harding (daughter of Reverend Nehemiah Henry Harding) the aunt (by marriage) of the General.

      But, that is not the entire story. The good Dr. Dodson had another sister, Mary Randloph Dodson (1810-1887), who in 1838 married Caleb Hazard Richmond (1805-1861). And, of course, this couple had a beautiful daughter, Ellen Ella Richmond (1840-1900), who in 1863 married her first cousin Stephen Dodson Ramseur!

      Another sister of Dr. Charles Russell Dodson, married Andrew Motz from Lincolnton, North Carolina. Note that an Alexander Hampton (AH) Motz from Lincolnton (operated stores in Milton and Yanceyville), but have not connected the dots.
      _______________

      North Carolina, Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868
      Name: Charles R Dodson
      Gender: Male
      Spouse: Priscilla S Harding
      Spouse Gender: Female
      Bond Date: 22 Feb 1854
      Bond #: 000152727
      Marriage Date: 23 Feb 1854
      Level Info: North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868
      ImageNum: 003331
      County: Wake
      Record #: 01 124
      Bondsman: J W Lewis
      Witness: Thomas J Utley
      Performed By: Drury Lacy, Minister of the Gospel
    Children 
    +1. Dodson, Henry Harding M.D.,   b. 20 Feb 1855, Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1926, Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 70 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     2. Dodson, Lucy Mayfield,   b. 1857, Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1859, Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 2 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     3. Dodson, Mary Grace,   b. 8 Aug 1861, Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 28 Dec 1950, Davidson, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 89 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    Family ID F7623  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 11 Mar 2024 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 8 Jul 1814 - Granville County, North Carolina Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 23 Feb 1854 - Wake County, North Carolina Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 13 Oct 1898 - Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Notes 
    • Dr. Charles Russell Dodson, M.D. (1814-1898)

      Charles Russell Dodson was born in Granville Co., North Carolina and at about age 6 his family moved to Milton, Caswell Co., North Carolina where he was raised and educated. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1835 and then attended the University of Pennsylvania Medical School where he graduated in 1838. His dissertation was on "Acute Peritonitis." He then returned to Milton where he practiced medicine for over 50 years. He died at the home of his son, Dr. Henry Harding Dodson, on October 13, 1898.

      Source: The Charles and William Dodson Family Home Page, Jacque Bentsen Hall (Family Tree Maker Online), Accessed 17 January 2010.

      Note that Henry Harding Dodson, M.D. (1855-1926) is buried at the Cedars Cemetery in Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina. Believed, but not confirmed, is that he is the son of Charles Russell Dodson, M.D. and Priscialla Shaw Harding. Buried beside him is Anne Barrett Dodson (1854-1904), probably his wife.
      _______________

      Reverend Nehemiah Henry Harding's daughter, Priscilla Shaw Harding (1829-1870), in 1854 married Milton's long-practicing and apparently much-loved Dr. Charles Russell Dodson, M.D. (1814-1898).

      The good Dr. Dodson has a sister, Lucy Mayfield Dodson (1812-1895), who in 1833 married Jacob Able Ramseur (1808-1880), thus becoming the mother of General-to-be Stephen Dodson Ramseur (1837-1864).

      So, Dr. Charles Russell Dodson is the uncle of General Stephen Dodson Ramseur, making Priscilla Shaw Harding (daughter of Reverend Nehemiah Henry Harding) the aunt (by marriage) of the General.

      But, that is not the entire story. The good Dr. Dodson had another sister, Mary Randloph Dodson (1810-1887), who in 1838 married Caleb Hazard Richmond (1805-1861). And, of course, this couple had a beautiful daughter, Ellen Ella Richmond (1840-1900), who in 1863 married her first cousin Stephen Dodson Ramseur!

