Notes:

Isaac James is the son of Ann Kersey & John Rezeau Lawrence.

Birth:
Con 9, Lot 2 Toronto Gore

Died:
(Verify exact location). Aged 84 years, (1869); Monument 11.7 (?)

Buried:
Monument 11.7 with wife Susan MacDonald.

Isaac married Susan Flora MACDONALD on 14 Apr 1903 in Maple, York Co., Ontario. Susan was born in Dec 1882 in Demerara, British Guyana; died on 30 Oct 1942 in Woodbridge, York Co., Ontario; was buried in Christ Church Anglican Cemetery, Woodbridge. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
at St. Stephens.

1. John Townley Rezeau LAWRENCE, .xxviii was born on 20 Feb 1904 in Gore of Toronto Twp., Peel Co., Ontario; died on 22 Jun 1911 in Gore of Toronto Twp., Peel Co., Ontario; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
2. Douglas LAWRENCE was born on 22 Mar 1907 in Gore of Toronto Twp., Peel Co., Ontario; died on 25 Mar 1907 in Gore of Toronto Twp., Peel Co., Ontario.
3. Ranald MacDonald LAWRENCE was born on 2 Jan 1909 in Gore of Toronto Twp., Peel Co., Ontario.
4. Living

Notes:

John is the son of Sarah Devins & Elisha Lawrence.

Two Lawrence brothers married two Kersey sisters:
John Rezeau Lawrence married Ann Kersey &
Isaac Huver Lawrence marred the younger sister Mary Kersey.

. 1855 - Lot 9, Con 2, Toronto Gore, Humber Post Office, 110 Acres, registered to John R Lawrence. Beside brother Isaac H Lawrence, 58 A.
Ref: York Co. Atlas, printed 1877.

> For a complete family history on the Devins, please see:
Abraham Devins & His Descendants in Canada & United States
May be found at the Richmond Hill Library, Yonge & Major MacKenzie Streets, Richmond Hill. CR 929.2 Devins.

. John Rezeau Lawrence raised shorthorn cattle on the northerly half of his father Elisha's farm.

Upon the death of both Mary & Isaac Lawrence's death, John & his wife Ann raised the youngest of his brother's children.

. 1866 Toronto Peel Directory Toronto Gore. N.D. Lawrence John R, Con 10, Lot 2.

. 1879 Apr 28 For W Riding & Vaughan Twp. Spring Fair - spring exhibition of horses, cattle & implements at Woodbridge:
Cattle: John Lawrence of Humber, obtained first for his 2 year old Durham bull.
Ref: Toronto Globe & Mail newspaper.

. 1883 Oct 25, West York & Vaughan Agricultural Societies: J R Lawrence, Durham heifer 1 yr old; Isaac Lawrence: Herd of Cattle, 1 male & 4 females.
. 1886 Oct 21, Thurs. Woodbridge Fair, Prize winner of West York & Vaughan Twps. Agricultural society's Fall Fair. John R Lawrence: Trotting or pacing Speed horse 3yrs old; Heifer 1 yr old Grade J; Durham bull calf under 1 year; Durham heifer 2 yrs; Poultry, Plymouth Rocks;
. 1887 Oct 27, Woodbridge Fair Prize list: John R Lawrence: Not imported Durham heifer calf under 1 year; Grade Heifer 1 year old.
. 1888 Oct 13 - Woodbridge Fair, Prize Winners: John R Lawrence: Cattle: Not imported Durham Bull 1 year old, 1s prize; Cow any age in milk; 2 yrs old Heifer, 3rd prize. Heifer 1 under year old 2nd prize; Fat Cattle Herd. (Jersey?) Grade Heifer 2 yers old 3rd prize; Herd of cattle 1 male & 4 families, 2nd prize..
Ref: York Herald newspaper.

. 1911 June 9th Census, Gore of Toronto:
John R Lawrence & wife reside on their farm at Con 9, Lot 2, with their children & grandchildren.

American Civil War
. John R Lawrence went to settle in Louisiana & then fought for the Confederacy in US Civil War. Prisoner of war of Union Army. Returned to Canada March 1863.
2nd Louisiana, Starke's Brigade, Commanded by Col. Jesse M Williams.

. Company G, 2nd Regiment Louisiana Infantry.
Organization 1st pt. of Oct. 1861.
Enlisted May 11, 1861, New Orleans, by J N Galt,
Period 1 year, Last paid by H Lemu ? to May 21, 186X? Present
John R Lawrence.
( Handwriting is too faint on this printed form. - PJA)

. Co. G Reg. Louisiana Engagements for 1862:
Seven Pines, May 30, 31; Williamsburg June 23, King's School House June 25, Malvern Hill, July 1; Manassas No 2, Aug 28-30; Chantilly, Sept; Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Sept 17 - wounded.
Fredericksburg, Dec 13 & Chancellorsville May 1-3, 1863. Absent wounded.

* Confederate 1st (Nelligan's) Louisiana
J R Lawrence, B Lieut. - Roster of commissioned officers, dated near Port Royal, Dec 26, 1862.
Absent. Wounded severely at Sharpsburg, Sept 17, 1862. Leg amputated. Never Reported. Now on furlough to LA. Spotsylvania., wounded, 2nd Lieut.
John R Lawrence Lieut., Amputated left leg Nov 23, 1862, General Hospital Federick, Md.
. 1862 May 1, $42.47 Com. clothing pd. Shoes dedd(?).
wounded & Disabled Sep 1862. Residence Covington /Carrington, LA.
recommend to take advantage of Invalid Ace in Accord with Gent. orders. Feb 27, 1865.

. The men of 2nd Louisiana Volunteer Infantry participated in the capture of Harper's Ferry, September 12-15, 1862. After Harper's Ferry 2nd fought in the Battle of Sharpsburg, September 14 South Mountain & Shaprsburg the 17th Sept, 1862. 
[Detailed Battle accounts, follows below]:

. Details of Battle of Sharpsbury, Washington Co., Maryland ( In the North, more often called the Battle of Antietam) & South Mountain where John R Lawrence was wounded:

. The original officers of the 2nd Louisiana earned a reputation for drunkenness. The regiment was reorganized in May 1862 with J. T. Norwood as colonel and Williams as lieutenant colonel. he regiment was reorganized in May 1862 with Colonel J. T. Norwood & Lieutenant Colonel Williams who as wounded in the chest at Antietam in the fighting along the Hagerstown Road.

. 1862 Sept 17. The day was foggy, overcast, drizzly as Sunday's battle that gave way to sunshine that glinted off the bayonets & rifle barrels., 5 miles from Boonesborough on the Shepardstown Road to the high bluffs on this side of the Antietam River, a short distance beyond Sharpsburg the battle begun the evening before was resumed commanded by General Jackson. The fight at the center was terribly severe but the troops of General D.H. Hill resolutely & to the end maintained their ground. But it was of the utmost moment to the enemy to turn our right flank in order to cut off our communication with the Virginia…The battle continued uninterruptedly for 13 hours. Never have our troops, exhausted as they were, exhibited their courage & endurance to such advantage; never has the enemy contested a field so obstinately. Our loss in killed was not too great though we are called upon to lament the fall of several gallant and distinguished officers. The day succeeding the battle our troops were under arms. The dead were buried, the wounded removed to Shepardstown & with the night fall came the general order under which the trains and troops were sent across the river by the next morning's dawn without loss or casualty but the enemy did not attempt to cross the river. On the next morning, however, they advance of the enemy was heralded by heavy cannonading and subsequently one or two brigades attempted to cross the river. A part were suffered to ascend the bank upon this side to receive a very warm reception from the troops of Jackson.
Their column, thrown into confusion, attempted to re-cross the river when the grape of our masked batteries told a fearful tale of death and destruction.The troops were the flower of Burnside's division &the ford of the Potomac was filled with them. Few could have escaped.
Ref: 1862 Oct 15, North Carolina Standard Newspaper, Raleigh. {slightly abbreviated). -.-

. Battle of Antietam, Midday at Sunken Road, later remembered as Bloody Lane:
Under fire from sharpshooters and artillery, the first of French's brigades crested a little rise; less than 100 yards below them in a sunken farm road were 3 Confederate brigades of Maj. Gen. Daniel Harvey Hill's division. A sheet of flame erupted from the sunken road & the crest of the ridge was covered with a blue blanket of dead or wounded Union soldiers. The brigade fell back; another took its place, with the same result. The Irishmen engaged regiment had been sent to reinforce Hill. The men fought at a distance of 30–50 paces from each other, finally Hill's troops were were out numbered. At the crucial moment, Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill, wearing his red battle shirt, arrived from Harpers Ferry with the Light Division. Hill had driven his men - many of them wearing Union uniforms taken at Harpers Ferry - northward mercilessly, sometimes beating them with the flat of his sword to keep them moving at the double-quick. The Light Division fell upon Burnside's Union flank, disordering his men and convincing the cautious Union officer that he'd done enough for one day. The Battle of Antietam was, for all intents and purposes, over.

. The Battle of South Mountain, 38,00 Union Troops attached 12,000 Confederated.
The following highly interesting letter written by a soldier in the 2nd NCR to his wife & mother is dated Charlestown, Va., 21st Sept. [1862]:

We left our camp near Frederick City on Wednesday morning, 10th inst., and marched through the city in the direction of Hagerstown. As we passed through the city a respectable show of favor was shown to us by the lady secessionists of the burg but it was not very large and had the appearance of cordiality mixed with a lively fear of the consequences. We marched all day over a beautiful mountain turnpike that at times gave us beautiful views of the country & camped at night at South Mountain Gap of the Blue Ridge, having passed through during the day several little villages that lay nestled down among the valleys. The largest was Middleton, a village of perhaps 1,000 inhabitants, who showed by their signs that they were for the most part hostile to our cause.

