Lawson Family History
Introduction
There are many Lawson families around the world, particularly in England, Scotland, United States, Canada, and Australia. Their relationship to each other (if any) is largely unknown. This history seeks to uncover specifics related to the particular Lawson lineage whose key figures are Richard Laurence of Byker, Alexander Lawson, and Robert Henry Lawson.
Richard Laurence of Byker (ca 1296) is a key figure because he is believed to be the earliest ancestor in the lineage. Information about him might lead to a knowledge of earlier generations, and the possibility of kinship to other branches whose descendants retained the Laurence name.
Richard Lawson (ca 1495), grandson of Richard Lawrence of Byker, is a key figure because information about him might lead to more knowledge of his parent's generation, of the period between 1495 and 1773 for which the names of his descendants are unknown, and the possiblity of kinship to other branches descending from him.
Alexander Lawson (1773 - 1846) is the most prominent key figure because because one branch of his descendants is known to the present seventh generation descending from him. Information about him might lead to knowledge about the of the period between 1495 and 1773 for which the names of his ancestors are unknown, the possiblity of kinship to other branches descending from them and from him, and greater probability of identification with other Lawson branches whose lineages may be known include him as an ancestor or descendant.
Robert Henry Lawson (ca 1860 - ca 1900) is also a prominent key figure because he had eight children whose names are known, thus widely expanding the lineage and the possibilities of identification with succeeding generations whose lineages include him. One branch of his descendants is known to the fifth generation after him, and great probability exists of other Lawson branches having information about him and his other descendents to the presently living generations.
This history is intended to be dynamically revised as new information is discovered. Each person identified herein is linked to a separate page containing additional resources, biographical notes, genealogical data, and other materials and links as collected about that specific individual. The structure is designed to facilitate access to the existing information, provide for timely updates to new data, and to be located easily by other people who may be researching other branches of the family. The goal is to exchange as much information as possible about the people, places, events, landmarks, and circumstances historically associated with members of the Lawson family.
Most of the information about the Lawson family has been handed down through oral tradition. Where possible, the citing of documentation is desireable to verify authenticity. However, for the most part such documentation will be hard to come by if existant at all. Further, even inaccurate or seemingly irrelevant information can often provide vital clues leading to new sources of discovery. Therefore, every attempt will be made to clearly differentiate between known or unknown, certain or uncertain, and factual or speculative information throughout this compilation. The contribution of any information remotely associated with the Lawson family will be posted and linked to appropriately, available for future pursuits. Corrections will be made as necessary.
Generations Before Alexander Lawson
The Lawson family is believed to have descended from Richard Laurence of Byker, also known as Laurence the Beggar, who is thought to have been made a citizen of England in 1296. His son, also Richard Laurence, lived on a hill (lawh) and continued as a beggar. His grandson, Richard Lawson, changed the name from Laurence to Lawson around 1495, and the family occupation from beggar to clerk. Richard Lawson served as Town Clerk of Edinburk (which probably is an archaic spelling of Edinburg) before his appointment as clerk of Ambassador to King James of Scotland in 1495. The lineage is unknown from 1495 to 1773, the birth year of Alexander Lawson, from which time the lineage is known and is associated with a variety of documentation. Although this particular strand of the Lawson family seems to have remained in Scotland from around 1495 until sometime after 1793, and probably has other kin in Scotland to this day, it appears likely that this branch of the family retained its English citizenship (possibly in duality with some form of Scottish citizenry), while others (if there were any) may have changed citizenship and/or married into Scottish families. The tumultous political situation between England and Scotland during the 15th through 18th centuries would undoubtedly have affected the family in many ways; it would be interesting to study this period and speculate on the wide variety of political and family expediencies these challenging events might have imposed upon members of the Lawson family.
Generation of Alexander Lawson
Alexander Lawson was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland (the county adjacent to the West side of the city of Edinburg) in 1773. The only Scottish clan associated with the Lawson name in Scotland is the Clan MacLaren, but the basis for that relationship is unknown. At least three tartans are registered to the Lawson name in Scotland (including at least one in Edinburg), but their association with this Lawson family, if any, is unknown. Alexander Lawson is also associated with the name Lady Lawson Wynd, which is also unknown. His only child, son Wm. Lawson, was born in 1793 and is known to have been of London, England. Sometime after that, Alexander Lawson moved to Philedelphia, Pennsylvania where he was an engraver and where he died in 1846. The names of his parents, spouse, and siblings (if any) are yet to be discovered, as are other details related to his life in Scotland and his move to Philedelphia and life there.
First Generation After Alexander Lawson
The only child of Alexander Lawson was his son, Wm. Lawson, who was born in 1793 when Alexander Lawson was twenty years old. Whether Wm. Lawson was also born in Lanarkshire or elsewhere, and how he came to be of London, where he died in 1875, is yet to be discovered. He was a local preacher of the Primative Methodist Church in York, and a founder of the Society of Primative Methodists from whence derived the Wesleyan Methodist Church (now the Wesleyan Church). The name of his spouse and other details surrounding his transition from Scotland to England, and his life and ministry in York and London, are yet to be discovered. His only child was a son, Robert Henry Lawson, who moved to Canada.
