Some sources show Lazarus to be the son of Thomas Cotten/Cotton and Patience Bridgers. This connection is also shown in the genealogies of the Rev. J. W. L. Matlock. The parents of Lazarus Cotton have not been proved. Some sources give his birth year as 1746. However, to my knowledge, his birth year has not been proved. On January 1, 1779, in Henry County, Virginia - all free males sixteen years and over, took the Oath of Allegiance. Lazarus Cotton was on this list. Lazarus would have to have been 16 years or older and being born before January 1763.

From the records of Sumner County, Tennessee
Old Book I, Page 326 - 16 November 1789, Lazarus Cotton is a witness to a deed to JOHN COTTON.

Marriage Records, Sumner Co., TN
HAMILTON, Fanny COTTON, John Jan. 4, 1791
Bondsman Ephraham Payton and Lazrus Cotton

Will Book I, Page 25 - May 1794, EPHRAIM PEYTON appoints LAZARUS COTTON attorney to attend to a deed - Witnessed JOHN COTTON
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North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868
Bride: Sarah White, Groom: Lazrus Cotten
Bond Date: 24 MAR 1801
County: Pasquotank, Record #: 01 019, Bondsman: Thomas Warrin, Witness: Will T Muse, Bond #: 000103360
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"In 1815, St. Tamany Courthouse - a Petition was filed by LAZARUS COTTON to collect a $1,450.00 debt from one STEPHEN DUNCAN. Said Duncan died and LAZARUS COTTON, then his heirs, were trying to collect this debt. In these records they show JOHN COTTON and ROBERT COTTON were sons of LAZARUS. In 1823, JOHN COTTON filed a Petition that states, "LAZARUS COTTON, late of East Baton Rouge Parish", also mentions missing heirs (names not given). MARY ANN COTTON, a female minor above the age of puberty, states she is 17 years of age. JOHN COTTON was appointed Curator."
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Lazarus is listed in the 1820 Census - E. Baton Rouge Parish, LA (BJC)
Lazarus Cotten
Males:
To 10=1, 16 to 18=1, 18 to 26=2, 45 & over =1
Females:
To 10=2, 10 to 16=1, 16 to 26=1
John Cotten (residing next to Lazarus)
Males: 26 to 45=1

Some sources give Elizabeth's father as Ephraim Peyton.

(St. Tamany Parish, Louisiana(BJC)
"In 1815, St. Tamany Courthouse - a Petition was filed by LAZARUS COTTON to collect a $1,450.00 debt from one STEPHEN DUNCAN. Said Duncan died and LAZARUS COTTON, then his heirs, were trying to collect this debt. In these records they show JOHN COTTON and ROBERT COTTON were sons of LAZARUS.