From a letter in the possession of Rev. Harvey M. Lawson, M. A., author of "History and Genealogy of The Descendants of John Lawson of Scotland and Union, Connecticut," (from which the following account of this family is extracted) it is learned that the original immigrant had several brothers and sisters whom he left behind in Scotland, as follows:

        From this letter, the following structure can be deduced for the family of origin of John Lawson of Union, Connecticut:

Mr. & Mrs. Lawson were parents of:

1. John, immigrant, mentioned below
2. Thomas
   1. Jean; married Robert Black, author of the above letter.
3. Phebe, died by 27 September 1757.
4. Deborah, died by 27 September 1757 in England.
5. Mary (possibly), died long before September 1757.
   1. daughter; married son of William Zichey.
   2. son, immigrated to America, married.

        (1)  John Lawson, born 1678 in Linlithgow, Scotland; married Janet Young, born 1694 also in Linlithgow. John and Janet were likely part of the influx of Scotch-Irish settlers that began coming to America from 1718 until about 1730. In 1718, John and Janet embarked from Scotland bound for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when their ship was wrecked off the coast of Nova Scotia and all their belongings were lost. They subsequently landed in Boston and made their way to Worcester, Massachusetts, where their first four children were born.
        Janet apparently had a brother named John Young who may have also immigrated with them, since he appears in both Boston and Worcester records. The following letter from him survives:

Boston, October ye 9th, 1747 Beloved Brother: — These are to let you know that I enjoy my health much better than I have done for years past and specially since I went to sea, which is about six weeks, for which I desire to bless God. Desiring that these may find you and yours that remain alive in good health. For this day I have been informed by Capt. Phelps that your son Samuel is dead for which I am heartily sorry and desire that you may be endowed with grace to make a wise improvement and submit to His will under this dispensation.         now I am on board the Century sloop under the command of Capt. Sanders at ten pounds per month—where I intend to continue till I pay all my debts if health permit.         I ad no more at present but my love to you and sister and all our familie. My service to all inquiring friends. I remain, Your loving brother JOHN YOUNG

        John Young wrote again from Worcester on 3 May 1762, saying:

 

"I have been very weak and poor for the greater part of the winter but now am somewhat more comfortable. Providence has been mercifully exercised towards me ever since I came to this country in preserving me in being and supplying my wants, notwithstanding the many crosses, losses and disappointments, perrels, dangers and afflictions I have had. I hope He will enable me to trust in Him for future mercies. Your loving brother. JOHN YOUNG

        In the early summer of 1728, the Lawsons removed to Union, Connecticut, where they were among the first settlers. There is a tradition that when teh family were moving to town they had a bed on top of a load of furniture and laid the youngest son, Thomas on the bed, but as they were crossing a stream the wagon jolted and threw him into the water. The baby was alright and later became a captain in the Revolutionary War.
        In 1734, eight inhabitants of Union, including John Lawson, sent a petition to the General Assembly of Connecticut asking that the place be incorporated as a township, so that taxes might be levied and a house of worship built. The petition was granted in October of that year, and when a church was finally built, John and Janet Lawson were among the original members.
        John died 14 November 1774, age 96, and Janet followed him on 29 October 1781, age 87. They are both buried in the old cemetery at Union, near teh east side. Their gravestones, made of rough native stone, have angel heads carved at the top, and the following inscriptions:

 

"In Memory of Mr. John Lawson Who died Nov. 14, 1773 In the 96th year of his age Behold the place where I repose my head And where I rest till Christ shall raise the dead."

"In memory of Mrs. Janet wife of Mr. John Lawson. She died Oct. 29, 1781 in the 87th year of her age, Death is a debt to Nature due Which I have payd and so must you."

Children:

1. Rebecca, born 14 August 1719 (or 4 August 1720 according to Worcester records) in Worcester, Massachusetts; married Robert Maklem and went to Pelham, Massachusetts.
2. Isabel, born 4 April 1721 (or 20 March 1722 according to Worcester records) in Worcester, Massachusetts; married William Nelson of Brimfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts, son of William Nelson and Mary Flinn of Middleboro, Massachusetts.  The Nelson family originated in Plymouth. Isabel and William removed to Putney, Windham Co., Vermont. From there, in 1794, she wrote the following letter to her brother:
   
           "To Capt. Thomas Lason in Younian, Conat'cut.
            Putney, January the 19, 1794
       Loving brother and sister,
                  After my love to you and yours I take this opertuneyti to writ to you to let you kno that I and my childrin are all well through the goodness of God, hoping these lines will find you and yours so.—I should be glad if sum of you would take the paens to come and se me or writ to me and let me kno how all my frinds is.—I remain your loving sister til deth.
                 Isabel Nelson."
   
   William and Isabel were parents of:
   1. Isabel Nelson, born 1751 in Brimfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts, died 1839 in Brownville, Jefferson Co., New York; married Moses Cole, born 1753 in Waterbury, New Haven Co., Connecticut, died in 1828 in Brownville, Jefferson Co., New York, buried in Tanners Corners Cemetery of the same town.
3. John, born 30 June 1724 in Worcester, Massachusetts; married 12 September 1751, Mary Brown.
4. Thomas, born 2 November 1727 in Worcester, Massachusetts. He served as a captain in the Revolutionary War.
5. Phebe, born 30 June 1731; she was the first white child born in Union, Connecticut.
6. Mary, born 4 November 1733.
7. Martha, born 12 December 1735.
8. Samuel, born 16 August 1740, died 9 September 1747.