Iona Johnston Gates copied this section in 1971 from a Mary C. (Dickson) Stephan (Ancestors in bold type). Ref "Border Clans", Homer Dixon, Virginia State Library, Richmond, VA.
"Dickson" is the usual form of spelling the name In Scotland but in England, where the spelling of the name does not denote a clan or common origin, but where all derive their surname from the sons of various "Dicks", it is written "Dixon".
This clan is descended from Mr. Keith's Earls Marshall, son of the most powerful family in Scotland where, with the sole exception of the Royal family, the title of Earl was the highest in the kingdom, and who had so many possessions that it was formerly said that they could journey from the north to the south of Scotland and sleep every night in one of their own castles. This descent is proved by no less than three entries in the records of the Lyon Office between the years 1672 - 1694.
It was first registered in 1672 after an act ordered all the nobility and gentry to registered their armorial bearings (some did but some considered it not necessary because they were so well known), "Mr. Robert Dickson, Advocate, descended of ye familie of ye Earl Marshall bears.”
Nisbet, in his Heraldry of Edinburgh, say the Dicksons are descended from one Richard Keith, son of the family of Keith’s - Earls Marshall of Scotland, and in proof carry in their arms the Chief of Keigh Marisehal; Richard, called "Dick", and his sons carry this prefix in the family name. Richard, son of the Great Marshal Harvey de Keth, who died in 1249, by his wife Margaret, daughter of William, 3rd Lord Douglas. The paternal and maternal arms of these families have been combined to form the arms of the Dickson Clan. "Dicksons" of Buchtrig bore the chief of the Keiths with the Douglas Mullets in base, a perfect specimen of composed arms.
Thomas Dickson, Laird of Synopston and Heslesede County Lanark, and Castellane of Douglas, son of Dick de Keth, was born 1247 AD and is the grandson of the a foresaid Henry de Keth, was also a second cousin of William, 7th Lord Douglas, father of Sir James, 8th Lord Douglas, to both of whom Dickson was certainly a trusted friend.
The name Dickson was used as early as 1380 but the houses of Buchtrig and Belchester are the first of dates.
Buchtrig
Arms - Azure 3 mullets or on a chief or, as many pallets
Crest - A dexter hand holding a sword in hand proper
Motto – Fortes fortuna juvat
Robert Dickson in Bouchtrig, County Berwick, was one of the gentlemen who fell on
the fatal field of Flodden in 1513; (Acta Dominorum Concilli vol. =V fold. 136, March
1523 - not published) (pp. 137 Borders Clans). He married Isobel Murray and had, with other issue, a son John who succeeded him.
England and Austria were fighting France. During the Reign of Henry VIII, Pope Julius 11, who had been besieged by a French force in Rome, had excommunicated the entire French army, and now grew a beard, an adornment then out of fashion, and swore he would not shave until he was revenged on the King of France. Henry, not to be outdone, also grew a beard. It was auburn, like his hair. He arranged to hire the Emperor Maximilian, with the Imperial Artillery and the greater part of the Austrian army, to serve under the royal standard of England. The emperor, we are told, was requested to spread his standards but refused to do so, saying he would be the servant, for the campaign, of the King and St. George.
These arrangements, though costly, were brilliantly successful. Under Henry's command, the English with their Austrian mercenaries, routed the French in August 1513 at the Battle of the Spurs, so named because of the rapidity of the French retreat.
The Scots were aligned with France and in the King's absence had crossed the Tweed in September and invaded England with an army of fifty thousand men. Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey, Son of Richard III's Duke of Norfolk, slain at Bosworth, and still under the family retainer, was nonetheless entrusted with the command. This skilful veteran, the only experienced general left in England after Dorset's failure, knowing every inch of the ground, did not hesitate to march around the Scottish army, and although outnumbered by two to one, placed himself between the Scots and Edinburgh. At Flodden Field a bloody battle was fought on September 9, 1513.
Both Armies faced their homeland. The whole of Scotland, Highland and Lowland alike, drew out with their retainers in the traditional schiltrons, or circles of spearmen, and around the standard of their King. The English archers once again directed upon these redoubtable masses a long, intense, and murderous arrow storm. Moreover, the bills or axes in the hands of English infantry were highly effective against the Scottish spears in hand-to-hand assault, while the English cavalry awaited the chance of piercing the gaps caused by the slaughter. When night fell the flower of the Scottish chivalry lay in their ranks where they had fought and among them was King James IV and Robert Dickson. This was the last great victory gained by the longbow. In Scotland a year-old child succeeded to the throne as James V. Ms mother, the Regent, was Henry's sister Margaret, and peace now descended on the Scottish border for the greater part of the reign. (Churchill, Winston S., A History of the English Speaking People: The New World Vol 2, pp. 35-37, Barnes & Noble Books.)
In 1557 AD a descendent, Robert Dickson, in (or of) Bouchtrig, and Elizabeth McDowell, his wife, had a charter from the King and Queen, of the lands of Bouchtrig and lands in Lethame Dec. 27, 1565 and on July 8, 1566 the same were confirmed to Robert Dickson, Eldest Son and Heir of Robert Dickson of Bouchtrig. The Charter recognized his claims to previous ownership of lands and is similar to the meaning of the German "Von".
