52 Ancestors #6: Josiah Dotson - A Museum Piece

I'm writing about my ancestors for the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge.  Please join me in taking a moment to appreciate some of the people who helped me be here today!

Growing up, I always heard a story that there was an antique Civil War era rifle in the family that had been passed down through several generations and had been given to a museum by my grandfather's oldest brother.  As it turns out, the story is true!

Pictured is that Civil War rifle, and it currently resides at the Stone Fort Museum on the campus of Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas.  It was passed down through the generations from Josiah Dotson, my great-great-great grandfather.  Josiah, originally a native of Bledsoe County, Tennessee, became a Texas resident in about 1850 and served in the 18th Texas Infantry during the Civil War along with two of his brothers, Jeremiah and Milo.  According to the museum's information, the rifle has "Dotson" carved into the stock.

Josiah and Amanda (Leverton) Dotson

Josiah was one of ten children born to William and Margaret (Stewart) Dotson, who were both originally from North Carolina.  All but one of the Dotson children were born in Tennessee, while Josiah's youngest sister Margaret was born in Georgia.  In 1850 the Dotsons can be found residing in Chickamauga, Walker County, Georgia, and later that same year Josiah married Sarah Amanda Leverton in Murray County, Georgia.  Shortly afterwards the extended Dotson family moved again, settling first at Houston County, Texas, where my great-great grandfather Detroit was born.  Some stayed there, and some moved on to Cherokee County, settling around the area of New Summerfield, where they were still living when the country went to war a decade later.

Josiah and his brothers all survived the war and Josiah returned to farming at New Summerfield, where his grandchildren and great-grandchildren continued to live.  Josiah and his wife, Amanda, are buried among many of their family members at McDonald Cemetery in New Summerfield.