Introduction
Genealogy is more than the search for names and dates—it is a journey into the lives and stories of those who came before us. The Lawson family story is a tapestry woven with threads of tradition, migration, and resilience that documented in early 18th-century Virginia, where they established themselves as landowners and contributing members of the community. While historical records provide the foundation for understanding our ancestors through parish records, land patents, court documents, and tax rolls, they often leave unanswered questions or mysteries that elude resolution through traditional research methods alone.
In piecing together the Lawson family narrative, this project seeks to bridge the past and the present by combining traditional genealogical research with modern Y-DNA analysis. The Y chromosome, passed exclusively from father to son, preserves an unbroken genetic record that traces back to humanity’s earliest ancestors. This inheritance pattern makes Y-DNA a powerful tool for genealogists, offering insights into shared ancestry and connections that span centuries.
The Lawson DNA Project employs two primary types of Y-DNA testing, facilitated through FamilyTreeDNA:
- Y-STRs (Short Tandem Repeats): This type of test examines specific markers on the Y chromosome, with reliability increasing as more markers are tested. By comparing these markers, researchers can identify participants who share a common ancestor. The Lawson — 67 Markers Database serves as a vital resource, enabling members to view their test results, compare family pedigrees, and uncover relationships within the Lawson lineage. To date, 26 branches of the Lawson family have been identified and organized into groups within the database.
You can also review Family Tree DNA’s public spreadsheet, which includes all 111 alleles, though it does not feature the short pedigrees.
- Y-SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms): FamilyTreeDNA’s most advanced Y-DNA test, the Big Y-700, provides a comprehensive analysis of the Y chromosome. While this test is the most detailed and expensive, it offers invaluable insights into shared ancestors and their estimated timeframes. Advanced testing like the Big Y-700 provides detailed information documented in the charts at Time to Most Recent Common Haplogroup I-A6062, and the Big Y-700 Block Tree plus Pedigreespages revealing precise genetic relationships and common ancestor estimates.
DNA Testing Validation
Modern Y-DNA testing has provided remarkable validation for the genealogical theories presented in this narrative. The Lawson Surname DNA Project, administered by Carl L. Lawson, has become one of the most comprehensive genetic genealogy studies for the Lawson surname, utilizing both Y-STR (Short Tandem Repeat) and Y-SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) testing to identify distinct family lineages. The project has revealed a number of different Y-DNA haplogroups among Lawson participants, demonstrating that the surname originated in multiple unrelated male lines—a common occurrence with patronymic names meaning “son of Law.”
Of particular significance to these narratives are descendants of John and Jonas Lawson of New Kent/Goochland County, William Lawson of Falling River, and George Lawson of Charlotte County, who have undergone Y-DNA testing and belong to what the project designates as “Group 1″—the largest Lawson lineage in the study. These men all share the SNP I-A6062 within haplogroup I1, with a Most Recent Common Ancestor (TMRCA) dating back to approximately 1610. This genetic evidence strongly supports the documented family connections traced through historical records and confirms the common ancestry of these Virginia Lawson lines, effectively proving that the New Kent County Lawsons, the Falling River Lawsons, and the Charlotte County Lawsons represent branches of the same extended paternal lineage.
Project Goals and Methodology
By examining historical records, family traditions, and this compelling DNA evidence, these narratives aims to uncover connections that clarify the family’s origins, validate genealogical theories, and illuminate relationships across generations. Through careful examination of documented evidence, we can trace the movements and relationships of this family as they spread across Virginia’s expanding frontier, eventually settling in areas that would become Hanover, Goochland, Lunenburg, Charlotte, and Bedford Counties.
This endeavor represents a fusion of science and history—a comprehensive approach to reconstructing the Lawson family narratives that honors the legacy of our forebears while preserving their story for future generations.
My Interpretation of the Results
The information that I will be using is contained on the pages of my website and instead of repeating the same information I will provide links to those pages to give more details.
Group 1 – Falling River Lawsons
The earliest documented relative for this group is William Lawson of Falling River. William received a patent for 143 acres of land on the north side of Falling River in Brunswick County, VA on 20 August 1745. The county name changed to Lunenburg in 1746, then to Bedford in 1754, and finally to Campbell County in 1782.
By 2 April 1754, William Lawson had died, and his three sons—John, Jonas, and Bartholomew Lawson—sold the land to Thomas Watkins for 30 pounds. John Lawson executed the sale, suggesting he was the eldest of the three brothers. These are currently the only proven sons of William Lawson of Falling River.
