Notes:

1901 Resides with her sister Grace and family, in Ottawa.
1911 St. Georges Ward, Ottawa. No occupation given, Her name is written as Hellen. - - -

Died:
Aged 83.

Buried:
Ottawa. Monument 37-24, with brother, Vernon C Nicholson.

Notes:

NB Land Land Grants: Thomas L. Nicholson
a) Wakefield, York Co., NB 21 Jul 1809 Grant 497, &
b) Saint Martins, Saint Johns Co., NB, 31 Jul 1822, 300 Acres, Granted 1468.

Legal Work:
. 1821 Jul 25, Saint John City Gazette
. Estate of Neil & Elizabeth Kennedy of this city; Admin. C G Brownsword, T L Nicholson, 30th May 821.
. Estate of lizabeth Dingwall of this city; Admin. C.G. Brownsword, T.L. Nicholson, 30 May, 1821.

. Petition of James Nicholson praying pecuniary aid. 2 Feb. 1833, p.14. [Missing from NB Provincial Archives.]

. 1832 Feb 11 - To His Excellency Archibald Campbell, Lieut. Gov. of Prov. of New Brunswick, [Summary:]
In March last Thomas L Nicholson, attended the St. John General Session & was appointed Overseer of the Poor for the City of Saint John, Praying remuneration for rendered by him in assisting & emigrants in during the month of May 1831. Brigs. Bitlow & Charity arrived form Ports in Ireland the passengers where destitute & starving, consumed their whole of thin provisions on the passage. After the arrival of these 2 vessels, numerous vessels continued to arrive that year in such a destitute state, that they claimed immediate attention to contain the sick...numerous sick & destitute emigrants in the Parish in crowded & wretched abodes - he prays assistance for them in their suffering.
Signed, Thomas L Nicholson, Saint John, (18 others), 26th Jan. 1832.
Ref: NB Legislative Assembly Session Records, S41, p78.

. 1833 Oct 8 - Thomas L Nicholson, Capt. Aug 30; 2nd Major 30 March, 1841.

. 1833 - another St. John company was formed under Captain Thomas L. Nicholson, with John Pollock, Charters Simonds & Wm. Ross as lieutenants. This was the Portland company. Nicholson was an auctioneer & commission merchant on the North wharf; Pollock was in Robt. Pollock was company's, an old time firm of great repute; Simonds was in that employ & Ross was a steamboat engineer.
. 1838 Jun 25 - of the same year Captain Nicholson's company at St. John was also included: Captain Thomas L. Nicholson.
. Capt. Nicholson of the company which was long afterwards known by his name, was, to use the words of Mr. Robt. Reed, 'a sterling man.' His daughter is Lady Ritchie, widow of the late Sir Wm. J Ritchie, who was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Lieut. John c Allen who afterwards became adjutant of the regiment, is now Sir John C Allen, the honored Chief Justice of New Brunswick. He was born October 1, 1817, of Loyalist descent, his grandfather having been Isaac Allen of Trenton, NJ who was a judge of the Supreme Court of NB from its erection until his death in 1806. Sir John's life has been an active one. He was admitted to the bar of his native province in 1838, & rose rapidly, filling the offices of solicitor & attorney general & eventually obtaining a seat on the bench in 1865. Ten years later, on the promotion of Sir Wm. J Ritchie to the Chief Justiceship of Canada, he became Chief Justice of NB, & in 1889 was knighted. At the time of the Papineau rebellion he was a bombardier & did garrison duty with his company.
. Mr. Geo. F Thompson of Saint John, who had joined Barlows Company about 1834 or 1835, recalls the time when he was on duty on this occasion. The detachment from this company did 3 days garrison duty & was held ready for orders for a week afterwards. The 3 companies, Barlow's, Nicholson's & Ranney's were very strong, numbering at this time about four hundred men, all uniformed at their own expense. Mr. ROBERT REED, can other old artilleryman, also remembers that the 3 St. John companies agreed to do a fortnight's duty alternately. His, the Nicholson Company, were marching down St. James street, on their way to the barracks, when a messenger bought the word that ' the war was over.' 'They continued doing duty until the next day when they were discharged.
In 1840 a second major was appointed to the artillery in this year in the person of Thomas L Nicholson who has been mentioned before in connection with the formation of his  company.
. On the laying of the corner stone of the Provincial Lunatic Asylum at St. John, in 1847, a salute was fired by a company of artillery under Major Nicholson. In 1848 the death of Major
Thomas L Nicholson occurred in this year. Mr. G. Sidney Smith of St. John, remembers the funeral of Major Nicholson, at which he says the artillery was present under Captains Foster, Melick, Wright & Stewart.
Ref: Historical records of the New Brunswick Regiment, Canadian Artillery, 1896, St. John.

. 1833, Feb. 5 - Petition of Thomas L. Nicholson & others praying for an Act of Incorporation for working certain coal mines within the Province.
To. Lieut. Gov. Arch. Campbell,
That on or about the month of July, 1831, an association was formed at Fredericton for providing working coal in Grand Lake in Queens Co., NB. That application has been made to his Majesty's government to grant leaves for coal mines. Five pages. T L Nicholson, 1 Feb. 1833, Saint John & numerous other signatures.
Note1: All land patents stated wood & minerals were retained by the King, so they would have to get permission for the coal mines. - PJA.

. 1837 Sept 7, NB Commissioner of Crown Lands, Loan to the Saint Joh Bridge Company, bearing interest at the rate of 6% per annum, secured by Lond & collateral purity of R M Jarvis, G D Robinson, T L Nicholson, £3,000.

. On the 60th anniversary of the landing of the Loyalists, 18th May, 1843, Major Ward was presented with the following address from the officers of the artillery; Sir, Saint John, May 18th, 1843.

"Assembled for the purpose of celebrating the Sixtieth Anniversary of the landing of the Loyalists in this Province, & the Fiftieth of the formation of the first loyal company of Artillery, now embodied in the NB Regiment of Artillery, We, the Officers of that corps in St. John, gladly avail ourselves of the occasion to express the sentiments of high respect entertained towards you by our Regiment, & in which we feel assured every member of this community participates.

"Deservedly beloved & esteemed as you have ever been by all around you throughout the course of a life already extended beyond the ordinary span allotted to mortals, we claim you with pride as one of the first officers of the corps to which we have now the honour to belong & we hail you at the same time as one of the few survivors of that gallant land, who - surrendering all save the undying honour of their sacrifice - followed the standard of their Sovereign to these shores, & whose landing we this day commemorate.

"That health & prosperity may yet long be yours, & that the evening of your days may be as free from a cloud as your past life has been unspotted, is the sincere desire of the corps in whose behalf we have the honour to subscribe ourselves, With great respect, Sir, Your obedient servants, T. L. Nicholson, Major NBRA, & others officers.
Major Ward died the 5 Aug. 1846, aged 92 years.
Ref: Ref: NB Legislative Assembly Session Records, p19 & also in: Foot-prints, or, Incidents in early history of New Brunswick, by J W Lawrence, 1883, Saint Johns, N.B.

The Head Quarters Newspaper, Fredericton, NB., Ship News
. 1845 Jul 23, Cleared. Port St. Johns, (C.B.) Salt & timber - T. L. Nicholson & Co.

. 1846 May 8. Cleared: Port St. Johns Schooner Dee, Smith, Halifax, limestone - T L Nicholson & Co.

. 1846 May 13: Cleared: Schooner Algerine, Banks, Halifax, limestone - T L Nicholson & Co.

