“The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor.”
This is entry #52 in Amy Johnson Crow’s Challenge: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.
I’d apologize for the long title but I couldn’t resist! Thank you, Amy Johnson Crow, for a wonderful journey. To all my readers, thank you for coming back time and time again. After reading the last entry for this year, I’d appreciate it if you would please leave a comment letting me know what you liked, disliked, loved, or even hated about this challenge. Thank you and Happy New Year!
#52 Levina DOSS – Another Unmarried Mother and How She Helped Me Bring This Challenge Finale to an End with a Bang!
One unmarried mother in my family tree would be easy to take. But two is a bit harder especially since they were mother and daughter. In July I wrote about my 3rd great-grandmother Mary E. “Polly” DOSS being a single mother. Her mother, my 4th great-grandmother, Levina DOSS was also a single mother.
The DOSS family had strong roots in Halifax and Pittsylvania County, Virginia. In 1755 Levina’s grandfather James DOSS Sr. received a land grant for 272 acres in Halifax County, an area soon to become part of the newly created Pittsylvania County in 1767. This land grant was located adjacent to Beechtree Creek and Staunton River.1
Pittsylvania County lies in south midland Virginia, bordering on the North Carolina line. Bordering counties are Bedford (northwest), Campbell (northeast), Halifax (east), Caswell in North Carolina (southeast), Rockingham in North Carolina (southwest), Henry (west/southwest), and Franklin (west/northwest).
Parents and Siblings of Levina DOSS
My 4th great-grandmother Levina DOSS was born between 1771-1775 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, to James DOSS Jr. and his wife Elizabeth.2 James was born about 1742 in Amelia County, he married Elizabeth about 1771 and died 1812 in Pittsylvania.3 Levina had 5 known siblings:
Sib 1: Elizabeth DOSS (1772-1830) was born about 1772. Elizabeth DOSS married Ebenezer ANGEL (1769-1850) on 15 December 1794 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.4 She died between 1830-1840.
Sib 2: Phillip Valorius DOSS (1775-1814) born about 1775. Phillip married Rhoda Elizabeth THURMAN (1787-1850) about 1804 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He died before 14 June 1814 (the date his widow Rhoda was mentioned in court records). Descendants of this line might be interested in some old photos that Vickie Beard Thompson posted on her blog I Dig My Roots and Branches.
Sib 3: Mary Ann DOSS (1780- ) was born about 1780 [I am not very comfortable with this estimate considering her marriage in 1811]. She married(1) Preston DUDLEY (1773-1816) on 2 January 1811 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.5 She may have married(2) James BELL in about 1820.
Sib 4: William DOSS (1785-1820) was born about 1785. William married Martha CREWS (1789- ) on 29 April 1812 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.6 He died before 1820.
Sib 5: Edward DOSS (1795-1850) was born about 1795. Edward married Nancy MITCHELL (1803-1860) on 19 December 1822 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.7 He died before 1850.
Pittsylvania County censuses for the years 1790, 1800, and 1810 are lost but a substitute is available.8 The loss is unfortunate and the substitute is helpful but doesn’t do for me what the 1810 census would have done. I was hoping to see what the household of James DOSS looked like in 1810 and if his daughter Levina had her own household or was living in her father’s home with her three children.
Levina’s father James DOSS Jr. died about 1812 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.9
Levina’s Life as a Mother
In 1820 Levina DOSS was living in Pittsylvania County most likely on or near the land granted to her grandfather in 1755. She was an unmarried mother and the head of a household that included her four sons, two daughters, and most likely her mother Elizabeth who was widowed about 1812.
1820 U.S. Federal Census10
Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Levina Doss
Free White Persons – Males – Under 10: 2 (William b. abt. 1811 & Phillip b. abt. 1814)
Free White Persons – Males – 10 thru 15: 1 (unknown son b. bet. 1804-1810)
Note: no males 16-18 yo (therefore Thomas was 19 & under 26 yo)
Free White Persons – Males – 16 thru 25: 1 (Thomas b. abt. 1801)
Free White Persons – Females – Under 10: 1 (Mary E. b. abt. 1816)
Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25: 1 (unknown daughter born bet. 1795-1804)
Free White Persons – Females – 26 thru 44: 1 (Levina b. abt. 1775)
Free White Persons – Females – 45 and over : 1 (poss. mother Elizabeth b. abt. 1750)
Number of Persons – Engaged in Agriculture: 2
Free White Persons – Under 16: 4
Free White Persons – Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total All Persons – White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 8
By 1830 Levina had given birth to another daughter she named after her mother. Young Elizabeth and my 3rd great-grandmother Mary E. were the only children still living at home. Next door was Levina’s son William with his wife and young son. Also next door was her brother-in-law Eben ANGEL, a Baptist minister, with his wife, Levina’s sister Elizabeth and their children.
