Jesse Dixon
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Jesse Dixon (abt. 1749 - aft. 1810)

Jesse Dixon
Born about in Kennett Township, Chester, Pennsylvaniamap [uncertain]
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married about Nov 1772 in Guilford, North Carolinamap
Descendants descendants
Died after after about age 60 in Ross County, Ohio, United Statesmap
Problems/Questions Profile managers: David Dixon private message [send private message] and Kathy King private message [send private message]
Profile last modified | Created 11 Oct 2011
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Contents

Biography

Currently the majority of the biographical information here was pasted in from an unknown source. It is being edited and ordered (in progress).

Early Life

Our descent from Joseph and Mary Dixon continued through their son Jesse, who was born October 20, 1749, in Pennsylvania.

North Carolina

When he was around 16 years old his parents moved to Chatham County, North Carolina. There he married Lydia Winters in 1772 . She was a daughter of Daniel Winters, who had married Jesse’s mother after his father’s death in 1770. She was not a Quaker, and Jesse was disowned by the Church in 1773 for marrying a non-member. Jesse inherited a portion of his father’s farm, upon which he built the home his family lived in until they moved to Ohio in 1804.

Historical Home

The house sat in what was the thriving Quaker community of Napton in the 1700s. This is south of Siler City, just north of present day Mt. Vernon Springs. An old cemetery, and the foundation for an early school, sat about a half mile east of the home. A spring house had once stood south of the dwelling, and the remains of a rock dam, probably for a grist mill, were also located south of the house on the property. The house sat on a portion of a rectangular 520-acre grant issued in 1756 to John May. He sold the parcel to Joseph Dixon in 1766, and Joseph by his Will in 1770 left it to his son Jesse.

The home was a large house for central North Carolina at the time it was built. Details in the home reflect Pennsylvania building traditions. It had a cellar with a finely crafted stone foundation. A wind vent, or vertical slit, was located on the eastern end of the foundation, which is a feature often seen in the massive stone barns still standing in Pennsylvania. A large fireplace once served as the center of cooking for the family. The fireplace opening is seven feet across. A wooden pole was mounted crosswise in the chimney opening, from which irons for pots were hung. Normally the main fire would have burned in the center of the fireplace, and hot coals would have been dragged to either side for heating pots and pans. A twelve-inch-square oak beam served as a lintel. This was the only oak used in the house, and the rest of the wood was pine. Iron was scarce in colonial times and a big enough piece was not available for the lintel, so that oak was used instead. The brick for the fireplace were probably produced locally. Ceiling joists are exposed both upstairs and down. Most of the timbers for the house were sawed on a “sash saw,” or water-powered saw with reciprocating straight saw blades. The even straight saw marks are visible on all timbers of the house, except for the two upper plates in the side walls, and the two purloins in the attic. These four timbers run the full 36 ½ foot length of the house and were hewn. Apparently the saw carriage at the mill could not handle timber that long. The support timbers in the attic utilize a “principal rafter support” system. This uses a pair of principal or heavy rafters, placed two thirds of this distance from the chimney end of the house over the interior wall, which has a load bearing support post. These in turn support purloins, which are tenoned into the end rafters and act as support for the remaining interior rafters. This helps leave the attic open with head space, since cross braces for the rafters are not needed. The front and back doors had strap hinges with serpentine “rat tailed” hinges. Old traces of red paint have been found on the home. In the early 1980s the then abandoned and derelict structure was acquired by Edwin Patterson, who in the late 1990s disassembled, moved, and restored the home.

Ohio

Jesse and Lydia resided in Chatham County for a number of years, but in early September of 1804 they joined a party of about 40 of their neighbors, including members of the Ratcliff, Ray, Cox, Raines and Wilkinson families, in moving the Northwest Territory of Ohio. At that time they sold their home and adjacent lands to Simon Rubottom for $1,200.00. The Ordinance of 1787 had opened the Northwest Territory, and declared it to be free of slavery, and in the years following, a large number of southern Quakers moved into the area. There they settled in what was to become Ross County, Ohio. The party moved by wagon and oxen to Charleston in what is now West Virginia. There the wagons were taken apart and placed on a keel boat, by which they were taken down the Ohio River to Gallipolis, Ohio. The oxen were driven overland. At that time there were no roads through the forests and mountains in the area. At Gallipolis the wagons were reassembled, and the journey continued on to Ross County, where they arrived in October. Their coming is recorded in Williams Brothers 1880 “History of Ross and Highland Counties, Ohio.” This states:

About a year later, (1803) Samuel, Jesse and Joseph Dixon came from Chatham County, North Carolina, and located in what is now Liberty Township. Samuel had one hundred and eleven acres in section fourteen, and the whole of section twenty-four.

Ross County land records show that soon after his arrival, our ancestor Jesse began purchasing land. On December 8, 1804 he purchased 352 acres 2 rods and 30 poles of ground from Joseph Cox for $242.00. He owned the east half of Section 11, Township 8, Range 20. This is southeast of Chillicothe, Ohio.

Jesse likewise appears on Ross County tax lists for the years 1807, 1808, 1809 and 1810.

