Thomas Lawson, Sr.

John Lawson and ?Rhoda McKinney

Mordecai Lawson and Frances Stephens

          Line of Frances (Stephens) Lawson

C. M. Lawson and Sarah M. Sims

          Line of Sarah M. (Sims) Lawson

Mordecai S. Lawson and Elizabeth Caroline Turman

          Line of Elizabeth Caroline (Turman) Lawson

James Martin Lawson and Lucy Jane Freeman

          Line of Lucy Jane (Freeman) Lawson

Donald VanHoosier Lawson and Iva Melvina Freeman

          Line of Iva Melvina (Freeman) Lawson

Stephen Martin Lawson

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C. M. LAWSON - b. 1816-1817, prob. Franklin Co., TN; d. Jun. 1848 to Jun. 1850, probably in Itawamba Co., MS. Much evidence supports the belief that he was the son of Mordecai LAWSON and Frances STEPHENS of Itawamba Co., MS. C. M.'s first name may have been Cooper or Cephus, and his middle name may have been Martin or Mordecai. The only Census record providing information for him is the 1840 census of Wayne Co., TN, when he and his wife were in the 20-30 age bracket and had one son under age 5. On Jun. 7, 1847 in Itawamba Co., MS, C.M. LAWSON signed a Deed of Trust, together with parents Mordeca<sic> LAWSON and wife Francis<sic>, brother David O. A. LAWSON, and brother-in-law William C. CYPERT. Those named here are all found in the 1840 Census of Wayne Co., TN. The land described in the deed (90 acres in S24 T10S R8E Pontotoc Meridian), sold by Mordecai LAWSON to E.B. HARBOUR, was located about 5 miles SSW of Fulton, just west of the Tombigbee River, near Van Buren. On Jun. 5, 1848 at the post office at Van Buren, Itawamba Co., MS, C.M. LAWSON, Mordecai LAWSON, and others signed a statement that one William R. BRUNDINE was an idiot. Land (in S3 T11S R8E), known as "the Lawson Place", is located about 4 miles SSW of Van Buren, a village organized in the 1830s and no longer existing by 1860. Married March 21, 1839, Wayne Co., TN.

Sarah M. 'Sallye' SIMS - b. Jan. 9, 1814, Stokes Co., NC; d. Apr. 27, 1885, Creek Nation, Indian Territory; bur. Greenhill Cemetery, Muskogee, OK [photo]. Daughter of Robert SIMS and Frances Howard MERRITT. Sarah's middle name is reported as Merritt, the family bible records Martin, and the 1860 Agriculture Schedule lists her as Martha LAWSON. The 1850 census of Wayne Co., TN lists Sarah M. LAWSON as head of household, and age 35. She is listed as Sarah LAWSON in the 1860 census of Wayne Co., TN and the 1870 census of Wayne Co., TN as head of household, and age 46 and 56, respectively. Sarah's farm is included in the 1860 Agriculture Schedule of Wayne County. In 1880 census of Grayson Co., TX, she is found in household of A.M. LAWSON as his mother, age 66. Sarah was buried in the old cemetery at Muscogee, IT. About 1890, her remains and those of about 30 others were removed to the new cemetery, known as City or Greenhill Cemetery. Though broken, repaired, and again broken, her grave stone was still readable in July, 1986: Sarah wife of C.M. Lawson Died April 27, 1885 Aged 71 yrs. 3 mo. 18 dys. The descendants of C. M. LAWSON, through Sarah as granddaughter of Pariss SIMS, are eligible for membership in the SAR (see National Number 127981) and the DAR (see National Number 505661).

