A HISTORY OF THE DAVIESS-McLEAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION IN KENTUCKY, 1844-1943 
by Wendell H. Rone, Probably published in 1944 by Messenger Job Printing 
Co., Inc., Owensboro, Kentucky.  Used by permission.  p. 258.
Daviess

     JAMES S. DAWSON:  The middle initial distinguishes this beloved brother 
from Elder James M. Dawson.  His full name is James Stephen Dawson, the 
son of Benjamin Dawson a native of Orange County, Virginia.  Brother Dawson 
was born in Fayette County, Ky., December 1, 1815.  In early childhood he 
was brought by his parents to Henry County, Ky., where he was reared on a 
farm.  He received a fair education and became a practical surveyor.  In 
1835 he professed religion under the preaching of Elder John S. Wilson and 
united with the Baptist Church at Newcastle, Ky.  He afterwards moved his 
membership to Hillsboro Church in Henry County, where he was ordained a 
deacon in April, 1844.  The following month he was licensed to preach, and 
in July, 1846, was ordained to the ministry by Elders E. G. Berry, E. B. 
Stratton, D. N. Porter, and Smith Thomas.  He was immediately called to the 
care of the Hillsboro and Sligo Churches in Henry County; New Providence in 
Trimble County; and Eighteen Mile in Oldham County.  He probably served 
Liberty Church in Oldham County for a short time.

     A good degree of success attended his labors and he enjoyed the fu11 
confidence of the people.  The foundations for the accomplishments of a 
good life's work was laid but he became restless and in 1854 moved to 
Daviess County, Ky.  From the exposure incident to settling in a new home 
and the more humid and malarial climate of the region he contracted disease 
of the lungs of which he died on August 19, 1857.

     Elder Dawson was a timid and quiet man of grave deportment and hence 
not popular with strangers; but he was much loved by those who knew him 
well. His pastoral charges gave him up with reluctance because of their 
attachment to him.  He was a sound substantial preacher of good ability 
and was very successful in the pastorate.

     Besides the above mentioned churches in his native counties, he 
served Green Briar Church from the first of 1854 to the last of 1855.  He
was also present at the constitution of Oak Grove (Utica) and Whitesville 
Churches in the latter part of 1854.  We have no other record of his labors 
in this Association.

Berry Dawson Porter Stratton Thomas Wilson
=
Orange-VA Henry Fayette Oldham Trimble Newcastle

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/daviess/dawson.js.txt