Little did I think as I stood that night on picket duty on the mountain that in a few short days a battle would be fought on the very spot I then stood. I had a beautiful view of sun rise from the top of the mountain the next morning but was too sleepy to appreciate it. Soon we were again inline and trudged over the mountain gap & then down into the Allegheny Valley. The tops of the mountains could be seen away to the west. Here we rested on Friday & Saturday the first two days rest we had since leaving Richmond. I had a good opportunity while there to ascertain the sentiments of the people, two thirds of whom I found hostile to us. Indeed but few families did I find but had brothers or sons in the Yankee army. Here our army split divisions. D.H. Hill's division, remained. A report the enemy was advancing in force with a column of 20,000 men.

South Mountain is on the south side of the road and is entirely wooded. The north side of the road, is more or less open and for the most part, farmed. Away in the distance we could see the long lines of the enemy approaching. Artillery was put in position and by sunrise the reverberation of its thunder went rolling up over the cliffs. The enemy also opened and a sharp artillery duel was kept up for over an hour. Very soon the rattle of musketry was heard from the woods on the right.

In half an hour we heard firing which continued and a canopy of smoke hung over us in the vicinity of that place from which the sound of the musketry came. Still we were not attacked & I believe Hill began to think that the enemy threw their whole force on the right flank. He became restless & unease. We passed through lots of wounded limping down the mountain, trickling blood at every step, then again in stretchers containing some more desperately wounded.

Our artillery was retreating when, a galloping courier arrived & directed General Hill to change his front to his left. Quickly we faced to the left, marched through a growing field of corn. In a few moments I could see the advancing line of Yankees. of 3 heavy columns were approaching us as far as we can see. To oppose was Hill's weak little division, scarce one quarter as large & my very heart sank within me as I heard General Anderson say to one of his aids to hurry to the rear & tell General Hill for God's sake send reinforcements as it was hopeless to contend against the approaching columns. About 8:00 the battle had also begun on the right of our first position and Jackson was hotly engaged. Sharpshooters were sent about 50 yards to the front of us and our line ordered to lay down in the land and hold our fire until the enemy was close to us. Our little corps seemed doomed to destruction but not an eye flinched nor a nerve quivered & I then felt sure we would do honor to our noble old state though we would not life to see it again.

Our skirmishers began to fire on the advancing line & we returned to ours. Slowly they approached up the hill & slowly our skirmishers retired before them, firing as they came. Our men reloaded & waited for them to approach again, while the first column of the enemy met the second, rallied and moved forward again. They then approached the top of the hill cautiously & laying down we poured into them a shower of leaden hail for 4 long, mortal hours. The whole air resounded with the din of arms. Our men were protected by about 6 or 8 inches of the rear of the road but that is great protection but not complete. Many were shot as they took aim at the enemy & the groans of the wounded could be heard amidst the guns.

At last the order was given to fall back & the very few that remained uninjured fell back sullenly. The enemy, however, had been so badly punished that they were not able to follow us immediately. We rallied behind a stone fence & awaited their approach. Reinforcements arrived and the enemy approached but fell back in disorders. The day was ours but little won. Six to 8,000 of our brave boys lay around dead or wounded in the days fray. The Yankees left fully 4 only 100 out of the fight, just one third it carried in while other regiments suffered worse. The next morning the Yankees sent in a flag asking permission to bury their dead and all day that was devoted to that purpose & we took care of the wounded who are now in hospitals at Sharpsburg, Maryland, Harper's Ferry and Charlestown, Winchester and throughout the country on the Virginia side of the Potomac. I do not know what will happen next.

Now as I have given you an account of the battle I will give an account of myself. I was slightly wounded in the head & on the right foot about 1:00 by a bursting shell. I was able to get off the field myself and did so without being hit again; & many others tried it but I may the only one that I know of who attempted to leave the field wounded & was not shot again. I went to the rear & had my wounds dressed, hired a horse & knowing the vicinity of the battle field would be crowded with wounded came to this place. There are about 400 wounded in the hospitals here & they are treated as well as if they were at home. I would come home & see you but my wounds are not respectable enough to ask for a furlough. For 3 or 4 days before the battles, we suffered much. We had to lay out in the line of battle without blankets & take the sun, rain & dew & I never got a mouthful to eat but green corn from Saturday night until Wednesday night.

. Somewhere here John Rezeau Lawrence laid wounded & no doubt rueing the day he left the farm in the Gore of Toronto. - PJA. Transcription by P J Ahlberg 2015. - - -

Birth:
Cherry Wood Farm L2, C9, Clairville (Brampton), Ontario

Died:
Aged 89y 3m 5d. COD: old age.

Buried:
Gore Rd., Peel Co. Very tall red granite pillar, slightly off kilter.

John married ANNnie KERSEY on 13 Dec 1860 in Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario. ANNnie (daughter of William KERSEY and Margaret BEATON) was born on 9 Mar 1845 in Coleraine, Gore of Toronto Twp., Peel Co., Ontario; died on 11 Feb 1927 in Claireville, Gore Twp., Peel Co., Ontario; was buried in Hilltop Gore Cemetery, Clairville, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. 1911 Jun 9 Census, Gore of Toronto
Ann Lawrence, Con 9, Lot 2, Age 66, born March 1845, Ontario.

Two Lawrence brothers married two Kersey sisters:
John Rezeau Lawrence married Ann Kersey &
Isaac Huver Lawrence marred the younger sister Mary Kersey.

. When the lights were turned on in the Gore, it was Annie Kersey Lawrence was the person who turned the button from Ebenezer School. - - -

Birth:
Sister of Mrs. Isaac Huver Lawrence, Mary Kersey

Died:


Buried:
Aged 82 years = 1845.

Notes:

Married:
Home of Ann Kersey, Coleraine, Vaughan Twp.

Notes:

. Elisha Lawrence son to John & Mary Lawrence was born on Friday morning about 7 o'clock the 21 Day of Feb. 1800. - On 5 July 1825, at York, mother Mary Rezeau Lawrence swore she saw her husband, John Lawrence when he wrote down their children's names & birth dates.

Note: The names of those children were equally carefully chosen. The following choice assuredly contributed to their name choice:

. Elisha Lawrence, is a Lawrence heritage name. He was named 1. for his father's brother Elisha Lawrence & 2. for his great uncle, Lieut. Colonel Elisha Lawrence who raised the three battalions of the New Jersey Volunteers where his father John Lawrence first served as an Ensign. - P J Ahlberg, 2010.

. Elisha Lawrence came to Toronto Gore Twp. from New Brunswick in 1821.

. 1815-24 Lawrence, Elisha, UCLP. Summary, Road Building in Gore.
Your Petitioner will cut a Road half a chain wide between 9th & 10th Concession, Gore [Peel County]; from Lot 1 to Lot 17. Level all stumps 10 feet in width in the road to admit sleighs to travel without difficulty or interruption. To be completed by June 1st [1822]; in favour of Lot 2, Con 9, Gore. 400 Acres in total. Elisha Lawrence, Alexander McVean Petitioners further pray, new agreement with Alex. McVean Senior to join to cut the road a Chain in width & cutting small Stumps the width of 18 feet. In favour of 600 Acres of their choice in Gore [of Toronto Twp.]

. 1818, Survey Diaries indicated that the original timber stands within Toronto Gore township included oak, ash, maple, beech, elm, basswood, hemlock & pine. The survey crew working in the township in the summer of 1819 suffered under extreme conditions. One of the complaints noted by the surveyor was that of "musquetoes miserable thick."

. 1821 November 12, York. Quite a formable task, originally Elisha Lawrence petitioned to cut the road by himself & then revised his request to include John McVean & for Alex McVean:
From enormous trees Elisha & the McVeans cleared the wilds of the Gore Road from Clairville to Wildfield, now called Rexdale Blvd., Islington (Toronto) Ontario.
The Humber River's west branch meander & the Gore Road (*Old Malton Road * now Dixon Road) was to cut the north-south concessions road. In November 1833 the McVean Side road was built to give access to the Village of Weston's mills, also on the Humber River.
Elisha Lawrence made extensive hand written contracts for road building in favour of land grants. (including the following sample:)
. Statutes of the Province of Upper Canada: The First Year of William IV 1831, 11th UC Parliament:
Statute XVII. That the sum granted to the Home district, be appropriated & expended as follows, that is to say... & Elisha Lawrence, of the Gore of Toronto, be commissioners for expending the same.

. UCLPetition 9, T Bundle 16, C1836, p182
To Lt. Gov. John Colborne, In Council, Petition of Inhabitants of Gore of Toronto & part of Chinguacousy Twp.
The principle Mille site of the Gore of Toronto is on the Clergy Reserve about 12 miles of Gore. The inhabitants are delirious that a mill on said Lot should be built a grist mill capable making goods Merchaneable flour.
Signed, February 1830, John Mordill Sr., & 104 persons including Elisha Lawrence
Envelope: Lot 5, 8, Gore of Toronto, Containing 200 Acres is a Clergy Reserve. In Council, 6 Feb 1830. Recommended Commissioner John Beitinz (?) of Crown lands to ascertained whether there is a good Mill Site upon as stated.

. 1831 Home District, That the same of £1900, granted to the Home District, be appropriated & expended as follows:
- For the erection of a Bridge across the Humber R., on the road leading from York to Caledon, commonly called Campbell's Road, the sum of £100, & that David Jardine, Nathan Martin of Etobicoke, & Elisha Lawrence of the Gore of Toronto, be Commissioners for expending the same.
Ref: Statues of Her Majesty's Province of Upper Canada, 11th Provincial Parliament.

. 1837 City of Toronto & Home District Commercial Directory: Elisha Lawrence, Con 9, Lot 2, Gore of Toronto, Peel Co., Ontario.

. 1838 April 17, Upper Canada Sundries, Index C9824, Image 757 & Page106499-502
Special Session, Case of Treason. Petition for pardon & other papers in the case of J. C. Divins. 200+ signatures, including Elisha Lawrence, Wm & John, Wm. Munshaw, William Lyon McKenzie, Isaac, James, B. Devins, Polly Divins, Peter, Richard Vanderburg, Jonathan, John Langstaff, T. & Ed. Shepard. [Clearly J C Divins was well liked.].

