Notes:

Alexander Cairns Lawrence son to John & Mary Lawrence was born on Wednesday about 3 O'clock in the afternoon the 23 day of Nov. 1796. - On 5 July 1825, at York, mother Mary Rezeau Lawrence swore she saw her husband John Lawrence, wrote down their children's with birth dates.

Note1: The names of those children were equally carefully chosen. The following choices assuredly contributed to their name choice:
Alexander Cairns married 19 Apr 1783, to the widow Margaret Poillon, (i.e. sister Mary Poillion Rezeau & both being daughters of Margaret Perrine & Jean John Poillon.)
Thus, Alex. C. Cairns married Aunt Margaret Perrine as her 2nd. husband. Additionally, John Cairns, lived near by in Fredericton; his WILL was dated 26 May 18, Executors Dr. Charles Earle & Jonathan Odelle.
Additionally, Alexander Cairns was executor of both his great-grandfather John Poillon, Sr., of Southfield, Staten Island, NY & great-mother, Margaret Perrine Poillon.

Niece Mary Rezeau would marry a few weeks later at the same French Protestant church of St. Andrews, on Staten Island. In 1796 Mrs. Mary Rezeau Lawrence named her fourth son Alexander Cairns Lawrence after her Uncle Alex C. Cairns. The original Henry Latourrette homestead, built 150 years earlier, close to the site of the French Church St. Andrews was sold in 1798 to the their neighbor, Capt. Alexander Cairns.

Capt. Alexander C. Cairns, b. 6.10. 1745 Edinburgh, Scotland - c 1821 Fresh Kills, NYC. In 1803 Fresh kills purchased land at Fresh Kills, Staten Isl., New York. -1782 Shipmaster, armed Vessel the Ranger, for Antigua with lumber. P J Ahlberg, 2013.

. Lawrence, Alexander et al, St. John Co. Registry Books, to Reuben Watts, N 2 pg.503 Deed.

. Petitioner is son of John Lawrence of Vaughan, an Officer in NJ Volunteers & a Confirmed Magistrate in NB. He was born in NB & has resided in this Province since December last [DEC 1817]. He has the ability to improve a portion of waste land. He is upwards of 21 years. Did his duty defending Prov. Certificate Att. [Not found -PJA 2009].
Signed, York, 10 June, 1818. Alexander C. Lawrence, York, Granted 200 Acres, Samuel Ridout.
Ref: 6 Jul, 1804, £2.18.
Lawrence, Alexander Cairns, UCLP Bundle L 11, 1811-19, Petition 52, Summary. Ref: Microfiche C2126.

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

. 1838 Jun 4, North York Militia, 4th Regiment, parade at Richmond Hill: Present 701 men: Lieut. Col. John Arnold, Vaughan, captains A Lawrence & Charles E Lawrence, of Vaughan.

. 1838 Jun 4, Richmond Hill, North York Militia:
Captain A. Lawrence, Charles E Lawrence, Vaughan, Ensign John Arnold, Ensign Peter Vanderberg. 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.

Quarterly Session of Peace, Home District:
. 1824 May 4, Holden at Court House, Town of York, Grand Jury Sworn: Alex C Lawrence, Geo & Jacob Munshaw, David Bridgeford, Wm Burkholder. King VS John Wattenberger, Assault & Battery, confined in Gaol for want of bail.
. 1834 Jul 1, Tues. James Fitzgibbon, Esq., JP, Chairman: Grand Jury: Alexander Lawrence. Rev. Zenas Adams, Toronto Top, Minister Wesleyan Methodist Minister, Certificate under marriage Act. Tavern licenses petitions.
. 1837 Feb 21, Toronto, Chairman Geo T Denison, Grand Jury sworn: Alex C Lawrence, Ricd Vanderburgh James Marsh. King VS Jonathan Seaton against John Court, Assault, Settled. Ordered survey a new road in Markham. Certificate in favor of members of Parliament for last Session. William L Mckenzine, Esq. £49; Samuel Lount, Esq, £50.
. 1842 Jan 5, Wed, Grand Jury: Alex P Lawrence, Chas. C Lawrence, Abraham P Lawrence, Miles Langstaff, John Langstaff, Rich Vandeburg. Tavern Licenses granted, Queen VS Cotter, Assault, No bill.

. 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.
. 1845 Jan 7, Fri. Grand Jury, Alexander P Larence, Charles C Lawrence, Richard Vanderburg, James Playter, James Marsh, Miles Langstraff: Queen VS John Thompson. Larceny, brought in a True Bill. Tavern licenses ordered.
accounts Mr. Leslie for stationery, John Fenton for fire wood supplied. John Moore, Etobicoke Twp., appointed Path Master, Jos Spragee Path Master York Twp., at Humber bridge.
. 1849 Apr 3, Tues. S B Harrison, Esq. Chairman; C J Baldwin Esq., Grand Jurors, John & Lewis Landgstaff Jr, John & Abner Arnold, James Marsh, Rich. Vanderburg, Alexander C Lawrence. Petition Thomas McAlister & 40 Freeholders Vaughan Twp, praying for placing of monuments upon Line 10 & 10 Con. Ordered P Callagan DP Surveyor, Bowmans Post Office, Clairville ascertain the boundaries thereof.
. 1850 Nov 19, Tues. Grand Jury: Sam Lemon Rich Vanderburg, John Arnold, Alexander C Lawrence, Charles E Lawrence. John Jr & Lewis Langstaff. Queen VS Thos. Elliott & others. Riot. Tavern License & transfers issued.
. 1862 Nov 11. Present. Col R l Denison, Mr Fisher, A C Lawrence. An address to His Royal Highness, Princes of Wales, on attaining his Majority on behalf of magistrates & clerk of Peace.
. 1862 Dec 23, Tues. Present A C Lawrence. Carried that regular minutes of all meetings of magistrates be regularly entered in a proper minute book.
. 1863 Mar 27, Col. E W Thomson, JP Chairman, Present A C Lawrence. County accounts audited & passed. County Constables taken, Wm. Higgins appointed High Constable.