1830 U.S. Federal Census11
Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Page No. 348
Levina Doss
Free White Persons – Females – 5 thru 9: 1 (Elizabeth bet. 1821-1825)
Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 14: 1 (Mary E. b. abt. 1816)
Free White Persons – Females – 50 thru 59: 1 (Levina, b. 1771-1775)
Free White Persons – Under 20: 2
Total Free White Persons: 3
Total – All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 3
As can be seen in the above listing Levina’s mother, or the older woman who had been seen in her household in 1820, was no longer with her. Let’s take a look at another person who was very close to Levina on this census.
1830 United States Federal Census12
Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Name: Bettsy Doss
Free White Persons – Females – Under 5: 2 (unknown)
Free White Persons – Females – 30 thru 39: 1 (unknown)
Free White Persons – Females – 70 thru 79: 1 (“Bettsy” widow of James DOSS)
Free White Persons – Under 20: 2
Free White Persons – 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 4
If the lady who was the head of the household was also the older female then her age was 70 and under 80 years and could have been Levina’s widowed mother. Who was the younger lady living with Elizabeth in 1830? Was she a granddaughter with two small children? She couldn’t have been a daughter-in-law with such young children as Phillip and William died before 1820 and Edward was living in Campbell County.
Levina DOSS and her mother Elizabeth both died between 1830 and 1840.
Levina’s Children
In the 1830s Levina’s children Thomas, William, Polly, and Elizabeth moved to Mason County in what would later become West Virginia. The DOSS siblings were a tight bunch. It is not known if their mother Levina was still living and made the move with the group or if she had died before the children moved. Only her son Phillip remained in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
Child 1: Thomas DOSS (abt.1801-1881) was born about 1801 in Pittsylvania County. He married(1) Elizabeth EADS (abt.1802-bet.1860-1867) on 6 March 1827 in Caswell County, North Carolina.13 He married(2) Martha Forbes GORDON (1824-1881) on 28 April 1867 in Chariton County, Missouri.14 Thomas died on 1 April 1881 in Chariton County and was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in the same county.15
Child 2: _____ (female) DOSS born bet. 1795-1804 (inferred from the 1820 census)
Child 3: _____ (male) DOSS born bet. 1804-1810 (inferred from the 1820 census)
Child 4: William DOSS (abt.1811-1888) was born about 1811 in Pittsylvania County. He married Elizabeth BARBER (abt.1814-1898) on 12 May 1828 in Pittsylvania County.16 It is possible that his wife died as he married again on 28 December 1837 in Mason County to Elizabeth HENRY.17,18 William died on 22 November 1888 in Mason County, West Virginia.19,20
Child 5: Phillip Valorius “Phil” DOSS (abt.1814-aft.1880) was born about 1814 in Pittsylvania County. He married Elizabeth BAILESS (abt.1815-aft.1880) on 25 December 1835 in Campbell County, Virginia.21 Phillip died after 1880.
Child 6: Mary E. “Polly” DOSS born about 1816 in Pittsylvania County, died bef. 1892 in Mason County, West Virginia. She never married but had eight children with William CLONCH.
Child 7: Elizabeth “Betsy” DOSS born bet. 1821-1825. She married(1) John CLONCH (abt.1810-bet.1844-1847) on 15 February 1842 in Gallia County, Ohio.22 She married(2) John William STEED (abt.1806-aft.1880) on 26 October 1848 in Gallia County, Ohio.23 Betsy died after 1880.24
The only documentation I have found for Levina are the two census listings in which she was named as the head of a household. None of her children’s marriage records have their mother’s name mentioned. All of her known children died after 1880 and before 1900. Only her son William’s death record was found but it didn’t include information on his parentage.