. 1841 - Weston Plank Road: About the year 1841, the old corduroy road was changed into a modern Plank Road. The road was 18 miles long & ran through Weston to Thistletown, to Claireville, & finally to Coleraine. The building of the road took 2,250,000 feet of pine planking, which was purchased from the mills around West at $4.00 per thousand feet. [Cost = $9,000 for sold ancient pine for 18 miles of road! PJA]
The building of the Toronto Gore or Malton Road did much to help the mills at Weston, in the early days. At certain seasons of the year, the Toronto Gore road was a notorious mud road & farmers from the district, hauling their gain to the mill at Weston, with teams of oxen, were obliged to take 2 days to compete the trip.
Ref: History of Weston, by F D Cruckshank, MD, 1937.
Transcription by P J Ahlberg 2015. -.-

. 1846 Smith's Canadian Gazetter, Province of Canada West:
Toronto Gore Twp, Home District, a small wedge shaped twp., Humber river runs through it, good land, one grist mill, Population 1842, 1,145.

. 1847 Feb 19 - His Excellency the Gov. General makes the following nominations: Ninth Battalion, York: To be Captains: Charles E Lawrence; Lieutenants: Miles Langstaff, John Arnold, Peter Vanderburg Gentlemen; To be Quarter-Master: Elisha Lawrence, Gentlemen.

Quarterly Sessions of Peace, York County
. 1850 Jul 2, Tues., S B Harrison, Esq, chairman, Grand Jury, Elisha Lawrence, Peter Lawrence. Queen VS Nathan & Wm. Dennis, Nuisance.

. 1857 - Collapse of the wheat market (English Tariffs) lead to decline of farm land values.
. 1859 Dec 30 -
. 1861 Census, Peel Co.
Elisha Lawrence, Age 61, b 1800, NB, Episcopalian, Log house.

. Elisha stood 5 feet 9 inch tall. Elisha & wife Sarah cleared the thick woods & planted wheat on the cleared patches. Elisha carried a sack of grain on his back, north to Bolton & then from the Gore through the path in the woods to Richmond Hill, 15 miles distant.
His love of horses led him to introduce the first horses to the area In 1842 he build the first field & creek stone bank barn in the area with the help of neighbors & a barn-raising barn was built close to a hill allowing easy access to the top floor of a barn. Most barns of the time were only single story.
When he married in 1823 there were still plenty of packs of wolves to follow Elisha on his journey to the grist mill. 'Once he had a narrow escape from a pack of these fierce creatures, he was carrying meat in a sack on his back, & got to his cabin in time to start a fire, this being the most effective protection.' They made wool & flax clothing from their own land.

Brother Peter R. Lawrence attended Elisha's barn raising in 1842 & prevailed on them to dump the whiskey because it causes accidents at barn raising. This was the first barn bank in the Gore for many years. At the same time mother sow & piglets invited themselves to the barn raising banquet, but their squeals alerted the building bee of the impending disaster. In the Census of Gore Twp. in 1852 Peter's son, Peter Lawrence, Jr. lived on the adjacent frontside of the farm lot of Uncle Elisha Lawrence, (i.e. at Lot 9, Con 2, Elisha R Lawrence was on the adjacent adjoining backside of Lot 8, Con One.)

Reports of cases decided in the Court of Common Pleas of Upper Canada, Volume 3. By Edward C Jones., Upper Canada. Court of Common Pleas, 1883. Summary:
The by-law recites, that the inhabitants of Union School Section No. 5, in the Gore of Toronto, at a meeting held at the school-house on Saturday, the 18th January, 1851, determined to build a new school-house for that section, & to raise the funds to pay for the construction by assessment upon the rateable property in the Gore.: that Wm. Doubloon, Elisha Lawrence, & Wm. Heugell, trustees for the year 1851, did petition the Municipality of the Gore of Toronto to raise, by assessment 1001: & that the said council, on the 25th February, 1851, pass a by-law authorizing the raising of the said sum. ...It is therefore enacted by the Municipality of the Gore of Toronto, that the special rate of six-sevenths of a penny in the pound should be raised for the year 1852, property in the union school section No. 5 of the Gore of Toronto ...That it should be lawful for the said secretary-treasurer to retain for his own use 5%, on the gross sum collected under this by-law, for his trouble in assessing & collecting the same, & as such treasurer hold the balance thereof subject to the order of the trustees of school section No. 5 aforesaid, to be applied by them in liquidating the expense of building a new school house in the said section, & to no other purpose whatsoever.

Elisha Lawrence, Sarah wife of the above, & Mary their dau., wife of John Bailey: Gorgeous very tall red granite round pillar, is a slight till (2013).Gore Hill Top Cemetery is on Concession 9, lot 3 & 4 one mile north of Claireville on the Gore Road. It is on top of a high bank sloping up from the road & is immediately south of the present day Highway #7.

. 1863 Son John R Lawrence returns from American Civil War with an amputated leg at Spotsylvania.
. 1683 Elisha Lawrence transfers to sons John R. Lawrence & Isaac H Lawrence
Con 2 Lot 9 North, 35 Acres EACH as a gift.

. 1869 Jun 18th inst. Died at his residence, Gore of Toronto, Elisha Lawrence, Esq., aged 69 years; one of the first settlers in the township. Ref: York Herald newspaper.

. Recorded for further research: The Canadian Freeman Newspaper, Toronto: 24 July, 1834, Elisha Lawrence.

. Ontario Land Registry Abstract, Toronto Gore Book, P 8-10.
Lot 2, Con 9, North Dundas Street, Twp of Toronto Gore,
. 1868 Aug 28, WILL, Elisha Lawrence, R Lawrence et all N Half E 130 A & S of East 130 Acres.
. 1875 Jan 1, Mortgage, J R Lawrence et ux, et all, to C H Green $600 South part, discharged.
. 1877 Dec 20, Mort, Isaac H Lawrence, et, to Thomas Kersey, $800, S, 70 Acres., disc. 1929 Jun 18.
. 1887 Mar 15, Bargain&Sale, Margaret A Burton, et all, to John R Lawrence $480. S
. 1893 Jan 6, B&S, Margaret A Burton, et all, to John R Lawrence $4800. SHalf.
. 1904 Jan 2, B&S, Townley R Lawrence, to, JRL, $584, SHalf
. 1905 Aug 31, B&S, Charles J Lawrence to,
. 1920 May 29, Isaac J Lawrence, to Ann Lawrence, Part & O.L.
. 1926 Apr 1, Grant, Elisha W Lawrence, et all, Executors of Joh R Lawrence Estate. to Jos. Creech., $5, 000. Part acres.
. 1926 Apr 1, Grant, EWL et all Exts. of JRL Estate, to Albert Hewson. $4,000, Part.
. 1932 Jun 22, Grant, EWL et all Exts. of JRL Estate, to Isaac J Lawrence, $1. SHalf except W Acres.
. 1941 Jun 14, Mort. Isaac J Lawrence et al, to H R Lawrence Trust, $3,200. SHalf.
. 1943 Sep 30, Discharge Mort., Harold R Lawrence, to Isaac J Lawrence.
. 1943 Aug 17, Grant, Isaac J Lawrence, Widower, to Eugene & Loretta LeMay as joint Tenants. $1.

. 1869 Jun 18, Died, At his residence, Gore of Toronto, on the 18th inst., Elisha Lawrence, Esq., aged 69 years; one of the first settlers in the township.

Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
Born Queensbury Parish, York Co, NB.

Died:
Stone says 18 June 1689; Family history records his death of 25th June, 1869.

Buried:
Aged 69y 4m 28d, Brampton, Con 9, Gore Rd. a mile north of Claireville.

Elisha married Sarah DEVINS on 18 Dec 1823 in Toronto, York Co., Ontario. Sarah (daughter of Isaac DEVINS and Mary POLLY CHAPMAN) was born on 1 Sep 1799 in York Twp., York Co., Ontario; died on 8 Oct 1867 in Gore of Toronto Twp., Peel Co., Ontario; was buried in Hilltop Gore Cemetery, Clairville, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. 1823 Dec 18, Toronto Banns Proclaimed,
Elisha Lawrence married Sarah Devins.
Witnesses: Isaac Devins & Peter Lawrence.
Marriage #117 by Rev. William Jenkins, Richmond Hill.

HILLTOP GORE PIONEER CEMETERY was made unique; lacking common characteristics that typically served to distinguish a village.
In the place of a formal church stood a schoolhouse. With a removable altar, for use on Sundays, the school became an available and convenient resource to various religious denominations.
It was often referred to as "The Schoolhouse Burying Ground" and sometimes as the Anglican and Methodist Cemetery.

This Protestant school, built in 1835, was the first in Toronto Gore. It stood on top of the hill, on the northern edge of the cemetery. It was one room, about 30 square feet, built of hardwood logs lined with dressed lumber. At capacity, the schoolhouse held as many as 80 pupils.

. 1966, the cemetery was again set in order; the brush cleared, the ground leveled and the larger stones set on concrete foundations, and re-lettered. The monuments that were flat were built into a concrete cairn with a central monument
Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
Born near Humber River. Alt DOB 18 Sep 1799.

Died:
Clairville (Brampton), Ontario. Monument reads died O t 10, 1867.

Buried:
Aged 68y 1m 22d [17 Aug 1799.] Red pillar monument is off kilter.

Notes:

Married:
by Rev Wm. Jenkins, #117, Published Bands. Wit Isaac Devins, Peter Lawrence.

Notes:

The Kerseys, who had originally settled in the Gore but later moved to Vaughan, reappeared in the township when 2 of the Kersey boys married Elisha Lawrence's daughters in the 1870s.
Ref: Families & Land in Toronto Gore Twp., Peel Co. 1820-1890., Herbert J Mays, Oct 1979.

. 1878 Jan 3, Provincial Municipal Nominations: Toronto Gore, Reeve, William Kersey.
. 1880 Jan 2, Provincial Municipal Nominations: Toronto Gore, Reeves Wm Porter & William Kersey.
Ref: The Globe Newspaper, Toronto.