. 1846 Brown's Toronto & Home District Directory
Alexander Lawrence, Lot 42, Con 1 Yonge Street
Charles E Lawrence, Lot 42, Con 1 Yonge Street.
. 1850, Lot 41, Vaughan is not the south part of Roselawn Farms, A sawmill was built 1828 by Reuben Burr & destroyed by fire in 1840.
Lot 42 Vaughan, the south side of Mill Rd, a sawmill was built in 1834. In 1840 a carding & fulling mill & woolen factory was built on the same property.
Lot 43, probably May Avenue, was a distillery in 1811 also a small log grist mill by James Lymburner, 1840-1845 a grist mill built by John Atkinson.
Ref: The Liberal Newspaper, Richmond Hill, written by Doris M FitzGerald.

. 1850 Jan 21 - Election for Ward 1, reeve & deputy reeves, first meeting held in Smellie's School House that is, Vaughan Township Hall, Concession 7, Vellore. Voting was by open ballot, which meant the voter stood before the returning officer & publicly announce his preference:
Moved by Alexander C Lawrence, second by Wm. McGill that Thomas Cook Miller be elected for said Ward. 29 Votes of David Smellie & 20 Votes for Thos. Cook. A C Lawrence voted for Mr. Cook. David Smellie duly elected.
Ref: Pioneering with Billy: The story of the Jarretts / Jarrots, Mary Jarrott Cassar, 2000.

. 1851 Jun 25, Petition L25, Charles Earl Lawrence, for confirmation of Location & Patent Lot 14 -15, Con 9, Reach Twp., which he claim by the heir & Evie Commission 7 was allowed as assignee as representative of late Robt. Fulton, the original nominee & which he has made improvements. Recommend that a Parent be issued on payment of 2 shillings per acre in lieu of Crown fees to which the Location was originally subject.
Ref: UC Land Books, C109, p251.

. 1852 Census, Vaughan Twp.,
Alexander A C Lawrence, Tanner, Saint John N. B., English Church, age 56, 1796
Ann age 56, 1805 Canada
Eliza C, age 20, 1832 Canada
Margret, age 18, 1834 Canada
John A, age 16, 1836 Canada, labourer
Maranda V Lawrence, age 13, 1839, Canada.
Resided in a 1 story frame house, & 1 empty building.
Tannery on Lot 42, First Conc. Property invested at present £150. One man employed. The property of Mr. Lawrence. Census taken after 2 Feb1852.
Note by Census Taker for adjacent lot: one Grist Mill on 43 in 1sth Con. is bought by Geo. Priest. Three run stones' very light street he could give no information how much he could de, being newly come to the place, the buildings one machinery cost £12.00.

. 1852 Agricultural Census, Vaughan Twp., Alexander C Lawrence:
Lot 42, Con 1, 49 Acres, 30 cultivated acres, 21.5A cultivated last year, Pasture 8 A, Half Acre inGarden/Orchard,
Woods 19A, Wheat 8 A produced 80 Bu.,
Milch cows 1, Pigs 3, Butter 40 lb., 1 barrels of pork.

. 1859 Mar 18 - Magistrates for Vaughan Twp., Alex C Lawrence, Robt. J Arnold.
Ref: York Commonwealth Newspaper, Richmond Hill.

. 1859 Jun 3 - Letters Remaining in the Richmond Hill Post Office June 1st, 1859: Eliza Lawrence, JS Lawrence, A C Lawrence, M Teefy, Post Master.
Ref: York Herald, Richmond Hill, ON, p. 3.

. 1861 Agricultural Census, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario, p9528
Alexander C. Lawrence, Con 1, Lot 42*, 48 acres, 30 Acres in 1860, 5 A. Pasture; 3 Acres Orchards or Garden; 10 A. wild woods, $4.000 Value of Farm; $100 Farm Implements;
5 Acres produced 60 bushels Wheat; 6 A. produced 100 bushels Spring Wheat; 4 A. produced 185 Bushels Barley; 4 A. produced 160 Bushels peas; 22A. produced 660 Bushels oats; 3/4 A. produced 30 Bushels Indian Corn: 1 A. produced 120 bushels Potatoes, 1/10 Acres produced 50 Bushels Turnips, 8 tons Hay.
Note2: Other part of Con 1 Yonge St. Lot 42 belongs to brother Charles E Lawrence, sister Serah C Lawrence & Wm Palmer.

. 1861 Nov 22. Correspondence: Assault & Battery, To the Editor of the York Herald
Sir, Permit me, through your columns, to say a few words concerning the case of maladministration on the part of your local Magistrates of Richmond Hill:
Adult & Battery, Weber Vs. Edwards, before D Bridgford, Esq., on of her Majesty's Justice of the Peace; Robert Marsh, A. C. Lawrence & J D. Duncumb, Esqires, associates - when the following verdict was rendered. After hearing the evidence & duly considering the case, rendered that Charles Edwards to pay a fine of $1 & costs. Signed, D Bridgford, J.P.
After all costs were paid, the case was brought before J Duncumb, Mr. Edwards Vs Webster for the same offense, (Assault & Battery) R Marsh, A C Lawrence & D Bridgeford Esq. & Associates. The same witnesses having been sworn as in the former case, with little additional evidence but of no consequence, another verdict was rendered. The following is in the substance:
After attentive consideration & hearing of the witnesses for both plaintiff & defendant the case was dismissed, each party to pay their own costs. £1 1s 6d each. Signed, J Duncumb, Marsh Lawrence & D Bridgford.

Now, sir how is it possible for a bench of magistrates to sit down & order Edwards to pay a fine of $1 for assault & battery on Webster, when the assault was clearly proven against him & then at the next sitting before J Duncumb dismiss the case, each paying their won costs. I ask J Duncumb or any other of the Magistrates, (or even dare them) to show me how Webster has £1 1s. 6d costs to pay, as all the costs he had were his 2 witnesses & that he paid before either of the cases were tried? or how is it possible for a magistrate to tell how he is going to deal with the case before he hears the evidence, or even expresses himself on the public street how he is going to deal with a case before it comes to court? This, I understand by the Doctor's own language, that he was bound to make Webster pay if in his power. I would only ask, does such sentiments show an unprejudiced mind or not, or is any man fit to deal out justice to the public with such personal feeling? I do not want to offend either of the gentlemen, but I hope they will study their codes of law better & then they will be able to render justice according to the evidence without any personal feeling; not forgetting the rule laid down in holy writ, "Do unto all men as you would that all men should do to you."
But I understand the case has been taken to Toronto, to be brought up at the next Quarter Sessions, where, I hope, juice will be done to all parties concerned. Yours truly, Justice. Markham, Nov 20, 1861.
Ref: York Herald, Richmond Hill, Ontario.

