John Lawson Legacy Days

 After being born in Nebraska to a Marine Corps family, Roger came to Swansboro, N. C. with his family before first grade. After growing up in this small Southern coastal town, he graduated from Swansboro High School in 1974. Roger garnered recognition for his artistry early and after winning a scholarship in art, attended the art school at East Carolina University. Almost from the start of his career he became known for his brushwork and beautiful color in his paintings. Besides art, Roger has had a long interest in local history and genealogy. Under the tutelage of  the late Tucker Reed Littleton, noted NC historian and friend, Roger gained research skills,  which has led to an “unexpected” writing career.   In 1984, was asked to write a local history column for a Greenville entertainment newspaper.  His historical writing has led to numerous articles, over a dozen books and several awards. Many people know Roger as a local historian who gives an annual walking tour of downtown Greenville for the Pitt County Historical Society. He was honored in 2006 when he received the “Robert Lee Humber Award” from the City of Greenville Historic Preservation Commission for his contributions to the understanding of Greenville’s heritage. An avid genealogist, Roger has given innumerable talks on local and North Carolina history all over North Carolina and has given numerous genealogy and local history classes all over eastern North Carolina.  He has been president of the Pitt County Family Researchers, a local genealogy group, for nearly 30 years. He was also editor of the award winning “Pitt County Genealogical Quarterly”  for 23 years and still puts out an biennial Pitt County genealogical magazine. He is very aware of places and family names in eastern North Carolina and where you might go to find information on them.