Second Generation After Alexander Lawson
and Generation of Robert Henry Lawson
Robert Henry Lawson was born in England around 1830 and moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada sometime after 1850, when he is known to have studied at Oxford. He was a mechanical engineer and Methodist clergyman, who also served as Mayor of Montreal sometime prior to his death around 1900, which date is yet to be ascertained. His wife was Mary Anderson, however it is yet unknown whether they were married in England or in Canada, and more about her family still awaits discovery. They had eight children. Four sons moved to the United States. Donald James Lawson moved to Pennsylvania then to Maryland then to Indiana. George Lawson is believed to have moved to Ohio. Alfred William Lawson moved to Michigan then Iowa then Wisconsin. It is believed that one other son moved to Michigan, and that the other four children remained in Quebec. These five children whose states of residence are unknown are daughter Kate Lawson, son Bob Lawson, son Alex Lawson, son Collie Lawson, and daughter Min Lawson.
Third Generation After Alexander Lawson
and First Generation After Robert Henry Lawson
Donald James Lawson is believed to have been born in Montreal, Canada, but was perhaps born in England before his parents moved to Canada. He had a wife in Montreal, about whom no information has yet been discovered. They had at least one son, Harold Lawson, who later moved to Pennsylvania and is beleived to still be living in Cocoa Beach, Florida. While travelling as a salesman for Singer Sewing Machines, Donald James Lawson met Ida Mae Rummell (who was born in 1871) in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. They are said to have immediately fallen love; they ran off together, and were married. They lived in Johnstown until the Johnstown Flood (May 31, 1889), when they fled to Baltimore, Maryland and remained there until sometime between 1911 and 1920, when they moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where remained until his death around 1954 and remained until her death in 1972. Their five children, all of whom remained in the Indianapolis area until their deaths, were son William Malcolm James Lawson, son Shannon Lawson, daughter Myrtle Lawson, son Robert Lawson, and daughter Mae Lawson.
The other grandchildren of Robert Henry Lawson are unknown.
Fourth Generation After Alexander Lawson
and Second Generation After Robert Henry Lawson
William Malcolm James Lawson was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1911, and moved with his parents to Indianapolis, Indiana sometime before 1920. He married Thelma Irene Brown, who was from Westmoreland, Tennessee and had gone to Indianapolis to work as a seamstress in a nylon factory. They bought a house in the country in 1930 between Indianapolis and Carmel, where he remained until his death in 1967 and she until her remarriage in 1989. He worked for The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P) until 1967. Their first child, daughter Dorothy Irene Lawson, died at birth. Their other child, son William Harris Lawson, Sr., lives in Rochester, Indiana. They also fostered Betty Fisher, Betty Jo Young, and Barbara Jean Brown. After her second marriage to Alan Lindley, Thelma Irene Brown moved to his house between Carmel and Westfield where she remained until her death in 1991, while continuing to maintain the former house.
Shannon Lawson had one son, Bobby Lawson, and remained in Indianapolis until his death in 1989, and worked as a manufacturer's representative. Myrtle Lawson had one son, Russell, and she remained in the Indianapolis area until her death around 1960. Robert Lawson married his wife Rosemary, and they had a store in Greenfield, Indiana, just west of Indianapolis. They had one daughter, Diane Lawson. Robert Lawson died around 1975, and Rosemary Lawson lives in Greenfield. Mae Lawson married William Leppert, and they remained in the Indianapolis area until their deaths. They had two sons, Donald Leppert and Dave Leppert.
The other great grandchildren of Robert Henry Lawson are unknown.
Fifth Generation After Alexander Lawson
and Third Generation After Robert Henry Lawson
Dorothy Irene Lawson died at birth. William Harris Lawson, Sr. lives in Rochester, Indiana with his wife Barbara Lou Tridle. They had three children, William Harris Lawson, Jr., Deborah Lynn Lawson, and Loretta Lee Lawson.
Bobby Lawson had one son, David Lawson, and lives in Indianapolis. Russell remained in Indianapolis until his death in about 1980. Diane Lawson married Russell Reed; they are believed to have had three children and to be living in Greenfield, Indiana. Donald Leppert married Daphne, who is from Greenville, Kentucky, and they are believed to be living in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and had two or three children. Dave Leppert lives in Indianapolis.
The other great great grandchildren of Robert Henry Lawson are unknown.
Sixth Generation After Alexander Lawson
and Fourth Generation After Robert Henry Lawson
William Harris Lawson, Jr. lives in Livingston County, Kentucky. Deborah Lynn Lawson lives in Goshen, Indiana, and has one son, Anthony Douglas Lawson Fritz. Loretta Lee Lawson lives near Ligionier, Indiana.
David Lawson is believed to be living in Markleville, Indiana. Where the children of Diane Lawson live is unknown.
The other great great great grandchildren of Robert Henry Lawson are unknown.
Seventh Generation After Alexander Lawson
and Fifth Generation After Robert Henry Lawson
Anthony Douglas Lawson Fritz lives in Goshen, Indiana.
The other great great great great grandchildren of Robert Henry Lawson are unknown.
Summary of Unknown Persons
Points of Possible Relationship to Other Branches of the Lawson Family
Additional Information
See also: Alexander
Lawson (1773 - 1846)
for a list of all known descendants
linked to their genealogy pages as created.
See also: Known
Relatives of William Harris Lawson, Jr.
for an alphabetical listing of all known relatives,
linked to their genealogy pages as created.
See also:
William Harris Lawson, Jr.
and
Kinships by First Instance of Blood
and Marriage
Please send additions, corrections, etcetera to: Bill Lawson