Verify which Thomas L Nicholson these are:
. 1847 Mar 6, SAINT PATRICK'S SOCIETY
- At the Quarterly Meeting of this Society, held at their Room in the St. John Hotel, on Monday evening the 1st instant, on motion of T.L. Nicholson, Esq., seconded by Wm. Hutchinson, Esquire, was RESOLVED, that the Members of this Society celebrate the Anniversary of their Tutelar Saint by subscribing such sums as they may think proper, for the relief of their destitute fellow-countrymen, who may arrive in this City the ensuing season, this being in their opinion the most appropriate mode of doing as in the present afflicted state of the Parent Country, the Members of this Society having already remitted home as much as they could for the relief of the distress prevailing there. That the following Gentlemen be appointed to carry the above Resolution into effect, vix Messrs T. L. Nicholson, G. T. Wiley, James Agnew, William Parks & Thomas Parks.
Note2: Perhaps astonishingly for the time period, after the Catholic Ball comes the opponent's Masonic Ball! - PJA 2016.

. 1847 Mar 13, MASONIC CHARITY BALL
The Brethern of the Albion Lodge, No. 570 on the Registry of the Grand Lodge of England, intend giving
a Ball under their Banners in aid of the fund for the relief of the distressed Irish & Scotch at the St. John Hotel, on Thursday the 8th April next. Members of other Lodges in the vicinity, transient & visiting brethern, are respectfully invited to join. Tickets, 12s 6d each, maybe obtained by the Brethern for themselves & such of their guests as are not Masons, upon application to the Stewards. As it is desirable that all invitations should be issued by the 31st March, instant, at the latest, the Stewards particularly request that the names of the ladies & others to be invited may be given to them by their subscribing Brethern on or before that day.

. A CHARITY BALL! To raise funds for the relief of the distressed Poor in Ireland, will take place on Monday evening, the 15th instant, in the Temperance Hall, Sydney Street, Committee of Management, inc. Gallagher, Thomas L. Nicholson. Tickets 10s each, may be had of any of the Committee Management.
N.B. In order to enable the Committee to provide ample accommodation & complete their arrangements, it is requested that persons who propose attending may provide themselves with tickets as soon as possible.

. 1847 Mar 10 - Saint Patrick's Society. Quarterly Meeting at their room St. John's Hotel, Monday 1st Instant March. Motion of T L Nicholson, Esq. Resolved that the members of this Society, for the relief of their destitute follow countrymen who may arrive in this City.

Obituary:
. 1847 Sep 18, on Sunday evening last, the 12th inst., after a short illness, Thomas L. Nicholson, Esq., aged 56 years. Mr. Nicholson conducted an extensive Commercial Establishment, in this City, for upwards of 20 years, & was universally respected as an upright & benevolent man. We sincerely sympathize with his afflicted widow & family in this sudden bereavement. Funeral Wednesday 4 o'clock from his residence, Princess Street.
Ref: New Brunswick Courier, Saint John.
Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
DOB conflicts with Mary Ann Nicholson.

Thomas married Amy Gardiner GRACE VERNON on 11 Jul 1821 in St. George, Charlotte Co., New Brunswick. Amy was born on 20 Oct 1811 in St. George, Charlotte Co., New Brunswick; died in in Saint John, Queens Co., New Brunswick. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Amy is the daughter of Moses Marion Vernon, UE, born 1784, US, & Mary Ann XX, born 1785, step-daughter of Vice-Admiral William Fitzwilliam Owen, R.N.

. 1821 July 11, Thomas L Nicholson married at St. George, Charlotte Co., Wednesday, by Rev. Jerome Alley, Thomas L. Nicholson, merchant of this city.
Amy, second d/o Moses Vernon of former place (?).
Ref: City Gazette, Saint John, NB.
Note: Verify Amy's birth & marriage date, too young.

1823 Jun 25, Registred. Thomas L Nicholson of the Parish of Saint John & Any Vernon of the Prish of St. George, were married in the Parish of St. Georbe by Licence this 4th day of July 1882, by me Jerome Alley, Rector. This marriage was solemenized between Thos L Nicholson &k Amy Venor, In the presence of Voses Vernon & Jno J Roberts.
Ref: NB Marriage Registeres, Charlotte Co., NB, p86.

. 1829 Sep 19, d. Monday, James Vernon Nicholson, infant s/o Thomas L.Nicholson;
. 1840 Apr 18, d. Friday, 10th inst., Brunswick Nicholson, s/o Thomas L. Nicholson, Esq., age 11 mos. 21 days.
. 1842 Jun 18, d. Carleton (St. John,) Thursday afternoon, 16th inst., Thomas Lawrence Nicholson, only s/o T.L. Nicholson, Esq., age 9.

. 1851 Census Saint John, NB.
Amy Vernon Nicholson, widow was apparently on the 1851 Census twice, once with her father, mother & brother (plus Grace, Ellen, Vernon Nicholson.)
& again separately under Amy Nicholson, widow, with daughters Grace & Ellen & son Moses Nicholson.

. 1856 May 10, m. Tuesday eve., 5th inst., at residence of Admiral OWEN in (St. John) city, by Rev. G.M. Armstrong, Rector of St. Mark's, Hon. William Johnston RITCHIE, one of H.M. Justices of the Supreme Court.
Grace Vernon Nicholson, d/o late Thomas L. Nicholson, Esq. of this city.
Ref: New Brunswick Courier, Saint John.

. 1851 Census is the Widow Nicholson is living with her parents?)
Moses Vernon, head, age 71/ b 1780 US, Landed NB in 1783
Mary Ann Vernon, wife; age 68 /b. 1783 US, Landed NB 1785
James Vernon, son, age 39/ b.1812, b. NB, Trader
Grace Vernon, dau. age 30 /b 1821, NB
Amy Nicholson, Widow, Dau., Age 40/ b. 1811 NB
Grace Nicholson, granddaughter, age 13, /b. 1838 NB
Vernon Nicholson, grandson, age 7 /b 1844 NB. - - -

Birth:


Died:
Florenceville, Carlton Co., NB.

Notes:

Arthur Nicholson, Adjutant in King's Am. Dragoons. Granted 250 A, Lot 53, Maugerville Sunbury, NB. - The New Loyalist Index.

. 1783 April 26 - EVACUATION, about the British ship Lady's Adventure with the Kings American Dragoons to Saint John NB. 448 Passengers. 750 tons, Ships Mater Robt. Gibson.
Ref: African American Loyalist in the southern campaign of Am. Revolution.

. King's American Dragoons were commanded by Benjamin Thompson, later Count Rumford, starting in 1781. They were in South Carolina; went into winter quarters at Huntington, Long Island, in the fall of 1782. By the close of summer they were relocated to Prince William, Queensborough, in New Brunswick.

Cornet A Nicholson commanded the garrison at Presqu'isle, NB.
Arthur Nicholson endorsed the petition of Jacob Kollock & Joseph Kollock are Captain Kollock's sons, sober, industrious lads. Thomas Ian is the son of the woman who lives with Captain Kollock. He is a boy of about 16, which is all I know of him." Endorsed: Jacob Kollock is to have a lot of 200 acres, 6

. King's American Dragoons, Thompson's Troop, Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Thompson's Troop, King's American Dragoons, form'd & Completed agreeable to an Arrangement Approv'd by His Excellency, Sir Guy Carleton, K.B., 15th June 1782. Cornet Arthur Nicholson to 24 Jul 1795. Nov 1789.

