Person Page

     Cecil Lawrence was born circa 1912 in Arkansas.¹

     Cecil Lawrence was listed as a daughter at age 8, born in Arkansas, in the household of Isaac F. Lawrence in Big Bottom, Independence Co., Arkansas, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 8 January 1920.¹

     Charles Lawrence was probably born in Southampton Co., Virginia, say 1761. He married Elizabeth Daughtrey, daughter of Jesse Daughtrey and Unknown ?, say 1786 probably in North Carolina. The marriage date is based on the analysis of the 1787 North Carolina Census.. Charles died after 8 December 1806 in Sumner Co., Tennessee.¹

     Charles was probably born in Virginia before his father Charles and mother Amey sold their land in 1770.

     Apparently when Charles came to Sumner Co., Tennessee, he did not purchase land but lived with his brother John. Charles first appears on the 1798 Sumner Co. tax list immediately after John Lawrence. He also appears on the 1799 Sumner Co. tax list after John Lawrence. On the 1799 tax list John is listed with 200 acres "on Cumberland River" while Charles is listed with no acres.

     Recorded in the January 1801 Term Sumner County Court Minutes: The last will and testament of James Chapman decd. is exhibited in court and proved by the oath of Charlees Lawrence a subscribing witness thereto who also made oath that Thos. Campbell another subscribing witness to the testament subscribed his name in the presence of the said Lawrence ___ at the sametime Martha Chapman & Alexander Chapman Executrix & Executer therein named appeared in court & qualified as executrix & executor to the said will and testament.²

     Land to support his family is not purchased until 4 November 1833, when land is purchased per instructions of the will of Charles Lawrence for his heirs by Robert Lawrence, executor of the will of Charles Lawrence. At this time, for the sum of $200, a tract of land containing 50 acres on the waters of Sinking Creek is purchased from Richard Vincent of Warren County. This land is described as the same tract of land Richard Vincent conveyed to Elizabeth Lawrence during her widowhood.³ Evidently the land was conveyed to Elizabeth after Charles' death for her and her childrens use, but was not purchased until 1833.

     Later transactions involving this tract of land establishes the children of Charles and Elizabeth that were living at the time of the purchase in 1833. Amah Lawrence (a daughter of Charles) married John Moss in Sumner Co. and had two daughters, Mary Jane born circa 1814 who married Joseph C. Johnson, and Emmaliza (Eliza) born circa 1816 who married Anderson Kirkpatrick. On 12 January 1849, Robert Lawrence (a son of Charles), Anderson Kirkpatrick and his wife Emmaliza, Joseph C. Johnson and his wife Mary Jane sell to Lemuel Lawrence (another son of Charles) the same tract of land mentioned earlier for the sum of $80.³ It would appear at this time that Amah is deceased and her daughters, Mary Jane and Emmaliza, along with Amah's brother Robert, are selling their share of the property to their Lemuel.

     On the 17 December 1850, John and William (two more sons of Charles) sell this same aforementioned tract of land to Lemuel for a sum of $80.³ Again, it appears that John and William are selling their share of the property to their brother Lemuel.

     From these transactions, we can establish that there were five heirs of Charles alive when the tract of land was purchased in 1833, Amah, Robert, John, William, and Lemuel. Each of these five would have had a $40 inheritance in the land purchased for $200. Each, the heirs of Amah (who evidently had died prior to 1849), Robert, John, and William sell their shares to their brother Lemuel in 1849 and 1850 for their $40 inheritance.

     Lemuel sells this tract of land to Mitchell R. Moore on 5 January 1856, for a sum of $500.

     Another possible son of Charles and Elizabeth may be a Charles Lawrence who enlisted as a private in Capt. Sarver's regiment from Sumner Co. in the War of 1812. Among his War of 1812 military records is a power of attorney to Abram Trigg for his wages. Abram Trigg also served as bondsman for the marriage of Amah Lawrence and John Moss. This Charles died in 1815.

