Lawson Timeline: All Lawsons of early White, Warren, Bledsoe, and Van Buren Coun
I have spent well over 20 years researching my mother’s Lawson line. I have my father’s line back enough to have joined the DAR a few years ago.
I need help as I now have terminal cancer and don’t have much time left. I plan to put my Family Tree Maker file online before the end. It’s very hard to research and get your thoughts in order with chemo brain :-) Any and all corrections or additional info welcome! - Mary Tucker Bell, Crossville, TN [email protected] 931-788-6847
My 2nd cousin Charles Lawson was kind enough to submit DNA for the Lawson Project at http://lawsondna.org/Pages/DNA_Project_67%20markers.htmlhttp://lawsondna.org/Pages/DNA_Project_67%20markers.html.
All these early Lawsons were b. in SC and lived in the same neighborhood, south of the Caney Fork river and east of the Cane Creek area in early White Co., TN. This is where the White Co., and Bledsoe Co., county lines met and is now northern Van Buren Co., TN that was created in 1840. I know they are all related because they basically lived on the same road...but the question is how? There are very few Lawson deeds so I had to rely on census, marriage records, tax lists, and court records. I have many other ancestors in this neighborhood and I live nearby so I am very familiar with the surnames and the place names.
My ancestor is John Wesley Lawson b. abt 1825 in this same area of present Van Buren Co., TN. My research has been to determine who his father and grandfather was by process of elimination. I have searched all available records for White, Bledsoe and Van Buren Co’s. and some Warren Co., TN records. Below are the only Lawson’s mentioned. Only a couple of these men could be John Wesley Lawson’s father.
Unknown b. mid 1700’s SC Lawson had at least 2 sons John b. abt 1760 and James b. abt. 1775.
John had probable sons: Asa b. 1784, Leonard b. 1790-1794, Pleasant b. 1791, J. Basley b. 1796, Wiley b.1800, John b. 1795, and Jesse b. 1801.
James had probable sons: James A. Lawson. b. 1805, William L. Lawson b. 1815, Unknown b. 1810-1820, Wiley b. 1810-1820. Probably others since I can’t find him before 1840 when he was already 65.
For years I was sure James Lawson b. 1775 was Wesley’s father because Basley Lawson had a son named John later. But in reviewing the census for this post I see that James did not have sons in Wesley and his brother Sherrod’s age group in the 1840 Bledsoe Co., TN census. Basley did so I now believe him to be Wesley’s father. John Crockett Lawson, Basley’s other son John Crockett Lawson b. 1845 in a second marriage always went by Crocket and John Wesley Lawson always went by Wesley.
Lawson Timeline:
Circa 1760 - John Lawson of SC? (1820 White Co., TN census,). >1830 McMinn Co. TN? We have DNA matches with Lawsons from McMinn Co TN and Whitley Co KY. The same line.
TN records: War of 1812- date of enlistment as 4 Oct. 1813 served in the infantry. Cpl. John Lawson, served with Col. John K. Wynn, Capt. James Cole. James Cole was on White Co TN Tax Lists 1811-1814. John Lawson was wounded 12 Nov.1813. Dec. 1813 and Jan. 1814. Master Roll of Captain James Cole's 1st Regiment, company from White & Warren Counties, TN, under the command of Colonel John K. Wynne, Robert's Brigade. In this Master Roll is; 1st Cpl. - John Lawson - wounded.Company Muster Roll for Captain James Cole¹s Company of Militia, Colonel J.K. Wynne¹s Regiment TN Infantry.John Lawson, Corporal, Roll dated Nashville, July 9, 1814.Indicated John Lawson appears on Company Muster Roll for October 4, 1813, when mustered into service, to January 4, 1813, when discharged.Indicated he was absent.Under remarks it indicated on furlough wounded Nov. 12, 1813.
Since John was the only Lawson in White or Warren Co., TN at the time we can safely assume this is him. To reinforce this is the following mention in Goodspeed’s book “History of White County, TN” published 1887. Chapter 4 Biographies: “Crockett Lawson (Middle name?) was a famous Indian fighter on the Western frontier.” John’s son Basley Lawson had a son and grandson named John Crockett Lawson. They were much too young to be “Indian fighters” since they never left Van Buren Co., TN and there were no Indians there long before they would have been old enough to fight. This has to refer to the oldest John Lawson. White Co. TN to Nashville WAS the Western frontier then but the reference probably came from his being wounded fighting Creek Indians in the war of 1812. But what about another younger John (Jr.?) mentioned below? Where did he go or did he die in White Co. TN? In the 1880 White Co. TN Census Basley Lawson (This same land was later changed back to Van Buren Co. in 1885 in a boundary line move) is in Dist. 2, #76-78, Living with son William. "J. Basley Lawson".SC, SC, SC What did the J. stand for? He was never referred to like this in any other records I have seen. My great grandfather was Joseph Lawson, son of John Wesley Lawson. Could he have been named after his grandfather Joseph Basley Lawson who always went by Basley?
1775 - James Lawson of the 1840 Bledsoe Co TN Census b. in SC. This was future Van Buren Co. TN as it did not have a census until 1850. His last 3 known children b. in KY before 1820. James should have been listed in White Co. as that is where he lived and where he and his children are mentioned in all court records until Van Buren county records started.
1784 - Asa Lawson b. abt 1784 NC (same one in 1830 McMinn Co. TN with John Lawson?). Early White Co Tax lists.
1790-1800- Leonard Lawson b. SC?
1790 - Pleasant Lawson b. in SC
1796 - J. Basley Lawson b. in SC
1800 - Wiley Lawson b. in NC
1801 - Jesse Lawson b. in SC
1805 - James A. Lawson of 1840 Bledsoe Co TN Census b. in AL according to his son James’ death record and the 1880 census but James states he was b. in TN. He is probably a son of the elder James Lawson since he was listed in his own household very close to the same area where the elder James was listed. Same for another Wiley Lawson b. Bet. 1810–1820 listed in the same area as this younger James. (Cumberland Mt. near the Van Buren Co. line) in the same Bledsoe Co. census.