Credits and a New Cousin
While preparing to write this last blog post for the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge I learned Libbie Griffin started up the Doss Family Association in 1994 for the purpose of sharing information among all Doss descendants. She should be credited for researching and compiling genealogical information that was published in their newsletter The Doss Connection. In our world of social media today it is so easy to find other researchers but what do you do when the person has “retired” from her hobby? If I can find my ancestors shouldn’t I be able to find Libbie? In the days prior to social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), we used message boards and mailing lists. I searched through them until I found the most recent email address.
A Christmas Present and the Grand Finale
Saturday before Christmas I got an early present. Libbie replied to my email and told me about a bundle she found which included depositions that proved many connections in the Virginia Doss families.
“On one trip to Richmond for research I discovered that the information I needed to find the original papers was in Lynchburg, more than 100 miles away. I went there and obtained the detailed title of the case and case number. When I returned to Richmond the next day with that information I was handed a bundle of papers that had not been opened since a string was tied around them nearly 200 years earlier….I can’t tell you how excited I was!”
Reading this gave me goosebumps. Isn’t it the dream of all genealogists to find the mother lode? She told me she had written an entire issue of The Doss Connection about the find with transcripts of the important documents. She offered to scan and email it to me. YES! Thank you very much! She also wrote, “It felt wonderful to be reminded of that ‘find’.”
What Libbie found was a bundle that has not been scanned and therefore is not available in the Library of Virginia‘s collection of Chancery Records that are online. The case details of the bundle are indexed online.25 In the issue of the newsletter Libbie sent me, pages 2-12, 17-18, and 22 were filled with information on the case and the families involved. A plat drawing of the land in question was included:
Although I would love to share all of the information found in this issue of The Doss Connection I have chosen to only share excerpts, with Libbie’s permission, concerning my 4th great-grandmother Levina DOSS. First, the deposition given by Levina spelled Lavina in this excerpt, and second, the deposition of her mother Elizabeth. Words in brackets are Libbie’s and some punctuation and spelling corrections were made for easier reading but don’t change the meaning:
The Testimony of Lavina Doss
“Deposition taken in Pittsylvania Co., Va., 7 May 1817: Lavina Doss … deposeth and sayeth that in the last sickness of her Grandfather, James Doss Senr. & but a Short time before his death, he sent for her Father James Doss Junr to come & see him, accordingly he went & this deponant went with him & we both went together, into the room where my Grandfather lay alone. He spoke to my father & said I am glad to see you Jamey, I have been uneasy & have sent for you to have some talk with you about our affairs. I am about soon to leave you my son & want you to have your rite. I know that I am owing you money that ought to have been paid before now but it was not in my power to do it, but I have now directed my Ext [Executor] to pay you without putting you to any trouble about it. As to the land, it is yours. It was gave to you & I wish you to have it for you have an undoubted rite to it & cannot be kept out of it after my death, your uncle Edward Nicks, gave you the land by Deed of Gift & I have no Claim to it any longer than I live; altho I have directed the land to [defer?, unclear] other ways than I ought to have done, it is not intended to keep you out of your Rite, but only to try to keep peace a little longer over my old head, for I wish to leave my family in peace & I know you will get the land after my death — altho it may put you to the trouble of goin’ or sending for the deed of gift, which I did no want you to have the trouble of. But for the sake of peace in my family, I could not help doing as I have, you know when I agreed to give you up the land below the Shop branch, what an oneasiness [uneasiness] & interruptions it made in my family, till you consented for the business to rest as it was till my death.
This deponent further sayeth that in the life time of the said James Doss Senr. he frequently said that the land belonged to his son James Doss Junr. after his death, that it was gave to him by uncle Edward Nicks and that he held no claim to it any longer than life. This deponent further states that her grandfather James Doss senr. dec’d., put her father James Doss Junr. into possession of the said land below the Shope branch, as above mentioned, & her father began to run a fence on the said land, but was stopped at the request of his father, on account of the disturbance & uneasiness it made in his family, but told my father, James Doss Junr. he would get the whole of the said land after his death. [signed: Lavina (X) Doss, her mark]
Notes (by Libbie): We should keep in mind that Lavina had something of a vested interest in the outcome of this case, and might have stressed her father’s right in the land a bit overmuch. In addition to providing us with an account of James Sr.’s last day, and his love for and concern for his family, Lavina’s testimony also tells what we had previously suspected: that although Lavina had 5 or 6 children, she never married. More on her family appears later in this issue.”
