This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Irishdee46 Surnames: Dawson/Dassance Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.vermont.counties.franklin/548.887.1367.1485.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I have in my notes/references that, the "Press Gang" story was quoted in the book, "Thomas Dorman of Topsfield, Massachusetts (1600 - 1670): Twelve Generations. The basis of this infomation according to the above listed book says that it is a direct quote from Jennie F. Copeland, town historian of Mansfield, MA. Other than this, I am not certain where Jennie Copeland obtained her information. This is at least a lead. Direct quote from the book is as follows: "Martin Dassance, native of Bayonne, France, was seized by British press gang when seventeen years old. Never saw his people again . . . " My great grandmother was Lenora Belle Dawson AKA Nora Dawson, daughter and only child of Holland Wright Dawson and Philomelia Baker. Diana Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.