Individual Details

James was listed as a white male, over age 21, in Robert's household on the Personal Property Tax rolls of Rockbridge Co in 1787 so he was born by 1765 or possibly a few years earlier. I have estimated the 1765; he could have been older.

1 Nov 1790 Lawsuit. James Lawson Against Robert Hanson?? & Catherine his wife. Case for Slander. Defendants pled not guilty and found not guilty by the jury. James Lawson to pay court costs. Court Orders, Vol 3, p.343

James testified that his sister, Isabella, was over age 21 in 1793. Her father, Robert Lawson, gave permission for her marriage to Samuel Dale at that time.

James Lawson married Isabella Dale, 31 May 1791, Rockbridge Co VA. Her brother Samuel Dale testified that Isabella was over age 21. Samuel Dale then married James' sister, also named Isabella, in 1793. The minister was Rev. John Brown, Presbyterian.
I find it interesting that the Dales and the Lawsons both used the name - Isabella - a name not as common as some. Robert Lawson lived next to the Dales in Rockbridge - had they known each other previously, perhaps even moving at the same time? Their were three intermarriages of the Dales and the Lawsons in a single generation - was there a previous kinship or acquaintance? Dale researchers claim an Alexander Dale who married Isabella Gilmore as the patriarch of the Dales who came to Rockbridge. A Chancery Court case does list Alexander as the father of John and Samuel Dale. John Dale sold property to David Lawson.

There is a second marriage in Rockbridge for a James Lawson. It is known from Isaac's will that he also had a son named James and that marriage is usually attached to him. I always thought Isaac's James might have been a bit too young to marry a widow in 1810. Evidence in a chancery court case reveals that this James, son of Robert, was married a second time to the following:
James Lawson to Mrs. Mary Taylor, 15 Mar 1810, D. Blain [Rev] officiated.
Mary Taylor was the widow of Daniel Taylor. Rev. Blain was Presbyterian.


In 1805, the tax rolls show that Robert divided two of his parcels of land with James. One was 150 acres, the other was 40 acres. James continued to declare and pay tax on his share of 95 acres for several years. In 1812, they divided another tract of 41 acres, each taking 20 1/2. In 1813, Robert disappeared from Rockbridge Co. James continued to be present until 1826 when the transcriptions end.

8 May 1807 Lawsuit. William Bradley vs. James Lawson. James Cunningham summoned as witness but was intoxicated and fined $5. Case continued. Court Orders, Bk 1805-1807, p.525

3 Sep 1807 James Lawson against John W. Walker on appeal from the Judgement of Joseph Grigsby Esqr. The case was found for the original Judgement and affirmed. John Walker to recover damages. Isaac Lawson was security for appellant [James]. Court Order, Bk 1807-1809, p.328.
I doubt that Isaac's son James was of age to be sued in 1807 but it is possible this was his case, not the James who married Isabella Dale.

1810 Census. Rockbridge.
James Lawson: 2m under 10, 1m 10-16, 2m 16-26, 1m 26-45 [James]. 1f under 10 and 1f age 26-45. The names of the children of James are not known by me but it's obvious there were several.


I received the following in email without further documentation but it was obviously an action taken sometime after Robert Jr had left Rockbridge Co. This may in fact have been a transaction at the same time Robert & wife Mary sold land in Rockbridge. The 280 acres would have been the total amount of Robert Sr's land holdings.
"...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 ...jointly purchased by said farmer Robert Lawson [note this error - the orginial says jointly purchased by James & Robert Lawson] and contains two hundred and eighty acres...beginning...
Signed: James Lawson and Robert Lawson
Signed in the presents of Hugh Hogan, Samuel McCampbell, Robert McCampbell..."
The above would suggest that James and Robert, though they were each paying tax on half of Robert's original property, had not ever legalized their land division and are now doing so. One of the chancery court records does mention this division of land between the brothers. I think it is possible this division took place at the time of Robert Sr's death, so that the brothers could then dispose of their shares as they wished. Robert Jr apparently sold his and went to Shelby Co KY where his wife's family was living. James eventually lost his share because of debt.

In 1792, David Lawson stated in a Court case that his father Robert Lawson had divided his Rockbridge land on Kerr’s [Carr’s] Creek between James and Robert Jr. James & Robert each began paying tax on half the land in 1805 although apparently no official deed was made.

