"A Christmas Family Tragedy"- A Film

"A Christmas Family Tragedy"- A Film

by Nfidel Published on January 12th, 2008, 11:28 pm Rift: Arts

On Christmas Eve, 1929, in the small town of Germanton just north of Winston-Salem in Stokes County, Charlie Lawson had taken his family to town and bought them all new dress clothes. Before leaving town, the family stopped in at the local photographer's shop and had a family portrait made. The next day, Christmas Day, Charlie Lawson killed his wife and six of his seven children. They would be buried in the new clothes Charlie had bought them.

This is the story related in the documentary, "A Christmas Family Tragedy: Legends of the 1929 Lawson Family Murders".

I have lived all around the area this happened, but never heard the story until sometime in the 80's. Evidently, the murders were a national sensation. There have been various rumors about why Charlie Lawson killed his family and there's the mystery of why he sent the eldest son into town just before the murders, ostensibly saving his life.

The film is fairly interesting, even knowing the story in advance. It is related through interviews with relatives and neighbors of the Lawsons and with a few re-enactments. If you are interested in grim local history or ghost stories from some rather credulous folks I fully recommend the film.

In the film there is also a tie in regarding another thread here at Greensboring from awhile back. That thread was a discussion about Payne Road and it's history of haunting. Payne Road is in Stokes County, the same county where the Lawsons lived and died.

[C. Alice]

I was just about to ask if this was related to the " spooky road" we'd discussed a while back. Didn't someone say their home was still standing? I want to do a road trip to the place- it'd be definitely fun, and maybe even
s c a r y!!!! ( or not! )

[Nfidel]

I was just about to ask if this was related to the " spooky road" we'd discussed a while back. Didn't someone say their home was still standing? I want to do a road trip to the place- it'd be definitely fun, and maybe even
s c a r y!!!! ( or not! )

I don't know if the house is still there, but in the movie they talk about different legends. At sometime, somebody thought the ghosts of two of the children had drifted upstream in a creek on or near the Lawson property to Payne Road. The movie didn't make clear if indeed the same creek even crossed both. A local "ghosthunter" interviewed said this was crazy and that he'd "cussed out" several people on message boards because of their continued ignorance of this "fact". Part of the Payne Road legend says that if one stops their car on the bridge over a creek and windows are fogged, they will eventually see a child's hand prints appear on the windows. I've also heard that placing baby powder on one's bumper and stopping on the bridge will get you hand prints.

Although I've never been to the Lawson property I prefer that story to Payne Road, as it's real. Well, Payne Road is a real place, but the stories are only legends.

I want to do a road trip to the place- it'd be definitely fun, and maybe even
s c a r y!!!! ( or not! )

That's completely doable. See if you can pick up the movie. There are are several ghost stories that people tell that relate to the Lawson's. One is about the grave. Maybe we could see it if it's not on private property. The father belonged to a Primitive Baptist Church, IIRC, that believed in predestination. Because of the evil associated with his deeds, the Lawsons had to buried outside the churches usual graveyard.

We could definitely take a ride down Payne Road. I used to spend some time there when I was a rowdy teenager. There were many dead end tractor trails leading off the main road where enterprising young potheads and drunks could set up an impromptu party or camp. I've even done some target practice down there.

[C. Alice]

I've just spent the better part of an hour reading the films' website info. I was tremendously impressed to see tht the filmmakers were donating a large part of the profits to organizations which fight domestic violence. I have been reading - and reading and reading posts on the forums section of the site. SO much info on such a sad and yet fascinating story.

[IgnoranceIsBliss]

I was just about to ask if this was related to the " spooky road" we'd discussed a while back. Didn't someone say their home was still standing? I want to do a road trip to the place- it'd be definitely fun, and maybe even
s c a r y!!!! ( or not! )

It was turned down in the early 90's, I think.

[C. Alice]

I was just about to ask if this was related to the " spooky road" we'd discussed a while back. Didn't someone say their home was still standing? I want to do a road trip to the place- it'd be definitely fun, and maybe even
s c a r y!!!! ( or not! )

It was turned down in the early 90's, I think.

I'm sorry but i have no idea what you mean- what was " turned down"?

[IgnoranceIsBliss]

I'm sorry, 'torn' down.

[timmyl21]

Does payne rd. connect rural hall and walnut cove? Are these stories related?

[Nfidel]

Does payne rd. connect rural hall and walnut cove? Are these stories related?

It runs from Rural Hall and intersects with a road that leads to Germanton, if you take a right . I don't know where that other end of the road leads. I think part of Payne Road has been renamed Edwards Road. Google maps has Payne Road at a different location than where I remember. I'm not doubting my memory yet, though, as Google maps has gotten me lost more that has my memory. If anyone can correct me I'd appreciate it.

The stories aren't related. According to the film, some people claim to have seen ghosts of two of the children at what I took to be a bed and breakfast. Anyway, the claim is made that the ghosts somehow have floated above a creek, upstream, to Payne Road. The movie was interesting enough for just the factual material: the interviews with relatives and friends of the Lawsons, what I thought were well done re enactments and the photograph of the family made the day before their murders. There was no need to bring in the supernatural spice it up, but if someone likes that kind of stuff, it's talked about.

[dajoy]

Payne Rd's legends are not all true, but most are. I have been there 3 times, and 3 times had unexpalinable phenomenon happen. I have always been interested in the paranormal, and was a "ghost hunter" for a brief period. The ghost car...true. the handprints...true. Many other things happened as well. As for the connection to the Lawson Murders, I have no idea. But anyone questioning the validity of the strange happenings at Payne Rd, needs to experience it for themselves. I suggest alone or with one other person only. And being quiet and respectful seems to conjure up the most energy. I call it only energy, cause I have no other explanation.