     Charles made a will on 8 December 1806. Last will and testament of Charles Lawrence: Will:

     I constitute. I Charles Larence of Sumner County District of Mero and state of Tennessee being by the providence of God in a weak and low condition of body but in sound mind and memory, do in the presence of Almighty God, constitute this my last will and testament in the following manner, viz, first for as much of my personable property such as can be best spared from the use of my family to be sold and purchase made of as much land for the support of my family as my worthy executors may think fit or sufficient for that purpose which land is to continue for the use of the widow until the children is of age, provided she continues to act the part of a mother till then; at which period if the widow should have married, the land is to be sold this Money equally divided between my legatees. Next as much of my property to be sold as will defray my lawful debts and funeral charges the balance to remain for the use of the widow and children for the conducting of which purpose, I do by these present constitute my worthy Brothers Robert Larence and John Larence my Executors with Betsy my wife, this indenture made this 8th day of December in the year of our Lord 1806. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Thomas Campbell Sen., Thomas Campbell Junior.
Charles (his mark) Larence.¹

     Charles Lawrence was born before 1728.^1,2 He married Amey Joyner circa 1760.³ Charles died after 1800.

     Charles was under age when his father made his will in 1743. Therefore if he became of age the following year, the earliest he could have been born would be 1723. In the will of Jeremiah, Charles' uncle, Charles is bequeathed land so he was probably of legal age when that will was made in 1755. Therefore, the latest he could have been born would be 1734. He appears in the 1787 Northampton Co., North Carolina census and is probably in the age group of over 60 on that census which would indicated that he probably was born prior to 1728.

     Charles witnessed the will of Joseph Joyner, recorded 8 April 1760.^3,4 In that will Joseph names daughter, Amey. This may be the Amey that is named as Charles' wife when he sells his property in Southampton County in 1770. If so, since Amey was not listed as Amey Lawrence in Joseph Joyner's will, they probably married after the death of Joseph Joyner.

     As stated above, Charles, in the will of his uncle Jeremiah Lawrence dated 30 November 1755, is bequeath land in Southampton Co., Virginia. On 12 July 1770, Charles and wife Amey sold that land to John Lawrence for £50. The land was described as "being in the County of Southampton on the south side of Black Water it being part of a pattein granted to John Lawrence the sixteenth day of December 1714 Bounded as follows: Beginning in the pattein line where George Lawrance's new line begins as bounds him and thence south __East along that new line to the Cattail Branch then along the said Branch to the Pattain line then along the said ____ distance to joyn the said John Lawrances one land and so along Lawrances Land to the Pattain line then along the Pattain on to the begining it is one hundred & fory acres ... as was given the said Charles Lawrance by his uncle Jeremiah Lawrance."⁵ I believe the John Lawrence to be Charle's uncle, a brother of Jeremiah who originally gave the land to Charles.

     Charles Lawrence next appears in Gates County, North Carolina in the period 1782 through 1785. Gates County was formed in 1779 from Chowan, Hertford, and Perquimans Counties. I believe that this is probably the Charles Lawrence that sold his land in Southampton Co., Virginia in 1770. I have found no other mention of a Charles Lawrence in these counties or surrounding area between 1770 and 1782.

     In June 1782, Peter Piland sells deeds land to Joshia Jurdon adjoining that of Charles Lawrence.⁶ In December 1784, Charles Lawrance deeds to Thomas Brickell for 30 pounds, 50 acres on Bennetts Creek, beginning at white oake, a corner tree adjoining Demsey Fulks land, running across pecosin SW to a Spanish oak on south side of shipyard, then straight to creek and up creek to a bushy top pine near causeway of Bennetts Creek Bridge and along road to corner of said Lawrence's orchard and up road to said Brickell's fence and along his line.⁶ It appears that at this time, Charles Lawrence may have moved to Northampton County, North Carolina. Recorded in Gates Co. 19 February 1794, is the sale on one negro woman named Sarah, one negro girl named Winney, one negro girl named Rozilla, and one negro girl named Venus to William Baker for 77 pounds, 10 shillings by Charles Lawrence of Northampton Co., NC.⁶