1815 - William Lawson b. 1815 in KY son of James Lawson.Vashti Lawson also b. 1815 in KY daughter or widowed daughter-in-law of James. Were all her children born out of wedlock? Her and William are both listed as age 35 in 1850 Warren Co., TN census. Were they twins? Ruth was 32 when William was born and James was 40. They surely had other older children per the 1840 Bledsoe Co., TN census. She could have been a second wife? Vasti states in the 1850 Census that her son William was b. 1836 in KY which would put the elder James Lawson family arriving in the area after that, IF she came with her parents or Vasti’s immediate family could have come later? But in the 1860 census this same William states he was b. in TN. In 1870 he states he was b. in KY and in the 1880 census he again states he was b. in KY.Fa: KY Mo: SC (backward?} Vasti was b. in KY, not SC...but the other older Lawsons were b. in SC. This also leads me to believe Vasti may have been a daughter-in-law of James b. 1775. I have other ancestors who named proven documented widowed daughter-in-laws as “daughters” in their will and they got an equal share with the other living heirs.
1816 - Wiley Lawson working on a Rd. Crew, and Jesse Lawson working on a Rd. Crew White Co., TN Court Records. First Lawson mentioned in White Co. TN Tax List.
1818 - Leonard Lawson in Capt Scroggins's Co. 1 poll, no land listed. Cane Creek. Also *James Scott (see below). John Lawson b. abt. 1760 is in the same neighborhood with one house between them in the 1820 census. This Scroggins was later listed in Capt. Parker’s Co. (future Van Buren Co., TN) in the same area where all the later Lawsons appear. (VB Co. 1826 Tax List Capt. Parker's Co. has Jesse Scroggins, Wm Denny and Thomas Mooneyham and Basley Lawson. Another future VB Co Company is Capt. Parker's and Shadrack Mooneyham, John, Wiley and Jesse Lawson are listed there.)
1818 - Abigail Lawson, b. in KY. Daughter of James, wife of Noel Grantham.
1819-1820 - No tax lists for White Co., TN
1820 KY Census: Where is James Lawson b. 1775? Floyd Co, KY, future Perry Co., KY?There was one there in 1815-1820. Garrard Co, Barren Co. KY?There is one of the right age in Hardin Co KY. Whitley Co., KY?
1820 - John Lawson b. before 1775 White Co. TN Census pg. 348(p. 8, 10 1820 census) Future NW corner of present Van Buren Co TN, Cane Creek off Caney Fork River. Leonard Lawson b. bet. 1790-1795 White Co. TN Census pg. 349 one house away.Arthur Parker and Jacob Stipe on same page as Leonard. See below for more on these men in relation to other Lawsons. In between John and Leonard Lawson was a Thomas McNutt. Note that an Albert Pickney Lawson b. 1800 in GA m. a Rebecca McNatt. We also have a full DNA match with Albert. Is there a connection? Different spelling of the surname McNutt?
4-17- 1821 White Co., TN Court Records P. 200 Jury duty. To wit:Thomas Gist, John Williams, William Ussery, James Kitchiside, Graham Jackson, Jonathan Clenny, Leonard Lawson, John Austin, Elijah Lewis, Robert Cate, William Bradford, and Phillip Ussery, who being elected tried and sworn ...and after sometime returned and declared they could not agree.Whereupon by consent of the parties and with the assent of the court, Leonard Lawson one of the jurors was with drawn and rest of the jurors from rendering their said verdict released and forever discharged &c.
4-18-1821 White Co., TN Court Records P. 208 Isaac Plumley vs Isaac Counts Debt Appeal. This day came the parties by their attorneys and thereupon came a Jury of good and lawful men towit: Robert Cates, Leonard Lawson, William Gist, Junr. William Harlowe, Benjamin Sapp, William May, Thomas Gist, senr. Abraham Broyles, Elijah Lewis, Levi Oliver, Thomas Lyon and John Watson, who being elected tried and sworn the truth...Leonard also mentioned on P. 209, 210 and 211
7-16-1821 - White Co TN Court Minutes: pg. 240 Mathias Baker (p. 16 1820 census) appointed Overseer of the Rd. from John Bryan's field to Simpson's Rd leading to Sparta. Hands: Jn Walker, Siever Evans, N.P. White, Jesse Lawson, Jn Anderson, Wm Griffith, and Joseph Burden.
10-13-1821 Ordered by Court that the following bounds in which the following persons reside be assigned the road of which Isaac Plumbley is Overseer Towit: James Simmons, Denton Plumbly, Jno Gillentine, Leonard Lawson, Terry Gillentine, Jno. Simmons, Thos Moore, Ephraim Hodges, Joel Plumbley, Wm. Plumbly, Danl. Dale, Raley Bishop, Jacob Stipe and 1 slave.
1821 - Asa Lawson White Co. TN Tax List Capt Elijah Lewis's Co. no land listed. Jesse Lawson also listed in this company, no land. Also Shadrack Mooneyham is here with 68 acres on Caney Fork. Future Van Buren Co., TN.
1821 - Leonard Lawson White Co. TN Tax List Capt Jesse Scroggins's Co. 25 acres, Caney Fork. Arthur Parker also listed in this Co. (See below for more oh him) Appt. to work on Rd. with Js. Simmons, Anton Plumbley, Jn Gillentine, Jn Simmons, Th. Moore, Ephraim Hodge, Dan Dale, R. Bishop and Jacob Stipe. Cane Creek area. South of the Caney Fork.
1821- Sherrod Lawson b. White Co., TN. Another Sherrod Lawson in 1800 - 1820 Stokes Co NC Census. We have a full DNA match with the John Lawson of Stokes Co NC that died there about 1840. What connection?
1822 - Basley Lawson - White Co., TN Tax List 15 acres Cane Creek Captain Parker Co. and Leonard Lawson 25 acres on the Caney fork also in this same Company. Also Jacob Stipe. (See below for mention of his son Thomas in relation to James Lawson's daughter.). All these Lawsons were in the same exact area!
1822 - Asa Lawson Capt. John Baker's Co. Jesse Lawson and Willie (Wiley) Lawson also listed in this Co. No land listed for any of them. Also Thomas Mooneyham and his father Shadrack and brothers. Future Van Buren Co. John Wesley Lawson m. Thomas Monneyham’s daughter Sarah.
