David Lawson
Encyclopedia
David Lawson was a Scottish immigrant who settled on Prince Edward Island
. He was, at various times and circumstances, a farmer, a land agent and a politician.
Lawson was born near Muthill, Scotland and became a flax farmer in Perthshire
. He was recommended in 1769 to James William Montgomery, Scotland’s lord advocate, who was the owner of the township of Lot 34
in the new British colony of St. John's Island (renamed Prince Edward Island in 1799). Lawson recruited about 50 indentured servants in Perthshire and embarked with his family on the Falmouth from Greenock
on 8 April 1770. The Falmouth arrived on 8 June 1770 in Stanhope
(named after Montgomery's Scottish estate) after a difficult voyage.
As a land agent, Lawson found himself in dispute with James William Montgomery, Scotland’s lord advocate, who had funded the settlement group.
Lawson's activity in politics included elected membership in the Prince Edward Island House of Assembly between 1773 and 1785. In 1788 he was evicted by Montgomery for refusing to handle his landlord duties and later successfully sued during the 1790s for damages.
Montgomery eventually forgave Lawson's debt and paid him a stipend so that he could continue to live at his home in Covehead. His name disappears from records after 1803.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
. He was, at various times and circumstances, a farmer, a land agent and a politician.
Lawson was born near Muthill, Scotland and became a flax farmer in Perthshire
Perthshire
Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south...
. He was recommended in 1769 to James William Montgomery, Scotland’s lord advocate, who was the owner of the township of Lot 34
Lot 34, Prince Edward Island
Lot 34 is a township in Queens County, Prince Edward Island, Canada. It is part of Charlotte Parish. As of the 2006 census, there were 2,355 people living on a land area of ....
in the new British colony of St. John's Island (renamed Prince Edward Island in 1799). Lawson recruited about 50 indentured servants in Perthshire and embarked with his family on the Falmouth from Greenock
Greenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
on 8 April 1770. The Falmouth arrived on 8 June 1770 in Stanhope
Stanhope, Prince Edward Island
Stanhope is a Canadian rural community on the north shore of Prince Edward Island.Located within the township of Lot 34, Stanhope's population grows significantly during the summer cottage season; however, the year-round population has been increasing in recent years.Stanhope borders Prince Edward...
(named after Montgomery's Scottish estate) after a difficult voyage.
As a land agent, Lawson found himself in dispute with James William Montgomery, Scotland’s lord advocate, who had funded the settlement group.
Lawson's activity in politics included elected membership in the Prince Edward Island House of Assembly between 1773 and 1785. In 1788 he was evicted by Montgomery for refusing to handle his landlord duties and later successfully sued during the 1790s for damages.
Montgomery eventually forgave Lawson's debt and paid him a stipend so that he could continue to live at his home in Covehead. His name disappears from records after 1803.