The Testimony of Elizabeth Doss
“Pittsylvania County, 27 September, 1816 [omitting the beginning].… the tract of land in the bill mentioned was in the possession of my husband James Doss Junr. at the time of his death but was afterward sold (sometime in the year of 1812) at publick sale to the hightest bidder, subject to my dower, by the defendant Samuel Pannill, under a deed of trust executed by my said husband James Doss Junr. to the said Samuel Pannill to secure the payment of a debt due from my husband….to David Pannill’s Estate … neither the said complainant [Nathan Thurman] nor any other person forbid the sale, but since the sale the said Complainant Nathan Thurmon [sic] hath applied to this Respondent to purchase the dower land she holds in her possession & having thus fully answered this Respondant prayes to be hence dismissed with her Costs. [signed: Elizabeth (X) Doss, her mark]
Note (by Libbie): Elizabeth was taxed for 56 acres until 1827, when this land was taken by the county (see Pittsylvania Co. Deed Bk. 28, p. 121). She and her children and grandchildren may have continued to live there afterward.”
This post was ready for publication before I heard from Libbie. I did not want to change what was written and added footnotes to items that have additional remarks or information.
I’m going to let Libbie have the final word.
“I’m sure you can imagine how hard it was for me to keep from cheering loudly in the hushed halls of the Virginia State Library when I cut that string and read those old documents! A similar experience led me to the answers I needed about my own Doss family. It’s amazing what’s there to find if we look long enough.”
This Post was Updated on 25 December 2022: Missing source citations were added, images were scaled, and some corrections were made to the text and format.
- Halifax County (Virginia). County Surveyor, “Survey and plat books, 1746-1901, 1975-1976; general indexes, 1747-1966,”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/367219?availability=Family%20History%20Library), citing microfilm of original records at the Halifax County Courthouse in Halifax, Virginia., Film 31940, DGS 8151700, Survey book, v. 1 1751-1901 (Has a record of surveys done ca. 1746-1747 when Halifax County was part of Lunenburg County), image 167 of 288, page 132, 25 April 1755 survey of 272 acres for James Doss. Lunenberg County was created from Brunswick County in 1746 and Halifax County was created from Lunenberg County in 1752. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKJ-9SLN-M?i=166&cat=367219 : accessed 28 June 2022). ↩
- The wife of James DOSS Jr. is seen in many family trees as Elizabeth LESTER. Libbie Griffin gives strong evidence that she was the daughter of Thomas LESTER, however, stressed that the maiden name is unproven. “Thomas LESTER purchased the land of George WILCOCKS, adjacent to James DOSS Sr., in 1779 (Pittsylvania Deed Bk. 5, p. 137). LESTER was dead by March 1789 when his widow Lithe (probably Elizabeth’s stepmother) married John BALLINGER. In 1824 Elizabeth DOSS and John and Anna LESTER sold what appears to be the same land to Asa CRADDOCK (Pitts. Co. Deed Bk. 26, p. 224). This suggests that she was the sister of either John LESTER or his wife Ann MINTER. LESTER’s lived near (adjoining?) James DOSS Jr.” [Source: Libbie Griffin, The Doss Connection, Vol. 2. No. 1, page 8] ↩
- “Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1983,” index and images, Ancestry, citing original data of Virginia County, District, and Probate Courts, Pittsylvania > Accounts Current, No 5-7, 1812-1824 > image 83+84 of 769, Book 5, pages 139-140, Inventory of James Doss dated 16 November 1812 pursuant to an order of the Pittsylvania Court bearing date of September Court 1812. (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9085/images/007646034_00083 : accessed 9 June 2019). ↩
- “Marriage bonds, 1767-1859,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1152970), citing microfilm of original records at the Pittsylvania County Courthouse in Chatham, Virginia, Film 2056408, DGS 7741058, Marriage bonds, 1794-1798, image 92-94 of 817 (bond and permission), 15 Dec 1794 Eben Angel and Charles Right went bond for marriage of Eben Angel and Elizabeth Doss; James Doss gives permission for his daughter. “.” (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C91Z-C9ZQ-M?i=92&cat=1152970 : accessed 3 December 2022). ↩