7-15-1822 - White Co., TN Court Minutes P. 474 Ordered by Court that Thomas Lewis be appointed Overseer of the road from Robert E. Lowreys to John Dales (Cane Creek area)...that the district in which the following hands reside be assigned said road to wit: Benj Lewis, Wm. Foster, Jacob Cole, Elijah Lewis, Thomas Lewis, Thos. T. Smith, Asa Lawson and Hartwell Wilson.
7-20-1822 - Bledsoe Co., TN Court Min. - “Barley” Basley Lawson and *James Scott appointed Overseers for the Rd from top of the Mt. east of Cane Creek to a point 6 mi. East. Hands: Steven, Dickson & Bethel Crain, Js & Wm Moore, Russell Maynard, Able Keener, Charles Westman, Jn Scott and Jn Keener. This entry shows how Bledsoe and White Co lines were blurred. This was the part of each county that becameNW Van Buren in 1840.
1823 - White Co., TN Tax List Asa Lawson, John Lawson, Jesse Lawson and Wiley Lawson all in Capt. John Baker's Co. Caney Fork area, near Hickory Valley and Lost Creek. White/Van Buren County line. No land listed. Basley Lawson is in Capt. Parker’s Co. 15 acres Cane Creek. Also *James Scott and Frances Roberts (See Leonard) with 16 acres. Mooneyhams.
Note:Beginning January 3, 1824 and continuing for several months through that year, an ad titled "Valuable Land For Sale.Notice is hereby given..." ran in the Sparta Review newspaper in Sparta, White Co., TN.The land was in the Hiawassee District of TN with the entry office in Athens of McMinn Co, TN.The land had been acquired, in the "Hiawassee Purchase," from the Cherokee Indians in 1819.The Panic of 1819 resulted in a slower settler response than had been expected.The legislature dropped the prices on the land and made a strong appeal for white settlers to move into the Hiawassee District.This ad seemed to have been inviting people to become squatters on the land, so as to be entitled to 160 acres at the rate of $1.50 per acre.The land entry office would open on the first Monday of February of the upcoming year (1825).Perhaps this lured John Lawson and many others away from White County.Monroe Co, TN was adjacent to McMinn Co, TN and was part of the Hiawassee District.The offer sounded enticing.The deals were described as "better bargains in this district than has ever been offered in the State, and I presume equal to any in the United States."The land was described as "well adapted to the culture of Indian corn, wheat, rye, etc. and that cotton grows exceedingly well." Source:September 22, 1824 (and other issues) of The Sparta Review; microfilm copy available in public library in Sparta, TN. I believe the older John Lawson and Asa Lawson of White Co. went to McMinn Co., TN sometime after 1823 when Asa was last on the tax lists as they are both found there near each other in the 1830 McMinn Co., TN census.
Circa 1824-1825 - My ancestor, John Wesley Lawson b. in Van Buren Co., TN. I have his original Civil War discharge and he stated on it that he was b. in White Co., TN and was 41 yrs old at time of discharge in 1865. He was a charter member of the GAR, Grand Army of the Republic, Union Veterans from Bledsoe Co., TN at the Lewis Collins Post in Pikeville. I have a picture of him with some other members including another ancestor of mine, Calvin Mooneyham (son of Thomas Mooneyham) who was in the same Co. as Wesley and his brother Sherrod Lawson. In 1890 on this GAR roster Wesley Lawson gave his occupation as a mechanic and place of birth as Spencer, Van Buren Co., TN. 8-22-1891. Wesley Lawson was the 6th member, James A. Lawson was the 12th member. In 1824 Van Buren Co had not been created yet so it was White Co. in the part that would later become Van Buren Co. in 1840. There were 9 households between James Lawson and Thomas Mooneyham in 1840.
1824-1828 Deed Book B pg. 107 - Bazley Lawson to Solomon Reese Dist. 15, 15 acres. Book B pg. 246 - Bazley Lawson to Burrell Maynard 50 acres in the 15th Dist. of White Co., TN (Burrell Maynard married John Wesley Lawson and Sarah Mooneyham, daughter of Thomas, in 1841 Van Buren Co., TN). There is a Solomon and John Reese in 1790 Census Newberry Dist. SC near a James LASSON.
4-12-1824 - Ordered by Court that Abijah Crane, Isaac Brown, Steven Crane, Drury Maynard and Basley Lawson be appointed Commissioners to review and lay off and mark a road...from Isaac Brown's up Cane Creek to Mark Glidwells, to be of the 2nd class and report thereof to the next term of Court, pg. 4.Also ordered that they all be appointed Commissioners to review lay off and mark a road leaving the Sequatchie Rd near John Porter's plantation thence down the river, intersecting said Rd. near *John Porter's plantation. John Porter listed south of the Caney Fork(Van Buren) in 1813 White Co Tax List. John Porter is of interest because there was a man by that name and age in the 1790 Abbeville SC Census on the same page as the Lawson’s. Many other early White Co TN names appear there as well. He is by James Grantham and Wm Lewis and Jesse Scoggins in the 1820 White Co TN census. Future Van Buren Co., TN.
1824 - White Co., TN Court records - *James Scott petitioned the Court to be declared the father of Rachel M. Campbell, daughter of Elizabeth Campbell. He believed her to be his child and wanted her legitimized and made his heir. The Court granted his request.
10-11-1824 - ..."From which order” John Lawson who had intermarried with Elizabeth M. Campbell the mother of said Rachel Campbell, prayed for an appeal in the nature of a writ of error to remove this cause to the Circuit Court for White Co. and to him it is granted on giving security as the law directs before the rise of this Court, and thereupon filed his bill of exceptions which was signed and sealed by the Court and ordered to be made part of the record in this cause.
10-1824 This day John Lawson came into open Court with Joseph B. Dibrell and Jesse Lawson who thereupon entered into a bond in the sum of $100 for the prosecution of an appeal in the nature of a writ of error...attained by John Lawson from an order read authorizing James Scott to take the bastard child Rachel of Elizabeth M. Campbell, now Lawson which child had been previously legitimized by the said James Scott. (This family is listed under Elizabeth Lawson in the 1830 White Co., TN census).
