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Dawson’s Grove. Richard’s daughter, Frances, m. 1682 Walter Dawson, d. 1718. They became owners of Dawson’s Grove. It is known that Samuel Dawson was born at Dawson’s Grove, County Monaghan, Ireland.

Samuel Dawson had at least 4 children: James bap. 16 Feb 1759.

+Thomas b. 12 Sept 1762, bap. 16 Sept 1762. Sarah bap. 24 May 1765.

Edward bap. 24 Nov 1765.

Thomas b. 12 Sept 1762, d. 4 March 1804, bur. Charlottetown Old Protestant Cem., son of Samuel Dawson, m. winter of 1784 Elizabeth Frances Tait, b. Tategar, Ireland, 12 Sept 1768, d. 5 Feb 1849, thought to be bur. Crapaud Anglican Cem..

Thomas joined the British Army at the age of 16. He served under Lord Cornwallis in America, then returned to Ireland where he joined the Royal Irish Artillary from which he retired in 1799 at the age of 37. Although he was given a position of importance in Dublin, it was his desire to make provisions for his sons to become farmers. It was this desire that led Thomas to purchase a tract of 600 acres of land at the Head of the Hillsborough River, PEI, from Lieutenant Burns, an associate of Samuel Holland. Thomas set sail for the new world on 4th March 1801 with his wife Frances and 6 of their children.

Thomas and his family landed first in Philadelphia, arriving in Charlottetown on 6thJune 1801. He established a farm on his estate at the Head of Hillsborough and named it Dawson’s Grove, after the old homestead in County Monaghan, Ireland.

Thomas had been wild and profane in early life, but through the reading of Doddridge’s Rises and Progress he had been aroused to see the errors in his ways. He became interested as well in the great religious revival of John and Charles Wesley and became a preacher. The date of Thomas’ conversion to Methodism is not known, but it is almost certain that he brought his religious fervour with him from the old country and set himself up as a local preacher. Thomas was determined to carry the gospel to all settlers. Provided with only a pocket compass, and often guided by blazed trails through the forests, Thomas travelled the Island. It is said that no settlement remained unvisited by him.

Although Thomas Dawson did a lot of good in his life, he was a bitter man. This is evident in his will that was drawn up the 4th Dec 1802. He had no love for any denomination but his own. He attempted to force this bigotry on his heirs and successors. He forbid his wife to remarry, he forbid his children to marry outside the Methodist faith, and as well, he excluded his eldest daughter from his will, presumeably because she married Joseph Smith Wood, a member of a family most likely Baptist.

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