- “Marriage bonds book, 1767-1861; marriage register, 1861-1900,” searchable database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/475922), citing microfilm of original records at the Pittsylvania County Courthouse in Chatham, Virginia, Film 33326, DGS 4093099, image 124 of 580, Marriage bonds book, no. 1, 1767-1861, page 50, line 9, 2 Jan 1811 Preston Dudley and Mary Ann Doss, Will Doss bondsman, Mary Ann Doss signed certificate. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99LX-MHFN?cc=4149585 : accessed 3 December 2022). Note: The marriage bonds and old marriage register were copied in 1930 into the marriage bonds book, no. 1, 1767-1862, by the Rawley Martin Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy. The original bond and certificate were not located in the collection with 1811 bonds: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C91C-Y722-M?i=29&cat=1152970. ↩
- “Marriage bonds, 1767-1859,” Film 2056408, DGS 7741058, Marriage bonds, 1810-1814, image 451-452 of 823 (bond and cover), 29 Spr 1812 William Doss and Andrew Crews went bond for marriage of William Doss and Patsey Crews. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C91C-Y7NY-8?i=451&cat=1152970 : accessed 3 December 2022). ↩
- Ibid., Film 2056415, DGS 7741065, Marriage bonds, 1821-1825, images 258+262-263 of 1263, (authorization, bond and cover), 19 Dec 1822 Edward Doss and Charles Angel went bond for the marriage of Edward Doss and Nancy Mitchell. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C91C-B3N5-B?i=261&cat=1152970 : accessed 3 December 2022). Note: image 258 of 1263: 10 Dec 1822 Nancy Mitchell authorized Edward Doss to obtain the license. ↩
- Binns Genealogy 1790 / 1800 Virginia Tax List Censuses. Stephen Binns, the site owner, passed away in June 2020. Information on the website is no longer freely available. ↩
- “Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1983,” Pittsylvania > Accounts Current, No 5-7, 1812-1824 > image 83+84 of 769, Book 5, pages 139-140, Inventory of James Doss dated 16 November 1812 pursuant to an order of the Pittsylvania Court bearing date of September Court 1812. (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9085/images/007646034_00083 : accessed 9 June 2019). ↩
- 1820 U.S. Federal Census (index and images), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7734/), citing Fourth Census of the United States, 1820 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C., NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls, NARA Roll: M33_140, Virginia, Pittsylvania County, page 827, sheet 75 (76 stamped on next page), line 33, Levina Doss (accessed 3 July 2014). ↩
- 1830 U.S. Federal Census (index and images), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8058/), citing Fifth Census of the United States, 1830 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C. NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls, Nara Roll M19_201, FHL Film: 0029680, Virginia, Pittsylvania County, page 348(double-page spread), line 18, Levina Doss (accessed 3 July 2014). ↩
- Ibid., NARA Roll M19_201, FHL Film: 0029680, Virginia, Pittsylvania County, page 348 (double-page spread), line 15, Bettsy Doss (accessed 3 July 2014). ↩
- “North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1675514), citing North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History, FHL microfilm 478485, Caswell > Marriage bonds, 1780-1868, vol D > image 202 of 273, 6 Mar 1827 Thomas Doss and Richard R Kennon went bond for the marriage of Thomas Doss and Betsy Edes. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D14N-JB?cc=1726957&wc=QD8P-6KH%3A1588772755%2C1588773214 : accessed 1 July 2022). ↩
-
“Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002,” database with images, Ancestry, citing original data: Missouri Marriage Records. Jefferson City, MO, USA: Missouri State Archives, Chariton > Record images for Chariton > 1821-1888 > image 141 of 435 > page 111 > 28 Apr 1867 Thomas Doss and Martha F Gordon. (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/8814536:1171? : accessed 27 December 2012).