. 1863 - Grand Truck Railway Business Directory & Gazetteer, Richard Hill, on Yonge St., 4 miles from the - OS&H Railway, Toronto 16 miles, Daily Mail. Population 900.

. 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.
[There were seven houses on the Lawrences' Lot, which is Lawrence Avenue & Rosehill in Richmond Hill, Ontario. By 1861, there was a sawmill, a woollen mill & a tannery & a pond. Neighbor' Arksey L43, C1. William Hollingshead received this lot in lieu of Lot 30, which proved to be very swampy, but 1 year after receiving his patent he sold it to William Johnson. By 1811 it had been divided into 100 acres on Yonge Street & 2 westerly parcels. In 1859 George Arksey petitioned to have a road built along the southern edge of the lot, to give access to his grist mill. Mill Road, as it was known, later became Weldrick Road.]

. 1866 -Toronto Peel Directory, Toronto Gore. N.D. Lawrence Alexander, Innkeeper, Con 10, Lot 10.
Census 1871, Age 74, Born NB, English Origin, Gentleman, Toronto East: St. James' Ward.

. 1867 Nov 26, Tuesday - Auction Sales, Credit Sale of Farm Stock,Implements etc, on Lot 42 1st Con Vaughan, near Richmond Hill. Mr A C Lawrence proprietor, Sale at 1 o'clock pm. W H Myers, Auctioneer.
Ref: YorkHerald newspaper.
Note3: This auction sale was just after the death of his wife in March of 1867. - PJA

. 1869 Feb 26 - Regimental Division of the West Riding of York: to be Lieut. Col. John W Gamble, from late 1st non-service battalion, York. To be Majors: Lieut. Col. Alexander C Lawrence, from late 4th non-service battalion, York.

. 1871 Nason's East & West Ridings of the County of York
Reserve Militia, Regimental Div. of West York.
Lieut. Col. John W Gamble, Major Alexander C Lawrence, 13 Company Division, in.
Lt. Wm. Montgomery, Capt. Robert J Arnold.

Obituary: 1879 August 19, Lieut. Colonel Alexander Cairns Lawrence, aged 83 y, born New Brunswick, died of Old Age, died Town of Niagara, Ontario, Church of England, Informant Geo. Woodington, Merchant, Niagara.
Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Ontario Land Registry
Lot 38, Con 1 East Side Yonge St., Richmond Hill, Markham Abstract Book 152, p48
Patent: Crown to Alexander Vanderburgh
* 1831 Mar 17, Bargain&Sale, Isaac Vanderburgh, to Alexander C Lawrence, £50, Part
. 1831 Mar 23, Bargain&Sale Alex. Vanderburg to Alexander C Lawrence Part, £50;
. 1831 Mar 23 B&S, Isaac Vanderburgh to Alexander C Lawrence, Part, £50;
. 1834 Jun 30, B&S, Richard Vanderburgh to Alexander C Lawrence Part, £250;
* 1840 Nov 28, Alex C Lawrence etux, to Wm. Cook, £350. Part.
. 1841 Jun 9, B&S, Alexander C Lawrence to William Cook, - A., £200.

Lot 38, Con 1 WYS, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Abstract Book 170, p37:
. 1835 Jan 10, B&S, Rowland Burr etux, to Alexander Lawrence, £100, pt Front 1 Acres.
. 1839 Dec 12, B&S, Alexander C Lawrence etux, to James Routledge, $100, Pt F. Pt.

Lot 39, Con 1 East Side Yonge St., Richmond Hill, Markham Abstract Book 152, p 61
. 1797 Mar 12, Patent, Crown, to Samuel D Cozens, All 190A
* 1831 Mar 17, Bargain&Sale, Isaac Vanderburgh, to Alexander C Lawrence, £50, Part
. 1834 Apr 28, B&S, to Alex C Lawrence, £250, SE 1/4 Acres.
* 1840 Nov 28, Alex C Lawrence, to Wm. Cook, £350. Part.

Ontario Land Registry, Markham Book 153, p55.
Lot 44, Con 1 East Side Yonge, Richmond Hill
. 1805 May 18, Patent, Crown, to Bowley Arnold, All 190 Acres
. 1839 Oct 25, B&S, Wm. Stockale et ux, to Alex C Lawrence, £500. S Half.
. 1840 Apr 27, B&S, Robert Arnold et ux, to Alex C Lawrence, £500. S Half.
. 1855 Feb 1, Mortgage, ACL et ux, to Savings Bank, £200, SouthHalf 95A.
. 1865 Mar 29, Mortgage, ACL et ux, to Eleanor Boyd et al, $800, S Half.
. 1875 Nov 10, Grant, ACL, to Wm. Harding, $12500. ALL 190 A.In 1875
. Lawrence sold the entire farm to William Harding, for whom Harding Avenue is named.

Lot 41, Con 1 WYS, Richmond Hill, Abstract Book 170:
. 1856 Apr 9, B&S, Alex C Lawrence tux, to Charles Sheppard, £200, pt 11.5 Acres.

Lot 41, Con 1 West Side Yonge, Richmond Hill
. 1807 May 2, B&S, Stillwell Willson et ux, to Nicholas Johnson, £200, All acres.
. 1843 Jan 24, B&S, Rowland Burr et ux, to Alexander C Lawrence, £125, 11 Acres.
. 1854 Feb 24, Deed poll, John Foggin, to Rowland Burr, 5 shillings, Water course.
. 1856 Apr 9, Alex C Lawrence, etux, Charles Sheppard, £200, Pt 11 Half Acres.

Lot 42, Con 1 West Yonge St., Richmond Hill, Abstract Book 170, p 127
. 1817 Mar 4, Bargain&Sale, John Lawrence, £500.10., All 210 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.
. 1868 Dec 11 WILL, Charles E Lawrence
. 1871 Dec 1, G:, Alex C Lawrence to John Layton, $350, John Layton
. 1872 Mar 26, Disc. Mortgage, Alex C Lawrence, to John Layton teal, $3100, E Pr 49 acres.

