Amanuensis Monday - Will of Daniel Dillon, d. 1805

Located at the Daughters of the American Revolution's library in Washington, D.C., as part of a membership application, the following is the submitted transcription of Daniel Dillon's Will.

DDJ - Jan. 1966                    
                                                            Daniel Dillon b. 1713 Kilkenny, Ireland;
                                                            ca 1724 to Nantucket, Mass. - Penn.
                                                            - Fred. Co., Va. - Guilford Co., N.C.,

                                                            son of Luke & Susannah Garret Dillon

Will of Daniel Dillon, Guilford County, North Carolina
Recorded in Guilford Co., N.C. Cthse, Greensboro, N.C.  Wills
File #0105, page 105 (or 115?)
Photocopy made from recorded Will, April 28, 1965, Office of Register of Deeds

                                                   Daniel Dillon
File #0105
     This Twentieth day of the Eighth month in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and five I Daniel Dillon of New Garden in the County of Guilford and State of North Carolina being Sick and weak of body but of Sound and perfect mind and memory, Considering the mortality of my body and the uncertainty of our lives: do make and ordain this my last will and Testament as follows (Viz)

      Item 1 ordain and desire that first of all my Just debts and funeral Charges be paid and fully satisfied by my Executors out of my movable Estate

     Item I do give and devise and bequeath unto my youngest Son Isaac Dillon all the balance of the old Survey on the South Side of Reedy fork and Jesses line including the old meadow that is not conveyed to others & to him self his heirs and assigns forever

     Item I do devise and ordain that my Executors when they think proper sell one tract of Land lying on the South Side of the Ridge on head of the branches above where Robert Blakley formerly lived which by deed may fully apear it being on the north side of Beaver Creek    

     Item I do give bequeath and devise unto my youngest Son Isaac aforementioned his heirs and assigns forever a piece or parcel of Land lying on the south side of Beaver Creek it being the south west corner of the old survey:  beginning at Stuarts Corner in the greate Road runing thence southwardalong said Road to a Rock from thence to the old corner by the pond thence East along the old line to Stuarts corner on the Ridge thence with his line to the beginning of said Road

     Item I do devise and appoint that my Executors shall when they think proper sell the old Mill seat with all the Land lying on the north side of the greate Road and west of Stuarts line it being the northwest Corner or west End of the old survey

     Item I give devise and bequeath unto my Grand daughters Sarah and Elizabeth Wallace ten dollars to be Equally divided between them for their own use forever

     Item my will and desire is that all my movable or perishable Property be sold Collected and Equally divided amongst all my Children (namely) Martha  Nathan  William  Peter  Jessee  Daniel  Patience and Isaac Dillon.  And likewise all cash in hand or to be obtained in Consiquence of bond Notes book accts & after debts & being paid as aforesaid

     Item It is my will and I do hereby Constitute and apoint my two sons Nathan and Peter Dillon to be Executors of this my last will and Testament and now I do Ratify and Confirm this and no other to be my last Will and Testament Revoking and disannully all former Wills bequests and legises in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal - - - - Signed Sealed and pronounce in presence of
     Silvanus Garner, Jonathan Hodgson &
     William Bunch                                                                    Daniel Dillon   (Seal)

State of North Carolina)
     Guilford County      )                                       February Court 1806
The Execution of the within Will was proven in Open Court by the oath of William Bunch and Jonathan Hodgson two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion ordered to be recorded.  Then Came in Nathan Dillon & Peter Dillon and qualified as Executors
                                                                              Test  John Hamilton    Clk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstracts of two deeds showing part of settlement of the estate of Daniel Dillon (Will above)
     Source:  copied from Deed Book April 1965 by Dora D. Jones
                   Guilford Co. Cthse, Greensboro, N. C.

Deed Bk. 9, p. 56
1806-   Dillon, Daniel      (by exrs) (Nathan & Peter Dillon exrs)
                                         to Jesse Standley   deed  255
               Nathan & Peter Dillon, exrs of Daniel Dillon dec'd all of Guilford Co., N. C.  On waters of Beaver Creek, beginning at Jesse Dillions, etc. . . .
                                                                                   Nathan Dillon       (Seal)
                                                                                   Peter Dillon             "

Deed Bk. 9, p. 285
1807, Aug. 31.      Dillon, Daniel (by exr) (Nathan Dillon exr)
                to Robert McKnight   deed $500.00     being on the North Buffalow Creek in Guilford Co., N.C.   . . . . part of a tract granted by the Earl of Granville to Thos. Donnell . .  at corner of McKnights
its:  Peter Dillon       Jonathan Dillon
       Joel Sanders                                                         Nathan Dillon   (Seal)

