How Dawson Roots were Preserved
The Search for Roots
The Dawson family tree is definitely a large one...very much like the banyan tree of East India and frequently seen Florida. This particular tree has branches that send out shoots which grow DOWN to the soil and root to form secondary trunks.
Due to lack of time, to scattering of these branches and the continuing enlarging of the Dawson tree, I, Bennie M. Kelley, will not be able to give a complete tree picture. But I believe I can present a verbal picture of our earlier formation. This will give a base for anyone who so desires to "go back & dig."
If this is NOT done NOW, our past will be lost or hidden in the vast forest of time and geography. As older kin "pass on" - so goes our history.
Most of the vredit for these family facts goes to the late Ethel Dawson Liles & her husband Arthur. She had the "tree hunger" and the "get up & go" to do this complex search, & Arthur had the car & was the chauffeur.
At Ethel & Arthur's death her nephew, Albert Stone, took the "jumbled facts," sorted, typed them, etc. Ethel's son, Carrol Liles (628 Cotton Ave., B'ham, AL 35211, tel. 787-1575) was the recipient of a copy. Anyone who wishes to follow up on their particular branch may contact him. He and his wife Merle are a credit to our family!
It would take an eternity to keep up with this very prolific family, & the majority of us will truly be only interested in the branch that concerns "us."
Our first definite fact will lead us to James McCord Dawson. But prior to this we will read a letter written by E. D. Erwin, Jr. (Rt. 2. Calhoun, GA 30701) to Ethel. He tells of earlier Dawsons whom he had traced and undoubtedley they are our kin. And this is a compliment. In reading and studying this tree you will see a continuing referral to Sonoraville (town)and Gordon (Co.) Georgia. If one desires to pursue this study, good luck!! And not to waste space, look below and see picture of Joseph Wesley Dawson, wife Barbara Lossiphine and seven sons now. Now, away we go!!!!