Birth:
SUE: Son of Empire Loyalist.

Died:
'Town of Niagara'. COD: Old aged 83y. Visiting on business?

Buried:
(Included the Quaker-Presbyterian Cemetery.) Monument S6.14.

Alexander married Ann Clarissa MARSH on 18 Jul 1822 in Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario. Ann (daughter of Robert MARSH) was born on 12 May 1803 in Ontario, Canada; died on 30 Mar 1867 in Richmond Hill, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried in Richmond Hill Presbyterian Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
by Rev. W., Jenkins, # 65, Published bands. Wit: James Marsh, David Bridgeford.

1. Sarah Matilda LAWRENCE, .xi was born in 1823 in Richmond Hill, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario; died on 21 Mar 1901 in Richmond Hill, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried in Richmond Hill Presbyterian Cemetery.
2. James Marsh LAWRENCE, .vi was born on 26 Aug 1827 in Richmond Hill, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario; died on 15 Jan 1899 in Aurora, Whitchurch Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried in Richmond Hill Presbyterian Cemetery.
3. Eliza CATHERINE LAWRENCE, .xvii was born in 1831 in Richmond Hill, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario; died on 21 Aug 1896 in Richmond Hill, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario.
4. Margaret E LAWRENCE, .vii was born in 1833 in Richmond Hill, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario.
5. John A LAWRENCE, .xvii was born in 1836 in Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario.
6. Maranda V. LAWRENCE was born in 1837 in Richmond Hill, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario; died on 14 Dec 1863 in Richmond Hill, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried in Richmond Hill Presbyterian Cemetery.
7. Charlotte Eileen LAWRENCE was born in 1843 in Richmond Hill, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario; died on 8 Sep 1846 in Richmond Hill, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried in Richmond Hill Presbyterian Cemetery.

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.

Notes:

. 1705, May 18. WILL of Hartshorne, Catherine, of Middletown, Monmouth Co.; Widow of Hugh Hartshorne.
Granddaughter, Margaret White, daughter of Robert White & my daughter Margaret, deceased, 35 shillings a year to clothe her.
Said granddaughter has brother, Richard, & sisters, Deborah & Frances.
Grandsons, Samuel & John Van Brockle, all the money that shall be due to me from the Estate of their father, James Van Brockle, deceased. Granddaughter, Lydia Worthley, a negro. Granddaughters, Margaret & Catherine, daughters of my daughter Rebeccah by her former husband, George Right, £10 each. Daughter, Rebeccah, wife of William Nixon, my bed. Rest of my Estate to daughter, Rebeccah, & my daughter, Mary, the wife of Elias Baily.
Executors: kinsmen, Philip Lewis & Robert Hartshorne.
Witnesses: Joseph West, Richard Lawrence, Alice Lawrence. Proved Sept. 30, 1767. 1767, Sept. 21. Inventory, made by John Wall & John Walling.
Ref: Lib. 1 p. 175. CALENDAR OF WILLS 1761-1/7O 183.

. 1715 Served in a Company of Flushing Militia.

. Richard Lawrence, one of the Surveyors, of the public road, of Middletown, Freehold & Shrewsbury, but no date is given.

. 1720 Mar 26 - received land at Crosswicks, Freehold, from his father, William Lawrence.
. 1720 Apr 15, Richard Lawrence, yeoman & Alice, his wife, of Mansfield, Burlington Co., NJ, sold the above land to James Cox, for £450.

. 1725-6 Jan. 18 - WILL of Lawrence, Richard of Middlesex Co:
Wife Alice [nee Lewis]
Children: William, not yet 14 years of age (c. 1711),
Deborah, not yet 12 years of age (c.1713) leaves real & personal estate.
Richard "requests that his body be buried in the "Burying Ground that is near my father's in Middletown, with my father William Lawrence lives."
"Executors: His wife & brother Robert Lawrence.
Witnesses: Isaac Stelle, William Scollindine, Joseph Hawkins.
. 1726 October 19 Codicil, makes provision for an expected "child that my wife is now big of."
Witnessed by John Mack Gill, Jacob Reeder, John Bower.
WILL Proved January 16, 1726-7. Ref: Lib. 2, p. 391 # B 1694.
. 1726 Nov. 18. Inventory of the personal estate, £477.14.5 ½, including 2 Bibles* 12s., bills, bonds & books debts £316.4.3; made by Thomas Taylor & Andrew Pears.

* X-Ref: Descendant Walter Hamilton of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a grandson of Rebecca Lawrence. In 1909 he wrote he had an old English Bible belonging to William Lawrence that included birth dates.

. 1729 Apr 29 - Land Transfer: Estate of Grantor, Richard Lawrence
To Michale Newnbold, Conveyance: Mansfield Twp., Burlington Co., West Jersey.
Ref: NJ State Glo Deeds, Gook 2, Folio 149 (SSTSE023).

Witnesses:
. 1685 Nov 8th, Wedding of Henry Tradway & Anne Drive
Wit: Richard Lawrence & Anne Lawrence, Burlington Country Records.
Ref: Historical Miscellany, by Dr. John Stillwell.

. 1720, Mch. 26. He received land, at Crosswicks, in Freehold, from his father, William Lawrence.
1720, Apr. 15. Richard Lawrence, yeoman & Alice, his wife, of Mansfield, Burlington County, N. J., sold the above land to James Cox, for £450.

. Richard Lawrence was one of the Surveyors, of the public roads of Middletown, Freehold & Shrewsbury, but no date is given. - - -

Birth:
Ref: Bible of Wm. Lawrence.

Died:
WILL Proved January 16, 1727.

Buried:
[- since renamed the Methodist Burial Ground.]

Richard married Alice BROWN on 26 Apr 1716 in Shrewsbury's Friends' House. Alice (daughter of Abraham BROWN and Leah CLAYTON) was born on 24 Feb 1696 in Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died in 1727 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. 1716 April 26, the Bible was passed down to ALICE BROWN (born Feb. 24, 1696, later the wife of Richard Lawrence) ,
from her mother Leah Clayton, wife of Abraham Brown.
It was obviously a wedding gift to Alice, since she married Richard Lawrence that same day.

