Special Collections Research Center
spcoll@wm.eduSpecial Collections Staff.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation:
John Dixon Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
Purchase of 25 items in 1/1928; gift of 580 items by George P. Coleman in 1938; gift of 1 item by Berna Heyman in 3/1976; and gift of 4 items of Miss Caroline Anderson on 2/24/1987.
Biographical Information:
John Dixon Jr. was born in 1778 and died September 5, 1830. He married Sally (Sarah) Throckmorton, the daughter of Warner and Julia Throckmorton, in 1795. They had three children: Dr. John Dixon(1812- 1835), Isabella S. Burwell, Harriet Peyton. Dixon remarried Mary T. (?). There was one child from this union Mary E. Dixon.
Family History
John Dixon Jr.'s father was John Dixon (d.1788). He married Elizabeth Peyton, daughter of Sir John Peyton of Isleham, Gloucester County, on February 6, 1773. They had four children: John, Lucy, Seigniora, and Betsy.
John Dixon Jr.'s grandfather was the Rev. John Dixon(d.1777). He married Lucy (?). They had five children: John, William, Thomas, Lucy, Elizabeth
John Dixon Jr.'s great grandfather, John Dixon (d.1758) came to Virginia from Bristol, England in the eighteenth century. He married Lucy Reade(1701-1731), daughter of Mr. Thomas Reade of Gloucester. They had three children: Rev. John Dixon, Roger Dixon, and Thomas Dixon. After the death of his first wife, he remarried Ann (?), of King William County. They had four children: Cornelious, Lyonell, Robert, and Susannah Ann. All the male children from this second union died unmarried.
Additional family and genealogical information can be found in the first folder of the first box of the John Dixon Papers, Collection number: Mss. 39.1 D64. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .
Scope and Contents
The John Dixon Papers include letters, legal papers, farm and personal accounts, 1760-1829 of John Dixon, Jr. (1777-1830) of "Airville" Gloucester County, Virginia.
Letters include those from Charles H. Braxton of "Oak Spring," Burwell Bassett of Williamsburg, Richard Jones, John Nicholson, John Peyton, and James and Samuel Stubbs of Gloucester County. The collection also includes a letter, 22 October 1827, of Burwell Bassett and a letter, 1826, of John Mercer Patton (1796-1858). These papers contain references to the Whiting family of Williamsburg, Virginia.
Papers relate to settlements of estates which John Dixon administered, while early material include copies of the wills of his great-grandfather John Dixon of Bistol, England, his father John Dixon (d. 1788) of Gloucester County, Virginia, and the settlement of the estate of his mother Elizabeth Peyton Dixon.
Sm. Coll. Add. 24:
Copies of a 1729 land patent, the 1766 will of Roger Dixon and two genealogies of the family.
Arrangement of Materials:
These papers have been organized into six series: 1. Family Papers; 2. Letters Written to John Dixon Jr.; 3. Legal Papers of John Dixon Jr.; 4. Other Papers of John Dixon; 5. Business Papers of John Dixon Jr.; 6. Sm. Coll. Add. 24.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Account books
- Agriculture--Virginia--History--18th century
- Bassett, Burwell, 1764-1841
- Correspondence
- Dixon family
- Dixon, Elizabeth Peyton
- Dixon, John, d. 1788
- Dixon, William M
- Financial records
- Gloucester County (Va.)--History--18th century
- Gloucester County (Va.)--History--19th century
- Legal documents
- Patton, John Mercer, 1796-1858
- Whiting family
General
Other Information:
Additional information may be found at http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/published/wm/viw00006.frame
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Bassett, Burwell, 1764-1841
- Dixon, Elizabeth Peyton
- Dixon, John
- Dixon, John, d. 1788
- Dixon, William M
- Patton, John Mercer, 1796-1858
Container List
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 id306739
Box 1
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 id162119
Folder 1
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 Carton: 1 id160085
Copy of the will of John Dixon of Bristol, England.1760Scope and Contents
1 item. Mutilated. John Dixon is the great-grandfather of John Dixon Jr.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 id160086
Estate of John Dixon, Sr.,1778-1816Scope and Contents
25 items. John Dixon is the father of John Dixon Jr. A copy of his will is included among his estate papers.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 id160087
Estate of Elizabeth Dixon.1797-1826Scope and Contents
19 items. Elizabeth Dixon is the mother of John Dixon Jr.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 id160088
Copy of the will of William M. Dixon. 1 item.1775Scope and Contents
1 item.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 Carton: 1 id160085
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 id162119
- mixed materials Box: 1
Box 1English.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id162120
Folder 2
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160091
John B. Jesse, Middlesex [County]1811 September 29Scope and Contents
1 item.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160092
John B. Jesse, Middlesex [County]. 1 item.1812 May 21Scope and Contents
1 item.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160093
John Lind Smith, at Cherleston, S.C. 1 item.1812 July 21Scope and Contents
1 item.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160094
Thomas T. T. Tabb, at Seaford, [York County, Virginia]. 1 item.1815 January 18Scope and Contents
1 item.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160095
Charles H. Braxton, at Pipingtree, [King William County]. 1 item.1825 February 1Scope and Contents
1 item.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160096
Charles H. Braxton, at Pipingtree, [King William County]. 1 item.1825 March 3Scope and Contents
1 item.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160097
J. K. Marshall, Fauquier [County]. 1 item.1826 May 22Scope and Contents
1 item.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160098
John F. Tomkies, at Huntersville, N.C. 1 item.1827 May 20Scope and Contents
1 item.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160099
John M. Patton, at Fredericksburg. 1 item.1827 May 31Scope and Contents
1 item.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160100
Thomas J. [ ? ], at Baltimore.1827 August 1Scope and Contents
1 item.Mutilated.This is a printed circular letter.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160101
Burwell Bassett, at Williamsburg. 1 item.1827 October 22
