Bio: Dawson, Thomas *********************************************** Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Monaghan Index Copyright ************************************************ 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.