. Names of the Recruits Entitled to Bounty: Arthur Nicholson, Cornet & Adjutant: 24 Oct 1781; & on
- Adjutant Nicholson: 24 Feb. 24 to 24 Apr 1782 * Subsistence 60 days @ 5/
Goundage Agency £ Payment @ £1/6 £1.2.6 * 60 rations @ £1.2.6
- Substance due 24th February to 24th April, 1782, being 60 days.
- A. Nicholson, Adj. Subsistence 6 days @ 5/ - £15.5 shillings Officers' net substance 25 June to 24 Aug 1782.
Poundage payment @ £1/1 - 1 .4 Totaling £14. 4 s 8 pence & the last entry:
- Arthur Nicholson Cornet: £ 8 & as Adjutant £5. King's American Dragoons - Abstract of 61 days pay for the commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers & privates, 24 August 1783.
He was involved in the Battle of Bunker Hill. He retired from the Kings Regiment of NB on 24 Jul 1795 with a pension.

. Arthur Sr. was first married on 17 Mar 1779 with 2 children. His first wife deceased in 1786.

. Indenture 38, Wm. Stone of Prince William, York Co., NB, of the late Regiment of Kings American Dragons sold for £10 to Arthur Nicholson of Town of Prince William, Gentleman, Lot 71, 100 A, on Saint John River. 3 Aug 1786, Signed, Wm. XMark Stone. Registered 7 Sep 1786.
. Indenture 68, Dennis XMark Kane of Prince William, late Regiment of Kings American Dragons, sold to Arthur Nicholson, Gentleman, for £5, Lot 69, 100 A. in Town of Prince Wm. Saint John River.
Ref: Province of NB,York Co. Deed Registry Book 1.

To Edward Winslow (New Brunswick,)
Dear sir, I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in troubling you with my business when I assure you that nothing but the critical situation which I find myself in & you being so well acquainted with the nature of my first settling in this Country could induce me to it. I have made every exertion in my power to make a living by farming but I find it will not do. I find that unless a man does all his business with his own hands, he cannot live by it. I have an idea that if the circumstance of my being in the Army 24 years (& always employed in active line) was explained to His Excellency he, perhaps, would take it into consideration & employ me in some business wherein I could be of service, not only to myself & family, but to the Country whose welfare I have warmly at heart. I am informed that my name has been mentioned to the Governor to do the duty of Adjutant to the Militia of this County, which I am willing to do with pleasure. Is it not probable that it is in His Excellency's power to employ me further in the business of the Militia? I don't care how much duty he gives me to do. Now Sir, as you always expressed a wish to serve me & as I never wanted a friend more than at this present & I don't know that I have another friend in the Country in whose power it is to do anything to serve me, I beg leave to entreat you will at this time befriend me in representing not only what I have pointed out, but anything else you may see fit. I am Dr. Sir, with much respect & Esteem Your obedient Humble Servant.
Signed, Arth'r Nicholson, Queensborough, 26 January, 1788.

. NB Land Grant 1340, Wakefield, Carleton Co., 1788 Jan 14.
Arthur Nicholson, Vol 20, page 81, Grant 1340, 220 Acres.

. 1790 Feb 5, Mar 23 & Jun 1 - Hand drawn map: Survey of the Northwest Branch of the Miramichi, by Arthur Nicholson, District Surveyor.
Ref: Indian Affairs Documents MG H54, UNB Archives & Special Collection, New Brunswick.

. In the 24th of July, 1795, Lieutenant Arthur Nicholson, the first adjutant of the King's New Brunswick Regiment, retired to half-pay, & Ensign Allen was appointed to the vacancy.

Lieutenant Nicholson had been an officer of cavalry, & had seen a great deal of service in America during the Revolutionary War. He was appointed cornet in the Seventh Light Dragoons - now the 17th Lancers - while that regiment was serving in Ireland. On the breaking out of hostilities in 1775, the high character of that regiment occasioned it to be the first cavalry corps selected to proceed across the Atlantic. It embarked from Ireland & landed at Boston on the 24th of May, 1775.*
On the 17th of June the battle of Bunker's Hill was fought. During that engagement a party of the 17th volunteered to proceed dismounted with the reinforcements sent from Boston to support the troops engaged. Lieutenant Nicholson, who was adjutant of the corps, accompanied the party & became a participant in that battle.
In March 1776, the British army evacuated Boston & sailed for Halifax, Nova Scotia, where the 17th landed & remained about 2 months. In the early part of June they again embarked & landed on Staten Island & were actively engaged in all the important movements of the British army around New York. The 17th Dragoons was the only British regular cavalry regiment that served in America during the Revolutionary War. It was largely composed of Irishmen & the arduous services in which it was constantly employed rapidly depleted its ranks.
In 1781 Lieutenant Nicholson was transferred from the 17th to the King's American Dragoons & became adjutant of that corps. With this regiment he served until the termination of the war & in 1783 came to New Brunswick, where on 1783 Sept 28th, the regiment was disbanded. A large block of land was granted to the officers & men, where many of them settled. It is known as the grant to the "King's American Dragoons," & is situated on the south-west side of the River St. John, in the parishes of Prince William & Dumfries, York Co., extending from Long's Creek, about twenty miles above Fredericton, to the "Barony," at the mouth of the Poquiock. Lieut. Nicholson settled at Kingsclear, York County. In 1786 his first wife, Ellen Henry, whom he married in 1779 at Southampton, Long Island, died at Kingsclear. He again married in 1787, Elizabeth Lawrence & had issue. Lieutenant Nicholson was born in the town of Sligo, County of Leitrim, Ireland, in 1746 & died in New Brunswick.
Ref: Historical Record of the Seventeenth Regiment of Light Dragoons-Lancers. Published by command. London, 1841 & also: Collections of the NB Historical Society, Issue 1-3.

. Nicholson, Arthur a resident of Prince William 24 Aug 1785: 1 Man, 2 child under 10, & (1 Something, 2 some too small to read- however, Arthur is now married to Elizabeth Lawrence. *
Note1: *In 1787 also Rev. J Odell, NJ & brothers-in-law, Richard, UE & John Lawrence, UE, adjacent to his land grant. - PJA.

. 1787 Feb 20, York Co. NB Deeds #60, Vol 1, p124: Dennis 'X' Kane, late Reg. of Kings American Dragoons, labourer, £5, Lot 69, Town or Parish of Prince William, on Saint John's River, 100 A. to Arthur Nicholson, Gentleman.

. Nicholson, Arthur, Volume B, Page 1, Grant number 43, Place: Prince William, York Co.
Date 1786 Oct 10, Acres 158 Pt. of 262 Lots. Other names on this grant: (54) ODELL, Jonathan, DAVIDSON, John, 100 acres.
Note2: This also indicates Odell knew Nicholson, in-law to his friend John Lawrence, Mayor of Burlington, NJ.
XRef: Northumberland Co. Court House.

. Lieut. Arthur Nicholson's Survey Report, from 10 May, 1803
State of Population in the District next above the Parishes of Woodstock & Northampton, extending to the River De Chute. [Wakefield, NB]
Arthur Nicholson conducted his survey & before the time that he & Peter Dickinson built his grist mill. m. (2nd) 7 Aug 1787 & we find from:

. Arthur Lawrence's own family: Presque Isle, 19th May, 1803,
Arthur Nicholson, Men 1, Women 4, Children above ten years: 2 Children under ten: 4 Total 11.
Note3: Presque Isle, refers to the fort at the mouth of the Presque Isle where it flows into the St. John River & is a few miles below Florenceville.

