Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 1.djvu/309

 BURGESSES AXU OTHER I'RO.MIXEXT PERSOXS

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fordshire. Eng-laiul. He was associated with the early history of I'resbyterianism in America. He had a sister in \'irginia where he residech and then went to Maryland where he preached three years. After that he went to Carolina and. returning to Vir- ginia, died in Enwer Norfolk county in 1684.

Lawson, Anthony, merchant of London- derry, Ireland, came to Virginia about 1668 as agent for certain persons of that city. He married (first) Ann Okeham, relict of Mr. John Okeham; and (second) Mary Gookin, daughter of Colonel John Gookin, and widow of William ■Moseley. He was justice of Lower Xorfolk county from 1673 to 1693 and of Princess Anne from 1696 to 1 701. Burgess for Lower Xorfolk in 1688. He died in 1701, leaving son Thomas and other children.

Lawson, Anthony, son of Thomas Law- son, and grandson of Anthony Lawson, who came to Virginia from Londonderry, was born in 1729, practised law, w^as a jus- tice of Princess Anne county, 1 760- 1 775 ; sheriff, 1768- 1770; lieutenant-colonel of the militia of Princess Anne ; was captured by the British and sent to East Florida, but was exchanged. Died in 1785.

Lawson, Rowland, came to \Trginia about 1637 with his wife Lettice, and his brothers Richard and Epaphroditus. He was a justice of Lancaster 1652-1655, and died about 1661. leaving children Rowland. Jr., Elizabeth, John and Henry. The will (1706) of Rowland Lawson, Jr., bears a seal showing arms — a chevron between three martlets, identical with the arms of the

Lawsons, of Yorkshire and Xorthumber- land, l^nghind.

Laydon, John, born in 1581, came to \Tr- ginia in 1607, among the first settlers, in the ship Sarah Constant. His marriage to Ann Burras, a maid of ]\Irs. Forest who csme in the second supply (October, 1608) was the first Christian marriage in the luig- lish settlements. She was fourteen years younger than her husband. They passed safely through the starving time, as the census of 1625 shows that they were both living at Elizabeth City with their four children — Virginia, Alice, Katherine and Margaret.

Laydon, Virginia, daughter of John Lay- don, and xVnne Burras. his wife, was the first child of English parents born in \'ir- ginia. She was born about 1609. and was living with her parents at Elizabeth City in 1625.

Lear, John, son of Thomas Lear and Elizabeth Bridger. his wife, and grandson of Colonel John Lear of the council, was a member of the house of burgesses for Xansemond county in 1715-1720 and 1727- 1734. and in 1723 he was sherifif.

Lederer, John, German explorer. In 1669 he made an exploration from the head- waters of York river, towards the moun- tains. In May, 1670, in company with Major Harris, he made a second voyage from the falls of James river to the Mona- can village, thence 100 miles westward to the south branch of the James river and from thence southwest to the Chowan and the Roanoke rivers, and visited the Tusca- roras. Later he went to Marvland, and Sir