Jesse enlisted at age 18 for a three year term on 6 May 1776 at Wilmington, North Carolina for the duration of the war. As a Private he served, with his brother David, in an Infantry Company commanded by Captain Thomas Harris, part of the 4th North Carolina Regiment under Colonel Thomas Polk. He saw battle at Brandywine, Germantown, and was at Monmouth, N.Y. guarding the wagons of the sick and wounded, and when his term expired Jesse was discharged from service by Colonel Thomas Clark at Paramus, New Jersey, on 10 May 1779, being 21 years and 10 months old. 

This same year on 7 August 1779 a Marriage Bond was issued uniting Jesse Dodd and ELSE MILLER in Wake County, North Carolina. The Bondsman was WILLIAM MILLER (father or brother?) Jesse signs with an "X", the 500 pound bond paid.

Jesse Dodd is listed on the Tax List of 1785 in Wilks County, Georgia, living on the Broad River in May 1789. By November 1789 Jesse is selling 2871 acres of land. Again in 1791 he is selling 412 acres, all in Wilks County. 1800 finds him buying 409 acres on the waters of Hickory Level (or Greggs Creek), Franklin County, Georgia, then in 1802 he sells 119 acres of the same acreage. He remains on the Franklin County Tax List in 1802 and 1803. 

The next we find Jesse Dodd is in the County of Madison, Mississippi Territory, under date of 27 December 1816 when he appoints Power of Attorney to his eldest son to collect $1,300 judgement from George Sibald: "Know all men by these presents that I, Jesse Dodd, late of the County Franklin, State of Georgia, for diverse causes and considerations we have unto moving, made nominated, ordained and appointed my son William Dodd my time and lawful attorney for me and in my name." Witnesses: James Mullins, Patterson Dodd (it appears that all were in Madison County, Mississippi Territory for signing), signed by Jesse Dodd "his X mark" of Mississippi Territory, County of Madison. (Later to become the state of Alabama). 

On 25 September 1818 Jesse Dodd filed for a Revolutionary War Pension, Claim #S39453, for his service. He stated he was 62 years old and living in Lincoln County, Tennessee (just north of Madison County, Alabama). David Dodd witnesses that he served in the same companies with Jesse. 15 October 1818 Jesse buys 35 acres for $48 on the headwaters of Cold Water Creek, a south fork of the Elk River. Again, David Dodd witnesses. 
Jesse continues to remain on the Franklin County, Georgia, Tax List for 1819. 

Filed with the "Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions" July Term of 1820: 25 July 1820, Lincoln County, Tennessee, Jesse Dodd, now 63 years old on the 12th of this month, residing in said county, declares Revolutionary War service again and states that he had been placed on the Pension List Roll of West Tennessee #I4877, that his wife is, 58 years and infirm, and son Curtis, age 16, is still at home. His inventory consisted of "35 acres of land worth $2 per acre, two small mares worth about $40, two cows and calves, 15 head of hogs, 3 axes, 2 hoes, 2 ploughs, table, chest, 1 pair drawing chains, 2 pots, 1 dutch oven, 1 skillet, 1 cupboard, 1 loom, 4 chairs, 1 peuter dish, 4 peuter plates, 6 delph plates, 2 basins, 6 cups and saucers, 2 bottles, 4 small jugs, 1 decanter, knives and forks, 3 spoons, 1 pitcher, 1 mug". 

From August 1821 until at least January 1825, Jesse is living back in Marion County, Alabama. 1833-34 finds him in Lawrence County, Alabama, age 77, receiving his pension.

By 1836 his wife has died and he has moved to Lincoln County, Tennessee to be with his son. The last record found of him is in Walker County, Alabama, 17 October 1839, where he was residing for the past six months, formerly of Lincoln County, Tennessee, giving his Power of Attorney to son Berry Dodd to collect his pension from the Planters Bank in Pulaski, Giles County, Tennessee. It is thought he died soon thereafter, for his son Berry went to get him in a wagon bringing his body back for burial.

Son Berry Dodd is buried beside Jesse in the Baughn Cemetery, Lynn, Winston County, Alabama.

William the Quaker's son, Jesse, was disowned for `libertine conversation' on May 26, 1764.