. ALICE (BROWN) LAWRENCE was the sister of my ancestor, JOHN BROWN (b. oct 14, 1697) who married CATHERINE TILTON.

Ref: The family Bible of JOHN CLAYTON & ALICE MYRES, 2009
. There are hand written inscriptions of family generations from members born in 1633 thru 1767. This Bible with this hand-written information. The whole bible with the cover measures approximately 3-1/2" by 5-3/4". The Book is still intact & the print is still very clear & legible. It was printed for Giles Calvert & was to be sold at the Sign of the Black-spread-Eagle, near the west end of Pauls: London, 1653. This small edition has been called the 'Quakers' Bible', as Calvert printed for many members of the Society of Friends.
Ref: Dale Updike, 2009.

. Witnesses:
1765 May 18. WILL of Catharine [nee Lewis] Hartshorne, of Middletown, widow of Hugh Hartshorne, dated 18 May 1765,
Executors: Kinsmen, Philip Lewis & Robert Hartshorne.
Witnesses: Richd. Lawrence & Alice Lawrence.
X-Ref: for further research: NJ Index of Will, Philip R Lewis, inventory 1802.

. During Alice Lewis Lawrence's lifetime:
Weather Report 1719, (Birth of Son William Lawrence.)
The beginning of the summer this year afforded a fair prospect of a plentiful harvest, much was expected from a great crop in the ground; a day or two in the beginning proved good weather, but before the grain was secured, showers of rain & a few hours of sunshine constantly succeeded each other; clouds at first small in appearance, spread widely & filled the furrows: the intervals of sunshine encouraged opening the shocks, but were not long enough to dry them; after several weeks came 2 days & a half fair weather; what could be dried & sav'd was now done, the rain then began again & continued day after day as before, alternate rain & sunshine for near 3 weeks, so that single ears of corn standing, grew; thus it continued till the grain was generally reaped, several lost their corn entirely, others saved but little; this was what is called the wet harvest.
Ref: Smith's History of NJ, 1747.

. 1726 "In November a small earthquake was felt, it began between the hours of 10 & 11 at night."
Ref: "The Colonial History of New Jersey" by Samuel Smith, Trenton (1747). - - -

Birth:


Died:

Notes:

Married:
New Jersey

Notes:

Witness at marriage:
. 1735 Jun 1735, Philip Edward, married Elizabeth Eatton, both of Shrewsbury, at the Friend's Meeting House, Shrewsbury: Wit. Daniel Tilton.

. 1635 Oct 9, Timothy Hance, md. Rebekah Allen, both of Shrewsbury, at the house of Joseph Allen, Shews., Wit: Danl. & Elizabeth Tilton.

. 1737 Oct 22, Jacob Corlies, married Sarah White, both Shrews, at Friends' Meeting House, Shrews. Wit: Daniel Tilton.

. DANIEL TILTON, son of John Tilton, 2, born Dec. 27, 1682; married, probably for his second wife, Nov. 6, 17 17, Elizabeth Powell.

. 1702 June 17. Daniel Tilton, gave his Ear mark thus two slits down the top of the Right Ear the same that was his fathers Ear mark. Entered pr me Elisha Lawrence, Towne Clerk. [Middletown, NJ.]

. 1743 March 5. He complained to the Shrewsbury Quaker Meeting against his brother, Samuel Tilton, 1 1, for encroaching on his land.
24 August 1723 Case: Daniel Tilton vs Elizabeth Bayley: Minutes of the Court:
Jeremiah Stillwell, Esq. sworn for the plaintiff & a deed from John Bayley to John Bowne, one from John Bowne to Elizabeth Grover, one from Gershom Stillwell & Elizabeth his wife to Hugh Hartshorne read for plaintiff. Freehold, County Clerk's Office.

. 1749 Oct 14, WILL of Daniel TILTON of Middletown, Monmouth Co.,
Summary: Daniel names his children - John; Mary Ridgeway; Margaret LAWRENCE; Anne, Sarah, Phebe & Lydia.
Money due from john Ellison.
Executors are Robert & Nathan Tilton.
Wit. Peter Tilton, Ezekiel Smith, Cornelius McCurtain.
WILL proven 1749 Nov 13.
Ref: NJ Wills Lib E, p 423

. 1749 Nov 13 - Inventory dated 13 Nov. 1749. No wife listed.
His WILL, made Oct. 14, 1749 & proved Nov. 13, 1749, mentioned:
Children John Tilton, Mary Ridgeway, Margaret, wife of William Lawrence, Ann, Sarah, Phebe & Lydia; his daughters each receive £100, etc. Executors: Robert & Nathan Tilton.

Issue :
1. John Tilton, of Middletown; married by license dated Mch. 14, 1752, Frances Thomson, spinster; William Lawrence, surety. Freehold Mortgages, A, page 68, Jan. 27, 1769, shows John Tilton, of Middletown & Frances, his wife, giving a mortgage on land that was bounded by Jacob Hendrickson, Samuel Tilton & Swimming River.

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

3. Margaret Tilton married, at the house of Daniel Tilton, May 5, 1748,
William, son of Richard & Alice Lawrence; both of Middletown, born Dec. 13, 1719.
4. Ann Tilton married, second intentions, July 3, 1758, John Harvey.
5. Sarah Tilton.

6. Phebe Tilton. Perhaps it was she who married, by license dated Feb. 28, 1760, Humphrey Wady; Christopher Tallman, surety.
7. Lydia Tilton married, second intentions. May 3, 1756, Job Harvey.

In his inventory appears, "6 silver spoons & a silver bowle." He resided at Middletown & was well-off financially. - - -

Birth:
Alt Spellings: Tillton and Tilltone

Died:
WILL Proved 1749 Nov 13.

Daniel married Elizabeth POWELL on 6 Sep 1717 in Shrewsbury's Friends' House. Elizabeth was born in 1686 in Gravesend, Kings Co., Long Island, New York; died in in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. John Yard of Trenton, NJ, was a witness on 6th of 9th month 1717, to the marriage of Daniel Tilton to Elizabeth Powell, both of Monmouth, the 4th day of the week at the Friends' Meeting House, Shrewsbury.

