Wife of William "Big Bill" Broonzy.
It appears that: 1) her maiden name was Rose Walker, 2) ca. 1920 she was married or had a relationship with a Richard Harrell that produced a daughter Hattie Harrell born in 1921, 3) before 1940 she married a Lorenza Lawson/Lauson, 4) she married 11 July 1956 in Cook County, Illinois to William "Big Bill" Broonzy as Rose Lawson 5) in subsequent records found (Hattie death cert. (1984), SSDI) she went by Rose Lawson. SSDI gives her birth as 25 June 1902 [sic], death 19 July 1997 and last residence Little Rock, Pulaski Co., Arkansas. It appears that it was she who appeared in the 1940 census in Chicago (103-145/6A) as Rose Lauson age 36, born Georgia with husband Lorenza Lauson age 36, born Arkansas and daughter Hattie Mcgowen age 18, step-daughter to Lorenza Lauson (HoH), single. At this point there is no explanation why Hattie was enumerated as McGowan and not Harrell, but still single. Possibly adopted by Harrell or a Mcgowen? Interpretation of records found to-date indicates that Hattie did not marry.
Gravestone next to Bill, shared with daughter Hattie Harrell. No date of death for Rose engraved on on the gravestone. Death notice for Rose Lawson Broonzy Arkansas Democrat-Gazette July 24, 1997. The biography "I Feel So Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy" reports that Rose died in Arkansas in 1997 and was buried at Lincoln Cemetery after a graveside service.
It appears that: 1) her maiden name was Rose Walker, 2) ca. 1920 she was married or had a relationship with a Richard Harrell that produced a daughter Hattie Harrell born in 1921, 3) before 1940 she married a Lorenza Lawson/Lauson, 4) she married 11 July 1956 in Cook County, Illinois to William "Big Bill" Broonzy as Rose Lawson 5) in subsequent records found (Hattie death cert. (1984), SSDI) she went by Rose Lawson. SSDI gives her birth as 25 June 1902 [sic], death 19 July 1997 and last residence Little Rock, Pulaski Co., Arkansas. It appears that it was she who appeared in the 1940 census in Chicago (103-145/6A) as Rose Lauson age 36, born Georgia with husband Lorenza Lauson age 36, born Arkansas and daughter Hattie Mcgowen age 18, step-daughter to Lorenza Lauson (HoH), single. At this point there is no explanation why Hattie was enumerated as McGowan and not Harrell, but still single. Possibly adopted by Harrell or a Mcgowen? Interpretation of records found to-date indicates that Hattie did not marry.
Gravestone next to Bill, shared with daughter Hattie Harrell. No date of death for Rose engraved on on the gravestone. Death notice for Rose Lawson Broonzy Arkansas Democrat-Gazette July 24, 1997. The biography "I Feel So Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy" reports that Rose died in Arkansas in 1997 and was buried at Lincoln Cemetery after a graveside service.
Wife of William "Big Bill" Broonzy.
It appears that: 1) her maiden name was Rose Walker, 2) ca. 1920 she was married or had a relationship with a Richard Harrell that produced a daughter Hattie Harrell born in 1921, 3) before 1940 she married a Lorenza Lawson/Lauson, 4) she married 11 July 1956 in Cook County, Illinois to William "Big Bill" Broonzy as Rose Lawson 5) in subsequent records found (Hattie death cert. (1984), SSDI) she went by Rose Lawson. SSDI gives her birth as 25 June 1902 [sic], death 19 July 1997 and last residence Little Rock, Pulaski Co., Arkansas. It appears that it was she who appeared in the 1940 census in Chicago (103-145/6A) as Rose Lauson age 36, born Georgia with husband Lorenza Lauson age 36, born Arkansas and daughter Hattie Mcgowen age 18, step-daughter to Lorenza Lauson (HoH), single. At this point there is no explanation why Hattie was enumerated as McGowan and not Harrell, but still single. Possibly adopted by Harrell or a Mcgowen? Interpretation of records found to-date indicates that Hattie did not marry.
Gravestone next to Bill, shared with daughter Hattie Harrell. No date of death for Rose engraved on on the gravestone. Death notice for Rose Lawson Broonzy Arkansas Democrat-Gazette July 24, 1997. The biography "I Feel So Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy" reports that Rose died in Arkansas in 1997 and was buried at Lincoln Cemetery after a graveside service.
It appears that: 1) her maiden name was Rose Walker, 2) ca. 1920 she was married or had a relationship with a Richard Harrell that produced a daughter Hattie Harrell born in 1921, 3) before 1940 she married a Lorenza Lawson/Lauson, 4) she married 11 July 1956 in Cook County, Illinois to William "Big Bill" Broonzy as Rose Lawson 5) in subsequent records found (Hattie death cert. (1984), SSDI) she went by Rose Lawson. SSDI gives her birth as 25 June 1902 [sic], death 19 July 1997 and last residence Little Rock, Pulaski Co., Arkansas. It appears that it was she who appeared in the 1940 census in Chicago (103-145/6A) as Rose Lauson age 36, born Georgia with husband Lorenza Lauson age 36, born Arkansas and daughter Hattie Mcgowen age 18, step-daughter to Lorenza Lauson (HoH), single. At this point there is no explanation why Hattie was enumerated as McGowan and not Harrell, but still single. Possibly adopted by Harrell or a Mcgowen? Interpretation of records found to-date indicates that Hattie did not marry.
Gravestone next to Bill, shared with daughter Hattie Harrell. No date of death for Rose engraved on on the gravestone. Death notice for Rose Lawson Broonzy Arkansas Democrat-Gazette July 24, 1997. The biography "I Feel So Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy" reports that Rose died in Arkansas in 1997 and was buried at Lincoln Cemetery after a graveside service.
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