10-21-1824 White Co Court Minutes Index J pg. 109 - Leonard Lawson to Fanny Roberts deed of conveyance for 16 acres of land. Frances Roberts is listed with this 16 acres in 1823 Page 52 Captain Parker Co. (Future Van Buren Co., TN) This is not a regular deed nor is it in the Deed Books. Could Fanny “Frances” Roberts have been a sister of Leonard’s and daughter of John Lawson, Sr.? Shadrack Roberts is listed 1814-1815 in a militia Co. in the Cane Creek area in the same neighborhood the Lawson’s appear in later.I believe Fanny was his widow. She was b. circa 1794–1804 and is listed in the 1820 White Co. census in the same area. Note: There is a Shadrack Roberts of the right age in Pulaski Co KY in the 1810 Census. Also a Shadrack Sr. Leonard left the area and moved to Warren Co., TN.
1824 - White Co., TN Tax List: Wiley Lawson is in Capt. Arthur Parker’s Co. also listed are Basley Lawson 15 acres and *James Scott. John Lawson Capt. Walker Bennett’s Co. Aaron England Sr. and Jr. also listed. Elizabeth Lawson, John’s wife was listed between these two England’s in the 1830 census of White Co., TN. What happened to John? Who was his son? She may have remarried and her children taken her new husband’s name. No marriage record for her in White Co., TN.
7 Jan 1825 White Co., TN Deed Book G, Pg. 389 - Basley Lawson & Polly Lawson (his wife) to Burrell Maynard. $500 paid for a tract from May 29, 1810 Grant #1019, being 88 acres on south side of Caney Fork on Cane Creek. Witness by Bethel Crain and Willie Lawson. Drury Maynard bought this 88 acres from Wm. White in 1810. How did Basley end up with it? Was this John Lawson Sr.‘s land from 1820? Polly, Basley’s first wife, is a nickname for Mary. Basley’s second wife’s name was Jane Hodges whom he m. 16 Aug 1839 in White Co., TN.
1-7-1825 Book G pg. 404 - Basley Lawson and from Burrell Maynard (also b. abt. 1800 SC) - 15 acres on south side of Caney Fork on Cane Creek, large spring at foot of mountain, bank of creek, wit: by Willie Lawson & Bethel Crain.
1825 - White Co., TN Tax List: Willie (Wiley), Basley, and Jesse Lawson are all in Captain Parker's Co., also Thomas Mooneyham. No land listed for any of them. Pleasant Lawson is in Capt. Pennington's Co. near the same area
1826 - White Co., TN “List of free men 21 and upwards residents on 1-1-1826” This is NOT a tax list but more like a local census. Pleasant Lawson in Capt. Pennington's Co. Wiley Lawson, John Lawson and Jesse Lawson listed in Capt. Siever Evans Co. Basley Lawson is listed in Captain Parker's Co See above. This Captain was the Arthur Parker listed in 1820 White Co TN census near Leonard Lawson and John. Most of the men in his company are found in Van Buren Co. TN after it was created in 1840.
1826 - White Co., TN Tax List: Basley Lawson is listed in Capt. Parkers’s Co. 15 acres. Thomas Mooneyham is here too. Jesse and Wiley Lawson are listed in Capt. Sevier Evans’ Co. also Shadrack Mooneyham. Pleasant Lawson is in Capt. Pennington’s Co. Van Buren Co area. The younger John Lawson is not listed here even though he was listed in the census for this year. Did he die between when the lists were taken? Men over 45 were not listed but if this was the older John Lawson he would not have been listed in the 1823 and 1824 Tax lists either. So this has to be a younger John.
4-13-1826 White Co., TN Court Records - Wm Simpson vs Jesse Lawson. Also April 1826 - Jury duty for Jesse.
1827 - White Co., TN Tax List Pleasant Lawson in Capt. Pennington's Co., Basley Lawson in Capt. Steakley’s Co. 50 acres school land, 15 acres other land. Jesse Lawson in Capt. Riley Jones, Co. Caney Fork area. Jesse and Wiley Lawson are listed in Capt. Sevier Evans’ Co.
7-19-1827 Basley Lawson TN Land Grants Vol. 2 pg. 733, Grant #6404 Mt. District. 50 acres entry... #864 of 1-10-1826, ...on east side of Cane Creek...Maynard's corner...cliff of rocks. Surveyed 9-15-1826.
1828 - White Co., TN Tax List Basley Lawson Capt. Steakley's Co. 50 acres school land, 15 acres other land. Also Thomas Mooneyham. Jesse Lawson is in 1828 Capt. Riley Jones’s Co.
1829 - Samuel Lawson, son of Pleasant was b. in White Co., TN (source Samuel’s Civil War pension application). Pleasant Lawson was b. 1790 in SC.
1830-1831 - No tax lists for White Co., TN
1830 - White Co. TN Census Elizabeth Lawson pg. 48 1 male 5-10 1 female 5-10 and Elizabeth Lawson age 30-40. The younger John Lawson Jr. has either died or left his family and went somewhere else. Basley Lawson pg. 21 1 male under 5, 2 males 5-10, 1 male 30-40, 1 female 30-40, living between William Mason and James Yeager. The ages of the sons work for Sherrod, Wesley and Drury. (1801 A LAWSON DREWRY in Hawkins Co TN).
1830 - Warren Co Census Lawson, Leonard 001001-221001 One son and 5 daughters. 1830 - Overton Co., TN Census Wiley and Jesse Lawson
1830 - McMinn Co TN Census Asa Lawson by Daniel Newman near John Lawson b. 1750-1760. Daniel Newman, Elisha Bolin, Wm Howard, Daniel Broyles, Peyton Randolph, Isaac Haston, Robert S. Kennedy, and others all from White Co., TN in the 1820 Census and tax lists. Daniel Newman was a Militia Captain in early White County, TN. Same John Lawson?I think so since Asa is there.
1830 - Where are Pleasant and James Lawson? Pleasant is on White Co. TN tax lists before and after this census and he had a son b. here in 1829. Were they both missed? Traveling? 1830 Census: Whitley Co., KY: There is a James of the right age. He is gone by 1840 (Bledsoe Co TN?) and we have a DNA match with the Lawsons in this County.... and also in McMinn Co., TN?
