Individual Details

John's parents were John Dixon and Lucy Thedford. John took a second wife, Susanna Ricketts. John's father probably had four children by his mother Lucy, and at least eight more with Susanna.

Here is more of the story about the elder John Dixon, his wives and children:
I believe I found where John and Susannah are buried:
Sears Chapel Cemetery
also called
Doss Cemetery & Lindsey-Springs Cemetery
(original name)
This Cemetery is located on a hill one mile east of Whitewright was used by the early settlers who lived near the Sears Chapel. It is located near Lindsey Springs and is mentioned first under that name Some early obituaries confirmed by Tombstone are listed as Lindsey Springs burials.
The Doss family owned land there and buried there later. Originally a road was on the East and the North Side of the cemetery. Today you can get there by following Grand street eastward out of WhiteWright and after the large curve look for a drive to the west. It is now behind a large workshop , the sign read Push Pull Power on the gate.
Dixon, John 20 Oct.1808-7 Nov.1871 husb. of Susanna
Dixon, Susanna 14 Feb.1823-2 Mar.1899 wife of J.H.Dixon
Dixon, William 4 Apr.1849-6 Mar.1868 son of J.& S.Dixon


I have found indications that support my theory that the Haden and Dixon families had been acquainted in Missouri. The residence of John Dixon, first in Greene Co and then becoming part of Christian County; and the fact it was near the Wilson's Creek Battlefield, all fits in nicely with the facts and traditions of the Haden family.

The book, Wilson's Creek: the Second Battle of the Civil War and the Men Who Fought It, by William Garrett Piston and Richard W. Hatcher III, mentions that the John Dixon property was just to the south of the main campground of the Southern forces.
In another place the book refers to Lyon's advance scouts, that near a farm belonging to a man named Hayden, he would find Rains's Division of the Missouri State Guard, estimated to be three thousand Strong. [This certainly agrees with the family story that the Hadens were living near the site of this battle.]

"The Fire Upon Us Was Terrific" Battlefield Archeology of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, Missouri; by Douglas D. Scott, Harold Roeker, and Carl G. Carson-Drexler; National Park Service; U.W. Dept of the Interior, 2008
http://www.nps.gov/mwac/publications/pdf/tech109.pdf
p. 7 The first person to settle and claim land within the battlefield was John Dixon ...purchased 40 acres in the southwest corner of Section 25 along Wilsons Creek.
p. 8 By Aug 1861 ...John Dixon with 500 acres (200 in cultivation)
p.10 John Dixon House
Private lands adjacent to the southern boundary of the park include the ground traversed by Sigel's command in trying to outflank Price and McCulloch and the site of the John Dixon house. In 2001 Neal Lopinot of Southern Missouri State University conducted a reconnaissance level inventory of the John Dixon farm at the request of then park Superintendent Richard Lusardi. Lopinot (email November 26, 2001 to Richard Lusardi) found some domestic trash that could date to the nineteenth century below where he believed the house may have set at one time. He opinioned that the house site may well have been compromised by later activities on the land, but a more complete inventory would be required to determine what archeological features remain intact and what has been affected by later occupation.

Genalogical Gems from Early Missouri Deeds, 1815-1850: Family and Locality, by Marsha Hoffman Rising, p.133
DB D. p. 218-219
3 Dec 1846. Mary Duncan now of the Cherokee Nation, to John Dixon for $100. All right title and claim to the 3 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Sect 2, Twp 27, Range 23, and the East 1/2 of Lot 2 of NW fractional part of S1, T27, R23 in Greene Co. Wit: Thos. Carey, Thomas H. Cary. Attested in Benton Co, AR, 5 Dec and recorded in Green Co, 30 Dec 1846

Query on webpage:
Hale; Dixon, Ricketts
Looking for information on George Hale b 1830 Ohio married Elizabeth Dixon b 1840 . George and Elizabeth were married in Greene Co. Missouri on February 3, 1853. I think Elizabeth's parents were John Dixon b abt 1820 and Susannah Ricketts b abt 1824. They were listed in the 1850 Greene co. census. George and Elizabeth raised their family in Douglas,Webster,and Taney counties.
Susan Bruce--Wed Aug 5 19:37:50 1998


John Dixon married Lucy Thedford, 23 Oct 1834, Gallatin Co, IL [this marriage is in the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900, online]

1840 Census. Clark, Lincoln Co, MO
John Dixon, 1m under 5 [Samuel], 1m age 20-30. 1f under 5 [Elizabeth], 1f age 20-30

The Dixons - Greene Co, Mo, Porter Twp, Hh 789, 1850
John W. Dixon, age 36, b. TN
Susanna Johnson, age 25, b. TN [children got indexed as 'Johnson' although it plainly says Dixon for their surname at the top of the next page]
Elizabeth Dixon, 15, b. Ill. Samuel 13. Sarah J. 8. John 6. John S. 2. William, 6 months - all born in MO
Richard Ricketts, 23, b. TN
Owned 6 slaves, two of them infants under the age of 1 year.

