Vineyard Lawson is listed in the 1840 Census age between 20 - 30 years. He is living next door to John Lawson. Living in the same household is a female, age 15-20 years and a male, age between 0-5 years, which would be my great grandfather Albert G. Lawson.

Albert is enumerated in Vinyard and Julia Ann Losson’s household in the 1850 Census, taken 3 December 1850, 11th District, dwelling #294, family #295, pages 43 & 290A. Albert’s age is given as 11 years and born in Alabama. This would indicate he was older than 1 year in 1840 and the male child, age under 5 years, enumerated in Vinyard's household in the 1840 Walker County Census.

The Pleasant Grove Church records indicated that A. Losson became a member of the Church by experience on the Saturday before the 4th Sabbath in September 1858.

Albert and Nancy Losson are enumerated in the 1860 Census, taken 26 June 1860, Western Division, Post Office -- Holly Grove, dwelling #202, family #195, pages 29 & 795. Albert’s age is listed as 22 years old, a farmer, value of real estate $200, value of personal estate $200 and born in Alabama. It states he could read and write. He had one child of 6 months. His family is living next door to Vinyard Losson's family his father.

In August 1862, when Albert enlisted at Jasper, into the Confederate Army, he stated he was born 15 May 1834, near Pleasant Grove Church on Lost Creek, Walker County, Alabama.

In the Alabama State Census of 1866 for Walker County, Albert Lawson's family is listed as living in Township 14, Range 8. It gives his age as between 20 and 30 years, lists 3 female children under the age of 10 years and wife's age between 20 and 30 years. It also indicates that the family has one soldier who was disable in the Civil War (must have been Albert, since he was the only male listed in the family). Living close to Albert is a Vinson Lawson's family. We believe this is Vinyard, his father.

In the 1867 Voting Registration Loyalty Oaths, taken 19 July 1867, Albert Lawson indicated he was born 15 May 1833 in Walker County, Alabama.

In the 1870 Census, Albert's family appears 3 times and in all 3 Census his age is given as 35 years and born in Alabama. Two of these indicate he could read and write. Name is spelled Losson. One Census was taken 7 June 1870 in Township 14, Post Office - Jasper, dwelling #94, family #94, page 14. It indicated the value of his real estate was $600, value of personal estate $200. The 2nd one was taken 21 July 1870, Township 15, Post Office - York, dwelling #117, family #117, page 16. It indicated the value of his real estate was $300, value of personal estate $200. The 3rd one was taken 17 August 1870, Township 15, Post Office - York, dwelling #160, family #160, page 22. This Census did not list any value for real estate or personal estate. On the side of the Census it indicated that this was a duplicate of the 2nd one above. All 3 Censuses were taken by A. H. Brown, Assistant Marshall.

Albert G. and Nancy Losson are enumerated in the 1880 Census of Walker County, Alabama, Beats #4 & #5, Township 12, Range 10, ED. 274, dwelling #24, family #24, sheet 3, line 22, page 2A. It gives Albert's age as 45 years, born in Alabama. States his parents were born in South Carolina, however, his mother is living with him and it indicates she was born in Kentucky? Apparently Albert moved from the Pleasant Grove area in Townships 14/15, Range 8 to the Spring Hill area in Township 12, Range 10. This Census was taken 5 June 1880.

Albert G. Lawson is enumerated in the 1900 Census, Township 3 North, Range 21 East, Indian Territory (Oklahoma), Choctaw Nation, taken 14 June 1900. It indicates his age is 63 years, and that he was born May 1837, in Alabama, a farmer, and that he was a widower. He has a son, Thomas living with him. They are living next door to Albert's sister, Sarah Ann, and her husband, George A. Myers. Albert and Sarah Ann's nephew, Goulder Lee Lawson, was also living near by. There is only a small eastern part of this township and range in Leflore County and Talihina is located in northern part of it. That would indicate Albert was living six miles or less from Talihina.

Some interesting information about Vinyard and Albert comes from the records of the Pleasant Grove Church. Pleasant Grove came into existence as a community in 1845 when a dissension entered the Baptist Church over the matter of missions. The Bethel Church, at Holly Grove, continued to follow the Primitive Baptist beliefs, while those who subscribed to the doctrine of the Missionary Baptist organized and built their church at Pleasant Grove, in Township 14, Range 8 of Walker County, Alabama, the first of that faith to be built in the county. A meeting was convened at a school house near Ruben Keetons, on Lost Creek in Walker County, 14 July 1845 for the purpose of Constituting the Church. A Winyard (Vinyard) Losson (Lawson) was recorded as a charter member of the Pleasant Grove Church and took part in this first meeting. Albert’s mother, Julia Ann joined the same church in its first meeting.