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160102
John R. West, at Yorktown. 1 item.1828 April 2
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160103
Charles H. Braxton, at Oak Spring. 1 item.1828 April 8
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160104
C. & G. Clarke, at Richmond. 1 item.1828 August 6
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160105
R. Patton, Jr., at Fredericksburg. 1 item.1828 September 6
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160106
Beverley Blair, at Richmond. 1 item.1828 October 2
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160107
Charles H. Braxton, at Oak Spring. 1 item.1829 July 11
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160108
Charles H. Braxton, at Oak Spring. 2 items.no date
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160109
Richard Jones. 1 item.no date
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160110
John Miller, New Kent [County]. 1 item.no date
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160111
R. Patton, Jr. 1 item.no date
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160112
Letter from Thomas Smith to Mr. Garnett, overseer at Airville. 1 item.no date
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id160091
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id162120
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 id306743
Box 1
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id162124
Folder 3
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id160115
Assignment made by M. Dixon to John Dixon1805Scope and Contents
1 item. Item concerns the transference of M. Dixon's interest in John Gwyn's estate.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id160116
Power of Attorney given by Benjamin N. Robinson1807Scope and Contents
1 item. This item concerns the authorization of Morgan Tomkies to sell slaves.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id160117
Land papers1815Scope and Contents
2 items. Items include a deed given by Warner and Thomas Throcknorton to John Dixon covering a mill dam and a tract of land in Gloucester County, Virginia; and a copy of a court order granting John Dixon permission to erect a mill.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id160118
Suit in Williamsburg Chancery Court1826Scope and Contents
1 item. Kennon and Tomasia Whiting vs. William S. Thornton, administrator of Meaux Thornton et als.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id160119
Power of attorney given by John Dixon1828Scope and Contents
6 items. Items authorize William C. Minor to settle and adjust claims against various persons, and include papers concerning these claims.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id160115
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id162124
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 id306745
Box 1
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id162126
Folder 3
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id160121
Memorandum of an agreement between John Ellis and John C. Pryor1807Scope and Contents
1 item. Item concerns a lease for a tract of land. John Dixon was a witness for this agreement.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id160122
Agreements of Elihu Hotchkiss with John Dison1818Scope and Contents
4 items. Item concern the manufacture and sale of Hotchisses' improved straw cutter.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id160123
A pre-nuptial agreement between John Grrill and Signiora Banks1823Scope and Contents
1 item. Items concern the use and disposal of certain property.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id160124
Copy of an act of the General Assemblyno dateScope and Contents
2 items. Item concerns the specifications for staves for hogsheads; and a memorandum concerning other lumber.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id160125
A printed list of prices of drugs and medicinesno dateScope and Contents
1 item.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id160121
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id162126
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 id306747
Box 2
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 4 id162127
Folder 4
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 4 id160128
Accounts with Newington Academy. 9 items.1819 - 1826
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 4 id160129
Account of the United States with Thomas C. Amory.1814Scope and Contents
1 item. This item was paid for by John Dixon, quarter master.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 4 id160130
Invoices, receipts, and tax bills.1799 - 1829Scope and Contents
230 items. (Continued in Folder 5)
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 4 id160128
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 5 id160131
Folder 5
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 5 id160132
Invoices, receipts, and tax bills.1799 - 1829Scope and Contents
230 items. (Continued from Folder 4)
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 5 id160132
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 6 id160133
Folder 6
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 6 id160134
Papers relating to transactions of John Dixon, Jr., with various people1802-1820Scope and Contents
Transactions with the George Catlett estate and Seigniora Catlett, 1802 - 1827. 80 items.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 6 id160134
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7 id160135
Folder 7
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7 id160136
Transactions with Jones (Richard)1806 - 1826Scope and Contents
18 items.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7 id160137
Transactions with Peyton (John)1806 - 1829Scope and Contents
24 items. Items include a copy of his will.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7 id160138
Transactions with Stubbs (James)1803 - 1814Scope and Contents
10 items.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7 id160139
Transactions with Stubbs (Sam)1819 - 1826Scope and Contents
28 items.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7 id160140
Bonds given by John Dixon, Jr., and others to various persons.1814 - 1824Scope and Contents
13 items.
Scope and Contents26 items.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7 id160141
Accounts of other persons.1807 -1828
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7 id160136
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 4 id162127