Notes:

. 1860 Aug 21 -
Ref:

Birth:


Buried:
Plot 1014.

Notes:

William is the son of Sabina Elizabeth Hoyt & William Redmond, both buried Island Cemetery, Newport.

. 1836 Apr 22 Advertisement:
Irish Linens, lawns, diapers, drilling etc.
44 bleached linens, in whole & demi-pieces
34 diaper: 34 Lawns
34 brown Hollands
34, 7-8 & 4-4 plain brown Drilling
34, 7-8 & 4-4 plain brown grass cloth do., 3 new article
7-8 white & colored twilled Drilling, just received per Europe & for sale on favorable terms, by Wm. Redmond, 135 PEARL ST., JAN 9. [ie. Wm. Redmond, Senior.]
Ref: Commercial Advertiser, New York.

. 1869 Jul 10 - Cottages & Villas Owned by Summer Residents, occupants & locations of the houses of the Newport visitors this year: William Redmond, of New York, Kay Street, Newport.

. 1872 Jul 27 - summer visitors: William Redmond, New York, No. 8 Kay Street.
. 1875 Jun 23, Redmond William, Kay Street.
. 1865 July 29, Wm. Redmond, 1877 Mar 12, Newport;
. 1878 Jun 28, Redmond, William, New York (Pekcham's), Indian avenue.
. 1880 Mar 17 - Wm. Redmond, New York, Kay street; 1886 Feb. 25 "; 1883 Mar 4 "
Ref: Newport Mercury &g the New York Herald
Note: House inherited from Julia Montaudevert Lawrence. - PJA

. 1875 Aug 12 - The Naragansett Gun Club had their first match of the season on Monday. M Van Buren, J Heckscher, S Howland, F San. E Stevenson, & R. Redmond, all New Yorkers, are spending the season here & about 2 ladies were present as spectators.

. 1897 Jun 11 - Deboils & Eldridge have rented from Wm. Redmond his cottage on the westerly side of Kay St. to Mrs C V Ruthven of NY for the season.
Ref: Newport Daily News, Rhode Island. - - -

Birth:
Alt Loc: born NJ / Census

Died:
Aged 63 years.

William married Mary Lawrence GRIFFIN on 19 Apr 1864 in New York City, New York. Mary (daughter of Lieut. William Preston GRIFFIN, Jr. and Mary Neill LAWRENCE, .ix) was born on 31 Aug 1843 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy; died on 11 Nov 1887 in Newport, Rhode Island; was buried in Island Cemetery, Newport. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. 1860 Jun 13 New York City
Baker, Sarah, age 71, b 1789, New York
Griffin, Christine, age 23, b 1837, New Jersey
Griffin, Mary, age 16, 1844, Italy, attending school.
Note: Christine Griffin, half - sister to Mary Griffin. Verify.

. 1873 Aug 7 - Newport Again. The Whole Place Transfigured at the First Touch of August - "The Casino" is a name given to a private entertainment among the ladies & gentlemen of Newport. During the first season of the "The Casino" the ladies who sustained it used to take their books & work & the Academy was alive with their tongues & needles - the one executing the embroidery of conversation, the other the various little articles of ornament & dress. The entertainment has undergone some modification since & bids fair to pass into an 'institution.' Held at the house once owned by Alexander Van Rensselaer, Rhode Island avenue, handsome & luxuriously furnished within... billiard rooms, ...refined manners & good breeding, private theatricals... The names attached to these cards are (many) La Marquise de Noailles, Mrs, Wm. Redmond, Jr.
Ref: New York Herald.

. 1887 Nov 17 - A Newport correspondent writes, The late Mrs. Mary Lawrence Griffin Redmond was s granddaughter of Commodore Lawrence. She was regarded by many as one of the most beautiful women ever seen in Newport. Some time ago she gave a sum of money for a medal to be named after her grandfather Lawrence to be complete for by apprentices on the naval training ship.
Ref: Hartford Courant Newspaper.
Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
- one of twins, the other presumedly died at birth & her mother shortly thereafter.

Notes:

Married:
19 Apr 1864

Notes:

Wm. P. is the son of Mary Talbot Hancock b 14 Feb 1783, Fincastle Co., VA & Dr. John Geo. Caswell Griffin, b 1781 Virginia.

1st wife: married c 1831 to Christine Alexander Wm. Kean, 1812 New York. (Kean is pronounced Cane);
2nd wife: married 1838, Mary Lawrence, b 1811 Burlington, NJ.

Portrait: William P Griffin is a young officer with dark hair, in a naval uniform with gold braiding.

William Preston Griffin was born in Fincastle, VA, the second son of John Caswell Griffin & Mary Hancock Griffin.
Both his parents died in 1826 when he was 16. A year later, he joined the Navy at the age of 17. He became an officer of distinction with the rank of Lieutenant.
. In 1838 he married Mary Neill Lawrence, the only surviving child of Capt. James Lawrence, who gave the Navy its battle cry, "Don't Give Up the Ship" during the War of 1812, & Julia Montaudevert Lawrence.
Mary died shortly after the birth of their only daughter, Mary Lawrence Griffin Redmond in 1843, & was buried in Cimitero Accatolico, Florence, Italy.

. 1849 he married Christine A. W. Kean, daughter of Peter Philip James Kean & Sarah Sabina Morris Kean. Sadly, he died just t2 years later, on December 4, 1851. 

. 1877 Dec 27 - Annual repot of the Society for the Relief of Poor Widows with Small children in NY just issued, shows that $10,000 have been disturbed the past year, The expenses of the Society have been only a few dollars. The present officers of this worthy charity which has been in existence 80 years are: Mrs. Wm. Preston Griffin, first Directress.
Ref: Brooklyn Daily Eagle Newspaper.

