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/3427.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.2.3.1.3.1.1.2.1.1.1.3.1.1.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The reason that I doubt the Willis story for the first three children is that they were still in Indiana then. Another reason is that James Willis was prominent in prosecuting L&A females in Hawkins County. I guess it could have been a covering act, but I am not sure. There is no record of this group in the 1836 census. My strong suspicion is that Piney was a Willis--natural or stepchild and that James Willis was her brother or uncle or cousin. Several Willis males went off to Alabama. She could be related to one of those. 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.