Dozier-Rivers Connections

Prior to 1840, there lived in Chesterfield County, South Carolina a family of about 4 children with the head of the family known as James DOZIER and his wife Britten [maiden named unknown]. By 1840, the family had moved to Sumter County, Georgia. There they can be found in the 1840 Census for Sumter County, Georgia.

Their migration left an impact on at least one Rivers family in the County. I have documented the 4 children of this family; 3 daughters and one son. Two of those daughters married Rivers men of Chesterfield County.

Nancy A. DOZIER

James and Britten oldest daughter Nancy A. DOZIER, born about June 1832  married  James Rivers, born about 1835, son of William and Elizabeth “Betsy” Rivers. The exact date they were married is unknown but we do know it was after 1850 and before 10 Dec 1858. Nancy Dozier, age 18, can be found in the 1850 Census for Marlboro County with a younger female named Rebecca Dozier, age 16.

In the “Burnt Book” we find a land deed that supports the marriage of James Rivers and Nancy Dozier before 10 Dec 1858.   

“conveyed to me by Wm. A. Rivers, by deed bearing date 10th Dec 1858. Said Tract of land being a portion of the real Estate of Britton Dozier, laid off To Nancy A. Rivers the wife of James Rivers, reference being had to a …”

Nancy Dozier Rivers father James Dozier had passed away before 7 October 1848 in Georgia and the land he stilled owned in Chesterfield County was being partitioned off.

Georgia}
Sumter County}  Know all men by these presents the we Lovett Dozier George W. Varner and Ambrous Powell are held & firmly bound unto Edmund Nunn Clk of the Court of ordinary of Said County and his succcefsors in office in the sum of twenty five hundred dollars to the payment of which well & truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs executors & administrators of us & each of us cismley [severaly] by these presents subscribed with our hands & sealed with our seals this 7th day of October 1848. 

After losing her father, Nancy also lost her husband James Rivers as a causality of the Civil War. James Rivers lost his life in the Civil War sometime before 16 January 1862.  We know this to be so even though I have not found a document stating such.  

After learning of the Death of James Rivers, Nancy A. (Dozier) Rivers joined her Mother and brothers in Sumter County, Georgia.

There she married Noah MEEKS on 16 Jan 1862. This tells us that James Rivers lost his life in the Civil War sometime before 16 January 1862. I have spent a lot of time looking for a death date for James Rivers without success. The National Parks Service (NPS) Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System,- http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/ -- has 4 James Rivers listed but I have been unable to determine if either of these 4 men is our James Rivers.

Before Nancy died and sometime after marrying Noah Meeks in 1862; Nancy married one additional time, 3 marriages total, to Andrew F. Simmons(see her Last Will). Nancy A. (Dozier)(Rivers)(Meeks) Simmons died May 1921 in Geneva County, Alabama.

Eliza Ann DOZIER

James and Britten youngest daughter, Eliza Ann DOZIER, born 8 April 1836  married  Dempsey Rivers, born about 1830, son of William and Elizabeth “Betsy” Rivers. The exact date of their marriage is also unknown; but, believed to have occurred about 1854. Their first and only child, a daughter, Georgia Ann Rivers was born about Dec 1855. Eliza Ann (Dozier) Rivers died 11 December 1856 and Georgia Ann Rivers died 13 December 1856. I think it quite possible that both died from childbirth. The tombstone is unreadable today (See FindAGrave memorial#40202722). 

After losing his wife and daughter, Dempsey Rivers then married Sarah Ann Massey, b. abt 1845, daughter of William Lawrence Massey and Huldah Meadows. Dempsey Rivers died 13 November 1861 of Typhoid Fever shortly after entering the Civil War. His widow, Sarah Ann Massey Rivers, married Leander Sweatt and gave birth to 2 more sons before she died 4 February 1871 leaving 3 sons and a daughter surviving.

Britten [MNU] Dozier died before or about 7 June 1852.

