Descendants of Mrs. Frances Dawson of Maryland

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Scotland (1606-1801)

Generation #1

Mrs. Frances Dawson of Maryland

Frances was born in about 1650, probably in England. Neither her family name nor her circumstances are know prior to her marriage to Richard Dawson of Virginia.

Richard Dawson was born in about 1648, probably in Virginia. The first record for Richard is his 1670 migration from Virginia to St. Mary's Co MD. And in about 1671 in St. Mary's Co MD, Francis and Richard were married.

By 9/1675 the couple settled at "White Lady Fields" on the Transquaking River in Dorchester Co MD. During their brief marriage, Frances and Richard had six children. But, Richard Dawson died before 4/11/1683 in Dorchester Co MD.

In about 11/1683 in Dorchester Co MD, Frances married Richard Willis born 1646 in England. It makes sense that the newly widowed Frances married Richard Willis soon after Richard Dawson's death. And, Frances and her new Richard had an additional three children. But, Richard Willis died 1/1/1690 in Dorchester Co MD.

In 8/1699 Frances, twice the widow with nine children, married Edward Fisher b. c. 1650 in England., And again this marriage was not to last long. Edward died 1701 in Dorchester Co MC. This left Frances with the property from all three of her husbands. Evidently, she managed it well and dispersed the lands and fortune to the appropriate heirs throughout the remainder of her life. Frances died 4/1729 in Dorchester Co MD.

Supplement to Early Settlers of Maryland:
Richard Dawson of St. Mary's County, Maryland, carpenter, immigrated from Virginia in 1670.
Dorchester Co Old Deed Book 3, pg. 90:
Sept. 1, 1675. John Rawlings, boatwright, to Benjamin Hunt: "Mason's Hopyard" 150 a. on Transquaking River, "Strawberry Garden" 150 a., "White Lady Fields" 100 a. on Transquaking River in occupation of Richard Dawson; Also land at head of Transquaking River 600 a. and "Dover" 1000 a. at head of n.e. branch of Trans. River called Chickanoquomiquo Creek.
Wts: William Lowe & John Jones. Ackn: Robert Winsmore & Henry Trippe.
Sussex Co DE Court Records, Vol. 1:
March 1, 1680. Richard Dawson had a survey made of "Dawson's Lott" (1000 a.) in Deale Co, Delaware, on main branch of Broad Creek.
Records of the Court of Sussex Co DE (1677-1710), p. 161:
April 11, 1683: Court at Deale for the Town & County of Deale. Petition. Cornelus Verhoofe, plaintiff,  petitions the court that he may have an Order of Court to attache the Estate of Richard Dawson for his clarks & surveyors fees which are due to him; the Court grants into the petitioner.
Records of the Court of Sussex Co DE (1677-1710), p. 226:
August 14, 1683: Action of Attachment viz. Cornelus Verhoffe, plaintiff, vs. Richard Dawson Estate, defendant. The plaintiff declares for eighteen hundred foot of planck due upon bill. Refer'd. Withdrawn by the Plaintiff's Order.
Inventories & Accounts of Prerogative Court of Md. Liber 9: f. 248:
Feb. 28, 1686: Richard Dawson, Adm. Accounts of Dorchester Co MD. Total: 42.17.0 pounds or #1926 pounds of tobacco; Payment made to Francis Hayward; Adm. Executor of Accounts was Richard Willis.
Dorchester Land Records Old 4 1/2:
Oct 21, 1689. Will of Richard Willis, Sr. "to two sons Richard & John Willis, dwelling plantation Rondly whey they attain age 21; to my wife, Frances Willis and my daughter, Frances Willis." 
Sussex Co DE Court Records (1677-1710), Vol. 2, p. 969:
Dec 1, 1693. Frances Willis, executrix of Richard Willis, dec'd, vs. William Clark, Esq., adm of Henry Bowman, dec'd. Plaintiff & defendant both called & personally appearing, the declaration was read, being for one & twenty pounds, ten shilling. Plaintiff having no [proof] against the suit and incapable of proving payment, the Court passed judgment against the defendant for amount given.

(Dorchester Co MD) Quaker Marriage Records, p. 47:
Marriage of Edward FISHER and Francis WILLIS Relique of Richard WILLIS at Tuckahoe Creek 8 Month, 1699.
Witnesses: No Family Names

Sussex Co DE Deed Book A-I, p. 309:
Nov 7, 1704. Before a court of Common Pleas held in Lewes for the County of Sussex before Wm Clark, John Hill, Thos Fisher, Thos Fenwick, James Walker, Philip Russell & John Walton, Esqs. Justices of said Court: Thomas Fisher appeared in court by virtue of a Power of Attorney in the deed inserted from Edward & Frances Fisher did ackn. and make over unto Wm. Clark, his heirs, 1000 a. of land in the County of Sussex, lying and being on the s. side of Broad Creek, and delivered in open court the said deed bearing date 24th of May 1700.

