Individual Details

I do not think this man is the father of Robert Lawson of Jackson Co TN, although many others have drawn this conclusion. There seems to be some confusion about men of the same name. A Robert Lawson of Shelby Co KY who testified about a man living back in Rockbridge Co VA, seems not quite old enough to be the father of Robert who married Margaret Hicks, although he did seem some older, and he was in Shelby Co during the same years that Robert & Margaret Hicks were living in Jackson Co, TN. However, there were apparently three Roberts back in Rockbridge, as well as a David, David Jr, James, James Jr, and an Isaac and Isaac Jr Lawson. The elder Isaac left a will in Rockbridge naming sons David, James, Isaac, and Robert among his children. There are indications the "Jr" may have been a generic term indicating a younger man of the same name and these pairings are not necessarily father and son. In the will of the elder David, he also named a son of his same name. So there were also at least three David Lawsons. There were also at least two Lawson men named James - one a son of the elder Robert, another was a son of Isaac. Isaac also had a son Isaac - so there were two Isaac Lawsons as well.

The use of term Junior in this long ago day, simply meant two men of the same name lived in a community, and one was younger than the other. They could be of any or no relation. That fact was not always understood by earlier researchers who did not have access to the information we now have. This caused many Juniors to be misplaced in colonial families.

In the papers of Jim Pippin that were in Audrey Stigall's file, Robert Lawson was said to be a soldier in the Revolution. He was a 1st Lieutenant in General Nelson's Corps of Light Dragoons. Said to be listed Baltimore, 29 Jul 1886 - a citation that makes little sense and I have not been able to substantiate. This information was not included in the Pippin books. There was another Robert Lawson who rose to the rank of Brigadier General during the Revolution - I have included notes about him further down. I don't know if they've been confused as well, but it's possible.

As far as Geneal Nelson's Dragoons are concerned, I have been able to find the following. Thomas Nelson Jr. was from Yorktown, VA and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Nelson, Jr. did serve in the young Congress but resigned in the spring of 1777 due to ill health.
"Back in Virginia, Nelson was awarded the rank of brigadier general in the militia and was elected to the lower house of the legislature. In the spring of 1778 Congress appealed to men of means in the Colonies to form troops of light cavalry. Nelson, partially at his own expense, outfitted, and trained such a unit. In July he marched it northward to Philadelphia. The next month, Congress decided it was not needed and it returned home."
http://www.adherents.com/people/pn/Thomas_Nelson.html

The above information would make it extremely unlikely that this Robert Lawson served with Gen. Nelson, Robert Lawson seems to have been in Pennsylvania during some of the years of the Revolution. Also a Virginia land grant - to Robert Lawson of Rockbridge for 40 acres - was issued as a military warrant under the English Proclamation of 1763, indicating Robert might have served in some military capacity as a private before the Revolution. That would not preclude service in the Revolution but I have found no proof of Revolutionary service. In fact, the court testimony of sons David & Robert Jr indicates that likely none of them served since they were recent arrivals from Ireland, although service in the PA militia would remain a possibility. Probably the grant was assigned from the person who had earned it.

I did find in a book on Montgomery Co VA, a Robert Lawson and Robert Lawson, Junr listed as being in Capt Jonathan Isoms Company in April of 1778. They just don't seem to be in quite the right place. There was also a Randolph Lawson in the same Company and certainly that name does not fit with the Lawson family in Rockbridge Co.

Robert has been given a wife named Susanna, in some of the older files, without any source. There is nothing to indicate such a wife after he came to Rockbridge family - there are two deeds of a Robert Lawson that can be matched up to the tax records, in which a wife's name was Mary - in 1812 and 1813, just prior to their disappearance from Rockbridge. [These have been assumed to be his deeds, leading to identification of a wife as Mary - they seem most likely to be those of his son Robert - more to follow.] That's also probably part of the confusion with the marriage of Robert to Mary McCampbell - some have placed that as this Robert's 2nd wife, quite possibly attempting to match the deed records, but I believe it was his son that married McCampbell. The son has been said to have gone to Kentucky with his in-laws circa 1800, but I don't think he went that soon, not until 1812.

There is nothing in the records to indicate a wife for this eldest Robert Lawson in Rockbridge Co. The sons, when quarreling over his land, also do not mention their mother. I think it likely she had died before they arrived in Virginia, maybe even before they came from Ireland.