Also living in Porter Twp two households away, are the following Ricketts, other than Richard living with Susanna Johnson.
Hh 791: Andrew Ricketts, 21, b. TN. John 18. Daniel 15. James K. P. 11, and Thomas H. B. age 9, the only one born in Missouri - the rest born in Tennessee.


An online database states that Dixon divorced Lucy Thedford, 1 Jun 1851 and married Susannah Johnson 16 Jun 1851 [recorded Greene Co MO]. He was indicted for adultery with Susannah Johnson and convicted in December of 1851, paying a fine of $1. I wonder what happened to Lucy - no Lucy Dixon appears in Greene Co MO in 1850 - had she found a new significant other as well? There is no way to know which of the children were born to Lucy, except for the two oldest. There is no way to know how long Susannah Johnson had been living with John Dixon. It is possible the divorce case or the indictment against John would give the length of time, Susannah and John had been together. There is a natural break in between John and John Simpson - it is likely that both wanted to name a son John, not so likely that the same mother would do so. I also have the feeling that Susannah would perhaps not have been willing to move in with two such young children as John Simpson & William, nor would their own mother been have likely to abandon them. Anything is possible, of course. I have arbitrarily divided them between the two Johns. John and Susannah were charged with "lewdness" as early as November of 1848. Others have divided them between William, b. 1849 and Hester, b. 1852. Some have assumed Hester was the oldest child of John and Susannah.


http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/lochist/records/d1837.htm
DIXON, John / DIXON, Lucy
Final Decree June Term 1851. Book C p 462. John indicted for adultry Dec 1851.

http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/lochist/records/index.html#circuit
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI, CIRCUIT COURT CASES
Book C.
NOVEMBER TERM 1848
p 277
Now at this day came here into Court the Grand Jurors eppannelled at this term of this Court and return here into Court the following Indictments as True Bills, to wit:
State of Missouri
vs
John Dixon and << Susannah Johnson>> Indictment for Lewdness

GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI, CIRCUIT COURT CASES
Book C. June Term 1851.
p 436.
State of Missouri Plaintiff
vs Indictment for Betting on an Election.
John Dixon Defendant
Now at this day come the Defendant in this cause by his attorney and makes his appearance in obedience to his recognizance.

State of Missouri Plaintiff
vs Indictment for Adultery
John Dixon Defendant
Now at this day come the Defendant in this cause by his attorney and makes his appearance in obedience to his recognizance.

p 438.
State of Missouri Plaintiff
vs Indictment for Adultery
Susannah Johnson Defendant
Now at this day come the Defendant in this cause by her attorney and makes her appearance in obedience to her recognizance-.

GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI, CIRCUIT COURT CASES
Book C.
JUNE TERM 1851
p 439.


p 440.
State of Missouri Plaintiff
vs Indictment for Betting on an Election
John Dixon Defendant
Now at this day come the Circuit Attorney who prosecutes in behalf of the State of Missouri as well as the Defendant in his own proper person who says he cannot deny that he is guilty in manner and form as charged against him in said Indictment and puts himself upon the mercy of the Court. It is considered by the Court that he make his fine by the payment of ten dollars and also the costs herein expended for all of which execution may issue with a clause of capias.


GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI, CIRCUIT COURT CASES
Book D.
December Term 1851
p 12.
State of Missouri Plaintiff
against Indictment For Adultery
John Dixon Defendant
Now at this day comes as well the Circuit Attorney who prosecutes on behalf of the State of Missouri as the Defendant in his own proper person who for a plea says that he cannot deny but that he is guilty in the manner and form as he is charged in the said Indictment and all and singular the premises being seen and by the Court being fully understood, it is considered by the Court that be make his fine by the payment of the sum of one dollar. It is therefore considered by the Court that the said State of Missouri have and recover of and from the said Defendant the aforesaid Sum of one dollar together with her costs in this behalf laid out and expended for all of which execution may issue.

p 12/13.
State of Missouri Plaintiff
against Indictment For Adultery
Susannah Johnson Defendant
Now at this day come the Circuit Attorney who prosecutes on behalf of the State of Missouri and says by leave of the Court he will no further prosecute his suit but will suffer the same to be dismissed. It is therefore considered by the Court that the said State take nothing by her said Writ, that the said Defendant be hereof discharged and go hence without delay.


