by Velma Ann Rogers Tower
The following Lawsons may be our line but as of 1987 we do not have proof that we descended through this line, but those who are doing the research think that they are our line. They have labelled them the Falling River Lawsons.
THE FALLING RIVER LAWSONS
I-William Lawson obtained a Patent 20 August 1745 for 143 acres of land in the County of Brunswick Virginia on the North side of Falling River ( Virginia Patents: Bk 23 pp 1120-1122). There has been found a Marriage record of a William Lawson and Isabell Kenny for 22 August 1699 in Richmond County Virginia. She was the daughter of John Kenny, deceased ( D.R. #1 page 53. Also "Swinney"- page 51 Wills of Rappahannock Co. Va. -1646-1692 page 51- " Will of Kenny 17 January 1676).
II-Barclay Lawson was known by several spellings of his name. His proper name was probably Bartholamew, but he was recorded as Bart, Barclay, Bartlett and ect. Bartholamew married Susana Simkins, daughter of John Simkins who married Elizabeth Rench/French in Henrico County Virginia in 1711, according to Court Records. Susanna was probably born ca 1720. Her father, John Simkins, sold land in Henrico Co. Va. 17 September 1737 to Thomas Owen. John Simkins then bought land ( 190 acres) on the North side of the James River in Goochland County Virginia. The deed was dated as the same day that he sold the first land. He sold the 190 acres on the 12 day of January 1743 six years after he obtained it. Then on 25 July 1746, he obtained a patent for 200 acres of land on Falling River in Brunswick County Virginia, which put him in the vicinity of William Lawson and his family. The date of the marriage of Barclay and Susanna Simkins is unknown, but her father's will named her as Susanna Lawson, and the will was dated 22 January 1754 ( Deed Bk 1, page 119-121; also Bk 1 page 570). It is thought that they had, at least, six sons- 1-William, 2-Lisha, 3-Jacob,4-Reuben, 5-Moreman, and 6-Peter. William and Lisha have been proven by deeds.
III-William Lawson and his mother, Susanna, sold 100 acres of land in Campbell County Virginia on Falling River. ( Campbell Co. was formed from Bedford. Dedford from Lunenberg and Lunenberg from Brunswick in 1746). This land had been willed to Barclay from William Rogers. Barclay and William Rogers were both deceased when the land was sold ( It would seem that there must be a family relationship here. A search of William Rogers might turn up this connection.) William Lawson son of Barclay and Susanna Simkins, married Sarah Hinton, daughter of William Robert Hinton who lived on Falling River. Sarah had a sister Anna and a brother David. In 1806, William sold land in Buncombe County N. C. and stated that he was living in Hawkins County Tennessee. He was living there when he died ca 1811.
Children----
1-s. Thomas -- 1799-1811
2-s. Isham-- 1781-1841
3-s. Stephen--5 April 1790-14 March 1873
4-s.Elisha--1792-1855.
There were probably daughter and maybe more sons.
III-Lisha Lawson of Surry County North Carolina and son of Barclay and Susanna Simkins Lawson, sold all his rights in the Estate of his grandfather to his mother Susanna Lawson. He also sold his rights to the Estate of his father, Barclay. ( Deed Book 1, page 570). (She had Bartlett down on this paragraph I am assuming that was a mistake but just in case I am noting it here. Pat.)
Goochland County Records on William 1
August 1736-William Lawson defendant in debt suit. Dismissed
May 1737-William Lawson VS Creasy, Suit in Chancery Court.
June 1737- Suit continued
August 1737- William Lawson, Suit continued
September 1737-William Lawson Suit continued
September-1737-John Simkins deed from Thomas Owen - to be recorded.
June 1738- William Lawson Suit dismissed.
III-Moreman Lawson is thought to be the son of Barclay and Susanna Simkins. He is also thought to be the father of our David. Wherever Morman lived there was a David near by. We found him in the 1790 Stokes County North Carolina Census with a family. We know that he was married twice. We do not know the name of his first wife or where they were married. Moreman Lawson was born 1745/55 in Bedford County Va. His death records say he was born 1745 but his pension application says 1751; died 16 September 1842 in Hawkins County Tenn.; buried in Hawkins County in what is now Hancock County Tenn.; married twice-- 1790 Stokes Co. North Carolina Census
Moreman Lawson
1 male 16/ and up
1 male 0/16
8-females-all ages
#2 Elvira Collins 2nd wife of Moreman Lawson - four children
1-s. Peter born 1811 in Lee Co. Va.
2-s. Moreman Lawson born 8 May 1818 Hawkins Co. Tenn.
3-d. Phoebe Ellen born 1819 Lee Co. Va.
4-s. William Stokely born 20 March 1820 Hawkins Co. Tenn.
