Notes:

. Charles Earl Lawrence son to John & Mary Lawrence was born on Sunday night at 11 O'clock the 27th of Nov., 1802. - On 5 July 1825, at York, mother Mary Rezeau Lawrence swore she saw her husband, John Lawrence when he wrote down their children's names & birth dates.

Note1: The names of those children were equally carefully chosen. The following choices may have contributed to their name choice:
Charles Earl Lawrence is named after Dr. Charles Earle, Lot 100, right next to John Lawrence's land grant in Saint Johns, N.B. Dr. C. Earle, was born 1754 in Scotland & resided in Virginia; was Surgeon of the 104th Regiment, Surgeon in the 2nd NJV & then the 1st (1782) & (1781) 2nd NJV Battalion of Skinner's Brigade & also for John Lawrence's regiment.
. December 1790 John Lawrence was injured by the Rebels. Did Dr. Earle treat him at the time?
. Three Lawrence boys appear to have been named after John Lawrence's neighbors. Could these men also been godfathers to the children named after them? Did Dr. Earle deliver & care for the Lawrence children? - P J Ahlberg, 2010.

. 1831 York Almanac & Calendar: 1st North York Militia: Lieutenant William Willson from April 1, 1828;
Ensigns Abner Arnold from Oct 7, 1826; Alex L E Lawrence, from April 1, 1828; E C Lawrence, from April 4 1828, Isaac Arnold, from 8 April 1828.
. 1831 York Almanac & Calendar, 2nd North York Militia: Captain, John H Willson from 10 Jun 1826. Lieut. Titus Wilson, from 7 Jun 1926, Aaron Playter from Jun 6, 1826;
. Home District Agricultural Society, Committee for Vaughan, John Arnold & Charles Lawrence.

. Charles E. Lawrence to Ensign dated Nov. 20, 1831;
Promoted to Captain dated June 8, 1838; & to Major on Oct. 13, 1856 in the 4th Battalion of North York in Toronto, Canada.

. 1835 Oct 20th at Markham, Miles Langstaff married by License, to Charity Langstaff. Witnesses: Charles Lawrence, John King Fairfield.

. 1837, Lawrence, Charles, Con 1, Lot 42, Vaughan.
. 1838 Mar 22, Capt. C E Lawrence, 4th Reg North York or Vaughan & King Militia.

. 1838 Jun 4, Richmond Hill, North York Militia:
"Assigning Charles E. Lawrence to Ensign dated Nov. 20, 1831; to Captain dated June 8, 1838; & to Major on Oct. 13, 1856 in the 4th Battalion of North York in Toronto, Canada. "
Captain A. Lawrence, Charles E Lawrence, Vaughan, Ensign John Arnold, Ensign Peter Vanderberg. Captain Lawrence afterwards became colonel in command of the regiment.
Assembly every year on George III's birthday, June 4th (later May 24th for Queen Victoria). Return of arms & accouterments processes by the 4th Reg. Militia: 31 English muskets & 500 rounds of ammunition.

. 1842 Oct 5, Personally appeared before me Charles E Lawrence, Vaughan Twp. Yeoman, taketh oath & said that Mary Lawrence, the wife of Hon Lawrence, deceased, late a lieutenant in the NJ Volunteers, died in Vaughan Twp., on the 18 Sept, 1842 at about 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
Signed, 5 Oct 1842, Charles E Lawrence & R C Gaffer, JP, Magistrate.
I certify that I knew the deceased Mrs. Mary Lawrence & believe her to have died at the time above, Signed, 7 Ot 1842, Thornhill, Adam Towley, Clerk.

. 1844 October 11 - FIRST RIDING OF YORK, At a meeting of the Freeholders of the 1st. Riding of York, held at Noble's Tavern, Twp. of Vaughan, on Monday, 4th Oct, ...Wm. R. Grahame, Esq., requested to come forward to represent the riding. ...We the undersigned Electors having confidence in the integrity, ability & principles of W R Graham, Esq. ... will support him. Signed, various, including Ben Thorne, A C Lawrence, Miles Langstaff, Charles E. Lawrence, Jno. Langstaff, Arch. MacDonald, Oct 7, 1844.
Ref: Toronto British Colonist.