. On the 6th day, 9th month, (4th day of the week), 1717 (a marginal record also gives 10th of 9th mo.), Daniel Tilton, son of John & Rebecca (Terry) Tilton, married Elizabeth Powell, both of the the Shrewsbury, County of Monmouth, at the public Friends' meeting House, Shrewsbury, this 6th day ye 9th month in the year of our Lord, according to the English account 1717.
Ref: Shrewsbury Monthly Meeting, & Minutes 1674-1895,p 113 [p58]

Witnesses:
Richard Handcock, Daniell Tillton (groom)
James Geuer
Elizabeth Tillton (bride).
brother-in-law, John Tillton
Robart Allen, Samuell Tillton, William Brindly, Peter Tillton, John Woolley, Jur., Mary Allen, Richard Rundols (?), Margaret Allen, Phillip Edwards,Mary (Tilton) Grouer, James McCombs,                                
John Yard, Hester Tilton, William Gowin, Ralph Allen, Remembrance Lippincott, Daniel xx
Walter Harbar, Jane Borden Margarett (Lippincott) Tilton, Cottron Edwards, sister-in-law Edith Allin, Patience (Allen) Tilton, sister-in-law Meribah Slocum, Elizabeth (Lippincott) Parker, Johnnah (Bills) Williams, Margarett Lippincott, Elizabeth Hance, Elizabeth Brindley. - - -

Died:
Resided here at the time of husband Daniel's death.

Notes:

Married:

Notes:

Jacob is the son of Dorcas Gilbert & Pierre Rezeau (1676-1723).

Whereas, the aforesaid Dutch Protestants & English Presbyterians in the said County of Richmond, in order that the worship of Almighty God may be stately administered among them, have by voluntary compact agreed to unite ...
The Church edifice erected by the Reformed Dutch Church & Presbyterians at Richmond on the lot conveyed by Jacob Rezeau in 1769 destroyed by the British during the Revolution, together with the mother Reformed Church on the North side of Staten Island.

. 1773 Jun 22, these are to notify & warn Jacob Rezeau [& many others] a certain tax of $2.50 upon each right in the above said Townships, which Tax was agreed upon & voted at lawful seeing of the Proprietors, holden at House of Samuel Averill, of Kent. 13 Apr 1773, to defray the costs of laying out said townships & to be in lieu of all former taxes. And if said Tax be not paid with 14 days, other the third Week of notice in this Paper, then the money will be leveled by sale of much of each delinquent proprietor's right or interest in the propriety as will answer the demand, with all incidental charges, notify by me.
Dated Connecticut, Town of Kent, Litchfield. Samuel Averill, Jun. Collector for said Tax.
Ref: New York Gazette, & Weekly Mercury, NYC.


Jacob Rezeau - Will written 14 Mar 1786 &
probated 30 Oct 1789 Richmond Co, NY:
son: Peter Rezeau
grandson: Jacob Rezeau, s/o Peter Rezeau
dau: Susanna Winants
grandson: Jacob Rezeau s/o Jacob Rezeau, dec'd
granddau: Elizabeth Rezeau, d/o Jacob Rezeau, dec'd
granddau: Susanna Rezeau, d/o Jacob Rezeau, dec'd
son-in-law: Richard Johnson
granddau: Susanna Johnson
grandson: Rezeau Johnson
Executors: son Peter Rezeau, Peter Winants & friend Anthony VanPelt
Witnesses: George VanPelt, Jacob Winants & Edward HALL.

WILL of Jacob Rezaeu, Staten Island, Richmond Co., Gentleman., Gentleman, such & weak of body, but sound of one & memory:
Within one year of his decease his Executors shall dispose of all my goods & lands in their discretion as herein bequeath:, Pay my just debts.
- to son Peter Rezeau & Heirs, £100 NY money
-Grandson Jacob Rezeau, son of Peter Rezeau, £50;

- Grandson Jacob Rezeau, son of Jacob Rezeau, deceased £100,
- Granddaughter Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Rezeau, deceased, £50;

. Son-in-law, Richard Johnson & heirs, share & share alike in the house & lot of land whereon he now lives, lying in Richmond Town, beginning at the Reedy Cove & running along the Road as far as to include the garden, thence down to the Edge of the Meadow to a spring & including the same, thence down the lane leading from said Sprint to the Main Ditch & from thence of the Place of beginning.

Executors shall pay the above Legacies, the residue or remainder of the money in their hands, being part of my Estate shall be divided into 3 equal Pars & one give to my son Peter Rezeau, one given to daughter Susannah Winant & the other third part divided into two equal parts & given go Grandson Rezeau Johnson & Granddaughter Susannah Johnson.
If any my children or grandchild shall die before, then it shall be equally divided amongst their surviving brothers & sisters.
Executors: Lastly I nominate my trusty & beloved son Peter Rezeau, my trusty & beloved son-in-law Peter Winant & my Trusty find Anthony Van Pelt, all of Staten.
Revoks all other wills by me formerly made,
Signed & Sealed, 14 March 1786.
Witnesses: George Van Pelt, Jacob Winant, Edward Hall.

Richmond County 13 Oct, 1789, personally appeared before me Adrian Bancher, Jacob Winant, Co. Marriner, Edward Hall of said County, School Master. Two of the witnesses of the preceding WILL of Jacob Rezeau, decease, duly sworn that they did see the will signed, & sealed.

Probate, Sealed, People of the State of NY. At CastleTown, Co. of Richmond the WILL of Jacob Rezeau, decease was proved & allowed. Ref: WILL, Surrogates Court, Staten Island, NY Vol 1, File 10, Liber A, p23. - - -

Died:
(date of his will).

Jacques married Susanna MERRILL in 1736 in Staten Island, Richmond Co., New York. Susanna was born in 1712 in Staten Island, Richmond Co., New York; died before 1786 in Staten Island, Richmond Co., New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Susanna is the daughter of Agnes Jansen and Henry Merrell.

Birth:
Alt Spelling Merrell.

Notes:

John Poillon is the 6th child & 4th son of Francoise Billaou Married 1709 & 2nd. Judith Bodine & Ensign Jaques Poillon, b 1681 Richmond, Staten Island.