Note: The index of the marriage record at Ancestry and at FamilySearch both have 8 February 1867 as the date of marriage. The image of the page of the marriage record on Ancestry clearly shows they married on 28 April 1867. ↩ - Find A Grave, database with images, (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11078817/thomas-doss : accessed 01 July 2022), memorial page for Thomas Doss (1801–1 Apr 1881), Find a Grave Memorial ID 11078817, citing Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Musselfork Township, Chariton County, Missouri, USA; Maintained by Vivian Pattee (contributor 46577214). ↩
- “Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940,” database with images, FamilySearch, FHL microfilm 33326, Marriage bonds book, 1767-1861; Marriage bonds book, no. 1, 1767-1861, page 91, William Doss and Betsey Barber, 12 May 1828; citing Pittsylvania, Virginia. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99LX-MHDP?i=143 : accessed 1 July 2022). ↩
- West Virginia Vital Research Records Project (database and images), <i>West Virginia Division of Culture and History</i> citing county records in county courthouses, West Virginia (A collaborative venture between the West Virginia State Archives and the Genealogical Society of Utah to place vital records online via the West Virginia Archives and History Web site accessible at https://archive.wvculture.org/vrr), West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970, FHL microfilm 567389, image 20, Mason County marriages, page 32, line 2, William Doss and Elizabeth Henry 28 Dec 1837. (http://images.wvculture.org/567389/00020.jpg : accessed 26 October 2019). ↩
- Ibid., West Virginia Deaths, 1804-1999, FHL microfilm 1953109, image 1391, Certificate of Death 7657, Sarah Jane Neville, daughter of William Doss and Elizabeth Henry. (https://images.wvculture.org/1953109/0001391.gif : accessed 12 April 2009). This death record shows Elizabeth HENRY was her mother and therefore all children seen with William and Elizabeth in 1850 were from his 2nd marriage except for his sons John age 22 and William age 14. ↩
- Ibid., West Virginia Deaths, 1804-1999, FHL microfilm 567384, image 381, Mason County Register of Deaths, page 26 (stamped, double-page spread), entry 77, William Doss, died 22 Nov 1888, age 77. (http://images.wvculture.org/567384/00381.jpg : accessed 15 November 2018). ↩
- According to Libbie’s article, William DOSS died on 21 November 1888. His death record names “Lavina” as his mother, father unknown, and indicates he was born in 1812. [Source: Libbie Griffin, The Doss Connection, Vol. 2. No. 1, page 17] I found two versions of the register of death; neither gives the names of his mother or parents. ↩
- “Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940,” database with images, FamilySearch, Film 31050, Book 1, page 44, line 17, Phillip Doss and Elizabeth Bailiss married 25 Dec 1835 in Campbell County, Virginia (names of parents and minister blank). (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XF-V6Y7?i=268&cat=281365 : accessed 1 July 2022). ↩
- “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1614804), citing digital images of originals housed at the county courthouses in Ohio, Gallia > Marriage records 1803-1843 vol 1 > image 213 of 240 > Record of Marriages of Meigs County, page 400 (stamped), 4th entry, 15 Sep 1842, John Clonch and Elizabeth Doss. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RMD-S2Q4?i=212&cc=1614804 : accessed 21 June 2022). ↩
- Ibid., Gallia > Marriage records 1843-1862 vol 2 > image 53 of 238, page 123, entry 3, Steed, John md. Clontch, Elizabeth on 26 October 1848 in Gallia County, Ohio. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRMD-S2TC?cc=1614804&wc=ZRCJ-T38%3A121350101%2C121462701 : accessed 1 July 2022). ↩
- Libbie believed Levina’s youngest daughter seen in the 1830 census may have died young. She may not have had all the information on marriages of DOSS individuals in Mason County, West Virginia, and Gallia County, Ohio, where many residents of Mason married. It is my belief Elizabeth was this young daughter, named after her grandmother, and she came to Mason County with her brothers and sister in the 1830s, most likely before December 1837 when brother William married Elizabeth HENRY. ↩
- Chancery Records of Virginia, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, Local Government Records Collection, Virginia Memory (https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/), Lynchburg City (Va.) Chancery Causes 1805-1945, Exr of James Doss Sr etc David Hunt vs David Hunt etc Nathan Thurman etc, Index Number 1818-017. (https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=680-1818-017 : accessed 16 May 2021). Note: Theses are the chancery records that were not available at the time this post was written in December 2014. ↩
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Opening Doors in Brick Walls 
What a fabulous find! Is there a way to let the Library of VA know that this bundle was missed and needs to be added to the Chancery record collection? Your family and my husband’s may well have known each other. He has Williams/Mahone/Crouch roots in Pittsylvania Co., VA and Caswell Co., NC and Bandy/Sturgell roots in Lawrence and Gallia Cos., OH. I loved the story – the black sheep are so much more fun to research.
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Thank you Linda. Actually the bundle was not missing. It is on their index online but only the original is available at the library. We’ll have to see as time goes by if we can find a connection. 🙂
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Loved this article and I too have read many of the articles that Libbie Griffin wrote in her Doss Connections, thanks for telling more of the story about our mutual Doss families.
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Thank you Vickie for stopping by. Another new cousin. Yeah!