Strangely enough this Robert Lawson has been given a middle name by some researchers although no hint of a middle name ever appears in any of the records and most men of this time had no middle names. The name Robert Telford [or Tedford] Lawson shows up repeatedly - it's in some of the older research - and the Telford also is stuck on the Robert [Jr] who married Margaret Hicks by those who apparently misunderstood the use of the word Junior. I think neither man could have claimed this name. It is a truth that Mary McCampbell who married Robert Lawson had several marriages to Telfords among her brothers. Her brother George married Elizabeth Telford; her brother William married Jennie Telford, and her brother Samuel married Rebecca Telford. I have seen a deed indicating that the McCampbells land was next to that of Telfords quite early in Rockbridge and some of the Telfords also went on to Kentucky. I suspect somewhere in the Lawson family there was a later generation Robert who could have had the Telford name as part of his own, but I don't think it applies in early 1800's. I have not seen a definitive list of children for Robert & Mary McCampbell Lawson.

A Robert Lawson, thought by many to be son of Isaac Lawson [I think he's most likely the son of Robert not Isaac - the relationship was reversed by some early researcher] also of Rockbridge Co VA, married Mary McCampbell in 1792 - the marriage bond states she was the daughter of Samuel McCampbell and is signed by Robert Lawson & Samuel McCampbell.
The digital images of the marriage bonds are online. There were three distinctive signatures for the three Robert Lawsons on the bonds: one when a Robert gave permission for daughter Isabella to marry, one when a Robert married Mary McCampbell, and another when a Robert married Margaret Hicks. Again indicating absolutely three different Robert Lawsons. The Chancery Court case in 1793, also contains signatures of Robert Lawson, the elder or Senr, and his son Robert. The signature of Robert Sr matches the one on his permission for his daughter Isabella to marry Samuel Dale. The signature of Robert Jr on the court case matches the signature on the bond for him to marry Mary McCampbell. Robert Lawson who married Margaret Hicks is neither of these men.

Mary McCampbell's family were neighbors of the Lawsons in Rockbridge Co VA. I didn't find a Samuel McCampbell in Rockbridge Co by 1810. A Samuel F. Campbell and a Saml Campbell were there, both over 45 years of age, but that does seem to be a separate surname. Robert Lawson is said to have gone to Shelby Co along with the McCampbells. Samuel McCampbell's will named a daughter as Mary Lawson - that will was dated 1804, Shelby Co KY, which if so would place Samuel McCampbell in Kentucky quite early. This seems to be well documented. However, no records have been found so far that indicate Robert & Mary were in Kentucky with the McCampbells before the 1820 census.
Actually other researchers have said that this Robert Lawson & family, along with her father and siblings moved to Shelby Co prior to 1799 when records show a Samuel McCampbell buying land. I have found nothing that indicates young Robert & Mary were in Shelby Co this early.
And here is a connection of the McCampbells and Robert Lawson after the McCambells had gone to Kentucky - given the age of the younger Robert and the locations revealed below, this power of attorney could apply to either Robert but I suspect it is the younger son-in-law of Samuel McCampbell.
14 Jan 1805, Rockbridge Co VA DB E, p.392. James & John McCampbell of Shelby Co KY, executors of the will of Samuel McCampbell, granted power of attorney to Robert Lawson of Rockbridge to transact a deed to Margaret Simon and her heirs for 100 acres in Rockbridge.
The 1810 census for Rockbridge shows a Margt. Simonds living only a few doors away from Robert Lawson. She appeared to be age 26-45 and had 1 boy under 10, 1 boy 16-26, 2 girls under 10, and 1 girl age 10-16. I believe this Robert to be the husband of Mary McCampbell - his father quite likely deceased.

Notebook of Surveys by Alexander Campbell, Suveyor of Rockbridge Co, was filmed by LDS [Microfilm #0033799, Item 2]
On p. 7 is Robt Lawson, survey dated 21 Apr 1784, Carrs Creek [no acreage was given] This seems to be the earliest record of Robert in Rockbridge Co - Isaac Lawson was there at least two years earlier.

Chancery Court Rockbridge Co VA
David Lawson v. Robert Lawson Sr, etc.
1797-002
Actually the case was: David Lawson v. Robert Sr, Robert Jr & James Lawson. This case presents a picture of the family that agrees with the above survey. In his complaint, David stated he was the oldest son of Robert Sr. that he removed from the Kingdom of Ireland with his father & family to the state of Pennsylvania where he leased a tract for three years, admitting his father & family to participation in the contract. They labored there about 18 months and decided to remove to Virginia. Robert Sr, Robert Jr & James removed to Virginia leaving David to pay the last year's rent. After arriving in Virginia his father purchased a tract and gave horses and a wagon that had been owned jointly as part pay. Robert Sr had conveyed his land on Kerr's Creek to Robert Jr and James. [The recorded division between Robert Jr & James was not recorded for some years, not untile 1812, but it did take place and Robert & James had each been paying tax on half for several years.]