. 1879 May 8 - Robbery the Street
It was reported at Police Headquarters yesterday that Mrs christiania K Griffin, widow of the the late Lieut. Wm. Preston Griffin, US Navy, & a sister of Mrs. Hamilton Fish, was robbed near Union Square on Tues. afternoon. Mrs. Griffin is an elderly lady, & resides at 208 East 15th St. She was out shopping on Tues. & when on 17th near 4th Ave. she was confronted by a well dress & powerful man, who wrenched her pocketbook from her grasp. Her astonishment render her speechless but his companion raised the crow of "Stop thief!". The throng on the street gave change bu the thief turned up Broadway & made good his escape.
Ref: NY Tribune Newspaper of 1879.5.8
Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Died:
(not now Union county.)

Buried:
Elizabeth, NJ

William married Mary Neill LAWRENCE, .ix on 7 May 1838 in Trinity Church, NYC. Mary (daughter of Capt. James LAWRENCE, .iii and Julia M MONTAUDEVERT) was born on 5 May 1810 in Burlington County, New Jersey; died on 3 Sep 1843 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy; was buried in Cimitero Accatolico. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary Lawrence, a beautiful & accomplished woman.

Painting of Mary N Lawrence: Mary appears young & slight in is portrait: Bodice of the dress is maroon velvet off the shoulder short sleeves held with a ribbon with a clasp. Suggestion of a white skirt. Dark hair piled on top, pink cheeks. Unable to decipher if her eyes are light or dark.

To Sir Pergrine Maitland, In Council, Petitioner is heiress to her grand-father, John Lawrence, Esquire, late of Twp. York, deceased. The Conveyances or an Executrix to titles of certain lots of land in Twp. of Dorchester S, [Essex County] & in New Brunswick in the name of John Lawrence. She has been lately been informed that she cannot inherit the Real Estate of the said John Lawrence because she is an alien residing in New York.
May Lawrence Petition the Upper Canada Parliament on 13 December, 1820 in Toronto.

. To. Lieut. Governor John Colborne, KCB, Upper Canada [Ontario[,
Petition of Mary Lawrence. The humble petition of Mary Lawrence, Sheweth she is the granddaughter of John Lawrence, late of Etobicoke, Home District, Esquire, a U.E. Loyalist who having his family in the US, removed into this Province subsequent to the Treaty of 1783 & continued until his death.
As an acknowledgment of his services & as reward of his attachment to the Unity of the Empire, he obtained an order of Council for Lots 11, 12, 13, 14, part of 16, in Con 4, Southern Division of Dorchester, containing about 972 acres of land. No patent for which has been completed. Inheriting title to the said Estate of her Grandfather, your petition is called upon point she is the only child of the said John Lawrence's only son, the late Captain Lawrence, who fell commanding the Chesapeake in the action with His Majesty's Frigate the Shannon, during the late last war tithe the US of America. [1812]
That the petition claimed the said property under the Heir & Devise Ace of this Province, but such claims are withdrawn upon it being intimated that her claim could not be recognized by the Commissioners, she not having been born with the Kings' Dominions & therefore being an alien.
That your petition residence in a foreign county being a matter of necessity & not off choice. She is sincerely humbly to hope your Excellency will take her case into your favorable consideration & concur with the other 2 Branches of the Legislature in passing a Bill to enable her to claim & obtain the said land, of her said Grandfather or in granting such other relief as to your Excellency may seem fit.
Signed, Mary Lawrence [Undated, but envelope reads 1829. -PJA]

"JOHN BROWN LAWRENCE...was a distinguished lawyer of Burlington, NJ. He was under suspicion & imprisoned by Washington's order. His fellow prisoner was Col. John Simcoe, who was afterwards Gov. General of Canada. While in prison these two men formed a strong friendship & when in Canada Col. Simcoe invited John Lawrence to go there, which he did, & had a fit of Crown Lands. Much interest is attached to this face, as there was a dispute whether the daughter of Capt. James had any claim to these lands. But the dispute was settled by King William (the sailor king) say, "she was the daughter of a brave sailor boy & should have them." [original reference ?]

. John Brown Lawrence Bio. includes this item referring to Mary N Lawrence: In a letter c. 1864 to the author Chas. Sabine recounts that a member of the family in New Jersey communicates the following interesting incident: After the death of the Loyalist the land (John B Lawrence's large land grant in Upper Canada) was forfeited to the Crown, in consequence of failure to comply with some condition of the grants, or the non-payment of some dues. Years elapsed, & Mary his granddaughter, the child of Capt. James Lawrence, as heir, claimed its restoration. The case was carried before King William the Fourth, in Council. On being told, he said: "She is the daughter of a brave sailor, let her take it." [The quote is recorded by Lorenzo Sabine, but where did he locate it? -PJA.]

. Heir at law: A person entitled to inherit property under intestate succession laws. Intestate succession: The method by which property is distributed when a person dies without a valid will. Each state's law provides that the property be distributed to the closest surviving relatives. In most states, the surviving spouse, children, parents, siblings, nieces & nephews, & next of kin inherit, in that order.

. Page 552 - 556 - document stating Julia Lawrence of the city of New York, widow of the late James Lawrence, a Captain in the U.S. Navy, & natural guardian of Mary Lawrence, the only surviving heir of John Lawrence of the Home District, deceased; regarding claim to land, June 1, 1820.
Ref: Elgin County, Dorchester South Twp., Papers, Archives of Ontario MS 658, Reel 106.