. Near Mill (Mile?) Creek, Fredericton, Northumberland Co., NB. Registry:
Nicholson, Arthur to Deleadernier, JMC. V. 3, P. 48, Q.C. Deed, NSM 19, 20, 21; Brannen, Sarah, v.7, p 33, Discharge Mortgage; & to John M. Nicholson, Vol. 28, P. 234.

. NB Land Petitions:
A) 1786,Sunbury Co., Military, Kings. Am. Dragoons,
B) 1787, York Co., Military Kings. Am. Drgs,
C) 1788 Jan 14, Queensbury Park, York Co., NB Grant 1340 for Guides & Pioneers, 220 A.
D & E) Miramichi, Northumberland Co. 1789 & 1792 with John & Stillwell Wilson (in-laws)
F) 1802, Carleton Co., with sons Arthur Jr. Edward John Thomas L. & Wm. P. Nicholson.

. NB Land Grants: Arthur Nicholson:
a) Prince William, York Co., NB, 10 Oct 1786. Grant 43, Grant Of Prince William, Land Being Pt Of 262 Lots. (included Jonathan Odell for 326 acres.)
b) Maugerville Parish, Sunbury Co., NB, 2 Jan 1787. Grant 98 - Granted 250 Acres, Lot 53.)
c) Queensbury Parish, York Co., NB 14 Jan. 1788, Grant 378 for Guides & Pioneers, &
d) Miramichi River, Northumberland Co., on 1803 Dec 12. for 315 acres, ( with his relatives Richard Lawrence, 232 A, John Willson Jr. 200 A, & Stilwell Wilson, 240 acres.)
d) Wakefield, Presque Isl., York Co., NB, 21 Jul 1809 Grant 497.

From his first wife: 2nd. wife of Thos. Leonard was Ellen or Eleanor Henry, born at Hempstead, Long Island, NY, died 2 May 1786 at Kingsclear, York County, NB:

Children of Ellen Henry & Arthur W Nicolson:
1) Jane Nicholson, b. 27 Aug 1780 at Hempstead, Long Island, NY. She died Jan 1794 at Fredericton, NB.

2) William H. Nicholson born 12 Apr 1784 at Maugerville, Sunbury County, NB.
. 1822 Apr 9, Estate of Arthur Nicholson, Wakefield, Carleton Co., NB.
Administration of Will, Arthur Nicholson, Jr, & Wm P. Nicholson dated 25 Mar 1822.
Ref: NB Royal Gazette Newspaper, Fredericton, York Co., NB.

. Will Probated on 2 March 1822. York County NB. Yeoman, Instate Administration to his sons Arthur P Nicholson & William Nicholson, both of Wakefield.
Bondsmen to the WILL: Wm. Orser, Wakefield & Wm. Bishop, Parish of Kent. Certificate that he was a reduced Coronet, Reg. of Kings Am. Dragoons, half-pay in 1783.
File contains a certificate signed, by the Administrator that Arthur Nicholson, late a reduced Coronet in the Regiment of Kings American Dragoons, placed on half-pay in 1783. Died Wakefield, day & month of death were blank, only the year 1821 has been inserted.
Ref: Early New Brunswick Probate, 1785-1835, by Wallace Hale.

. 1822 Mar 25, Notice concerning his estate was dated for publication in The Royal Gazette.

Biographies & notes on early settlers, Mrs. Winniston, 1947 MC300
. 1788 - Nicholson was appointed collector of customs at Miramichi, as well as a deputy & land surveyor & Justice of the Peace. He was one of the 7 magistrates present at the first session of the Northumberland County Court of Quarter Sessions in 1789 & one of only 2 justices to attend all sessions of the court between 1789 & 1793. During this period he acted as county clerk, but he did not become a permanent settler.
Nicholson Family, NB Museum, vertical Files # RS184, fiche F11088.
Ref: Dictionary of Miramichi Biography, W D Hamilton, Microfiche MC80 /2184. - - -

Part Two:

Nicholson, Arthur. This is the young officer who, it is said, fought a duel near the deep ravine facing Garretsons*, during the war. His antagonist was so badly wounded that he died in the course of a few days. The encounter was the result of a romance. The 2 officers had sought the hand of a Staten Island girl, who was so shocked at the news of the encounter that she died.

Nicholson was born in the town of Sligo, County of Leitrim, Ireland, in 1716, and was appointed cornet in the Seventeenth Light Dragoons - now the Seventeenth Lancers - while that regiment was serving in Ireland. On the breaking out of hostilities in 1775, the high character of that regiment occasioned it to be the first cavalry corps selected to proceed across the Atlantic. It embarked from Ireland, and landed at Boston on the 24th of May, 1775. During the engagement at Bunker Hill a party of the Seventeenth volunteered to proceed dismounted with the reinforcements sent from Boston to support the troops engaged.
Lieutenant Nicholson, who was adjutant of the regiment, accompanied the party, and became a participant in that battle. In March, 1776, the British army evacuated Boston, and sailed for Halifax, Nova Scotia, where the 17th landed and remained about two months. In the early part of June they embarked again and landed on Staten Island, and were actively engaged in all the important movements around New York. At one time the 17th was encamped for a time at Marshland, near the entrance to the Fresh Kill bridge. It was also General Clinton's body guard at New Dorp. The Seventeenth Dragoons was the only British regular cavalry regiment that served in America during the Revolution. It was largely composed of Irishmen, and the arduous services in which it was constantly employed, rapidly depleted its ranks.
In 1781, Lieutenant Nicholson was transferred from the Seventeenth to the King's American Dragoons, and became the adjutant. This regiment was encamped near the present Oakwood station, and its headquarters were in the old Britain homestead, recently demolished. With this regiment he served until the termination of the war, and in 1783, went to the Province of New Brunswick, where the regiment was disbanded. A large block of land was granted to the officers and men, upon which many of them settled. It is known as the grant to the " King's American Dragoons," and is located on the River St. John, about 20 miles from Fredericton. Lieutenant Nicholson settled at Kingsclear, York County. In 1786, his wife, Ellen Henry, whom he married at Southampton, Long Island, died at Kingsclear. There are many stories told of this officer while on Staten Island.
Ref: Morris Memorial History of Staten Island, New York, Ira K Morris, 1898. Page 349.

Note4: GARRETSON'S BAR. Near (above) where the old Garretson or Fresh Kills bridge crossed Richmond Creek on Staten Island, NY, directly opposite the junction of the road from Garretson's station with the old Richmond Road, then called the King's Highway, in a deep ravine, penetrating some distance into Todd Hill. This is still one of the most beautiful spots on the Island; the hill sides are mostly wooded, a pleasant meadow with old apple trees occupies the bottom of the valley and the perennial spring flows as in the days of the Revolution. The neighbors and local historians had no name for this place and so the writer of this article, some years ago, called it Mersereau's Valley. It is there called the Valley of the Iron Hill, the Iron Hill being an old name for Todt Hill.
Ref: Morris Memorial History of Staten Island, New York, Ira K Morris, 1898. Page 349.