Quarterly Session of Peace, Home District:
. 1842 Jan 5, Wed, Grand Jury: Alex P Lawrence, Chas. E Lawrence, Abraham P Lawrence, Miles Langstaff, John Langstaff, Rich Vandeburg. Tavern Licenses granted, Queen VS Cotter, Assault, No bill.
. 1845 Jan 7, Fri. Grand Jury, Alexander P Clarence, Charles E Lawrence, Richard Vanderburg, James Playter, James Marsh, Miles Langstraff: Queen VS John Thompson. Larceny, brought in a True Bill. Tavern licenses ordered.
iwis Langstaff. Queen VS Thos Elliott & others. Riot. Tavern License & transfers issued.
. 1865 June 13, Tues., Grand Jury Charles E Lawrence. Court appeals.

. C E Lawrence built a saw mill in 1834 & 6 years afterwards built a carding & fulling mill & woollen factory, which he worked for many years, until his death, after which it changed hands frequently.

Quarter Sessions of Peace: 1842 Jan 5, Wed. Ed W Thomson, Esq. Chairman. Grand Jury: Alexander P Lawrence, Chas C Lawrence, Abraham P Lawrence, Miles, John Langstaff, Ricd. Vandeburg. Tavern License granted. Queen VS Cotter tall, Assault, No Bill.

. 1846 Brown's Toronto & Home District Directory
Alexander Lawrence, Lot 42, Con 1 Yonge Street
Charles E Lawrence, Lot 42, Con 1 Yonge Street.

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

RECORDED FOR FURTHER RESEARCH:
. 1847 Second Heir and Devisee Commission Case, Charles E Lawrence, Reach Twp.
Ref: Archives of Ontario, microfilm MS 657, reel 57, Case File 40-3027.

. UCLand Petition 25½ - L Bundle 6 C2135. 1851 Apr 4,
The Late Robert Fulton, deceased, Lots 14-15, Con 9, Twp. of Reach, was allowed by the Heir & Devise Commission. C E Lawrence prays this Location may be confiscated & deed allowed to him.
Testimony of Robert Hughes, Vaughan Twp., York co., yeoman & William T Clay, Markham Twp., cabinetmaker swore before John Willson, 4th, Justice of Peace, that the improvements on Lots 14-15, Con 9, Twp. Reach by Thomas Foster were made by him for Charles E Lawrence, Esq., Twp. Vaughan.
Signed, 16 Mar 1851, John Willson, 4th, JP.

. Government inspection in 1843 showed the lots were unoccupied & unimproved. John L Denison & John Johnson state there are 20 acres now improved. Charles E Lawrence is allowed the Patent upon the payment at the lowest fee of 2 shillings per acre in lieu of the original Crown fees.

. 1852 Census, Vaughan Twp.,
Charles C Lawrence, Age 50, b 1802, Saint John, NB,
Ellenor, a 34, b 1818 England
Wm. H., a 15, 137, Canada
Gertrude L, age 13, 1840 Canada
Mary E, age 10, 1842 Canada
Margaret E, age 8, b 1844 Canada
Elisha Lawrence, age 6, b 1846 Canada.
Note2: Sister Sarah C. Lawrence, listed before Charles C Lawrence.
And brother A C Lawrence, (various workers) is listed first.
Comments by Enumerator:
"One Clothier Factory, the property of Charles E Lawrence on Lot 42, first concession, wrought by water, Cost of Establishment £600. Wool Carding annually 15,000 lbs. Cloth Fulling & finisher annually about 2,000 yards. This is Woolen department.
Also one Saw Mill wrought by water, Cost of Establishment £200 well cut about 100 Thousand feet of Lumber Annually. Two Sawyers, 100 Thousand Feet of Lumber."

