| Notes |
- Elisha is the son on John Lawrence & Mary Hartshorne.
* Sorting out the various ELISHA Lawrences:
- Editor of Month Inquirer: In reference to the deposition of Col. Elisha Lawrence in your last week's issue permit me to say that Gen. Elisha Lawrence, who is buried in Upper Freehold was not the Col. Elisha Lawrence who made the deposition night was he the Sheriff of Monmouth County.
William Lawrence.1st (whose wife Elizabeth [SMITH] afterwards married to Philip Carteret had among his children, Elisha Lawrence [SR.1] who married Lucy Stout. Elisha Lawrence [.SR.1] had a son John Lawrence [.6 SR. ESQ.], who married Mary Hartshorne & John's son Elisha [.3 SR.], it was, the Sheriff & a Colonel in the Tory or Loyalist contingent during the Revolution.
But Elisha Lawrence [SR.1] & Lucy Stout & another son Elisha Jr. (who married Elizabeth Brown & had a son Elisha [.4 ESQ] who married Rebecca Redmond & who was 1st Major of 2nd Regiment, Monmouth Oct 25, 1775, Lieut. Col. of same May 23, 1777, & his epitaph shows Brigadier General of Monmouth Militia after the Revolution.
It was his cousin [ELISHA LAWRNECE.3] , the son of his uncle, John Lawrence [ESQ. 6], who was the Sheriff, the Tory Colonel & the maker of the deposition. His sister Lucy Lawrence [.i] was the wife of Rev Henry Waddell.
Truly yours, James Steen. Editor: We are pleased to receive the correction as it will be a surprise to some of the Lawrence's in this vicinity to learn the Tory Colonel was related to them.
Ref: Monmounth Inquirer, Freehold, NJ, published 1898 Sep 22.
Note: For further clarification, I have inserted chronological .NUMBERS as pertains to THIS genealogy. Family numbers are relative to your perspective. - P J Ahlberg, 2018.
. ELISHA LAWRENCE - The family of Lawrence, in Monmouth county, was well represented in the Continental Army and the militia of the State in the Revolutionary War. John Lawrence, however, a land surveyor, was an ardent loyalist, and was imprisoned for his conduct during that period, and his son, Dr. John Lawrence, was arrested & kept in Trenton & then in Morristown, on parole. The Provincial Congress of New Jersey on July 17th, 1776, had an interesting discussion of his case. Another son, Elisha Lawrence, who, in 1775, was sheriff of the county, was one of the most zealous supporters of the Crown. In 1776, at the age of 26, he was made the commanding officer of the First Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, having been very active in organizing the corps. His property was confiscated & sold April 5th, 1779. In the skirmish on Staten Island, August 22d, 1777, he was captured by Colonel Matthias Ogden & the forces under Major-General John Sullivan, & his connection with the Jersey Volunteers ceased at that date. After the war Colonel Lawrence removed to Nova Scotia, retiring on half pay, & he died at Cardigan, Wales, in the year 1811.
. 1775 June 21 - THREE POUNDS REWARD.
Made his escape this day from the gaol of the county of Monmouth, in New-Jersey, a certain Thomas Harrison, aged about 36 years, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high ...He formerly lived in Upper Freehold, from whence he moved into one of the lower counties in Pennsylvania, where he has lived for several years past; he has a wife & 3 children about a year old born at one time, who went off with him. Whoever takes up said run-away & delivers him to the gaoler of the county of Monmouth, shall have the above reward paid him, with reasonable charges, by ELISHA LAWRENCE, late Sheriff. June 10, 1775 & June 21, 1775. Ref: Penn. Gazette.
. 1778 Mar 28 - TEN DOLLARS REWARD
Ran away from the subscriber the 20th instant, a negro fellow named BEN, 22 years of age, remarkably stout & well made: Hat on, when he went away, a homespun bearskin coat & jacket, leather breeches & white stockings. He is supposed to be lurking about the neighborhood of Trenton. Whoever takes up & secures said negro in any gaol of that his master may have him again, shall have the above reward & all reasonable charges paid by, Elisha Lawrence.
Ref: New Jersey Gazette, Burlington, NJ, published Wed. Apr 1, 17778.
. 1776 Jul 1NJ First Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel, Elisha Lawrence. He raised 500 men for the battalion.
. Elisha Lawrence was of the Monmouth county branch of the family which furnished such active support to the Tory cause during the Revolutionary War. He was the last of the Crown's High Sheriffs of the county. Owing to his activity in raising volunteers for the Loyalist regiment, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Battalion. Upon April 6th, 177x. His property was confiscated & sold. After the Staten Island skirmish his connection with the New Jersey Volunteers ceased.
At the peace Elisha Lawrence retired with the Royal army, retaining his rank as Colonel &, under half-pay, removed to a grant of land in Nova Scotia. Subsequently Colonel Lawrence resided at Cardigan, Wales, where he died in 1811.
His wife, who died in New York during the war, was Mary, daughter of Lewis Morris Ashfield.
Ref: Sabine's Loyalists, Vol. II., page 3; New Jersey Volunteers (Loyalists) in the Revolutionary War, W. S. Stryker, page 30. F B, L.2.
Lawrence, Elisha. Commissary of Forage; Forage Master; Assistant Quartermaster; Quartermaster; also Colonel, militia.
Ref: Official Register of the Officers & Men of NJ, p 836.
. Elisha Lawrence was a pronounced Royalist. He raised & commanded a corps of 500 & had considerable local service. In 1777, was taken prisoner by Gen. Sullivan, on Staten Island. At the peace, he was created a Colonel & received a grant of land, of large size, in Nova Scotia, to which he removed, but later he withdrew to England.
