~ Dawson Digest ~
BENONI DAWSON of BEAVER CO PAby Louis A. Doutt louis@alltel.net
From: Genealogical and Personal History of Beaver co., Pa., by John W. Jordan
Benoni Dawson, second son and child of Benoni and Rebecca [Mackall] Dawson, was born in Frederick, Maryland, August 20, 1768, died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, November 14, 1844. He moved from the south to the north side of the Ohio river, and there purchased a farm of two hundred and fifty acres [now owned by Lewis Davidson[, clearing and cultivating the same. He served two terms, of six months each, as a frontier buard against hostile Indians, ther service being known among those engaged therein as "standing on the station". He married Katherine P. D. McKennon, born in Annapolis, Maryland, October 20, 1775, died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1848, a daughter of Rev. Daniel McKennon, a native of Scotland. [Note: I have rearranged the text from the original, as I believe it was mistakenly entered in the wrong order.] (LAD] Children of Benoni and Katherine P. D. [McKennon] Dawson: 1. Elizabeth, born April 22, 1794, died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, unmarried. 2. Benjamin, born June 20, 1796, died October 22, 1817; married Sarah Bayne [?] 3. Rebecca, born October 11, 1798, died February 5, 1844; married April 5, 1838, John Cristler. 4. Robert [see family page] 5. James, [see family page] 6. Sarah, born December 20, 1806, died unmarried. 7. Ruth, born July 30, 1809; married, November 3, 1837, Isaac Evans.
This Benoni was my 3rd greatgrandfather. His son (#4) Robert was my link to this family. My father was born and raised on the farm mentioned as the Lewis Davidson farm, however his parents were not related to the Dawson family. ( A rather interesting coincidence, I think).
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From History of Beaver Co., Pa., 1888
Robert D. Dawson [deceased], one of Ohio township's prominent men and early settlers, was born at Ohioville July 30, 1801; a son of Benoni and Catharine Dawson. His father was a native of Maryland, and was one of the first settlers of Ohioville. Robert D. was married, Feb. 9, 1826, to Miss Elizabeth, daughteer of Ruel and Mary Ann [Debolt] Reed, who was born Feb. 12, 1803. Ten children blessed this union: Mary Ann, Catharine, Benoni, Ruel Reed, James M., Rebecca , Benjamin, Robert D., Daniel Debolt and William McKennon. Mary Ann and Catharine live at the old homestead; Benoni and Daniel D. live in the west part of the township; Ruel R. in Kansas; Robert D. in Delaware; Rebecca died Oct. 29, 1864; James M., Benjamin and William McK. are also dead. Mr. Dawson moved on his farm North of Ohioville in 1839, where he spent a long and useful life. His wife died Oct. 22, 1864, and he followed her to his final resting place Dec. 2, 1882.
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From: Personal and Genealogical History of Beaver County, Pa., by John W. Jordan
ROBERT DAWSON, second son and fourth child of Benoni and Katherine P. D. [McKennon] Dawson, was born on his father's farm near Ohioville, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, July 30, 1801. He followed the farmer's occupation throughout his entire active career. After his marriage he lived for two years in Ohio township, then took up his residence in Columbiana county, Ohio, later returning to his native place and seggling on land now a part of the Ferguson farm, there residing for eight years. He then purchased one hundred acres of land near Fairview, thereon erecting a substantial brick house, still used as a residence by his daughter, Catherine, also building a smaller house of brick, which is also standing at the present time. Before his death, December 2, 1882, he had acquired two hundred acres adjoining, making his farm three hundred acres in extent. Honor and industry were the two cardinal principles of his daily life, the first gaining for him the respect and esteem of his friends and neighbors, the second providing him and his family with plenty of the goods of this world. He continued in the faith of his fathers and was a member of the Episcopal Church, and supported the Whig party in all political issues.
