Bio: Dawson, Thomas

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Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives
Monaghan Index
Copyright

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File contributed by: Jack Storey jack.storey@btconnect.com  
April 23, 2012, 10:12 am

DAWSON, THOMAS

Source: Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives
Author: Jack Sotry

The Dawson Family of Dawsongrove
The Dawson family of Dawsongrove, particularly Thomas Dawson 
M.P., did tremendous work at the Dawsongrove Demesne, 
replaced the old family home with a new brick mansion in 
1780, & he then decided to hand over his parliamentary seat 
to his nephew, Richard Dawson (aged 34), while he retired to 
London.  He died aged 44 in 1807 and because of his 
popularity, his supporters erected the huge "Pillar" 
monument on the side of the road to commemorate him. 
Designed by James Wyatt, it is a classical style column of 
ashlar limestone, restored in 2007. 
  
Other places of interest in Ematris Parish include "Freame 
Mount" once the residence of R. Mayne Esq,  Glenburnie Park 
once of C.Stewart Corry Esq, (Curry) Tanagh once of Capt C. 
Dawson, Dromore Lodge once of Lieut Dawson R.N.,  New Park 
once of Dacre Hamilton Esq & Cremorne Cottage of the Rev N. 
Devereux.  The local parish school was aided by Lady 
Cremorne & in 1840 had 60 children attending.  Near Freame 
Mount is a large rath, occupying an acre of ground, which 
commands a number of Toghers (or bog passes). Dartrey 
Churchyard includes a "Mayne Memorial Stone"  erected in 
1773 at the entrance to the family vault at the Church of 
St. John. This stone lists the names of the family buried 
there & is highly significant because of the Freame Mount 
residence, built in 1772 by Charles Mayne (1727-77).  Thomas 
Dawson's new wife, Philadelphia Hannah Freame, a Quaker & 
grand-daughter of William Penn of Pennsylvania, asked 
Charles Mayne to call the house "Freame Mount".  Charles 
Mayne had married his cousin Dorothea Mayne & they had seven 
children - their two elder sons fathered 27 children.  
William, the younger of these two, took on Freame Mount, 
while the elder brother, Edward, (1756-1829) became a 
lawyer, eventually a Judge of the Irish King's Bench in 
Dublin.  The Maynes eventually left Freame Mount in the 
1850's when the last Mayne - Richard Mayne was the Land 
Agent.   The Mayne connection with Ematris creates interest 
in respect of William Penn of Pennsylvania who worked 
closely with Thomas Story of Justice (see note) Town, near 
Carlisle, Cumbria, brother of Dean George Story, Chaplain to 
William 111 at the Boyne in 1690. Thomas Dawson, the first 
Baron Dartrey, had married Philadelphia Hannah Freame, 
grand-daughter of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, 
USA.  The house at Dartrey was built on land known as "Dyon" 
(amounting to 90 acres)(now "Dyan") in 1788.  Richard Mayne, 
the last Mayne Land Agent, was replaced by William Douglas.  
His entire family left for South Africa in 1880.