. 1852 Agricultural Census, Vaughan Twp., Charles C Lawrence:
Lot 42, Con 1, 159 Acres, 65 cultivated acres, 53A cultivated last year, Pasture 9 A, Garden/Orchard 3 A,
Woods 94 A, Wheat 15 A produced 350 Bu.,
Bulls Oxen 3, Milch cows 4, 2 calves, Horses 4, Sheep 33, Pigs 20, Butter 320 lb, 25 barrels of pork.
Note3: This large quality would be for their good shop. - PJA.

. 1855 Sep 13, Marriage Announcement, Charles E Lawrence to Grace Ryall (Royal), of Oro Twp. Ref: Barrie Herald, Published 1855 Sep 26, Pg. 2.

. 1857 Jun 12 - Letters waiting at the Richmond Hill P.O., C E Lawrence, M Teefy, Postmaster.
Ref: York Ridings Gazette Newspaper.

. 1858 September 1st. - Letters remaining in Richmond Hill P.O. - C E Lawrence.
Ref: York Ridings Gazette Newspaper., pub. 1858 Oct 1.

. 1859 Nov 18 - Fulling & Cloth Dressing
At Lawrence's Factory Advertisement.
The predesigned having leased that Extensive Establishment of Mr. C E Lawrence, feels confident in saying that he is prepared to give general satisfaction to all who may favor him with their orders, having had long experience in the business of Dyeing & Dressing Cloth.
BLANKETS FULL'D & Napp'd. On the shortest notice.
W. L. King, Richmond Hill, Nov 18, 1859.
Ref: York Herald, Richmond Hill, Published 6 Jan 1860, 9 Mar 1860, p 3 & 18 - 25 Nov 1859, p3. William Lyon King publisher.

. 1860 Mar 1 - Letters remaining in Richmond Hill Post Office: Charles Lawrence & James Lawrence, Jr.
Ref: York Herald, Richmond Hill, 9 Mar 1860, p. 3.

. 1860 Feb 24 - The Vaughan Road: Announcement of a public meeting held at the Town Hall, on Wed. last, to Establishing Side Roads of the Twp. of Vaughan on the original survey: Ward 1: C E Lawrence.

. 1860 Apr 6 - Letters waiting at the Richmond Hill P.O., C E Lawrence, M Teefy, Postmaster.

- Examination of the R.H. County Gramma School, junior dept. one Friday 30 March, when the children general acquitted themselves creditable. The following is a list of those whose diligence was mot remarked. [ names of the best & last in arithmetic, reader, Grammar, Geography, Reduction (?) Class).
They wee examined before the Trustees & a considerable number of ladies & gentlemen. The examination of all cases was mot thorough; there could be no doubt in any reasonable persons mind, of the efficient manner this school is conducted. Signed, Rev. E Dewar, J R Arnold, Robert Marsh, M. Folley, C. E. Lawrence.
Ref: York Herald Newspaper.

. 1860 Mar 20, Vaughan - Tenders Wanted
Tenders will be received at C E Lawrence's Lot 42. 1st Con. of Vaughan, until, the 1st of May next, to Raise the Schoolhouse in Section No. 3, in the 2nd Con. of Vaughan & to put under the building a STONE FOUNDATION with brick work thereon, to the height of 3 feet 10 inches.
It is to be lathed & plastered inside.
The carpenter work consists of putting in the joists, laying the floor, siding the building, putting in the windows, making the decks & seats, with other repairs which will be see in in Plans & Specifications at C E Lawrence's for Thomas Boothby's., Trustees.
Section No. 3, in the 2nd Concession of Vaughan; Lot 42, Con. 1, Vaughan.
Ref: York Herald, 13 Apr 1860, p. 3.