1. A son - b. before 1840 Census, Wayne Co., TN. The SIMS family history states this child died in infancy. He does not appear in subsequent census records, and probably died in either Wayne Co., TN or Itawamba Co., MS.
2. Mordecai S. - b. Sep. 11, 1841, Itawamba Co., MS; d. Jun. 23, 1895 (3 pm), Muskogee, OK; bur. Jun. 24, 1895, Greenhill Cemetery, Muskogee, OK.
3. Martha Jane - b. 1844, Itawamba Co., MS. Lived in Muskogee, OK. Martha is found in the Census records for 1850, 1860 and 1880 living in the same household as her mother. Since her death date is not known, she may have been the M.J. LAWSON who joined the Tucumcari, NM Baptist Church May 27, 1906. The Muskogee, OK City Directories lists a Miss Matie LAWSON boarding at 1019 W Broadway in 1916, Miss Mattie LAWSON at 321 N 13th in 1917, and at 225 S. 12th in 1922.
4. Amos M. - b. 1846, Itawamba Co., MS; d. Jan. 9, 1891, Muskogee, OK. Occupation 1880: making shoes. He was married on Nov. 10, 1865 in Wayne Co., TN, to Margaret Catherine SISK, by A.P. PHILIPS, J.P. Margaret (b. Mar. 1847, Wayne Co., TN) was the daughter of Allen R. SISK and Mary Malissa 'Polly' ALEXANDER. Amos' farm is included in the 1870 Agriculture Schedule of Wayne County. The 1880 Census of the suburbs of Bells, Grayson Co., TX enumerates the A. M. LAWSON family, including sister and mother, living next door to his brother Mordecai. Amos' death date is from the following obituary in the Muskogee, OK Weekly Phoenix, Jan. 15, 1891:

   Died - in this city, Mr. M. A. Lawson, on Friday morning last, of consumption, aged 45 years. Mr. Lawson was formerly a resident of Muskogee, but left this place on the 26th of last September for Texas on account of failing health, that dread disease, consumption, having already laid hold upon him. His brother in this city was telegraphed some two weeks to come at once to Texas, that his brother was very low. When Mr. Lawson arrived, he at once made arrangements for his brother's removal to this place. He arrived here with him on the night of the 5th and his brother lived only a few days. Mr. Lawson was well known and highly esteemed by all who knew him. He leaves a wife and three children who have the sympathy of all in their bereavement.

Children of Amos and Margaret (1900 Census: 6 children, 2 living):

1. Robert W. - b. 1866. Living in 1870, deceased by 1880.
2. A child - b. and d. probably about 1869. Does not appear in 1870 or 1880 censuses.
3. Joseph M. - b. Feb. 1873, TN. Married about 1895 Hattie 'Tennie' D---- (b. May 1877, TN). The 1900 Census of Muscogee, IT shows that his mother Margaret, brother Fred, and sister-in-law Nora B. D---- (b. Apr. 1884, TN), were living with him. Occupation: Cab Driver. Joseph and Tennie are found in the 1903 Muskogee City Directory at 119 Spaulding Avenue, his mother and brother boarding with them. Children: William M. (b. May 1896, IT), and Joseph (b. Sep. 1898, IT).
4. John R. - b. 1876, TN; d. by 1900, perhaps by 1891.
5. Samuel W. - b. 1879, TX; d. by 1900, perhaps by 1891.
6. Fred - b. Apr. 1884, Indian Territory. Living with brother Joseph in 1900 and in 1903. Occupation: Day Laborer 1900, salesman 1903.

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Grave photo 1986 Grave photo 1987

Mordecai S. LAWSON - b. Sep. 11, 1841, Itawamba Co., MS; d. Jun. 23, 1895 (3 p.m.), Muskogee, OK; bur. Jun. 24, 1895, Greenhill Cemetery, Muskogee, OK [photo]. Son of C. M. LAWSON and Sarah M. SIMS. Mordecai's grave monument includes both his birth and death dates. He served in Civil War as 1st Sgt., Co. F, 6th Reg't., Tenn. Cavalry Volunteers, with pension documents providing signature, and extensive personal and family information. After the War, Mordecai is found in the 1870 census of Wayne Co., TN, and the 1880 census of Grayson Co., TX. Mordecai's farm is included in the 1870 Agriculture Schedule of Wayne County. The Lawson family moved to Benton Co., AR by early 1882, and to Muscogee, Indian Territory in late 1884. The following are from the Muskogee Weekly Phoenix: Jun. 26, 1890 notice - "M. S. Lawson appointed to arrange for the meat and B.B.Q. for the Fourth of July Picnic at the Frozen Rock Community." Sep. 6, 1894 ad - "Go to M.S. LAWSON & Co. for fresh groceries. Price their goods and see how cheap they are selling." Other ads on the same date say that it is a new grocery on the east side of town. On Sep. 26, 1890, Mordecai became affiliated with the Muskogee Masonic Lodge No. 28. His name is listed in the 1897 Proceedings (page 219) of the OK I.O.O.F. as having died in 1895, being until death a member of Muscogee Lodge No. 25. Married Sep. 26, 1867, Waynesboro, Wayne Co., TN, at home of John C. TURMAN.

