• General Notes

  [williamstone.FTW]
  
  per "The Dawson Family":
  About the year 1782 (according to a grandson, AM Dawson, son of
  Nicholas, in 1873) the family emigrated to western Pennsylvania (now
  Fayette county) where he joined the family of his uncle George Dawson,
  who had gone before him.  After a brief halt in that neighborhood he went
  further west, (Sept 1790, acc. to same grandson)  and settled in the
  lower corner of what is now called Beaver County, Pa., the village of
  Georgetown being on his land.  He took with him from Maryland his
  family, cattle and slaves, and while tarrying in Fayette county sent men
  on to Beaver county to clear land for a homestead.  (acc to "The
  Monongahela of Old, 'among the largest slave owners, as shown by the
  Registers, were Robert Beale, 18...Benoni Dawson, 7...Augustine Moore,
  4...')  A cabin was built on Mill Creek bottom, near the Ohio river, and
  about ten acres planted with corn.  He moved by water, but his sons and
  slaves went by land, and drove the stock.  He was a member of the
  Episcopal church, "a good man to the poor", and one of those strong, wise,
  just men whose influence is widely felt for good, especially in a new
  community, as a counselor and peace maker, whose judgement and advice
  were generally respected.  (acc. to the grandson:  "People used to say,
  'Did Benoni Dawson say so?  Then it is right.")  He built a mill on Mill
  Creek, and died at his homestead, May 6, 1806, aged 64.  He had fourteen
  children."
  
  per Gen & Pers History ofBeaver County, 1914:  "After his marriage   he
  moved to western Pennsylvania, now Fayette county, where he jopined
  the faily of his  uncle George Dawson, who had preceded him into that
  locality. After a short stay with his relatives he continued his westward
  way and settled inthe lower corner of what is now Beaver County, the
  town of Georgetown being situated on land once his property.  He had
  brought with himn his family and all his possessions including seven
  slaves and while in Fayette county sent men on ahead with his cattle,
  having given them orders to clear land for a homestead.  He built a mill
  on Mill Creek. He was amember of the Episcopal Church and is quoted as
  being "a good man to the poor."  In the community his wise and just
  judgement was widely felt for good, the strength of his character
  lending wieght to his counsel.
  
  Patriotic Service, Maryland.  Oath of Loyalty March 3, 1778.  Thirteen
  children listed.  (DAR Patriot Index, p 181.)
  
  One of the important achievements around the middle of the century was
  the founding of Lower Marlboro Academy.  There were many difficulties
  throughout the Colonial period in acpuiring an education.  A few of the
  wealthy families were able to employ private tutors for their children,
  and in some cases a clergyman might give private lessons.  Parents who
  were educated endeavored to teach their children to read and write.  The
  facilities for what we now call high school education were largely
  lacking in the Counties of Southern Maryland.  This situation was
  remedied by the establishment of Lower Marlboro Academy, where many
  of the sons of the planters were educated from 1760 until after the Civil
  War a century later.
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Will of Benoni Dawson, dec'd 
  Reg'd 19 May 1806
  
