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Frank Dawson of Tumbarumba,

Frank Dawson of Tumbarumba,

Posted: 21 Feb 2015 1:30PM GMT
Classification: Query
I am looking for information on Frank Dawson of Tumbarumba, Supposedly a vet of the American Civil War; 1875 arrived Sydney, was a miner at Tumbarumba (reference 10 February 1928 Tumbarumba Times).
Can anyone help or provide me with a copy of that news clipping?

Re: Frank Dawson of Tumbarumba,

Posted: 23 Feb 2015 1:53PM GMT
Classification: Query
No news article here, but from this side of the pond (US) I can tell you there were several Frank Dawsons who served in the Civil War. When you get ready to research them you'll have to provide some specific information to identify him (year of birth and state in which he served, or at least if he fought for North or South, as well as the family profile, such as who was traveling/living with him and their names/ages). Frank Dawson isn't that common of a name, but common enough to allow for at least 10 of them during the CW.

Re: Frank Dawson of Tumbarumba,

Posted: 23 Feb 2015 3:36PM GMT
Classification: Query
Francis Warrington Dawson,was born in London in 1841. That wasn’t his original name, however: Christened Austin John Reeks, he was born into an educated, upper-middle-class Catholic family.

He fell in love with the Civil War. At the time, many English saw the “War Between the States” as a highly romantic struggle. Young Austin saw a parallel between states’ rights and the English efforts to establish the Magna Carta. He became increasingly engaged, and in the fall of 1861, he announced his plan to join the Confederate forces. His father tried to stop him, declaring that Austin would get himself hanged and disgrace the family name. Austin changed his name to Francis Warrington Dawson.

He volunteered for the Confederate Navy and in early 1862 sailed from England on the Nashville, under Capt. Robert Pegram. Shortly after his arrival in America, Dawson left the Navy to serve in the cavalry, under Pegram’s nephew, Capt. Willie C. Pegram. He was wounded once and taken prisoner twice. He was later assigned to Gen. James Longstreet’s staff, and in 1864 he was promoted to captain.

Re: Frank Dawson of Tumbarumba,

Posted: 23 Feb 2015 6:05PM GMT
Classification: Query
Ah, I see. I just read some interesting details on the life of Mr. Francis Warrington Dawson. What a fascinating person and you must be delighted to have him as an ancestor. Being a Southerner myself, I can see from an historical perspective how one might draw a parallel between states’ rights and the Magna Carta. Standing up for that is an altogether different thing.

Are you speculating that the Frank Dawson of Tumbarumba is one and the same as Francis Warrington Dawson, or is there some inkling of proof these are one and the same? I am very familiar with miners in the US from the period of 1870-1920 or so. I have a client whose own mining family moved from Cornwall to Australia in the 1870s and immediately turned around and came to the US (Montana) because the mining industry in Australia was on a downward swing and the US had so much more to offer. People came to the Montana (and neighboring states) mining towns from all over the world -- China, Poland, Wales, England, India, etc. I make mention, of course, simply because it would seem Mr. Dawson was doing just the opposite. Perhaps he was sped on by the desire to be an every-man and roll up his sleeves and escape, at least for a while, the pains of Reconstruction. But my mind is fertile with such meanderings and finds base only in my own brand of romanticism.

So, since you know the entire history of Mr. Dawson, including his untimely and ghastly death, what, if anything, might I be able to do to help in this story? It might boil down to simply the need to repost your query to a different board -- something to do with Australian newspapers or the like.

In for a penny, in for a pound. What say you?
Terri

Re: Frank Dawson of Tumbarumba,

Posted: 23 Feb 2015 8:28PM GMT
Classification: Query
It appears the information sent to me on Francis Warrington Dawson, though very interesting, cannot be the same Frank Dawson who is buried in Tumbarumba, as he did not die in Australia; so the search goes on. They were trying to help, though, and I appreciate the effort.

James
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