(Evidently Peter returned from Tenn. to help settle estate & had turned the last over to Nathan.  Daniel had also recd grant from Earl of Granville & had disposed of at least part of it to son, Peter in 1787.  From 1783 Peter had been back & forth from N.C. - Tenn.   DDJ)

Sunday's Obituary - Julia Ann (Cully) Dillon

News-Gazette
Champaign, Illinois
Feb. 19, 1920, page 9
[Source:  Urbanna Free Library, Urbanna, Illinois]

                                             Mrs. Julia A. Dillon
     Mrs. Julia A. Dillon, 80 years of age, died at 9 o'clock Wednesday night at 203 West Church street, where she had made her home for nearly three years with her daughter, Mrs. Ella Thompson.  She was born Nov. 17, 1839 at Montezuma, Ind., and most of her life was spent near Scotland Edgar county.  She leaves four sons Dr. A.L. Dillon, Dr. F.A. Dillon, and F.B. Dillon, all of Clovia, N.M., and Dr. C.C. Dillon of Sidell, and three daughters, Mrs. Ella Thompson, Mrs. Jennie D. Scott, Danville, and Mrs. Edna Inskip, Wallace, Idaho.  She also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Josie Potts, Newport, Ind., and Mrs. Samantha Martin, Walnut Hill, Ill.  The body will be taken to Scotland and services will be held there at 1 o'clock Friday afternoon in the M. E. church in that village.  Burial will be in Wesley chapel cemetery near Scotland.

Daniel Dillon - Patriot of the American Revolution

Daniel Dillon, son of Luke Dillon and Susannah Garrett, was born 4 August 1713.  Some records say that Daniel was born at sea while his parents were emigrating from Ireland and others suggest either New England or Pennsylvania as his birth location.  He married Lydia whose name was either Wright or Hodgsdon.  Daniel migrated from Pennsylvania to Virginia then to North Carolina. 

Daniel, a Quaker, contributed financially to the American Revolution and is considered a Patriot whose descendants are eligible for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

While visiting the DAR's library and computer center in Washington, D.C., I printed these scanned vouchers from a DAR membership application.

State of North Carolina   N2530
Salisbury District
This is to certify that Daniel Dillon
____ allowed Seven Pounds Eigteen Shillings
4th day of September ____

Reverse side
D. Dillon
1786

State of North Carolina  N.3742
Salisbury District
__ may certify that Daniel Dillon
____ seventeen pounds eighteen Shillings
___ for public Claims by _____ Board
of Auditors this 23rd Day of August 1783.

Reverse side
Daniel Dillon
17-18-

Tombstone Tuesday - Seibert E and Marie C (Doumont) Johnston

Seibert E. Johnston
1877-1935

At the McKeesport and Versailles Cemetery, McKeesport, Allegheny Co, Pennsylvania, Seibert Ellwood Johnston (b. 16 Jul 1877, d. 21 Jul 1935) and his wife Marie Catherine (Doumont) Johnston (b. 15 Nov 1877, d. 13 Aug 1944) share a grave.  Marie's name is not on the gravestone.

Wednesday's Child - James Peer

James Peer, the 4th child of Jesse L Peer and Keziah Crusour, was born April 18, 1879.  He died on June 17, 1886 in Dana, Vermillion Co., Indiana.  James is buried in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Scotland, Edgar Co., Illinois.

Obit - Newport Hoosier State; Wed, Jun 23, 1886:
Near 3 o'clock on last Thursday afternoon, a sad accident occurred at Dana, by which 2 bright and intelligent little boys lost their lives. Operator Wells' little son, aged about 7 years, and Jesse L. Peer's son, about the same age, were playing in the elevator building of Ralph & Finney. The little fellows got into the large corn bin from which a car was being loaded. The boys were drawn to the center as the grain was being let out and finally could not extricate themselves from their perilous condition. They were buried in the chute, and finally the grain ceased to run from the chute. One of the hands supposing some obstacle was impeding the flow of grain, took a long pole and ran up the chute, but failed to remove the trouble. He then went upstairs, taking a pole with a hook on the end of it, and soon learned what had caused the grain to cease flowing. The 2 little boys were hooked up on the end of the pole and found to be dead. Mr. Wells was present but did not know his boy was about the building until he saw his lifeless form pulled from the grain bin. The shock was so great that he fainted. Coroner Brindley was notified and immediately went down and held an inquest over their remains, and in his verdict exonerates the elevator men from all blame. The two little boys were great friends and nearly always together, and were great favorites among the people of Dana. There was a third boy with them who when he heard his playmates calling for help in the bin, ran downstairs and told a man what was the matter, but he never paid attention to the little fellow and went on about his business. The boy then ran home and told his folks, and they not comprehending the danger of the two made no effort to give the alarm and render assistance. The funeral of the little boys took place on Friday and was very largely attended. Their funeral was preached by Rev. Thomas Griffith, of Montezuma.
[Source:  Carolyn Schwab]

Amanuensis Monday - Charles Hardin Dawson Family

The following letter Mary (Swearingen) Lossing received from a cousin.  Both woman were descended from William and Nancy (Cleveland) Dawson.  Mary's ancestor was Thomas Lewis Dawson, the 7th child and Idamae's ancestor was Charles Hardin Dawson, the 9th and youngest child.