Ontario cultural Heritage Assessment Report, Hwy. 50 & Mayfield Rd. Environmental Assessment, Peel & York Region, Ontario, 2010 Feb.
. 1860, Con 10, Lot 22, William Kersey, Homestead
. 1860, Con 10, Lot 22, Thomas Kersey, Homestead, orchard
. 1859, Con 12, Lot 13, William Kersey, Historic Inn,
. 1877, Con 12, Lot 13, Estate of Wm. Kersey, Homestead, orchard, Coleraine Post Office
- - -

Died:
Lot 21, Con 9, Coleraine, Ontario. Indian Line, Hwy 50, York-Peel Co., Ontario

William married Margaret BEATON. Margaret (daughter of William BEATON and Catherine MCFEE) was born on 8 Nov 1809 in Kilfinichen Par. Mull, Scotland; died on 23 Apr 1899 in Woodbridge Twp., Middlesex Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Margaret is the daughter of Catherine McFee and Wm. Beaton.

Margaret's children: Thomas born 1836, Catherine 1838, William 1840, Mary, 1843, Ann, 1845, Margaret 1851 and Jonathon Kersey 1854.

. Obituary of son:
1922 Sep 6, Woodbridge, Jonathan Kersey, a veteran Vaughan Twp. farmer, died last night from injuries he receive serval days ago when he was kicked by a cow in the stable. In an attempt to save his life an operation was performed on Saturday, Mr. Kersey was born in Coleraine & his father, Wm. Kersey, was one of the first settlers of Toronto Gore, He was an Anglican in religion & a conservative in politics. Besides his wife, he is survive by 4 sons
Edward & Wm of Coleraine, Thomas & William at home; 2 daughters, Miss Annie & Miss May at home;
a brother Thomas of Weston & 2 sisters, Mrs. Margaret Burton, Brampton & Mrs. J R Lawrence, Coleraine.
Ref: The Globe Newspaper, Toronto.

. Obituary Mrs. Wm. Kersey
1925 Oct 5 - Brampton, The death occurred in Castlemore, near her on Friday, Mrs. Wm. Kersey, a resident of Toronto Gore Twp. for theist 54 years.
the late Mrs. Kersey, whose maiden name was miss Agnes Laurie, was a daughter of the late John Laurie of Woodbridge 7 was in her 78th year. She was an Anglican & a member of the St. John's church, Castlemore. Mrs. Kersey was predeceased 14 years ago by her husband & is survived by 4 sons,
Wm. & John of Toronto Gore;
Thomas of Vaughan Twp. York,
& Robert of Vancouver;
2 daughters, Mrs. Wm. Taylor of Toronto & Mrs. Adam Agar of Nashville; and
2 sisters Mrs. Robert Kellam of Vaughan Twp. and Mrs. John Nattress of Woodbridge.
Ref: The Globe Newspaper, Toronto. - - -

Died:
Died in her new home, Lot 2, William St., Woodbridge, aged 91, Bronchitis, 2 weeks.

Notes:

Lawrence Avenue, Toronto, is named after John Lawrence & family.

. 1776 Apr 29, List of Letters remaining in the Post Office, at New York: John Lawrence.
Ref: New-York Gazette, & Weekly Mercury Newspaper, NYC, NY.

. Lieutenant John Lawrence, NJ Volunteers, 7 years Service, estate confiscated.
Court Martial For Dueling, Ensign John Lawrence.

* PISTOL DUEL
. 1780 Jan 12th - (Commencing), Pistol Duel For Honor or Queen's Rangers
Summary: British Ensign John Moffet while drunk at John Wilson Tavern on Staten Island - (is this Kruse or Wilson Brook Rd., older roads on Staten?) - He insulted the NJ American Ensign John Lawrence by saying he was not a gentlemen & insulted his Regiment, the Queen's Rangers which was under the command of John Graves Simcoe... Moffat sent Lawrence pistols & a challenged to a duel on 13 Jan. 1780. The two met on that frigid January day with their seconds, marked the distance at 6 yards (as opposed to the 4 yards distance requested by Moffet) & fired simultaneously. Moffet's ball barely grazed Lawrence near the right breast, not even breaking the skin. Lawrence's shot however went true, straight into the Ranger's stomach. Moffet was killed, as he was good enough to tell his second, Lieut. George Pendred, looking up at him & declaring "My dear fellow I am killed" upon which he immediately died. Moffet was buried at Richmond Church. The burial was delayed several days because of an incursion of 2,700 Continental troops onto Staten Island. This forced Moffet to take one last tour of the island, his corpse taking a sleigh ride from tavern to tavern until the island was secured.
The court listened to the evidence & acquitted Lawrence.
. Richmond [Staten Island] 13th Jany. 1780. To Ens. Lawrence, Sir,
In consequence of your behaviour last night to me (when totally intoxicated) request that satisfaction due by one Gentleman to another. Mr. [Allan] McNabb sends you your side arms, & wishes that you should not consider yourself longer under an arrest by him. I now call upon you as a Gentleman & a Soldier with your Sword & Pistols to wipe off any Odium I might have received by your Ungentleman like treatment. Signed, John Moffitt.

. 1780 the 25th Feby., Friday. The Court being met pursuant to Adjournment.

The Prisoner being put upon his Defense, delivered himself to the Court in the following manner:
"Mr. President & Gentlemen of the Court,
I stand charged before this Court for the Crime of Murder. I am very unhappy that I have been under the necessity of acting a part that has subjected me to such a Charge.
Ensn. MOFFET (the unhappy Gentleman who fell) sent me a Challenge on the Evening of the 13th Jany. to meet him immediately - declined it - but as I was compell'd by the words of the Challenge, promised to meet him the next morning. I considered myself bound by the Laws of honor, to give him the Satisfaction he demanded. My reputation as an Officer & a Gentleman, in short my all was at stake - had I omitted meeting him in the manner he requested, I must ever after been treated as a Rascal & Coward - unhappy alternative-Called upon as I was, I humbly conceive (by the Evidence of Mr. Thompson, Mr. Penderd, & the Tenor of the Note of the 13th Jany. that Ensn. Moffet sent me) it has appeared to the Court, that I only acted in my own Defense & that I was not guilty of any unjust or ungentleman like behaviour on that occasion.
I humbly ask the Courts pardon for taking up so much of their time in my Defense. I have been careful to make it as short as possible, Knowing that justice will govern your Decrees, I cheerfully submit to your determination."
Ref: Court Marital of John Lawrence, Great Britain, Public Record Office, War Office, Class 71, Volume 91, Pages 201-213.

. Later General J G Simcoe promoted John Lawrence to Lieutenant from August 25, 1780. Loyalist regiment of Queen's Rangers was also known as the 1st American Regiment.
Ref: For an excellent complete transcription of the Court Martial of John Lawrence please see: The Institute of Advanced Loyalist Studies, (active as of 2017 at: www.royalprovincial.com)

Quarter Master Stephen Jarvis of Danbury, Connecticut, & who died in Toronto, Canada, wrote in 1840:
"Early in the Spring of 1779 the Regiment left Oyster Bay, New Jersey & took up our encampment above Kingsbridge where we remained the greater part of the summer ... Our duty during the winter was not very severe, the harbor afforded plenty of oysters. Here a Mr. Moffet from the 15th Regiment joined as Quarter Master, a rough, noisy, boisterous Irishman, but I knew how to humor him & we agreed very well together. I spent the winter very pleasant. Our food was for some time rather coarse, our bread oatmeal biscuit full of maggots.

Much of our time was taken up during the summer, & in the Autumn we were moved to Staten Island & took up our winter quarters at Richmond. Soon after our arrival at this place a quarrel ensued between Mr. Moffet, now an Ensign in the Regiment, as well as Quarter Master of the Horse, with a Lieutenant, (Mr. Lawrence died in Upper Canada) Lawrence.
One day in his cups he fixed a quarrel on a Lieut. Lawrence of Jersey Volunteers, who had accidentally called at the Public House at Richmond. They got at fisty-cuffs & Mr. Lawrence bruised Mr. Moffit's face much, & as the vulgar expression is, bunged up his eyes". A duel ensued & Moffet was killed. Col. Simcoe was so enraged that he would not let him be buried with the honors of war. Lieutenant Lawrence was tried by a Court Martial & Honorably Acquitted."
XRef: Transcription of this Court Martial may be found in my book: Richard Lawrence & John Willson, North York Public Library.
Note1: The two duelist 's seconds marked out the distance at 6 yards (as opposed to the 4 yards distance requested by Moffet), & fired simultaneously. Miffed was shot in the stomach, died & was buried St. Andrews Richmond Churchyard. The invasion of Staten Island by 2,700 Continental troops delayed his burial by several days. His corpse was hauled by sleigh form tavern to tavern until the Staten was in British hands again.

. 1780 2 mo. 7day Shrewsbury. From the Preparative Meeting, it appears John Lawrence's son of William has been fighting formerly & since has bore arms in a hostile way, has left his habitation gone where he can't readily be treated with for which offenses this Meeting hath hereby disowned him from being a member thereof. [p525 /film p226].

. 1780 July 25 - Ensign John LAWRENCE Taken Prisoner, NJV1, Lieut. Col Jos. Barton Company.
Ref: National Archives of Canada, RG 8, "C" Series, Volume 1852, Page 25.

. 1780 Aug 2 - Refugees Sent to Philadelphia - On Sunday last, 8 to the infamous refugees, 5 of whom pretended to be officers in the tyrant's service, were brought to the commissary of prisoners ElizabethTown from Monmouth. When they were captured, they plead they came over with a flag & produced their orders; but their frivolous pretensions would not answer their end & they were sent to Philadelphia, to occupy a corner of the new gaol until exchanged.

. 1780 Aug 2 - Loyalist Also to Philadelphia - Yesterday were brought to Trenton town under guard, being on their way to Philadelphia, Col. Geo. Taylor, Lieut. Samuel Leonard, Lieut. John Thompson, Ensign John Lawrence & Chrineyonce VanMater, late inhabitants of Monmouth & 3 others. - They were made prisoners at Shrewsbury of Wednesday last by a part of our militia.

