Historical Sketch of Esther Wells Fulton DAWSON, Crawford County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Cindy McCachern Sketch of Esther Wells Fulton Dawson 6 February 1889, Robinson (IL) Argus Historical Sketches Pioneers of Crawford County Sketches and Reminiscences of Old Citizens as Told by Themselves or Friends for the Argus   Mrs. Esther Dawson The Argus was not aware of the existence of this venerable lady until we saw a sketch of her in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat of January 28th, from the pen of its Marshall correspondent.   Mrs. Dawson is undoubtedly the oldest person now living in our county.  She will be 94 years old her next birthday, the 18th of June.  She resides near Hutsonville, with a daughter, Mrs. W. R. Cox.  Her maiden name was Esther Wells.  She was born near Raleigh, N.C., on June 18, 1795, and was the daughter of Stephen and Esther Wells.  When Esther was a little girl, the family moved to Orange County, Ind.  When about 20 years of age, she married John Fulton, by whom she bore four children, only one of whom is now living. This is Mrs. Chas. Willard, of Hutsonville.  Mr. and Mrs. Fulton moved to Illinois, settling in Crawford County on the site of the present town of Hutsonville.  The country was then covered with an unbroken forest, existing many miles in every direction.  Indians and wild beasts were common sights, but the hardy pioneers never suffered any injury from either.   In October 1827, Mr. Fulton died and about one year later, his widow married Daniel Dawson.  By him she had two children, Nancy, now the wife of Wm. R. Cox, and John W., who is unmarried.  She is 58 years old and he 55.  Mrs. Willard, the daughter by her first husband is 65 years old.   In January, 1870, Daniel Dawson died, and since then Mrs. Dawson has been living with her daughter, Nancy, now Mrs. Cox.   Mrs. Dawson is 5 feet, 5 inches in height and only slightly bent. Her eyesight is very good.  she has worn spectacles constantly for sixty years from the time she was 28 until she was 88.  Since then she wears them only when reading.  Her hearing is very defective. She is a fast walker, and thinks nothing of walking to town, one mile away, when the weather is fine.  She walked in and back four times last summer. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cindy McCachern