Mr. & Mrs.  Archie R Morley, Rt. 2, Box 154, Gaston, Oregon                  April 7, 1965

Dear Cousin Mary:

                I am Idamae Dawson Morley, eldest of 4 daughters, born Nov. 24, 1905 at Shelton, Neb.  My father, George Washington Dawson, and his brother, Joseph Wylie, came to Neb. As young men, where both married and remained until their deaths at Shelton.

                My grandparents – Charles Hardin & Elizabeth Digby.

                We just received your letter.  I found it interesting.  My husband handles every thing from the genealogy angle, but I though I would write, and perhaps toss in a few side lights.  I notice you and I are near the same age.  My father was so interested in learning something about his family, but knew very little.  I had heard him mention cousins Laura; no doubt Laura V Jan 8, 1858-Nov 22 1900, who I believe was a daughter of Thomas.  Also he talked about a cousin Douglas who was a bro. of Laura I believe, Sept 9, 1861 – Aug 27, 1923.

                My father was the youngest in a good size family.  He and a twin sister were born after my grandfather, Chas. Hardin went to war.  Grandfather saw my father just once, when dad was 1 week old.  The twin died – but when, I never knew; whether at birth, or later.  Nine-months later grandfather Chas. Hardin, died on the battle field with pneumonia.  A close family friend who served in the armed forces at his side, told grandmother that her husband was buried in a box (most were not) and in a trench.

                Later the family home burned, and with it, family records.  A Bible was saved.  The little I have has been gleaned from it.

                Chas. Hardin was 24, his wife Elizabeth Digby 20 at the time of marriage.  No note is made of a previous marriage.

                Their children a little life sketch of the Chas. Hardin’s children are as follows.

                Catherine –b.  May 26, 1846, d. 1920 or 21 – Married Henry Axton April 18, 1868.  They had two children, Ida Mae and Charles – both deceased.  Chas. Was a Quaker Minister, a very tall and very handsome man.  He died about 20 years ago.

                Benjamin Franklin – b. Dec. 6, 1851, d. Nov. 25, 1874.

                A Bible was put under his chin to hold his mouth in position during embalming and some of the fluid discolored the pages.  We still have that stained Bible.

                William Irvin – b. June 4, 1854 – April 1912?

                Uncle Will had a large family of daughters, several of whom are still living.  Back in 1912 the death of Uncle Will, his wife and daughter, Georgia, age 13, made news headlines all over the nation when they were clubbed to death in their beds. (Now – things like that happen too often to make headlines.)  Georgia, in panic, ducked under the bed-clothes.  Her head was beaten completely off.  The only thing that saved others of the family, some of whom were yet unmarried, was that it was Sat night, and the girls were visiting in friends homes.  George had cried to go to, but her sisters said she was too little.

                Mary Jane – b. June 7, 1857 – d. around 1910 or 1912.

                I remember my father sending her money.  She died of T.B.  I know the relatives seemed to think her husband was a no account.

                Joseph Wylie – Feb. 25, 1860-1903   Shelton, Neb.

                Died of T.B. of the throat.  He and dad came to Neb. As young men – to Shelton, where both are buried.  He had no children.  His widow never remarried.  She died out here in Wash. About 13 yrs. Ago.

                George Washington -  b. Jan. 6, 1863 near Newport, Ind. – Nov. 9, 1949, Shelton, Neb.  Born at Newport, Indiana.

                My fathers heart played out finally.

                He and Uncle Jo were both farmers.  My father retired and moved into Shelton a few years before he passed away.

                My father was a tall, handsome man, black hair, blue eyes, an excellent tenor singer – my mother a school teacher before marriage.

                A year ago a grand-daughter of Catherine Dawson, fell heir to an old photo album of Catherines, and sent me some of the photos.  I am very curious about some of them.  Among them was a prize, grandfather Chas. Hardin in his uniform, the only photo we have of him.  It shows a striking resemblance to my dad.  There was also a letter he had written his wife, while in the war.  The sender, wrote on the pictures the corresponding names on the album pages, which could be accurate, still pictures may have gotten changed.  One for instance puzzles me.  Its of a man & wife – her name listed is Catherine Sigler.  My fathers sister Catherine married an Axton, his sister Mary, married a Sigler.  This womans features resemble the Dawsons eyes.  I wonder if it is perhaps an error and should be Mary Sigler.  The photographers name is on the photo – Jas. S. Shaff – Seneca, Kansas.  A tin type of a lady who also has the Dawson type of eyes s named as Elsie [?] Dawson.  I haven’t the remotest idea who she is.

