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Our Patriarch William Lawson and the Overmountain Men



"On Sept. 13, 1777, at the age of 46, Lawson swore allegiance to the State of Virginia and the American cause as a member of Captain Daniel Trigg’s company of the Montgomery County Militia. This particular company was highly reputed as Indian-fighters, and conducted numerous forays against marauding tribes who were induced to raids by British guns and money.

"Perhaps Lawson’s greatest single moment of personal triumph occurred on Oct. 7, 1780, when he found himself among the Overmountain Men who fairly pinned back the ears of the British in the Battle of King’s Mountain. No doubt his memories of Culloden Moor played some part in his own battle-fury as he sent his bullets flying into the ranks of the surrounded redcoats. It was during this battle that he distinguished himself and received the rank of sergeant.

"It was also the battle in which he met and befriended Johnathon Wood, who is recorded among the men who originally petitioned for the establishment of what is now Scott County out of territories from Lee, Russell and Washington counties.

"His association with Wood, was undoubtedly a major impetus for his final settlement in this area. In 1796 he sold his 345 acres in what is now Pulaski County and traveled Southwest with his family, finally to settle on Big Moccassin Creek. On November 24, 1814, he and his family were numbered among the first citizens of newly formed Scott County.

"In April of 1826, the tumultuous life of John (sic should be William) Lawson came to a close. A year later wife Rebecca followed."

(Source: Scott County Historical Guide, Scrapbook Memories, Mildred McConnell/ RootsWeb)

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