Georgia}
Sumter County} Know all men by these presents; that we Lovett R. Dozier and William Johnson, Security, acknowledge ourselves jointly and severally boun[d] <sic> unto Louis Bruner, Ordinary of said County and his succefsors and afsigns in the just and full sum of Four Hundred & fifty dollars, to the true payment of which, will and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, and heirs, executors, and administrators of us, and each of us, jointly and severally, by these presents. Sealed with our seals, and dated this 7th day of June 1852.
The condition of the bond or obligation is such; that if the above bound Lovett R. Dozier, who is this day appointed Guardian of the persons or property of Nancy, Rebecca, Eliza Ann and James W. Dozier, Orphan children of Britten Dozier, deceased, he acknowledging the same by his acceptance of said appointment, and Letters of Guardianship of this date, shall, well and truly maintain, clothe and educate said orphans according  to their circumstances, and shall take good and lawful care of their persons and property, according to the laws of this State,and  shall annually make a just and true return of all his actings and doings herein, unto the said Ordinary, an pay over all afsets that may remain in his hands when said Guardianship shall legally terminate, then this Obligation to be void, else to remain in full force. In Witnefs whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals, this day and year above written.
Attest:                                                                                  L. R. Dozier {LS}
L. Bruner, Ord’y                                                                Wm. Johnson {LS}

Postscript:

Rebecca H. DOZIER, middle daughter, married George C. Felts on 22 Dec. 1852 in Sumter County, Georgia.

James W. DOZIER married Hulda Rebecca Alexander. He died in the Civil War, 22 Oct. 1862 and is buried in Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina. He had one son, John W. Dozier, b. abt May 1860 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

James and Dempsey Rivers are my 3rd Great Grand Uncles.

____________________

1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40202722/georgia-ann-rivers

2. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, Page 179B, Line 16, family 1242, dwelling 1242, Household of William Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.

3. National Park Service, "Soldiers" database, Civil War Soldiers & Sailor System (http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers.htm : accessed 6 June 2018), entry for James Rivers, Pvt.; unknown; Confederate.

4. Chesterfield County, South Carolina, BURNT DEED BOOK: page 50, Land Deed between John C. Davis to Thomas C. Davis Deed; 22 December 1859, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

5. 1850 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Marlboro, South Carolina, page 149, Line 25, Dwelling 397, Family 397, Household of Miss N. DOZIER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 March 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 856.

6. 1880 U. S. Census, Geneva County, Alabama, population schedule, Geneva, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) 078, Page: 639A(stamped); Line 18, Dwelling NL, Family 138, Household of Noah MEEKS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 24 May 2015); citing NARA publication T9, Roll: 13.

7. 1900 U. S. Census, Geneva County, Alabama, population schedule, Piney Grove, Geneva, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) 080, Page 10B/179(Stamped), Line 99, Dwelling 188, Family 188, Household of Nancy SIMMONS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 11 October 2018); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_17.

8. 1910 U. S. Census, Geneva County, Alabama, population schedule, Piney Grove, Geneva, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) 109, Page 9A/151 (Stamped), Line 11, Dwelling 157, Family 158, Household of Nancy Ann SIMMONS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 11 October 2018); citing National Archives Microfilm T624_14.

9. Geneva County, Alabama, Probate Files & Loose papers, Nancy A Simmons; "Barbour County Court Minutes-1889 to 1897," digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: viewed 11 October 2018); WILL BOOK A_B, Page 313.

10. [MNU] Maiden Name unknown

Treasure Chest Thursday~Marriage of Nancy A. Rivers and Noah Meeks

James Rivers, son of William Rivers and Betsy Rivers was born about 1835 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. He is enumerated in the 1850 Chesterfield Census as a 15 year old male. Unbeknown to him but his birth would make him of prime age for fighting during the Civil War.¹

Sometime prior to the start of the Civil War in 1861, James Rivers married Nancy A. Dozier. Nancy was the daughter of  James and Britten Dozier of Chesterfield. Her father had passed away sometime before 7 October 1848 and Mother, Britten before 7 June 1852.  
Nancy and her sister Rebecca are enumerated in Marlboro County in the 1850 Census.²
Probate of James and Britten Dozier Estate in Sumter County, Georgia shows that Lovett R. Dozier was named Guardian of their minor children.³