Here is the Dixon family in Porter Township, Christian Co, MO in 1860, Hh 330
[they hadn't moved - the county boundary had changed]
John Dixon, age 47, farmer, b. TN Real Estate $9200; Pers Prop $31,495
Susan, 34, b. TN
John 15. Jno. Simpson 11. Wm. D. 10. Hester A. 8. Mary S. 6. Lydia 1. All b. MO.
Hh 331 - Samuel Dixon, age 22 with Elisabeth age 20.
[There is apparently no extant slave schedule for Christian Co in 1860]

Apparently he was often involved in lawsuits.
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI, CIRCUIT COURT CASES
Book B. July Term 1841
p 178.
James Lee Plaintiff
vs Appeal J.P.
John Dixon and A.H. Payne Defendants
This day came the Plaintiff in this cause and on motion of said Plaintiff this cause is dismissed as relates to Anderson H. Payne.
p 179.
James Lee Plaintiff
vs Appeal J.P.
John Dixon Defendant
This day came the Defendant by his attorney and moves the Court for a rule and to compel David 0. George constable who served the summons on said constable to amend his return and that the Clerk of this Court issue a rule against said constable returnable to the next term of this Court until which time this cause is continued.

State of Missouri Plaintiff
vs Indictment for Gaming.
Dixon Jeffries and others Defendants
This day came the Defendants by their attorney and by leave of the Court filed their motions to quash said Indictment and after argument of Counsel heard thereon it is considered by the Court here that said motion be sustained.

p 181.
State of Missouri Plaintiff
vs Indictment for Gaming
John Dixon Defendant
(Motion by Defendant to quash, sustained by the Court)

GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI, CIRCUIT COURT CASES
Book B. November Term 1841
p 197.
James Lee Plaintiff
vs Appeal J.P.
John Dixon Defendant
This day came the parties by their attorneys and thereupon came a Jury (to wit) John W. Hancock, David Reynolds, Elijah Gray, John M. Sims, Robert W. Sims, John H. Gibson, Levi Baker, James Beal, Benjamin W. Cannefax, Robert Dillard, Thomas J. Bailey and Thomas J. Mills, twelve good and lawful men who having been duly tried elected and sworn well and truly to try the issue found between the said parties and having heard the allegations and proofs of the said parties retired to consider of their verdict. And afterward the aforesaid Jurors returned into Court the following verdict: We the Jurors do find that the said Defendant is not indebted to the said James Lee in manner and form as the said James Lee has above thereof complained against him, the said John Dixon. It is therefore considered by the Court here that the said John Dixon have and recover of and from the said James Lee his costs of suit in this behalf laid out and expended and that he have execution therefor.

p 198/199.
John Dixon Plaintiff
vs Petition to foreclose mortgage
James Pankey Defendant
To the above named James Pankey and all others concerned, you are hereby notified that a suit of the above title has been commenced against you the said James Pankey on the 20th day of September AD 1841. Summons issued on the 7th day of October following returnable to the November Term of the Greene Circuit Court. Then following and at the return day of said Writ, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the said Court that the said James Pankey is a non-resident of this State an order was made by said Court on the 17th day of said Month of November 1841, that said James Pankey the Defendant be notified by publishing the following order in some newspaper published in this State for eight weeks successively the last insertion to be at least thirty days before the commencement of the next
p 198/199 (continued)
term of this Court which will commence at the Courthouse in Springfield on the third Monday after the fourth Monday in February, next, 1842. The substance of the allegations of the petition is that on the 19th day of December AD 1839, you, the said James Pankey, who is not now a resident of this State, made and executed your mortgage deed to said Plaintiff, John Dixon, wherein you conveyed to him the premises therein described to wit: all that piece or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Greene and State of Missouri and described as follows, to wit: the SW qtr of Section number 25, Township number 28 Range number 23, it being the same tract of land the day conveyed to you by the said John Dixon containing 40 acres more or less. To have and to hold the same to him and his heirs to their own proper use and in which you the said James Pankey for yourself and your heirs did warrant and defend the title to the above described premises against all claims and demands whatever. Conditioned as follows that whereas the said Pankey is indebted to the said Dixon the sum of $105 payable on the first day of May next after the date aforesaid (of 19th December 1839) if you said James Pankey the Defendant shall well and truly pay the said sum of money according to the tenor of said deed that then the same to be void. That the said sum of money in said deed mentioned yet remains unpaid and the prayer of said petition is that said Court will render Judgment for said sum of money so due and unpaid from you the said James Pankey and damage for the detention thereof together with costs and that the equity of redemption of the said mortgage premises may be foreclosed, that said mortgaged property may be sold to satisfy the amount due your petitioner - viz - the amount of $105 as aforesaid and that unless you appear at the next term of this Court to be holden as aforesaid and on or before the 3rd day of said term plead, answer or demur to said petition the allegations therein will be taken as confessed and a decree accordingly.

GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI, CIRCUIT COURT CASES
Book C.
November Term 1845
p.70
John Maloney Plaintiff
vs Trespass Trover
John Dixon et al Defendant
Now at this day came the said Defendants by their attorney and files their motion to suppress the depositions in this cause, which motion being taken up and after argument it is considered by the Court that said motion be sustained and that the said Defendants recover from the said Plaintiff their costs in this behalf.
p.71
John H. Maloney Plaintiff
vs Trover
John Dixon et al Defendants
Now at this day came the said Defendants by their attorneys and filed their motion to suppress the depositions in this cause, which motion being seen by the Court it is considered by the Court that said motion be sustained and that the said Defendants recover from the said Plaintiff their costs in this behalf.

Fleming Mapier Plaintiff
vs Trespass
John Dixon et al Defendants
Now at this day came the Defendants by their attorneys and filed their motion to suppress the depositions in this cause, which being seen by the Court, it is considered by the Court that the said motion be sustained and that the said Defendants recover from the said Plaintiff their costs in this behalf.

p 72
Fleming Mapier Plaintiff
vs Trespass
John Dixon et al Defendants
Now at this day came the said parties by their respective attorneys and then came a Jury to wit: William Folden, H.M. Summers, E.F. Cooper, Isaac Woods, G.H. Edwards, B.S. Lane, James J. Jones, David Steel, P. Apperson, Wm. Cawlfield, E. Thompson, Wm. McCarty - twelve good and lawful men who being duly elected tried and sworn, the said Plaintiff by leave of the Court says that he will not further prosecute his said suit but suffers the same to be dismissed. The Jury was by the Court discharged. It is therefore considered by the Court that the said Defendants have and recover of and from the said Plaintiff and John H. Maloney, his security for costs in this suit, their costs and charges in this behalf laid out and expended and that they have execution therefor.


Apparently the Dixons left Missouri during the Civil War. Here is one of the stories from the Lee-Peacock Feud - there are many and they differ considerably. I believe at least two of John's sons were killed during the feud - Simp and William, and perhaps a cousin, Charles Dixon.
Some of the Dixons settled in Limestone and Freestone counties when they came to Texas. Three others settled along the Jefferson Road. Jack (sometimes known as John) started a freight wagon business at the Mounds, 2 miles south of Pilot Grove. His contribution to infamy was Billy and Simp, the latter a sometimes member of the Quantrill gang. Their careers would have shown brightly, except that they were overshadowed by Bob Lee, whom they idolized and were fiercely loyal to.
The Colonel (sometimes called the General) settled near Blue Ridge. He had a family of 4 girls and two boys. The Colonel was said by the family to have committed suicide, Of course, there were rumors that it was a family affair, but no investigation was ever made.
Doctor Dixon settled in Black Jack Thicket, near present day Sulphur Springs. His contribution was Charley, who disappeared, or at least no trace of his fate can be found today.
The Dixon brother who settled in Limestone County contributed Tom, Bud and another whose name I cannot now remember. These worthies were the prime movers in an episode, dimly recorded in history as "The Freedman's Revolt," This was a name contrived to indicate that the ex-slaves had revolted against their former masters, and used to cover up a blood binge in which blacks were murdered, man. woman and child, This largely unrecorded reign of terror began to wind down when some civic minded citizens discovered Bud and Tom in jail for some other matter of civil disobedience. Finding the two boys in jail unarmed resulted in a tremendous upsurge in public spirit. A mob rushed the jail, where they also found Joe Hardin, Wes brother. They grabbed him too, mostly because his name was Hardin and strung him up with Bud and Tom. Simp had been terminated at the Springfield gin three years earlier by a possee. The other unnamed Dixon disappeared, yet we must always remember, it was a time when justice was often a personal thing.
Contrary to legend there is not one bit of evidence that Henry [Boron] actually shot Bob Lee, even though he was in the posse, All the Borons had not espoused the Union cause, Some of the young bloods had admired and ridden with Bob Lee. Bill Boron had ridden with Quantrill during his forays into Texas. News of his uncle's shooting of Bob was more than Bill could take. Early the next morning he went to his uncle's house and called him to the door, engaged him in a cussfest, drew his gun and shot him down in cold blood.
The shooting of Bob Lee is amply covered in dozens of yarns, legends and some fairly accurate history.