A. Losson is listed as joining this church on the 4th Sabbath in September 1858. Nancy Losson joined on the 2nd Sabbath in February 1859 by letter. On the 2nd Sabbath in October 1860, A. Losson is listed as giving $1 for the support of the Home mission for the next year. There were 24 members who gave a total collection of $34.50. On the 2nd Sabbath in August 1866, Albert Losson was elected a delegate to the association of the church.

In the July 1869 meeting, A. Lawson was again elected as a delegate to the church association. In the June 1870 meeting, Nancy Lawson was appointed to a committee. The records states, "Called for new business, taken up the case of sister Elizabeth O. Manasco for fornication, appointed a committee to visit her, appointed sister Nancy Thomas and sister Nancy Lawson and sister Linda King and report to the next conference." In the November 1870 meeting A. Lawson was appointed to another committee.

The last time Albert and Nancy were listed in the records was April 1871. The records states, "Called for new business, motion that brother A. Lawson and sister Nancy Lawson have Letter of Dismishen. It was granted them." The minutes had a copy of the form for the Letter of Dismishen which certified that the persons receiving it were Baptist members of Jesus Christ at Pleasant Grove of the North River association at Pleasant Grove. It stated “Our much beloved Brother or Sister is a member of this church and is (at) his own request dismiss from or membership when joined to that of the Same Faith and order of which we desire to be informed at the earliest practicable moment.”

The above records indicate Albert and Nancy were members in good standing when the left the church. Unlike Albert’s father and some other relatives who were dismissed for various reasons, there is no record of Albert or Nancy being charged with any wrong doing in the church.

In the land records, located in the Walker County Court House in Jasper, Alabama, there is the following transaction for Albert G. Lawson;
A. Losson and Nancy Losson sold the land in SW1/4 of NW1/4 and NW1/4 of SW1/4 of Section 33, Township 14 South, Range 8 West, for $400 to Thomas Davis. The date of the sale was 6 March 1871. This land is about one mile West of the Pleasant Grove Church and located less than 1/4 mile East of the Lawson Cemetery.

From the church records and the above sale of land, it would indicate that Albert and Nancy’s family left the Pleasant Grove area around April 1871. At this time, Albert’s father, Vinyard, had moved to the Dallas area in Polk County, Arkansas. Did Albert go West to be with his father? At this time I do not believe he did because his mother Julie Ann is living with him in the 1870 and 1880 Walker County Census. Since his father deserted his wife and family before 1870 I do not believe Albert would have joined him in the West while she was still alive and living with him. However, there are no documents that I have found that shows him still in Walker County between the April 1871 and June 1880.

A. G. Lawson paid $4.00 and applied for a patent from the US Government for 160.5 acres of land located in the W1/2 of SE1/4 and E1/2 of SW1/4 of Section 36, in Township 12 South, Range 10 West. It is dated 18 May 1883. Little Mill Creek flows across this land. It is located a little over one half mile south and southeast of Albert’s oldest son, John V. Lawson's old home place. This home is where John's children and his youngest son, Barney Lawson's children were born. He obtained title to this land 15 December 1884, Homestead Certificate No. 2543.

On 5 September 1883, A. G. Lawson and his wife Nancy Lawson sold the coal and minerals' rights for the N1/2 of SE1/4 and the S1/2 of SW1/4 of Section 36, Township 12, Range 10 West, containing 160.50 acres to the Alabama & Tennessee Coal & Iron Company for $321.00.

Albert G. Lawson sold to G. A. Gamble for $23.28 on 11 December 1880 his entire crop of corn and cotton to be made in 1881, 1 gray horse about ten years old named Dock and one red spotted cow and calf to have and to hold. Upon condition, however, that if pay amount of due note is paid he retained his property. It stated it was paid 21 April 1884. Witness by William Randolph Justice of the Peace.

