This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: msledav Surnames: Lawson, Bailey, Jones Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.lawson/6718.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Barbara, I could not help but respond to your post. I too am part Lawson, from my mother's side, and have only recently began to research the Lawson side. My gr grandfather was William Christopher Lawson, b. 17 Feb 1853, d. 17 May 1921. Supposedly, he had a brother Benjamin, that went West taking a herd(?) of turkeys and was never heard from again. I cannot find anything to support this theory. Williams father was Wesley Ball Lawson b. 1824 with no death date, other than he was buried in Hawkins County, TN.and he m. Amanda Bunch b. 29 Jan 1850 in Hawkins County, TN where she also died. Now if my theory is true regarding the mother of Wesley Lawson, then he did have a half brother named, James Benjamin Lawson b. TN and age 11, listed in the 1860 Census. His mother would be Sarah Jones of NC and his father Jonas Lawson. My aunt was telling me this story about the Benjamin, when I began to ask questions about the grandparents and etc. I think people splitting happened back then. If he started for the West he went in a different direction. This may have no bearings on your Lawson's just wanted to share my story with you. Happy Searching, Mary 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.