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Lawrence Family Cemetery
Pike County, Mississippi

Lat: 31° 20' 54"N, Lon: 90° 20' 24"W
T3S R9E Sec 6, NW¼

Contributed by Robert D. Lawrence Jr., May 11, 2003, last edited May 03, 2006 [boblawrence@tulanealumni.net]. Total records = 9.

Located on Earnest A. Thompson Road one half mile from Shady Grove Baptist Church. To reach take MS 570 from Summit, cross just over the Pike Lincoln County line into Lincoln County and turn right on the first asphalt road to reach the Shady Grove Baptist Church. The Ernest A. Thompson Road (dirt) turns right just past the Shady Grove Baptist Church, and the cemetery is about a half mile away, just across the West Topisaw Creek bridge to the right, on top of a very high hill.

This cemetery maybe the oldest cemetery in the area. First burial was of a baby in late 1816 just after the family arrived from Tennessee. There are several unmarked graves in the cemetery, all believed to be family members. There are approximately five slave burials outside the fenceline.

My great aunt, Mrs. G. C. (Flora Clark) Lawrence was at the final cemetery cleanup in 1908 and showed me the overgrown cemetery and identified some grave locations in 1964. I drew a map of known grave locations at that time and put up temporary markers. We have just now added permanent markers. The cemetery is behind a locked gate, but access for family members can be gained by seeking permission from the house just across the road. The cemetery has been listed in the cemetery archives in Jackson, MS.

Records are from family Bibles, existing markers, and family records. Burials were marked with carved boards during early 1800's, and periodically renewed until 1908, then abandoned. Cemetery was reclaimed in 2003, and known graves marked with headstones.

- Robert D. Lawrence Jr.

Lawrence, David Stanmore, b. 1801 d. 1836, husband of Polly Wallace Lawrence
Lawrence, Elizabeth Mathews, b. Jan 20, 1821, d. Jul 25, 1882, wife of Simpson
Lawrence, James Sylvester, b. Aug 24, 1846, d. Mar 08, 1849 son of Simpson and Elizabeth
Lawrence, Johnathan W, b. Sep 08, 1775 Virginia, d. 1840, father of Simpson Lawrence, 1st Tennessee Volunteers, War of 1812
Lawrence, Lorinda, b. Aug 05, 1843, d. Dec 19, 1850, daughter of Simpson and Elizabeth
Lawrence, Maria Sophia, b. & d. Jul 13, 1852, infant daughter of Simpson and Elizabeth
Lawrence, Polly Terry, b. 1789, d. 1836, wife of John, daughter of Col.Nathaniel Terry
Lawrence, Simpson M., b. Mar 25, 1817, d. Mar 25, 1870, Confederate States of America, Co. G, 2 (Quinn's State Troops), Miss. Inf.
Wooley, Julia E. Lawrence, b. Feb 28, 1856, d. Oct 13, 1889