. The modern Richmond County Country Club approximates the location of community of Richmond on Staten Island as shown by Faden's 1777 map of New Jersey.
Ensign John LAWRENCE, Taken Prisoner, 25 July 1780, NJV 1, Lieut. Col Jos. Barton Company. Ref: National Archives of Canada, RG 8, C Series, Volume C1852, Page 25.

. 1782 Mar 24, Sunday - SALT AGAIN AN ISSUE, Toms River Block House, Monmouth, NJ. Summary:
There was an urgent need for salt, our shores where salt sea water was boiled down...mouth of Matawan Ck. [tidal estuary, Monmouth Co., NJ,] usually stationed a militia from 25 to 40 men.
Lawrence looks for laurels ...most important of these salt producing plants at Squan. - the British launched a late April, large & well disciplined body of American Loyalist Corps ('The Provincials' Under the command of Lieut. Colonel Elisha Lawrence.) ... purpose was to bring away prisoners & destroy the salt works.
Detained by head-winds Lawrence idled at the Hook for a full week, the British forced left the mouth of the Shrewsbury at dark & was off Squan before midnight. Lawrence attached the surrounding buildings & took captives. He caused a bugle to be sounded to summon the Americans to surrender... they wrecked the plant & returned to the Hook.
. Capt. Joshua Huddy was captured here hiding in a house. On Apr 12, 1782 Wm. Franklin & Ass. Board of Loyalist, ignored the prisoner's rights & in secret orders to Capt. Richard Lippincott to hang Huddy at Gravely Point, Navesink R, a mile beyond the Highland Light House. At his Court Marshal, Lippincott was found to be following orders of the Ass. Loyalists Committee.
Note2: Further, Lieut. Col. John Lawrence is identified as the son of Wm. & Margaret Lawrence, His wife is Mary Rezeau of Staten Island.

The last time the NJ Volunteers would see their home state was in October 1782 when the NJV removed from Paulus Hooke (Jersey City) to Newtown, Long Island. On 10 Oct. 1783 the NJV was muster out on the St. John's River, New Brunswick, Canada.

. 1780 Aug 2 - Yesterday were brought to town under guard, being on their way to Philadelphia, Col. Geo. Taylor, Lieut. Samuel Leonard, Lieut. John Thomson, Ensign John Lawrence & Chrineyonce Van Mater*, late inhabitants of Monmouth & 3 others. They were made prisoners at Shrewsbury on Wednesday last by a part of our militia.
Ref: Penn. Evening Post. & New Jersey Gazette 1780.8.2.
Note3: Chrineyonce Van Mater, b 23 Jan 176 Monmouth, NJ, d 24 Mar 1803 Middletown, NJ.

. 1783 Aug 24 - Lawrence, John, Lieutenant, 1st Battalion NJ Volunteers.
Ref: British Military & Naval Records, Film C1853, p. 102, RG 8, C Series.

FOUR LAWRENCE SIBLINGS TOGETHER at ST. JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA:
John Lawrence on one side of the Saint John River at Lot 101;
& Richard Lawrence, Lot 169 &
sister Margaret Lawrence Nicholson, at LOT 52 on the other river side adjacent to brother John;
& also important Lawrence family friend, Rev. J Odell of NJ, was adjacent to John Lawrence's land grant.
Their other sister, Alice Lawrence Leonard, was located at Lot One, Saint John, N.B. Neighbour's Jonathan Odell house still stands at 808 Brunswick St., & is designated as a historical house by the Fredericton Heritage Trust. - PJA.

NEW BRUNSWICK LAND PETITIONS & Grants:
1. NBLP 1784, York Co., Microfilm F1024, John Lawrence & 10 others, inc. Loyal Am. Regiment.
2. NBLP 1785, York Co., Microfilm F1025, John Lawrence & 10 other, inc. NJ Volunteers;
3. NBLP 1785, York Co., Microfilm F1027, John Lawrence & 3 others, inc. NJ Volunteers.

4. NBLGrants #125, Vol B, pg. 173, Queensbury Parish, York Co., 1788.01.14, Microfilm F16302, Guides & Pioneers, John Lawrence granted 490 Acres, (& others inc. brother-in-law, Arthur Nicholson, 378 A.) John was granted a prime location at Lot 101 on the St. John River.
'John's first grant was for a piece of land near Mill Creek that he was obliged to later surrender to the Crown for use as common land in the new Frederick's Town. We have a letter of complaint that he submitted to the government regarding the retraction of this first grant. In his letter he states that "he had built a house 26 feet long & 16 feet wide, with a secure, commodious cellar & other conveniences". He had also cleared a quantity of land at considerable expense & requested compensation for the improvements he had made to the land.'

5. NBLGrant #154, Vol B, Pg. 346, Fredericton Parish, York Co., 1788.03.25, 10 Acres, Microfilm F16302, (70 others, inc. Benedict Arnold, 13 A.) Land Grant signed, 6 Feb 1793, 1 Lot containing 4 Acres & 3 rods on St. John River, Great Bear Island rights, York Co., which was close to his Lot 101 grant. The Great & Little Bear Islands were so named because bears like to fish & to forage on the butternuts.

6. Northumberland Co. Deed Registry Books, Summary
1796 Sept 2nd. Indenture #482, John Lawrence, Esq. & his wife Mary Lawrence of the Parish of Queensbury, York Co., Prov. NB to Lemuel Wilmont, Esq., Lincoln, Sunbury Co., NB.,
Paid £10 currency for Lot 9, lying near Mill (Mile?) Creek, Fredericton. Together with all regular houses, outhouses barns, stables, gardens, orchard, fence improvements, ways water watercourses.
Lemuel Wilmont also to pay 4 shilling 3 pence yearly unto Reverence Samuel Locke, Rector of Fredericton, Jonathan Odell & Beverly Robinson, Esq., as Trustees of the Academy of Free School maintenance always to be supported & maintained & the further sum of 1 shilling yearly from the year 1806.
Witness: Samuel Clayton, Isaac Heddon, Signed & Sealed, J. Lawrence & Mary Lawrence.
2 Sep 1796, Isaac Hedden, Justice of Peace, York Co., NB.

Justice of the Peace, York County Marriage Records, Books A
performed by John Lawrence, Justice of the Peace:
. 1816 Apr 23, Robert Hustes married Frances Kelly of Kings Co. . - .

TOWN OF YORK, UPPER CANADA:
. UCLPetition 51, Capt. John Lawrence, L Bundle 11, York, Ontario, 9 Jun 1818:
Petitioner native of NJ. Served in American Rebellion as an officer in 1st Battalion NJ Volunteers & lost considerable property which he never received compensation. At Peace of 1783 he settled in NB & received 490 Acres for his service & no more. Removed to this Province about 20 months ago (Jan. 1816). He has a wife, 7 sons & 4 daughters, except for two, all are in this Province of Ontario. Commissioner of the Peace in NB for 29 years. Prays for land. Also Captain of Militia in New Brunswick. Granted 600 Acres.

. TORONTO TANNERY & HOUSE:
One or 2 old farm houses of an antique New Jersey style, of two storeys with steepish roofs & small windows ... Lawrence's Tannery ... In the hollow on the left [i.e. East side of Yonge St.,] Some way further on, but still in the low land of the irregular ravine, another primitive rustic manufactory of that article of prime necessity, leather, was reached. This was the "Lawrence's Tannery.
A bridge over the stream here, which is a feeder to the Don River, was sometimes spoken of as Hawke's bridge from the name of its builder.
In the hollow on the left, close to the Tannery, & overlooked from the road, was a cream-coloured respectable fame-house, the domicile of Mr. Lawrence himself. In his garden, some hives of bees, when such things were rarities, used always to be looked at with curiosity in passing. - by Henry Scadding.

Quarterly Sessions of Peace, York County:
. 1818 Jan 13, York.Grand Jury sworn: John Lawrence. Proclamation of Silence made, King VS Wm. Marshall Assult discarded as Prosecutor not appearing. King VS Allan N M Nabb Assault, settled by consent nonpaying costs. Order that Public Notice in Upper Canada Gazette that the remaining 5 building lots on Market Share will be sold at Public Auction Sat 24 Jan.

. 1818 Jun 2 June, Date of WILL of John Lawrence.
Ref. UC Heir & Devisee Commission.
* Research Note4: Verify with Archives of Ontario, Will Instrument BWR, p210, undated, John Lawrence.

. 1819 Jun 2, Markham, Joel Beeman & Marr Carfrae married by Rev. Jenkins. Witnesses: John Lawrence & James Ellerton.

. 1820 Jun 21, Witness, Affidavit for Sister Elizabeth Lawrence Nicholson:
Home District, Upper Canada} Personally appeared before me James Miles of Vaughan, Esq., Justice of Peace, aforesaid John Lawrence, Esq. of Vaughan, a lieutenant on half pay of his late Magestys late first Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist deposeth & say that he ware present when Adjutant Arthur Nicholson of Late Kings late American Dragons & Elizabeth Lawrence were lawfully married the 7th day of August 1787 & the Arthur & Elizabeth Nicolson were married in the Parish of Fredericton, New Brunswick by the Revered Jonathan Odell*, late Secretary of this Late Majestys Council in Province of NB.
Signed, Jno. Lawrence & Sworn before James Miles, JP, 21 Jun 1820, Vaughan, UC.
Note5: Rev. Jonathan Odell, Burlington, NJ. friend of cousin John Brown Lawrence, friend of the Lawrence family & apparently also a friend in Fredericton, New Brunswick! Interestingly, this also demonstrates the Lawrences continued to communicated over time & distances! - PJA 2015.

. 1821 York Almanac & Calendar: John Lawrence, Commissions of the Peace, Judges.

. 1821 Dec 30, John Lawrence died & was buried by the Rev. William Jenkins.

. 1822 Oct 12. By Order of Geo. Stacy Smith, Lieut. Gov. Prov. NB.
These Certify that John Lawrence & Ward Chipman, Esquires were at the time of signing certificates, Judges of Supreme Court of Judicature & Members of Council for this Province & that full Faith & Credit are due to their Acts & Attestations. Signed, Wm. T Odell, Fredericton, NB.
. 1822 Jul 10. Affidavit, of Hugh McGuigan, attended late Adj. Art. Nicholson in his last sickness at Presque Isle, 5 Sep 1821 of decay that appeared natural. Signed, Hugh McGuigan.
Recorded for further research: W.O. 28, volume 9, Folios 103 & 40, often a petition, Appendix B, Great Britain. War Office 28, Headquarters Papers.

