Levi Teague Lawler (1826-1915)

Levi Teague Lawler was born on February 19, 1826 in Alabama, son of Eli Wilburn Lawler and Sarah Crowson.  As his name shows, he is a member of both the Teague and Lawler families as am I. My 4th-great-grandmother, was Amy Rebecca Lawler Teague. She and Levi were 1st cousins 1x removed on the Lawler line and they were also related on the Teague line. Levi's grandmother was a Teague.  This makes me and Levi 2nd cousins 5x removed. 

Medallion awarded to those who served the Republic of Texas between 1836-1846

​Levi Teague “Lee” Lawler was only 10 in 1836, but according to the “General and Special Laws of the Ninth Legislature of the State of Texas,” 1860, Levi T. Lawler was a veteran of the Army of Texas, 1842, Sommerville Expedition., which qualified him for the Texas Veterans Association.*  Levi served in a ranging company, which was the start of the Texas Rangers some say.

To read about the Sommerville Expedition, Click on SOMMERVILLE

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Levi was only one of 5 surviving veterans of the Republic of Texas Revolution left who attended a reunion in 1906 in Goliad, Texas.  This is the only picture I could find of Levi.  The Copano Bay Press featured it in an article online and is offering a reprint of this picture.  I am including a link to it by clicking on the picture, with permission of the editors.** The Copano Bay Press article also includes short biographies of each veteran.

Levi lived in Florence, Williamson County, Texas after the war and became a very prominent citizen.
The following historical marker is found 4 miles east of Florence on FM 487, o.5 miles north on FM2843, 0.2 miles northwest on CR 230.  This marker states his importance to the community.

Marker Number: 9257

Marker Text:
Founded before mid-1800s. Named for early settler L.T. "Uncle Lee" Lawler. Beloved by citizens, for years he leased land free to community for school, church, and cemetery. First school, named for Edward Stevenson (land donor), began before 1872. Now farm and ranch area. (1971)***

Levi is buried in the Lawler Cemetery in Florence, Williamson County, Texas.****

Texas Biographical Index Card

According to research, Levi was a survivor of the Black Bean Episode.  To learn more click here: 
Black Bean Incident   www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/black-bean-episode
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​Sources:
​​*-Per Grace Armantrout Museum FB 3/2/2019
​** The Copano Bay Press, URL: https://copanobaypress-gallery.com/pages/last-soldiers-of-the-republic?fbclid=IwAR1cC5Xmcwn4HpmQZ5ua3uORsYZxucXG43SYczxQM_FlN9yzwb0rwHA96p4
​***Lawler Community - Texas Historical Markers on Waymarking.com 
URL: ​https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm89BE_Lawler_Community
****FindAGrave URL: ​https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22295951/levi-teague-lawler