John Lawson

John Lawson (1755-1838) was a Revolutionary War veteran from Virginia who moved to present-day Scott County after the war.

See Also: Revolutionary War Veterans

Biography

Born around 1755 in Bedford County, Va., Lawson was the son of Bartholomew Lawson and Susannah Simpkins. He was one of about 15 children, and had two brothers — David Lawson and Randolph Lawson — who also served in the Revolutionary War and later moved to Scott County. Another brother — Robert Lawson — also appears to have served in the war and moved to Scott County. Two other brothers, Morman and William, also fought in the war.

Lawson married his wife, Anna, in 1775. She was his first cousin. Their fathers, Bartholomew Lawson and Jonas Lawson, were brothers. They would have a total of at least 10 children, and perhaps as many as 14.

Revolutionary War

Lawson enlisted in the North Carolina militia in 1780 and was involved in the Battle of Guilford in 1781. He was eventually discharged after Lord Charles Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in October 1781. He had been serving 11 months by that time.

After the War

Lawson and his family moved to what is now southern Scott County after the war. He died on Jan. 4, 1838.

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