INVERESK - JOHN DICKSON of Glasgow (1567-1625) purchased of Sir Mathew Steward of Minte the lands of Busby, County Lenark. He claimed descent from the Buchtrig family and was the father of the celebrated Rev. Dr. DAVID DICKSON, Professor of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh, and Moderator of the General Assembly when it was broken up by order of Cromwell in 1653. Dr. Dickson was born in 1583 and died in 1663).
His son, John of Busby, M.P. was appointed Col. or Commander of Horse and Foot in 1649. His Grandson, Sir Robert Dickson, was created a Baronet in 1695. He was one of the founders of the Bank of Scotland, also one of thirty-seven Barons who approved the Union. (With England)
Ref. "Commemoration of Biographical Records of Washington Co, Penna." published 1893), J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, in Historical Association Library Philadelphia, PA.
John Dickson - Merchant of Glasgow, Scotland, was of a religious character and was possessor of considerable wealth. His son, Rev. David Dickson was born 1583. He was educated at the University of Glasgow - where he was Professor until 1641. There he earned a Doctorate of Divinity. He transferred to the University of Edinburgh where he remained until 1651, when he was appointed Minister of Ireland. He was said to be the greatest of the three ministers.
Dr. David Dickson repudiated the five articles of Perth as issued by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1618. He won for this much persecution as well as great honor. "Dr. Dickson was preeminent as a great scholar, preacher, 'Worthy Scotchman' as his biography and writings show." Seven of his works - issued by a committee of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland are in the possession of Rev. David Craig Stewart of Hoboken, N.Y. Dr. David Dickson died in 1663.
ALEXANDER DICKSON, his son, wrote the dedication in 1664 to the English preface (translated from the Latin) "Treatise on the Subject of Conscience".
John Dickson, another son, became a merchant in Edinburgh, Scotland. This John established his two sons, David and George in a mercantile business in Armagh, Ireland, as a branch of the Edinburgh House.
George's three sons, Andrew, ALEXANDER, and Archibald came to America and also the family of Andrew consisting of six children. Andrew married a "Seceder" girl in Armagh - record preserved in an old family bible. (This bible is in the possession of the Rev. David French Dickson of Palestine, Ohio, nephew of Dr. James Dickson)
GEORGE, son of Andrew, was born in Ireland December 7, 1735 and died 1817. He married RACHEL McKEE, daughter of James McKee of Chambersburg PA in 1770. (They are buried 12 miles from Noblestown, PA)
In the summer of 1772, George came to Black Lick Creek, Indiana Co. (PA) with John his brother. He bought 400 acres of land, which they cleared. He went to Chambersburg for the winter. In 1773 he cleared more land. In 1774, he moved his family to the farm from Chambersburg. He lost everything in 1778 when he, with his family, wife and children James, Andrew, and Agnes had to flee on two saddle horses to Chambersburg due to the Wyoming Massacre. When they later returned to their farm everything had been destroyed.
George Dickson's record in the revolutionary war is found in Vol. 11, page 37, 41, 347, 348, 576, 583, 670, Vol. VI, Penna. Archives, Fifth Series. His first enlistment was in 1778, Fifer on roll of the Major's Company, 1st. Penna. Regiment. 1778, Continental Line. Later enlistment in Cumberland Co. Militia until 1782.
They moved to what is now Pittsburgh, and purchased 440 acres on the north branch of Miller's Run. This land was purchased from Thomas Reed who held the Patent Grant. George's family comprised eight children as follows:
James, born 1773. Married Miss Frazee (Frazer) died Cuyahoga Co., OH
ANDREW, born 1775 married SARAH FRAZEE (Sister of James’s wife)
Agnes, born 1777 died at age 19
Mary, born 1780 married Joseph Burnside
Rachel, born 1782 married Soloman Irons
Hannah, born 1785 married Andrew Henderson
Elizabeth, born 1789 married James Steward
William, born 1791 married (1) Margaret Glenn; (2) Margaret Astin
Andrew married the sister of James’s wife. He died near DeKalb, Crawford Co. Ohio, and was the father of a large family. Andrew Dickson married Sarah Frazee in 1797, and moved to Ohio in 1831. They had thirteen children as follows:
George, born 1801 married Agnes Frazee
Jonathon, born 1802 married (1) Mary Johnston, (2) Mary Ralston
Mary, born 1802 married John Frazee
James, born 1802 married Nancy Morrow
Rachel born 1807 married David Anderson, his second wife
Leah born 1809 married John Jameson
ANDREW born 1811 married (1) Mary Cummins, who died 1834 married (2) MARY CLEMENTS in 1841
Sarah born 1813 married Mathias Tutison
William born 1814 married Maria Tutison in 1828
Hannah born 1816 married John Quigg
John born 1818 married Margaret Robinson
Elizabeth born 1820 married William Mathews
Margaret born 1822 married William Robinson
Andrew Dickson and his wife Sarah are buried in the Dickson Cemetery near Tiro, Ohio. Andrew died in 1859. Sarah died in 1850.
His son, Andrew (b. 1811, d. 1898) and Mary Clements (b. 1811, d. 1884) were married in 1841. Andrew and Mary had a daughter MARY ANN DICKSON who married GEORGE WASHINGTON JOHNSTON. Their son, JOHN CLEMENTS JOHNSTON was my grandfather.