The following notice was published in the March 7, 1806 issue of the Carlisle Herald. “125 Dollars REWARD. Whereas some evil minded person or persons unknown, did on the night of the 10th instant, between the hours of one and two of the clock, break the windows of the shop of Dr. George Dawson, by repeatedly throwing stones there at, by which not only the windows are broke, but several bottles etc. inside.”
The forty Carlisle townsmen who inserted the notice said that “…holding such malicious conduct in the utmost abhorrence, & being fully determined as far in us lies, to bring the perpetrators of such daring outrage to speedy and condign punishment” pledged money for a reward “to any person or persons who shall discover the person or persons concerned in said outage, so that if he or they be apprehended and convicted thereof.
Dr. George Dawson had arrived in Carlisle from Ireland by 1798 when records indicate he was renting space in a stone house on the first block of South Hanover Street from fellow Irishman Abraham Loughridge 1 where he operated his shop.2 The 1800 U. S. Census lists George Dawson in the 26 to 44-year-old age group, indicating that he was born no earlier than 1756 and no later than 1774. The only female in his household was aged between 16 and 25 years-old and was likely his wife.
Wishing to become a citizen, George Dawson’s petition for naturalization was presented to the August 1803 term of court. On October 25, 1803, his petition was read and granted. He declared that he had emigrated from Ireland and had resided within the United States for five years and upwards. Carlisle merchant and fellow Irishman, Edward Magauran, vouched for Dawson’s character. On that same day, Dawson swore an oath to renounce his allegiance to King George the third “whose subject I was…So help me God.” 3
In March 1804, having returned from attending a full season’s course at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Dawson advertised that “he offers his services to the public in Physic Surgery and Midwifery…and is prepared to visit patients at their places of residence in Carlisle, or in the Country.” He also carried drugs, medicines, and a variety of goods for sale in his shop.4
Two months after Dr. Dawson’s shop was vandalized in 1806, he moved his shop to High Street next door to James Duncan, Esq.5 In June, he advertised that he had received a fresh supply of medicines from London, New York, and Philadelphia with which doctors had an opportunity of supplying themselves “on advantageous terms.” As well as medicines, he sold surgeon’s instruments, jewelry, perfume, paints of all colors and paint supplies, tea, wine, fruits, spices, vinegars, spermaceti oil for lamps, rifle and common Powder, Horse powders “for preventing and curing the Yellow water, writing and letter paper, English quills, inks, sealing wax, fashionable combs, pen knives, razors, etc.6 The last advertisement for his goods was in November 1806.
Why did Dr. Dawson leave Carlisle, and where did he go? It is possible that the vandalism of his shop in 1806 was one of the reasons. It is also possible that competition prompted his decision to leave Carlisle. As well as Doctor Samuel A. McCoskry who sold drugs and medicines, that same year Doctors James and Samuel Gustine advertised that they were expanding their practices to include the drug and apothecary business at their shop on the south-east corner of the public square.7
Doctor Dawson left Carlisle sometime in 1807 and settled in Pittsburgh. In June 1808, he advertised in the Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette that he “has opened a Medical and Drug Store in the new brick house adjoining the Bear Tavern in the Diamond, Pittsburgh…” and that he “received a medical education in Ireland and attended the medical lectures in the University of Pennsylvania since his arrival in the United States.” Because of his experience in hospitals and private practice, “as a physician and surgeon,” and his studies into the cures of “the diseases peculiar to women and children,” he hoped to give satisfaction to his patients.8
Doctor Dawson’s business flourished and included the training of aspiring doctors. In 1813 he advertised that he wanted two apprentices for the Drug and Apothecary profession. They would also have the advantage of acquiring the theory and practice of physick and surgery.9 In 1817 Dr. Dawson moved from his store in Market Street between Third and Fourth to a new brick building on the corner of Wood and Fourth street which he operated until his death.10
On January 24, 1829, Doctor Dawson wrote his will. He left all his property, real, personal, and mixed, including all his furniture, books, drugs, medicines, surgeon’s instruments, his horse and carriage, and his house on the corner of Wood and Fourth Street to his wife Julia, his sole heir and sole executor. He stipulated that if any person or persons claiming any share of his property by right of kindred or blood relationship, or if any brothers and sisters or others should come forth, they were not entitled to any part of his estate; but if they could legally prove they were, then his wife Julia was to give them each $1.00. Doctor Dawson died in the Spring of 1831.11
In December 1875, O. L. Haddock, the editor of The Carlisle Herald, visited the homes of some of Carlisle’s residents who were known to have elaborate displays under their Christmas trees, and to describe them for the enjoyment of the newspaper’s readers.
[1] U. S. 1798 Direct Tax [commonly called the Glass Tax]
[2] Kline’s Carlisle Gazette, May 8, 1799.
[3] Prothonotary, Naturalization Petitions: Dr. George Dawson, 1803. Cumberland County Archives, Carlisle, PA.
[4] Carlisle Herald, March 28, 1804
[5] Carlisle Herald, April 4, 1806.
[6] Carlisle Herald, June 6, 1806.
[7] Carlisle Herald, June 13, 1806.
[8] Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, June 21, 1808.
[9] Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, June 4, 1813.
[10] Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, February 4, 1817.
[11] Allegheny County Will Book Vol. 3 (1823-1831) 485-486, Will No. 245.