Georgia}
Sumter County} Know all men by these presents; that we Lovett R. Dozier and William Johnson, Security, acknowledge ourselves jointly and severally boun[d] <sic> unto Louis Bruner, Ordinary of said County and his succefsors and afsigns in the just and full sum of Four Hundred & fifty dollars, to the true payment of which,will and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, and heirs, executors, and administrators of us, and each of us, jointly and severally, by these presents. Sealed with our seals, and dated this 7th day of June 1852.
The condition of the bond or obligation is such; that if the above bound Lovett R. Dozier, who is this day appointed Guardian of the persons or property of Nancy, Rebecca, Eliza Ann and James W. Dozier, Orphan children of Britten Dozier, deceased, he acknowledging the same by his acceptance of said appointment, and Letters of Guardianship
 
Proof of the marriage between James and Nancy can be found in the “Burnt Deed Book” kept on the Probate office of Chesterfield County.⁴

BURNT DEED BOOK: Chesterfield County , SC; Page 50, Land Deed between John C. Davis to Thomas C. Davis Deed: Parts illegible, Burnt. Visible names and comments are: John C. Davis to Thomas C. Davis Deed; Wm. A. Rivers, Estate Lands of Britton Dozier, laid off to Nancy A. [Dozier] Rivers the wife of James Rivers, dated 22nd Day of December 1859.“conveyed to me by Wm. A. Rivers, by deed bearing date 10th Dec 1858. Said
Tract of land being a portion of the real Estate of Britton Dozier, laid off
To Nancy A. Rivers the wife of James Rivers, reference being had to a …”

James Rivers died early in the Civil War, we know this because of a Georgia marriage licensee between the widow of James Rivers, Nancy A. [Dozier] Rivers and Noah Meeks which took place on 16 January 1862 in Sumter County, Georgia.⁵
 


State of Georgia, Sumter County:
To any Judge of the Inferior Court,
                                  Justice of the Peace, or Minister of the Gospel:

YOU ARE HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO JOIN

Noah Meeks and Nancy A. Rivers

In the holy state of MATRIMONY according to the Constitution and Laws of this Sate; and far so doing shall be your sufficient Licensee.
Given under my hand and Seal, this Fifteenth day of January 1862.
                                                 Louis Brumer …….ORDINARY

___________________________________________________________

GEORGIA,………Sumter………County:
I Certify, That Noah Meeks ……..and Nancy A. Rivers……were duly joined in MATROMONY by me, this ………16^th………………day of …. January…….1862.
                                                                              W. H. Hammoch JP





_________________________________
[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, Page 179B, Line 16, family 1242, dwelling 1242, Household of William Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[2] 1850 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Marlboro, South Carolina, page 149, Line 25, Dwelling 397, Family 397, Household of Mifs N. DOZIER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 March 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 856.
[3] "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990," images,FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-30448-1595-78?cc=1999178&wc=9SB9-FMH:267781801,267875801: accessed 26 May 2015), Sumter > Wills, administration and guardian bonds 1838-1855 vol 00 > image 124-125 of 208; county probate courthouses,Georgia.
[4] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, BURNT DEED BOOK: page 50, Land Deed between John C. Davis to Thomas C. Davis Deed; 22 December 1859, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
[5] "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-25516-2304-81?cc=1927197 : accessed 10 June 2015), 0255437 (005190862) > image 154 of 621; county courthouses, Georgia.

Marriage Proof Found in Land Deed

James Rivers was born about 1835 to William Rivers and his wife, Elizabeth “Betsey” Rivers. The 1850 Census for Chesterfield County, SC shows James, age 15, in the household of his father, William Rivers, age 75. ¹

 

This is the only census in which James Rivers, born 1835, has been found. Folklore says that he served in the Civil War and was killed in 1862.   I have not been able to confirm his service in the Civil War.

There is a Civil War tombstone and a FindAGrave memorial for James S. Rivers, who served with Company “D”, 6th Cavalry. A July 19, 1862 shows that James S. Rivers was 20 years of age making his birth year to be about 1842, much younger than James Rivers, son of William & Betsey^.2

James S. Rivers returned home and is buried in the Rivers cemetery. At present, it is not known what happen to James Rivers, born 1835.