     In 1787 Charles Laurance appears as the head of household in the North Carolina state census in Capt. Horn's District with two white males between 21 and 60 years, three white males under 21 and above 60 years, and two white females all ages. I believe that this is probably the Charles Lawrence from Southampton Co., Virginia and Gates Co. and is probably the father of the Charles Lawrence that married Elizabeth Daughtrey, mentioned in the will of Jesse Daughtrey in 1796. No definitive records have been found to prove this relationship and may never be found due to lost and destroyed records. Likewise, no records contradicting this possibility have been found.

     If this relationship is true, the probable family members in that 1787 NC census⁷ are as follows:

     wm 21-60 -- the younger Charles that married Elizabeth Daughtrey
     wm 21-60 -- one of the younger Charles' brothers as mentioned in his will in Sumner County, Tennessee, made 8 December 1806, probably John
     wm under 21, over 60 -- over 60, the elder Charles whose estimated birth date is between 1723 and 1734, which would indicate that his birth date was probably before 1728
     wm under 21, over 60 -- under 21, the other brother of the younger Charles, probably Robert
     wm under 21, over 20 -- under 21, possibly the first born of the younger Charles, believed to be the Charles Lawrence that served in the War of 1812 under Capt. Geo. Sarver of Sumner Co., Tennessee, and died 20 February 1815
     wf -- Amey, wife of the elder Charles
     wf -- Elizabeth, wife of the younger Charles

     The marriage date of the younger Charles to Elizabeth Daughtrey is not known other than that they were married when Elizabeth's father made his will in 1796. A daughter of the younger Charles, Amah, married John Moss in 1809. Amah was probably was born by 1790 or earlier, therefore the younger Charles and Elizabeth probably were married by at least 1789 or earlier. If the above analysis of the 1787 NC census is accurate, and the Charles of the War of 1812 was their son, they probably were married at least by 1786.

     Charles Lawrence appears on the 1800 U. S. Census in Northampton Co., North Carolina with one female over 45, probably his wife Amey, and one female age 10 to 16, identity unknown. No further records for this Charles have been located.

     Charles Lawrence was listed as the head of a family on the 1800 Census in Northampton Co., North Carolina. He is enumerated with 1 white male 45 or older, i white female 10-16, and 1 white female 45 or older.⁸

     Charles Lawrence was born say 1787. Charles died I am uncertain about this death date that is from Tennesseans in War of 1812. When looking at the original muster rolls it appears the death date may be referring to the person listed above or below Charles. on 20 February 1815.¹

     The birth date is estimated based on the analysis of the 1787 North Carolina Census for Charles Lawrence, father of the Charles that married Elizabeth Daughtrey who in turn may be the father of this Charles.

     Additionally, I have found a power of attorney from Charles Lawrence to Abram Trigg dated 12 August 1815, which is after the supposed death date, for receiving his wages due upon his discharge from service. Additonally, there is a discharge dated 10 April 1815, for Charles Lawrence, again after the supposed death date.²

     Charles Edward Lawrence was born on 2 December 1927 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.¹ Charles died in June 1928 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.²

     Charles Hunter Lawrence was born on 15 February 1891 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5,6 He married Prudie D. Vaughn.¹ Charles died on 23 August 1973 at age 82. Last residence listed in the Social Security Death Index was Henry, Henry Co., Tennessee.^1,6

     Charles H. Lawrence was listed as a son at age 9, born in Tennessee, in the household of John F. Lawrence in Henry Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 4 June 1900.²

     Charlie H. Lawrence was listed as a son at age 19, occupation as a helper on farm, born in Tennessee, in the household of John Franklin Lawrence in Henry Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 19 April 1910.³

     Charlie Lawrence was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census enumerated 11 February 1920, in Henry Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 27, occupation as a farmer, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Prudie D. Lawrence and C. Vaughn Lawrence.⁴

