This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: ktsok Surnames: 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/mb.ashx Message Board Post: There is a record of Gaines and a son, aged 17, sailing to England in 1896. This seems closer to Eugene's age than Lawrence's? Gaines father is generally said to be James Willis. In a letter my Mother sent to a fellow researcher in mid 1970s. She wrote: "Malvina Piney Lawson (believed to be daughter of Clement and America Lawson,) never married. She had 5 or 6 children by Dr. Willis." The problem is, my Mother's research has been lost so there is not an iota of proof for her statements. Mom also did a lot of oral interviews with "the old folks at home." David Jones contributes to this site, look for his postings. He knows more about this family than anybody I know of. Also look for postings by Sam Lawson and Doug Jenkins. So Mike is your nephew, not your brother. Has anybody seen the headstone for Eugene? It might show his death date. The information below is an excerpt of a posting in 2005 by David Jones. Gaines Lawson sold some Hawkins Co., TN, property (actually registered) on July 23, 1872, in which he identified himself as Gaines Lawson, Capt. 25th Infantry, Brevet Lt. Col, US Army. The document was signed by George S. Anderson, Col, 25th Infantry, C N Gray, Adjutant 25th Infantry, Camp Pudra Pinta, Texas. He sold (actually registered) land again on July 29, 1881 (actually sold September 1875) in which he identified his mother as Malvina Lawson and implied that his sister was Jane Shanks. Malvina Lawson was [speculated to be] the daughter or daughter in law of Burrell Lawson. Census and deed records suggest that she was really a Willis--related to James Willis, and that she might have been the wife of John Lawson, who was likely the son of Burrell Lawson. 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.