With the information the family had been in Pennsylvania, I found the following tax records in Mount Joy Township, York County [now Adams County].
Series 3, Vol. XXI of the PA Archives.
1779: Lawson, David, Robert & Isaac. Only Robert was taxed for 1 horse, 1 cow
1780: Lawson, Robert Again taxed for 1 horse, 1 cow
and listed under "Young Men" was David Lawson, taxed 10#'s
1781: Lawson, Robert Taxed for 3 horses, 3 cows
Lawson, David listed under Single Men and taxed 2# 5sh
1782: Lawson Robert Taxes for 3 horses, 3 cows
Lawson, David "Single Men" 3 #'s
1783: Robert was gone as expected since the Court Case of David Vs his father & brothers said they had left PA before the last year of the lease was up. David Lawson still listed under "Single Men"
[There were no other Lawsons present in Mount Joy Township. There is at least one other Mount Joy Township in another counties in Pennsylvania - this one was in the old York and became part of Adams.]

19 Sep 1786 Subscribers at Hall's Meeting House when the Rev. Moses Hoge was called to serve the Old Monmouth Church includes Robert Lawson and Isaac Lawson. In 1788, the church agreed to build a new place of worship and their names were included. In August 1800, a subscription list was taken to raise funds to lathe, plaster & finish the church - this list does not include the Lawson.
In and Around Rockbridge, Rockbridge Baths, VA, Vol 2, No. 4., Fall 1995.

6 May 1788 Lawsuit. George Smith & Infant [his daughter Agnes] against Robert Lawson. Continued.
6 Aug 1788 Lawsuit for Slander. Agnes Smith by George Smith vs. Robert Lawson. A Jury was called. The Plaintiff had sustained damages from the malicious words of the defendant - Lawson - and was awarded 40sh and court costs. Court Orders, Vol. 3, p.138

In 1790, Robert Lawson was subscribed to a seat in the Meeting House of the New Monmouth Presbyterian Church. Rev. Wm Graham is known to have been the pastor there about the time he married David, Isabella & Robert Lawson [to Mary McCampbell]. Isaac Lawson subscribed to Rev. Graham's salary but the the date is unknown, and contributed to the building of the Meeting House in 1788. John Deal [Dale] was another subscriber to the building of the church.
From: A BRIEF SKETCH OF NEW MONMOUTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, c. 1902.


David Lawson, complainant Against Robert Senr, James, and Robert Junr.
By consent of parties by their attornies this case is submitted to be determination of John Crauthers William Lyles Ant. Alexander and James Gold, whose award is to be made the Judgement of this Court but in case they disagree they are to choose an umpire.
The above from Rockbridge Co. VA Court Order Book 1795-1799, Pg 19, may be more detail concerning the Chancery case

In 1795, Robert Sr did indeed have a son James, a son David, and the only other adult Robert, old enough to be sued, was the Robert who married Mary McCampbell. Many of the records from Rockbridge indicate an inconsistent way of using the term "Jr" - sometimes it was a son, much of the time it was not. In this case I think this is an attempt to settle a family dispute between Robert and his three sons, David, James & Robert.
This case in Chancery has been posted on the Library of Virginia website. The case was eventually put to arbitration - a final note in the file reads,
"Sir, if you pleas to dismis that sute that is in Cort as we have a greed it. Signed: David Lawson, Andrew Read [Read was the Court Clerk at that time]"
List of fees indicates the case was settled circa April 1795.
The case was a family dispute dating back to the time the Lawsons first came to Virginia. The plaintiff was David, the defendants his father Robert and brothers Robert Jr and James. They had come from the Kingdom of Ireland to Pennsylvania; David was the oldest son and had rented land in Pennsylvania for a term of three years for 125 bushels of wheat per year. He admitted his father to participate. Robert, Robert Jr & James had departed for Virginia, leaving David to pay the last year's rent. There was also a mare and wagon and horse that were owned in partnership, but his father had given them in payment for land in Virginia. Robert Sr had then divided his land on Kerr's Creek between Robert Jr & James. The answer by Robert Jr stated that they had all labored to produce the wheat left for the final year's rent and that there were cattle and hogs left in Pennsylvania to cover any debts, etc. left behind.

