TITLE PAGE. Daughters of Utah Pioneers. 63[063]. PIONEER NAME-Meredith Dawson BIRTH DATE AND PLACE- April 4, 1844 at Rhuabbon, Wales DEATH DATE AND PLACE- 18 June 1928, Henefer, Ut. FATHER- Joseph Dawson MOTHER- Francis Meredith WHO MARRIED AND DATE- Ann Bird, December 19th, 1873 YEAR ARRIVED IN UTAH- 1861 NAME OF COMPANY- WHO WROTE HISTORY AND DATE- Theresa Olsen WHO SUBMITTED HISTORY AND DATE- Anna Porter, 2009 CAMP NAME- Mt. Joy CAMP HISTORIAN- Connie Thalman and Bertie Smith COMPANY NAME- Morgan HISTORIAN- Dena Rich SOURCE OF INFORMATION- SIGNATURE OF AUTHOR OR OWNER OF THIS HISTORY- Anna Porter CAMP RECEIVED (DATE)- Nov 9, 2009 History of Meredith Dawson Meredith Dawson was born in Rhuabbon Wales, April 4, 1844 the son of Frances Meredith and Joseph Dawson. His mother died in Wales. He was baptized when he was eight years old. He imigrated to the United States with his father Joseph when he was thirteen years old, arrivng in Salt Lake City in 1861 , just prior to the close of the civil war. His father was a rock mason and Meredith used to help him build foundations for houses and other buildings. When he was small he used to carry the morter. He helped build a large rock grainery for Bishop Charles Richins. He also helped build a rock house for his father and for himself. Thes houses at that time were considered two of the best houses in Henefer. His father's house was built on the lot where Mrs. Madison Richins now lives. Meredith's was built on the lot presently occupied by Norman Richins. They lived in these houses for many years. Meredith belonged to the Indian War Veterans. He was a minute man and no matter what he was doing he had to leave every thing when called to fight the Indians. One time he was plowing in the field when he was called to fight the indians. He left the horses standing hitched to the plow and went. On one occasion he , Lehi Henefer, Micah Harris and John Bond were cutting logs for the railroad (the indians were very bad at that time.) They put their guns where they would be handy if the Indians should come. They heard a shot and thought it was the Indians were firing on them. When they went to investigate they found that one of the guns had accidently discharged shooting Micah Harris in the mouth. The carried Micah from the hills behind George Roberts home along the foot hills, passed the Joseph a. Bunet farm up to Curraths canyon. They crossed the river at this point and took him to a doctor in Coalville. This was the only place they could cross the river. Micah lost a lot of blood and was very weak but he got well. Meredith hauled freight from Montana to Salt Lake City. In 1888 he sent for his sister Elizaabeth and her family who was still living in Wales. Elizabeth missed her father and brother and wanted to be with them. He borrowed money from William Hodson in Coalville , Elizabeth arrived and Meredith built her a little two-roomed house on his lot. Meredith was a very good farmer. He had wonderful! crops of hay and grain. In 1881 they had a very hard winter. He lost many of his cattle. There was not very much hay for them and the winter was so cold that the cattle would freeze standing up. He helpled build the first ditch in Henefer to irrrigate the fields. He liked company and his door was always open to strangers. They were always fed and he made sure that their horses were taken care. They were never charged for his services. Meredith liked to dance and used to entertain with his step dancing and could throw five or 6 balls in the air and catch them in succesion. He was agood runner and swimmer. He would race with boys much younger than himself and win the races. Meredith marrried Ann Bird on December 19, 1873. Nine children were born to them, four girls and five boys. He died at the age of 85.