Records on Moreman
1790 - Moreman and David paid taxes in Hawkins Co. Tenn.
1799- sold property in Hawkins Co. Tn.
1803- sold property in Hawkins Co. Tn.
1804 - sold property to Winder Kenner, witnessed by David Lawson
1810- paid taxes in Lee Co. Va.
1820-paid taxes in Lee Co. Va.
1830 - in Lee Co. Va. Census with 2 boys and 2 girls. Age 70/80
1842 -died Hawkins Co. Tn. In what is now Hancock Co. Near Virginia line.
Likely Children
1-s. David born ca. 1785; died before 1850
2-s. Ambrose born 1790
3-s. John born 1800 Another Stokely was suggested but I can't see two Stokelys in the same family
Hawkins Co. Deeds 1797 BK 3 page 160 to Hamilton
1792 BK 2 page 46 to Mayberry
1805 BK 6 page 80 to Winderr Kenner
IV -David Lawson , thought to be the son of Morman and his first wife; born 1775/1785; married Mary (Surname unknown). He spent time in Lee County Virginia and Scott County.
1810 -David was in Lee County Virginia
1820-David was in Lee County Virginia
1830-Lee Co. Va. Census-2 sons and 2 daughter
1835-David sold land to Dyer Lawson
1840-David was 60/70 years of age.
1850-David is missing. Not in Lee or Scott Co. Va.
David and Mary probably had several children. We have proof of two, Dyer and Wainwright. Rial, Carter, Amanuel, Hutson, Ambrose and probably others could be children of David and Mary.
V-Dyer/Adiah/Obediah born 1793/99 in Hawkins Co. Tn. Is identified as son of David and Mary on his Death Certificate. Wainwright born 1820. Married twice- #1-Sarah Bledsoe(several children) #2 Ann Stapleton 30 Sept. 1873, daughter of G and Mary. On his second marriage certificate he is identified as the son of David and Poly (Mary).
V-1-s. Dyer/Adiah/Obediah was listed on nearly all records as Dyer, but his second wife listed him as Adiah on his Death Certificate. His birth date is different on several Census records---1850---57 years of age. Death Certificate-Adiah Lawson died the 1st of Nov. 1880-age 80yrs-9months.
He married 1st Jane England daughter of John England and Mary Parson. They had the following children----------
1-s. Russell Lawson born ca 1820
2-d. Elizabeth born 1822
3-s. born before 1830-see 1830 census
4-d. born before 1830-see 1830 census
5-d. Matilda born 1828; married Joseph Willis in Hawkins Co. Tn.
6-s. Ira born 1830 married Gincy Roller, daughter of Amos Roller and Elizabeth Rogers.
7-s. John born 1832 married #1--? Hurd. #2 Susan Willis
8-s. Stokely born 1836
9-d. Alcy; married Arthur Roger; see Rogers section
10-s. Enock born 1841 married Lucy Roller, daughter of Amos Roller and Elizabeth Rogers.
Facts on Dyer Lawson
1820 in Lee Co. Va. Census
1830 in Lee Co. Va. Census- 3 boys and 3 girls
1840 in Scott County Va.
1850 in Lee Co. Va.
1860 in Lee Co. Va. Jane still in household
1870 in Lee Co. Va. Charlotte Hart Lawson has replaced Jane
1880 in Lee Co. Va. Charlotte,Dyer and Hired hand.
1880 Dyer died 1 November.
No other information on Charlotte Lawson (daughter of Ambrose )Hart, Lawson.
VI-1-s.Russell Lawson, Probably first child of Dyer and Jane, born Ca. 1820; married Elizabeth Bloomer. They probably had several children but I only have records on their daughter Amelia. VII-Amelia? Milly Lawson, daughter of Russell Lawson and Elizabeth Bloomer, was born 24 October 1864; died 26 September 1914; married Ellis Patton Catron, Baptist Minister and son of Perry Catron and Caroline Bowen Catron. Ellis Patton Catron was born 16 May 1861; died 5 February 1925.
Children---------
V11-1-s. James Brownlow Catron
V11-2-d. Virginia
V11-3-s. William
V11-4-d. Jane
V11-5-d. Ona Viola
V11-6-s. John Jesse
V11-7-d Ella Maud
V11-8-s Abraham Budett
V11-9-d. Nola
VIII-1-s. James Brown Low Catron , son of Ellis Patton Catron and Amelia(Milly) Lawson, was born 25 March 1883; died 22 April 1916; married 17 June 1906 to Mary Ethel Parson who was born 6 March 1885; died 30 March 1946. Mary Ethel Parson was the daughter of John Perry Parson and Emily Jane Yeary.
