[Sunnj]

I was born and raised in Lee County, Va and listened to family stories for 50 years. Never did we hear about the Collins from Hawkins County, Tn being anything other than they moved back and forth. I have tried to research my family line of Mormon Lawson and Elva (Elvira) Collins, Hawkins Cty, Tn, married (?) 1803 in Lee Cty, then returned back to Hawkins Cty abt 1850. I do not know anything about Elva. She had to have family somewhere. Can anyone help with this search. Another researcher on another board suggested here after I described my ancestors. I had heard of Newman’s Ridge and Melungeon’s but never considered another option. I am so glad to be able to post this query to someone who may know the answer’s that have never been answered. Email addy is sunnjammers@alltel.net

[Brenda Collins Dillon]

Sunnj,

Welcome to the forum.I hope what I have will help you.

III-Moreman Lawson is thought to be the son of Barclay and Susanna Simkins. He is also thought to be the father of our David. Wherever Morman lived there was a David near by. We found him in the 1790 Stokes County North Carolina Census with a family. We know that he was married twice. We do not know the name of his first wife or where they were married. Moreman Lawson was born 1745/55 in Bedford County Va. His death records say he was born 1745 but his pension application says 1751; died 16 September 1842 in Hawkins County Tenn.; buried in Hawkins County in what is now Hancock County Tenn.; married twice– 1790 Stokes Co. North Carolina Census

Moreman Lawson

1 male 16/ and up

1 male 0/16

8-females-all ages

#2 Elvira Collins 2nd wife of Moreman Lawson – four children

1-s. Peter born 1811 in Lee Co. Va.

2-s. Moreman Lawson born 8 May 1818 Hawkins Co. Tenn.

3-d. Phoebe Ellen born 1819 Lee Co. Va.

4-s. William Stokely born 20 March 1820 Hawkins Co. Tenn.

Records on Moreman

1790 – Moreman and David paid taxes in Hawkins Co. Tenn.

1799- sold property in Hawkins Co. Tn.

1803- sold property in Hawkins Co. Tn.

1804 – sold property to Winder Kenner, witnessed by David Lawson

1810- paid taxes in Lee Co. Va.

1820-paid taxes in Lee Co. Va.

1830 – in Lee Co. Va. Census with 2 boys and 2 girls. Age 70/80

1842 -died Hawkins Co. Tn. In what is now Hancock Co. Near Virginia line.

Likely Children

1-s. David born ca. 1785; died before 1850

2-s. Ambrose born 1790

3-s. John born 1800 Another Stokely was suggested but I can’t see two Stokelys in the same family

Hawkins Co. Deeds 1797 BK 3 page 160 to Hamilton

1792 BK 2 page 46 to Mayberry

1805 BK 6 page 80 to Winderr Kenner

For more complete information here is URL I found the info on:

http://www.geocities.com/fcruble/lawsonfallingriver.html

[Sunnj]

Brenda, Thanks so much for the information. I am hoping that I can find information on Elva (Elvira) Collins also. Seems everyone knows some history on Morman, but, Elva is just a name that is associated with him. She had to have family somewhere in Hawkins / Hancock Cty. Or maybe in Lee County, Va. While researching other lines in Lee County, Va the census takers either (1) could not find them to take the information or (2) my line did not want to be found. Allot of speculation, no facts.

Elva does remain a complete mystery though. Maybe someone will look on their charts and find her. And her name may be completely different than Elva.

Census takers and court clerks wrote what they thought they heard. And if they were from the North they did not understand the accent associated with the Pronunciation of the names.

Again, thanks and I hope to learn more about the history of Southwestern Va, Eastern Tn and Kentucky with this new found site. sunnjammers@alltel.net

[Author]

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