The lineage for Simon (Simon -> William -> Lambeth -> Lambeth -> Dotson) is given in the 1988 book <i>The Dodson (Dotson) Family of North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia: a History and Genealogy and Their Descendants Vol.1</i> by
Mrs. Sherman Williams.
<p>
I frequently notice people use a different lineage for Simon (Simon -> William -> Thomas -> Thomas -> Charles) which assigns a different father (Rev. William Dodson who died in Iredell Co., NC).
<p>
I want to trust the book, but the way the birth dates line up across generations can seem a bit unlikely.

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<hr>
<p>

<pre>
1870 Wise County Census -- The Robinson Township

. . . . .
86    Dotson, David     60    m     w     farmer            2000  750   Va
      Nancy             61    f     w     keeping house                 "
      Phebe             95    f     w     at home                       "
      Mary H            6     f     w     "                             "
      Justice, Peter    40    m     b     farm laborer                  Ky
. . . . .
</pre>

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From <i>History of Scott County, Virginia</i> by Robert M. Addington, page 13:
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<pre>
. . . . .
The Devil's Race Path Branch - Thomas W. CARTER, in a letter to Dr. Lyman
C. DRAPER, explains the origin of the name in these words: "About 1790, a
man by the name of James PAINE made a settlement at the mouth of said
branch and another man by the name of Simon DOTSON at the head. Paine's
house became the resort of bad men. Dotson made whiskey and sold to these
men until it became dangerous for travelers to pass through the gorge, and
it received the name of Devil's Race Path Branch."
. . . . .
</pre>

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<hr>
<p>
In the "Family Burying Grounds of Wise County, Virginia", the following
account is given: "Simon settled on the Guests River near where the
village of Tacoma is now." 

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<hr>
<p>

<i>HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF  SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA,
PUBLICATION 5</i>,
March, 1970.
<i>THE NAME AND FAMILY OF DOTSON</i>,
By Emory L. Hamilton
<p>

<a href="http://vagenweb.org/lee/HSpubl37.htm">http://vagenweb.org/lee/HSpubl37.htm<a>