3 Nov 1802 James Lawson brought a writ of partition against Robert Lawson but then requested the suit be dismissed. They did eventually divide the lands of Robert Lawson. Court Order Bk 1802-1803, p.166

Included in a small notebook filmed by LDS [Microfilm #0033799, Item 2]
are surveys made by Alexander Campbell, Rockbridge Co surveyor, in 1785, and a record of several land transactions in 1806, all part of Treasury Warrant issued to Thomas Nowell for 1500 acres. In the book:
No. 1; 1 Sep 1806. Danl Ayers assignee of James Gold who was assignee of Stephen R. Price who was assignee of Thomas Nowell, re-enters 50 acres adjoining his own land, Thomas Thompson's, Robert Bean's and probably that of Andrew Walkup. By virture of a land office exchange, treasury warrant of 1500 acres dated 15 Jan 1806. A. Reid, CC
No. 2; 2 Sep 1806 Entered for Henry Hostator [same assignees as in No. 1. Henry was the father of David Hostetter who married Mary Ann Hicks, sister of Margaret Hicks.] 100 acres; line of Saml Miller, with Henry Banks's line to the top of the ridge called Noname, along the same to the foot of the mountain, along the foot of the mountain to David Lawson's lines, to Robt. Lawsons line, head water of Kerrs Crk. Treasury Warrant, etc.
There is something strange about the way Robert Lawsons surname is written in these first two entries - almost as though there was a middle initial W attached to the L, or that the name was Wauson and there are records for a family of that name in Rockbridge. David Lawsons' name is very clear.
No. 3; 3 Sep 1806 Entered for Henry Hostater [same] 50 acres adjoining Robert Lawson, Joseph Goodbars line, to lines of David Lawson and Robt Lawson. Head waters of Kerrs Creek. Etc.
No. 4; 6 Sep 1806 Hugh Irwin [same] 28 acres joining land of John Standoff, James Taylor's heirs and his own lands. Etc.
No. 5; 18 Oct 1806 Samuel Moore [same] 25 acres begin Jas. McClungs corner on South River, running with the river; joining land called Cassteels tract and the land sold by Michl. Miller to Jos. Dilworth & conveyed by Wm Moore. Etc.
No. 6; 27 Oct 1806 Joseph Bean [same] 50 acres each side Brattons run, joining land of Jacob Bean & the heirs of John Dunlap, dec'd, between Mill Mountain & Brattons Mountain.
No. 7; 31 Oct 1806 Benjamin Rea [same] 20 acres lying joining the Short Hill, lands of Hugh McCreary, James David, Jos. Rea, James Adair and land of the said Benj. Rea.
8 Nov 1806. Rec'd of Andrew Reid, land office exchange treasury Warrant #1813 of 1500 acres issued to Thos. Nowell on 15 Jan 1806, which was lodged in his office to make locations on while there was no surveyor. Signed: Andw. Alexander. Teste: McDowell Reid.
Note: This was only 323 acres of the total Warrant that had been assigned.

9 Nov 1809 Lawsuit. Thomas Bennington against Robert Lawson. It was dismissed by consent of the parties Order Bk 1809-1812, p.17
7 Jun 1810 Lawsuit. Job Bennington against Robert Lawson. Also dismissed by consent of the parties. Order Bk 1809-1812, p.93
Either of the above could have been against the younger Robert [son of Isaac] or Robert Lawson [son of Robert Sr] then living in Rockbridge - I believe Robert Sr was likely deceased. The cause was not given.
There is a case in Chancery: Robert Haslett v. Cyrus Hyde, 1828-004, in which Job Bennington and his sons were living next to James Lawson in 1821.

Various land and personal property tax records in Rockbridge show that Robert moved there by 1785 - in 1787 he declared David & James Lawson as being white males over age 21 in his household. James is proved as a son of Robert by the marriage record of his sister Isabella; David & Robert Jr. by the Chancery Court case. They all lived in close proximity and close to an Isaac Lawson who had been in Rockbridge tax records by 1782, a few years earlier. Robert Lawson married Mary McCampbell in 1792 - they are believed to have gone early to Kentucky, suggested by 1800 but I believe some twelve years later. When a Robert Jr begins to appear in the Rockbridge records, it's in 1799 when Isaac's household was reduced by an adult white male. Then Robert Jr married Margaret Hicks in 1800 and appears paying tax on land for the next few years. It would seem likely that the Robert who married Mary McCampbell was the son of Robert the elder but also older than Robert the son of Isaac Lawson. It would seem to be very likely that Robert "Jr" was actually the son of Isaac Lawson and called Junior because he was the younger of two men of the same name living in that community. Isaac also had a tract of land that bordered that of a Hicks family while Robert lived adjacent to some of the McCampbells. However, researchers in past years have listed the Robert who married Mary McCampbell as Isaac's son. Beginning with the year of the marriage record of Robert Jr to Margaret Hicks, Robert Jr does appear on the tax rolls - from 1800 through 1811, although most of the time he is listed in a separate district, confirmed by the 1810 census and the distance he lives from the other Lawsons. This younger Robert vanishes from Rockbridge after 1811; the other Robert disappears the following year - this perhaps is another reason why most have assumed they were father and son. But they did not apparently leave at the same time, nor do I believe they traveled to the same destination.