      Another sister of Dr. Charles Russell Dodson, married Andrew Motz from Lincolnton, North Carolina. Note that an Alexander Hampton (AH) Motz from Lincolnton (operated stores in Milton and Yanceyville), but have not connected the dots.
      _______________

      Stephen Lewis Dodson (1778-1852)

      Stephen Lewis Dodson was born February 13, 1778, in Williamsport, Granville County, North Carolina, and died May 02, 1852, in Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina. He married Mary (Polly) Smith November 08, 1803, in Granville County, North Carolina, daughter of Reuben Smith and Elizabeth Mayfield.

      After their marriage, they made their home in Granville County, North Carolina, near the town of Williamsport on the Virginia line. They lived on the property deeded to him in 1796 by his father. He also formed a partnership called Dodson, Inge & Company to buy and sell land. Seven of his nine children were born in Granville County. In 1818, Stephen moved his family to Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina where he continued his partnership with Philip Inge for the purpose of buying and selling land, as Milton was experiencing an economic boom after the War of 1812.

      In 1823, Stephen Lewis Dodson is listed as a trustee when the Milton Male Academy was formed with a curriculum designed to prepare young men to enter their freshman or sophomore classes in college. The Golden Fleece Masonic Lodge #74 was chartered in Milton in 1820, and Stephen Lewis Dodson is listed as an active member in 1830.

      Though raised as an Episcopalian, when a small wooden church was built in 1826 near the gates of the cemetery, the members voted on the denomination of the minister to be sought. The tally was 38 Presbyterian and 8 Episcopalians, and the Milton Presbyterian Church was received by the Orange Presbytery on October 5, 1826. In 1833, he was a trustee of the church when they purchased land on Main Street to build a new church as they had outgrown the original church.

      The signers of the petition to allow Aquila Wilson Day (wife of Milton cabinetmaker Thomas Day) to move to North Carolina included, first and foremost, Stephen Dodson, a business man and a Caswell County representative, who presented the petition to the General Assembly's House of Commons for consideration.

      In 1835, Stephen was a shareholder of both the (1) Milton & Salisbury and (2) Roanoke, Danville & Junction railroad companies. They had ambitious dreams but unfortunately, neither railroad was ever built. In 1836, he was one of the organizers of the Milton Manufacturing Company that produced yarns, cloth, and flour. By 1846, it was also producing wool products. In 1847, they sold to Barrett, Newsome & Holden who continued to operate the business. In 1850, he was listed as a part owner of George Williamson's flour mill. He served as a Representative in the North Carolina Legislature for the years 1830-31, 1833-34, and 1835.

      Stephen Lewis Dodson died on May 2, 1852, and is buried at Cedars Cemetery in Milton, North Carolina where a grave marker exists for him.
      _______________

      Stephen Lewis Dodson (1778-1852) had a son: Dr. Charles Russell Dodson, M.D. (1814-1898). This son may have purchased and lived in the Patterson-Dodson House (Lot #15) in Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina:

      "Patterson/Dodson House c. 1850. Built by the Patterson family and bought by Dr. Charles Dodson in 1886. When viewed from the back, which probably was the doctor's office entrance, the architecture reveals a raised cottage theme. Later the home of M. S. Angle."

      However, it it is possible that Dr. Charles Dodson has been confused with his son Dr. Henry Harding Dodson, M.D. (1855-1926), both being physicians who well served Milton and surrounding communities.
      _______________

      Horrible Accident at Milton -- An Esteemed Citizen Killed

      Milton, N.C., May 18, 1876

      "I am deeply pained to inform you that Dr. Newbell was killed to-day by a runaway horse attached to a buggy. He hired Chas. L. Oliver's horse and buggy this morning to take Dr. Dodson over into Virginia to see G. W. Thompson, and in descending the hill to the Milton ferry the hold back straps broke and the buggy running on the horse, the animal posted off and threw both men out of the buggy. Dr. Dodson does not seem to be much hurt but Dr. Newbell was thrown out at the horse's heels, his head struck a rock and was badly gashed and remained speechless for about two hours when he breathed his last. Truly in the midst of life we are in death. He will be greatly missed both as a man and a druggist, having been thoroughly instructed by Dr. James R. Callum, of Greensboro, one of the best druggists in the State. As a man every body liked him, and the poor found in him a friend. He was a leading member of the Baptist Church of this place."

