JAMES & JANE DAWSON
James Dawson was born on the 28th day of June 1789, in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland. His parents were William Dawson and Jean Dawson nee Harley.
On the 16th day of February 1816, he married Jane 'Jean' Hamilton in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland.
She was born on the 8th day of March 1802 at Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
She was just 13 years old when they married.
James and Jane had eight children.
Their first child James, was born in 1817 in Falkirk. Jane was just 15 years old when she gave birth.
She was born on the 8th day of March 1802 at Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
She was just 13 years old when they married.
James and Jane had eight children.
Their first child James, was born in 1817 in Falkirk. Jane was just 15 years old when she gave birth.
Following their marriage, James served as a Colonel in the British Army in the Persian Wars.
The couple's next 2 children, Archibald and Catherine, were born in Persia in 1821 and 1825.
The couple's next 2 children, Archibald and Catherine, were born in Persia in 1821 and 1825.
The family emigrated to Australia in 1839.
Above: James Dawson. Image c/o State Library South Australia
On the 16th day of November 1841, James Dawson and William Rankine formally took joint ownership of Section 2600, which comprised 160 acres. This land would become the township of Strathalbyn. (History of Strathalbyn 2022)
James died on the 24th day of May 1865, at Starthalbyn, aged 75 years.
Jane died on the 9th day of August 1885 at Strathalbyn, aged 83 years.
Above: Jane Dawson. Image c/o State Library South Australia
Their headstone can be found in Row B Section 1.
Dawson Street and Jane Hamilton Road in Strathalbyn are named after this couple. Dawson Street became Strathalbyn's main commercial centre after the 1920s. (History of Strathalbyn 2022)