He married, February 9, 1826, Elizabeth, daughter of Ruel Reed, who died October 22, 1864. Children of Robert and Elizabeth Dawson, [of whom only one is living]: 1. Mary Ann, died unmarried in 1909. 2. Catherine, aged eighty-five years, lives in the old brick house erected by her father, the only survivor of her generation. 3. Benoni, a farmer of Ohio township, died in 1909. [ *1908] 4. Ruel Reed, a resident of the state of Washington, died in 1908; married Salina Reed, who died in Kansas; they were the parents of seven children, all of whom live in the west. 5. Robert Doyne, a veteran of the Civil War, served in the One Hundredth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was for a long time confined in Libby Prison. 6. Rebecca, died unmarried, October 29, 1964. 7. Daniel Debolt [see family page]. 8. William M., died unmarried in 1887,
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Book of Biographies, Beaver Co., Pa
Robert Doyne Dawson was born July 30, 1801. He received his scholastic training under Master Steele, a private pedagogue. Robert worked upon his father's farm for some time, but subsequently followed river life between Pittsburgh and New Orleans. He worked in that capacity until his marriage with Elizabeth Reed. Elizabeth was a favorite daughter of Ruel Reed. She was born in Beaver County, Pa. in 1803. She bore her husband ten children, namely: Mary Ann, Catherine and Rebecca, who all remained single; Benoni; Ruel; James; Benjamin; Robert D.; Daniel D.; and William McKennon. After his marriage, Robert Dawson relinquished river life and returned to farming. For a short time he was located on his father's homestead farm. Then, for a brief period, he rented a place. Later, he purchased one hundred acres of land from his father-in-law. After farming that for some time, he sold out and purchased the farm where Daniel Debolt Dawson lived. Here he prospered, and was soon enabled to add three other farms to his original purchase. Thus he became the owner of three hundred and forty acres, which he improved in a superior manner. He built a good brick residence, and his farm was considered one of the finest and best improved in the county. In addition to producing large quantities of fruit, he devoted much attention to stockraising. He was the first to introduce Durham cattle and Leicester sheep in Ohio township, and was among the first to introduce these breeds into the county. He disposed of his stock at Pittbburg and in local markets. Like his honored father, he was a vestryman in the Protestant Episcopal church. In his political affiliations he followed the leadership of the Republican party. At the time of his demise, he was a comparatively wealthy man.
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Robert's son, Benoni, was my gr-grandfather
Book of Biographies of Beaver Co., Pa.,, page 377
Benoni Dawson was born in Ohio township, in 1830, and obtained the rudiments of an education in the district schools. He learned farming and bought a farm for himself in 1854. This farm contained one hundred and twenty acres, and was partly improved, having a fine log cabin on the premises. This was torn down and replaced by a convenient frame and log residence, which is standing to this day. He was married in 1858, to Rolena Brisbane, a native of Pittsburg, Pa., and was educated in Allegheny City. She was the mother of seven children, viz: Elizabeth (Nicholson); Rebecca C. (Murdock); Robert D. B.; Charles H., deceased; Anna F., wife of Dr. C. C. Taylor; Benoni R., a farmer; and Rolena I., now deceased. Mr. Murdock, who married Rebecca C., is a professor of music in Allegheny, and a composer of some note. He is the inventor of the Murdock sytem of guitar instruction. He is still actively engaged in cultivating his fine farm. He grows fruit in large quantities. He also devotes much time to stockraising, --selling mostly to East Liverpool markets. He is a stanch Republican, and has served as a school director, and in various other township offices. In early life he was a member of the Episcopal church, and assisted materially in building the church at Georgetown. Later in life, he joined the Presbyterian denomination in which he has been a trustee for twenty-five years.
His son Benoni Reed Dawson was my grandfather. My mother was Annabelle jeanette Dawson, who married Louis R. Doutt.
I was born and raised in Beaver County, however I now live in Greene Co., Pa. If you are into this family, and have or need information, let me know.
Louis A Doutt, 42 N. Porter St., Waynesburg, Pa 15370