. 1832 Jul 16, Monday. Claim 100, Mary Lawrence, New York City, spinster. Claims as Heir at law of her Grand Father, John Lawrence, Esquire, late of Etobicoke Twp. in the Home District, deceased. (now Toronto, Ontario).
Lot 11, 12, 13, 14 & south part 16, Con 4 South, Dorchester Twp., London District, 972 Acres, Original Nominee, John Lawrence, Esquire. Claim allowed.
Ref: Upper Canada Heir & Devisee Commission, P193, Film H1149 & Index Reg. H1152, p 342, as above. Archives of Ontario.

. 1821 Apr 1, Letters remaining in the Post Office at Brooklyn, NY: 1. Mrs Mary Griffin & 1. Mary O'Neill.

. 1840 Census, Newport Rhode Island, possibly this Mary Lawrence Griffin?
Mrs. Griffin, Head of family, : 3 females, aged 20-30y; 30-40y & one female 50-60y.
Third family away is Ed. N Cox & 'Aunt' Mary Montaudevert Cox.

. 1843 Oct 9 - Obituary, Died at the Villa d'Elice, near Florence, Tuscany on 3rd Sep., Mary Lawrence, wife of Lieut. Wm Preston Griffin of the US Navy & only daughter of the lamented Capt. James Lawrence, who fell defending the AmericanFlag on board the ill-fated Chespeake, in 1813.
Ref: Brooklyn Daily Eagle Newspaper, NY. & NY Tribune.

Recorded for further research:
Edward Montaudevert Neill 19 Aug 1831 - 21 Jul 1907, buried Saint Mary's Episcopal Churchyard, Portsmouth, Newport Co., Rhode Island.
[What is the relationship to Mary Neill Lawrence, cousin or what? - PJA.] - - -

Birth:
Alt DOB 1811. Born New York.

Died:
Her husband was station in Florence at the time of her death due to complications of childbirth.

Buried:
Died in Villa d'Elcie, near Florence.

Notes:

JL was nearly 6 feet tall & very broad-shouldered.

Resided Woodbury, NJ, with his brother who was studying law, from 1794-96.

. After the Revolution James' father's reduced circumstances, had necessitated he attended a grammar school at Burlington. When his father, John Brown Lawrence died in July 1798, James's brother relented to permit James to study for 3 months with Mr. Griscomb of Burlington to learning navigation & naval tactics.

. Mr. Lawrence, Sr. was anxious the James should adopt his own profession as lawyer. At the age of 13, James began the studied law at Woodbury, but entered the Navy 4 Sept., 1798, also.
Ref: to a letter published on Oct 18 1812 in the Magazine of Am. History XXV, p 283.
. 1798 Dec 6- 54 Appointments have been made in the US Navy, among which we notice: Lieut. John Waddell of Trenton, James Lawrence of Burlington, Lieutenant.
Ref: Genius of Liberty Newspaper, Morristown, NJ.

. John Lawrence was for many years one of the most influential men in the Western division of New Jersey.
Ref: Colonial History of Sate of NJ, Volume XXIX.

. James was born in Burlington. 'It is said that when an infant in arms, the house in which his parents were living was repeatedly struck by short form the English ships in the river'. Later he lived in Woodbury, NJ. His mother Martha Tallman died when he was an infant, leaving his half-sister Elizabeth Lawrence (married Michael Kearney) to raise him in her home in Perth Amboy.

. Hunter-Lawrence-Jessup House, 58 N Broad St., Woodbury, NJ, - Historic house run by the Gloucester Co. Historical Society. James lived here in 1800.

. His father John B Lawrence wanted James to be a lawyer also, however he left his Wood law studies at 16 or 17 for a midshipman warrant. In a naval battle in Halifax Habour, Capt. Lawrence was shot when his his the Chesapeake was boarded.He suffered four days of extreme pain before expiring on 1 June, 1813 in the 32nd year of his age.
...on page 207-8, Woodbury is 9 miles s. of Philadelphia.
... James L., was once a student at the village academy, & resided with his brother John Lawrence, Esq. He [John] is remembered as an amiable youth, quiet in manner, & genteel in person.

Another report said he was chivalrous, generous, just, kind of heart, gentle, & pure. James Lawrence, Captain United States Navy. Commander of the New York & London: G. P. Putnam's Sons. 337 pp.

It should be remembered that short months before his death, that James. Lawrence, then captain of the Hornet had sunk the British ship the Peacock on 23 Feb. 1813. When he returned on 4 May, 1813 to NY City he was given a banquet in his honor at the new Washington Hall, one of finest hotels in NYC. Thus the fame of James Lawrence was already established.

"Don't give up the Ship" motto of US navy. Died in Naval battle on the USS Chesapeake. He was given a full military funeral by the British at Halifax, Nova Scotia. However at the request for remains of Capt. Lawrence & Lieut. Ludlow were first reburied in Salem where Hon. Jos. Story gave eulogy JL was finally laid to rest with his wife at Trinity Church in New York.
Ref: New York Herald Tribune.

. 1952 Mar 29, there was a reproduction of a painting by Alonzo Chappel of "The Death of Captain Lawrence" on the frigate "Chesapeake" in 1812, Navel engagement against the British frigate "Shannon". Midshipman William Sitgraves. Cox was court-marshaled & thrown out of the U.S. Navy in 1814, charges with neglect of duty because he helped carry Captain James Lawrence below on June 1,1813. When the Chesapeake under Lawrence, was captured by the British frigate Shannon, after the bloody 15 minutes battle of Boston Harbor, as Captain Lawrence was being carried below, he uttered the famous phrase, "Don't give up the ship."