. 1860 Apr 17, Tues. evening. Preliminary Meeting of the Moderate Party was held at Nieholts [Nicholls?] Hotel, Richmond Hill. About 30 of the leading gentlemen of the neighborhood are present. R Marsh, Esq. ably addressed the meeting & explained why he had called them together & urgent upon all prints to strive by every lawful means to return a suitable person to represent the moderate party in the forthcoming election. Dr. Pyene, Newmarket, F Kelly, Whitby & Geo Pearce & others addressed the meeting. After which it was moved by Robert Marsh, Esq., seconded by C E Lawrence, Esq., that this meeting do stand adjourned till first Tuesday 1st May.
Ref: York Herald Newspaper, pub. 20.4.1860.
. 1860 Jun 29 - The Moderate Party. A meeting of the Moderate Party of Etobicoke Twp. was held at Thomas Smith's Inn, Mimico, Dundas Sr. on Sat. Jun 23 for electing delegates to attend the Convention to nominate a andante for the Legislative Council for the Kings's Div. Meeting was organized by Andrew Ward, Esq., chair. the following are Delegates for Vaughan, Col. Bridgeford, JR & R Arnold, C. E.Lawrence. Next meeting in the Anglo American Hotel, Markham Village tomorrow Sat. 30 at 12 noon.
Ref: York Herald Newspaper.

. 1860 May 18. Letter to Editor, In reply so some remarks in your last issue by a person styling himself Justice & calling loudly against the extravagant manner in which the public funds are squandered, esp. those of School Section, No. 33, Vaughan, I must state in return, that the whole is a gross misrepresentation. Being one of the Trustees of said section, I can really give you the real facts aw follow.
There was a school house to be built, for which tenders would be received until the first of May. Now the great abundance of tenders mention amounted to 3, by Elijah Dexter, E Chamberlain & Thos. Clay of Thornhill. Dexter withdrew pleading want of means. Chamberlain's tendered was the lowest but for want of confidence in him & having to involve either a law suit or arbitration, I declined. Mr Lawrence, one of the Trustees, as much in favor of the lowest tender, which made it necessary to call on the third Trustee, who was not present & he agreed with me that it was better to give a little more to a competent person who thoroughly understood his business as a builder. If feel certain that had Mr. Lawrence known the person thoroughly he would not have hesitated a moment in yielding to my opinion. I now leave it to the Ratepayers of Section No. 3 to judge for themselves & would strongly recommend Mr. Justice to abstain for the future from interfering in matters of which it is plain he either knows nothing, or else willfully misrepresents, Yours truly, Thomas Boothby. Vaughan, May 16th, 1860.
Ref: York Herald Newspaper.

. 1860 Jun 22 - Narrow Escape From Drowning & Great Presence of Find In a Boy of Fifteen:
Daniel McKinnon, of the Twp. of Vaughan, in the employ of C Lawrence, Esq. of the same place, narrowly escaped drowning in the Factory pond, on Wednesday, 20 Ins. After his day's work was over, on going into the water to bath, he got beyond is depth & not being a swimmer, sunk apparently to rise no more. The boy Goggins * seeing he did not rise, threw off his clothes & in an instant dived into the water & brought him out - with much struggling & risk to himself; All credit is due to the lad for his praiseworthy exertions, as the man in above the ordinary size. Communicated.
Ref: York Herald Newspaper, 2.
XRef: See William Henry Lawrence. 15 for Wm. Goggin's testimony on murder of their neighbor Mrs. Moore.

. 1860 Aug 31 - The Globe Report of Mr. Reesor's Meeting at Richmond Hill. Mr. Dickson sent a report to the Globe of the above meeting to say sent he Clear Grits themselves will admit its a s false as fans can be. He states the "Ministerial list mustered their usual forces, consisting of he rabble barroom practitioners". In fact Mr. Dickson endeavored to pack the room with Reesor's friends, yet this report has the impudence to call such means Messrs. Mars, … Teely, Vanderburg, Bridgeford, Lawrences as barroom practitioners.
Mr. Dickson pronounced the resolution of confidence in Mr. Reesor carried which is a willful unmitigated falsehood; for it was voted down by 3 to one. When asked by Mr Marsh & others to divided at the room he rested, knowing all well that the defeat of Mr. Reesor would has still more apparent. That must b a bad case when the meeting chairman has to descent to such dirty tricks as to decide as carried a resolution that was lost by such an overwhelming majority. It was done by Mr Reesor's friends.
We offer, if Mr Reesor comes again to lecture in Ambler's Hall, to beat him 5 to one - none to admitted but voters, as we denounced the report of the Globe as false in every particular.
Ref: York Herald, pub. 31 Aug 1860, p2.