William’s three sons are listed in Lunenburg County tax records from 1748 to 1751. John Lawson is shown with three sons: William, John Jr., and Jonas. Bartholomew and Jonas are not shown with any other males of taxable age.
The Falling River area, initially in Lunenburg County, became Bedford County in 1754. Early records from Bedford County include John, John Jr., William, Bartholomew, Jonas, and a new name, David. Financial difficulties are indicated by the “Insolvents List of 1762” and numerous 1763 court judgments against the Lawsons. The records also mention John B. E. Lawson, possibly John Lawson Jr. Additionally, Bartholomew Lawson was married to Susannah Simpkins, daughter of John Simpkins, and sold part of her inheritance in 1763.
After 1763-64, the brothers separated. Bartholomew and Susannah moved from Bedford County, VA, to Cumberland County, NC, where Bartholomew died in1765. The family later moved to Henry County, VA, which became Patrick County, VA, putting them near John Lawson’s family that had relocated to Surry/Stokes County, NC.
The exact timing of John Lawson Sr.’s move to Surry and Stokes Counties is unknown, but his family was present by 1772, according to various records. The oldest John Lawson is referred to as John “Black Eye” Lawson or John B. E. Lawson, possibly the same John B. E. Lawson from Bedford County, VA. The Lawsons frequently reused first names, prompting tax collectors to use nicknames like Black Eye, Goober Pea, Big Head, Big Billey, and Bony for differentiation.
Identifying the third brother, Jonas Lawson, is challenging. He appears on the 1763 Bedford County tax list and has a court judgment in the same year. He might be the Jonas Lawson found in Pittsylvania County, VA with William and John Lawson, but further documentation is needed to clarify this.
Many Lawsons from Surry/Stokes Counties, NC, and Patrick County, VA, moved west into Lee County, VA and eastern Tennessee after the Revolutionary War and before 1800.
Jonas and John Lawson
Before 1745, records show a William Lawson in Goochland County, VA, along with Jonas, John, and David Lawson. The Falling River William named one of his sons Jonas and another John. Bartholomew Lawson married Susannah Simpkins, daughter of John Simpkins, who lived in Goochland County before moving to Falling River.
John Simpkins obtained a patent in Goochland County in 1731, bought additional land in 1737, and sold his land in 1742/43. He received a patent in July 1746 for 200 acres on Falling River, about 11 months after William Lawson’s patent.
William Lawson’s records in Goochland County from 1732 to 1743 show he was frequently absent, suggesting extensive travel. In 1732, a case involving William Lawson Sr. was dismissed due to lack of prosecution, indicating there were two William Lawsons in the county at that time.
In 1743, Goochland County’s Sheriff sought William Lawson but could not find him. Records from 1741-1742 in Brunswick County, VA, show similar issues. On 20 August 1745, William Lawson acquired land on Falling River. By April 1754, William had died, leaving at least three sons.
Given that William named his sons Jonas and John, it is plausible that William Lawson of Falling River is related to Jonas and John of Goochland and New Kent Counties, VA. The Simpkins family’s presence in Goochland County further supports this connection.
Jonas Lawson first appears in New Kent County, Virginia in March 1708/09, along with John and Nicholas Lawson. The relationship among them is unclear. John Lawson, married to Judith, had a son baptized in 8 May 1690 and a daughter, Elenor, baptized in 10 July 1698. Nicholas Lawson is mentioned briefly, stating he did not reside in John and Jonas’s parish.
Jonas Lawson, who owned land in New Kent in 1709, was likely born on or before 1688. His wife was Elizabeth, as shown by documents from Goochland County, VA.
John Lawson, listed in the 1704 Rent Roll of St. Peters and St. Paul’s Parish, held 50 acres. John and his wife are mentioned in parish records between 1690 and 1709. Jonas Lawson obtained a patent on 16 June 1727, for 400 acres on the north side of the James River, on Byrd Creek in Henrico County, VA. In 1728 this land became part of Goochland County. Other men from New Kent County, including Andrew Moorman, Robert Horsley, and John Bostick, also acquired land on Byrd Creek.
David Lawson, Jonas’s son, lived near his father in Goochland County and named a son Jonas. John and William Lawson were also in Goochland, though their exact relationship to Jonas is unclear—they could be brothers, uncles, or cousins.
The John Lawson in question could either be the John and Judith Lawson of New Kent or their son. John Lawson is mentioned in the Goochland County court records from 1728 to 1738. However, there is no record of him obtaining land, which would be expected if he were the older Lawson. There are a couple of intriguing entries that might explain his disappearance from the records:
- In the Goochland County, Virginia Wills and Deeds (1734-1736), Book 2, Page 230, dated 20 February 1735/36, Noble Ladd of Goochland County, planter, sold 100 acres to James Nevill of the same county for 10 pounds. The property was described as being bounded by the Point of Rocks, where “the Indians shot John Lawson,” near the Seven Islands and the James River. This deed was recorded on 15 June 1736.
