The Annexed Will of Solomon Dawson

Following is a verbatim transcription of the annexed will of Solomon DAWSON as found in Stewart County Deed Book 15, pages 38-39. Solomon DAWSON, son of Elijah DAWSON, was born on 5 Dec 1764 in Kent County, Delaware. The DAWSON family of Delaware and the adjoining Eastern Shore of Maryland were affiliated with the Nicholite sect of Quakers. In the early 1780's, Elijah DAWSON and son Solomon removed to Guilford County, North Carolina, accompanied by other Nicholite families, including the MERONEYs and RUMLEYs. On 1 Nov 1796, Solomon DAWSON married Rachel MERONEY (born 2 Aug 1778, Caroline Co, MD) in Guilford Co., NC. In the spring of 1799, the DAWSONs again moved, this time to Jackson County, Georgia. Once again, their old Nicholite friends and kinsmen-the MERONEYs and RUMLEYs-accompanied them. In 1814, Solomon DAWSON, with wife Rachel, six young children and his now elderly father Elijah moved to STewart County, TN, settling on Standing Rock Creek. Some of the RUMLEYs again accompanied them. Solomon and Rachel (MERONEY) DAWSON had three more children in Stewart County. Solomon died on 8 Jun 1843, his wife Rachel died 28 Sep 1861. Both are buried in Jones Cemetery, on Standing Rock Creek.

Since the annexation of a will to the administration of an estate usually requires the concurrence of all heirs-at-law, such "annexed wills" can often be gold mines of genealogical information. Such is the case here. Note that this document is recorded in a deed book, not in the Wills and Administrations Book. Transcriber's comments are in parentheses ( ), signatures are in italics.

Transcribed by Stephen W. Moody - August 1998

State of Tennessee} I, Solomon Dawson, do make and publish this as my last Will and testament, hereby revoking and Stewart County} making Void all other wills by me at any time made. First, I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any moneys that I may die possessed of, or may first come into the hands of my Executor. Secondly, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Rachel Dawson all the household and Kitchen Furniture and one mare named Sirby and our cow and calf with the exception of our Bed and Furniture and the loom and the clock and two guns, one rifle and one shot gun. Thirdly, I give and bequeath the above excepted bed and loom and Sorrel Colt, two years old last Spring, to my daughter May. Fourthly, I give and bequeath to my son Dewitt Asbury (Dawson) the above excepted clock and two guns. Also he, the said Dewitt Asbury, is to have all of my Stock of Hogs and Sheep and Cattle. Also I give and bequeath to my son, Dewitt A., all of the tract of Land that I possess, lying and being on the Waters of Standing Rock Creek, for which he is to maintain my wife Rachel through her life and Widowhood. I do hereby nominate and appoint Dewitt Asbury my executor to this my last Will and testament. This, the Eighth day of June, one thousand Eight hundred and Forty three.

{Seal}

State of Tennessee} We, whose names are hereunto assigned, as legatees to the above Estate believe the above Stewart} Will to be written in accordance with the wishes of Solomon Dawson but the same not committed to writing in his lifetime but spoken of on his death bed. Also we do hereby bind ourselves, our heirs and executors and administrators in the penal sum of one thousand dollars Jointly to ratify and Stand to the above Written Will without interrupting the heirs or Executors or administrators of the above named heirs that Solomon Dawson hath willed and bequeathed his goods, Chattels, Lands and tenements to. Now if the above obligation is not broken, the penalty to be void, otherwise to remain.

We are the heirs who receive the goods:

Test: as Witnesses:

John Randle

Henry Blanton

State of Tennessee}Personally appeared before me, William Cook, Clerk of the Stewart County Court, John Randle and Stewart County }Henry Blanton subscribing Witnesses to the foregoing Instrument and, after being duly sworn, depose and say that they are personally acquainted with Maxwell Anderson, Rebecca Anderson, Lemuel Boyt, Sally Boyt, Elijah Dawson, May Dawson, Elisha Dawson, Alexander Andrews, Ruthy Andrews, John Andrews, Matilda Andrews, May Dawson, Rachel Dawson, and Dewitt A. Dawson whose names is (sic) severally signed to the foregoing instrument as bargains and that they signed and acknowledged the Execution thereof to be their several acts and deeds for the purpose therein contained. This Given under my hand at office in the Town of Dover, the 12th day of January 1844. W. Cook, Clk. Filed for Registration in the Registrar's office of Stewart county at 9 o'clock A.M., 13th day of January 1844, Entered in book H, page 25 and Recorded in said office this 17th day of January 1844.

H. Vallintein, Registrar