After finding Thomas Lawson’s marriage to Nancy Ann BusbyBell in 1866 in Randolph Co. Arkansas
we went to the 1870 federal census of that county.. There we found Thomas, Nancy, her children
by Levi Bell, and our grandfather, also Thomas Lawson, age 2 years. From there we started
going backward and concentrated on Tennessee.

In 1850 I found Nancy Lawson with Thomas and Harden in Roane Co. Tennessee. There was a
William Lawson listed in Roane Co in 1840. However, records there indicated William had died
in the spring of 1850. I am not sure this William was the father of Thomas and Harden or if
he was married to this Nancy Lawson. Another question: Was Nancy their mother or grandmother?
She always stated on census records that she was born about 1790 in Georgia. This William I
believe was born between 1800 and 1810. This would mean she was at least 10 years older than
William. Back then the men usually married younger women. Also, our Thomas in census records
indicated he was born in 3 different years, ie. 1827, 1830, and 1838.I think the 1827 is probably
nearest to being correct. That would mean that this Nancy would have been
about 37 years old when he was born. Harden indicated he was born about 1833 which
would put Nancy about 40 years old. That seems fairly old to begin having children.

By 1860 Nancy, Thomas and Harden were found in Black River Twsp. Reynolds Co. Missouri.
At this time Thomas had a wife named Catherine. Also living with them was one William Warren,
relationship not shown, age 7. Wondering why they had migrated into that particular
township I checked the 1860 census and found one Ambrose Lawson and family living
there also. We tracked Ambrose back to 1850 in Morgan Co. Tennessee. Records tell
us that Morgan Co. Tennessee was organized from part of several counties including Roane Co.
Another interesting item was that a Reuben Lawson was also found in Morgan Co and then
later Roane County. I believe Ambrose and Reuben are related somehow to our Thomas Lawson.
Reserch continues to make that tie.

In 1870 this Nancy Lawson was living in Randolph Co. Arkansas next door to our Thomas
and Nancy Ann Busby Bell Lawson. With her was William Warren, age 15. Was he a grandson
or just a child they had taken to raise? By 1880 Nancy was living in Oregon Co. Mo with a
Martha Busby, a widow born in Alabama. She was 92 years old. I believe she died in Oregon Co
but to date can find no death record of burial record for her. Also have not been able to pin
down just exactly who this Martha Busby was.

When you put all this information in a hat a shake it up you find the Lawson family goes back
a long way with the Busby family, Warren family, and Shelton family.

Thomas Lawson, born 1827ca, Tennessee. Married Nancy Ann Busby Bell born 1833
in Tennessee. (See Busby family). To them was born 2 children: Thomas A Lawson
and Eliza Lawson Campbell. BR>

It was told by family members that this Thomas Lawson Sr. rode away to fight indians and never returned. Thomas and Nancy's youngest child Eliza was born about 1871. It is said she was never to be seen by her father. By the 1880 census, Nancy Ann was found in Mill Creek Township of Newton County, Arkansas. She reported last name as "Bell". She had 4 children by her first marriage to Levi Bell. Her son Thomas Lawson recalled being called "Tom Bell" when he was a child. The two children of Thomas and Nancy Ann Busby Bell Lawson were:

There are questions about this Lawson family of ours, such as: What does the middle initial of Thomas A.; James A; John A. actually stand for ? What happened to Thomas Sr.? Was he killed or did he just leave? So, the search goes on ! If you have any input please contact me. I also have more information on the children, grandchildren of Thomas and Mae. I would be glad to hear from you and more than ready to share any information I have on this family.