Edward Dawes fled to America in 1862, and was joined by his wife and children shortly afterwards. It appears likely that Susannah was pregnant at the time of his escape, so that she could not go with him immediately. They both died within a short time of arriving in America, apparently from TB. Something of the background to this story can be traced on Trove, as follows:.

1) In a NOTICE TO CREDITORS, Edward John Dawes is mentioned as an attorney at the Supreme Court of Tasmania, and seems to be with the firm of Douglas, Dawes and Miller, of St-John Street Launceston at this time. (From The Colonial Times, Hobart, Tasmania, 19 May 1857).

2) IN the matter of the Insolvent Estate of Edward John Dawes and Richard William Butler, of Launceston, in Tasmania, carrying on business at Launceston aforesaid, under the style or firm of Dawes and Butler, Solicitors. — To the creditors of the said insolvents or their agents. — Whereas the above named Richard William Butler did this day present his petition with schedules thereunto annexed to William Gardner Sams, Esquire, Commissioner of Insolvent Estates for Launceston in Tasmania aforesaid, praying for relief pursuant to an Act of Council intitled 'An Act to make provision for the more effectual distribution of Insolvent Estates,' and the same having gone on to be heard before the said William Gardner Sams, the estate of the said Edward John Dawes and Richard William Butler was declared insolvent accordingly, and John Francis Hobkirk of Launceston aforesaid, Esquire, was thereupon appointed provisional assignee of their estate and effects. Notice is hereby given thereof, and that the said William Gardner Sams hath appointed Thursday, the l0th day of January, now instant, at the hour of ten o'clock in the forenoon, at the Courthouse, Launceston aforesaid, to be the day and place for the first meeting of creditors for the proof of debts, the election of a permanent assignee, and for otherwise proceeding in the mailer of the said insolvency. Dated the 3rd day of January 18s2. Adye Douglas, Solicitor to the said Insolvency. (From the Cornwall Chronicle, Saturday 4th January, 1862) .

3) FRAUDS TO THE EXTENT OF THIRTY.

THOUSAND POUNDS BY A SOLICITOR IN TASMANIA..

(FROM THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES, FEB 19).

ESCAPE OF THE OFFENDER VIA OTAGO AND LYTTELTON..

By a late mail from Tasmania a warrant was sent to the chief commissioner of police for the apprehension of Mr. Edward John Dawes, late solicitor of Launceston, who is charged with having committed frauds to the amount of £30,000. It appears that he made his way to Otago, where he stayed some days. Thence he went to Lyttelton - his movements there are uncertain, but it is much to be feared he has escaped to England by one of the wool ships loading at the Canterbury Port..

The following extract is from the Otago Police Gazette: As it is quite possible he is still within the colony, the description may help to discover him -.

"A warrant has been issued by William Gunn, Esq., police magistrate, Launceston, and is now in the commissioner’s office, for the arrest of Edward John Dawes, solicitor, late of Launceston, who is charged with having committed frauds to the extent of £3O,OOO. This offender arrived at Otago about the middle of November last, per “Scotia.” He has since been traced to Invercargill, where he resided for a short time at Wentworth's Royal Hotel. He was afterwards seen in Dunedin on the 31st December, on which day he embarked on board the Albatross, taking his passage for Auckland, but altering his destination to Port Lyttelton, and was last seen there on the 4th January last, at the Mitre Hotel. It is expected that he will endeavour to escape to England by the “Chrysolite” or “Evening Star,” wool ships, now lying at Port Lyttelton. He is described as about thirty years of age, five feet five inches in height, pale complexion, dark red (nearly black) whiskers and moustache, dressed when last seen in a long lark cloth coat and waistcoat, wears an eyeglass, speaks vary quick, and always appears in a hurry. Generally carries a small black portmanteau. Further information has been received that this offender was seen in Auckland about a week ago, it is not, however, considered reliable.".

(From The Argus, Melbourne, 6 March 1862).

4) There is an unsubstantiated family theory that Dawes ended up in Boston because he had relations there. Although there may be no connection, it is also a fact that a man named William Dawes rode with Paul Revere on his famous ride in 1775..