. On the 1 Dec. 1775 Paul Micheau, one of the Deputies from Richmond Co. inn the first Provincial Congress ...replied the next, in a letter address to John Poillon, John Jensen & Lambent Merrill, of the Committee for Richmond Co., urging them to elect Deputies to represent them without delay spectators?, & rest assured, gentlemen that spectators? the neighbouring Colonies will not remain inactive spectators if you show a disposition to depart from the Continental Union. We beg, gentlemen, you will consider this matter with that seriousness which the peace, good order & liberties of your country require.

The answer of the committee is given before their reply to the Congress, date of the 15 December, 1775. Congress passed several resolutions, censuring Richmond count for its delinquency.

. Richmond Co., Dec. 1775, Mr President: We agreeable to your request, have cause by advertisement, the freeholder & inhabitants in our county to be convened on this day...a regular poll was opened; at the conclusion of which it appeared that a majority was, for the present, for sending no Deputies .... encouraging hopes of having, a reconciliation with Great Britain.
Your most obt. & most humble servants. Seven signatures including John Poillon.
. There after, on Jan. 19, 1776, Richard Lawrence & Adrian Bancker were elected to the Prov. Congress, Ten signatures, inc. Henry Perine.
Ref: Annals of Staten Island, by J J Clute.

. On the 6th of May, Gen. Washington wrote to the Committee of Safety, informing them that Peter Poillon, of Richmond county, had been arrested for supplying the king's ships with provisions. On the 8th, Poillon was brought before the Committee & examined. He did not deny the charge, but pleaded in extenuation that the regulations for preventing intercourse with the king's ships had not been published in Richmond County until the 2d or 3d of that month, & that therefore he was ignorant of them; he stated further, that he left home with a considerable sum of money to discharge a debt in Kings County, together with some articles of provision for New York market, of the value of about £3; that while passing the ship of war Asia, at as great a distance as he safely could, he was fired at, & could not escape ; he proved further, by reputable witnesses, that he was a respectable man, & had always been esteemed & friend to the liberties of his country. He was discharged, with a caution hereafter to keep at a safe distance from the king's ship, & to warn his fellow citizens of Richmond County to do the same.
Record for further research:
. 1739 Den den Decemb, Barent du Puy X Elsje Poillon.
. A 1734 den 1 en Septemb. Marie, David la Tourette X Catherine Poillon Wit: Judith Bodin.
. 1736 den 4 en April, Daniel Stilwell X Maria Poillon. Wit Judith Bodin * and again:1738 den 26 en Maart Jaques.

. 1737 July 31, Catharina, Daniel Stilwell X Catherine Lazelier. Wit: Jda Stillwell {is this the same John who married Marie Poillon the year before?? - PJA.]
Ref: Dutch Church Records, Staten Island.

. 1802 Mar 16 WILL of John Pollen Sr, Southfield, yeoman
- To wife Margaret Poillon, interest £500, choice of a negro womanfrommaongst the slaves & 2 milch cows, 1 horse & ring chair; select furniture for a room.
All left of £500 at her death shall be deified into 8 equal parts:
- 6 to dau. Mary, Mararet, Anne, Elizabeth,Sarah & Catharine;
- one part of sonPeter Poillon
- one part to grandchildren: Israel & Mark Dissosway to Richard & John Poillon sons of my son James, dec.
- to son John, I give my sword; divid wearing apparel among my sons
- John already rec. his are of my estate, he shall be allowed to buy the estate for £3,000, or nine equal parts to go five to 3 days. Mary, Margaret & Sarah, 1 part boson Peter, 1 to grandchildren all from deceased son John, John& Richard Poillon,
- one part interest dau. Anne,
- one part interest for dau. Elizabeth but she not having acted with my will & pleasure, I order her she to be divided into 5 equal parts for granddaughter, Elizabeth, wife of John Beaty; one for grandson John Lake, son of Wm Lake, dec, & the other 3 for her children by Lewis Dubies, dec, & no division until after her decease.
- One equal 9th share divided as follows:
dau. Catharine having children by a former husband, her share to be divided among 5 of her former husband's children & herself & children of there present husband Wm. Drake; the first children are Harriet, wife of Aaron Simonson, Wm., Sarah, Catharine & Alexander G Prichett?
- other equal ninth are divided: between 2 grandchildren Isreal & Mark Dissosway (children of deceased dau. Judith), six to be added to daus. share & onto grandsons Richard & John, & shyer grandsons Isreal & Mark Dissosway.
Executors: Sons John & Peter Jr. Poillon, son-in-law, Alexander Cairns.
Wit: Jonathan Lewis, weaver, John Taylor, Sen. & jun. yeomen.
Died Feb 14 1803.
Ref: NY Wills & Probate Records, File 89, Liber Apr 251. [p189]

. 1813 Jan 7 - A Far for Sale: The subscriber offers for sale a handsome situation, containing 28 acres of clear land, well adapted for grass or grain, lying on LongIsland, 11 miles from Brooklyn, fronting on the turnpike road that leads to Jamaica & Far Rockaway. On said farm is a good house & kitchen, adjoining the same a good well of water at the door, a good garden & large yard before the door. Also a number of fruit tree sets. For terms of same apply to Peter Poillon [Junior].
Ref: NY Evening Post newspaper, published 1813 Jan 6 - Apr 5.
Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you.- - -

Birth:
Will 16 Mar 1802 Southfield, NY.

Died:
Will Probated: 14 Feb 1803, Richmond, NY.

Buried:
Poillon Ave in the Huguenot section of Staten Island. Lovely red stone which is either short or buried deeply, 2012.

John married Margaret PERRINE in c1743. Margaret (daughter of Peter PERRINE) was born in 1728 in Staten Island, Richmond Co., New York; died on 30 Apr 1805 in Staten Island, Richmond Co., New York; was buried in Woodrow Methodist Churchyard. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Margaret is the daughter of Mary & Peter Perrine (1701-1756).

. Margaret Perine Poillon is left by her husband John Poilon, £500 pounds to be put at interest for her.