Death of M. S. Lawson
Muskogee Weekly Phoenix, June 26, 1895

After an illness of several months, Mr. M. S. Lawson died of consumption on Sunday afternoon, June 22 [23], at 3 o'clock, aged 54 years, and was buried Monday afternoon.

Mr. Lawson was a member of the Baptist church, the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows and G. A. R., and his remains were attended to their last resting place by members of the secret societies named, as well as a large number of the friends of the family.

Rev. P. M. Johnson conducted the funeral services at the Baptist church at 3:30 o'clock, and the Masons took charge and conducted the ceremonies at the grave according to their impressive ritual.

As a man and a citizen, Mr. Lawson was held in high esteem by those who knew him, and while his death was not unexpected, it could not but cast a gloom over the community in which he has made his home so many years, and the earnest, sincere sympathies of many hearts go out to the bereaved family in their hour of sure trial.

Elizabeth Caroline TURMAN - b. Jan. 8, 1846, Bedford Co., TN; d. Oct. 26, 1914, Tecumseh, Pottawatomie Co., OK; bur. Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Pottawatomie Co., OK [photo]. She was known as 'Carrie', thus signing her pension application. Her home at Muskogee, OK had a white picket fence. Carrie was in Tecumseh, OK in Apr. 1896, still there at the time of the 1900 census of Pottawatomie Co., OK, joined the Baptist Church in Tucumcari, NM by 1906, and was still in Tucumcari in Mar. 1909, but returned to Tecumseh by Oct. 1914. On Jan. 5, 1907, the Tucumcari News published a thank you message, signed by Mrs. E. C. LAWSON and Family, following the death of her son John. Pleasant Valley Cemetery is located 8 miles south of Tecumseh, off State Highway 117, and was established in Sep. 1900. Carrie's grave marker is of white marble, with a scroll top and engraved lilies, resting on a pedestal inscribed LAWSON. The marker identifies her as "E. Carrie, wife of M. S. LAWSON," gives her birth and death dates, and includes the verse "Another link is broken in our household band, but its chain is forming in a better land." Daughter of John C. TURMAN and Mary Ann NEELY.