. 1861 Agricultural Census, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario
Charles E Lawrence, Con 1, Lot 42*, 159.5 acres, 15 A. under cultivation, 93.5 Acres in 1860, pasture 14 A, 2 Acres Orchards or Garden, 35 A. wild woods, $15,000 Value of Farm; $400 Farm Implements;
14 Acres produced 200 bushels Wheat; 15 A. produced 200 bushels Spring Wheat; 4 A. produced 120 Bushels Barley; 12 A. produced 500 Bushels peas; 22A. produced 660 Bushels oats; 3 A. produced 600 bushels Potatoes, Half Acre produced 120 Bushels Turnips, 9 tons Hay.
Note4: The other part of Con 1 Yonge St., Lot 42 belongs to brother Alexander C Lawrence.

. 1866 Toronto Peel Directory:
Vaughan Township: Lot 42, Con 1 Yonge Street: A. C. Lawrence; Chas. C. Lawrence, Charles & James Lawrence; James B Lawrence., James M Lawrence.
Note5: Theirs was the seventh house on the Lawrence's Lot, which is Lawrence Avenue & Rosehill in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

. Lawrence Avenue
William J. Lawrence began the rose-growing industry in Richmond Hill in 1912. He later subdivided his lands & created Roseview Gardens. His own home is located at the southeast corner of Roseview & Lawrence Avenues.
In 1968 the 91 year old granddaughter Clara T Lawrence also recalled hearing" father (Fred. Elisha Lawrence) saying that when his father (Charles Earl Lawrence) was sick in bed upstairs, (caused from a fall off a load of hay) that his second wife was trying to convince him when making out his will that she (Grace Royal Lawrence) needed everything to keep the younger family" (of two girls & one boy).

. 1868 Awarded Metal, York Troop Cavalry, June 30 1868, Charles Lawrence, Trooper, Fenian Raids (1866)
Ref: Archives of Canada, Military, C1862, Vol 5, p5.

. 1868 Dec 28, WILL, Summary: Lot 42 Con 1 Vaughan, Charles E Lawrence leaves to his chattel & books etc. to his beloved wife Grace;
to his son William Henry, his carding mill & which was given to him [Charles] by Jacob Lawrence,
shares to daughters Margaret, Stella (Will Administrix);
James M. Lawrence;
daughter, Scantra Lavina, married W. Tabor;
daughter, Mary Sh -- mer,
Ref: York Probate Book 15, Folio 214, MS 563, Reel 8.

Ontario Land Registry
Lot 42, Con 1 WSY, Book North York 170, page 127.
. 1833 Nov 28, B&S, Mary Lawrence et al, Alex C Lawrence et ll £500 & £800, its E40 Acre, Pt 160 Acre.
.1868 Dec 11, WILL, Chas E Lawrence.

Lots 43 and 44, Con 1 West Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, Vaughan Book 170, p 127:
. 1848 Jan 1, Registered 1851 Mar 11, Lease, John Atkinson, to Charles C Lawrence, Water privileges.

Lot 42, Con 1 West Side Yonge, Richmond Hill, Book 153, p80.
. 1818 Jun 13, WILL, John Lawrence, to Mary Lawrence etal, All acres
. 1846 Jan 10, B&S, Chas E Lawrence, etux, to Sarah C Lawrence, £150, Pt Half Acres, NE angle.
. 1868 Dec 11, WILL, Charles E Lawrence.

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

Birth:
SUE: Son of Empire Loyalist.

Died:
L42, Con 1 Yonge St., Frame 1½ story house. Aged 66 years.

Buried:
Tall white column monument, In memory of..., Monument S4.22.

Charles married Grace RYALL on 15 Sep 1855 in Trinity Church. Grace was born on 13 Feb 1829 in Ireland; died on 7 Oct 1889 in Murrieta, California; was buried in San Diego, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. 1871 Nason's East & West Ridings of the County of York
Markham Twp., Lawrence, Mrs. Grace, Con 1, 37 Yonge St., freeholder, Thornhill.

