John Lawson (1674-1711)

Portrait by Lucy Phung, 2023

In August of 1700, British explorer John Lawson landed in Charles Town (Charleston, SC) to begin an exploration of the Carolinas. Lawson and his crew began a 57-day, 550 mile journey in December, crossing through present-day Charlotte in January 1701, and finishing at the Pamlico River on February 24, 1701. On his journey Lawson kept a detailed record of his encounters with Indian tribes, information about the natural environment, and descriptions of plants and animals across the Carolinas.

Following the end of his expedition in 1701, Lawson settled along a creek still called Lawson Creek near modern-day New Bern, about half a mile from the Tuscarora town of Chattoka. In 1708, he became the first official surveyor for the Lords Proprietors and the following year published a map of the land. Finally, in the late summer of 1711 on another trip to explore the interior of the region, Lawson was captured and killed by Tuscarora Indians.

Lawson is credited with writing the first field guide to the Carolinas. His book, A New Voyage to Carolina, is widely regarded as a classic of early American literature. In addition, his plant samples collected throughout the region helped to form the original collections at the British Museum, where they are still held today.