Rockbridge Co VA, Deed Book H, p.124
Article of Agreement made and entered into this 31st day of August 1812 by and between James Lawson of the one part and Robert Lawson of the other part –
Witnesseth that the said parties do hereby agree to divide a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being on the head waters of Kerrs Creek in the County of Rockbridge in the State of Virginia which said land was jointly purchased by said James & Robert Lawson and contains two hundred & Eighty Acres to be the same more or less. We do agree to divide said Land in the following manner to wit – Beginning at a red oak (old marked) and a hickory & hornbeam (new marked) by a branch of sd creek a corner to the said James & Robert Lawson; division Line also corner to the lands of James Cuningham dec’d, thence North fourteen degrees East twenty four poles to a dead Black Oak on a bank and Dogwood & small hickory (new marked), North forty seven & a half Degrees West sixteen poles to a white Oak Stump and black oak (now marked), North Eighty six degrees West thirty poles to a white Oak, South fifty four degrees West sixty poles to a white oak on a ridge (old marked) and a hickory & two Dogwoods (now marked),
North eighty eight and a half degrees West fifty six poles to a white oak on sd. Ridge, North Seventy Eight degrees West thirty poles to a white oak on sd ridge, North sixty degrees West Eighteen poles to two Chesnut Oaks on sd. Ridge. The just and true performance of each and every of the above contracts we bind ourselves our heirs Executors jointly & severally by these presents under the penal sum of two thousand Dollars – As Witness our hands and Seals this day and year first above written
Sixty poles was interlined before Signing
Jas. Lawson [Seal]
Robert Lawson [Seal]
Sit: Hugh Harper, Saml. McCampbell, Robert McCampbell
At Rockbridge County Court August 31, 1812
An Agreement between James & Robert Lawson was acknowledged in Court and ordered to be recorded.
A Copy – Attest: Aw. Reid, CRC [Andrew Reid, Clerk of Rockbridge County]

Note: one half of the above 280 acres would be approximately 140 acres to each. The land I can find for Robert Sr was 150 acres from Hugh McFadden and two grants for 40 acres and 97 acres in 1795. That does total 287 acres. However Robert and Mary sold a tract of 130 acres and then another of 94 whose description perfectly matches the grant of 97 acres from 1795 – which seems to indicate that grant was to Robert Jr, not Sr. James Lawson paid tax on half of 150 acres [75] and half of 40 acres [20] for a total of 95 acres from 1805 -1811. Robert paid tax during the same years on 75, 20, and 97 acres. Except in 1812 they both had added 20.5 acres from a “new survey”. In 1813 Robert does not appear since he'd sold all his land. Perhaps the old surveys were in error as far as the acreage was concerned.


1820 Census. Rockbridge.
James had only himself, over age 45, and a female of the same age. All children gone from the household.

From 1822 through 1826, James Lawson is listed on the personal property tax rolls of Rockbridge [LDS #1905710] variously as James Lawson Senr and just James Lawson. There was never a James Jr, nor was there ever two Jameses in these years. After 1826 no James Lawson appears at all - of course if he owned nothing, he would have nothing to declare.

It is possible that there were two James Lawsons, father and son, yet the court cases refer to the same land, same acquaintances, etc. A James Lawson seems to be involved in some of the court cases until the 1840's and evidence is in some of them back in the early 1820's.

A James Lawson doesn't appear in the 1830 or the 1840 census in Rockbridge, but he appears to have been alive and involved in law suits for some time following. The cases are listed here by date of the final disposition or dismissal of the case. Many of them began years earlier so therefore the information contained in the files is not in date order.

Chancery Court Case, Rockbridge Co VA
Robert Haslett v. Cyrus Hyde, etc.
1828-004
Robert Haslett filed a bill of complaint requesting an injunction to stop Cyrus Hyde from selling horses Hyde had taken from him as security for a debt of Job Bennington's. In the course of the case, we discover that Robert Haslett was living with James Lawson at the time he secured Bennington's debt. Robert won his case in this court and was advised he could file to recover his damages and he did file for $1000 in damages. Among the witnesses called from 4 Aug 1825 until 29 July of 1828 were James and John Lawson. The notes on the backs of the various summons stated the Lawsons were served. No final disposition of this case is in the file.