. The Billiou-Stillwell-Perine House, located on NYC highest point at 1476 Richmond Road, Dongan Hills, on Staten Island, NY. is a Dutch Colonial structure and is one of the oldest buildings still standing on Staten Island. It is a small whitewashed undressed fieldstone building with 2 windows and a narrow door and with a steeply pitched roof. But the building's most distinctive feature was the huge fireplace, with neither jambs nor sides, which still stands. The oldest section of the Richmond Road structure is believed to have been built in 1662. Remarkably, the house stands as the only remaining building on Staten Island built under Dutch rule. In 1760, the Perrine family added a chamber or bedroom in the rear and in 1790, the Perines build a kitchen onto the original Billiou portion of the home; 1830, the Perines build another kitchen onto the Stillwell portion of the home.

The 2 oldest sections of the home overlap rather oddly. It is believed that rather than demolish a large, old tree near the corner of the older home, the family decided to build the newer portion to one side of the original building.
Originally built by Pierre Billiou, a Huguenot, who arrived at New Amsterdam fleeing religious persecution in Europe in 1661 and founder of Oude Dorpe (Old Town) in the same year, subsequently received a land grant on Staten Island, erecting the original stone section about 1665. His daughter Martha (1652-1736) inherited the property and resided there with her husband, Thomas Stillwell (1651-1705), and later with her second husband, Rev. David de Bonrepos (1654-1734). She married Rev. de Bonrepos in 1711. In 1679, Thomas Stillwell, a well-to-do landowner, enlarged the house. His and Martha's descendants, the Brittons, owned it until the mid-18th century.
It was then acquired by Edward Perine in 1758. The Perine family owned it until 1913. It has a shingled, sloping roof, and a Dutch jambless fireplace, which is very high and has a large stone hearth. A secret chamber opens into a room that features a ceiling with exceptionally large beams. 2012.

. Record for further research: Richmond Co., Appears to be accounts payment book of John Bedeel Esq. To: Henry Perine for 3 years services as supervisor £ 3.19.6
Ref: Annals of Staten Island. by J J Clute.

. Indenture Tripartite, entered into between Francis Delap, of one part, James Doig and Nisbett Darby, of 2nd part, and Dorothy Thibou, of 3rd part, and dated July 1, 1745;
Witnesses: Jonathan Odell, Anne De Cow, John [Brown] Lawrence.

. 1750, Nov.13, Born Martha, dau. of Henry Perrine, by Martha, six weeks
. 1751, Aug 25, Henry, son of Dath. Perrine, deceased
. 1751, Nov. 10, John, son of X Perrine, deceased
. 1751, July 1- Rebecca, Hester & Wm Holmes, children of Matthew & Hannah Perrine, Shrewsbury.
Ref: Christ Church, Shrewsbury.

. 1769 Nov 15. Proved, by Rev. Jonathan Odell, minister of St. Mary's Church in Burlington, and John Lawrence, Mayor of said City.
Lib. 14, p. 82. 1765, Aug. 28. Read, Samuel, of Somerset Co. Int. Adm'rs - Peter Perrine and William Thompson; both of said Co. 1765, Aug. 29. Inventory, made by Daniel Perrine and Hendrick Probasco.

. 1770, April 6. Account by Peter Perrine. "Paid the lawyers, when I was cited before the Governor, when Robert Read wanted to get possession of the estate, £8.3.0. Paid Jean Read, Elizabeth Read and Robert Read, for their accounts. Paid James Anderson, the Adm'r of the estate of the widow of said Samuel Read, and was received out of the estate, £62.10.4." Lib. H, p. 521.
Ref: New Jersey Colonial Documents.

. 1779 Mar 23. Payment to Capt. Peter Perine's Acct. for recovering a Prisoner, £18 pd. by Elias Boudinot, Commissary Gen. of Prisoners of the Continental Army (Boudinot an associate of both the Perine and Lawrence families.)
Perrine, James. Teamster, "Captain Patton's Team Brigade." Wagon Master General's Dept., NJ.

. 1790 Aug 24, Abraham Perrine Marie, Sarah Rezeau Ref: Register of Marriages by Rev David Moore from his private records for his son Richard C. Moore.
Ref: Staten Island Church Records: Records of the Dutch Reformed Church of Port Richmond, 1696 - 1772.

. Watercolor: Capt. Thomas Stillwell House, later Britton's and Perine's, Staten Island, 1200x 16. Perrine House. Home of Capt. Thos Stillwell later Brittons & Perines, Built 1680 During Revolutionary War so many British were quartered there that widow Ann Perrine & her 6 children were allowed only one room. House built of undress fieldstone. Two families lived in the 2 sections for over 100 years. It has big fireplaces, huge beams, small windows 1476 Richmond.
Ref: New York Historical Society Museum, NYC.

. 1805 Apr 20 - WILL of Margaret Cairns, widow.
- my rooms furniture, linens etc, being disposed of after my decease, by my husband, John Poillon, Sr., I order my executors to comply with said Will.
- £100 pound of mine to be put at interest to be divided equally among my daughters then living.
Exectutors, son-in-aw, Alexander Cairns.
Wit: Alexander Cairns, Ann Reason?, Peter Poillon.
Probate 1815 Sept?18.
Ref: NY Wills & Probate, Richmond Co., NY, 1787-1863, p78. [film p231].

Verify identity which John Perine:
. 1780 Feb 21. & March 10th. Monmouth - WHEREAS inquisition has been found & final judgement entered against the follow persons, whole real & personal estates will be exposed to sale at public venue, at the house of Daniel Randolph, in Freehold, on the 28th March next, at. 9 o'clock - Dr. John Lawrence & Elisha Lawrence some lot of cedar swamp; Elisha Lawrence, late Sheriff, John & Wm. Perine, a well improved farm containing 300 acres lying in Upper Freehold, Christopher, Clayton, Oliver Tallman, John, Ebenezer Wardel, Ezekiel, John Tilton, Thomas Leonard, Daniel & Hendrick Vanmanter, Joseph Grover, (any many many more names). Judges of the said county Court will attend at Monmouth Courthouse on first Monday in April & May to receive and adjusts the said accounts.
Conditions of sale is ready money. Samuel Forman, Joseph Lawrence, Kenneth Hankinson, Jacob Wikoff, Commissioners.
Ref: New Jersey Gazette, 1780 Mar 14. & more names add on 1780 Apr 5.

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

Died:
Will.