After a few broadsides the ships fouled & Lawrence received a musket ball in the leg & later in the abdomen. As he was carried below to surgery he cried, "Don't give up the ship"; but the enemy had already boarded it. He died in Halifax in a few days, June 6, 1813.

Permission was given to convey Capt. Lawrence's body from Halifax to Salem, Mass on the ship Henry. On Aug 17,1813. "under management of the family of Capt. Lawrence plans were made to convey the body to NY." At NYC on Sept 16 a funeral was held with an estimated 50,000 people assembled to honor the national hero. Pallbearers: Capts. Hull, Stewart, Brainbridge, Blakely, Creighton & Parker & Lieut. Ballard & Wilkinson. Chief Justice Story delivered the eulogy. The city furnished the tomb for this final resting place.

The following gold medals, for victories by the Navy of the US, over British vessels of war, during the last war between the US & England, were decreed by Congress & the state of Penn. War was declared in June 1812 & the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent, Dec. 1814:
(#12) To the nearest male relative of Capt. James Lawrence, of NJ, of the sloop of war Hornet*, for the capture of Brig. Peacock, Capt. Wm. Peak, on the 24th Jan, 1813, after an action of 15 minutes. Passed January 11, 1814.
Ref: Halifax, N.S. Historical Society.

Note1* James Fenimore Cooper, writer of many famous novels, Last of the Mohicans & A life Before the Mast, lived in the co-joining houses of his father John Lawrence & JF Cooper:
Cooper's naval career was short but sufficient to acquaint him with the traditions of the Navy & several of its young, rising officers. He obtained a midshipman's warrant in 1808. The Navy Department first assigned him to duty in the bomb ketch Vesuvius at New York. From there, he was sent northward to assist Lieutenant Melancthon Woolsey, who was superintending the construction of the brig Oneida at Oswego, New York. This vessel was intended to enforce the embargo laws on Lake Ontario. At the outbreak of the War of 1812, she was the Navy's only purpose-built war vessel on the lake. Cooper's last assignment was service on board Wasp, commanded by Lieutenant James Lawrence, who sent him on recruiting duty. Despite their disparity of age & rank, Cooper & Lawrence became close friends, possibly because of their sharing a mutual birthplace, Burlington, New Jersey. In May 1810, Cooper requested a year's furlough from the Navy for personal reasons. He resigned his commission a year later.
Ref: James Fenimore Cooper Society, 2001.

. 1802 Apr 6 - Stationed at Tripoli on the Enterprise for 5 years.
Elements of J Lawrence's character were: Love of the sea; Fearlessness; Hyperkinesis: He was high strung & sensitive, quick & impulsive, but in all critical situations his coolness was remarkable. He inspired all with ardor & was a general favourite with his men. He was chivalrous, generous, just, king of heart, gentle & Pure. Physically he was nearly 6 feet tall & very broad-shouldered.

. 1813 Apr 13, US Ship Hornet, To P C Van Wyck, Esqr.
Sir I have been honored with your poise letter of the 1st inst, enclosing the Resolution passed by the Common Council of the NYC on the 29th march last, approbatory of the conduct of myself & the Officers & crew of the Hornet during the engagement with his BM Sloop of War Peacock. For these testimonials of public regard from such a respectable & honorable body, I cannot but feel the sincerest gratitude, & I assure you, Sir I shall ever esteem, the honors that have been so liberally award by the Common Council of the NYC as amongst the highest most valuable which my country can bestow. In these sentiments I am cordially reciprocated by the Officers and crew I have the honor to command & they trust, with myself, to future opportunities to become more worthy of the distinguished honors which have been already conferred.
For your Individual good wide & congratulations I beg you to accept my sincere thanks, With sentiments of sincere respect & esteem, I have the honor to be,
Signed, James Lawrence.
Ref: Collections of the NY Historical Society for the year 1885.

. 1813, Sept 17 New York, Yesterday ... the remains of the brave & gallant Capt. Lawrence & Lieut. Ludlow were interred in Trinity Church Yard. The procession was the most numerous & solemn ever exhibited in this city, at 50,000 persons. The navy procession of the Boats from the Navy Yard to the Battery was highly interesting.
Ref: The Adams Centinel dated 1813 Sept 29.

. 1813 Oct 1813 - Notice. Person having demands against the Estate of Captain James Lawrence, late of the United States Navy, will exhibit the same to the undersigned - & those indebted will please to settle their accounts. COX & MONTAUDEVERT, Administrators.
Ref: Evening Post Newspaper 1813 Dec 10.

. 1808 Nov. 29. Letter to Peter Russell, Gov. of Upper Canada, from Dr. William Gamble*, on behalf of James Lawrence, he is requesting information on the in land in Toronto, Ontario belonging if John Brown Lawrence.
Note2: Is Wm. Gamble related to the Archibald Gamble, who with Julia L Montaudevert & others who filed for land partition in NY state?
Numerous books & commentaries may be readily found on Capt. James Lawrence. - PJA.

. 1813 Sep 27, Capital Hill - Communications - the John bull story of the late Capt. James Lawrence having been born in Bristol, in England is 'very like a whale'.
Capt. James Lawrence was the son of John Lawrence, Esq. of Burlington, in the state of NJ, & if I am not very much mistaken, was born in 1776; his house was directly opposite to Powell's Academy & at present belongs to general Bloomfield. I well recollect the day after Capt. Lawrence was born - an old negro servant belonging to Mr. Lawrence met me: I asked him how his mistress was? He said, "quite well - had got a fine son with an eye like a bull" I was intimate in the family of Mr. John Lawrence, who was the eldest son of Elisha Lawrence, of Chestnut Grove, in Monmouth county, NJ.
It is probable that Capt. Lawrence's grandfather might have been in England - of this I am not certain; he was upwards of 70 years of age when I first become acquainted with him & I understood that Elisha Lawrence & his brother John were among the first settlers of Monmouth county.
this short statement of the family of the late Capt. Lawrence, being founded on unquestionable authority, you will do the friends of the deceased an act of justice by giving is publicity. W. G.
Ref: Niles Weekly Register, volume 5.