Ontario Land Registry
Lot 42, Con 1 West Side Yonge, Richmond Hill, Book 170, p127
. 1817 Mar 4, Bargain&Sale, John Lawrence, £500.10., All 210 acres.
. 1818 Jun 13, WILL, John Lawrence, to Mary Lawrence etal, All acres
. 1833 Nov 28, B&S, Mary Lawrence etal, Alexander C Lawrence et al, £500 & £800, Part E 40A. & W pt 160A.
. 1846 Jan 10, B&S, Chas E Lawrence, etux, to Sarah C Lawrence, £150, Pt Half Acres, NE angle.
. 1855 Jan 31, Release, John W Lawrence et all, to Peter Lawrence, Executor, £25, ALL.
. 1856 Apr 26, Mortgage, Sarah C Lawrence, to John Duncomb, £50, pt. Half acre.
. 1868 Dec 11, WILL, Charles E Lawrence.
. 1869 Oct 12, William H Lawrence, etux, to John Duncomb, $300, Pt & Water Ft. 9 acres.
. 1870 May 7, Mortgage, WHL Etux, to John Veilie, $300, Pt 8 Acres;
. 1870 July 9, Mortgage, WHL Etux, Western Can Loan Society, $1141.92, Pt 8 acres.
. 1871 Dec 1, Grant, Alex C Lawrence, to John Layton, $3500, E 49 A.
. 1872 Mar 26, Alex C Lawrence, to John Layton, $3100, E 49A.

The Queen's Rangers
. 1777 Dec 3 - "No regiment in the army has gained more honour this campaign than (the Queens) Rangers: they have been engaged in every principal service, and behaved nobly, indeed most of the officers have been wounded since we took the field in Philadelphia."
Ref: Pennsylvania Ledger.
Note: By this quote, I wish to draw attention to gentlemen's conduct of the requirement of principles of war for the Rangers, Gen. Simcoe himself & to the 'gentleman' John Lawrence (as noted in his Court Martial). - PJ Ahlberg, 2020.
. Under the distinguished leadership of Lieut. Col. John Simcoe who commanded it after the battle of Brandy wine the corps became noted for discipline & bravery. It was usually the van guard of the attacking & the rear guard of the retreating army. Under all circumstances it could be relied on to give a good account of itself. Perhaps the hottest fight in which the Queen's Rangers ever engaged was the battle of Brandy wine where the British gained a victory which, if it had been energetically followed up by General Howe, would have resulted in the annihilation of Washington's army. At Brandywine the Queen's Rangers lost 72 killed & wounded, 11 of whom were officers.
heir most noted achievements was a raid on the 29th October 1778 in which they marched some 50 miles into the heart of the enemy's country in the teeth of the American forces. The corps, led by Colonel Simcoe, in the course of the expedition destroyed a large number of boats & military stores at one point, released a number of loyalists imprisoned in Somerset court house which, with a quantity of stores there collected, they burned, & finally after a sharp encounter with a considerable body of the enemy whom they charged & dispersed, returned to their head quarters. The boldness of the stroke created a sensation at the time in both the British & American Camps.
The Queen's Rangers in 1781 accompanied General Benedict Arnold in his raid on Virginia where they quite maintained their reputation. Afterwards they served under Lord Cornwallis in the unfortunate campaign in the south ending in the capitulation of Yorktown, October 19th 1781. At the close of the war they came to New Brunswick & received grants of land in parish of Queensbury which derives its name from the Queen's Rangers. In all, three tracts of land were laid out for the accommodation of the corps, one on the Main river above Bear Island in Queensbury.
Ref: Wallace Hale, 1895.5.29, NB Provincial Archives, Canada.

Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

MUSTER DATES:

British Headquarters Papers (Carleton Papers or American Manuscripts):
Lieutenant, John Lawrence, 1st NJV, (Skinner's Brigade) Pay Lists
1782.8.24 etc. Micrfilm M357, Doc p5405, 9 Items 31671 -31681.

. 1778 Jan. Muster Roll of Capt Alexander? Brigide of the First Battalion, New Jersey Volunteers commanded by Lieut. Col. Elisha Lawrence (i.e.his 2nd cousin), based Staten Island, NY. #3. Ensign John Lawrence.
. 1778 Mar, JL, Ensign 2dy NJV, Film C1851, p7
. 1778 Jun 24, JL, C1851, p23, 1778 Aug 24, p21; 1778 Oct, p17.
. 1778 Nov 27, An expedition with 2,000 troops sailed from Sandy Hook for Savannah, Georgia, & 6 days after landing at Tybee Island, off the harbour of that city, they took part in the fight, December 29th, on Brewton Hill. A detachment of the New Jersey, Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Allen commanding, went out with this party & suffered considerably in the battle just mentioned. Ensigns John & William Lawrence & James Moody were together on the same expedition.
Ref: NJV in the Revolutionary War, Wm S Stryker.
. 1779 May 25, 1st Batt., Commanded by Lieut. Col. Commandant Joseph Barton, Staten Island NJV, present on muster as well Ensign John Lawrence, also counter signature for names on this Muster Roll. Vol. 1852, p3, 9 (= c3873, p762 & 11.
Note6: 1NJV Muster alternates with Ensign William & John Lawrence. - PJA.
. 1778 Dec 25 - Ensign JL, C1851, p35.
. 1779 Jul 20, Ensign JL, c1852, p19
. 1779 Aug 13 - John Lawrence not listed as Ensign on this date c1852, p28;
. 1779 Sep 8, Ensign John Lawrence, 1st NJV, page 23;
Note7: Again brother William Lawrence was Ensign the day before, 8 Sept, also under Lt. Col. Jos. Barton 1st NJV - PJA;

. 1779 Fall - A division of the Queen's Rangers went into winter quarters, [near Hell Gate (?), Staten Island].
on the farm owned by George Brinckerhoff & later by William Bragaw.
. 1779 Mar 28, Ensign JL, Staten Island, p50;
. 1779 Nov 3, Ensign JL, C1852, p34,39

. 1780 Mar 20, Ensign JL, C1852, p.50
. 1780 May, Ensign JL, Staten Island, p66;
. 1780 Jul 14, Ensign JL,, 1NJV, C1852, p70;
. 1780 Dec, With Lt. Col. Jos. Barton, Lieut. John Lawrence, 'Injury with the Rebels', Muster Roll 1NJV, Staten Island, C1852, P97.
Note8: By the next Dec 1780 Rolls it appears Gen. Barton is on Staten Isl., but Lawrence still sick? - PJA

. 1781 Apr 24, Private JL, C1864,p17;
. 1781 Jul 25, LIEUTENANT JL, 1NJV, Staten Island, c1854,p96; 1781 Oct, p72;
. 1781 Oct 24, Private JL, QUEEN'S RANGERS, C1284,p13;

. 1782 Jan. Returned from Yorktown Battle (Oct 10 1781): Lt. Col Stephen Delancey, Lt. John Lawrence, James Moody. NJV2 - Quartermaster John Felker, Capt. Daniel Cozens. [XRef: Upper Canada relations.]
. 1782 Feb 20 Lieut. JL, 1NJV, c1853, p3; 1782 Feb 23 Queen's Rangers Dragoons, c1864, p57;
. 1782 Paulus Hook, Lieut. John Lawrence, of Col. Delancey's Company in the 1st NJV, also JL counter signed the Muster Roll.

. 1782 Sep 17, Lieut. JL, 1NJV, c1853, 26; 1782 Oct 24, c1853, p35; 1782 Dec 24, p30;

. 1783 Jan 25, c1853, p42; 1783 May 7, p91;
. 1783 May 1, New Town, Long Island, Muster Roll, Col Delancey's Co. commanded by Col Cortland Skinner, Esq., 1st Batt. NJV, Lieut. John Lawrence, 'Went by Home', c1783, p91;
. 1783 Aug. 24, Camp Newtown, Commanded by Col Cortland Skinner, 1NJV, Lieut. John Lawrence, who also signed the Muster Roll, C1853, p99.
. Camp Newtown, NY, Lieut. John Lawrence, 1NJV. 30th (?) June to 3rd of Aug, John Lawrence, who countersigned Muster Roll c1783, p102.
Note9: on next muster or camp Long Island, Aug 23, 1783.
Ref: British Military & Naval Records, RG 8, C Series & Carlton Papers.

Some Research required:
British Headquarters Papers, Carleton Papers or American Manuscripts, Microfilm M355, Ref: MG23 B1, Archives of Canada:

. 1779 - Ensign John Lawrence. 1st NJ Volunteers, Skinner's Brigade Return of Troops, British, Foreign & Provincial Troops, at NY, #Item 31672, pg 10436.58, Item Number 31672.
. 1782 May 1 - Lieutenant Lawrence, 1NJV, Return of Troops on Duty at Decker's Ferry, NY, pg 10286.1, #31673.

. 1782 May 1 - Lieut. JL, 1NJV, State of Provincial Forces in NY on Duty at Decker's Ferry, NY, pg 180288.1, Film M368, #31674.
. 1782 Jun 14 - John Lawrence [identify?], Bills drawn on Harlely & Drumond, New York, pg 4973.4. #31671
. 1782 May 1 - Lieut. JL, 1NJV, Pay List, Period 1783.2.24 - 4.24, pg 7515.3, #31675.
. 1782 Aug 24 - Lieut. JL, 1NJV, Pay list, Period 1782.6.25 - 8.24, pg 5405.3, #31676.
. 1782 Feb23 - Lieut. JL, 1NJV, Pay list, Period 1782.12.25 to 1783.2.23 pg 6968.3, #31677.
. 1782 Dec 24 - Lieut. JL, 1NJV, Pay list, Period 1782.10.25 - 12.24, Pg6502.3 #31681.
. 1783 Jun 24 - Lieut. JL, 1NJV, Pay list, Period 1783.4.25 - 6.24, pg 8163.3, #31678. XRef: as above, at Camp Newtown, NYC.
. 1783 Aug 24 - Lieut. JL, 1NJV, Pay list, Period 1783.6.25 - 8.24, pg 8821.3, #31679. (Skinner's Brigrade)
. 1783 Dec 24 - Lieut. JL, 1NJV, Pay list, Period 1783.8.25 -10.24, pg 9449.3, #31680.
XRef: British Military &Naval Records (RG 8, C Series) - INDEX. See Arch. of Canada - .