1. James Martin - b. Jul. 2, 1868, Waynesboro, Wayne Co., TN; d. Apr. 10, 1958, Patton, San Bernardino Co., CA.
2. John M. - b. Aug. 7, 1871, TN; d. Dec. 26, 1906, Tucumcari, NM. John was in Tecumseh, OK at the time of the 1900 census, single, living in a boarding house, and employed as a town marshal (occupation difficult to read). John became Marshal of Tucumcari in 1906, and was killed by the candidate he defeated, as reported in the Tucumcari News, Dec. 29, 1906. Mortuary records indicate he was buried on Dec. 27, 1906 in a 5' 9" casket, the expenses of $70 paid for by brother James on Jan. 14, 1907. J.M. LAWSON is listed in the 1907 Proceedings (page 771) of the OK I.O.O.F. as having died in 1906, being until death a member of Tecumseh Lodge No. 24. The Quay Co., NM County Clerk searched their records and those of the district court for the death and probate records for John, finding nothing. John was married about 1900, probably at Tecumseh, Pottawatomie Co., OK, to Velma HOBSON (b. 1883, MO or IL), daughter of Robert HOBSON. Velma LAWSON joined the Tucumcari Baptist Church by letter on Sep. 30, 1906. In 1910, she lived in her father's home at Enid, Garfield Co., OK, with sister Georgia. The 1912 Muskogee City Directory lists Mrs. Velma LAWSON, saleslady at Patterson Mercantile Company, as rooming at 18 W S S Boulevard. Velma married second before 1920 Joseph McDOWELL (b. 1884, OR), son of James McDOWELL and Sarah, when they lived at Okmulgee, Okmulgee Co., OK. Daughter Lola is probably the Lola LAWSON found in the Junior Class of the 1923 Okmulgee High School Yearbook. Children of John and Velma LAWSON: Harry and Lola.
3. Willie Josephene - b. Oct. 31, 1874, TN; d. Sep. 29, 1904, Tecumseh, OK; bur. there in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. (Her grave marker gives her birth year as 1875.) She remained a dependent daughter of her mother, apparently caused by an early childhood injury. The 1900 census reports she could not read, write or speak English.
4. Sarah Ione - b. Oct. 3, 1876, TN; d. Sep. 9, 1905, Tecumseh, OK; bur. there in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. (Her grave marker gives her birth year as 1877, her middle initial as F., and includes the verse "Her happy soul has winged its way to one long bright eternal day.")  Her grave marker indicates Sarah was the wife of M. C. HARKEY. Married Marion Calvert HARKEY (b. Apr. 3, 1877, Pope Co., AR), son of Calvin Timothy HARKEY (1847-1911) and Elizabeth MARTIN (1846-1912). Sarah and Marion HARKEY had no known children.
5. Martha T. 'Mattie' - b. 25 Dec. 1878, Grayson Co., TX; d. Apr. 21, 1961, Pontotoc Co., OK; bur. East Hill Cem., Roff, OK. Married in 1906, probably in Pottawatomie Co., OK, to Othie Allen WILCOX (b. Dec. 16, 1878, AR; d. Aug. 27, 1938, Roff, Pontotoc Co., OK; bur. East Hill Cem., Roff, OK), son of Marcus Solon WILCOX (1829-1884) and Sarah C. CANTRELL (1840-1879). The family was living in Moore Twp., Pottawatomie Co., OK in 1910 and 1920. Lawson family sources indicate Mattie and Othie had four daughters. Mattie may have married second Harry HODGES, since a daughter of James Martin LAWSON recalls that one of her paternal aunts married him. Children of Mattie and Othie WILCOX: Oma I. married Mr. REYNOLDS; Augusta married Mr. SCOTT; a daughter probably died young; and Ollie married Robert CALVERT.
6. Lola B. - b. Jan. 22, 1880, Grayson Co., TX; d. 1965. Since Lola does not appear in 1880 Census, her birth year may be 1881, instead of 1880. Photographed in Tucumcari, NM, about 1909. Married in 1904 to Sidney Lewis HARKEY (b. Sep. 5, 1882; d. 1959), son of Daniel Cicero HARKEY (1832-1910) and Sarah M. BRADLEY (1849-1935). The family lived in Pottawatomie Co., OK in 1910 and 1920. Children of Lola and Sidney HARKEY: a child died yong; Elizabeth S. 'Beth' married Harold MAHANEY; Lois L. married Fred ADWAN; and Hershel.
7. Oliver D. 'Ollie' - b. Mar. 23, 1882, AR; d. Dec. 30, 1965. Married Gertrude (d. before 1910). Photographed in Tucumcari, NM, about 1909, and was mentioned in a postcard sent by sister Della in Mar. 1909. In 1910 Ollie D. LAWSON was a Union Railroad Freight Clerk at Winslow, Navajo Co., AZ, giving his age as 27 and parents born in MS and TN. 'Uncle Ollie' visited the Lawsons in Seattle in 1911. Living in the 4th Precinct, Tulsa, OK in 1920 as a lodger, widowed and employed as an oil company traffic man. Listed with him as a lodger is James LAWSON (b. 1901), single and a clerk. Though unstated, it is likely that James was Ollie's son.
8. Mary Adelle 'Della' - b. Aug. 27, 1884, Siloam Springs, Benton Co., AR; d. 1965, Glendale, CA. Baptized Dec. 8, 1909 at Tucumcari Baptist Church. She was photographed in Tucumcari, NM, about 1909, and also lived at Bombarton, TX. Della, single and living at Tecumseh, OK, was the informant for the information on the death certificate of her mother. Married Oct.-Dec. 1914 Tracey Benjamen JOHNSON (b. 1881, Sweden; d. about 1966, Oklahoma City, OK). Children: Leonard Doyell married Evelyn Frances TOWERY (ch. Linda Sue); Tracy Wanda Wanette married first Sidney Paul BRAMLETT, and second Lewis Wayne MARTIN (ch. Barbara); Mona Adelle married first Andrew W. DOYEL, and second Rocca DELURGIO; and Mary Lois married first John Jacup TOWERY, and second Thomas Wilvur BRYANT.

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