Also James appeared to be alive as late as 1837 when he was deposed for the following case. [And a later case in the Court of Appeals was in 1844 - James would certainly have been in his 80's by then]

Chancery Court Case, Rockbridge Co VA
Edward McKenry/McHenry v. Admr. of Cyrus Hyde [William Ingles]
Case 1837-011
Date of the case was 22 Apr 1836. McKenry had not filed all the paperwork and had not signed a security bond.
17 Apr 1837. The defendant was granted leave to file his answer
21 Sep 1837. The court decreed that the injunction awarded the Plaintiff McKenry on 22 Apr 1836 to restrain the defendant William Ingles from further proceedings is dissolved by the order of the Court; his bill is dismissed and he is to pay the defendant his costs. So McKenry lost his case. [As usual the case seemed to be about debts and land boundaries.]
Deposition was taken of James Lawson on 27 March 1837. This was a question and answer session with both sides asking the questions, and both objected to some of the questions. The defendant objected to each question on the grounds that Lawson was an interested witness; however Lawson was obviously permitted to answer. Lawson testified that a short time after Cyrus Hyde purchased a tract of land which was sold under two deeds of trust to satisfy debts to he owed to Robert and Mathew White and others, Hyde had come to the house where Lawson lived and told him he must leave it because he had sold it to Edward McKenry. There is another debt which John H. Hyde alleges he owed him when Robert White became his bail and that was included in the trust to indemnity Robert White.
Before Hyde sold the land he came there one day in company with McKenry - there was snow on the ground - they rode over the meadows and through the fields and about, then came to the house. Hyde showed him the houses and kitchen. I never heard him say anything about the boundaries of the land. I don't think Hyde knew then that there was an entry there.
The question was asked whether or not the part of the land called the entry was in Lawson's possession at the time of the sale under the Trust and whether or not it was always considered part of the tract where Lawson resided. Lawson stated the tract was in his possession at the time of the sale under the Trust and when Hyde sold in to McKenry and was always considered part of the tract and was left out of the trust only by mistake. When White drew up the trust deed, “I took him my deed for part of the land and my patent for the entry, but the entry was omitted and that fact not noticed for several years afterwards. Although the patent is in my name, I considered my brother Robert as owner of half of it; the division line is a matter of record. I have only paid taxes on half of the entry. The Patent was for 41 acres." [This was a tract divided in 1812 - in the tax records that year, Robert Sr & James each pay tax on 20 1/2 acres.]
Lawson always believed that the patent entry was included in the sale. The land was sold at his house and Hyde bought all that was in the Trust deed.
The question was asked if any part of the entry was enclosed with lands Lawson had purchased from McFaddin. He stated that the Patent land runs with Miller & McFaddin lands, more than 150 poles at the McFaddin line. The entry was all in woods except a small patch on the hill, 4 or 5 acres enclosed with the McFaddin land.
Lawson supposed that McKenry was better acquainted with the land than Hyde because McKenry was raised in the neighborhood and knew all of the lands.
Lawson answered that he had above 100 acres excluding his half of the entry. McKenry had been in possession of the entry and the other land and made use of it ever since the purchase.
Lawson believed that Hyde had bounded the deed to McKenry by the lands of the neighbors and in that way he had included the entry.
[Note: the lands in dispute here will be discussed again in the case of James Lawson v. Cyrus & John H. Hydes' administrators. Several of the deeds were cited and copied in both suits.]

The deeds involved in this case were exhibited:

12 May 1821 James Lawson and wife to David Hopkins. James Lawson is justly indebted to Robert White in the sum of 39#'s and two pence by note dated 17 Jan 1821 and also to Matthew White in the sum of 10#'s 15 shillings by note dated 17 Jan 1821. Robert White has become the security for the prison bounds for said James Lawson in several cases for which the said Lawson was committed to prison in the said County of Rockbridge and the said White has become appearance bail for Lawson in several cases now in Suit in the county. In order to indemnify the said Robert White, I sell to him the parcel of land on a branch of the James River called Kerrs Creek between the house mountain and the north mountain, being the one equal half or moiety originally purchased by said James Lawson and Robert Lawson from Hugh McFadden and wife. The boundaries are described by metes and bounds; no neighbors named. If default is made in payment of the debts, then Hopkins may proceed to sell the tract of land at public sale to the highest bidder. Signed: Jas. Lawson, Davd. Hopkins
Acknowledged by Lawson on 12 May 1821; further acknowledged by Hopkins on 2 Jun 1821.