      Source: The Raleigh News (Raleigh, North Carolina), 21 May 1876, Sunday, Page 1.
      _______________

      Connor, R. D. W., Boyd, William K., de Roulhac Hamilton, Joseph Gregoire. History of North Carolina. Chicago; New York: Lewis Publishing Co., 1919.

      A small colony that came from England and settled at Burlington, New Jersey, in 1677, included among its members, John, Thomas and Mary Dodson, who were children of Daniel and Susanna Dodson of Knaresboro, Yorkshire, England. Of these Thomas Dodson, from whom the North Carolina branch of the family is descended, was bory at Marysboro, England, October 19, 1669. He grew up in the American colonies, and on July 16, 1698, married Catherine Savill, daughter of John Saville of Snape, England. Thomas and his wife later settled in Talbot County, Maryland. Their children included Tom, Robert and Susanna. John Dodson, oldest son of Thomas and Catherine, married Lucy Long and settled in Virginia. Their children were named David, Charles, William, James and John. David remained in Virginia while Charles and William came to North Carolina.

      Charles Dodson, first to bear that name, married in 1770 Eleanor Poindexter. They had two children, Stephen and Lucy. Stephen Dodson, born in 1778, married in 1803 Mary Smith, daughter of Reuben and Mary (Mayfield) Smith, of Granville County, North Carolina. Stephen Dodson later moved to Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina, and was prominent in the affairs of his county, representing it three times in the Legislature. He filled other positions and was always known in his community as Squire Stephen Dodson. As an interesting item of his history it may be recalled that he had twelve grandsons in the Confederate army, four of whom were his namesakes -- Stephe Dodson Turner, Stephen Dodson Dye, Stephen Dodson Richmond, and the celebrated Maj. Gen. Stephen Dodson Ramseur. The children of Stephen and Mary Smith Dodson were Elizabeth and Eleanor, twins, Parmelia Tate, Mary Randolph, Lucy Mayfield, Frances Ann, Rebecca Harvey, Charles Russell, Stephen Lewis. The two sons became physicians. Dr. Stephen Lewis Dodson when a young man went to Texas, lived and married and died there, leaving a large family named Mayfield, Joseph, Charles, Mary, Stephan and Elizabeth. Three of the children after the death of their father came to North Carolina. One of them is Charles Dodson, third of the name, a tobacconist and prominent man of affairs at Kinston, North Carolina. Another is Miss Mary E. Dodson, associated with her brother in business and one of the foremost business women of the state. Miss Elizabeth Dodson is a trained nurse and now active in welfare work in New York State. Miss Stephan Dodson is principal at St. Mary's Episcopal School for Girls at Shanghai, China, where she has been actively at work in the mission field for years. Charles, Jr., son of Mayfield Dodson, was in Texas, in business with his uncle, and is now in the army, having just reached his majority.

      The older son of Stephen and Mary Smith Dodson was Dr. Charles Russell Dodson, father of Dr. Henry Harding Dodson. The older Dodson was a man without fear and without reproach. A lad of seven years when his parents moved to Milton, North Carolina, he grew up in a community known for its culture and refinement. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, he received his degree in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and then returned to Milton, hwere until he was seventy-six years old he actively and untiringly practiced his chosen profession. He was a profound student of medicne, of broad general learning, was modest to a fault, and gave his life unselfishly for the relief of human suffering. No appeal, however poor or humble, failed to call forth the efforts of his gentle ministrations. A doctor of the old school, he always kept abreast of the times, taking advantage of everything science or medicine offered for the good of those among whom he had cast his lot. After a life spent in ministering to others he died at the age of eight-five, having well earned the grand old name of gentleman.