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P.S. Hope you get some traffic on your site!
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Another great article, nicely researched and articulated! I am excited to take part in the 52 Ancestors 2015!
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Thank you Jeanne. Now that you’ve made your first comment all others will go through without you having to wait for them to be approve. I look forward to reading yours in 2015!!
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I, too, am joining the 52 Ancestors challenge for 2015 and have been working on the posts. I love reading everyone’s stories.
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That’s wonderful. I already have you on my reader!
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What a wonderful read. Thank you for sharing. I only happened upon the 52 ancestors in 52 week a few months ago and thought it a marvellous way to tackle s project. Ok so mine are taking longer but the heading keeps popping into my head! Someone will do appreciate all your work when we have all gone. Thanks again.
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Thank you Lorraine. It was a different way to do research for me but turned out to be ever so helpful.
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Congrats on that last post! What a great one to end with! I’m almost ready to post mine, was pondering what to write on. I don’t think I can keep up another year in 2015 writing weekly. Working fulltime made for some stressfull times but I’ll try and maybe post monthly or as often as I can. I’m going to miss it but I’ll look forward to reading yours and meeting the newbies in 2015. I enjoyed meeting with you and all the bloggers! Happy New Year
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Thank you Jeanne. I’ve met so many new and interesting people this year. Sorry that you won’t be able to keep up but I’ll look forward to your posts. Happy New Year.
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Yay!!! You did it Cathy!!!! Thank you so much for this year of gifts!!
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Thank you Teresa for the support. So happy that you consider them gifts dear sister-in-law. Happy New Year to all of you sweeties.
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I love this way of researching. I’ve been at genealogy for 40 decades now; sometimes when things get slow I go back and look for items for ancestors I’ve ‘neglected’. Fifty-Two Ancestors hopefully help me think outside the box and revisit those ancestors I’ve left sitting on the curbside. You’ve don’t a great job, Cathy. Entertaining and informative.
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Thank you Sue! For some reason I missed your comment when it came in and hadn’t approved it. I appreciate all your support here and on my Facebook page! Are you planning on writing about your ancestors for the 52 Ancestors challenge in 2015? Happy New Year.
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What an amazing find Cathy! I want you to know that I connect with your blog because your research style and findings are very similar to those which I used and will continue to use when I start researching my husband’s side of the family again. The backgrounds are very similar and just like your family, this particular branch lived in the US well over 200 years. They left a nice paper trail behind. : )
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Thank you Wendy. I never realized that I had a particular research style until I began blogging and reading other blogs. I think it is something that has always been in me. I’ve been doing genealogy for 20 years, 14 last being very intense, and it was only in the last 2-3 years that I’ve been learning how others do it.
Next year will be dedicated to my families in Luxembourg but I will still be working on my US families. Give me a shout if there’s anything you need help on. Happy New Year!
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Congratulations! I’ve enjoyed getting to know some of your ancestors over the past year. Times have changed so much over the years, and I find it intriguing to think about what life must have been like for single mothers years ago. It must have been hard in many ways–but some of them grew into very strong women.
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Sheryl, to be able to go back in time to meet this lady! Reading her deposition made her so much more real to me. Her daughter Polly, who was also unmarried, had a partner who mentioned her in his will along with her children. But there is no trace of a partner in Levina’s life. Thank you for stopping by. Happy New Year!
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Cathy, your work is remarkable.
I’m so glad that I made contact with you years ago in my feeble attempt to start my own family tree. I wish that I had your expertise, both knowledge and experience.
The good part is that we share common ancestors making my connection to you so much more of a treasure to cherish. You have helped me several times to find others that are not in our common ancestors. I thank you for that too.
Your name WILL prevail in the world of genealogy as one with dedication to thorough and accurate documentation.
Your 52 Ancestors blog has been a joy to read, bringing to the readers so much information and insight into the past and bringing our ancestors “back to life”.
Thank you for your work.
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Thank you dear cousin! I’m also glad that we found each other. You cannot imagine the number of times you pushed me to find more!! I appreciate all the comments you wrote and emails you sent – you were my #3 commenter this year. I hope that I can continue to live up to your praise. 🙂
Happy New Year!
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Unbelieveable! A bundle of 200 years old papers. You are so lucky, Cathy! This is indeed a Bang! I, like you, loved the challenge, a wonderful opportunity to work through old documents and new finds. Thanks to Amy for the challenge, thanks to you for the great lessons, Cathy. Have a great start in a wonderful, healthy and successful New Year 2015!