Birth:
United Empire Loyalist.

Died:
Sunday. COD: Asthma. Lot 42, Con 1 Yonge St., Vaughan Twp., near Weldrick Rd.

Buried:
- beside his wife.

John married Mary REZEAU, UE on 4 May 1783 in Saint Andrews Church, Richmond Co., Staten Island, New York. Mary (daughter of Peter REZEAU and Mary POILLON) was born on 22 Mar 1766 in Staten Island, Richmond Co., New York; died on 18 Sep 1842 in Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried in Richmond Hill Presbyterian Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary is the daughter of Maria Poilion & Peter Rezeau.
Name: Regarding the Rezeau family name, that is an early Staten Island line. The surname was changed to Rousseau & Roseaux.

. Grandfather Jacques 'Jacob' Rezeau donated the land for the St. Andrew's Church in Richmond, NY, where Mary & John Lawrence were married.
. 1783 May 3, John Lawrence obtained a license to marry Mary Rezeau. They were married the next day at St. Andrew's Church, Richmond, NY.

. Lawrence, Mary, Con 1 Yonge Street, Lot 42, Vaughan [1837 residing with her sons Alexander Cairns & Chas. E. Lawrence.]

Required for placing a Widow on the Pension, Loyal American & Canadian Corps. Summary Version:
1821 Jan 28 - We do hereby certify to the best of our knowledge & belief, that Mary Rezeau, now of the Twp. of Vaughan, York co, was the lawful wife of the late John Lawrence in his life time a Lieutenant on the Half Pay of the First Battalion of the American Corps. commanded by Brigadier General Skinner of the New Jersey Volunteers who died in his residence in the above named township on the 13 December 1821, leaving his widow with 7 sons & 4 daughters, six of whom remain yet living with her unprovided for, with the exception of a farm lot of the usual size of 200 Acres with a house & other improvements thereon.
Signed, W. Allan, Colonel, Commanding the East York Regiment of Militia.
Jno Meingrg?, Agent to the late Lieut. Jno Lawrence.

. Mary Lawrence made oath that she was lawfully married to John Lawrence, late Lieutenant on the half pay of American Corps., commonly called the New Jersey Volunteers, under Bridadier Genral skinner, & that she has no pension, allowance of provision made by Government,
Signed, Mary Lawrence, Sworn York, UC, 28 Jan 1821, W. Allan, JP.
Ref: C P668, P 432-95 p672.??????

Lot 6, Con 1 EYS, Ontario Land Registry book North York 170, p127.
. 1817 Mar 4, Michale Korts etui, to John Lawrence, £500.10s, 200A
. 1818 Jun 13, WILL John Lawrence, to Mary Lawrence et all, All
. 1833 Nov 28, B&S, Mary Lawrence et al, Alex C Lawrence et ll £500 & £800, its E40 Acre, Pt 160 Acre.

. 1824 Ministers & Church Wardens of the Parish of York, York Co., Province of UC, we have seen Mary Lawrence on or since the 24 Dec, 1823 & she resides in Vaughan Twp., York District., was formerly the wife of John Lawrence. Signed, M R Brown, Officiating Minister for Dt. Markham., J B. Macaulay, Thos Ridout, Church Wardens.
- Oath Mary Lawrence, … lawfully married to late Lieut. JL, Half Pay, 1st Bat. Brig. Gen. Skinner. & that she had had no Pension allowance or Provision, except her widows Pension at the rate of £40 per annum, now obtained.
Signed, 20 Feb, 1824, Mary Lawrence, Wit: J Jarvis, J P., Home District, UC.

. Home District, York, I certify I was well acquainted with the late John Lawrence, Lieut. 1st Bat. Gen. Skinners Brigade & was on the same Service with him in the Winter of 1780 & that I also was acquainted with Mrs. Lawrence, before & since her marriage with the said John Lawrence that I have been acquainted with him in the Prov. of NB from he year 1784 until I left that Prince for Upper Canada in the year 1810 & also since his arrival in this Province until his death & I also believe that the said John Lawrence was lawfully married to the said Mary.
Signed, S. Jarvis, JP., Home District, UC
XRef: See more testimony from Stephen Jarvis, under John Lawrence, UE

No. 4. Province of New Brunswick, to wit: Be it remember On 10 Mar1815, personally appeared Samuel Sheppard of Parish of St. Mary, York Co, NB, shown, made oath & declared that he well knows John Lawrence, a 1st Lieut., late 1st Bat. Skinners, at present a Magistrate & resided, York Co. He was present when John Lawrence was married to Mary Reseau by the Reverend W Rowland, 4 May, 1783 at Richmond on Staten Island, US of A.
That the peace os 1783 they with himself & others of the Disbanded corps came to this Province & John Lawrence & his wife have resided in York co. ever since the Peace in 1783 & always esteemed & respected as lawful man & wife by all ranks in Society,
Signed, Garrit Clopper, Notary Pub.
. York in Upper Canada, to all to whom it may concern, I Stephen Heward, Esquire, Notary Public, in the Town of York, UC, certify the within writings are true copies of an original deposition made by Samuel Sheppard, Parish of St. Mary, York co., NB, yeoman, before Garret Clopper Esq., Notary Public, Fredericton, NB, Signed, S. Heward, NP, of UC.
. I certify Garret Clopper is a Notary Public, Signed, P. Mainland [i.e. The Gov. Gen. of UC.!]

. Province of NB, Be it Remember that in 1815, Garret Clopper Esq, Public, Saint Marys Parish, sworn that he well knows John Lawrence a First Lieut., late 1Bat Gen. Skinner Brigade, at present a Magistrate & a resident in York Co. aforesaid; that he was present when said John Lawrence was married to Mary Rezeau by Rev. Mr. Rowland on 4 May 1783 at Richmond, Staten Island, USA & that at the Peace in 1783 that with himself & others of the Disbanded Corps. came o this Prov. & that the said John Lawrence & his wife have resided in his neighbourhood from that period until the present time & have always been esteemed lawful man & a wife. Signed. Danl. Clopper, Not Pub.

No. 3. London District, Upper Canada, Personally appeared before me, John Backhouse, of Walsingham, Esq., Justice of Peace, William Hutchinson, Esquire of Walsingham, a Captain on the half pay of late 1st Battalion of NJ Volunteers & Catharine Hutchinson, his spouse, sworn, the they were present when Lieut. John Lawrence, 1st Bat. NJV & Mary Rezeau of Staten Island were lawfully married or or about 4 May 1783 9being before the said 1st Bat NJV were disbanded) & that John & Mary Lawrence were married at Richmond , Staten Island by Rev. John H rowland, Rector of St. Andrews Church, Staten Isl., in the presence of the subscribers & other witness:
Signed, 7 Aug, 1815, W. Hutchinson, Jp. & Catherine Hutchinson. Wit: Joh Backhouse, JP.

. 1824 Nov 23, Yonge Street, York Co., UC. I certify the late John Lawrence, Vaughan Twp., York Co, UC, in his lifetime, a lieutenant on the half pay, first Bat. NJV, who depart this life at Vaughan Twp., in the month of Dec 1821, died of the Asthma & that I attended him as physician during his illness, for some time previous to & at the time of this decease. Signed, Asa H Reid.
- We James Miles & Michale Sloot, Justices of the Peace, certify the above subscribers, Asa J Reid, did practice as a physical in Vaughan Twp., for some time previous to & at the time of the deceased John Lawrence & he departed this life the math of Dec 1821, signed, , Yonge St., 23rd Nov.,1824. James Miles & Michael Sloot, JPs.

No. 5. We subscribers do certify JohnLawrence, late Vaughan Twp., departed this life on Sunday 21 Dec 1821 & that his remains were entered at Vaughan aforesaid, 1 Jan, 1822.
Signed, Vaughan, 1822 Feb 17, William Jenkins, Minister of United Congregations of Scarboro, Markham, Vaughan & Whitchurch;
James Couse?, James Miles, Elder, Robert Marsh, Elder.

. In the handwriting of Mary Rezeau Lawrence:
{John Lawrence, son to William & Margaret Lawrence was born the 10th day of April 1754.
Mary Lawrence, daughter to Peter & Mary Rezeau, was born 22 day of March 1766.
John & Mary Lawrence was Marred the 4th Day of May 1783 -
William Lawrence son to John & Mary Lawrence was b. 13 Sep 1864 about sunrise on Monday. Ref: Page 443 [or film page 690].

. 1825 July 5 - I hereby certify that Eliza Ann Lawrence & Sara Catharine Lawrence are personally known to me & I believe from this appearance that the time of their respective births as stated, is true. Signed, York, James Miles, JP.
. 1825 July 5, York, The Family Names. Personally came before me a Justice of Peace, Peter Rezeau Lawrence, son of the late John Lawrence, taketh oath & saith that he is aquatinted with his father's handwriting & believes that he wrote down the time of the birth of the family as get bit stand & in particular, the time of the births of Eliza Ann & Sarah Catharine Lawrence as they are entered upon this paper.
Signed, 5 July 1825, Peter Rezeau Lawrence, & James Milles, JP.
to page 446 [film p 695]

. 1837 Toronto & Home District Directory :
Mary Lawrence & Charles Lawrence, Con 1, Lot 42, Vaughan Twp. York Co.