Dorchester Co MD Land Records Old Book 2, p. 63:
July 26, 1718. Francis Fisher of Dorchester Co to Richard & John Willis, her sons, "Weston" cont. 50 a.   "Addition to Fishers Landing" cont. 53 a., "Bartholomews" cont. 200 a. and "Fishers Landing" cont. 50 a. Said Richard & John Wills to convey to John Dawson a tract called "Rondley." Wts: John Rider and Levin Hicks.
MD Calendar of Wills," Vol. VI, p. 109:
Will of Frances (Dawson Willis) Fisher of Dorchester Co MD:
Written 2/19/1723. Proven 5/7/1729.
I, Frances Fisher of Dorchester County in the Province of Maryland. . .
unto my loving son Richard Willis the one-half of my land on Nanticoke River where now I live. . .
unto my loving daughter Frances Newton one feather bed, bolster & covering. . .also one large trunk with what shall be therein contained and all my wearing clothes and a cole still with one chest of drawers. . .
my granddaughters, Frances & Mary Newton, dau's of Edward Newton, to each of them a heifer. . .
It is my will and desire that all Travelling Friends and their occasions shall call them this way shall have freedom of entertainment and be kindly used so long as this place endures. . .
all the residue of my personalty after my debts, funeral charges & legacies are paid and discharged, I do give & beq. unto my loving sons Richard Willis and Edward Newton and do hereby declare, constitute, appoint said Richard Willis & Edward Newton full & sole executors. . ..
Witness: Thomas Griffithy, Samuel Long, William Burn.
Codicil dated April 14, 1729. John Pitt, Deputy Clerk of Dorchester Co.

    Children with Richard Dawson

    1. Obadiah Dawson

Sussex Co DE Court Records," Vol 1, p. 445:
March 8-10, 1687. Richard Willis, adm. of the estate of Richard Dawson of Transquaking River Maryland, deceased, . . .your petitioner craves on the behalf of the Orphans of the said Richard Dawson. . .to please grant a Resurvey of the said land to the use of aforesaid and your petitioner as in duty bound shall pray etc. . .The Court Orders the land above shall be surveyed for Obadiah Dawson, orphan and eldest son of the above Richard Dawson, deceased. Henry Bowman doth engage to the Court to pay the remainder of the purchase money that appear to be due from the said land in behalf of the petitioner & his predecessor.
Sussex Co DE Deed Book A1, p. 143:
Dec 1, 1693: William Clark of Lewes, Sussex Co Pa. for 46 pds sold to Obediah Dawson of Dorsett Co, Md., planter, and Frances Willis of Dorsett Co., widow, tract of land (whereas James Claypool & Robert Turner, two of the Commissioners appointed by William Penn, Esq., Proprietary of Pa.) which on 29th Sept 1686 was granted unto James Gray (1000 a. tract of land on s. side Broad Crk called Millford bounded by Henry Bowman & James Gray) for 20 pounds, who on 6th Dec 1687 conveyed tract unto Wm. Clark.
Wts: Luke Watson Jr, Cornelius Wiltbanck, Thos Klaman. Ackn. Dec 7, 1693

    2. Richard Dawson

(Dorchester Co MD) Quaker Marriage Records, p. 53:
August 23, 1698: Marriage of Richard Dawson, planter, & Susannah Foster, spinster, both of Dorchester Co. at Transquaking Meeting House. 
Inventories of Prerog. Court of Maryland Book 7, p. :61:
January 11 - 31, 1721. Richard Dawson of Dorchester Co MD. "Inventory" Balance 60.16.6 pds. Next-of-kin: John Dawson & Obadiah Dawson.
Appraisers: Thomas Peireson, Henry Hayward. Creditors: Henry Ennalls & Wm Stephens. Admintrix: Susannah Dawson.

    3. Elizabeth Dawson

    4. Sarah Dawson b. 9/15/1678 Dorchester Co MD

    5. John Dawson

Inventories of Prerog. Court of Maryland Book 7, p. :61:
January 11 - 31, 1721. Richard Dawson of Dorchester Co MD. "Inventory" Balance 60.16.6 pds. Next-of-kin: John Dawson & Obadiah Dawson.
Appraisers: Thomas Peireson, Henry Hayward. Creditors: Henry Ennalls & Wm Stephens. Admintrix: Susannah Dawson.

Dorchester Co MD Land Records Old Book 2, p. 63:
July 26, 1718. Francis Fisher of Dorchester Co to Richard & John Willis, her sons, "Weston" cont. 50 a.   "Addition to Fishers Landing" cont. 53 a., "Bartholomews" cont. 200 a. and "Fishers Landing" cont. 50 a. Said Richard & John Wills to convey to John Dawson a tract called "Rondley."
Wts: John Rider and Levin Hicks.
Prerog. Court of Maryland Wills Book 18, p. 81:
Feb 4, 1722/23 to May 9, 1723. John Dawson of Dorchester Co Will:
Sarah Dawson, wife of John Dawson, executrix, to receive residue of estate. Sons: Richard Dawson & Isaac Dawson, each to receive half of dwelling plantation at age eighteen; Thomas Dawson, tobacco at age twenty from his two brothers; daus Frances Dawson, Sarah, Rachel & Ann Dawson, personalty. Wts: Edward Newton, John Newton, and John Pearson.

    6. Anthony Dawson b. 4/13/1683 Dorchester Co MD

    Children with Richard Willis

    7. Richard Willis b. 8/13/1684 Dorchester Co MD

    8. John Willis b. 7/7/1686 Dorchester Co MD

    9. Frances Willis b. 8/7/1688 Dorchester Co MD.

Caveat
This site is provided for reference only. Except where specifically cited, information contained is conjecture and should not be considered as fact.
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