30 Jun 1821 James Lawson to David Hopkins. Reference to the deed of trust on record. In order to secure more effectually the debts. Tract of land on the waters of Kerrs Creek, 129 acres which includes the tract already conveyed to said Hopkins.
Signed: Jas. Lawson, Davd. Hopkins. Acknowledged by Lawson & Hopkins on 14 Jul 1821 and admitted to record.

23 Jul 1821 James Lawson to David Hopkins. Lawson has executed two deeds of trust to the said Hopkins. To confirm the deeds aforesaid. The said Lawson has procured Robert White of Lexington to become his security in a bond or note of land to John H. Hyde in the sum of $114.71, payable 12 months after date. Also to secure John H. Hyde for the further sum of $140.51 payable in six months. Tract of land on waters of Kerrs Creek adjoining lands of John Moore, Charles Watts & others being the whole of the land said Lawson holds and also personal property: gray horse, bay mare & colt, two cows, two-year-old heifer, 20 sheep, 10 head of hope, bureau, cupboard, two beds & bedding, one-third of seventeen acres of small grain and a large wash kettle. Robert White is now special Bail for James Lawson in a suit brought against him by James Gold, Joseph Blair & Matthew White and John H. Hyde will become special bail in the place of said White.
Signed: Jas. Lawson, Davd. Hopkins. Acknowledged by Lawson & Hopkins on 23 Jul 1821.

29 Nov 1826 David Hopkins Trustee to Cyrus Hyde. James Lawson did by two deeds of Trust on 12 May 1821 and 30 Jun 1821 did for the benefit of Robert & Matthew White deed a parcel of land on the waters of Kerrs Creek where Lawson now resides containing 129 ½ acres adjoining lands of Preston Dunlap, Samuel Miller, John Moore and others. The said James Lawson has failed to comply with the conditions and Hopkins has proceeded to sell said land. Hyde was the highest bidder at the sum of $450.92.
Signed: Davd. Hopkins. Wit: W. B. Sterrett, Wm Infle, Wm Windle.
Proved by oaths of the witnesses thereto and admitted to record 29 Nov 1826.
Note: In 1821, James Lawson did pay tax on 129 acres of land - 75, 20, 20.5 which he had paid on for years - half of his father's land - and a new survey which added 13.5 acres to the 20.5 acre tract.

11 Jan 1827 Deed from Cyrus Hyde to Edward McKenry. The tract on the waters of Kerrs Creek of 125 acres conveyed to me by David Hopkins, Trustee for Robert & Matthew White with the exception of five acres kept by Hyde off the upper end [hard to read but I believe Hyde was saying that this small acreage was claimed by Job Bennington]. Land is adjacent John Moore, Preston Dunlap, Samuel Miller and others and formerly owned by James Lawson. Acknowledged by Cyrus Hyde and ordered recorded 5 Feb 1827.



Another Chancery Court Case
Admr of Cyrus Hyde [William Ingles] v. Admr of John Morris [John Morris Junr], etc
Index 1844-027
This case did not end until 1844. It was a case of the administrators of two Rockbridge men fighting over debts owed. The paper trail is most confusing and covers at least a twenty year period and one of the bonds concerned John Lawson - a bond which Hyde had purchased. I was never quite sure what James Lawson's role was, but he was named in one of papers as being a co-defendant of John in an earlier county court case.
Within the file was this document:
Rockbridge County Court:
William Taylor for the benefit of Joseph Blair, in Debt against:
John Morris, James Lawson & John Lawson, defendants
1824, April Judgment on delivery Bond for $80.20. to be discharged by payment $40.10. Balance with interest from 29 Sep 1823 until paid and $5.94 costs. No security to be taken.
Copy of sheriffs return:
Rec'd Apr 10 1824. Executed on some household furniture of John Lawson, afterwards satisfied by order of Pltfs attorney, herewith filed. Signed: Jacob G. Sheltman, Deputy Sheriff for Joseph Gilmore, SRC
The sheriff of Rockbridge will return an execution in the name of William Taylor for benefit of Jos. Blair v. Jno Morris, James Lawson etc. satisfied. 12 Jun 1824
Signed: C. P. Dorman, Atty for pltf

Documents in the case include the following:
2 Jul 1827. Agreement between Cyrus Hyde & Jno Morris. C. P. Dorman, trustee for Jno Lawson is about to sell under a deed of trust for the benefit of Lawson, John Morris's tract of land. The sd Morris shall pay to sd Hyde whatsoever amount the sd Hyde may pay in the event of his becoming the purchaser, with interest on or before the 1st of Decembert next & pay annually the interest on Debt due from Morris to Hyde secured by deed of Trust on sd land. In that case, Hyde agrees to give Morris the privilege of redeeming sd land at any time within five years from this date.
Signed: John Morris, Cyrus Hyde. Acknowledged and recorded 2 Jul 1827. Copied for chancery case 3 Jul 1841.