- On the arrival of his Majesty's instructions relative to the disposal of the troops at New York, dated the 9th of June, the principal Loyalist regiments were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to embark for Nova Scotia,
where on their arrival they were to be disbanded. Before the royal orders and instructions reached America the King's American Dragoons arrived at St. John under the command of Major Daniel Munay. They encamped at Manawagonish expecting to settle in the Township of Conway. On the 6th of July, Col. Edward Winslow wrote to Major Upham of the corps (who was in New York acting as an aide-de-camp to Sir Guy Carleton): "I am gratified excessively at the situation and behaviour of your regiment. I never saw more cheerfulness and good humor than appears among the men. They are encamped on one of the pleasantest spots I ever beheld, and they are enjoying a great variety of what you New Yorkers call luxuries, such as partridges, salmon, bass, trout, pigeons, etc. The whole regiment are this day employed in cutting and clearing a road to the river, and Major Murray and T intend to ride tomorrow where man never rode before. "
The day following Winslow writes to Ward Chipman, "I am at present at Murray's head quarters in a township which we shall lay out for the provincials, and we have already' cut a road from his camp to the river, about three miles. We cut yesterday, with about 12 men, more than a mile through a forest hitherto deemed impenetrable. When we emerged from it there opened a prospect superior to anything in the world I believe. A magnificent view of the immense Bay of Fundy on the one side, and a very extensive view of the River St. John, with the Falls, Grand Falls and Islands, on the other: in front the Fort, which is a beautiful object on a high hill, and all the settlements about the town, with the ships, boats, etc., in the harbor - 'twas positively the most magnificent and romantic scene I ever beheld. "

The stay of the King's American Dragoons at " Camp Manawaugonish " was brief, for about the end of August they were sent up the St. John river to be disbanded in what is now the Parish of Prince William. Chaplain Odell was for years Provincial Secretary; Lieut. John Davidson was a member for York County in the provincial legislature and a leading land surveyor in the early days of the country, of St. John; Cornet Arthur Nicholson was a prominent man on the upper St. John in early times as commander of the military post at Presquile.
Ref. The River St. John, its physical features, Wm. Raymond, 1853.
Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you.- - -

Birth:


Died:
COD: Natural decay.

Arthur married Elizabeth LAWRENCE, .x on 7 Aug 1787 in Fredericton, York Co., New Brunswick. Elizabeth (daughter of William LAWRENCE, .6 Esq. The Quaker and Margaret TILTON) was born on 1 Oct 1761 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey; died on 26 Nov 1827 in Wakefield, Carleton Co., New Brunswick. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Elizabeth is daughter of Margaret Tilton & William Lawrence.

FOUR LAWRENCE SIBLINGS TOGETHER AT ST. JOHN, NB:
. Queensbury Co., NB Land Grants: In 1787 the 4 Lawrence siblings originally settled adjacent to each other. John Lawrence was 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 & also important Lawrence family friend, Rev. J Odell of NJ, were adjacent to his land grant. Their other sister Alice Lawrence Leonard was located adjacent, but across the River, at Lot One, Saint John, N.B.

Elizabeth's brother Richard Lawrence, was sharing a Miramichi Land Grant with his Willsons-in-laws & with Arthur Nicholson,
- there are no coincidence in genealogy - PJA

Elizabeth was married 7 Aug 1787. Her 2 step-children were 7 & 11 years old.

. 1824 Mar 15: Affidavit for Sept-Mother Elizabeth Lawrence Nicholson:
Jane Nicholson, now spinster, York Co., NB, before me John Sanders, Esq, Chief Justice of this Province, deposeth she was present 6 Aug. 1787 at Fredericton & saw the late Arthur Nicholson, Adjutant, Kings late Regiment of American Dragoons, married to Elizabeth Lawrence, solemnized agreeably of Church of England, by Rev. the late Jonathan Odell, late Secretary of Prov. NB & late Chaplin to said Regiment.
Signed, Jane Nicholson, 15 Mar. 1824.
Sworn before John Sanders, Chief Justice, New Brunswick.

. 1827 Dec 29 Died. Presquile, Carlton Co., on 26 Nov. 1827, Elizabeth Nicholson, wife of Arthur Nicholson, Esq.
Ref: New Brunswick Courier, Saint John, NB.

. Elizabeth's granddaughter, Grace Vernon Nicholson, was married Sir. Wm. Johnstone Ritchie, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

. Carleton Co., NB, Deed Registry Books Index:
Jane Nicholson to Eliza S. McDonald, Vol. 10, p 187;
to James E Nicholson, Vol. 22, p. 561; &
Janes Nicholson et all, to James Perkins, Vol. 32, p. 645.

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

Page Two - Pension Applications (Summaries), p 333 Canada, Pension Applications for Widows & Family of British Military Officers

. Required for placing on the Pension, the widow of an officer.
Elizabeth Nicholson made other she was locally married on 7 August 1787 to the late Arthur Nicholson, Adjutant in the late Regiment of Kings American Dragoons, Bej. Thompson son Lieut. Col & she has no Pension.
Signed, Elizabeth Nicholson, Prseque Isle, County of York.
Sworn at Woodstock, 25 July 1822, Rich Ketchum JP, Woodstock.
Signed, John Saunders, 17 Aug 1822, Judge of Supreme Court of Adjudication of NB. Capt. in late Queens Rangers, as there is no one his Corps not in this Province.
Counter Signed, Ward Chipman, Judge, Saint John, 5 Oct 1822.

. 1822 Oct 12, Affidavit1: John Saunders & Ward Chipman whom signed the certificates, were Members of the Supreme Court of NB. Signed, Wm. L Odell.

. 1820 June 21, Affidavit2: Home District, Upper Canada [Toronto,York Co., Ontario]. Personally appeared before me James Miles, Esquire, of Vaughan, Justice of Peace, John Lawrence, Esquire of Vaughan, a Lieutenant on the Halfway of His late Majestry as late 1st Battalion New Jersey Volunteers, who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists deposits that he was present when Adjutant Arthur Nicholson, of late Kings late American Dragoons and Elizabeth Lawrence were lawfully married on or about 7 August 1787 & Arthur & Elizabeth Nicholson were married in the Parish of Fredericton NB by Rev. Johnathan Odell, late Secretary of His Majestys's Council, in NB.
Signed, John Lawrence.
Sworn before me at Vaughan in the District aforesaid, 21 June, 1820,
Signed, James Miles, J.P.
To: J Henry Smith, Esq., Justice of Peace for York Co., New Brunswick.
Note: This affidavit was sent more than a year before her brother-in-law John Lawrence's death, surely anticipating the need for this testimony - PJ Ahlberg.

. 1820 Dec 18 - Affidavit3: Catherine Kollock, wife of Capt. Simon Kollock, Loyal Am Reg. was present when Cornet Adj Arthur Nichols & Elizabeth Lawrence were lawful married about 17.8. 1786, married in the Fredericton Parish, by Rev. Jonathan Odell, late Secretary of Majestys NB Council. Signed, Catharine Kollock.

1822 Jun 21 - Affidavit4: Andrew Phair, Assist Barrack Master Gen. NB, verify late Adj. Arthur Nicholson was upon halfway Kings Am Dragoons, comm by Col Thompson &, 17 Reg , to the day of his Death, In 1788 he obtained said Reg of Dragoons as Quarter Mast of a Troop, purchased. Upon raising said Am. Dragoon Reg, he was appointed Cornet & Adjutant by Commissions dated 6 May 1872 by Sir Guy Carlton on 22 Feb 1781. during the term of 5 years upward he rec. full pay & allowances, Signed, A Phair, Fredericton, NB.

. 1822 Jul 26 - Affidavit5: Hugh McGuigon make oath he attended the late Arthur Nicholson, deceased in his last sickness he died at Presque Isle on 26 Sep 1821 of natural decay. He was interred in my presence on 10 Sep 1821 in said York County. Signed, Hugh McGuigan, York Co. Wit. Rich Ketchum, JP, Woodstock.