Land of Robert Lawson included 150 acres transferred from Hugh McFadden in 1785. A Robert Lawson had two Virginia land grants dated 5 Sep 1795 - one for 40 acres, adjacent land of Samuel Miller and one for 97 acres, adjacent John Dale. The 150 and 40 acre tracts were later divided equally with his son James as indicated by county tax records. One of the younger Robert Lawsons, paid tax on the 40 acres for a few years just prior to the division with James. The tax records also show a new survey of 20 1/2 acres each to James & Robert in 1812 - after that year, Robert no longer appears on the tax rolls in Rockbridge [I believe he had sold out]. I'm not sure this was not just a new survey of the 40 acres that Robert & James had already divided and he had been resurveyed. I believe the grant for 97 acres was to the Robert Lawson who married Mary McCampbell.

Here is more from the Virginia land patents - some indicating various neighbors of Robert Lawson. They also show that Robert did not live too far from Isaac:
Grant Book 33
p.142
Grant to Robert Lawson by virtue of Treasury Warrant #11397, issued on 12 Mar 1782, a parcel of 97 acres by Survey dated 3 May 1792, lying in the county of Rockbridge on the head waters of Kerrs Creek. Bounds begin corner to a Survey of John Dales and with his lines [the rest of the boundaries are metes and bounds]. 5 Sep 1795.
Note: deed of sale of this parcel in 1812 indicates it belonged to the Robert who married Mary McCampbell.
p.143
Grant to Robert McCampbell by virtue of Treasury Warrant #11396, issued on 12 Mar 1782 [notice this warrant is consecutive to the one above], 118 acres by Survey dated 25 Jan 1786, in the county of Rockbridge on the North side of Kerrs Creek. Begin corner to Samuel McCampbell's land; spring branch near a corner of John Dales land; corner of Joseph Goodbars Land and with his lines, ridge corner to said Goodbar and James Cunninghams land and with a line of Cunninghams land; bank of Kerrs Creek, corner to Robert McCampbells old Survey and with said Robert and Samuel McCampbells old surveys to the beginning. 5 Sep 1795.
p.144
Grant to Robert Lawson by virtue of a Military Warrant #1303 issued 16 Jun 1781 agreeable to the Proclamation of 1763, 40 acres by Survey dated 21 Apr 1784, lying in the County of Rockbridge on Kerrs Creek. Begin corner to his old survey; bank of Kerrs Creek, line of Samuel Millers. 5 Sep 1795.
Note: This appears to be 40 acres, later divided by James & Robert Lawson.
Then in Grant Book 36, p. 97
Grant to Isaac Lawson by virtue of a Treasury Warrant, #22223 issued 24 Dec 1783, 97 acres by Survey dated 2 Apr 1794, lying in the county of Rockbridge adjoining lands of Hugh Paul, his own lands, Blakely Brush and Robert Bains. Begin line of said Pauls land; with his own line, corner of said Brushs land and with his, Robert Baines line. 7 Sep 1796.
Grant Book 60, p.40
Grant to Samuel Miller, Treasury Warrant #4240 issued 29 Jul 1805, 300 acres by survey dated 21 Apr 1807, in county of Rockbridge on the head waters of Kerrs Creek, adjoining lands of Henry Hostetter, Robert Lawson, James Lawson and Henry Banks. Begin corner to Henry Banks, corner to Henry Hostetter, bank of the creek, corner to Robert Lawson and with his line, top of a ridge corner to James Lawson, Henry Banks line to the beginning. 12 Sep 1809.
Virginia Grant Book 62, p.232.
Isaac Lawson. For two Warrants - one an Exchange land office Treasurey Warrant, #1813 issued on 15 Jan 1806 for 50 acres, and the other for 21 acres, a Land office treasury warrant #4474 issued 24 Jun 1808. A total of 71 acres surveyed on 16 Feb 1810, in the county of Rockbridge. Bounded beginning at corner to John Simonds' heirs, with their line to another corner of John Simonds' heirs, Joshua Hicks, and the said Lawson, thence with Lawson's line; another corner of Lawson and John Campbell, then with lines of a late survey of Lawson's; corner of said late survey and Robert McCampbell and with his line, corner of McCampbell and Richard Simonds and with Simonds line to the beginning. Granted 21 Oct 1811.
Grant Book 64, p.53
Grant to Andrew Walkup, assignee of Robert Lawson, by Treasury Warrant 4474, issued 24 Jun 1808. Tract of two acres surveyed 10 Apr 1812, county of Rockbridge in the fork of two small branches of Carr's Creek. Begin north bank of one of the branches, corner to Robert Lawsons land, thence with his old line, line of James Cunningham's heirs, etc. 15 Sep 1813.