10 Jan 1831 Indenture. Charles P. Dorman, Trustee to Cyrus Hyde. John Morris did on 3 May 1824, execute to Dorman a trust deed in order to secure John Lawson as security for sd Morris in a delivery bond upon a judgment obtained by Wm. Taylor for Joseph Blair against sd Morris, James Lawson and John Lawson. John Lawson did become liable and did pay the sd judgment by virtue of a trust deed in 1828. Pursuant to the provisions of that trust deed, after duly advertising the land, Dorman sold the same at public auction at which sale Hyde was the highest bidder and purchased the land for $32.11. I now convey to Hyde said tract of land. Signed: Charles P. Dorman

19 Apr 1843 Deposition of Joseph Goodbar. The question was asked if Goodbar bought part of the land from Morris that was in the trust and had it in his possession. He replied that he got a bond on him for a price before Lawson got the trust. The land was not surveyed but was maybe fifteen acres; he was given a title bond. “I don't remember the date but it was 18 years or more ago.” He did not have the bond recorded because John McCorkle or Joseph Allen took it and he had not seen it since. He never got the title. The old man had promised to give him the title, but died without doing it. "None of the heirs have promised me to give me the title, but they are bound for it."

The outcome of the suit was that the estate of Morris did indeed owe the estate of Hyde; land that had belonged to Morris was sold to pay the debt, 13 Aug 1844.



I'm sure the following case was devastating to James Lawson, both in the time and money it must have consumed, and the final outcome.
James Lawson v. Admr of Cyrus Hyde and Adm of John H. Hyde
Case 1845-002
This case had some 205 pages in the file.

The case began 24 July 1824 as James Lawson v. Cyrus Hyde, John H. Hyde and David Hopkins. Lawson was pleading for an Injunction to restrain the defendants from selling his land. However, the land was sold in 1827 - following that date it became a case in pursuit of damages.
4 Mar in 1843 [the document has the date 1843, but is surrounded by notes that give the earlier date - this must surely have been 1834 and was recorded in error. Other cases show Hyde was dead in the 1830's.] Cyrus Hyde is reported dead.
By 21 Jun 1836, the case had become that of James Lawson v. William Ingles, admin of Cyrus Hyde and Warwick Cameron, admin of John Hyde.

Lawson won the case in 1838:
19 Nov 1838 the case was heard. The injunction awarded the plaintiff is perpetuated as far as it related to the personal property. It appears to the Court that the tract of land which was embraced in the deed of trust from James Lawson to David Hopkins, dated 30 Jun 1821, has been sold under said deed of trust. Cyrus Hyde was the purchaser thereof at a grossly inadequate price. Hyde afterwards, on the 18 Jan 1827 sold the same to Edward McHenry for $980, $700 in hand and the residue in three payments - $100 payable in 2 years from the date of sale, $100 payable in 4 years and $80 payable in 6 years. This purchase money affords a fair criterion for estimating the value of the land which was sacrificed in consequence of the illegal corrupt extortionate practices of Cyrus Hyde. The estates of John & Cyrus Hyde are to pay to James Lawson the sum of $507.68 ¾ with interest. Cyrus Hyde's estate should be first subjected to payment of the balance but the court will hold the estate of John H. Hyde also responsible in case the estate of Cyrus Hyde shall prove insufficient. It is adjudged and decreed that William Ingles, admr of Cyrus Hyde dec'd do out of the assets of his intestate pay to James Lawson the sum of $506.68 ¾ with interest from 10 Jan 1827 until paid, and William Ingles and Warwick Cameron, admr de bonis non [appointed administrator for the purpose of this particular lawsuit] do pay out of the assets of their respective intestates to the plaintiff his costs in prosecution of this suit.

