Volume 1, Issue 1

Vol. 1, Issue 1

Enter subhead content here

THE LAWSON LETTER

May 2005                                    Volume 1, Issue 1

Lawson Heritage Weekend May 12 - 15, 2005

Thursday:

This second Lawson Heritage Weekend began with the early arrival of several Lawsons, intent upon finding public records. While Jim Lawson and his crew made ready to work on the Lawson Cemetery, Barb Lawson(his wife), Fran Lawson Romine and Rebecca Lawson headed to Morgan County Courthouse to search for vital statistics, marriage bonds and deeds. Although the courthouse party became lost before they returned to Campton, both parties had some success and parted that evening with plans for the next day. More Lawsons arrived at the motel, meeting along the sidewalk and coming in and out of the lobby. Are you a Lawson and Hello Cuzin became a refrain often heard through motel doors.

Friday:

Meeting for a small breakfast at the motel, the group (9 or 10) made plans for the day and went in separate directions, planning to return in time to set up for the next day at the senior citizens center. Jim Lawson and crew headed for the graveyard, thought to be the site of Travis and Maysies burial, to clean the graveyard and to repair a crypt which had fallen in.

Saturday Morning:

Lawsons arrived early and stayed late! The group, though large (more than 50), was very congenial and hugs and Im so glad to finally meet you comments were plentiful all day as people dropped in and out. Family arrived from everywhere, Alaska, Arizona, California, Michigan, Virginia, and South Carolina to name a few states. Ohio and Kentucky showed up on the sign-in-sheet most often.

The planned program was wonderful and went off, not without a hitch, but beautifully. As families gathered, Barb, our mistress of ceremonies, began by asking them to introduce themselves, by name and heritage. After introductions Barb commented that this is such a large project it must be a group effort and it must be done with respect. It will take time, even with so many people working. What we will be able to do with all this information is to be decided later. We will put it all together but we dont yet know how. Each family circle will be responsible for its own group information. William Lawson - 1731 - will be recognized as the starting point.

Our first guest speaker was Bill Porter, author of William Lawson: A Scottish Rebel. He made many interesting comments which will be available at a later date. He asks that we not forget Thomas Mallett in our research as he was witness to the marriages of Travis and William Lawson. Bill has a feeling that Mallett may have married the oldest of William the Rebels female children. Keep your eyes open for proof.

Lunch sandwiches delivered by Main Street Café were tasty and prompt.

The afternoon consisted of

A. Cemetery Clean Up*

B. Family Tree Workshops and exchange of information.

C. Battle of Kings Mountain Documentary on TV (Courtesy of Julie and Willard Miller

D. Julies trip to West Liberty Genealogy Library cancelled -all too busy.

E. Table with Clan McLaren information

F. Table with DNA information

G. Jim Prichard will help you in Frankfort.

H. Proquest subscriptions at many libraries (Bill James)

I. Individual consultations with people looking for proof or adding information to our computer databases

Robert McLaren, the Director of Genealogy Clan MacLaren of North America and leader of the DNA program for the Clan MacLaren was the second speaker of the day. A copy of his speech and his Genetic Genealogy paper are attached. Robert McLaren also supplied a letter to use to protest the removal of the name of MacLaren from a marker on the Culloden Battlefield. This letter is included in the attachments and is self explanatory.

After a great dinner, organized by Barb Lawson with a little help from my friends we were entertained - Lawson Style. Brothers Bob, Murrell, Glenn and Hank Lawson were assisted by sister Fran Romine and Kerry Lawson, Bobs daughter. Chris Grigsby joined with voice, fiddle, mandolin and guitar. Beginning with Amazing Grace songs included some Scots ballads, Im My Own Grandpa, Brand New Tennessee Waltz as well as originals written by the Lawsons. Following the Lawson-Grigsby group, Shirley Lawson Johnson and her sister Carolyn Lawson Farrow arrived and joined the group in ending the entertainment with some religious songs.

Sunday Morning:

After breakfast we looked forward to Chief Laughing Bear William Lawson. Unfortunately he did not attend.

Family groups, discussion of future plans and exchange of information continued. Minnie Isbell who lives in the area came by and brought some information. She has no access to computer so we worked with her knowledge and Barb found census records. Her father had just passed away and she came only on Sunday. Minnies visit was so important as she was able to supply a great deal of information that had been missing from the wall chart.

Cemetery Group Report*

Barb reports old home remedies for Poison Ivy include Fels Naptha Soap and White Shoe Polish.

Some of Barb and Jims cousins from Michigan worked all Friday and Saturday and didnt make it to the dinner and entertainment. Dale and Connie, Eddie and Barb, and Lillian Lawson worked endlessly until the crypt was put back together. They went back to Natural Bridge to clean up and took a walk. Lillian slipped and broke her ankle. They spent the evening en route to the hospital. Since then she has had surgery, needing a plate and pins, but the prognosis is good for a full recovery. Others who worked at this site were Gary Shellenbarger, Steven Phillips, June Leto (with her family), Chuck Rouse and Charles Grigsby.

NOTES:

q Bill Porter is interested in reprinting his book. According to him he needs 300 copies committed before he will begin. Let Barb know if youd like a copy or copies. mjla@ismi.net.

q Plans are being made for the Re-enactment of The Battle of Kings Mountain in October. Linda Phillips is coordinating. NOTE from Steve Phillips The 225^th anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain will be held October 7-9^,2005. Re-enactors will portray soldiers, militia, civilians, musicians and colonial tradesmen. The event starts with a wreath laying ceremony on Oct. 7^th. Accommodations include camping at Kings Mtn. Call (803) 222-3209 for campsite availability; Hotels in the nearby area are in Gaffney, SC, the city of Kings Mtn and in Gastonia, NC with prices ranging from $35 to $89 a night. More from the Phillips family later.

q Barb has a CD of Photos. Contact her if you would like one.

ON-GOING RESEARCH:

q Wayne Williams has said he would do on-line searches. Were looking for someone to partner with him in the task. We are gathering Scottish sites to research.

q Toni Beard is working on a How to Research Tips List. She lives in Salt Lake City and can find LDS information. Contact her at ttbeard@msn.com.

q Working on our Logo and Theme Song

q Gathering of Land Documents for verification of location of land homesteaded by Travis and Maysie and title search from today back to land grants.

q Julie Miller is following Roots-web and organizing DNA plans. We have found a couple more to test. Contact Julie at seashellgram@aol.com if you are interested in DNA testing (male). Contact Bob McLaren for a DNA Test Kit.

q Fran Romine is working on Military Research and Pension Records. She also is working on a Lawson Family Cookbook. If you do not have the handout contact her at fran125@insightbb.com

q Historical Marker for the Travis Homestead property/cemetery discussed and vote needed more later.

q PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF PLANS YOUR FAMILY GROUP HAS MADE. I would like to spread the word through the leaders of each group. Perhaps others will get some ideas from your group.

rebecca@elkcreek.net

GROUP LEADERS

Susan Reese                       Laverne Piatt

          wheezer0361@hotmail.com          lapiatt@att.net

Lois Leto                         Bob Lawson

johnjune@xyz.net                  boba@elkcreek.net

Joyce Ratliff                     Gloria Shellenbarger

          joyree@infinet,com           GSHELL2@CHARTERMI.NET

Steven Phillips               Wayne Williams

stevenjp@bellsouth.net            awayne2nd@wowway.com

Bob McLaren

bobmclaren@earthlink.net

Also I welcome suggestions and corrections. Email rebecca@elkcreek.net

Becky Lawson