Nicholas Dawson, an Englishman, was living in Maryland in the late 1600's, records showing he was in Charles County in 1688. He possibly was born there but no records have been found to prove such. He died in 1727 at his home, "Saturday's Work," a plantation located in Prince George's County. A permanent monument was erected on his burial site in the late 1800's by a descendant and was still standing in 1969. He left no will, but an inventory of his personal estate was filed on 22 August 1728 and is available at the Upper Marlboro Courthouse which shows he was a slave owner.

Nicholas Dawson married his cousin, Mary Doyne, about 1704 at her home, Fendall's Delight, a plantation included in her inheritance from her father. Mary, daughter of Robert and Mary Stone (Thomas) Doyne, was born in Charles Co., Maryland about 1682 or 83. She passed away in 1734 at her home, "Saturday's Work." It is believed she was buried beside her husband, but no markers are available to confirm this. She did leave a will, dated 14 December 1734 and proved 24 January 1735, also filed at the Upper Marlboro Courthouse. She bequeathed her present home, Saturday's Work," to her eldest son and to each of the younger sons gave other plantations inherited by her from her father. George Dawson, received joint ownership of "Spring Banks" in Somerset Co., sharing with his brother, William.

After Nicholas and Mary Dawson married, they lived at Fendall's Delight." They sold this plantation in 1710 to her sister's husband, William Hutchison, and moved to another family plantation, "Saturday's Work," the same mentioned above as their final resting place. This plantation was located about six miles south of Washington D.C's city center, just east of the villiage of Oxon Hill. Being a planter, Nicholas Dawson worked this plantation and several others inherited by his wife. He also added more land to their present holdings and made possible for his son, John, to acquire land further west which became the town of Dawsonville in Montgomery County.

Nicholas Dawson, a Protestant, attended the Episcopal Church. Mary, however, was a Roman Catholic, a religion being persecuted at the time of her marriage and unable to hold public meetings. Hence, a chapel was built on their plantation for private services.

CHILDREN: all born in Prince George's Co., Maryland

i. John Dawson,
b. 1706 at "Fendall's Delight,"
d. in 1764.
Married in early 1735 to Martha Ann Marbury,d/o Francis & Frances (Herd). She was born 11 Sept. 1715, 1st child of Francis ' 2nd marriage, died 28 January 1795.

ii. Thomas Dawson,
b. 1708,
d. about 1800;
married in 1740 to Elizabeth Hawkins Lowe, d/o John, Jr. & Mary (Hawkins) Lowe and sister of Eleanor Ann, George's wife.

iii. William Dawson,
b. about 1710-12,
d. 1756; married before 1734 to
Elizabeth Marbury, d/o Francis & Mary (Green) Marbury, his first marriage.

iv. George Dawson,
b. about 1716

v. Nicholas Dawson,
b. about 1720;
married Sarah Edelen, d/o Edward & Elizabeth Edelen. She was b. 18 February 1725 in Prince George's Cty.