But this case was appealed by the administrators of the Hyde brothers and the decision was reversed. The decision of the Court of Appeals is very difficult to read:
16 Jun 1845. The Court of Appeals in Greenbriar Co, in Lewisburg, heard the case beginning the 31st day of August 1844. The sale made by trustee David Hopkins under the deeds executed by said James Lawson to secure the notes due to Matthew & Robert White and for the indemnity of Robert White was not put in issue by the bill of proceedings in this cause. That if it was proper to look into the evidence upon that question, there is no proof whatever impeaching the fairness of the sale or shown to affect the right of the said Cyrus Hyde to purchase the land. The decision that said Cyrus Hyde & John Hyde or either of them was responsible to Lawson for the sum which the land was afterwards sold by Cyrus Hyde was erroneous. The Court is of the opinion that the said Cyrus Hyde had notice of the purpose for which the land for one hundred dollars was executed by James to David Lawson and assigned to said Cyrus Hyde and by him assigned to John H. Hyde. That it was given without any consideration later in said James & David Lawson and for the purpose of being passed to Cyrus Hyde to relieve the property of David from the levy and distress and therefore the same should be considered as a security for the amount of the claims due and no more.
[more follows that is very difficult to read but the final outcome was plain enough]
It is therefore decreed that the aforesaid be reversed and annulled. Lawson is to pay the Appellants costs in the prosecution of the appeal. The decree of chancery, 19 Nov 1838 is reversed and annulled.

The original complaint of James Lawson is dated 18 May 1824. James was attempting to stop the sale of his land by Cyrus Hyde. His lawyer was wordy and jumped back and forth on the charges but the following is what I can make of it. Cyrus Hyde had purchased from Dennis Conner, a Bond on David Lawson [I believe this to have been the younger David, son of David Lawson - later testimony will show he was James Lawson's son-in-law, evidently married to a daughter of James; she would also have been his 1st cousin] & John Foran [or Foreand] which had been assigned to Cyrus Hyde's brother John H. Hyde. James Lawson had agreed to be security. James suggested that Cyrus Hyde had coerced him into signing, by insisting there was no risk as Foreand had a valuable piece of property. David Lawson and Foreand had defaulted and James Lawson was requested to pay. In 1819, Cyrus Hyde had come to the house of David Lawson “who is an illiterate & ignorant man” and took away his cattle on Execution of a judgment of Matthew White's, even though David Lawson insisted White had agreed to take shingles in payment of the debt. James Lawson accused the Hyde brothers of colluding in speculation. In 1821, James Lawson was sued for want of appearance bail and was in prison. [David Lawson & Foreard were no longer of the commonwealth so James seems to have taken the rap as their security.] A bounds bond signed by Robert White as security had allowed Lawson's release. In order for him to be released Cyrus & John Hyde had pretended to be friendly and induced him to agree to a deed of trust on his plantation of 128 acres for his release. Cyrus induced James Gold to release Lawson. The deed of Trust to secure his release was executed to David Hopkins as trustee. He questioned whether or not Cyrus Hyde had ever had the authority to execute the judgment of Matthew White and seize the cattle; he accused the Hydes of usury [the interest on the debts appeared to be more than the law allowed]. James insisted he had paid Cyrus Hyde certain of the debts. He claimed Hyde was attempting to charge him for a charge ticket to Agniss [sic] Lawson which he did not owe. Finally, he was requesting a restraining order to stop the sale of his land re the deed of trust.
26 Jul 1824. Order to sustain the defendant David Hopkins, trustee, in a deed of Trust for the benefit of John H. Hyde from proceeding to sell the land in said deed of trust until further order of this court. But the effect of this Injunction is suspended until the plaintiff [James Lawson] enters into bond with sufficient security with the Clerk of the Court in the penalty of $200 for the payment of all cost and damages the defts may sustain in consequence of this Injunction

