This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: drdjones Surnames: Lawson, Willis Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.lawson/3427.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.2.3.1.3.1.1.2.1.1.1.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I have never bought off on the presumption that Piney was the daughter of Burrell Lawson or that she was the mistress of James Willis. The connection to Burrell is that she was living next door to him in 1840 and was named Lawson. That does indicate that she was related in some way but it doesn't mean that she was a daughter. Instead, I have been working on the idea that she was closely related to John Lawson who was likely a son of Burrell. John Lawson bought land from James Willis in 1824 and that property was next to Burrell Lawson. John Lawson and a number of other Hawkins County Lawsons, including Clement, Washington, and Lacey Lawson, were found in Henry County, IN in 1830 and disappeared. John Lawson sold that land to Larkin Willis just before he moved to Henry County. It is possible that Piney was a Willis, step-Willis or close in-law of James Willis, or even the daughter or wife of John Lawson. I suspect that both Burrell and Piney were living with John Lawson in 1830 Henry County, IN. In the late 1850s, James Willis secured a prosecution bond for Piney Lawson in a lawsuit against someone for trespass. As far as I can tell, that is the only documented interaction between Piney Lawson and James Willis. Hardly enough to prove she was his mistress, but perhaps enough to indicate he was related. 1830 Henry County, IN Clement Lawson 1 male 5-10 1 male 15-20 1 male 50-60 1 female 5-10 2 females 10-15 1 female 30-40 John Lawson Henry, Indiana 1 male 15-20 1 male 20-30 1 male 50-60 1 female 5-10 1 female 10-15 2 females 15-20 1 female 50-60 Washington Lawson 1 male 30-40 2 females under 5 2 females 5-10 1 female 10-15 1 female 30-40 Elijah Lawson 1 male 40-50 1 female 30-40 Lacey Lawson 1 male 30-40 1 female under 5 2 females 5-10 1 female 20-30 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.