     In the Census of 1930, enumerated 12 April 1930, Charlie H. Lawrence was listed as head of household in Henry Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 38, occupation as a farmer, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Prudie D. Lawrence, C. Vaughn Lawrence and Myrtice A. Lawrence.⁵

     Charles Johnson Lawrence was born on 9 January 1909 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5 He married Mary Elizabeth Ferbee, daughter of Henry Ferbee and Hattie Greer, on 7 January 1928 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.⁶ Charles died on 7 June 1979 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at age 70.⁵ He was interred in June 1979 in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.⁷

     Charles J. Lawrence was listed as a son at age one year four months, born in Tennessee, in the household of Frank J. Lawrence in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 23 April 1910.²

     Charles J. Lawrence was listed as a son at age 10, born in Tennessee, in the household of Frank J. Lawrence in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 7 January 1920.³

     In the Census of 1930, enumerated 9 April 1930, Charlie Lawrence was listed as head of household in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 21, occupation as a laborer in a chemical co., born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Elizabeth Lawrence and Iva Louise Lawrence.⁴

     Charles Vaughn Lawrence was born on 5 January 1918 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4 Charles died on 2 August 1993 at age 75. Last residence listed in the Social Security Death Index was McKenzie, Carroll Co., Tennessee.⁴

     C. Vaughn Lawrence was listed as a son at age two years two months, born in Tennessee, in the household of Charlie Lawrence in Henry Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 11 February 1920.²

     C. Vaughn Lawrence was listed as a son at age 12, born in Tennessee, in the household of Charlie H. Lawrence in Henry Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 12 April 1930.³

     Charlie Lawrence was born on 8 March 1888 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.¹ Charlie died on 16 March 1889 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at age 1.¹

     Claude Perry Lawrence was born on 1 November 1879 in Russellville, Logan Co., Kentucky.^1,2,3,4 Claude married first Minnie Wright circa 1909.³ Claude married second Lizzie Nuckles Dempsey, daughter of George Alexander Strother and Mary Alice Cotton, on 1 February 1912.¹ Claude married third Ethel Bursby after 1938.⁵ Claude died on 4 June 1966 in VA Hospital, Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at age 86.¹

     The following account of Claude was provided by Anne Lawrence, wife of Robert Lynn Lawrence, grandson of Claude Lawrence.

     Claude Lawrence was a colorful fellow. I remember him vividly from my childhood in Cottontown, Sumner Co., TN. I do not remember his first wife (Perry and Jesse's mother) but knew his second wife (whom you mention), Ethel Busby (also spelled Bursby). After Claude died, Jesse took care of Ethel until she passed away. They lived on Franklin Rd., Cottontown, TN (Sumner Co.).

     According to the family: Claude opened and ran the first movie theater (The Palace) in Franklin, KY. He ran one afternoon and two night shows; was very successful with it and brought home his money every night in a dish pan filled with pennies, nickels, dimes. After he had enjoyed this success for some time, he decided he had made all the money he would ever need! and gave the theater to his friend "Rooster", the town drunk (if this is a mistake concerning the person's character, I apologize, but that's what Claude's family says occurred). He decided he wanted adventure so he took his savings and joined the Barnum and Baily Circus as a clown. After that, he and a friend who could sing well teamed up. Claude preached and the other sang. Finally, he ran out of money. He hopped a train, starving, and discovered that under the straw were bananas left from a previous shipment! When Claude finally got back home to his mother in Franklin, KY, he was flat broke, full of bananas, and covered with soot from the train.

     He came to Cottontown, Sumner Co., TN, to visit friends named Creekmore. When he married Lizzie Nuckles Strother, she had her Cotton family-inherited land and had purchased her own acreage and home on Pee Dee Creek in Cottontown. Overall, Claude didn't take the responsibility of marriage and children very seriously. He would leave for long periods of time and had it not been for the fact that Lizzie owned the land and had pasture/garden, she and their two young sons, Perry and Jesse, would have gone hungry several times. They lived through one winter trading cow milk for hay with a neighbor who transported the items quite a distance over rolling hills every day - no matter the weather. Neither family would have survived without the other. When Jesse was old enough to do farm work, he went up the road to live with his mother's sister and family where he was given room/board. He visited his mother regularly and helped out as much as he could. Claude and Lizzie Nuckles Strother married on ??; Lizzie was born 12 Jan. 1872, Sumner Co, TN; died 27 May 1938, Sumner Co, TN at her home on Pee Dee Creek Rd., Cottontown, TN, and is buried there, beside her parents, George Alex Strother and Mary Alice Cotton Strother.