The answer of Cyrus Hyde was dated 12 Jul 1827. He stated he had never purchased the bond on David Lawson & John Foreand from Dennis Conner - it was acquired by John H. Hyde. David Lawson himself had requested that Cyrus Hyde ask James Lawson to sign as his security and James had been willing. They were in the habit of signing for each other. James was well acquainted with the circumstances of the bond and he was sure he was notified of the default. He was not jailed for this bond but for appearance bonds on other matters. James well knew the circumstances of David Lawson & Foreand, as the former was his son-in-law and both of them his near neighbors. Hyde said he knew David Lawson & Foreand were not in affluent circumstances, but believed they had sufficient property to pay their debt. At the time judgment was rendered on this bond, James Lawson was at that time in prison under other processes for want of appearance bail. Those suits were prosecuted by Mathew White, Joseph Blair & James Gold with another suit by Matthew White alone. While he was in jail judgment issued in three other cases, a suit of Robt White against Saml Chandler & James Lawson, another of James Gold against John Campbell & James Lawson, and a third of Thos. Anderson against Thos. Bodkin & James Lawson. Cyrus Hyde never acted fraudulently. He did take cattle from the property of said David Lawson in 1819, acting in his capacity as deputy sheriff. He believes David Lawson did say something about Matthew White agreeing to take shingles from him in payment but the said White had not agreed. David then mentioned that would make a sale of the property to his father-in-law.
While James Lawson was in jail, he obtained the benefit of prison rules by executing bounds bonds with Robert White as his security. [I believe the bounds bonds were a guarantee that upon release from prison, the person would remain within the “bounds” of the said jail, or within the county.] James Lawson agreed with John H. Hyde to settle for the debt assigned to him by Dennis Connor. James Gold also consented to release Lawson.
The bill against Agness Lawson seems to have been included in the settlement by mistake. “The said Agness Lawson, the person who was actually responsible, was, as Hyde believes, good for the money.” [Agnes was the widow of Isaac Lawson - other papers in the file indicate this bill was in reference to her dower settlement]
In the month of December last [1826] the trustee did proceed to sell the property. Robert White bid a sum sufficient to pay off the debts to him. Hyde thereupon bid a small sum more and the said land was struck off to him - so he became the purchaser of the land and it has since been sold [to McKenry] with exception of a few acres.
The deed for the sale of Lawson's land is in the above case of Edward McKenry v. Hyde. 11 Jan 1827 Deed from Cyrus Hyde to Edward McKenry. This is the same tract that Lawson is attempting to save here - it was all the land he owned in Rockbridge.
John H. Hyde died sometime between 16 Sep 1825 and July of 1826.
Cyrus Hyde died in Nov of 1833

There are a number of depositions in this case that give more information about James Lawson. He was apparently jailed for failure to appear on at least two cases of debt against him - he was unable to post the appearance bond. Several other judgments were served against while he was in jail. One of the cases appeared to have something to do with his wife, the widow Mary Taylor, and perhaps debts of her first husband, Daniel Taylor. This case is a bit curious since it also involves Isaac Lawson, perhaps indicating a family relationship. However since the other judgments were against James, son of Robert, it seems that this case cannot be against the James who was a son of Isaac.
23 Apr 1821
Danl. Taylors excors v. Mary Taylor, etc for the benefits of J. Gold, J.Blair & M.White.
Rockbridge Co Court
John Taylor & William Taylor, Executors of Daniel Taylor, dec'd
For the benefit of J. Gold, J.Blair & M. White, pltf
In Debt
Against
James Lawson & Mary his wife formerly Mary Taylor and Isaac Lawson, deft.
23 Apr 1821. Response returnable to the next June Term
Sheriff made the following return:
Executed on James Lawson & Mary Lawson formerly Mary Taylor. Ro White bail for James Lawson. No bail taken of Mary Lawson by order of Plaintiffs attorney after I execute the same & brought her to town for want of bail. Isaac Lawson is dead.
Signed: Cyrus Hyde, DS for Wm Moore SRC
And at Rockbridge Co Court June term 1821
Robert White became Special bail for the defendant James Lawson
Appearance bond in said case bears date 12 May 1821
Teste: James McD Reid, DC [deputy clerk]
The Sheriff of Rockbridge Co ordered to take Isaac Lawson, James Lawson & Mary his wife formerly Mary Taylor, and have their bodies before the Justices of our court on the Monday before the first Tuesday in Jun next to answer John Taylor & William Taylor, executors of Daniel Taylor dec'd on a plea of debt for 78 #'s, 7sh. Damages of $50. 23 Apr 1821. The within named female defendant is not required by law to give a bail bond for her appearance.
Executed on James Lawson and Mary Lawson formerly Mary Taylor. Ro. White bail for James Lawson. No bail taken of Mary Lawson by order of Plaintiffs attorney after I executed the writ & brought her to Town for want of bail. Isaac Lawson Dead. Signed: Cyrus Hyde DS [deputy sheriff] for Wm Moore SRC [sheriff of Rockingham Co]
Although the complaint bill and various documents give the name just as David Lawson, I believe it must surely be David Lawson, Junior, son of David that was involved here. There were several receipts, etc. in the file showing his name as David Lawson “Jr”
One of these was a June, 1818, bill [or ticket] for court costs signed by A. Reid. His name was plainly David Lawson Jr.
Another note is likely this David:
David Lawson is fined 75 cents for absence of Muster 13 June 1818.