      In February, 1853, Dr. Charles Russell Dodson married at Raleigh Miss Priscilla Harding. They had three children, Henry Harding, Lucy Mayfield, who died in infancy, and Mary Grace.

      The Harding family is of old New England lineage. Of pure English stock, they came to New England in 1623 with Sir Robert George's colong, which was planted at Wessagesseth, now Weymoutn Landing. From there they went to Plymouth. The North Carolina Hardings were descended from Joseph and Martha Harding. Joseph died leaving his widow, Martha, who died at Plymouth in 1623, and two sons, John, born in 1624 and Joseph, born in 1629. Joseph married Bertha Cook, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Dean) Cook. Their children were Nathaniel, Nehemiah, Ephraim and Samuel. Of these Nathaniel Harding married Johanna Lombard. Their son, Nemiah Henry Harding, maternal grandfather of Doctor Dodson, was born at Brunswick, Maine, October 11, 1794.

      Brunswick, Maine, was a community of seafaring people. Nehemiah Henry Harding and his borhters were masters of merchant marines. As a young man
      . . . .

      Dr. Henry Harding Dodson, whose ancestry has thus been traced through two lines, was born at Milton, North Carolina, February 20, 1855. He prepared for college at Cluster Springs High School in Halifax County, Virginia, and later did the work through the junior year of Hampden Sidney College of Virginia. For a few years he was engaged in the drug business in his native town, and at the same time carried on the reading of medicine under his father. In 1882 he graduated from the Medical College of Virginia, and after an internship of a year began practice at Milton.

      September 26, 1883, he married Miss Anne Barker Barrett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Barker Barrett of Wytheville, Virginia. Doctor and Mrs. Dodson had two children: Charles, who died in infancy; and Priscilla Harding Dodson. After the death of his wife on December 1, 1903, Doctor Dodson with his sister and daughter moved to Greensboro. But prior to that he spent some months in New York in post-graduate study and especially the study of electrical science as applied to medicine and then the new science of Roentgenology. Comint to Greensboro in the summer of 1905, Doctor Dodson established a Roentgen-Ray laboratory and was the first to specialize in this branch of science in the state. Doctor Dodson is a member of the North Carolina Medical Society; Tri-State Medical Society of Virginia, North and South Carolina, of which he was one of the originators and a charter member; a member of the American Medical Association; was for two years on the Board of Health in North Carolina; six years a member of the North Carolina Board of Health Examiners. He has long been active in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, has been for a number of years its vestryman and is now a senior warden. Doctot Dodson's home is presided over by his sister Miss Mary Grace Dodson, a woman of charming culture. His dauther, Miss Priscilla Dodson, is following in the footsteps of her student ancestors and is a student of the State Normal College for Women, specializing in domestic science and art.

      https://books.google.com/books?id=AEU4AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA237&lpg=PA237&dq=Rev.+Ephraim+Henry+Harding&source=bl&ots=DDkBzWhzFU&sig=N5VlDDrPtUU3u8uSBap929wrKak&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjWm-q_icnaAhWD7lMKHZhtDZIQ6AEIQzAI#v=onepage&q=Rev.%20Ephraim%20Henry%20Harding&f=false
      _______________

      Milton History:

      Dr. Nememiah Henry Harding (1794-1849) served at the Milton Presbyterian Church in Milton, North Carolina, and is buried at Cedars Cemetery in Milton.

      Confederate General Stephen Dodson Ramsuer (1837-1864) married Milton's Ellen Ella Richmond (1840-1900).

      _______________

      1850 United States Federal Census
      Name: Charles R Dodson
      Age: 36
      Birth Year: abt 1814
      Birthplace: North Carolina
      Home in 1850: Milton, Caswell, North Carolina
      Gender: Male
      Family Number: 317
      Household Members: Name Age
      Charles R Dodson 36
      Montford McGehee 26

  • Sources 
    1. Details: 1870 US Federal Census.

    2. Details: 1850 US Federal Census.