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.
Montgomery eventually forgave Lawson's debt and paid him a stipend so that he could continue to live at his home in Covehead.