Ruth, I have become very interested in your research. Many names match those of my lines. Your Sarah Elmira DOWDY was the daughter of John R Dowdy and Rebecca GARNER; I am a Garner. She married George Albert COPELAND (of William H Copeland and Mary A McNail) and I am a Copeland twice. I have a William SANDERS who married Martha Copeland (my 4xgreat grandparents) in Chatham Co NC. And I have Mary FOUSHEE who was the wife of my 4xgreat granduncle Abraham Cook in Chatham.
I think our families connect, but don't yet know how.
Nancy Jones