- In the Albemarle Deed, Book 1, Page 316, dated 14 May 1751, Noble Ladd bequeathed 300 acres on the north side of the Fluvanna River, adjacent to New Breamer (Bremo) Creek, to his son, Amos Ladd. The deed references the head of a branch where “the Indian shot John Lawson.” Witnesses included John Peter, Amos Ladd, and John Moor.
Seven Islands is located in present day Fluvanna County, VA and about 20-30 miles up the James River from Byrd Creek, where Jonas and David Lawson had their patents
These records indicate that a John Lawson was living in the area and was shot by Indians sometime before June 1736. This could explain why there is no record of him obtaining a patent around the same time as Jonas Lawson
Records from Albemarle County, VA show another John Lawson who acquired patents and sold land along the Mechums River. Additionally, Thomas Lawson, in his Iredell County, NC Revolutionary Pension Application, stated he was born in Albemarle County in December 1752. It is possible that this John or members of his family moved to Bedford, Pittsylvania, and Halifax Counties, VA, and eventually further south into NC and SC.
The older Jonas Lawson and his family resided in Goochland County, VA, from at least 1727 to 1767. Jonas, along with his son David and grandson Jonas Lawson, sold their land in Goochland County in 1767 and subsequently moved to Bedford County, VA, and possibly to Pittsylvania County, VA.
Jonas Lawson made a will on 5 April 1770, in Bedford County, Virginia, which was filed on 24 September 1771. In his will, Jonas mentioned his son David and grandsons David, William, John, and James Lawson. The fact that grandsons David and William Lawson were named executors of the will suggests that Jonas’ son David had already passed away.
It is believed that most, if not all, of the older Jonas Lawson’s family eventually moved to South Carolina.
There are several members in Group 1 whose documentation does not connect them to the Lawsons mentioned above or to their known locations. Although Y-DNA indicates a familial relationship, the exact connection remains unclear.
Groups 8
This group, sometimes referred to as Mary on the Dan’s Lawsons, includes descendants of a Mary Lawson, who completed a will on 15 October 1749, recorded on 2 April 1751, in Lunenburg County, VA (now Halifax County, VA). She had seven known children. The names of the males were Francis, John, David and William.
The family is believed to have emigrated from Antrim County, Ireland, to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where they initially purchased land. They then moved to Lunenburg County, VA, purchasing several land tracts from William Byrd or his estate on or near the Dan River.
Francis, John, and David died in Halifax County. Francis’s son John moved to Caswell/Person County, NC, where his family is well-documented. John Sr. remained in Halifax County, dying around 1782. David died in November 1774, and his children moved west to Kentucky and Illinois.
William Lawson, the youngest son, married Jane Banks in 1758 in Halifax County, VA. After serving in the Revolutionary War, he received land in Georgia, where he moved with his family and died in October 1800 in Hancock County, Georgia.
Groups 12
A notable group of Lawsons can trace their lineage back to William Lawson, known to many as “The Scottish Rebel.” This family has created several excellent websites, which can be found through a quick Google search, providing extensive information on many of William’s descendants. One member, Nancy Lawson, who has conducted thorough research on William Lawson, has gathered sufficient documentation to conclude that their William is not the same William Lawson who was “transported” as a prisoner on the ship Gildart on 5 August 1747. They now refer to their ancestor as “William Lawson from Montrose, Scotland.” Nancy’s detailed findings can be reviewed in her publication titled “Finding Our True William.”
Groups 15
This group traces its lineage to Jincy or Ginsey Lawson through Andrew Jackson Lawson of St. Clair/Etowah County, AL. It is believed that Jincy never married, and her children took her maiden name. A second son, Pickens Lawson, was tested and is placed in Group 4.
Groups 17
This group is associated with a John Lawson, born in Annapolis, Maryland, or Scotland, who married Rebecca. He is believed to have had the following male children: John, Alexander, Theophilus, William, and Holsey or Holzen Lawson. Most of his descendants remained in the West Virginia area.
Groups 19
This group traces back to William Lawson of Union County, South Carolina, who was born around 1740 and died in 1827 in Union County. He is believed to have been married at least twice, with his second wife being Susannah Bailey. His sons may include Sion, Reuben, John, Jacob, Bailey, and Julius, most of whom lived and died in Union County before their descendants moved west.