Edward's early years 1820 - 1846 remain a mystery despite decades of research by many descendant cousins on several branches of this family tree.
Seeking his parents names - they left him and at least one sister orphans in the DC VA area betw 1820 and 1835. I have been able to confirm he is not James Edward Dawes due to sister Mary Ann Margaret being born much less than 9 months before our Edwards birth month and year.
Allegedly apprenticed to shoe maker or priest who mistreated him so he ran away to KY ending up in IL.
I do have the info for later years and am pretty sure the Edward mentioned in Montgomery County is quite senior in years to our Edward... I don't have ancestry at home- so couldn't read your link.