. Extract of a letter from Captain Jamison to Messrs. Cox & Montaudevert of this city, dated Providence, R.I. May 10.
I have the pleasure to inform you I arrived here yesterday, in your schooner Liberty, in 12 days from New Province, with 80 prisoners. I am sorry to inform you that our sloop of war, Frolic has been captured by the British frigate Orpheus v sent into New Providence. She arrived 2 days before I sailed. She threw over 11 guns & cut away her anchors, but all to no purpose. She was taken between the Havana & Matazies. I had not time to get the particulars of her capture from the officers. Charles Jamison.
Ref. Mercantile Advertiser, New York City.

. Further Research: Box 19/21, Lawrence, James Lawrence; others, inc. large photos James Lawrence. Archives Documents, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs; Reference to Judge Richard Hartshorne Family Papers, Manuscript Group Call# MG1363, New Jersey People: Individuals, Families, & Groups, NJ Historical Society, Newark, New Jersey.

. Isaac Whitaker, b. Jan. 11, 1780; d. Feb. 23, 1857; was a schoolmate & chum of Capt. James Lawrence, of the "Chesapeake," of "Don't give up the ship" fame; Capt. Lawrence tried to induce Isaac Whitaker to accept a commission on his ship, but he declined; buried at Deerfield.

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

Christened:
St. Mary's Records: Bap. by Revd. Mr. Frazer Nov 14, 1781, James of John and Martha Lawrence.

Buried:
Buried with military honours. Tall memorial arch in Halifax Cemetery.

Died:
Capt. USS Chesapeake. He was very tall man, 6 ft 4 inches.

James married Julia M MONTAUDEVERT on 28 Jun 1808 in Trinity Church, NYC. Julia (daughter of James Jacques Louis Ripaud De MONTAUDEVERT, Sr. and Sarah WILSON) was born on 15 Jul 1788 in New York City, New York; died on 15 Sep 1865 in Newport, Rhode Island; was buried in Trinity Church Yard, NYC. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Julia (Juliette) is the daughter of Sarah Wilson & James Montaudevert.

As Julia Montaudevert Lawrence was in her confinement for the birth of twins, the news of husband James's death was kept from her as long as possible. The infants James did not survive.

. PORTRAIT, Smithsonian American Art Museum of Mrs. James Lawrence (Julia Montaudevert), painting Dates: ca. 1808-1812. Medium: Oil. Dimensions: 36 x 28 in. (cm. 91.4 x 71.1) Subject: - Waist length Artist: Unknown, painter.

A wistful Julia is seated, Empire dress, with with large lace collar, fluffy light coloured silk or satin hat. Julia is a thin lady with dark eyes & curly dark hair. Puffy sleeve partially cover her hands, but no wedding ring is apparent, thus the portrait was apparently painted before her marriage.
Owner of painting: US Naval Academy, The Museum, 118 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland, 21402-5034.

. HISTORIC SUMMER HAUNTS FROM NEWPORT TO PORTLAND reports that Edward G. Malbone is to Summer after summer Malbone came to Newport, & his death occurred at Savannah in 1807 when he was on his way north. Many of his miniatures are to be seen in the town. He painted the Miss Montaudevert. Many of these dainty portraits are found set in heavy lockets, imbedded in the covers of jewel boxes, & framed sometimes in simple gold rims & sometimes ringed about with pearls & garnets.
... So it also appears Julia was live in Newport as well as NYC before her marriage to James Lawrence.

. 1814 Jul 1 Brooklyn - Letters remaining the Post Office: Mrs. Julia Lawrence.
Ref: Long Island Star Newspaper, Brooklyn, NY.

. Reminiscences of Newport, by Geo. G Newport, 1884:
There is a miniature here of Miss Montaudevert, the daughter of a French merchant who resided in NY 3 generations ago. ...married James Lawrence... The miniature, which is in the possession of her granddaughter, Mrs. Wm. Redmond, has faded somewhat, but it is still clear in its details. The dress is not unlike that of the Empire, cut low, with a very short waist; & in the hair one sees the large tortoise-shell comb which was at the time generally worn. Mrs. Redmond has a superb portrait of her grandfather, Capt. Lawrence, painted by Stuart.

Tomb of Capt. Lawrence was opened to receive the remains of his widowed 56 years after the lovely girl of 19, the daughter of a NY merchant married the most handsomest officer in the Am. Navy. Mrs. Lawrence lived opposite the Bowling Green, near by, than the most elegant, quiet, & fashionable quarter of NY. She died at Newport 15 Sept. at 78 years of her age. Since her husbands death she resided chiefly at Newport, an object of interest & veneration to the frequenters of that place. Now she has returned to her childhood place to never more be separated from him.
Ref: Achievements of Celebrated Men, James Parton, NY, 1881.

The tomb of Capt. Lawrence was opened, not long since, to receive the remains of his widow who survived him by 52 y. 7 d. at Newport on the 15 Sep, in the 78 years of her age. The little company of friends that gathered about the hallowed spot on that occasion, were scarcely observed by the throng of passers-by, & the event was not noticed in the appears of the next morning. 56 y. had elapsed since Julia Montaudevert, a lovely girl of 19, the daughter of a NY merchant gave her hand at the alter of Trinity to Lieut. Lawrence then 27 & reputed than handsomest officer in the American navy. She lived opposite the Bowling Green's most elegant, quite & fashionable quarter of which she was wife but 4 y., during much of which he was absent on duty. Short lives of the most interesting persons. By James Parton. 1883 NY.