Now about the one Military Warrants to Robert Lawson. They were for military service in Virginia and since it's under one of the old British proclamations instead of one of those resulting after the Revolution, it's possible it's for service in the French & Indian Wars, or militia, prior to the Revolution.
Note: Since Robert was in Pennsylvania prior to Virginia, possibly a recent immigrant from Ireland, it is doubtful this is his Military Warrant - perhaps assigned from someone else.

I looked up the Proclamation of 1763 online and found the following:
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/proc1763.htm
And Whereas, We are desirous, upon all occasions, to testify our Royal Sense and Approbation of the Conduct and bravery of the Officers and Soldiers of our Armies, and to reward the same, We do hereby command and impower our Governors of our said Three new Colonies, and all other our Governors of our several Provinces on the Continent of North America, to grant without Fee or Reward, to such reduced Officers as have served in North America during the late War, and to such Private Soldiers as have been or shall be disbanded in America, and are actually residing there, and shall personally apply for the same, the following Quantities of Lands, subject, at the Expiration of Ten Years, to the same Quit-Rents as other Lands are subject to in the Province within which they are granted, as also subject to the same Conditions of Cultivation and Improvement; viz.
To every Person having the Rank of a Field Officer--5,000 Acres.
To every Captain--3,000 Acres.
To every Subaltern or Staff Officer,--2,000 Acres.
To every Non-Commission Officer,--200 Acres .
To every Private Man--50 Acres.


The following record could apply to either the younger or elder Robert Lawson living in Rockbridge:
11 Sep 1809 the Commonwealth against Robert Lawson, to the Grand Jury for failing to keep the Precinct of the Road whereof he is Overseer in good repair. After testimony, the case was dismissed. Court Orders, bk 1807-1809, p.437

1810 Census. Rockbridge Co VA, p.270
Robert Lawson, 2m -10, 1m 16-26, 1m +45, 3f -10, 1f 10-16, 1f 16-26, 1f +45 [The ages seem a bit old to be Robert Lawson & Mary McCampbell but I suspect that's who this Robert is - this has been assumed to be the elder Robert but I don't think that's necessarily so. It is possible that Robert & Mary were living with his parents but they should have been counted in the 26-45 category. James Lawson immediately following, with David Lawson a few entries down. Daughter Isabella's husband Samuel Dale is also counted next door to David Lawson. A younger Robert was not on this page but in another place several pages away.. Isaac Lawson Sr was also in Rockbridge in 1810 but not really near any of the others - but much closer to the young Robert. There did not seem to be three Robert Lawsons in 1810 unless two of them were living together.
David Lawson Jr. is also listed on this page with Robert, James & David; he was age 26-45 while the previous David was over age 45.
Other neighbors near Robert, David and James are significant in that their names appear in other documents, or marrying their children or children of Joshua Hicks - these names include a widow Margt. Simonds, Joseph Goodbar, Saml Miller, Jno Cunningham, Henry Hosteteller, Saml Dale, Wm Hatten, etc.
It is also noted that one of the younger Robert Lawson's neighbors was Nicholas Sping who married one of Margaret Hicks' sisters - none of his other neighbors are familiar names.

Marriage bonds from Rockbridge Co reveal the following:

1791 - James Lawson to marry Isabella Dale; signed by James & Samuel Dale
1792 - Robert Lawson to marry Mary McCampbell, bond signed by Robert Lawson & Samuel McCampbell
1793 - David Lawson to marry Hannah Dale; Bond signed by David Lawson & Samuell Deal
1793 - Samuel Dale to marry Isabella Lawson, signed by Samuel Deal & James Lawson. Permission given by her father, Robert Lawson; James Lawson swore that his sister Isabella was over age 21.

