The first thing that intrigued me about this cemetery were two gravestones which are said to have been carved by the decedents’ son. They are unique in that the faces of his parents are carved into the back of each tombstone – the primitive art is striking.
Thomas and Elizabeth Warren Lawson are both buried in the Lawson Cemetery in Hickman County, Tennessee, along with several other Lawsons and Warrens (Elizabeth’s maiden name). Elizabeth died on September 7, 1883 and Thomas died shortly thereafter on December 21, 1883. According to various sources, their oldest son, Shadrach Warren, carved their headstones. The hand prints on the back of Thomas’ stone are said to be the hand prints of his grandchildren, Shadrach’s children, Callie Leona, Etta Lou and Lillie Eveline. The stones were carved from grindstone taken from Grindstone Hollow near Hassell’s Creek.
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And the Shadrach’s continue…gave me a big smile all the way through. Very similar trek of several of my surnames. Great one!
Yep another Shadrach — I seem destined to run across that name don’t I? At first I was just going to make the article about Thomas and then I saw the family links in the cemetery and thought that would be a better article.
Love this!! So many of our Hudgins married Warrens also
Glad you enjoyed the article .. I found it fascinating, especially the carved gravestones.
My great grandfather was Francis Marion Lawson brother to Shadrack, he is buried at Gray’s Bend cem. Their father was Thomas Hardin Lawson. I found them listed at Lawson Cemetery In Hickman Co. I have not found anyone who can tell me where Lawson Cemetery is located. Probably on Defeated Ck or Hassell Ck. Can you give me directions?
William (Bill) H Lawson, Hohenwald.
My great great great grandfather was shadrack lawson. Me and my two sons went looking for the family cemetary and its located in the woods off hassell creek LANE. We run out of time looking for it on hassell creek rd but ran into a distant cousin who know exactly where its at and is going to take us to it and the lawson school house location. We live in linden
What is the address of their burial site? My mom and sister have been digging into our ancestry and discovered that we are related to them and we would like to visit their graves. Please and thank you! 🙂
Joe Lawson married Emily P. Capps I think in `1885 and had four kids, Florence, Jo Annie, Cordelia, and my grandfather, Miles Herbert. Shortly before the turn of the century, they all packed off to Lake County in uppermost northwestern Tennessee because of the poor economic conditions here in Hickman County. Shortly before 1900, Emily died and around 1910, Joe also died. According to family, they both were buried on Island # 9 in Lake County. Have not been able to verify this, and have been trying for 28 years. The kids were brought back to Hickman County by a step brother, Obadiah Capps. Thanks for a very nice story.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing more family history!
My Grandfather is Flyod Lawson Green. He was related to Thomas and Elizabeth Warren. I do believe he took me to this cemetery before he took me to Green Cemetery (Samuel and Robert Green are there…along with Aunt Pallie Hudsbeth and others). Is Lucy Lawson also buried here?
Yes Lucy Ann is buried there as are many Lawsons and associated families, Greens included. I hated to pull this article from circulation, due to its popularity. However, the site is being converted to a digital, paying format. The article will soon be available in PDF format, including sources and footnotes, for a nominal charge. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for collecting this. I am Charles R. Lawson from Cumberland County and I’m looking for a connection to my great-great grandfather joe Lawson who is buried in a cemetery in Bledsoe County, TN.