. James Lawrence was given the command of the 12 gun Brig Vixen. An interesting letter, incompletely dated, written by Lawrence to this wife presumably while in command of the Vixe, has recent come to light, it is as follows:

.1812 May 5th. My Dearest Julia, Baltimore,
As I was disappointed in getting my letter ashore in time for Sat.'s mail, I hasten on my arrival at this place to inform you that not being able to bear the suspense I was kept in, I made application a few days past for permission to go on to Washington for the purpose of having a confab with the Secretary, he very politely answered me by saying h e would be happy to see me.
I this morning left the brig in my new boat & arrived her after a pleasant passage of 5 & 1 half hrs. intending to leave this early in the morning for Washington, but on attempting to dress for the pursue of making 1 or 2 calls, you can better judge than I describe, my disappointment, on overhauling my trunk, to find that in place of my new coat, my darned Portuguese Steward had packed up an old storm stay sail that had been condemned these 2 years, you will scarcely credit me when I assure you that I bore it lake a philosopher, imputed it an accident on his part, did not utter an oath, sat down & ate a hearty supper, felt more comfortable than if I had gotten into a violent passion & finally determined to send Mr. Cooper back for my coat & wait his return with patience. He will not be able to get it before next Tues. evening; the next morning I shall leave this city.
As soon as I see the Secretary, I will write you fully. You may rest assured that I shall call to aid all the rhetoric I am possessed of & if possible get permission to return. If it is intended to send Mr. & Mrs. Barlow out with me, I shall certainly see them in Washington & give them such a beautiful account of the accommodations, particularly as respects to the ladies as will, I am in hope, induce them to take a merchant man form choice.
I believe our darling is a year old to-day; kiss her affectionately for me; that she may experience many, many happy returns of the day is the fervent prayer of her doting father. I shall attend most strictly to our request & write in the morning to your Aunt Parker. Remember me affectionately, my dearest Julia, to the family, & believe me truly, Your affection. J.L.
P.S. I take Cooper with me, as I which to introduce him to the Secretary.

. 1815 Sept 25, Schenectady. IN PARTITION, To the honorable the justices of the supreme court of judicature of NY State:
The petition of Stephen N Bayard, late city NY, now of the city of Schenectady, executors of John Ellis, late of NY, Mary Sanders, widow, John, Augusta & Eliza Anna co-heirs of Thomas Sanders;
James L Montaudevert, Edward N Cox & Mary his wife, Julia Lawrence, widow & relict of James Lawrence, deceased; & Sarah Montaudevert, widow of late James Montaudevert, all of the same NY city, (the said James, Mary & Julia being the children & co-heirs of the said James Montaudever, deceased;) (316 acres.)
& Stephen N Bayard, trustees of legal representatives of Haym Solomons & Jacob Morecai, of NY, merchants, under the Arm of Solomons & Morecai, now deceased; (337 A.) who are also the legal representatives of Archibald Gamble, (213 A.) heretofore of said city, merchant, now deceased -
are tenants in common in portions in town of Broome, Schoharie Co., also to partition the premies & to be then sold. Stephen N Bayard.
Ref: Albany Argus Newspaper, 1815 Sept 29 & Commercial Advertiser of 1815 Dec 20.

PRIZE MONEY
. 1818 Nov 21 - For rewarding the officers & crew of the sloop of war Hornet, & Lieut. Eliott & his officers & companions, 13 July, 1813 $37,000; Names of prize agents to who the amount was advanced: Cox* & Montaudevert, Amount accounted for, Amount accounted for, per account settled. $23,494.22. Balance in the hands of the prize agent unclaimed, $13,505.78 (ie. half.)

. 1819 Jul 26, common Council, Alderman Stephen Allen presented the following Resolution which was unanimously agreed to:
Resolved, The Finance committee be instructed to grant the freedman of the City, with a piece of plate to late Captain James Lawrence, so far as to present to the family the mementoes of his gallantry in the capture & destruction the the British Sloop of War, Peacock.
. 1819 Aug 9, The Committee reported: That they have ascertained from Mrs. Lawrence now a resident of the village of Greenwich, the the Certificate of Citizenship alluded to was presented her by his Honor he Mayor & is now in her possession, but the piece of plate with which she would have been much gratified, has not been produced or presented agreeable to the resolution.
. 1819 Nov 1, At a Common Council, Alderman Allen, from the committee on that subjected ported that the piece of plate directed to be executed & presented to the family of the late Capt. James Lawrence, was completed. Whereupon the Finance Committee were requested to take order for presenting the same in the same of this corporation to Mrs. Lawrence, the Widow of the late Captain Lawrence.
Ref: Collections of the NY Historical Society for the year 1885.

. 1848 Jul 10 -Historical & Miscellaneous Questions by Richmal Mangle from the 84th London Edition, with large additions, embracing the Elements of Mythology, astronomy, Architecture, Heraldry, Etc. ...
Adapted from schools in the US by Mrs. Julia Lawrence., with embellished with numerous engravings on wood. Fifth Edition, revised & corrected, with a chapter on the Am. constitution. New York. D, Appleton & Co. 90,92, (4, Grand St. 1869.)
Preface to the Am. Edition of Hangnail's Questions.
Having for many years made use of Hangnail's Questions in the education of my own children, I was tempted to introduce them into my school; although they were not in general use, it being an expansive boon & at that time (7 years since) difficult to be obtained ...allotted to the history of the US. etc. NY, Julia Lawrence. (This book also has a questioned devoted to James Lawrence.)