. 1822 Jul 26 - Petition of Elizabeth Nicholson,
To. Rt. Hon. Secretary at War,
Your Petitioner residing at Presque Isle, York Co, NB Province, is the widow of late Adjutant Arthur Nicholson, on the Half pay of the late Reg. Kings American Dragoons, Commanded by late Col. Ben. Thompson, who served during the whole of the late Rebellion in America (& previous, to that, upwards of 2 years in His Majesty's 17th Reg. of Light Dragoons, in England), who was brought to this Province after the evacuation of New York, was disbanded & placed upon the Half pay List in 1783.
Her late husband died 5 Sept 1821 of natural decay. At his death she was left with a family of 4 unmarried daughters & 1 son under age, to wit: Jane, Eleanor, Mary Ann, Eliza Sarah & James Edward, all the children of the Arthur Nicholson, born in Holy Wedlock; with slender means of support. - Your petitioner would rather more truly say, in indigent circumstances. She prays for the usual widow's pension of Half-Pay officers.
Signed, Presque Isle, York Co., NB, 1822 July 29, Elizabeth Nicholson.
Sworn before me, Rich Ketchum JP, Woodstock, NB.

. . 1822 Jul 29, Affidavit6: Robert Payne, aged 80y, late of Kings 17th Reg of Light Dragoons, taketh oath that the late Arthur Nicholson dis on or about the close the the year 1778 introduce to this deponent, a Lady (whom he had personally known some time before) as his wife. Her maiden name was Eleanor Henry. She was his wife & cohabited together from that time to her death in 1784. They had offspring a song, long since dean & a daughter about the year 1780 names Jane, a Lady well known of this deponent and who at this time is about making an application with her sisters & brother by a subsequent marriage - for an allowance from the Compassionate Fund. Signed, Robt. Payne Sr., Fredericton County.

. 1822 Jul 29, Elizabeth Nicholson, widow of the late Adj. Arthur Nicholson, Halfpay Kings Am. Dragoons, make oath & saith that Eleanor Nicholson Maryann Nicholson, Eliz Sarah Nicholson & Jame Edward Nicholson, now applying for an allowance from the compassionate Fund are her & Arther Nicholson's children, born in Holy wedlock & that they are have been baptized in the service of Church of England.
Signed, Elizabeth Nicholson.
Sworn at Woodstock, NB, Rich Ketchum, JP.

. 1822 Jul 29 - Petition of Jane Nicholson, May Ann Nicholson, Eleanor Nicholson, Elisa Sarah Nicholson & James Edward Nicholson
The 4 first named Petitioners are unmarried daughters & the last named is a son under age of late Adj Arthur Nicholson, Halfway Reg. of Kings Am. Dragoons, for the whole of the late ware, & evacuated from New York, disbanded & in 1787 the Petitioners father died on 5 Sep 1821 of Natural decay. They to grant each an allowance for the Compassionate Fund.
Signed, 29 Jul, 1822, Presque Isle, York Co., NB, Mary Ann, Eleanor, Jane, Eliza Sarah & James Edward Nicholson.
To. Rt. Hon. Secretary at War.

. 1822 Jul 30th, Affidavit7: Andrew Phair, Asst. Barrack Master, was well acquainted with Adj Arthur Nicolson, deceased, about 1778 Nicholson interdicted a Lady of the Officer of Reg. & other person of his acquaintance - as his wife - who was taken, acknowledge & reputed to be his wife. I verily believe to be the mother of Jane Nicholson, daughter of Arthur Nicholson, now applying for an allowance form the Compassionate Fine. Signed, A Phair Asst. X Gen., Fredricton. [& added in different handwriting:]
- Jane Nicholson is the daughter of A Nicholson by former wife.

Birth:
Upper Freehold Twp.

Died:

Notes:

Married:

Notes:

. "I have an old English Bible with the record of birth, marriage, etc. of Richard (5), son of above William (4) & all but 2 of his children & all I need to make a legal connection is the WILL of William (4). Anyone wishing information that I have on the Lawrence family of New Jersey is welcome to it.
Walter A. Hamilton, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Reprinted in Boston Transcripts. [who has the Bible now?]

. 1748 May 5 - Margaret Tilton (J4-17); married William Lawrence, son of Richard Lawrence. Tilton Family in America.
. 1748 May 5 - Margaret Tilton married, at the house of Daniel Tilton, William, son of Richard & Alice Lawrence; both of Middletown, born Dec. 13, 1719.

Shrewsbury Monthly Meetings:
. 1761 May 6, The Meeting is informed that William Lawrence, of Middletown has of late purchased a negro. John Burdin & Jacob Condis is appointed to x at with him & inform our next Meeting hear whether he is disposed to make satisfaction.
. 1761 Mar 2 - William Lawrence declines making satisfaction for buying a negro by letting her free. Therefore this Meeting of the Yearly Meeting desires to acquaint him the rite of appeal.

. 1748 Mar 2, William Lawrence: Three days before his marriage to Margaret Tilton he made application to the Men's Monthly Meeting, Shrewsbury, for a certificate of removal to Philadelphia. Ref: p. 417, Vol. 3.

. Colts Neck has been noted for its horse breeding farms since the 1700's. ... In the springtime we are conscious of our heritage. The fields are green with young corn, potatoes & garden goodness. The orchards begin the ripeness of the apples. Hundreds of foals feed on the rich forage & from upland to lowland we know that snug in these fine houses, rich with the history of this land, we are at home.

. William Lawrence & his Jacob Lawrence (1757-1823) were for many years coffin makers of Middletown Twp., Monmouth.
Ref: Vol. 17, #13, Page 68 Jul 1942.

1757 Aug 6, Will of Mary Cox, widow of Thomas, of Upper Freehold, Monmouth co, 86 years of age, Son this. Grandchildren, Eliz & Rebecca Cox. Names T Van Horn; Jos & Mary Lawrence: Elizabeth. Hutchinson. Legacy to Baptist ch; Wit: Sm. Liming & William Lawrence.

Shrewsbury Monthly Meeting
1744 Oct 1, Mary Tilton; second intentions, Burlington Meeting, ,
married, Oct. 10, 1744, Job Ridgway, Jr., of Little Egg Harbor, son of Thomas.
Witnesses: Daniel, Margaret, Sarah & Phebe Tilton, [i.e. her sisters.]

. 1748 Mar 5 - William Lawrence of Middletown & Margaret Tilton of the same place, married at an appointed Meeting at Daniel Tilton's House.

1748. William Lawrence, John Lawrence of U.F. (Upper Freehold) large pair of saddle bags delivered by John McConnel at John Formans funeral.
Ref: Names of persons mentioned in Samuel Holmes His Book of Accounts.

. 1758, William Lawrence, Accessed for land in Upper Freehold.

ACCOUNT BOOK OF WILLIAM LAWRENCE, 1756-1817: 1 Vol. (190 p.)
Lawrence of Middletown, N. J. was a blacksmith & a carpenter & also sold meats. Accounts by customer, mostly payments for services rendered. Also mentions selling coffins (one for a "negro" Daniel Polhemus, Nov. 1791).
The Account Book has a note "Independence declared July 4 1776. Peace 1783" towards end of volume.
Ref: Reprinted in Monmouth County Coffin Accounts of William & Jacob Lawrence 1756-1808, Genealogical Magazine of NJ, Vol 24 3.1949 Jul, p6-70, by Chas C Garner

. Bequest form the WILL of William Lawrence, of Middletown, Monmouth Co. NJ. Grandson, William, son of Richard Lawrence, deceased, 36 acres at Barnegat, being part of Thomas Cooper's lot.
Ref: Account book 1756-1817 Manuscript Collection 296., Monmouth County Historical Association.
Note1: See attached story on Wm Lawrence, Quaker Carpenter.