1832 - Leonard Lawson Warren Co., TN Tax List - Nothing on him after this. What happened to his son and 5 daughters? Who were they? Basley Lawson is in White Co on Capt. Parkers’s Tax list. Future Van Buren Co TN.
1833 - Pleasant Lawson White Co., TN Tax List Capt. Andersons’s Co. near Daniel Haston (Van Buren Co.). Basley is in Capt. Simmons Co. 27 acres- Thomas Mooneyham also listed.
1834 - Pleasant Lawson White Co., TN Tax List Capt. Connor's Co., Basley Lawson 27 acres in Capt. Simmons Co., Jesse *Scroggins Esq.
1835 - William Lawson, Vashti’s son was b. in KY
1835 - Pleasant Lawson White Co., TN Tax List Capt. Lewis's Co., Basley Lawson 27 acres in Capt. Shockley’s Co.
1836 - Basley Lawson White Co., TN Tax List District 15 27 acres value 150 Listed as Lawson Lawson because someone could not read his first name.
1837 - Basley Lawson White Co., TN Tax List District 15 27 acres value 150
1837 - If the places of birth for James Lawson’s b. 1775 children and grand children are correct in the 1850 census he came to this area from KY about 1837. John Wesley Lawson states he was b. in Van Buren Co., TN about 1824.
1837-39 - Dist. 4,5 Bledsoe Co TN Tax Lists. James Lawson. Other names in these districts are also in White Co TN tax lists. Probably the part that later became Van Buren Co TN. This has to be the James b. 1805 as James b. 1775 would have been too old to be listed. These are the only early tax lists available for Bledsoe Co., TN.
10-1-1838 White County Minute Books, 1835-41 Index P. page 261 - In the case of the State vs Pleasant Lawson; Clerk W. G. Sims $6.37 1/2; Shff D. L. Mitchell $1.25; Shff J. T. Bradley $1.00; Sheriff John England $0.50.
1838 - Narcissa Lawson, d. of Vashti and grand daughter of James Lawson b. in TN
1838 - Basley Lawson White Co., TN Tax List District 15, *150 acres value 150 (mistake in the entry.)
1-25-1839 Bazley Lawson signed a petition for creation of a new Co., Van Buren Co. TN
1839 - Basley Lawson White Co., TN Tax List District 15 *150 acres value 150 He married Jane Hodge 16 Aug 1839 in White Co., TN. It is obvious this is a second marriage. Daniel Lawson b. 1836 may be her son also as there is 8 yrs. difference in his age from Basley’s older children.
1840 - Van Buren Co was established January 3, 1840 from the lands of Bledsoe, Warren and White counties. First census wasn’t until 1850.
1840 - Census: Bledsoe Co., TN: James Lawson b. 1775, (James does not have sons in the age group 15-20 to be Wesley or Sherrod). He has 3 sons in the 1810-1820 group. Could one have been Vasti’s husband and her have been a daughter-in-law to James? Wiley Lawson b. 1810-1820, and James Lawson b. 1805. Another Wiley Lawson b. 1800 SC with Jesse Lawson b. 1790-1800 in Overton Co., TN (John’s sons) Basley Lawson is in White Co. TN. Pleasant Lawson is in Harrison Co., IN.
1-7-1841 Sherrod Lawson weds Mahala Henderson in White Co., TN
1841 - Van Buren Co., TN Solomon Reese Rd Overseer from the fork of the Rd at Robert Gambles to Wiley B. Haston's old place. Hands Wm Stipe and Sherrod Lawson. Robert Gamble lived south of the Caney Fork on Cane Creek as did Wiley B. Haston. In the 1820 census John Lawson lived between the Gambles and Hastons. See more below. William L. Lawson, James son, was also overseer on this same part of road.
7-1841 - Listed in Free White Males in Van Buren Co TN. Burrell Maynard, S. (Sherrod) Lawson, W.B. Haston, J.B. Haston, Solomon Reese.
8-12-1841 Abigail Lawson, James’ daughter, weds Noel Grantham in Van Buren Co., TN
10-27-1841 Van Buren Co. TN Circuit Court Minutes Ensign W. Lawson listed in Van Buren Co TN Militia, Capt. David Walker's 145th Reg. TN Militia. This was all Cane Creek area Dist. 4 in 1850 Van Buren Co TN Census. This would be William L. Lawson, b. 1815 son of James.The other Williams are far too young.
1842 - Nancy Lawson, wife of Wiley Lawson b. 1800, was a member of Big Fork Baptist Church in Van Buren County, TN in 1840. Copy of Letter to move her membership. http://www.danielhaston.com/places/churches/bigfork/big-fork-cf-assn.htm#Nancy_Lawsonhttp://www.danielhaston.com/places/churches/bigfork/big-fork-cf-assn.htm#Nancy_Lawson
8-27-1844 - Sherrod Lawson Jury Duty Van Buren Co. TN
1844 - Van Buren County, TN Circuit Court Minutes Vol. A Pg. 164 State v. Thomas Stipe, John L. Grissom, and William Lawson (presentment for gaming). This is James’s son. Basley’s son William is just 10 yrs. old and Vasti’s son William is even younger. These are the only William Lawsons in a four county area.
1-1845 pg. 1 Ordered that the court pay the cost of the case the state against A.J. Hoodenpile, Js Denton, Albert Camp, J.L. Grissom, William Lawson, and Thomas Stipe, at Dec. term of the Circuit court for the yr 1843.
2-1845 Van Buren pg. 4 Sherrod Lawson Overseer of the RD from the north end of Robert Gamble's lane to W.B. Haston's old place. Hands: Clayton and Benjamin McCormick, Js Simmons, Waymon Maynard.
3-13-1845 John Wesley Lawson married Sarah Mooneyham in Van Buren Co. TN. Sarah was the daughter of Thomas Mooneyham who was a neighbor of James Lawson b. 1775 and Basley Lawson in the 1840 Bledsoe Co. TN census. (Actually all Van Buren Co. TN).
4-7-1845 - Van Buren Co TN Court Minutes: Pleasant Leonard Grantham age 3 on 9-7-1845, bound to James Lawson to live and work after the manner of an apprentice until the age of 21. This was probably his grandson. Listed on the 1850 White Co TN Census with his parents as James P. (Pleasant?) Grantham. Note that Pleasant and Leonard are older Lawson names mentioned above. This also proves a relationship between the elder John Lawson and James Lawson.