1799 - John Murphy to marry Elizabeth Lawson, daughter of Isaac Lawson; signed by John Murphy and Isaac Lawson
1800 - Robert Lawson to marry Margaret Hicks, daughter of Joshua Hicks; signed by Robert Lawson Jr and Joshua Hicks.
Daughters of Isaac Hicks also married:
1801 - Daniel McKammin to Isabella Lawson, daughter of Isaac; bond signed by Daniel McKinnon and Isaac Lawson
1808 - Samuel Miller married Nancy Lawson - her father not stated but an Agnes Miller was named as a daughter in Isaac's will [Nancy is seen sometimes as a nickname for Agnes. Isaac's wife and deed records indicate his wife was also Agnes but called Nancy.]

Notice that the above records seem to indicate that Robert's children David, James, Isabella, were married several years prior to Isaac's daughters Elizabeth & Isabell who married 1799 and 1801, respectively. Robert's marriage to Mary McCampbell took place in 1792, about the time of other children of Robert. The Robert who married Margaret Hicks - his marriage in 1800 places him among the children of Isaac. However, most researchers have placed the Robert who married McCampbell as the Robert of Isaac's will and the younger Robert as a son of the elder Robert. That would indicate that Robert who married McCampbell married some 7 years before any of the other children in Isaac's family married. This makes no sense in an age when children were usually two years apart and younger daughters often married before sons.

The following records could indicate a Robert Lawson is moving away from Rockbridge and after the 1812 tax rolls, he does not appear. He disappears about a year following the young Robert who married Margaret Hicks. Robert & Margaret apparently going to Tennessee; Robert & Mary to Shelby Co KY where she had relatives. Transcripts of these deeds have had errors when compared to the originals, probably leading to mis-interpretation in the past.

31 Aug 1812 Robert Lawson and his wife Mary of Rockbridge Co sell to Robert McCampbell for $1,000, a tract of land on the water of Carr's [Kerr's] Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA. This tract was partially bounded by lands of James Lawson and the heirs of James Cunningham.
Signed: Robert Lawson, Mary (x) Lawson
Rockbridge DB H, p.133
This tract was actually a parcel of 134 acres resurveyed 8 Jun 1812 and closly matches the description of the division of lands made between James & Robert Lawson on 31 Aug 1812 and mentions the corner of James Lawson; other markers refer to the markers in the Virginia Land Grant of 40 acres issued to Robert Lawson on 5 Sep 1795. This deed was acknowledged in court by Robert Lawson and Mary relinquished her dower.

05 Oct 1813 Robert Lawson and Mary his wife [her name given as Molly in the body of the deed but signed as Mary with her mark] sell to Andrew Walkup for $30, a ninety-four acre tract on the waters of Kerr's Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA.
Witnesses to Robert Lawson: Dale M. Mason, John Leyburn, James Bailey
Proved in court by the three witnesses.
Rockbridge DB H, p.166.
The transcript of this deed stated it was 4 acres but the original says ninety-four and has the exact same markers as the Virginia Grant of 97 acres to Robert Lawson, 1792. Since this second deed was proved by the witnesses and no dower release is recorded, perhaps Robert & Mary had already left Rockbridge Co.
Although many have interpreted these deeds to have been those of the eldest Robert Lawson, careful reading of the originals indicate this was Robert & Mary McCampbell, still in Rockbridge, selling his land and that divided with James that had belonged to his father. The formal agreement following, agreed to many years earlier, was also made on 31 August 1812, done in order for Robert & Mary to have clear title. The lawsuit of 1795 made clear that Robert Jr & James had actually purchased the land when their father was unable to pay for it.

"...of agreement made and entered into on this 31st day of August 1812 by and between James Lawson of the first part and Robert Lawson of the second part~~~~~Witnesseth that all parties do hereby agree to...of land lying at the head waters of Kerr's Creek in the county of Rockbridge in the state of Virginia which said land was jointly purchased by James & Robert Lawson and contains two hundred and eighty acres....
Signed: Jas. Lawson and Robert Lawson
Signed in the presents of Hugh Harper, Samuel McCampbell, Robert McCampbell..."
Rockbridge DB H, p.124


The Will of Robert McCampbell, dated 3 Jul 1815 in Rockbridge Co, reveals further connection between the Lawsons and McCampbells. He willed to his son Andrew McCampbell, the plantation known as the "Lawsons tract" and Isaac Lawson was one of the witnesses to the Will.
At this time, the only land that the Lawsons appeared to have owned, but no longer had was that land that had belonged to Robert Lawson, whose land disappeared off the tax rolls in 1813. Isaac, David & James all still had their original land in 1815. And Robert McCampbell had purchased that land from Robert Lawson in 1812 - probably the "Lawsons tract".