                Then there are Joseph Digby and Franklin Digby.  Joseph looks like a handsome Indian, long hair, blanket around his shoulders:  perhaps a part breed.  Joseph Digby looks like an up and coming business owner.  There is no resemblance at all in the faces.  The Indian could have been clowning but I doubt it.  Other photos I got tracked down if I didn’t already know.  G.R. Dawson who looks like a youthful dandy, I found to be George Riley, son of Wm, b. 1841 – d. 1922.  Other photos were my fathers brothers.  The lady who sent these to me knows even less about the family than I.  The one who perhaps could have enlightened us most, died perhaps 5 or 6 yrs. Ago.

                Now, just a little about our selves.  My husband became interested in genealogy a number of years ago, and its amazing how far he has run back in his family 26 or 28 generations.  On mine, there are so many deadends because Indiana did not keep up the records too well.

                Our family owns the Indiana State Capitol.  Whether its thru the Dawsons or Digbys, we do not know.  If we were back in that area my husband would dig thru old newspapers files etc and see what he could find out.  All we know is this.  My father told my husband and me that an ancestor of his gave the property to the state of Indiana to put the Capitol on, but with the clause that if the capitol should ever be moved, the property was to be returned to the donner, or heirs.  The time came when it was going to be moved.  Only one thing prevented it.  Dad said some of his cousins began to brag as to how they would spend their share.  This news got back to the the State Fathers, so they took a new look at the legal papers, and for the first time realized what all was envolved, so the capitol was not moved.  My grandmother had been receiving threatening letters, threatening to harm her children if she didn’t hand over certain amounts of money where this fortune should become hers, so she was relieved when it fell through.  It could have been hers – or its possible this was after her husbands death, so her through heir.  A few years ago some teachers were on a tour through that capital.  One asked why its in such an undesirable location, crowded around on all sides by down-town Indianapolis.  The guide said it was tied up in some legal entanglements.

                I am sure my father had a sister who died at age of 4, not his twin, but I fail to have it in my list for some reason.

                Now a little about our family.  I have 3 younger sisters; my age 59 to ?.  All my sisters have gone to college – so have I – all have at one time been school teachers.  My teaching however has been different.  They taught in grade school.  I taught only art classes, most of this in Junior High or High schools, and the last 20 years I limited it to Oil Painting.  I also taught private adult classes.  I am a conservative Artist.  In other words, my paintings resemble the thing I have copied.  My last 2 – Grand Canyon at Sunset, and Niagra Falls.  We travel considerable of summers – 2 yrs ago we took 5 weeks tri down into Mexico and spent 5 days in Mexico City.  I sketch as we travel, we take color slides, then home again – I paint from things we have seen.  I am an active member of the Oregon Society of Artist.  We have a membership of right at 1000 members.  My husband and I are also members of a Camera Club.  We are quite amature in that yet – since some of the members have gained world recognition for their work.  They photo for perfection in balance, etc., we take pictures we want to tell a story.

                I have not taught now for going on 3 years.  I am enjoying the leisure of developing my own talent.  I give an exhibit open to the public, once a year in our home.  As many as 200 have been to my home exhibit in one day.  I also exhibit at Fairs, Art Centers, etc.  It is a pleasing hobby and pleasant pass time.

                My husband is a high-school teacher, a linguist.  We were in Portland, Ore. 7 years, but are out of the city now.  We enjoy our present location very much.  Since he is a teacher, we have moved off and on.  This is our 6^th state to have lived in.  We moved to the North West, costal area, 30 years ago.  Out here, we have sank down our roots.  We like it here, we plan to retire here.  It’s the only place in our travels we have had any desire to settle down.  The climate is never sever, nature is lovely the year around.  It isn’t all perfect, but even so, the best we have found.  When I say the coast, this includes area from northern Calif. to Canada; but we prefer it down in Ore., to Wash., a bit more sunshine.

                Our family consists of a son and a daughter, and 5 grandchildren.             

                This has been a rambling letter, but I thought it might be of interest, at least in part to you.

                                                                                                Very sincerely, your cousin

                                                                                                Idamae Dawson Morley (Mrs. A. R. Morley)
                                                                                                Rt. 2 Box 154, Gaston Oregon

Photos from Dawson Family Bible

Copyrighted 1867, William W. Harding of Philadelphia

 These six photos are in a Dawson Family Bible held by my mother.

Wedding photo of Taylor Dawson and Iona Rodenberger
September 13, 1874
Cherokee Co, Kansas

Tintype of Iona (Rodenberger) Dawson and her oldest child, Dottie Maud Dawson

The following four (all tin types) are unidentified:

Unidentified