10-6-1845 Wesley Lawson Van Buren Co TN Insolvent Tax List 4th Dist. 1 pole 37 1/2 cents pg. 20 Same District James and son William lived in - see below.
12-1845 pg. 22 William L. Lawson Overseer of the RD from the end of Robert Gamble's lane to Wiley B. Haston's old place and have the former bounds of hands. This was Cane Creek 4th Dist. Note that is the same road that Sherrod Lawson was Overseer of in 2-1845.
4-6-1846 pg. 8 William L. Lawson was elected constable of the 4th Dist. for the next two yrs. Whereupon he came into open court and executed and acknowledged a bond with James Lawson (his father or elder brother?), Burden Wheeler, and Fines E. Plumlee his securities and took the necessary oath required by law and was permitted to enter on to the discharge of the duties of his office.
7-6-1846 Van Buren pg. 15 Ordered by the Court that William L. Lawson be allowed three dollars for waiting on the court and jury at April term 1846. 7-6-1846 Van Buren pg. 17 Made his mark on a list of names who relinquish to Van Buren Co all their county claims they have yet unpaid.*This was funds donated to the Co for the new Courthouse.
10-5-1846 Van Buren pg. 20 Sherrod Lawson Attached to Martin McLaughlin's list of hands.
1-1847 Van Buren - pg. 4 William Lawson hand on the road where Martin P. Crain was Overseer from the end of Robert Gamble's lane to W.B. Haston's old place.
4-1847 Van Buren Sherrod Lawson Hand on the RD for Wm Mitchell Overseer from the crossroads near Wm Denny's to the mouth of Cane Creek.
10-4-1847 - pg. 29 Joseph Moore Overseer of the RD from Martin P. Crain's down the creek near Robert Gamble's field to intersect the Pikeville Rd near Abijah Crain's. Hands: Wm B. Cole, Clayton, Benjamin and William McCormick, M.P. Crain, Wesley Lawson, and William Lawson, and that they are to make their report at Dec. Court, it being a Rd of the 2nd class. (4th Dist. Van Buren). This is James Lawson’s son William.Also below:
12-6-1847 pg. 31 Joseph Moore's (Road) order be extended to Wiley B. Haston's old house and have the hands on Martin P. Crain's farm William Lawson and Wesley Lawson.. James and Basley’s sons. 1st cousins.
4-3-1848 - Van Buren Co. pg. 11 William Lawson produced a certificate of his election as constable in the 4th Dist. Who being present in open court together with James Lawson (his father)and Thomas Stipe entered into and acknowledged bond and took the several oaths prescribed by law as constable.
Pg. 14 We, William Lawson, James Lawson, *Thomas Stipe, and Burden Wheeler all of the Co of Van Buren, bond in the sum of four thousand dollars for which payment we bind our self and our heirs, executors and administrators firmly and severally by these presents sealed with our seals and dated this 3rd day of April, 1848. Whereas William Lawson was on the 4th day of March last duly elected in the 4th Dist. to serve as constable for the next two yrs. Now the condition of this obligation is such that if said William Lawson shall faithfully discharge the duties of his office and shall well and truly pay over and account for all monies by him collected by virtue of his office to the proper persons authorized to receive the same and perform all things required of him by law as constable then the above obligation will be void otherwise to remain in full force either in law or equity. William and James Lawson made their mark under their signatures and Thomas Stipe signed himself.
*note that Loransey D. Lawson age 21 was listed with this Thomas Stipe in the 1850 Van Buren Co TN census in Dist. 3 See below for more info on Thomas Stipe. Since he was Jesse Lawson’s (b. 1801) son of Overton Co., TN this reinforces their connection to the Lawsons of this exact area.
7-14-1848 - Warren Co., TN Deeds Vol. V page 93. William L. Lawson buys 50 acres of land from Green Blackburn and James Webb for $150.00. On the waters of the Collins River in Dist. #11 William and his family were listed in Dist. #14 with James in 1850.
7-1848 Van Buren pg. 30 Sherrod and Drewry (Drury) Lawson hands on a new Rd to intersect the Cane Creek Rd near Samuel Mathes mill place. Solomon Reese Overseer. Dist. 4 in 1850. Note: Drewy Lawson Birth: 1756--, Pittsylvania Co, VA Death: 1847 -- Spouse: Hannah Potts Parents: Nathan Lawson, Leanna*there were Potts in very early White Co TN
10-1848 - Van Buren Co. pg. 36 Sion Pearson Overseer of the RD from Wiley B. Haston's old house down Cane Creek on to Abijah Crain's ... to intersect the Pikeville Rd. The hands on Martin Crain's farm, William Lawson, Wesley Lawson, and Joseph Moore.
4-2-1849 Van Buren Co Court Records pg. 12 William Lawson tenders his resignation as constable. Maybe something to do with the below court case?
4-2-1849 Van Buren Co., TN pg. 9 Frederick Moore Overseer of the RD. Hands: James Howard, James Clark and Sherrod Lawson.
5-1849 Van Buren Co., TN Circuit Court Records Vol. A pg. 414,415 The State vs Thomas Stipes and Vasti Lawson the charge is Lewdness. Joseph Cummings and William Worthington acted as Thomas' securities. "Open and notorious lewdness."F.E. Plumlee, James Lawson, Nicholas V. Gillentine and William Hodges acted as Vasti's securities. Vasti’s daughter Margaret was b. 1849. Her father was probably Thomas Stipes.
7-1849 - 7-1849 Van Buren pg. 22 W.L. Maynard Overseer of the RD from Spencer on to the ford of the creek at Sam Mathes mill. Hand: Drewry Lawson.
9-1849 - Van Buren Co., TN Circuit Court Records Vol. A pg. 429, 430, 431, 433, 434, 437, 438, 439 Case of State vs Thomas Stipes and Vasti Lawson continued with John Gibbs, Basley Lawson, Nicholas M. (sp?) Gilletine and David Moore acting as Vasti's security. Due in court first Monday in January (1850). (Note that John Gibbs is the father of Jonas Gibbs, husband of James Lawson's daughter Lydia.