. 1776 Aug 29 -British Troops at Middletown:
"Very near the present settlement of Middletown there lived … On the morning of August 29th the British light dragoons from Jamaica [NY City]
scoured Newtown, "& while it was yet early," wrote Riker, in his "Annals of Newtown," "guided by one George Rapelye, a loyalist, came along the poor bowery & halted at Jacobus Lent's (late Isaac Rapelye's) to get some bread. Brandishing their naked swords they declared that they were in pursuit of that dx d rebel, Dr. Riker.

. The doctor had spent the night in visiting different sections of the town & tearing down Howe's proclamations, that none might be mislead & induced at this critical juncture to remain & accept British protection instead of hastening to the support of the American arms. The females at Mr. Lent's were terrified at the ferocious appearance of the light horse &, observing the greediness with which they broke & ate the dry bread, Blanche, a colored woman, innocently inquired of her mistress whether they would not eat them. They dashed off toward Hell Gate, but the doctor had escaped in a boat to Barn Island & thus eluded the demons in human form." August 31st General Robertson, in command of a British force, was marching from Brooklyn, via Bedford & Cripplebush, to Hell Gate to oppose General Lee, who was reported to be landing there with an army.

. When he arrived at Hallett's Cove, finding no enemy, he took up his quarters at William Lawrence's place (known later as Whitfield's & Halsey's) & encamped his army of 10,000 in tents on the hill & in Hallett's lot. At that time nearly the whole English army was within a few miles of there. Says Riker:
"The East River now only separated these hostile legions of Britain & the army of Washington. Indeed, no sooner had General Robertson made an encampment at Hell Gate & his cannon arrived than a battery was planted on a point of l& at Hallett's Cove, which opened on Sunday September 1st at Horn's Hook, on New York island & being returned in a spirited manner an incessant firing was kept up on both sides the whole day, during which the enemy threw above a hundred shells, killing one of our men & wounding several. Some of the American shot fell on the land of William Lawrence, but it is not known what damage the British sustained. This cannonading continued for several days, by which the enemy were so emboldened that on Tuesday they crossed in considerable numbers to Blackwell's Island, but the shot from our batteries proving too warm for them they soon recrossed the river."

In the meantime the British troops made frequent incursions upon the contiguous portions of the island & a number of residents of Whig proclivities were made prisoners & subjected to detention & indignity. General Robertson's army, a little after the middle of September, vacated Hell Gate, which was invested by the Hessians under General De Heister, who in company with General Clark was quartered in the house of William Lawrence. The Hessians remained three weeks & then left to join in the movement against New York.

Middletown Twp., Monmouth Co., New Jersey Tax List: William Lawrence
. 1778 March & November, December; 1779 Jan., March, Dec.
. 1781 August; 1784 May; 1785 June-July; 1786 June-July; 1787 July; 1789 July-August
. 1790 August; 1792 Jun, July, August, Freehold Twp., Monmouth Co., NJ, William Lawrence.

. 1779 Feb 24, Month. Whereas inquisitions have been found & final judgement entered, hereon, in favour of the State of NJ against there persons herein mentioned: Notice is hereby given that the real & personal estates belonging to Thos. Leonard, Hendrick Vanmater, James Boggs, William Lawrence, Richard Lippencott, Elisha Lawrence & John Lawrence, sons of John, late of Upper Freehold, will be sold at public venue, beginning on Monday 5 April next, at Wall's mills & continue from day to day until all are sold. No credit will be given. Signed, Samuel Forman, Joseph Lawrence, Commissioners, Feb 17. 1779.
Ref: New Jersey Gazette, Trenton, NJ.

Verify idenity: . 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].

British Headquarters Papers (Carleton Papers or American Manuscripts):
Ensign William Lawrence, 1st NJV, (Skinner's Brigade)
. 1779, Return of Troops, New York, Page 10436 (58), Film 369, Item 31699.

. TAX LISTS for years: 1778 Mar - Nov; 1778 Dec - Nov; 1779 Mar - Jan; 1779 Oct-Jan Lists;
1785; 1881 Aug; 1784 May; 1785 Jun - July; 1785 July; 1786 Jun; 1789 Jul/Aug - Jul; 1787 Jul Lists;
& 1790 Aug - March; 1792 Ju/Aug - June; 1794 Jun Tax Lists: William Lawrence, Monouth County, Middletown Township.
Ref: NJ Early Census Index.

. 1785 Jul 5 - Letters remaining in the Post Office at Trenton: William Lawrence, Monmouth.
Ref: New Jersey Gazette, published 1785 Aug 1.

. 1787 Apr 9 - William Lawrence affirmed that Elizabeth M. Hartshorne & Hannah Herbert were daughters of Wm. Lawrence, his grandfather;
& that Hugh Hartshorne was the eldest son of Elizabeth Hartshorne &
the eldest son of Hannah Herbert, by her husband Obadiah Herbert.

. 1795 Feb 20 - WILL of William Lawrence of Middletown Twp., Monmouth Co., Know all men by these present that I being now indisposed in body but of a sound & disposing will & memory I do now in order to dispose of what worldly estate I am now possessed of make & ordain this to be my last will & Testament as follows to wit. In the first place I give & bequeath unto
Sons Richard & John, Daughter Elizabeth. £30 York money each;
Daughter, Alice £50 [£30?] & 3 silver spoons;
Son Elisha, feather bed I now lay on;
Grandson, William, (son of son Elisha), 5 acres being a survey now in the hands of Richard Herbert, with a piece of meadow ground joining the east side of said lott said meadow ground lying together to the Northward of the over going place;
Son Jacob, lott of salt meadow lying at Smocks Point containing about one acre & three quarters, 3 silver table spoons, 3 silver tea spoons & 1 silver tumbler, all home plantation, all cattle, farming utensils & remainder of estate, plantation whereon I now live on together with all the buildings improvements heridetaments (?) & appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining.
Executors: Son Jacob Lawrence & Stephen Stoutenburgh.
Witnesses: Timothy Murphy, Daniel Covenhaven, Wm. Van Matter. Sworn at Freehold the 21st October 1795 before me, Jos. Scudder Surrogate.
. Proved 21 Oct. 1795.
. Son & Executor, Jacob Lawrence Affirmed, the 21st Oct, 1795 before me Jos' Scudder, Surrogate.
. 1795 Mar 3 - Inventory £155.10.11 (also bond for £100 against Col. Asher & Obadiah & as yet unsettled; made by James Taylor, Wm. covert & T Murphy.
Ref: NJ Wills, Lib 33, p.505. NJ. & NJ Index of Wills & Inventories, Vol. II 7261-7268M.

. Historians generally concede that no state among the old 13 suffered during the Revolutionary War more than New Jersey & that no county in New Jersey suffered more than Monmouth. In addition to the outrages from the regular British army, our citizens were continually harassed by organized bands of refugees & by a set of outcasts known as "The Pine Woods robbers" who pretended to be Royalist yet if the opportunity arose, robbed Royalist as well as Americans. - - -

Page 2

. 1798 Sep 24 - Quaker Carpenter could Make Anything from Coffins to Mills:
William Lawrence was a man of all work. The Quaker carpenter from Middletown Twp. & his boys were available for just about any sort of job - from building a mill to repairing a tea table- during the last half of the 18th century. Lawrence's account book, preserved at the Monmouth County Historical Association library in Freehold, gives minute details of work done for Middletown & Shrewsbury residents from 1756 until his death in 1795. It reveals that prior to 1771 he produced a number of pieces of furniture, making him one of the county's earliest known cabinetmakers.
At the back of his account book Lawrence recorded that he was married May 5, 1748, to Margaret Tilton & their first child, Daniel, was born 2 years later. The marriage is recorded in the second book of Friend's Record's (Quaker) at Shrewsbury.