IX-1-s. Joris Byard Catron, son of James Brownlow Catron and Mary Ethel Parsons, was born 15 May 1912; married #1 Ada Grace Richards who was born 21 March 1909 in Rockwood Tn. To Thomas Richards and Hester May Thompson Richards.
Children---
X-l-s. Joris Bruce Catron born 28 August 1934 ( Methodist Minister and School Teacher)
X-2-d. Twin Still born 13 July 1940
X-3-d. Twin still born 13 July 1940.
Ada Grace is deceased. She compiled the Lee County Death Records.
Joris Byard Catron married again but I do not have the name of his second wife----Velma Ann Rogers Tower
VI-Elizabeth Lawson, daughter of Dyer and Jane- no information
VI-Matilda Lawson, daughter of Dyer Lawson and Jane England , born 2 January 1828; died 2 September 1867; married Joseph Willis.
Children--------
7-1-d. Elizabeth Willis born 1847 Lee Co. Va.
7-2-d. Sarah born 1845 Lee Co. Va.
7-3-d. Mary Willis born 1847 lee Co. Va.
7-4-d. Alcy Willis born 1848 Lee Co. Va.
7-5-s. Dyer Willis born 1852 Lee Co. Va.
7-6-s. Sampson Willis born 1858
7-7-s. James Willis born 1859
7-8-d. Matilda Willis born 28 February 1860; died 1/2 day old.
The above family was profiled from Census, death and Marriage records. James and Sampson could be sons of some other Willis. V.T.
VI- John Lawson, son of Dyer Lawson and Jane England, was born 1832 in Lee County Virginia; died by drowning in the Clinch River in Hancock County Tn 8 February 1913. Married twice--
#1- Elizabeth Hurd
Children-----
7-1-s. Stokely born 1856 Lee Co. Va.
7-2-d. Mary Ann Lawson born 1857 Lee Co. Va.
7-3-s. James Lawson born 1859 Lee Co. Va.
7-4-s. David Lawson born 1861 Lee Co. Va.
7-5-d. Rosa Lawson born 1863 Lee Co. Va.
#2-Susannah (Sukie) Willis- no children
*John Lawson was a farmer. He peddled produce by wagon to the nearby mines. His wife made butter and he peddled it. He became known as Butter John. I have no idea how or why he drowned in February in the Clinch River. I have assumed that he was crossing at a place where there was no bridge and got into deep water and probably cramped and drowned, but that is just a guess on my part---Velma Ann Rogers Tower.
I have been told that he is missing from the 1900 Census and was thought to be visiting his sister in Mo. He was my Grandmother Alcy Lawson Rogers brother but she died 1880 so it would have had to be Elizabeth or his brother Ira who moved to Mo. In 1869.
VI-Stokely Lawson, son of Dyer Lawson and Jane England, is supposed to have died in the Civil War but I have no facts on this (1987).
VI-Alcy Lawson , daughter of Dyer Lawson and Jane England, born 1837, see your section on Rogers Genealogy. ( She is refering to her children like me, anyone wanting this information email me or in the case of the web page just go to the Rogers section which I hope to have on soon.)
VI- Enock/Enoch Lawson , son of Dyer Lawson and Jane England , was born 7 November 1841 in Lee County Va.; died 15 January 1912 probably Lee Co. Va. Source was Primitive Baptist Records; married Lucy Roller, daughter of Amos Roller and Elizabeth Rogers. She was born 1 January 1846 Lee/Scott County Va. Died 26 Feb. 1923 Lee/Scott County Va. 15
Children---------------
7-1-d. Polly born 1868; Married----------Lawson
7-2-d. Sarah; married------ Arrington
7-3-d. Amanda born 1878; married 18 April 1897 in Lee Co. to David Wallen, son of J and M Wallen
7-4-d. Jennie Annie; married------Bloomer
7-5-d. Lettie Jane born 1887; married 25 March 1905 McN Duncan, son of Lee and Mary Duncan
7-6-d. Margaret M. married -----------Horton
7-7-d. Eliza; married--------Roller
7-8-s. George
7-9-s. John; married March 1903 Parole Mutter, daughter of James and Peggy. Married in Scott Co.
7-10.s. Carter
7-11-s Milam- went west.
7-12-s Abe; died 4 Jan. 1889; married-----Maness
7-13-d. Emiline born 1862
7-14-s. John born 1862 ( question this name. See#9)
7-15-s. Obediah born 1869/70
Source Primitive Baptist Church records of 1923. Something is mixed up------V.T. Hiram Lawson- I'm not sure which Lawson line that he belongs to, but one of the interesting and funny family stories conern him. For that reason I am recording him in our family book---Velma Ann Roger Tower.