A. G. Lawson borrowed $25.00 on the 28 March 1883 from J. P. and A. A. Pearce. The advanced was to make a crop in the year 1883. The note states -- "On or before the 10th day of Nov. 1883 I promise to pay J. P. and A. A. Pearce the sum of twenty-five dollars, this bring the amt. of money advanced me to enable me to make a crop the present year 1883, it not being in my power to procure the necessary provisions, farming implements and other mdse. to enable me to make a crop the present year 1883. I therefore grant unto the said Pearce the Statutory lien on my entire crop both cotton and corn to be grown or raised by me the present or any other year until this debt is paid. And to better secure the payment of the said advance I hereby waive all rights or claim to exemptions allowed me under the laws and ___ ____ of the state of Alabama. Signed and dated 28 March 1883."

Fayette County, Alabama - North River Baptist Association - 1884
The 50th Annual Session of the North River Baptist Association was held at Bethabara Baptist Church in Fayette County, commencing 25 September 1884. Elder J. W. Rogers presided as Moderator and William Randolph as Clerk. In the list of churches and delegates we find from the Spring Hill Baptist Church the following names, A. G. Lawson, W. M. Tipper and Robert Downey.

On 10 February 1888, A. G. Lawson and Nancy Lawson sold the real estate located in the W1/2 of SE1/4 and the E1/2 of SW1/4 in Section 36, Township 12 South, Range 10 West to J. L. Ingle for $160.50.

This may have been when Albert, Nancy and their unmarried children left Alabama and went to Indian Territory. This may have also been after the death of his mother? I am not sure Nancy was with them when they went to the Territory. No one in Oklahoma seem to know anything about her. On the death certificates of their children in Oklahoma they would have Albert’s name on them but not Nancy’s. Maybe she died shortly after they arrived in the Indian Territory?

The next document I have found on Albert was in Wade County, Choctaw Nation (now Le Flore County, Oklahoma) and dated 19 March 1888. A Davis Vaughn (husband of Albert’s niece Nancy Myers Vaughn and a Choctaw Indian) filed application for a renter permit in favor of Albert Lawson citizen of the United States, 19 March 1888. Signatures of Choctaw Nation citizens on the document were Davis Vaughn, Ingmus James, Henry Johnson and Abel Williams. The permit was granted on the same day and Albert paid $5.00 for the permit.

Albert’s uncle, Patmon Lawson filed for a renters permit on 1 March 1888. Patmon had sold his farm in Winston County 20 January 1888. Good chance they went to the Indian Territory together. A Green Lawson also filed for a laborer’s permit in Wade County that same year and in 1889 Thomas Lawson filed for a laborer’s permit. So before Vinyard’s death in 1891 he had the families of three of his sons, Albert, Vinyard Jr. and Thomas and his brother, Patmon and his son Green Lawson living near him in the Indian Territory.

The records indicates that Albert filed for a renter’s permit each year from 1888 until 1900 which was the last record in the documents that I found.

I found in the Mena, Polk County, Arkansas Court House a record of Albert’s youngest daughter Mahala E. Lawson’s marriage certificate. It is dated 30 March 1891 and A. G. Lawson signed as surety for the bound of her marriage. It indicated they were living in Rocky, Polk County, Arkansas, which is only 7 miles west of Mena, Arkansas. It is also only about 50 miles from Talihina, Oklahoma. Not sure why Albert gave Rocky as his home because on 2 March 1891, in Wade County, Choctaw Nation, Thomas W. Frazier filed an application for a renter for Albert Lawson. It was approved on the same day.

As I indicated above, Albert’s father was listed in the 1870 Dallas, Polk County, Arkansas Census. In 1989 I talked to Ruby (Avery) Lawson, wife of Robert Franklin Lawson, my uncle, and she indicated that she thought that Albert was from McAlester, Oklahoma. She said that he would sell parts of his land now and then to obtain money to return there. It was suggested that John V. Lawson, his son, would go with him on some of these trips. This would indicate Albert and his children may have made a number of trips to the Indian Territory. However, it looks like he first went to Wade County, Choctaw Nation and then to Rocky or Mena, Arkansas which is only 50 miles from Talihina.

The following is a little history of this area just east of Talihina, Oklahoma.

The immigrants into this region in the late 1830’s were mostly southern farmers and by 1844 a new county was created which was called Polk County. After the a fire destroyed the first county seat which was called Panther, it was moved to Dallas. After the Civil War a new influx of southerners came into Polk County and this is when Dallas reached its largest population of about 400.