. 1878 Vaughan Twp. Map., Mrs. Grace Lawrence, Lot 42, Con 1, Thornhill.

. 1881 Census Markham Co.
Grace Lawrence,
Frances M., Alice M. Charles E,
& Phegill, Margaret E. age 6, born Ontario (relationship not stated).

. 1881 Newmarket & York Twp., York Co., Ontario
Lanstaff, a post office in twp. of Markham Twp., Yonge St., between Richmond Hill & Thornhill
Mrs. Grace Lawrence,
Charles Lawrence, teacher.

. Markham Twp. Deeds Abstract, Lot 37, Con 1 ES Yonge St, York Co., Alexander C Lawrence, SUE
. 1805 Oct 31, John Daniel to Andrew Willson;
. 1806 Jan 6, B&S, Andrew Willson et all;
. 1809 Jan 7, B&Sale, Andrew Wilson to John Langstaff, £75;
. 1869 Nov, B&S, xx to Grace Lawrence, $520;
. 1885 Aug 31, B&S, Grace Lawrence to William Richards, $600 part.

. Biography, First area school has rich history, summary
The driveway to the Grace Lawrence house is flanked by 2 ancient concrete obelisks 28 inches square. The dwelling was built fore 1868 on 1 acre of land at the north west corner of Lot 37, Concession 1, Markham, now 8779 Yonge Street.
The lane was beautifully treed with several huge soft Maples, fruit trees, flowers. The grounds were secluded by surrounding lilac hedges.
The stable sat on North side beside the drive. Slightly to the east was a roof gambrel roof, banked stable. The house was 2 story frame, 20 feet by 28 feet wide. Two rooms on the main floor, 3 bedrooms upstairs. The floor is wide pine board throughout, low ceilings, making for ease of heating although the drafts through the floors are intense. There was no foundation, the dwelling merely rested on the ground with the result that the winter blasts would balloon the linoleum rug dramatically January nights. The conveniences until the 1950's, were indirect, located in back yard. This then was the private school operated by Grace Lawrence & the home she raised her family of four.

The land was beautifully treed with several huge soft Maples, some ancient fruit trees & a large front lawn when in 1934. The grounds were secluded by surrounding lilac hedges. Yonge Street had very light traffic & at the front walk was flanked by several stately old Mock Orange bushes. There were Orange Lily & Periwinkle gardens thriving in the dappled shade & a feeling of serenity cast its spell over this relic of the past.

Grace was born in Ireland & her father lived in Oro Twp, Simcoe Co., Ontario. Charles E Lawrence owned a 200 acre farm half a mile north of the present Hillcrest Mall (2011), as well as 2 mills and a carding factory, & other property near Stouffville. Grace was his second wife. At the time of their marriage his youngest daughter was three years old. Grace & Charles had 5 children. George, her third child died on Christmas day 1860. C E Lawrence died Dec 1868 when their son John was three years old. Charles left Grace the use of his house, but she preferred to purchase a house of her own where she opened a private school.
Ref: Richmond Hill Month newsletter, October 1992, H.J. Suter. & the History of Langstaff School, 1938.

. 1833-34 York County Directory: Lawrence, Mrs Grace at Langstaff, a post office in the township of Markham on Yonge st. between Richmond Hill & Thornhill, has a toll gate. - - -

Birth:


Died:
(Also listed on monument of son Geo B Lawrence, Richmond Hill, ON)

Buried:
Grey granite monument: Wife of late Chas Earl Lawrence of Richmond Hill

Notes:

Married:
Thornhill, ON.

Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MUSTER DATES:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Birth:
United Empire Loyalist.

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

Buried:
- beside his wife.

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

Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Died:
COD: Asthma

Buried:
Buried beside John.

Notes:

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

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

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

Notes:

. "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 .

