TY Steve, I already posted the earliest reference to "fawn" I found which was 1857 in the Andrews broadside "Polly Von Luther and Jamie Randall."
Here's another early Garland text, dated c.1780---From The Bottle and Frien'ds Garland. British Library 11621.c.3(4.), printed c.1780.
The Garland was part of the collection of John Bell of Newcastle. It was probably printed by T. Saint of Newcastle around 1780. Saint operated from 1769, when he took over his late employer J. White's printing business, until his death in 1888[?].
A Song, call'd Molly Bawn
I'll tell you a story And a story of late Concerning my jewel Her fortune was great, She went out in an evening And the rain it came on, She went under the bushes Herself for to screne.
Her love being out fowling He shot in the dark And to his misfortune he did not miss his mark; With her apron being about her, he took her for a swan. But Oh! and alas! It was sweet Molly Bawn.
When he came to her And found she was dead A well full of tears On his love he did shed, Crying oh! my dear jewel My joy and delight I durst not presume For to make her my bride.
He went home to his father With the gun in his hand, Crying father, dear father I've shot Molly bawn For her apron being about her, And I took her for a swan But ah, and alas It was sweet Molly Bawn.
Oh, woe to the tobby[1] For the lend of thy arms, For unfortunate Wrangle[2] has done this great harm Shot the glory of the North And the flower of Kiln-wan, and what shall we do For the loss of Molly Bawn.
Then up bespoke his Father With his head growing grey, Saying Johnny, dear Johnny Don't run away. For here in this country, Your trial shall go on, By the laws of our Nation, You won't be condemn'd.
Two or three nights thereafter To her uncle she did appear, Saying uncle, dear uncle, Johnny Wrangle set clear. For my apron being about me, And he took me for a swan, But its ah! and alas It was me Molly Bawn.
1: [thee Toby] 2: cf 'Randall', the hero's name in some American broadside versions.