By 1870, the family was in Grayson Co. Since Ernest [name actually seems to have been Ennis from other records], age 7, seems to have been born in Texas, it would appear they left during the Civil War. It is even possible that Mary Jane Haden and family traveled with them as she lived first in Grayson Co.
1870 Census, Precinct 4, Grayson Co, TX
Hh 529
John Dixon, 50, farmer, b. TN
Susanna, 45, b. TN
Hester 18. Susanna 15, Lydia 12. Sarah 10 - all born in Missouri
Ernest 7, Robert 4, born in Texas
Hh 530
John H. Dixon, 24, b. MO
Mary A., age 20, b. MO
Benj. 5 and Wm 3, born in Texas
Becky Rickets, age 10, b. MO.

1880 Census. ED 10, Grayson Co, TX, Hh 57
Susanna Dixon, age 56, widowed, b. TN as were her parents
J. E. age 16, son [Ernest]. R. L., son 12. Sarah, daughter, age 19. All marked as b. TX
R. Walker, age 15, niece, b. MO
Hartsfield, J., age 25, son-in-law, b. TX
Susan, 24, wife, b. MO
Martha, dau age 2, M.M., dau age 1
A. D. Wells, age 35, laborer, b. VA


Possible Tennessee origins of John Dixon:
"Frazier's of McMinn Co, TN and Christian Co, MO and Dixon's of Blount and McMinn"
Posted to Blount Co TN Genforum, 7 Sep 2005

Also in 1830 McMinn county was John Dixon (00014-2000101). Did he have brothers in his household and his elderly mother? Thomas Dixon (1001001-111101) who lived next door to James & Nancy Kennedy, possible parents of Nancy Caroline Kennedy (named Mary Kennady on the listing of Blount Co marriages), first wife of John J. Dixon. Solomon Dixon (200001-100201), James Dixon (210001-111001) and Edom Dixon (11001-11001), who lived next door to James Dixon.

Other Dixon's in the 1840 McMinn census are John J. Dixon (201101-11010101) and
Eli Dixon(020002-100001) of course along with a Thomas J. Dixon (200001-01001). Is Thomas one of the 20-30 year old males in John Dixon's household in 1830?

The Dixon's of McMinn appear to originate in Blount Co, TN. Edom, John J., Eli and Samuel all married in Blount County in the early 1820's to early 1830's before moving to McMinn. There was also a John Dixon who married a Mary Ann Edmondson on Oct 30, 1802. Some posts I've read on the internet state they are the parents of John J. Dixon. A Dr. John Dickson was notified he had a letter at the Maryville, Blount Co, TN post office by the Religious and Literary Intelligencer on Tuesday, July 24, 1832. Is this the same John?

Birth	Jan 1846	Greene County, Missouri
Marriage	13 Jul 1865	Fannin County, Texas - Marietta Clay Haden
Death	17 Nov 1910

Spouse	Marietta Clay Haden (1846 - 1912)
Child	Benjamin Perkins Dixon (1866 - 1921)
Child	William Haden Dixon (1868 - 1953)
Child	Sarah Dixon (1870 - )
Child	James Dixon (1872 - )
Child	Birdie Dixon (1873 - 1939)
Child	Aubrey Dixon (1874 - 1945)
Child	John Sam Dixon (1876 - 1963)
Child	Lucy Dixon (1879 - )
Child	Ollie Dixon (1882 - 1909)
Child	Dora Dixon (1884 - )
Child	Jessie Benton Dixon (1889 - 1944)

Father	John H. Dixon (1808 - 1871)
Mother	Lucy Thedford (1816 - )
Sibling	Elizabeth Dixon (1835 - 1900)
Sibling	Samuel Dixon (1838 - )
Sibling	Sarah Jane Dixon (1842 - 1870)