Family

Daniel, George and Jonathan Dixon settled on section ten in 1800. When the land was sold each of the brothers purchased one fourth; the remainder being purchased by Nicholas Cox. Daniel Dixon died of Cholera, in 1832, and left a family of seven children, all of whom settled in the vicinity, but have since scattered. George Dixon jr., his son, was born here in 1808, and remains in the township, living on section eleven. Elias lives on section ten, and two sisters, Tamar and Nancy, the latter of whom married Jacob Culver, lives on section sixteen.

George and Jonathan Dixon died on their land, both leaving families.

The three brothers Daniel, George and Jonathan referred to in the volume were also from Chatham County North Carolina, and were second cousins of Jesse and his brothers Samuel and Joseph. In addition to all these related Dixons and their families who came to Ross County Ohio, yet other related Dixons came from North Carolina as well.

These related Dixons all raised families and left a number of descendants in Ross as well as Jackson and Vinton Counties, which were later created from areas in that originally included in Ross County. Thus the 1850 Census of those counties showed twenty-eight Dixon families living in the area.

Occupation

Jesse Dixon settled on section eleven, and Joseph on section thirteen, of which he finally owned three-fourths. He built a saw and grist mill on Salt Creek which he put in operation in 1807. He ran this mill until 1825, when he died, and the property passed into the hands of his sons, Abel and Joseph, who continued the business many years. In about 1870 it was sold to John Holland, and after a year Joseph Dixon bought it again, and again sold it to Robert Kidnocker, who now owns the property. The Mill building is the same, with some additions, as the original. . . .

Death & Legacy

In the year 1810, Jesse died in Ross County. The exact date of his death is unknown, but it was between June 11th, when he executed his will, and October 11th, when his estate was opened.

Jesse’s wife Lydia survived him until her death in 1837 in Ross County. A quiet title action was filed among the heirs upon her death. At that time probate records show that George Dixon, Abraham Day, Simon Ratcliff and Nathan Dixon were appointed by the Court to wind up Jesse’s estate. Jesse’s will is found in Ross County Ohio probate records, and appears as follows:

In the name of God Amen

I Jesse Dixon of the county of Ross and State of Ohio Being weak of Body, But Sound Both in mind and Judgment, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die, do hereby make and Constitute this my last Will and Testament - - - -

First: my executors are to pay out of my estate all expenses which may occur in my Last Sickness, and all funeral Charges, also all my just and legal Debts.

2. I give and Bequeath to my Beloved Wife Lydia to be enjoyed and possessed by her during her Natural Life, the following property to wit – the east half of Section No. eleven township No eight and Range No. Twenty, also all my stock of horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs, which I may Die seized of, excepting such as are herein after excepted, also all the household furniture of which I may Die seized of - Also my largest wagon, gears, jack screw, And farming utensils and Carpenter tools, excepting such articles as are hereafter excepted. - - - 3. I give and bequeath to my son Nathan the following property to wit – All my right title Interest and Claim to two tracts of land lying on the Waters of Bear Creek in the County of Chatham and State of North Carolina – one part of which land was conveyed to me by Lewis Brady the other part by the State of North Carolina, adjoining the Land of John Talleys on said Creek, which Lands are to Descend to him and his heirs forever, also my smallest wagon. - - -

4. I give and bequeath to my Son John the Sum of one Dollar.

5. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Mary the Privilege of living in my house with her mother During her widowhood together with her Daughter Lydia, also the privilege of keeping on the Land which I hereby bequeath to my Wife Lydia so long as She lives with her, two cows, tow calfs, and two sheep.

6. I give and bequeath to my Son Jesse all the smith tools which I may Die possessed of, the fleshing and currying knives also. - - -

7. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Lydia one Dollar.

8. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Ann one Dollar.

9. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Hannah one Dollar.

10. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Sarah one Dollar.

11. I give and bequeath to my Son Isaac the North West Quarter of Section No. Twelve township No. eight and Range No. Twenty to him and his heirs forever, also at the decease of my wife Lydia, the East half of Section No. Eleven township No. eight and Range No. Twenty, to him and his heirs forever. Also at her Death the wagon I left her if any there be, the gears, jack screw, his share of farming tools, the cross cut and hand saws and carpenters tools; But if the said Isaac should Die without Lawful issue of his body; Then in That case all the Land which he may Receive from me, are to be sold and the proceeds arising from such sale to be Equally Divided among all my Children namely Nathan, John, Mary, Jesse, Lydia, Ann, Hannah, Sarah, and Halah, and if Isaac should Die Before my Wife Lydia the land I give my wife Lydia; at her Death is to Be sold and the Proceeds thereof also equally Divided among all my children above named, Also I further give & bequeath to my son Isaac two plowshares, with gears, one cow, one saddle and Bridle, one gun, one plow, one mattock one axe one weeding hoe one bed and Bedcloaths, of which he has received of me the gun, Saddle and Bridle.- - -

12. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Halah one horse Bridle and Saddle, one cow, one bed and bedclothes and one pot. - - -