. 1853 - Subscriber, Mrs. Julia Lawrence, New-York. Pg. 368, & Page. 264 is devoted the the sea battle where her husband died.
Ref: History of Rhode Island, by Edward Peterson.

. 1855 Tax Book of the City of Newport,
Lawrence Julia, Real $15, Personal 15, Assessment of Tax $24,00
Cox, Edward N, Dec'd, Est. Real $0, Personal 20, Assessment of Tax $28.80.
Note1: Ed. Cox is her brother-in-law. Verify relationship to Wm. Cox who aided James Lawrence when he was wounded.

. 1856 Newport City Directory,
Cox, Mary, Widow of Edward, h 6 Kay (1856 Newport Directory, also.)
Lawrence, Julia, Widow of James, h. 6 Kay.
Note2: Mary Montaudevert Cox is sister is Julia Montaudevert Lawrence. - PJA

. 1859 May 22. Letter from Julia Lawrence, Newport, RI., to Wm A Whitehead, published in the NJ Historical Society Proceedings, IX 9, The coat itself has been in the procession on the NJHS, to which Mrs. Lawrence presented it, since May 19, 1859. See the Port Folio II:3, Sept 1813, 253.

. Census 1860 Jun 23, Newport, RI.
Julia Lawrence, Age 70 /b. 1790, Real Estate $3500. Personal Estate $1500. Born NY
Mary N Cox, Age 73 /b. 1787, Real Estate $4000, Personal Estate $2000. Born NY.

. 1862 Mar 31, Mon. Disasters: Ship Julia Lawrence of Rockland Spear, at NY from Havre, reports March 6 1st, 40 30, ton 55, while lying to in a gale from NW, carried away the rudder head.
Ref: Boston Daily Advertiser.

Five sample OBITUARIES:
. 1865 Sep 23 - Newport, Died In this city, 15th inst. Julia Montaudevert, widow of Capt. James Lawrence, U.S.N., in the 77th year of her age.
Ref: Newport Mercury; also Providence Evening Press, 1865 Sep 19.
. 1865 Sep 28 - General Intelligence: Julia Montaudevert, widow of Cape Jams Lawrence, author of the expression "don't give up the ship," died at Newport, R. I., on the 15 inst, in the 78th year of his age.
Ref: Macon Telegraph Newspaper, Georgia.

1865 Sept 23, Friday - Obituary Death of the Widow …At the time of her marriage to Capt. Lawrence. 1809 Julia Montaudevert was a beautiful girl of 19, resident with her father, who was a respectable merchant in the then fashionable portion of New York city, which overlooked the Battery & the husband was a young lieutenant of the navy, in command of the Vixen. The record Is that Lawrence & his bride were a model couple. Both were young, as Byron says & while the lady was beautiful, the Lieutenant was noted as being one of tho handsomest men in the navy, "a man of noble stature & One personal appearance."
"He had the air & manners of a gentleman-like sailor & was much beloved by his friends. He was quick & impetuous in his feelings & sometimes manifested it on the quarter dock, but in all critical situations his coolness was remarkable." says Fenimore Cooper* This was a model of which we have lately had examples by men who were midshipmen when Lawrence graced the navy as a captain, & the little "middy" Farragut has revived the model for our day & a future age's instruction. Cooper, in his admiration of Lawrence, called him "a perfect man of-war's man," & Decatur expressed himself in even stronger terms of admiration of the young hero. Said the old Commodore in his sailor's lingo, "There's no more dodge about Lawrence than the mainmast."
…Many years go a writer in the National Interdigencer? says he met an old "negro servant" of Mr Lawrence family &i asking after Mrs. Lawrence's health, was answered that she was "doing quite well, & had got a line son with an eye like a bull." …She died at three o'clock In the morning.
Ref: New York Herald, page 5, abbreviated for repetition. -PJA
Note3: Fenimore Cooper, famous author & live in Burlington in the adjoining house to the Lawrences.

. 1865 Sep 22 - Death of Capt. Lawrence's Widow - Interesting Reminiscences:
A Newport correspondent of the N.Y. Evening Post, referring to the death of Julia Montaudevert, widow of Capt. James Lawrence which occurred in Newport on the 15th instant, gives some interesting Reminiscences, from which we select the following: The Death of Lawrence. 52 years ago, the first day of June last, occurred one of those events which suffice to make an individual permanently renowned & adds a memorable incident to the annals of a nation. Capt. James Lawrence, United States navy, whose distinguished services in the war with Tripoli, gallant victory over his Britannic Majesty's ship Peacock, acknowledged ability as an officer & probity as a man, as well as dignified manners & handsome appearance, had already made him famous & endeared ... Capt. Broke, of his Britannic Majesty's frigate Shannon went out from Boston harbor to fight. It was a gallant but imprudent act. Weeks of drill had prepared the Shannon whereas the crew of the Chesapeake had been 2 months ashore, after a long cruise, Lawrence as just appointed commander & the men were nearly strangers to him. The first lieutenant was ill on shore, the second inexperienced. At half past 12 am the 2 vessels were 30 miles from Boston light. The Shannon Chesapeake reserved her fire till she got to close quarters....in 15 minutes the enemy boarded with without opposition, in a fierce but disorderly fight. ... Lawrence was taken into Halifax & died in 4 days. ...now after more than half a century, his noble widow is laid beside him.