1849 - Van Buren Co TN Tax Relief of 1 pole. $50, due to "moving off": William Lawson, Jn Seals, Jn Scott, Wm Mooneyham...James Seals. Already in Warren Co with his father James. Lawson and Basley Lawson went with them!
1- 1850 Vasti Lawson is back in court for the same case and this time has an attorney with her named Samuel Turney (sp?) David Moore and Basley Lawson act as her Surety and David Moore is also surety for Thomas Stipes. Put off till the 4th Monday in May.
5-1850 Van Buren Co., TN Circuit Court Records Vol. B pg. 4, 5 Thomas Stipes and Vasti Lawson back in court and they plead not guilty again.After the jury heard evidence it was continued until the next day. Then the Judge fined the Sherrif $2 for failing to keep order in the court. pg. 8, 9 continued again.
7-1850 Van Buren pg. 23 and 27 Sherrod Lawson is Road Hand for Jn Gillentine Town of Spencer.
8-1850 pg 17, 18 Continued for trial once again until December. David Moore is security for Thomas Stipes. Vasti's sureties this time are Wm Johnson, Edmond Seals, Micajah T. Gillentine, and McG.? can't read. Unfamiliar name.
8-1850 - Van Buren Co TN Circuit Court Records Vol. B Pg. 21 has the State vs William Lawson the charge is defaulting witness. He was summoned to appear in court as a witness in the case against Thomas Stipes and Vasti Lawson which he failed to do. The Sheriff was ordered to take him and have him appear before the court at the next term in December and there give evidence in the case on behalf of the state. He would have to make bond and security for $50 fine if he did not appear.
Pg. 22 Whereupon about 20 people stood surety for William Lawson in the amount of $125.00 each that he would be in court to testify and give evidence for the state in this case. Among those who stood as surety were Lidda Lawson, Burrell Maynard, Edmond Seals, Solomon Reese, Basley Lawson, Sion Pearson, F.E. Plumlee, Rachel Crain (wife of Martin P. Crain), Newel Crain, Polly Kimbrell, M.G. Haston, Noel Grantham, Dodson Walker, William Green, John Yates, Solomon Seals, Wm McCormack, William Stipe, G.W. Frasier, Burden Wheeler. Note: Were some of these women Lawson relatives? Lidda Lawson was James' daughter. Noel Grantham was James’ daughter Abigail’s husband. Below this entry on same page Martha Durham and Joseph Hodge were bound by the court to appear and give evidence for the state in this case next term.
12-24-1850 December Term of Grand Jury Vol. B. pg. 32, 34 Case against Vasti and Thomas Stipes finally settled and both defendants found NOT guilty. The County was to pay for all the court costs. Pg. 36 On motion of Defendants it is ordered by the court that the attendance for the following witnesses for the state and none others be taxed in the bill of cost in this case. Towit, Martin P. Crain, Solomon Reese, Burrell Maynard, Rachel Crain, Polly Kimbro, Dotson Walker Wm Stipe and Burton Wheeler. Pg. 37,38 The court convened to give judgment on the verdict of the jury. Came the Attorney General for the State and the defendants whereupon it was considered by the court for such their offense they pay a fine of $50 and the cost of the prosecution and that they be and remain in the custody of the Sheriff of Van Buren Co until they secure said fine and cost. Whereupon came into court John Gilletine, William G. Cole, and George Stipes and confessed judgment jointly with said defendants for said fine and costs. Ordered by the court that execution against the defendants and the above named men for collection of the same.
1850 Census - Pleasant Lawson in Harrison Co., IN. James Lawson (inc. Vasti and William) and Basley Lawson are listed in Warren County, TN Census with their families. John Wesley Lawson is listed in Bledsoe Co. TN living next door to his wife's parents, Thomas Mooneyham and Eleanor Daffron. This household should have been listed in Van Buren Co. TN.Sherrod Lawson, (Wesley's brother), Drury Lawson and Loransy (Lorenzo) D. Lawson are in Van Buren Co TN.
1-1851 pg. 4 This day John J. Walker presents a claim for an accounting in the case of the state vs Thomas Stipes and Vasti Lawson which was not allowed.
8-26-1851 Van Buren Co TN Circuit Court Minutes Vol B. pg. 51 State vs Isham Lawson for A&B It must have been dismissed because he was allowed to go free and all court costs were to be paid by the county. This Isham Lawson is listed in the 1850 Census for Overton Co., TN. He couldn’t be a son of Jesse Lawson because he had 4 sons b. before 1840 and they are all accounted for in the 1840 Overton Co TN cenus. The same applies to Wiley Lawson in Overton Co, TN. Jesse’s son Lorenzo Lawson was also in Van Buren Co., TN in the 1850 Census. This enforces a connection to the Lawsons of this area. Could Isham Lawson have been the son of John Lawson, Jr. and Elizabeth Campbell? The birth dates match. I find no other record for him in several counties other than what is mentioned here. Did he die young before 1860? Leave the country? What relation to the older Isham Lawson of McMinn Co., TN and Whitley Co., KY with which we have a DNA match?
1-1852 pg. 5 Van Buren Co TN Circuit Court Clerk presented bills of cost to be examined and confirmed of by the attorney general (?) they are therefore allowed by the county court. The first one listed is State of TN vs Vasti Lawson and Thomas Stipe all cost $6.81 Also listed the State vs Isham Lawson all cost $4.37.
12-2-1856 - Bledsoe Co., TN Tax List for Delinquent Polls (1 poll).Wesley Lawson and James Lawson (Jr.)
12-27-1852 Van Buren Co., TN Deeds: To Stipe, Jacob Jr. from Stipe, Thomas 248.5 acres Districts 3 & 4, three tracts: (1) 114 acres - center of spring, bank of branch, with lane (2) 44 acres? reserve of 1 acre where school stands incl. cave spring SW of school (3) 90.5 acres? E corner of Wyatt Ogle 80 acre tract, NW corner of Isaac Dodson (David Haston) 100 acres, on bluff of Thomas Mooneyham'ssee Wyatt Ogle>Thomas Stipe (same tracts & calls)
1856 - December 2, Bledsoe Co., TN Tax List for Delinquent Polls (1 poll).Wesley Lawson and James Lawson (Jr.).