     Luckily, when Claude married Ethel Bursy (Bursby), she owned her own property so he never had to work to have a roof over his head. Until about 1958 children in Cottontown attended the Cottontown School. It was 3 rooms, coal stove in the middle of one room, outdoor toilets (of course) and the teacher (some times 2 teachers) taught 8 grades. There was a large school yard where everyone gathered to play softball, etc. I remember many times when Claude would walk over from the country store and do magic tricks for us during recess. He seemed old to me then and I thought it was amazing that this jovial fellow could dance a jig/sing a little song and turn flips as easily as we might walk across the yard! We were always excited to see him coming across the bridge; I never remember him being anything but bursting with laughter. He so enjoyed "putting on a show for the little ones." He was one of the "regulars" at the Cottontown grocery store and there was no one who could take his place when he died.¹

     Claude Perry Lawrence was listed as a son at age seven months, born in Kentucky, in the household of Robert W. Lawrence in Franklin, Simpson Co., Kentucky, in the Census of 1880 enumerated 1 June 1880.⁶

     Claud P. Lawrence was listed as a son at age 20, occupation as an electrician, born in Kentucky, in the household of Allice Lawrence in Franklin, Simpson Co., Kentucky, in the Census of 1900 enumerated June 1900.²

     Claud P. Lawrence was listed as the head of a family on the 1910 Census enumerated 15 April 1910, in Louisville, Jefferson Co., Kentucky. He was listed at age 31, occupation as a painter, born in Kentucky. Also enumerated in the household: Minnie Lawrence, Alice Rhea Lawrence and Bryan N. Wright.³

     Claud P. Lawrence was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census enumerated 15 January 1920, in Sumner Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 40, occupation as a farmer, born in Kentucky. Also enumerated in the household: Lizzie Lawrence and Perry E. Lawrence.⁴

     Dabner J. Lawrence was born in March 1851 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5 He married Margaret E. Crenshaw circa 1884.³ Dabner J. Lawrence died probably before 1930.

     Dabner J. Lawrence was listed at age 9, born in Tennessee, as a member of the household of Robert Lawrence in Wilson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1860, enumerated 5 July 1860.¹

     In the Census of 1870, D. Lawrence was listed in the household of O. F. Tatum who may be a brother or some other relation to his mother Lydia Tatum in Wilson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 18 and as a student..

     In the 1880 Census, Dabner was listed as a border in household of Frank W. Cox in Obion Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 27, occupation as a farmer, born in Tennessee.⁶

     Dabney Lawrence was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census enumerated 7 June 1900, in Obion Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 49, occupation as a farmer, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Maggie E. Lawrence, Mary B. Crenshaw, Katy C. Lawrence and Harry J. Lawrence.³

     Dabner J. Lawrence was listed as the head of a family on the 1910 Census enumerated 18 April 1910, in Fulton Co., Kentucky. He was listed at age 59, occupation as a farmer, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Margaret E. Lawrence, Katherine C. Lawrence, Harry J. Lawrence and Mary B. Crenshaw.⁴

     Dabner J. Lawrence was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census enumerated 10 March 1920, in Lodgetown, Fulton Co., Kentucky. He was listed at age 68, occupation as a farmer, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Margaret E. Lawrence and M. Chrenshaw.⁵

     Donald Charles Lawrence was born on 2 December 1935 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.¹ Donald died on 1 January 1936 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.¹

     Donald Ray Lawrence was born on 27 August 1952.¹ Donald died on 18 September 1996 at age 44.¹