  In the name of God amen.  
  I, Benoni Dawson the elder yeoman Fuller (Sutter?) of the vicinity of George Town Beaver County and State of Pennyl. being in perfect strong of mind and memory --blessed be the almighty God for the same-- but being aged and in a decayed State of health, for the better settlement of my Estate real and personal, When it may please the almighty to remove me from this by death, I do by these precincts ordain this my last will and Testament to last and to be in full force and remain viz.
  First, I will and bequeath that all my just Debts (which are but few and of no great magnitude) be paid out of the first money that may come into the hands of my Executors. 
  Secondly I will that my wife Rebecca Dawson shall have and enjoy all the Rents, Profits and inducements that is to say the third part or share  [..?..] and income of all my real Estate during her natural life for her full will, pleasure and disposal, as well all my house hold furniture, Cattel, horses & hogs & sheep excepting those hereafter in the will otherwise directed to be disposed of and to dispose of the same at will or pleasure to her heirs or assigns. 
  Item I give and bequeath to my son Nicholas Dawson all my right to the quarter Section [..?..] one being one fourth part of Section numeral thirty four south Township and first range in Columbiana County and State of Ohio entered in partnership and a division made with Charles Black[more?] in the name of Thomas Dougherty. 
  Item I give to my son John Lowe Dawson the quarter Section he lives on in the same section and in the same manner liable to my wife's Dowry as above recited.
  To my son Benjamin M Dawson I give in perpetuity and [..?..] all that tract or parcel of land adjoining George Town Beginning at the River where the line of Thomas Smith or claimed by him strikes the said River thence with his line south twenty one degrees west to the top of the open brow or bank adjoining the town of George Town thence with the street of said Town westerly to the west boundary of the town Lots thence by the open brow of the bank already mentioned westerly to it strikes the line of Robert D Dawson and with his line northerly to the River Ohio, aforesaid, thence up the same to the place of beginning, estimated at twenty acres, with every benefit to him and his heirs forever and an exclusive right and privilege of the use of a Ferry of the same [..?..] Nevertheless any contracts or sales I have already made to Dawson Blackmore and John Bever within the same wherein the use of a public ferry is reserved. 
  Item to my son George Dawson I give and bequeath all that part of a tract of Land included in the following boundarys, viz.  beginning where the tract I have already will'd to my son Benjamin M Dawson last strikes the line of Robert D Dawson with said Robert D Dawson's line southerly crossing Mill Creek to within Six or Seven rods of what is call'd the "Hill Field" then leaving the line and the field to the west along the hill side near the top to oposite the South easterly corner of the field aforesaid thence [..?..] easterly to Mill Creek to strike it about thirty five perches below the Mill Dam thence up said creek or the bank including the creek to oposite the Hickory corner thence to it thence with the lines of lands obtained by Thomas Smith to the town plot or lots of George Town that laid out thence with the said Town plot with the several courses to  it strikes the line of the tract willed to Benjamin M Dawson  and with his line to the place of beginning, estimated to contain one hundred acres more or less with all the buildings, improvements, mills &c. forever subject to the dowry reserved for my wife Rebecca Dawson and also to pay any and all balances of Debt that may be due by means of the said mills and lands. 
  Item in perpetuity to my son James M Dawson I give and bequeath all that Tract or parcel of land beginning at the corner of the tract willed to my son George Dawson where it joins Robert D Dawson's line & with said Robert D Dawsons line to Alexander Laughlin's line thence with it to Robert Laughlins line with it to it strikes the line of Land already will'd to my son George Dawson and with it to the place of beginning & containing fifty acres of the same more or less, also his choice of my horses or negro and one cow and calf also of his choice.  
  Item whereas I owned six hundred and seventy five acres of Land [.....?.....] John Bever at one Dollar per acre it is my will such sums be settl'd or balanced the accounts of said John Bever may have against me and the balance that appears to be due on either side settle as other debts of my Estate or against it and having made sale of lots in George Town viz. to Thomas Foster four lots on Market Street, to William Swearington three, to Henry Wilson one lot, to James Cummings one lot, to William Carnagey three Lots off the main Street, which when the condition of sale is complied with to be conveyed to them on the conditions and reservations of other Lots in said Town. 
  I do will and bequeath to my daughter Mary Blackmore in trust for her children Samuel Blackmore, Rebecca Blackmore, Thomas Blackmore & Elizabeth Blackmore and to her self during her natural life a dowry of a widow Lot number eight in said Town under the restrictions and quit rents of other Town Lots. 
  Item  I give and bequeath to Benoni Wilkinson of Amos a Lot of Ground wherein is a tenement in the occupancy of Amos Wilkinson containing forty square perches to be laid off so as to have a twenty foot alley between it and the meadow. 
  And whereas my sons Thomas Dawson, Benoni Dawson and Macall Dawson and my Daughters Mary Blackmore, Elizabeth Blackmore and Nancy B Bever and Rebecca White have already have been paid their shares of [....?....] have a dividend equal to the other children. 
  Nevertheless the surplus and sales of Lots in George Town or any portion that is belonging to my Estate in said Town and exclusive of Robert D Dawsons share with the interest due on payments quit rents and profits of the same I will and bequeath to my sons Thomas Dawson, Benoni Dawson, Nichls Dawson, Ben M Dawson, Mackall Dawson, George Dawson, James M Dawson & John Low Dawson and my Daughters Mary Blackmore, Elizabeth Blackmore, Nancy B Bever & Rebeca White each one equal share. 
  Item the tract of Land in dispute with Will'm Healds I bequeath to my sons Benoni Dawson, Nicholas Dawson, Macal Dawson & John Low Dawson to prosecute the suit at their own proper expense and charge and that in no care whatever any of the certs or charges shall be copaid or borne by any other of my heirs but their own  [..?..] and I do ordain and appoint my son Benoni Dawson and Benjamin Dawson my Executors to execute their will.  Given under my hand and seal this 7th day of May one thousand eight hundred & Six, the words "estimated at twenty acres was underlined before signing---
                                                                                                                                    Benoni Dawson  [SEAL]
  acknowledged and executed before us and agreed to in every point. 
  John Bever, Alexr Stub, William White.

Details of Benoni's family with Rebecca Mackall