3-2-1857 James Lawson made his will in McMinnville, Warren Co., TN dated 3-2-1857 in which he left everything to his wife, Ruthy. James died 02 Mar 1857 in Warren Co., TN.
5-29-1858 Ruthy Lawson made her will and left her son William 50 acres where she lived and one mare and mule colt, a wagon and yoke of oxen, 1 cow, and.?... and any farming tools. And to her daughter Lydia Gibbs all household and kitchen furniture. And to my daughter Vasti? (very hard to read) one dollar. To my daughter Abigail Grantham one dollar.
1860 White Co TN Census - Dist. 3 (due to boundary change) Sherrod Lawson same page as brother John Wesley Lawson. Both Farm Laborers. Both estates valued at $50. Both b. in TN Both served in the same Co. in the Civil War: Co D 4th TN Mtd. Inf. William Botts was also in this Co. and he m. Sherrod’s daughter Mary.
1860 - Abigail Lawson Grantham family in Census Union, Bollinger, Missouri
8-1863 and 7-1865 - No Van Buren Co TN Court Records due to the War.
9 -1864 - John Wesley Lawson was a veteran of the Civil War, Union. Rank In: Pvt Rank Out: 4 Corpl. Age: 41, Mustered: Oct 1, 1864. Remarks: App'ed as Corp Oct 28 64 . He was a Corporal of Capt. Norton E. Quinn. Company D 4th Reg. of TN Mounted Infantry. Enlisted: Sep 24, 1864 and was discharged the 25th day of August 1865 at Nashville.
I have his original discharge that my grandfather Gaither Lawson had. Wesley was his grandfather. It states that Wesley was b. in White Co. TN. He was 5' 9" tall with fair complexion and gray eyes and light (?) hair. His occupation was Farmer. His brother Chersia "Sherrod" Lawson was in the same unit. Rank: Privt Age: 45 Enlisted: Sep 28 64 Mustered: Oct 1 1864.
1870 Census - Sherrod Lawson is in Dekalb Co., TN Dist. 1 #166 William Lawson b. 1858 is listed as his son.White Co., TN has Wesley, age 45 b. 1825 works on farm, Dist. 3, Cave Post Office, Basley Lawson is listed in Van Buren Co., TN. Martin is listed with him age 11, Mansel?
1872 - Thomas Mooneyham applied for War of 1812 military pension in Pikeville, TN but Thomas is not registered in Bledsoe Co. in 1870. He was probably living right over the Co. line in Van Buren Co. Pikeville was much closer than the town of Spencer for business. These boundaries changed constantly. There is a Mooneyham Community between Van Buren and Bledsoe Co. TN.
1880 Census, Trousdale Co., TN Chirrell “Sherrod” Lawson also listed in the 1880 Smith Co., TN census. Same family.
1880 - Bledsoe Co. TN Wesley is in Bledsoe Co., TN working farm. Sherrod has a son named William R. Lawson age 2 and he is listed with John Wesley Lawson as his “nephew“. This William R. Lawson m. John Wesley’s daughter Mary, his first cousin. This proves Sherrod and Wesley were brothers.Jesse Lawson is living beside Wesley. The age is right for Jesse to be his 1st cousin. Son of Wiley Lawson b. 1800. Basley Lawson is listed in White Co TN again. Living with son William. "J. Basley Lawson".SC, SC, SCMansel is also listed as a son. This same land was later changed back to Van Buren Co. in 1885 in a boundary line move.
1885 - Basley Lawson died. He is buried in the Hodges Cemetery, Van Buren County TN.
9-3-1886 - Sarah Mooneyham Lawson, Wesley’s wife, applied for Invalid pension application # 584.290 certificate # 588.496
1890 - Bledsoe Co., TN Veteran’s Schedule Bledsoe Co., TN: LAWSON, John W., Private Co. D 4 TN Mtd. Inf Enlisted: 6 Sept 1864 Discharged: 26 Aug 1865 P. O. Address: Pikeville, TN Disability Incurred: Deafness, Partially deaf, old, infirm.
1890 - John Wesley Lawson was a charter member of the GAR, Grand Army of the Republic, Union Veterans from Bledsoe Co., TN at the Lewis Collins Post in Pikeville, TN. In 1890 on the membership roster he gave his occupation as a mechanic and place of birth as Spencer, Van Buren Co., TN. 8-22-1891 Wesley Lawson was the 6th member, James A. Lawson was the 12th member. I have his picture with other GAR Vets outside the courthouse there.
5-26-1898 - Wesley dies near Glade Creek, Bledsoe Co., TN according to Sarah’s Widow’s pension application. Glade Creek was the historical name of a community near Billingsly Gap in Bledsoe Co., TN. The stream Glade Creek starts in Van Buren Co and runs south near the Lonewood and Sampson communities before continuing in a SE direction through Pikeville and Brockdell.
9-24-1898 - Sarah Lawson applied for Widow's pension 683.136 certificate # 499.136
1900- Bledsoe Co TN Census. Wesley’s widow, Sarah Mooneyham Lawson. Dist. 2 #27 living with son my great grandfather Joseph Lawson.Had 5 children and 3 are still living.
1910 - Bledsoe Co TN Census. Dist. 5 36-37 Sarah Lawson is living next to her son Joseph Lawson in a house with her 2 adult grandchildren, Gaither Lawson (my grandfather) and Leona. Age 85 T-T-T(4-3). Next door to Mary V. Wheeler. Today the “Mary V. Wheeler” school is very close to the Blackburn Cemetery on Beaverhill Road. Joseph Lawson lived at the corner of the Beaverhill Rd and Hwy. 30 per the older locals and deeds. Most of Wesley and Sarah Lawson’s children are buried here and I know they both are also in unmarked graves. I want to get markers for them. Wesley’s brother-in-law Calvin Mooneyham is very near them. He was in the same unit during the Civil War as Wesley Lawson.
29 May 1918 - Sarah‘s death record #22 in Bledsoe Co., TN gives her parents as Thomas Mooneyham and Eleanor Daffron.
I have a lot of Lawson info after this last date but thought this would be a good stopping point for the Timeline.