. 1842 Oct 5, Personally appeared before me Charles E Lawrence, Vaughan Twp, Yeoman, taketh oath & said that Mary Lawrence, the wife of Hon Lawrence, deceased, late a lieutenant in the NJ Volunteers, died in Vaughan Twp., on the 18 Sept, 1842 at about 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
Signed, 5 Oct 1842, Charles E Lawrence & R C Gaffer, JP, Magistrate.
I certify that I knew the deceased Mrs. Mary Lawrence & believe her to have died at the time above, Signed, 7 Ot 1842, Thornhill, Adam Townley, Clerk. {p.670]
Ref. Pension Applications for Widows & Family of British Military Officers 1776-1881. P 432-695 [film p 668]

. In regards to the Perrine surname given to her son Abraham Perine Lawrence:
Wm. Perrine of Upper Freehold, Middlesex Co. NJ fled to New York;
. 1777 Jul 4 estate inquisition for forfeiture, estate confiscated.

. Lieut. Colonel John Lawrence was the son of Wm. & Margaret Lawrence. He was born Apr 10, 1754; & died Dec 30, 1821 at Vaughn, Canada ae. 66. He married on Staten Island, May 4, 1783, Mary Rezeau, Daughter of Peter & Mary who died Sept 18, 1842. They had 11 children.

. RICHMOND ROAD, Current Courthouse is the third in Richmond, was erected in 1827. Across the road from St. Andrew's Church was the LaTourette House is on was once the location of a Revolutionary War-era fort, mills & quarries. In this was the headquarters for Lieut. Colonel John Graves Simcoe & his officers. Two battles actually took place here, at the near by St. Andrews Church. One can see the close circle where John Lawrence & Mary Rezeau could have first met.

. REZEAU BURIAL GROUND, A portion of the Rezeau family burial ground adjoins the courthouse on the west. Susannah Van Pelt, who lacked but 6 months & 5 days of reaching the century mark, was the last of the 5 generations of Rezeau to be buried here.

. REZEAU HOUSE, Said to be very old; is now the unpretentious southern portion of a saloon on the west side of the Fresh Kill Road just south of Center Street.

. DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH SITE, Opposite the Rezeau house,
on property now owned by William Flake at the southern corner of Center Street, formerly stood the Dutch Reformed Church; date of erection not known. As the first English missionary came to Staten Island about 1702 & held services in the French church at Green Ridge until St. Andrew's was finished in 1711, it is possible that the Dutch church was not standing at that time. This building was burned by the British "because it was a rebel church." About 1798, members of the Reformed Church at Port Richmond secured permission to erect a new house of worship on the foundations of the old, but curiously enough they spoke of it as "The Old French Protestant Church." It stands on the corner of Fresh Kill & Mill Roads. This building was completed in 1808 & was used up to about 1884, when it was abandoned & fell on evil times.
Ref: History, story Legend of the old King's Highway, now the Richmond Road, Staten Island, N.Y. 1916.

. 1926 Sep 2 - Several mistakes in the NJ Historical Society for July by E Alfred Jones, Histl Society, London: Lt Col & Gen. Elisha Lawrence, Dr John Lawrence, 1747 AND Lieutenant John Lawrence: son of Wm & Margaret Lawrence, Monmouth Co., B. Apr 10, 1754 …list their all 11 children with full correct birth dates. Jos. Tisdale of UC & Chas Earl Lawrence, yeoman at Vaughan, UC, in 1842 {is this then from a directory?
Ref: Monmouth Inquirer, Freehold NJ.
Note: Published in NJ 1926! It would be interesting to know actual & accurate source of this letter. - PJ Ahlberg, 2018. - - -

Birth:
Previous spelling: Rousseau. Mary may herself also be a daughter of Empire Loyalist.

Died:
COD: Asthma

Buried:
Buried beside John.

Notes:

Married:
by the Rev. John H Rowland, the Loyalist Rector or St. Andrews Records Vol XXXV, Page 83.

Corner of 40 Old Mill Road and Richmond Hill Road in Richmondtown, Staten Isl., The original Anglican church was destroyed by fire on March 31, 1867, only a few relics were saved. The town was formerly called Northfield. Reference Number:53945

The Calendar of NY Marriages reads slightly different:
1783 May 3, Lawrence, Jonn and Mary Rezeau, by M R Brown, E Record 21, Vol. xxxviii (?) Page 135

Notes:

Isaac is the son of Hannah ELIZABETH Hover 1749 NY & Abraham Devins (various spellings) born 21 Jun 1747 Machackemeck, Orange Co., NY. (Afterwards the widow Elizabeth Devins married Asa Johnson & resided on Yonge Street.)

. Abraham, his father, came to Upper Canada in 1793 with his family.
One of his sons was Issac Jr. He was named constable of the Humber, listing among his contributions as having worked as foreman on Yonge street.
There is no record of his twin, Abram Devins, but he must of left or died.For he is on the census records one year, and then he vanishes with no clue at all. Ref: Terry Greatrex, Genealogy.com

. UCLPetition, Granted 176 Acres Aug 24, 1796.

About the same time, William Berczy, who was an agent for the the English Land Company & leader of a group of German immigrants & their family, brought the group to Upper Canada from New York State, as they were having problems settling there. Berczy hired Isaac & Levi Devins to help his group & the Simcoe Rangers from the to time. [Feb 1795] For their labors, the Devins received payments in flour, salt & other goods as in a barter system, money noting being plentiful & supplies were more necessary for the settlers.
Ref: History of Vaughan Township, G Elmore Reaman.

. There is a story, recounted by James I H Devins an incident, which happened in the United States. We do no know the location, however, it must have happened when Isaac & Abram were young children.
"Abraham, the father, had built the little log house in a clearing & was in the bush cutting down trees & cleaning up the brush. This day, he was late coming home, so his wife went out to see if she could find him. When she called him, he answered & said he would be right in. The twins had followed her from the cabin. She heard a noise & a little way off in the bush she saw a panther. She had a big apron on, so she gathered up the twins in it & struck out for the house. When they reached the cabin, she shut the door with the panther right behind her. The animal put his big feet on the door. Abraham arrived on the double, & shot the panther with his rifle, which he always carried. The cat measured 9 feet from tip to tip. He was a pretty big animal."

. 1790 Census town of Genesee, Ontario Co., New York
Abraham, 3 males over 16, 2 males under 16, Females 2.

. It is noteworthy that with the Devins are also listed in Genese Town, the family of Nathan Chapman & Nicholas Miller, who became interlaced through marriage before arriving in Canada.

. 1795 Jan, Isaac Debits participated with the group hauling supplies to the settlers in Markham by sleigh & oxen.

. 1795 Mar 16 - Wm. Berry sent to Burlington Bay, Mr. Beasley's boar with Swift, Morrison, Miller, Devins & Sutton to fetch flour & other provisions & to transport remaining trunks, boxes & tools from Queenstown to York (Toronto).

War of 1812
. Private in the 3rd York Militia.
. 1814 Jul 12-16, Captain John Playter's Company and transferred to Capt. Heward's Co. on the 16th.
. 1814 No 12 - 24 Cdpt Heward Detachment, York Garrison, engineering Dept.
Isaac is reported to have be killed in the Wyoming Massacre at Beaver, Pennsylvania.
. 1814 Dec 10, Capt Heward, Duty York Garrison [Toronto waterfront].
House Photo from 1902, Lot 20, Con. 6 West. Finch Ave. Devins home. Finch, south side near Weston Rd. The Devins family was the first to settle in Emery, when Isaac Devins (a U. E. Loyalist from Pennsylvania) arrived in 1795, after working with Governor Simcoe as a superintendent on the construction of Yonge St. He is credited with building the first saw mill on the Humber in the same year. His son John R. Devins was the father of John C. & Isaac Jr., who owned a carriage shop and blacksmith shop at the crossroads of Weston & Finch. Isaac Sr. lived in this house in 1804, and his descendants lived there until at least the 1960s. No longer standing. - - -

Birth:
Machackemeck, Orange Co.

Died:

Isaac married Mary POLLY CHAPMAN in 1790 in Genesee, Orange Co., New York. Mary was born in 1770 in Genesee, Orange Co., New York; died on 16 Mar 1856 in Lampton Mills (on the Humber R.), Toronto. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

M. Polly is the daughter of Hannah Tyler b. 14 Jun 1743, Sharon, Litchfield, Connecticut & Nathan Chapman who was one of the original settlers who lived in the South-east corner of Vaughan Twp.
Nathan Chapman arrived in 1796 on horseback form Pennsylvania. Lot 28, Con. 1 Yonge St. West, Vaughan. In 1864 Nathan Chapman also purchased Lot 37, Con 1 Yonge St. which was farmed by son John & grandson Robt. Langstaff Secondary School is now located on this Lot 37, Yonge Street.

. Polly's Grandmother, the widow Hannah Tyler Chapman live beside her at Lot 29. Hannah's second husband was Asa Johnson, of Yonge Street, Toronto.

. Two Chapman sisters married two Devins brothers:
Mary POLLY Chapman married 1790 Genese, NY, to Isaac Devins &
Hannah ANNE Chapman married 1792 NY to Levi Devins.

. The children of Polly Chapman & Abraham Devins are:
Elizabeth Devins - 1793 Orange Co., NY-1870 Seneca, Ohio;
Hannah Devins, 1795 Humber River, Toronto, Ontario-1875 USA;
Sarah Devins, 1799-1867 Toronto;
Rebecca Devins, 1802-1881 Toronto;
James Bernard Devins, 1804-1893 Toronto;
Nancy Devins, 1806 Toronto - 1877 Sombra Twp., Lambton, Ontario;
John Chapman Devins, 1809-1893 Toronto, married 1832 Jennet Rogers, 1815-87;
Lucy Devins, 1811-1894 Ontario &
Albert Devins. - - -

Notes:

Nathan Martin was the husband of Elizabeth Devins [the Eldest Daughter of Isaac and Mary 'Polly'  Chapman Devins and moved to the USA .    This is noted in "The Abraham Devins and his Descendants Living in Canada and the USA Book written by William Duck, 1988.

Notes:

William was the son of Donald Beaton, Tenant farmer Shiaba, Isle of Mull, Scotland.

Died:
Lot 21, Con 9

William married Catherine MCFEE. Catherine was born est 1774; died in in Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
(Verify)