GED4WEB version 4.41 Dawson David [Male] b. 1742 Chester, Pennsylvania, USA - d. 1813 Ross, Ohio, USA
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THE DAVID DAWSON FAMILY OF OHIO
David Dawson, the eldest son of Isaac and Mary, was born about 1742 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He had four brothers and no sisters. He came to Virginia with his parents in 1757. They
purchased 200 acres of land in the choicest location at the mouth of the Cacapon River. The Cacapon runs north. The Potomac runs east. At the point where they meet there is a beautiful delta of about 100 acres of fine, rich soil. This sparsely settled wilderness became their 'home where hey built their first log cabin.
In 1969, this writer was privileged to view this picturesque valley where the first Dawson home in Virginia
was built. David Dawson was known as a man of the woods and mountains, skilled in the art of unstanding nature and using his ability to plant, grow and harvest under a wide variety of conditions presented by pioneer living in what was often a harsh environment. Before 1757, all of the northern neck of Virginia was vast unorganized area inhabited by Indian tribes and an abundance of wildlife such as: Virginia white-tailed deer, black bear, foxes, timber wolves, puma or panther, squirrel, mink, weasel, raccoon, skunk, opossum, rabbit, bob-white quail, mourning dove, wild turkey and many species
waterfowl in season.
David married Elizabeth in Frederick County, Virginia about 1772. They settled on the south branch of the Potomac River in Hampshire County where his seven sons and seven daughters were born.
He was tall, strong and hardy; a good provider for his large family; and a community leader. He was a pioneer of high quality. It was in this location that David showed his talents and industry under the most trying and primitive circumstances over a period of twenty-two years before he yielded to the pleas of his eldest son, Isaac, to bring the remainder of the fourteen children and join him in the newlyopened Northwest Territory in Ross County, Ohio, where good land was cheap. David sold his home place of 267 acres in Virginia and began his journey over the Cumberland Gap and down the Monongahela River to the Ohio and then by raft down the river to his new home.
He purchased 754 acres and settled in Colerain Township, Ross County, Ohio, near Hallsville in 1797 or 98. Lineage-wise, being the eldest son of Isaac and by tradition the heir-at-law of his own family and the father of the first Dawsons of his line who came to Ohio, he deserved to be called the head or progenitor of the Thomas Dawson Line in Ohio.
A personal visit to this locale by the author confirmed the fact that David was an accomplished farmer concerned with the production of corn, wheat, oats, peaches, cattle and horses. Adam Schaal, born 1876, in Hallsville and living just east of town, told about the Dawsons buried in the Hallsville Cemetery. He pointed across the road to the Evangelical United Lutheran Church and said the Dawsons were members of that church. There was also a Methodist Church. The two churches had recently merged.
Mr. Raymond Maags, of German descent, lived 2 or 3 miles east of Hallsville. He had purchased a part of the original Malvin Dawson farm. He told me that most of the old farm house built about 1810 had been burned. He also pointed out the location of the old Dawson Cemetery across the road on the old Diehl farm.
From there we went back to Hallsville and to the Hallsville Cemetery where people were gathering for services. It was Memorial Day. Mr. Schimfessel, cemetery keeper, showed Buna and me the grave stones of the Dawsons buried in that cemetery. They were William Dawson, Zedekiah, Jr.,
Arthur, Thomas, Elizabeth, etc. Incidentally we met Roy W. Jones and his wife Ruth Dawson who had come to place flowers on her father, Malvin Dawson's 'grave. At 3 p.m. we visited Ruth and Roy Jones in their home in Circleville. They were in possession of the Dawson Family Bible and graciously gave us much information concerning the David Dawson Family in Ohio. Ruth and Roy expressed the belief that David Dawson and wife Elizabeth ;and probably Zedekiah and wife Ann O'Neal were buried in the old cemetery on the Diehl farm. The stones had been removed
David died in 1813, age 71. He left a will probated 25 August 1813 which provided cash or land for each of the seven sons and an equal amount of cash for each daughter. unfortunately, the first names of the daughter's husbands were not recorded. Therefore, some of these could not be traced.
DAVID DAWSON'S WILL
In the name of God Amen! 1, David Dawson, being in perfect health and a right mind, and calling to mind the mortality of man and that it is appointed once for all to die, I do make and constitute this my last will and testament: First I give my body to the earth from whence it came, and my soul to God that gave it; hoping to be reunited in the morning of the Resurrection with a glorious approbation.
And as to my worldly affairs: First, I desire all funeral charges shall be paid. Secondly, all just debts and demands, after which I desire the balance of my real and personal estate shall be disposed of as follows: First I desire my wife, Elizabeth Dawson, shall have the profits of the one third part of the plantation I now live on, during her natural life, also the one-third part of all the money and movable property that shall be found of mine after my decease.
Also, I do give and bequeath to my oldest son, Isaac Dawson, one hundred and sixty dollars ($160) which is, now in his hands, since the year one thousand seven hundred ninety eight.
Also, I do give and bequeath to my second son, Jacob Dawson, one hundred and sixty dollars ($160), one hundred of which he has now in his hands since the year of eighteen hundred and eleven.
Also, I do give and bequeath to my third son, Moses Dawson, one hundred sixty dollars ($160) which now remains in his possession since the year of one thousand eight hundred and ten.
Also, I do give and bequeath to my fourth son, Zedekiah Dawson, one hundred and six acres of land which is now in his possession, be the same more or less, to him and his heirs forever.
Also, I do give and bequeath to my fifth son Thomas Dawson one hundred and six acres and two-thirds now in hi, possession, to him and his heirs forever.
Also, I give and bequeath to my sixth son, David Dawson, one hundred and sixty acres now in his possession to him and his heirs forever.
I do also, give and bequeath to my seventh son, William. Dawson, the plantation in my possession with such ex ceptions as shall be mentioned hereafter. Said plantation adjoining the surveys of Barton O'Neal, Thomas Dawson,
Zedekiah Dawson and Isaac Dawson, and the reserved section, the same containing one hundred and six acres and two-thirds, be the same more or less which the said William is to have peacable possession at the decease of my wife Elizabeth Dawson.
Also, I do desire that the two-thirds of all my money and personal property shall be equally divided among my seven daughters, namely: Rachel Wiggins, Polly Wiggins, Nancy Perkins, Ruth Davis, Matilda Reed, Lurenei Reed, and Milly Webster.
I also desire that my seven sons and seven daughters shall keep in peacable possession the farming utensils and household furniture which I have made them a present of exclusive of the before mentioned legacies.
I do make and constitute Ambrose Grafton and William Dawson the sole executors of this my last will and testamant revoking all others. I declare this to be my last will and testamony, this the sixth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve.
Signed in presence of: B. Williams and June Williams.
David (his mark) Dawson. The two-thirds of my plantation desire at my decease shall fall into the hands of my son William Dawson. Signed in presence of: B. Williams and Williams. David (his mark) Dawson.
From Thomas Dawson Book by Everett Dawson
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