The long-awaited railroad that was to make Dallas prosper and grow came to Polk County in 1896 but bypassed the tiny county seat. Mena was established a few miles north and the population soared to almost 4,000. Many Dallas citizens left for the new boom town. In June 1898, a referendum was presented to county voters to move the county seat from Dallas to the new up-start rail town. The death knell had sounded for Dallas. Stores closed, people moved away as county government operations in Dallas ceased. Now there is little or no physical evidence remains of the town called Dallas. Only the cemetery remains in the area now called “Old Dallas”.

As indicated, Rocky, Arkansas was west of Dallas and Mena and on the trail or road into the Indian Territory. It is now located on Arkansas State Highway 8 which changes to Oklahoma State Highway 63 as you head for Talihina. The highway crosses highway 259 at Big Cedar and if you turn south and head over the mountains you will find a monument on top of the mountain called “Three Sticks”. According to the Forest Rangers, as you look at the monument from its front, in the background you will see the top of Lawson’s Mountain. Family history has it that this mountain was named after Vinyard Lawson.

On Highway 63, about six miles west of Big Cedar is a place called Muse, Oklahoma. Albert’s daughter, Savannah “Kizey” lived and died in this small town. She was married to the first Postmaster of Muse, Scott Carver.

Albert's grave stone at the Spring Hill Cemetery is the same type, style and looks as if it was fabricated the same time as his granddaughter's. This indicates to me that when she was buried they got a stone for her and one for Albert. It states the date of his birth is 15 May 1938. It indicates that he belongs to Mason Masonic Lodge.

Frank James Crims, a great grandson of Albert, is a Mason and lives in Talihina, was able to get the following information from their headquarters in Oklahoma. Albert G. Lawson joined the Masons, Lodge #73, Talihina, Oklahoma, 6 June 1895. He was suspended, for none payment of dues, 2 June 1904.

Elmer Dickson sent a copy of a marriage license No. 1712 that shows that A. G. Lawson of Talihina in the Indian Territory, aged 60 years, and a Mrs. M. J. Moore of Talihina in the Indian Territory, aged 44 years, were married on the 26 day of February 1903 by J. F. Gates Minister of the Gospel. According to Albert's military records, he returned to Alabama this same year to file for his pension. In this application it did not mention his new wife.

Albert was in Walker County 7 July 1903 when he filed an application for a pension for service and being wounded while serving with the Confederate Army. His being suspended for none payment from the Masons in 1904 would indicate he did not return to Oklahoma. He may have lived with his son, John Lawson, in the Spring Hill area until his death in 1910.

On 1 April 1909, A. G. Lawson who had no wife (a widower) sold the real estate located in the NE1/4 of SW1/4 and SW1/4 of SE1/4 of Section 36, Township 12 South, Range 10 West to L. W. Lollas Trustee for $160.00. Some of the land sold by Albert above was bought by John V. Lawson. I assume Albert must have had John purchase it so he could apply for his pension for a disabled Confederate Soldier.

According to oral history from Luther Franklin Lawson (Goulder's son), Goulder and Albert lived across a creek from each other near Spring Hill, Alabama, after the war, and would tease one another about who won the Civil War. I assume the creek that is referred to is Mill Creek and the land is located in Section 36, Township 12.

The following affidavit was found in the Land Records in Jasper, Walker County, Alabama:
Before me, the undersigned authority in and for said County in said State personally appear G. F. Lawson, who being duly sworn deposes and says that he is a son of Vinyard Lawson, deceased, who entered or purchased from the United States the following described lands in Walker County, Alabama:
South West quarter of South West quarter, Section 28;
South East quarter of South East quarter, Section 29;
North East quarter of North East quarter; South West quarter of North East quarter; North half of South East quarter, Section 32;
North West quarter of North West quarter, North West quarter of South West quarter, Section 33; all in Township 14 South of Range 8 West.

Further deposing affiant says that his father died about the years 1892, that his name was spelled both “Losson” and “Lawson”; and while he has been informed that the patents to some parts of the above described lands were issued in the name of Vinyard Losson and the patents to other portions of said lands were issued in the name of Vinyard Lawson, all of said lands were entered or purchased by the same person, who was his father; and that said lands were afterwards sold by the Sheriff under a levy against his father.

