Notes |
- Notes from Gordon Allison
Ben served as an apprentice to become a linen and woollen draper in Ireland up to age 21. In 1824 he emigrated to Bathurst, NB, where he married and raised three children. He was appointed magistrate soon after locating in Bathurst. He also solemnized marriages and was a tide surveyor. Volume 12, 1847-50, Vital Statistics from New Brunswick Newspapers, stated that the Chatham, NB, Gleaner in 1849 reported weddings were performed by Benjamin Dawson, Justice of the Peace, in New Bandon, NB.
Ben moved to London, Ontario, in 1851 and became a grocer. He later entered the commission business and stayed in that field until 1879 when he was appointed stamp vendor. He was active in the Methodist Church.
Ben died at the age of 94 when he fell from a second floor window of a house while looking for the bathroom in the middle of the night. He grew a magnificent white beard in his later years and a superb oil portrait of him was reputedly painted by a student of master portrait artist John Singer Sargent. The portrait hangs in the home of Reita (Smith) Allison in Winnipeg.
History of the County of Middlesex, Canada. London: W.A. & C.I. Goodspeed, Publishers, 1889. - Excerpt from the biography of Richard J.C. Dawson p. 786
Benjamin Dawson? [was] born in County Cork, Ireland. Benjamin was reared in his native land, and in early life learned the business of a linen and woollen draper, at which he continued until twenty-one years of age, serving his apprenticeship with his brother. He was born on the 10th September, 1798, and is now serving in the stamp department of the post-office in London. In 1824 he immigrated to New Brunswick, and located in Bathurst, where he was married and raised a family of three children-Richard J.C., Melville de Blois, who is Lieutenant-Colonel of Militia and District Paymaster, and Wilberforce. The father was appointed Magistrate soon after locating in Bathurst, and also held an office for solemnizing marriages and one as tide surveyor. He came to London in 1851, and for several years was engaged in the grocery business; then engaged in the commission business, which he conducted until 1879, when he was appointed stamp vendor, and is still holding that position. Although living considerably over his allotted three-score years and ten, he is still active, both bodily and mentally, and is filling his position very satisfactorily. He has been an active member of the Methodist Church for seventy-five years. His wife died on the 31st March, 1866, being also a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist Church.
Excerpts from the diaries of Richard Matthews available through The Seaborn Collection at the London Public Library:
Sunday, Aug 28th 1864.
It is reported that a telegraph to M. Dawson informs of a railway accident in which J. Dawson, wife, father and 2 children have been injured. I hope their injury is slight.
Sept 24th 1892
Our Post Master's father the venerable Benjamin Dawson early this morning was found lying unconscious on the side-walk in front of his residence. It is presumed that he tried to get out of the window and fell out, he is 94 years old and report has it that he is now dying.
Sept 25th 1892
Benjamin Dawson an old friend in church and elsewhere died at 6 p.m. yesterday.
Notes from Andrea Thomas
Benjamin Dawson was born September 10, 1798 on a 200 acre farm near Mount Pleasant, Ireland just outside the town of Bandon and 15 miles from the city of Cork. Bandon had been settled by English Protestants in the early 1600s and had a strong Wesleyan Methodist community in the early part of the 19th century. Benjamin was born the 7th child and youngest son of Richard Dawson and Susanna Good.
Ben was raised on his father's farm, and early in life learned the business of linen and woollen draper. In 1824, Ben followed his eldest brother Richard to Canada where he purchased a farm on Chaleur Bay, in the county of Gloucester, New Brunswick. Ben farmed there for five years before selling his land to the Hon. Joseph Cunard, and moving to the town of Bathurst, New Brunswick where he went into the mercantile business. Ben was appointed magistrate for the County of Gloucester shortly after locating in Bathurst, and eventually held offices for solemnizing marriages, and one as tide surveyor.
Benjamin Dawson was married in Bathurst on June 19, 1833 to Jane Wright (born about 1806 also in County Cork, Ireland), and the couple raised a family of three sons: Richard Joseph Cunard, Melville DeBlois, and Wilberforce.
In 1851, Ben lost his business in Bathurst to fire and decided to relocate to Canada West where he believed his young sons would enjoy greater opportunities. The family settled in London, where Ben went into the grocery trade. In 1853, he lost both his home and business again when Dundas Street was ravaged by fire. Although he had no insurance, Ben was thankful that his family escaped with their lives. The family recovered this setback, and the Dawson boys all became successful businessmen.
In 1852, Richard entered the London post office as a junior clerk, and went on to work with the postal service for 47 years, becoming assistant postmaster in 1860 and postmaster in 1881. In 1853, Melville was an apprentice in the Talbot street office of the London Free Press, and by 1862, Melville & Wilberforce were in business together as joint proprietors of Dawson & Bro. book & job printing.
Ben's wife Jane died on March 31, 1866 at age 60. Afterwards, Ben resided for a long while in the household of his son, Wilberforce. Ben made a living in these years first as a postal clerk, then as a bookkeeper and commercial merchant, and later in the brokerage business. In 1879, at age 81, Ben was appointed stamp vendor for the City of London.
Ben was an active member of the Methodist church in London, and his granddaughter, Mabel Dawson Ferguson, described him as ?fanatically religious.? She also said that he was an immaculate dresser, ?going out each morning in his top hat, Prince Albert swallowtail coast, striped grey trousers, and grey spats.?
Benjamin Dawson died at age 94 as the result of falling out of a bedroom window at the home of his son Melville Dawson. At his death, he was described as being in excellent health with all his own teeth and no need for glasses. Mabel Ferguson claimed that he was so healthy, that save for the fall, he would be alive yet otherwise!
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