That he was originally considered a carpenter is confirmed by the will of Joseph Field of Middletown in 1749. One of the witnesses was 'William Lawrence carpenter. Lawrence's plantation was located near Colts Neck Village. He willed this, his cattle & farm equipment to a son, Jacob, in 1795.

Lawrence's accounts show sales of meat, grain & livestock to his customers in addition to charges for a wide variety of other services. He tanned hides, provided harvest help, constructed wells, built & repaired wagons, chaises & sleighs & was apparently a competent wheelwright. There are countless entries for coffins of bilsted (sweet gum), cherry, walnut & black walnut - many of them for children. Infant mortality was high in the 18th century.

The names of 10 assistants or apprentices are listed in charges for labor in the account book. The last 5 named, between 1764 & 1784, are Daniel, William, Elisha, Jacob & John, which are the given names of 5 of 6 sons listed in a Lawrence family genealogy.

Furniture made included six bedsteads, six tables of various types, two cases of draws (bureaus), a dressing table, a chest, several chairs, two cradles, a tea table & a desk. There also are numerous charges for furniture repairs. No examples of this furniture are known to have survived. Lawrence seems to have been strictly a country cabinetmaker who used only woods available locally. Maple, mahogany & other imported woods popular with city cabinetmakers are not mentioned. Lawrence's services were in considerable demand. In 1760, his crew put in 20 days work for Joseph Taylor in Upper Freehold Township - some 25 miles from home - probably building or finishing the interior of a house.

One account is of particular interest. Lawrence & his boys did extensive work in 1764-65 for Michael Kearney, suggesting that they may have been the builders or interior finishers of the mansion house at Morrisdon Farm in Colts Neck, a fine colonial home that still is standing & was the subject of an Antiques column last year. Kearney apparently acquired the property in the 1760s & the first reference to Morrisdon Farm turned up in a 1767 horse breeding ad run by Kearney. Lawrence billed him for 36 days of labor over a 3 month period.

. 1763, Lawrence charged Widow Mary Holmes, on July ye 18 to 1 day work to myself & boys underpinning the house.' The bill was 12 shillings. Two rather unusual services were performed for Obadiah Holmes, Sr. in 1768. He was billed for putting wings to the windmill & for making an instrument for John Holmes to press leather. In 1765 & 1766, Lawrence listed charges of £30 for work done on the Meeting House by me & my boys. In 1771 there were more bills for work on the Meeting House, these charged to Edmond Williams, who was an active member of the Shrewsbury Friend's Meeting.

Lawrence seems to have had a well equipped shop for there are charges for turning bannisters & for making all sorts of parts for cider mills. In 1761 he was working on Van Dorn's mill & in 1766 built a mill for Cyrenius Van Mater, the latter probably a grist mill. In 1762 he made a number of moulds for brick-making for John Tilton. In 1768 there were charges for repairing looms. In 1782 he built some behives for Joseph Van Mater. In 1791 he made 2 hat blocks for Rulief Van Mater, presumably a hatter, & in 1793 he made a stove for him.

. After William Lawrence's death in 1795, his son Jacob continued the business at least until 1817. But in this period most entries in the account book he took over from his father are for making coffins & repairing wagons & sleighs. Stillwell's Historical & Genealogical Miscellany says that Lawrence's eldest son, Daniel, was killed in the Revolution (he was a member of the Monmouth Militia), & 3 other sons, John, Richard & William, supported the Tory cause & moved to Canada. Perhaps the son William Lawrence was the Shrewsbury Tory of that name whose lands were seized by the American government in 1781. Lawrence's will left £30 each to his sons John & Richard & the bulk of his estate to his son Jacob. But there was no mention of his son William.
Ref: Asbury Park Press, NJ. - - -

Birth:
(Perth Amboy, NJ).

Died:
WILL Proved 21 Oct 1795.

William married Margaret TILTON on 5 Mar 1748 in Shrewsbury's Friends' House. Margaret (daughter of Daniel TILTON, Jr. and Elizabeth POWELL) was born on 13 Dec 1719 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey; died on 5 Feb 1767 in Monmouth County, New Jersey; was buried in Shrewsburys Friend's Burying Ground. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. 1748 Feb 28 - Three days before his marriage to Margaret Tilton, he made application to the Men's Monthly Friends Meeting, Shrewsbury, NJ, for a certificate of removal to Philadelphia, Penn.

"History of Tilton Family In America," page 182, makes the statement: "Margaret Tilton married William Lawrence, son of Richard Lawrence, May 5, 1748."

. 1748 March 5 - Quarker Marriage Record:
1748, 5day, 3 mo., William Lawrence, married to Margaret Tilton, both of Middletown, at an appointed meeting, attended at of Daniel Tilton's house.
Witnesses: Cattron Lawrence, William Lawrence, Amos Tilton, Margaret Lawrence, William Lawrence Jr., Daniel Tilton, George Williams, John Tilton, Mary Tilton, Anne Tilton, Joseph Field, Sarah Tilton, John Tilton.2, Abigail Tilton, Increase Tilton, Margaret Tilton [her own signature?]

. Historical & Genealogical Miscellany, Vol. V, pg. 142, further states:
"Margaret Tilton married, at the house of Daniel Tilton, May 5, 1748,
William, son of Richard, age 20 & Alice Lawrence; both of Middletown, born Dec. 1st.

. Margaret Tilton is mentioned in her father Daniel's WILL of 1749. FIRST SERIES VOL XXXIII.

. Mary Tilton; second intentions, Burlington Meeting, Oct. 1, 1744, married, Oct. 10, 1744, Job Ridgway, Jr., of Little Egg Harbor, son of Thomas.
Witnesses: Daniel, Margaret, Sarah & Phebe Tilton, [i.e. her sisters:].

. Tilton, Francis Theodore, THE HISTORY OF THE TILTON FAMILY IN AMERICA. New Jersey, 1939-40. page 181
History: Jones, William H, William Tilton: His English Origins & Some American Descendants, Heritage Books Inc, Maryland, (1997) pg. 79.

BURIAL:
. Margaret, the wife of William David, the son of David & Sarah & Esek Tilton, son of William & Margaret Tilton, are each buried in the Friends' Burying ground, at Shrewsbury, but with no other inscription than the initials: M.T., D.T & E.T.
Ref: Historical & Genealogical Miscellany, Vol. 5.

. Typical houses in Colts Neck:
Most of the houses of the Provincial period were shingled on the outside by cedar shingles & roofed with the same material. They were, generally, filled in with mud, sometimes worked up with chopped straw. The front doors were often ornamented with heavy & elaborate knockers of iron or brass. The doors themselves were large & in the Dutch buildings, usually divided horizontally into 2 at the middle. Windows were usually small. Floors were of very broad planks (sometimes two feet wide) & laid directly on heavy hand-hewn oak beams.

Chimneys became larger, some being 12 feet wide, needing logs so large & heavy that they had to be drawn within the kitchen by a horse. Ovens were no longer detached, but built in one of the side-walls of the kitchen chimney (such as that in the Frederick's home on Laird Road.) Vegetables were sometimes stored in outside root-cellars. Ice was preserved in deep pits, lined with logs & covered by a peaked roof. - - -

Birth:

Notes:

Married:
REF. History of Tilton Family In America, Pg 182, Box J4 Folder 17
41056; Alt DOM: 5 May, 1748 .