This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Lawson Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/XeB.2ACE/3198.1.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: No, it doesn't day son of Thomas. They didn't use commas in the court minutes, only a string of names. It says "William son Thomas, intending to mean "William son, Thomas" or "William, son Thomas". There are several deeds that reference William Lawson living on land that formerly belonged to Peter Lawson from 1857 to 1863, as well as court minutes and deeds referencing Elizabeth Lawson. The properties are described in detail in terms of who the adjacent parties were. If you look at who is living adjacent to the described properties in 1860, it is Russell Lawson. The Thomas in the Peter Lawson prosecution is probably Peter's brother Thomas Jr. Peter Lawson was apparently the oldest son of Thomas Lawson Sr in Hawkins County at the time. But, there is no male of Russell's age in the home of Peter Lawson in 1840. So, it is a bit of a mystery.