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Thank you so much Karen for coming back and adding the comment. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you this year. It’s give and take in the learning process. Wishing you all the best for the New Year as well.
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I’m so excited to find this!! I’m Susan Smith in Richmond, Virginia, and a descendant of Lavina’s son Phillip. My dad just researched his genealogy and gave me a copy; as soon as I saw Lavina was unmarried, I was curious and wanted to know more of her story. I want to know about all my ancestors, but I’m especially curious about the rule-breakers
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Thank you for getting on touch. I’m excited to hear from you. We need to find out who the father(s) was. I’m hoping she was monogamous.
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Cathy – Thanks for all of your research and posting it online. I descend from Lavinia’s son, William, a brother to your Mary E. Polly Doss, who had 8 children with a William Clonch., I have something that I would like your view about re: my Gr Gr Gr, Grampa William. My Gr. Gr. Grampa James Doss’ death record lists his mother as Betsy Claunch. This is most interesting, as we already have two of Lavinia’s children being involved with Clonch (Claunch) spouses. Now I know that my info contradicts the death record of Sarah Jane Doss Neville, whose death record shows Elizabeth Henry as her mother. I checked the death records on the FamilySearch website for two other sisters of James. Rebecca Doss Morrow’s death record says mother: unknown. The record for Nancy Doss Roberts lists Betty Doss.(probably Betsy), but no maiden name. I suppose it is possible that Elizabeth Henry was married to a Henry, who died, and that her maiden name was Claunch/Clonch, but I can find no such marriage of a Clonch to a Henry. Any ideas? – John Halterman
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I have the same information as you give for the children that death records have been found for. I am missing Nicholas and Mary E. who married Pearson. Will check for those.
I had gone through the same problem evaluation as you have when one of my DNA matches popped up with William Doss and Elizabeth Clonch as the parents.
I even considered that Dennis Clonch’s daughter Elizabeth (married a Parson) did not die as assumed. In 1840 she was not with Meredith Parsons and their two daughters. I was not able to follow her husband Meredith and their two daughters after the 1850 census. I even added this to her notes: “William DOSS married Elizabeth HENRY in 1837. Later when one of her children died in 1929 his mother was listed as Elizabeth CLONCH. Is it possible Elizabeth and Parsons “divorced” and she married a Henry and then Doss? A DNA match descends from William DOSS and Elizabeth “DOSS” HENRY. Is the shared segment from Levina DOSS, mother of Williamm, or from Dennis CLONCH, father of Elizabeth?”
I will check on the two DOSS children I have not been able to find death records for and get back to you.
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Sorry… I see I mispelled GrGrGrGr Grama’s name of Levina as Lavinia. I guess it is too late tonight to be typing…
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No problem, John. I will get back to you on your previous comment asap. Gotta have my 2nd cup of coffee first. 😉
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I should add that one of my grandfather’s sisters told me that the Doss family originated in Germany. I pretty much confirmed this when I found a German surname book at the University of Wisconsin and it listed the Doss name as having originated near Hamburg. I think that this is quite likely. My Grampa Doss and his siblings had light eyes and fair skin and the photos that I have for their father and grandfather show the same. The Hamburg region and NE Germany has traditionally been known for more Nordic physical traits.
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Merry Christmas, and happy New Year!
I guess I wasn’t reading until after 2014! Are you going to continue to revise old posts, or will you start writing new ones in 2023? I plan to take a bit of a break after I post the next two already completed posts. I need it….
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I’ll continue to revise old 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks posts but won’t be sharing them like I did this year as the rest are all Luxembourgish families.
Lots of record collections have gone online since doing the US families in 2014. I made some discoveries that I’ve tagged for blogging in the New Year. Hopefully it will get me back on a regular schedule of posting new content.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you, Amy.
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Thanks, Cathy.
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Cathy, A pretty amazing story…funny thing is, I know these Dosses. When I lived in WV, I went to church with a Doss family and I am still friends with some of the Doss kids on Facebook. I did some researach for them and came across your very Doss family. The “It’s a small world” just continues which doesn’t surprise me. Hope you & Egon had a Merry Christmas and you all have a Happy New Year!
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It certainly is a small world. Happy New Year to you and Cheryl.
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Thank you Cathy!
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