Mrs. Lawrence occupied a small but eligibly located cottage, the chief ornament of whose little parlor is an excellent portrait of her gallant husband. Our naval officers, during the many years that she has resided in Newport, always called to pay their respect to her; & on one occasion las year, when 3 of the most distinguished, before greeting her, bent their heads before the portrait in recognition of their honored comrade, she was moved to tears. Just before her death she requested an attendant to read aloud the little memoir of her husband, as if feeling the powers of her mind failing, she desired to renew its memory every incident of his brief but brilliant career. Too feeble to listen to the whole, she requested that the leaf should be turned down & the remainder read next day. A few hours after she was struck with paralysis & never spoke again.
Few women have passed through greater greater vicissitudes. Her health was so delicate at the time of her husband's death that the event was concealed fro her, though with great precaution & difficulty. Lawrence died in June, & his wife knew if not until September. Meantime having given birth to a son (who lived but 15 months), she constantly inquired as to the whereabouts & welfare of her husband, wondered why he did not write & asked constantly to have the news read to her. One day a sailor shouted under the window in praise & pity of the martyred captain of the Chesapeake, but fortunately his unconscious widow was in a deep sleep & the vigilance of the family nurse kept the sad tidings from her until she had strength to bear them.
Her affections, thus rudely despoiled, were centered on her daughter, the pride & comfort of her bereaved life, but no sooner h ad this idolized child reached maturity & married a gallant ad favorite officer of the navy her father had adored, than symptoms of alarming illness appeared, a milder climate was recommended & in a few weeks Mrs. Lawrence returned childless to the US. [c.1843]
It was passing the summer of that year at Newport that she determined to make it her home; & many of the old residents remember her when with her beautiful grandchild & handsome Italian nurse, a morning but dignified & unique lady who soon endeared herself to the people among who she thenceforth lived. Manifest in her tone & temperament as her genuine American feeling.
Ref: Providence Evening Press & NY Post forward by Henry T Tuckerman, Esq.

. 1865 Oct 13, Obituary Julia Montaudevert, d.15Sept 1865 Newport, RI, Aged 78. Ref: Dundee Advertiser, Scotland.

. 1865 Sep 30 - Court of Probate City of Newport, Sept 25, 1865}
William Redmond, Jr. presents to this court an instrument in writing dated the 1st. day of Jul 1858, purporting to be the last will & testament of Julia M Lawrence, late of Newport, widow of the late Capt. James Lawrence, late of the U.S. Navy, now both deceased, & in writing states that he is the husband of the granddaughter of said Julia M Lawrence, & praying that William Gilpin of Newport, or some other suitable person, may be appointed administrator & the will annexed on the estate of said Julia M., there being no person named in the said will, the executor thereof.
& the same is received & is referred to Monday, the 16 Oct Next, at 10 a.m., at the Council chamber in the City Hall, in Newport, for consideration, & it is ordered that notice thereof be published for 14 days once a week in the Newport Mercury. Benjamin B Howland, Probate Clerk, Sept 30.
Ref: Newport Mercury.

. 1866 Dec 29. Mortgages Sale
By virtue of a power of sale contained in a Mortgage deed, made & executed by Elvinea W Jordan & Elizabeth E Jordan his wife, under date of Oct 26, 1863 v recored in Land Evidence of Newport, Book of Mortgages #6, p. 98 -99, there will be sold by Auction of the premises in Newport, 15 Dec, 12 o'clock noon, land bound as follows N land of R E Remington, E lands of heirs of Wm Smith, part on lands late Julia M Lawrence & partly on land of XX Cox.
Ref: Newport Mercury, 1866 Nov 17 & Dec 29.

Recorded for further research: District Court for the Southern District of NY in the case of US Vs. The Julia Lawrence, decided by Judge Betts in 1860. - - -

ABRAHAM LINCOLN LETTERS:
Newport, Dec 29 (1861). His Excellency Abraham Lincoln, President United States,
Honor'd & respected Sir, some weeks since, I took the liberty to address a letter to you in behalf of my Nephew Mr. Delaney M. Neill, a youth of high minded noble quality, who wished a Lieutenancy in the regular Army, & I am proud to say will be a credit to the Profession. He is now recruiting in this native State of New York, as first Lieutenant of his Regiment & who I should esteem it a personal favor if he receives the Appointment thr'o my influence, having never before asked a favor from the Government but as the widow of the late Captain James Lawrence who fell in the War of 1812 with the England while defending the Flag of his Country, {abroad] the ill fated Frigate Chesapeake, I feel entitled to some consideration, & to hope that you will hereby grant my request.
Most respectfully yours, Julia M. Lawrence.

- The writer of this I understand to be the widow of Commodore Lawrence, whose dying words, "Dont give up the ship" are so well known. She should be obliged, if possible. Signed, A. Lincoln, Jan. 16. 1862.

- It appears that Mrs. Lawrence's nephew did not receive the requested appointment. - Daniel Worthington
Notes: accompanying this letter.
1. Mrs. Lawrence's other letter has not been found.
2. The precise identify of Mrs. Lawrence's nephew remains a mystery. She named her only daughter Mary Neill Lawrence. The nephew in question might be Delancey Neill, who the Census 1870 was living in the household of a Joseph A Neill, also a Edward Montaudevert Neil who served during the was as an assist adjutant general with Ambrose Burnside IV Cprs. Army of Potomac. Delancy Neill would have only been 16 or 17 years old in 1861. 3. Another possibility J DeLancey Neil, Lieut., 101 NYV Infantry.
Ref: Records of the Chief Clerk & Admin Assit. Washington, DC., Published in the Jul 2009 Quarterly Newsletter of Lincoln Editor.

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

Birth:
ALT Montauedvert/ Monument 18 Jul 1788.

Died:
Will dated 15 July, 1858.

Buried:
- buried with husband, James Lawrence.