Further deposing affiant says that his father had the following children vis; this affiant, G. F. Lawson, Albert G. Lawson, Ben (Vin) Lawson, Zilpha Davis, Sallie Myers and Nancy J. Hunt, all of whom are dead except this affiant and Nancy J. Hunt, who after the death of her husband, Jim Hunt, married a man by the name of Morgan, but he does not know where she is now living. That Ben (Vin) Lawson, left the following children: Gabe (Jabe) Lawson, Betty Lawson, G. L. Lawson, and Josie Lawson, who married Grief Johnson; and they are all living some where near Tallehaney (Talihina), Oklahoma. That Zilpha Davis left one daughter who married George McLain, and is living some where in Mississippi, present address unknown. That Sallie Myers left two children, viz.; Lawrence Myers and Julia Myers, who married a man by the name of Love. That Albert G. Lawson died about two years ago and left one son, now living at Galloway, his name being John Lawson, and 5 daughters viz., Julia A. Coleman (Colburn), Martha J. McDaniel (McDonald), Sarah Johnson, Louvena Freeman and Arb Lawson, the above named children and grandchildren are all of the heirs of Vinyard Lawson, deceased, as far as this affiant recollects.

It was sworn and subscribed to before A. L. Wall Notary Public, on the 20th day of March 1913 by G. F. Lawson. James W. Shepherd, Judge of Probate, certified that the conveyance was file in the Court House for record 12 March 1813 and recorded in Deed Record 159, page 35 and examined.

It was great to find this document because it listed Vinyard’s children and some of his grandchildren. I assumed Goulder listed only the living children in most cases. He listed all his sisters and brother except Julia Ann ,who I believe died very young and his illegitimate half brother and half sister (of course I can be wrong and these two children may not be Vinyard’s children).

Goulder’s brother Vin (Vinyard) was called Ben and one of Vin’s children was called Gabe instead of Jabe and he missed one of Vin’s son, William David Lawson. Also, no one knows anything about Vin having a daughter called Betty Lawson. Will have to do more work on her.

Have found no information on Zilpha Davis.

Have found little information on Nancy J. Hunt. I know she had three children but not sure of their names.

Sallie (Sarah) Myers had at least six children and Goulder only mention two. Her children were Sarah Julian, Nancy Jane, James Vinyard, Luquilia T., William Lawrence and Mary C. Myers.

Albert had two boys and seven girls. Julia Ann’s married name was Colburn, not Coleman, Martha Jane’s married name was McDonald not McDaniel and he missed Savannah K. Carver who I know was alive at that time. There was a Mahala E. who married a F. B. Guthrie in Rocky, Arkansas. Have little other information on Mahala. Lastly, there was a Thomas W. but I know he was dead before 1913 and may have been the reason he was not listed.

• Married: ABT 1859 in Walker County, Alabama

1. Sarah F. LAWSON b: 25 DEC 1859 in Pleasant Grove Area, Walker County, Alabama
2. Julia Ann LAWSON b: 11 JUL 1863 in Pleasant Grove Area, Walker County, Alabama
3. Martha Jane LAWSON b: 4 FEB 1864 in Pleasant Grove Area, Walker County, Alabama
4. Alcey Ellender Luvenia LAWSON b: ABT MAY 1868 in Pleasant Grove Area, Walker County, Alabama
5. John Vinyard LAWSON b: 30 JAN 1870 in Pleasant Grove Area, Walker County, Alabama
6. Savannah K. 'Kizey' LAWSON b: 13 NOV 1871 in Walker County, Alabama
7. Arvenzenia B. ‘Arvey’ LAWSON b: FEB 1874 in Walker County, Alabama
8. Mahala E. LAWSON b: ABT 1878 in Walker County, Alabama
9. Thomas W. LAWSON b: 17 SEP 1881 in Walker County, Alabama

• Married: 26 FEB 1903 in Talihina, Indian Territory, Oklahoma

1. Type: Book
   Periodical: 1867 Voting Registration, Loyalty Oaths, Individual Pardon Applications for Walker County, Alabama
   Author: Compiled by Carolyn M. Rowe, 5745 Talquin Ave., Pensacola, FL 32526-1556
   Publication: The Gregath Publishing Company
2. Text: A copy of the records of the Pleasant Grove Church were found in the Jasper Library. It records meeting of the church from its beginning until January 1883. A stamp in the copy states; Bruce Myers, Mid-Oaks Arboretum, Route 9, Box 403, Jasper, Al. 35501-8282.