1860 Scott County Census- Received from Janice Looney , Walnut Grove Mo.
Rufus Lawson age 39
Eliz age 37
James age 11
Hiram age 6
Mary J. age 7
Elbert age 4
Martha age 1
Isaac Herd age 24
Hiram above married Barbara Bloomer. They moved to Mo. It must have Christian County because I didn't find them in the Taney Co. Census. According to notes that Janice sent, Hiram was born 1855 in Va. Barbara was born 30 March 1856; died 10 June 1929; buried at Bradleyville Cemetery in Bradleyville, Mo. Children--------
1-s. Rufus
2-s. William R.(Bill) born 12 April 1877 died 20 Sept. 1970
3-d. Mary born 1883; died 1984/85 Mo. Married----Sloan
4-d. Martha B. born 12 November 1889; died 24 March 1890
5-s. John Reilly
6-d. Lubemia
7-d. Lucy born 26 July 1896
8-s. H. Brown born 9 March 1896; died 22 June 1974
My cousin Harrison Roller told this story about Hiram Lawson--
Hiram did a lot of drinking. He was usually in his cups over the week-end. On Saturday most of the young men, single or married would walk to Bradleyville and visit the Saloon. On one particular Saturday, Hiram was drunk when it came time to go home. As they were leaving, the town bullies came out to challenge them to a fight. Hiram grabbed one by the hair of the head, pulled out his long bladed knife and raked it across the bullies neck. As luck would have it, he put the dull edge next to the bullies throat. He didn't even draw blood from the Old Boys skin but it scared him so bad that he jerked loose and ran leaving Hiram with a handfull of hair. Hiram looked down at that hair and in his drunken stupor thought that he had cut his head off. Hiram took out running and was home before they could catch him and tell him that all he had done was pull out the bullies hair. Janice Looney the great granddaughter of Aunt Mahala Ann, papa's sister, says that her brother married the great granddaughter of the above Hiram. Rufus, the son of Hiram and Barbara was beat to death at Brown branch years ago. She said it was a very gory story that almost made her sick to hear about it. Mary above lived to be over a hundred) would say, "and it was all over a Whorie!" Hiram was at one time a Constable at Kisse Mills, Mo. That was close to where Grandpa Rogers lived. Hiram must be related but I don't know how.
Lawson Census Reports
Lee County Virginia,
1850 Census Report
243/256-Dyer Lawson-age 57-m.w,-farmer-R.E.$2000.PE.
Jane Lawson-age 52-f.w. born Va.
Elizabeth Lawson-age 28-f.w. born Virginia
Ira Lawson-age 20 m.w.-farmer born Va.
John Lawson-age 18-m.w. born Va.
Stokely Lawson - age 14-m.w. born Virginia
Alcy Lawson-age 11-f.w. born Va.
Enoch Lawson-age 9-m.w. born Va.
Alcy Lawson married Arthur Rogers
Lee County Virginia Census, Western Dist.
Made August 8, 1860
1104/1139 Dire(Dyer) Lawson age 67 m. w. farmer R.E. $2000. PE 521. B. Tenn.
Jane Lawson age 62 f.w. born Va.
Enoch Lawson age 19 m.w. born Va.
Lee County Va. Census, Western Dist.
Made July 26, 1870
370/384 Lawson, Dier age 77 m.w. farmer R.E. $1000 PE $300. B. Tn.
Lotty Lawson age 30 f.w. born N.C.
William Delph age 16 farm worker born Lee Co. Va.
Lee County Virginia Cenus, Western Dist.
Made August 8 1860
1107/1142 Iry(Ira) Lawson age 29 m.w. farmer R.E. $1500. PE $625. Born Lee Co. Va.
Jensy Ann Lawson age 26 f.w. born Scott Co. Va.
Carter H. Lawson age 8 m.w. born Lee Co. Va.
Amanda Lawson-age 6 f.w. born Lee Co. Va.
Jensy Ann was born Jensy Ann Roller
Scott County Va. Census, Western Dist-1850
334/1334 Roller Elizabeth age 43 f.w. born va.
Roller Carter age 20 m.w. born Va.
Roller Jinsey Ann age 17 f.w. born Va.
Roller Phillip age 14 m.w. born Va.
Roller William age 11 m.w. born Va.
Roller Emiline age 9 f.w. born Va.
Roller Lucy age 4 f.w. born Va.
Gains Eleanor age 32 f.w. born Va.
Jinsey Ann Roller married Ira Lawson Phillip and William Roller signed Grandpa Arthur Roger's Pension application. I think they move to Mio. Before he did. Velma Ann Rogers Tower I have since been give Roller information on Phillip and William by Mom (Velma Tower) and I have that on now. I believe I have more information on the above now. Mom did this in 1987 but it is not updated.