3 Mar 1823 Rockbridge DB N, p.445 John Tribut & Elisabeth his wife and George Egnar and Susannah his wife to Matthew White. An undivided interest in 1/6 of a tract on Kerrs Creek adjoining Samuel Miller and the tract sold by Robert Lawson and others, same tract sold by John Hostetter and wife to Frederick Siders on 15 Apr 1814. Robert Lawson had held one grant of land, the 40 acres, described as being adjacent to Samuel Miller.


It should be noted that there was also a Robert Wauson living in Rockbridge at this time. His records should not be confused with those of the Robert Lawsons. Lawson is also found spelled as "Lauson". There is even one deed indicating Robert Wauson may have lived near Robert Lawson. There are marriages of a Robert Wauson to Elizabeth Brush, daughter of Blakeley Brush [Brush was a neighbor of Isaac Lawson], 2 Nov 1790, and the minister was William Graham, Presbyterian.
Mary Wauson, daughter of Robert, married Philip Entsminger on 21 Mar 1792, William Graham, Presbyterian, Minister.
Hannah Wauson, daughter of Robert, married Andrew Stuart on 1 Mar 1796 [bond only].
Sarah Wauson married William Worley on 1 Mar 1796; minister, Elijah VanSant. Thomas Wauson married Rebecca Cowan, daughter of Samuel & Mary on 26 May 1803, minister was Daniel Blain, Presbyterian.
Rockbridge Co Marriages 1778-1850; Kirkpatrick




The following is a Robert Lawson that died in Richmond VA in 1803. I include his information here to make sure his records are not confused with those of the Robert Lawsons in Rockbridge Co. His wife was a Pierce and they lived in Prince Edward County, VA. No relataionship whatever is known to the Robert Lawsons of Rockbridge Co VA., but he certainly did serve in the Revolution and perhaps sometime in the past someone made a leap of faith and confused him with the Robert Lawson of Rockbridge.

Lawson, Robert (Va). Major 4th Virginia, 13th February, 1776; Lieutenant-Colonel, 13th August, 1776; Colonel, 19th August, 1777; resigned 17th December, 1777; served subsequently as Brigadier-General Virginia Militia.
Source: Heitman, Francis B. Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army During the War of the Revolution. Rev. ed. Washington, D.C.: The Rare Book Shop Pub. Co., 1914.

These following two notes from the "Virginia Regolutionary War Records" which show Robert Lawson eligible for bounty land which was likely in Kentucky.

LIST OF FIELD OFFICERS CHOSEN BY THE CONVENTION |R*|r
Williamsburg, Va., Jan. 13, 1776.
........4. Adam Steven, Isaac Read and Robert Lawson.

4) LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE ARMY AND NAVY, WHO HAVE RECEIVED LANDS FROM VIRGINIA FOR REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES; THE QUANTITY RECEIVED, THE TIME OF SERVICE FOR WHICH EACH OFFICER RECEIVED LAND, &C. DOWN TO SEPTEMBER, 1833.
Lawson, Robert B. G. [Brigadier General] Cont'l. 10000 Nov. 21, 1784 3 years
Source Information: Ancestry.com. Virginia Revolutionary War Records [database online]. Orem, UT: Ancestry.com, 1998. Original data: Brumbaugh, Gaius Marcus. Revolutionary War Records, Volume 1, Virginia. Washington D.C.: 1936

In the manuscripts at Duke University Library:
Robert Lawson Papers, 1776-1825 (bulk 1781). 40 items. Richmond, Va.
Correspondence and papers of Robert Lawson (d. ca. 1802), brigadier general of the Virginia Militia during the American Revolution. Chiefly letters to Lawson concerning the raising, reenforcement, and movement of troops in Virginia and North Carolina in 1781. Several concern Lawson's possible reenforcement of Nathaniel Greene's troops. Correspondents include Thomas Jefferson, Baron Von Steuben, John P. Muhlenberg, and Richard Henry Lee. Also an account book (1776, Sept.-Dec.) relating to Lawson's service with the 4th Virginia Battalion., military commissions, letters of introduction (1787) for Lawson from George Mason and Henry Lee to Pierce Butler, Charles Pinckney, and William Few.

Death

Bef Aug 1812

Rockbridge County, Virginia

Child	David Lawson (1763 - 1823)
Child	James Lawson (1765 - )
Child	Isabella Lawson (1766 - 1850)
Child	Robert Lawson (1770 - 1838)

Father	Living
Sibling	Isaac Lawson ( - 1821)