A check of the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database (CWSS), Broken Fortunes, Dark Hours and the Roll of the Dead turned up no viable candidates.

Pre-Civil records for Chesterfield County were destroyed by the Union forces in March 1865. There are very few, if any, records of an ancestor prior to the Civil War.

Available resources are very limited. One of those limited resources is a deed book “recovered” from the bonfire that General Sherman troops used to burn every record within the county. That book is maintained in the Probate Judge Office, Chesterfield County Courthouse and is known as the “Burned Book”. Within that deed book we find, on page 50, a Land Deed between John C. Davis to Thomas C. Davis. 



That Deed, John C. Davis to Thomas C. Davis, on page 50 contains a “Golden Nugget” for a genealogist.

That “Golden Nugget” is:


“conveyed to me by Wm. A. Rivers, by deed bearing date 10th Dec 1858. Said
Tract of land being a portion of the real Estate of Britton Dozier, laid off
To Nancy A. Rivers the wife of James Rivers, reference being had to a …”

This deed tells us that the land being sold is the Estate lands of Britton Dozier.

• That Britten Dozier has passed away prior to date of this deed.
• That the land being sold was set aside for Nancy A. Rivers.  Thus Nancy is related to Britten Dozier; we know from research that Britton is the Mother of Nancy A. Dozier.
• That Nancy and James Rivers were married before 10 Dec. 1858.

No record of James or his wife, Nancy has been found after this Land Deed. Folklore claims that James died in the Civil War but this information has not been confirmed.  It is not known what happen to Nancy A. Dozier Rivers after the Civil War. There is no application on file, in South Carolina, for a Widow’s Civil War pension.

In summary, James Rivers, age 15, is listed in the household of William Rivers in the 1850 census for Chesterfield County, SC. A land deed dated December 1858, mentions James and his wife, Nancy A., daughter of Britton Dozier.

James Rivers is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle.

If you have information about James Rivers and his wife, Nancy A. Dozier please contact me through this blog.








___________________
[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, Page 179B, Line 16, family 1242, dwelling 1242, Household of William Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[2]  http://www.fold3.com/image/20/65078433/


[3] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, BURNT DEED BOOK: page 50, Land Deed between John C. Davis to Thomas C. Davis Deed; 22 December 1859, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Laid off to Nancy A. Rivers the wife of James Rivers

 
James Rivers, born about 1835, was a son of William Rivers and his wife Elizabeth “Betsy” (Rivers) Rivers. James can be found with his Father in the 1850 Census for Chesterfield County, his Mother passed away in December 1847; he is listed as age 15. ¹



James is said to have died in the Civil War while serving with the 6th SC Cavalry. There is a Civil War Record for a James S. Rivers on Fold3 consisting of 11 images; but, there is no mentioned of him dying while on duty.² There is also a James K. Rivers serving in the 6th Calvary that was wounded. A FindAGrave Memorial (# 47258559), no dates, shows James S. Rivers buried in the Rivers Cemetery.³

No record of James has been found other than the 1850 Census and no document has been found that shows him with a middle initial of “S” or “K”. The Civil War Soldier and Sailor database shows 4 James Rivers serving in the Civil War from South Carolina. To date James Rivers death has not been confirmed but it is my belief that he did die in the Civil War.

What has been found is two documents that showed that James Rivers married prior to the Civil War. As I researched this family I had no idea that James had married; he was merely a lad of 15 in the 1850 Census. Beyond 1850 no additional information was found for James Rivers, born about 1835, in any record especially the census.

James remained in my database with the one event (1850 Census) from 1976 till September –October 1998. In mid-1998, I learned of a private genealogical collection with information on the Rivers of Chesterfield County, South Carolina. A copy of this collection was on file in Columbia, South Carolina. The collection was interesting but also disappointing. While it contained massive amount of data, there was NO SOURCE DOCUMENTATION provided.  Found within the collection was this note:

• James Rivers married Dozier [Nancy A.] ⁴

A search of the Census for Nancy A. Dozier resulted in no information being found and like a “Cold Case” the meager information on James Rivers continued to lie dormant in my database. 

