I am a descendant of Gaines Lawson and Laura Lawrence. He was a Captain in the US Army in 1870, Duncan Fort, Maverick, TX. I cannot find him before this time. He may be the son of Malvina Piney Lawson but not positive.

I am also looking for Laura's family. Her mother's name was Laura Lawrence also (though her married name) b. (1818-1826) and lived with the Lawsons in the 1870 and 1880 Census. Laura (daughter) said she was born in Florida but I can find no record of this. Laura (mother) said she was born in South Carolina/New York. Diff Census said diff things.

The children of Gaines and Laura Lawson include: Eugene G. b 1870. in Mississippi, Katherine (Kate), b.1874 in Kansas, and Lawrence? b. 1869 in Wash, D.C. The family moved around a lot, which makes this harder. Katherine married a Neumann at some point.

Any help would be appreciated!

I don't know if this was your Gaines Lawson or not. There is no evidence from county documents that the Hawkins County Gaines Lawson, Medal of Honor winner, was ever married. However, he sold some property (actually registered) on July 23, 1872, in which he identified himself as Gaines Lawson, Capt. 25th Infantry, Brevet Lt. Col, US Army. The document was signed by George S. Anderson, Col, 25th Infantry, C N Gray, Adjutant 25th Infantry, Camp Pudra Pinta, Texas. He sold (actually registered) land again on July 29, 1881 (actually sold September 1875) in which he identified his mother as Malvina Lawson and implied that his sister was Jane Shanks. Malvina Lawson was the daughter or daughter in law of Burrell Lawson. Census and deed records suggest that she was really a Willis--related to James Willis, and that she might have been the wife of John Lawson, who was likely the son of Burrell Lawson. Gaines Lawson appeared to be dead in 1881.

Wow, I cannot say if he is the right Gaines or not. But it would make sense. How many Gaines Lawsons, born in Tennessee, the same year, and Capts in the US Army, could there be? I did not find him in the 1880 Census, but Laura, his wife stated she was married and not widowed so he must have still been living. He could very well have died in 1881. The 1890 Census is hardly worth looking at because of its scarce records. If you have access to the 1870 Census, take a look. He was stationed in Maverick, TX. And his family was with him at the time. Thank you for your help!

I was informed by a "cousin" that Gaines died in the early 1900s. However, the deed transferring his property to sister Jane Shanks in 1875 stipulated that his mother Malvina must be allowed to live in one room on the west side of the house until her death, and that Jane could never sell the property until Gaines Lawson himself died. Gaines paid her four dollars a month to care for Malvina. But, Jane sold the property in 1881, and offered up the agreement as proof she had the right to sell it. The land went to Harvey Shanks. Hmmm--I wonder what was going on. So, was Gaines Lawson dead or not?

Okay... I am looking at the 1900 Census and found a Gaines Lawson living in Shiloh, Hawkins, TN. This guy was born in 1847, he says. (Problem #1) Married to a Fiona- but they've only been married four years. Laura either died or was divorced from him then. The children in this household are Tyler b. 1890, Grant b. 1892, Mary? S b. 1897, Mabe William (stepson) b 1881, Maggie E (stepdau) b 1884, and Sylus? J? (stepson) b 1888. Something's going on here. The last three kids are stepchildren to Gaines, but are Tyler and Grant his by another woman? I don't think it was Laura, but who knows? Everyone, according to Gaines was born in TN and had parents born in TN. Laura said she was born in Florida.

Let me add that when I was plugging Gaines into my family tree, they gave me a possible link to a Gaines born of Malvina Piney Lawson which seemed to fit, so I connected them. This Gaines died in 1906 in Pasadena, CA. And Malvina, this one link states, died in 1860 (b 1802). This Malvina sounds much more like a grandmother to me. Maybe Malvina had a daughter named Malvina as well. It's certainly a trend.

No, that Gaines appears to be the son of Richard Lawson and Franky Hart, and he married Sophrona Mabe, daughter of Reuben Mabe and Mary Lawson (daughter of Hennis). Now, he disappeared for a long time, so I don't know the story about him.

You can't trust family history nor census ages. Gaines Lawson, Medal of Honor winner, wrote an instrument in 1875, giving possession of his land to his sister Jane Shanks with the condition that she take care of their mother Malvina (Piney Lawson). Piney probably died about 1880 and that is why Jane sold the land. Now, here is something very curious. Piney Lawson was living next to Reuben Mabe and daughter Sophrona in 1870 with her son John. This would seem to imply that the 1900 Gaines Lawson living with Sophrona could conceivably Piney's son Gaines. But he was born about 1841 and Richard Lawson's Gaines about 1850. Gaines Lawson and Sophrona were repeatedly prosecuted for living together in the 1890s.

Puzzle, puzzle. I wish ancestry had better military records- or more of them anyway. Thank you for clarifying things. I do know that Census records are far from accurate. I have an ancestor who called himself a different name (first) every Census he was alive, practically. And how would a Census Official question someone's identity back then? Or any other aspect for that matter. Ahhh! I will continue hunting...

Thanks!

I know you are focusing on the name "Gaines" but is there a "James" or James Gaines or J. G who would fit his description later ?

Edmund Pendleton Gain(e)s (1777-1849) was a War of 1812 General and son of James Gain(e)s (1742-1830) who was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. There was a Belcher named General Belcher - Gaines Belcher was probably named after him (Edmund / Pendelton). This may also apply to one of the Bullens associated to the Halls and Lawsons in Indiana.

The Gains' are named in the Clement, Patmon, John etc. land transfer in NC.