The “ticket” or list of court costs of Agness Lawson, mistakenly added to the debts of James Lawson showed the following:
1822 Agness Lawson To the Clerk of Rockbridge County
Jany Docketing motion for dower
Feby Recording assignment of dower



This John Lawson who appears in the above court case of Hyde v. Morris, not known to belong to another family, is very likely a son of James:
John Lawson married Margaret Brown, 15 Oct 1816. She was the widow of Edward Brown. They were married by Andrew B. Davidson, Presbyterian.
1816 is the first time John appears listed responsible for his own personal property tax, 1 white male over the age of 16 with 1 horse, at Thomas Baskin's.
In 1815 James Lawson reported 3 males over the age of 16, and in 1816 he only reports 2 white males over 16, meaning a son either moved away or died. No other Lawson household, in which we know there were children, had a John for a son and looses a male over the age of 16 in this year.
A Chancery Court case of 1817: John Jordan v. Brown's Heirs, names the children of Edward Brown as Jane, Mary, Edward & Margery. John Lawson was also one of the defendants as his wife was Margery, late Margery Brown, widow of Edward Brown. James Bodkins and Henry Peters were also named as defendants, but a note states they are "not inhabitants". There are only two papers in this folder and little information is available.
Margaret's maiden name was apparently Bodkin - she married as Margery Bodkin to Edward Brown on 26 Dec 1806 in Rockbridge. A later case reveals that the child Edward died young. Jane married James B. Holt, 24 Feb 1825. Mary married John Kiger. The young Margery/Margert married William Wallace.

In 1840, John Lawsons household had included the following:
1m under 5, 1m 15-20, 1m 40-50
3f 15-20, 1f 20-30. Would appear his wife was already deceased.

One online database gives John Lawson's wife as Martha McCampbell, daughter of James McCampbell and Margaret Logan. Another gives his wife as Margaret Brown and there is a marriage recorded in Rockbridge for John Lawson to Margaret Brown, 15 Oct 1816. Court cases indicate that indeed John Lawson was married to Margaret Brown, widow of Edward Brown, who had four young children by Brown at the time of their marriage. Margaret's maiden name was apparently Bodkin - she married as Margery Bodkin to Edward Brown on 26 Dec 1806 in Rockbridge. Online queries suggest her father might have been a Thomas Bodkin who had sons Daniel, Charles, Thomas & Benjamin and perhaps other children.

There are other Lawson males in Rockbridge in 1850. They apparently carry on the family names and are possibly sons of John, grandsons of James. These two were both in District 51 1/2:

James Lawson, age 31 [born c. 1819]. Ann, age 38.
John E., age 9, Ellen J. age 7, Robert C. age 4, and James W., age 2.
Ann was born in PA, the rest in Virginia.
James Lawson married Ann Forsythe, 24 Feb 1841. She was the daughter of James Forsythe, dec'd and Mary. The minister was Andrew B. Davidson, Presbyterian - the same same minister that married Lucinda Lawson. I suspect that James is a son of John.

Robert Lawson, age 30 [born c. 1820]. Martha, 32.
Mary A. 4, Margaret 3, and James H. 7/12 [seven months]
Robert Lawson married Martha Forsythe 23 Apr 1846. Daughter of James Forsythe, dec'd. Minister was Andrew B. Davidson, Presbyterian.

One other marriage is listed in Rockbridge Co, consistent with the marriages of James, Robert, Isabelle, and Lucinda above:
William A. Lawson married Jane Peters, on 23 Nov 1843. She was the daughter of Samuel Peters, dec'd. Minister was again, Andrew B. Davidson.

Birth	Abt 1765
Marriage	31 May 1791	Rockbridge County, Virginia - Isabella Dale
Marriage	15 Mar 1810	Rockbridge County, Virginia - Mary Taylor

Spouse	Isabella Dale ( - 1810)
Child	John Lawson (1792 - )

Spouse

Mary Taylor ( - )

Father	Robert Lawson ( - 1812)
Sibling	David Lawson (1763 - 1823)
Sibling	Isabella Lawson (1766 - 1850)
Sibling	Robert Lawson (1770 - 1838)