Notes:

Pierre Rezeau is the son of Susanna Merrell & Jacques Rezeau (1710-1789)

. His grand-grandfather Rene Rinier Rezeau, Sr. b 165 Isle de Re.

. His grandfather, Pierre / Peter Rezeau was born 2 Oct 1676 in Ste. Marie De Isle de Re, Charente, Maritim, France. His wife Dorcas Guilbuert b 1680 in France.

. His Father Jacques Jacob Rezeau donated land to the Dutch Reformed Church, on Staten Isl.
Will: 02 FEB 1808 Southfield, Staten Island, Richmond, NY.

. 1800 Apr 7 - Letters remains at the post office, Peter Rezeau.
Ref: NY Daily Advertise, published Apr 10, 1800.
1806 Dec 5 - Letters remains at the post office, Peter Rezeau, Esq.
Ref: American Citizen Newspaper, NYC.

. Peter's Funeral was at St. Andrews Church, St. Andrew, Staten Island, Richmond, New York. His Will was dated 2nd February,1808 at Southfield, Staten Island, Richmond, New York &
Probated on 27th February 1813 at Staten Island, Richmond, New York.
Reference: Will - The Van Kouwenhoven-Conover Family, by Lincoln Cocheu, reprinted in Genealogies of Long Island Families.

. 1823 Jun 12 - Chancery Notice, In pursuance of a directed order of court of chancery, will be sold at public auction, at the house of Joshua Merseareau, inn keeper, Richmond Village, on Saturday 28 Jun, all that certain farm & parcel of land formerly the property of Peter Rezeau, Esq, deceased, situated in the town of Southfield, Richmond Co., in 2 pieces or parcels, divided by the public road that leads from the town of Richmond to the old Blazing Star ferry, bound by the land of Jacob Winaut, SAMUEL LOCKMAN & JOS TAYLOR, containing doubt 60 acres. dated 5 June, 1823.
Paper: National Advocate Newspaper., NYC.

The following marriage register for the Huguenot church is provided for further research:

. Rouseau Marriage: Aujourdhuy, dimanche 24e Octobre, 1697 apres la priere du soir a Este solemenelle Berry par M. Peiret, nostre ministe en cette Eglise. Le mariage de M. Jean Blanssard et Susanne Rezeau. Le dt. Sr. Blanssard Demt. a Newcastle expainsiluanie. Translation}

. [Today Sunday 24th Oct. 1697, after night prayers, Mr. Peiret, our minister, married Jean Blanssard of Newcastle & Susanne Rezeau.
Signed, Witnesses: Rene Rezeau (senior & junior). Abraham Rezeau, Pierre Rezeau, Jean Perlie, Pieter Fillieu, Jean Blanchard, Susann Rezeau (bride or another witness?), Anne Rezeau, Mariye Rezeau, Maria Heirgere (?), Judit Pare.

. Old Families of Staten Island: Abraham & Sarah Rezeau were married 24 Aug 1790 & a son Peter Rezeau, born 20 Sept 1791.
Ref: Extracted from Annals of Staten Island From Its Discovery to the Present Time, by J J Clute, 1877.

. Recorded for further research: Susanne Rezeau
Rene Rezeau, Jacob Brown. Josephine A Brown, Susanne Rezeau Brown, Peter Rezeau, Dorcas Rezeau, Rezeau Brown, John Rezeau-Brown.
Ref: Revolutionary War Pension Records for NJ. - - -

Birth:
ALT DOB: 1723 10 08.

Died:
Will 1808.

Peter married Mary POILLON on 10 Dec 1761 in Staten Island, Richmond Co., New York. Mary (daughter of John JEAN POILLON and Margaret PERRINE) was born on 5 Nov 1744 in Staten Island, Richmond Co., New York; died on 21 Oct 1789 in Staten Island, Richmond Co., New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary is the daughter of Margaret Perrine & John Pollon.

. 1761 Dec. 10. Poilion, Mary, & Peter Rezeau, Volume 271
Ref: New York Marriages Previous to 1784. - - -

Birth:

Notes:

Married:
St. Andrew's Church, Staten Isl.