Then there came a day when I was informed that a “single” Deed Book was rescued  during the Civil War from the Northern Forces bonfire of burning courthouse documents in March 1865. This “Burned Book” is kept separately from all deed books and was accessible through the Probate office at the County Courthouse. This book was also filmed by the LDS Family History Library.  Within this “Burned Book” is a single land deed that refers to the marriage of James Rivers and Nancy A.(Dozier) Rivers and suggests that she is a heir  of  Britton Dozier. 




[Partial Transcription]
John C. Davis to Thomas P. Davis Deed ⁵
The State of South Carolina,
Know all men by these presents that I john C. Davis of Chesterfield district in the State aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of Three Hundred dollars to me paid by Thomas P. Davis of the same district in the state aforesaid have granted, bargained, sold and released and by these presents do grant, bargain sell and release, unto the said Thos. P. Davis all that piece, parcel, and tract of land containing one hundred and twenty eight acres more of lefs [less] adjoining the lands of Edward Mulloy, Rolin Kite and others, which said tract of land was conveyed to me by Wm. A. Rivers, by deed bearing date 10^th Dec. 1858. Said tract of land being a portion of the real Estate of Britton Dozier, laid off to Nancy A. Rivers the wife of James Rivers, reference being had to a plat of the same on file in the Ordinary’s Office of said district will more fully show &c together with all and singular the rights, Members Hereditaments and Appurtenances to the said premises belonging or on any wise…
The above Land Deed dated 22 December 1859

 
Britten Dozer is listed in the 1840 Census for Chesterfield County.




Another piece of secondary information came from Genform.
[Quote]”Ga. and SC I found the following information in the documents related to the estate of James Dozier in Sumter County, GA in 1849. Lovett R. Dozier was issued Letter of Administration on the Estate. James' wife was named Britten. He owned property in Cherokee County and Sumter County, GA. Lovett R. Dozier was the son of James and Nancy Moore Dozier of Sumter County. Another connection was George Dozier, grandson of James and Nancy Moore and son of John B. Dozier, deceased, son of James and Nancy. He was enumerated in the Felts HH in 1860. I obtained a copy of the documents related to administration of the estate of James Dozier in Sumter County, GA 1849 and subsequent years. Lovett R. Dozier, son of James and Nancy Moore Dozier was granted letters of administration on the estate. James' wife was named Britten. She must have died previously or about the same time because Lovett R. was appointed guardian of Rebecca, Nancy, Eliza Ann and James W., children of James and Britten Dozier. This James had property in Cherokee County, Ga and Sumter County, GA at his death. This James W. appears to be the same James W. who went back to Chesterfield County, SC married Hulda Rebecca Alexander and had son named John W.. Rebecca married George Felts in Sumter County in 1852. Nancy moved to Geneva County, AL and married first Noah Meeks and later a Simmons. In 1880 Rebecca moved to Geneva County and was enumerated in her HH in 1880. In 1889, John W. moved from Chesterfield County, SC to Geneva County, AL to help his Aunt Nancy. At her death she willed her farm to him. From first blush it appears that this James is likely a son of James and Nancy Moore Dozier. The age are more comparable and it would be perfectly normal for a brother to be appointed administrator of the estate and guardian of his young children - the oldest being 17. Thought that you might be interested in this finding. Jim King (JasOKing@aol.com)....My line levitaann@yahoo.com”[unquote] ⁶

If James Rivers did in fact die in the Civil War; what happen to his wife Nancy A. (Dozier) Rivers. No record of James or Nancy A. has been found after 22 December 1859, the date of the above land deed.  Did Britten Dozier move to Georgia? Did Nancy A. Rivers move with her?

This family has created more questions that answers.


__________________________
[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, Page 179B, Line 16, family 1242, dwelling 1242, Household of William Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[2] http://www.fold3.com/image/20/65078433/
[3] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 7 May 2012); Memorial page for James RIVERS; (Unknown); Find a Grave memorial # 47258559, Citing Rivers Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
[4] Private
[5] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, BURNT DEED BOOK: page 50, Land Deed between John C. Davis to Thomas C. Davis Deed; 22 December 1859, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
[6] http://genforum.genealogy.com/dozier/messages/1377.html