13. After the Decease of my Wife Lydia all the personal property which I have give her, is to be equally Divided among my Daughters and Jesse only; if they can agree in the Division, if not is shall be sold and Divided equally among the same Namely Mary, Jesse, Lydia, Ann, Hannah, Sarah, and Halah. - - -

14. All the property I may possess at my Decease, both real and Personal not mentioned or enumerated in the forgoing Will, is to be equally Divided among my Daughters Namely Mary, Lydia, Ann, Hannah Sarah and Halah. - -

15. I appoint and Constitute my Son Jesse Dixon and Joseph Cox Executors of my Last Will and Testament. - - -

Signed Sealed and acknowledged in the presence of Us this Eleventh Day of June 1810

His Nicholas x Cox Jesse Dixon Mark Daniel Dixon George Dixon

Jesse Dixon and his wife Lydia are both buried in Peecher cemetery in Liberty Township in Ross County Ohio. This lies in Government Section 11 as shown in the earlier map, to the west off from the road that heads north out of Londonderry. The cemetery lies immediately to the west of the parcel formerly owned by Jesse, and sits back a wooded lane on a hill top surrounded by woods. The cemetery is the resting place of numerous related families, including thirty different Dixons. These include Jesse’s brothers who accompanied him to Ohio, Joseph Dixon (1765 – 1825) and Samuel Dixon (1760 – 1820). The graves of Jesse and Lydia are marked with stones which record their names, but not their dates of birth and death. The graves also follow the archaic tradition of having both a headstone and footstone. The footstone for each grave is a small copy of the larger stone, with their initials only on them.

Timeline

Research Notes

To-Do

  • All children appear to have been duplicated - need to merge all those back together.
  • Sources added below are not full citation - need to flesh those out.


Disputed Origins

Multiple dates and location found for birth. 1941 definitely ruled out as being before parents' marriage. Going with July 20 1749 for now as it is the most commonly cited.

BIRTH DATE LOCATION SOURCE
11-22-1741 Kennett Meeting Steven J. Dixon User Tree
07-20-1749 Kennett Township Dixon Family History by Mary Gant Bell
07-20-1749 West Pennsboro Township Chapter 16, Page 195
07-30-1749 FindAGrave

Acknowledgements

  • WikiTree profile Dixon-1124 created through the import of DIXON.GED on Oct 11, 2011 by Glenn Dixon. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Glenn and others.

Sources

  • Ben F. Dixon "Our Book" 1932
  • 1770 Will of Joseph Dixon, Chatham County NC
  • Daniel Winters Will
  • Chatham County NC real estate records
  • Communications from Warren Dixon who visited the former Jesse Dixon home in 1984
  • Communications from Ed Patterson who purchased, moved and rebuilt Jesse Dixon home (see also web site on Jesse Dixon home)
  • 1880 History of Ross and Highland County Ohio
  • Ross County Ohio real estate records
  • Ross County Ohio Federal Census Records
  • Jackson County Ohio Federal Census records
  • Vinton County Ohio Federal Census records
  • Ross County Ohio tax lists
  • Jesse Dixon estate file Ross County Ohio
  • 1837 Quiet Title action on death of Lydia Dixon
  • Peecher Cemetery Londonderry Ohio.
  • Dixon Family History, Mary Gant Bell, 2007, pp. 196, 369[1]




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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Jesse by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. Y-chromosome DNA test-takers in his direct paternal line on WikiTree:
  • Glenn Dixon Find Relationship : Y-Chromosome Test 67 markers, haplogroup R1b1a2, MitoYDNA ID T12136 [compare]
It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Jesse:

Have you taken a DNA test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.



Comments: 3

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Discrepancy between the stated place of Jesse and Lydia Dixon's marriage. In one area on the profile, it says they married in Chatham Co, NC

" moved to Chatham County, North Carolina. There he married Lydia Winters in 1772 ." But in another area, it says Guilford Co, NC. Chatham Co, NC est 1 Apr 1771 from Orange Co, NC. Guilford Co, org from Rowan and Orange Co, NC in 1771.

posted by Cindi Bonney
Jesse and Lydia are my 5th G-Grands. I have a page from the Mill Creek Monthly Meeting (NewCastle, DE) listing the names and birthdates of all of Joseph Dixon and Mary Pusey Dixon's children and the date they left Mill Creek for NC. Jesse's bd is listed as 20 d 7m 1749, i.e. Old Calendar 20 Sept 1749. March was 1st month, so Sept was 7th month. I will upload the image.
posted by Deb Cavel
Dixon-1124 and Dixon-7481 appear to represent the same person because: They *are* the same person. I created the original profile (1124) with my initial GEDCOM import in 2011. The new Jesse (7481) was added as a *brother* to the existing Jesse! So they need to be merged. Also, the newer Jesse profile (7481) has his mother added back in as his spouse.

If you would just add me to the trusted list for both these profiles I can take care of the merge. There are also other profiles below Jesse (Dixon-7481) that need to be merged as well.

posted by Glenn Dixon

Rejected matches › Jesse Dixon (1748-)

D  >  Dixon  >  Jesse Dixon