[1][2] After the conflict, he practiced law, held various political offices and operated a plantation in Prince Edward County, Virginia, but also suffered from alcoholism, which caused his estrangement from his family as well as being swindled.

Professor Ward cites tradition that he was their eldest son and born in Yorkshire, England before his father emigrated to the Virginia colony.

Two of his brothers also served as officers during the war: Claiborne Whitehead Lawson (d. August 1780; captain of the 1st Virginia Regiment was mortally wounding at Battle of Hanging Rock in South Carolina), and Benjamin Lawson (1750-1789, clerk of the Prince Edward County Committee of Safety who became captain of the 2nd Virginia Regiment survived the conflict and practiced law in Prince Edward County as well as married).

By June 19, 1775 he was elected to the Prince Edward County Committee of Safety, which expressed loyalty to the Crown, as well as approved of the attempt of Patrick Henry and his militia to seek compensation for powder that Lord Dunmore had seized from the Colony's main magazine in Williamsburg.

[9] Lawson owned land in Virginia, and because of his patriotic military service, also received warrants in developing areas to the west and north.

The Richmond Gazette and General Advertiser noted his funeral was held at the State Capitol that afternoon, and the City Guards escorted his remains to the St. John's Episcopal Churchyard for burial.