Dixon Family Group

William Dixon and his family were passengers aboard the maiden voyage of the Brigantine “Jason”. They departed from Whitehaven, England and disembarked at Quebec. The family then travelled to Cobourg by boat, then from Cobourg to Rice Lake by oxen. There, they built flat-bottom boats and proceeded up the Otonabee River to Peterborough. They arrived about 1818. With the help of other colony settlers they built their first log cabin. 25 of them all lived together in the one cabin until spring. 8 of them were the Dixons. Living off the land, they shot wild game, caught fish, made maple syrup, preserved berries and apples, gathered beech, hickory and butternuts. Life was not easy.

After one year, Utrick, the youngest died. 3 years later, their father died. Then, the oldest son John left. After that, the other sons had to manage the farm and take care of their mother.