Elisha Lawrence, late of New Jersey & of Monmouth Co., heard from his father that his personal estate was confiscated & that he (the claimant's father) was now in possession of the real estate.
Report of the Bureau of Archives of Ontario, Part I, p. 504.
of the real estate.
Ref: Report of the Bureau of Archives of Ontario, Part I, p. 504.
British Headquarters Papers (Carleton Papers or American Manuscripts):
. 1779 - Lt. Col. Elisha Lawrence, NJV (Skinner's Brigade), Return of Troops, British, Foreigh & Provinvcial Troops on half-pay, New York, Film M369 Item 31650;
.1782-06-30 - For men employed on boat at Paulus Hook, period 1782.4.27 to 1782.06.30, Signs; Film 356, 31651.
. 1783.01.28 - Lt Col., Previously commanded 1st NJV, Petition, New York, M367, 31652;
. 1783.4.17, Elisha Lawrence, Petition, Compensation for one wagon which was seized by HM's Troops, Doc 7445, M361, Item 32653;
. 1783.4.24 Pay List period 1783.24 to 4.24, seconded from NJV; M361, doc 5722;
. 1782.12.26 - Return of Troops, ßeconded officer from Gen. Skinner's Brigade, M359, Item 6552;
. Elisha Lawrence, who, in 1775, was sheriff of the county, was one of the most zealous supporters of the Crown. In 1776, at the age of 26, he was made the commanding officer of the First Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, having been very active in organizing the corps. His property was confiscated & sold April 5th, 1779. In the skirmish on Staten Island, August 22d, 1777, he was captured by Colonel Matthias Ogden & the forces under Major-General John Sullivan & his connection with the Jersey Volunteers ceased at that date. After the war Colonel Lawrence removed to Nova Scotia, retiring on half pay & he died at Cardigan, Wales, in the year 1811.
. Capture of Col. Elisha Lawrence
During the Spring & Summer of 1777, Skinner's Brigade made various excursions into New Jersey for forage for the British army. This became so annoying that Colonel Matthias Ogden of the First Battalion, New Jersey Continental Line, then commanding the post at Elizabeth Town, with Colonel Elias Dayton, of the Third Battalion, who was stationed at Newark & a party of 100 militia from Essex County, determined to inflict some severe punishment on Skinner's Tories. On the 22d of August they were reinforced by a 1,000 men of the brigade of Brigadier-General William Smallwood, of Maryland & of Brigadier-General Chevalier Proudhomme De Borro & just before midnight they crossed from Halstead's Point, near the mouth of Morse's creek, to Staten Island. Skinner's Brigade was then stationed from Decker's Ferry [Port Richmond] to Billopp's, now Ward's Point. The attack by the New Jersey Continentals, before daylight the next morning, resulted in capturing Lieutenant-Colonel Elisha Lawrence, of the First Battalion & Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Barton,
of the 5th Battalion of Skinner's Brigade, with 130 enlisted men of their commands & in severely wounding Major John Barnes, of the First Battalion & Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Vaughan Dongan. of the Third Battalion, from which wounds they both died.
. 1777 Sep 1, New York. Last Friday night, in the morning before daybreak, a body of rebels, under Messrs. Sullivan, Smallwood & Debourg, landed in 2 division upon the wend end of Staten island. Their number was at least 2000. One division soon fell in with the NJ Volunteers, which brigade was posted, in small detachments, along the side of the Island, from Deckers' ferry to the point opposite Perth Amboy, 15 miles distant. The rebels greatly superior in numbers, had the fortune with success to engage the detachments tat were commanded by Lieut. Col. Lawrence & Lieut. Col. Barton, who were both made prisoners, with several other officers & a considerable number of men. They then marched won to Decker's ferry, where they burnt about 35 tons of hay, set fire to a bar.
As soon as the alarm reached head-quarters, Brigadier Gen. Campbell marched with 52d British & 3d battalion of Waldec, leaving a regiment of Anspach to guard the camp & redoubt. Upon the approach of regular troops the rebels instantly marched off with all speed. In the mean time Brigadier General Skinner collected corps which had been dislodged. Major tympani with 25 men came up with a number of them at the house of Dr. Parker, which they were pounding. He attacked them immediately, killed several & took the rest prisoners, among those killed was Mr. Smallwood's Bridgade Major. The rebels on this side had gone off towards Richmond; they were eagerly pursued.
Ref: Pennsylvania Ledger Newspaper, Philadelphia, published 1777 Oct 29.
. 1778 Jan 8 - Lawrence Lieut. Col. Elisha, 1st Bat. NJV. C1851, p11.
. 1778 Jan 19, " Film 1851, p12.; 1778 Mar, p 9.
Ref: British Military & Naval Records, RG 8, C Series.
. 1779 Feb 17 - Monmouth County, whereas inquisitions have been found & final judgement entered there, in favour the the state of NJ, against the persons hereon mentioned:
NOTICE is hereby given that the real & personal estates belonging to Samuel Osburn, Thomas Leonard, Hendrick & Daniel Vanmater all of the township of Freehold will be sold at Freehold courthouse, beginning on Wednesday the 17th day of March next & continue from day to day until all are sold.
Jonathan & Peter Stout, Ezekiel & John Tilton of Middletown, having lands in said town will be sole at public vendue, beginning on Monday, 22 Mar next, at the house of Cornelis Swart.
James Boggs, William Lawrence, Richard Lippencot, Nathaniel Parker, having property in said twp of Shrewsbury, sold beginning on Mon. 29 Mar, at Tenton Falls.
John Leonard, Wm & Sam Grover, John Perine ...Elisha Lawrence & John Lawrence, sons of John, late of Upper Freehold will be sold at public venue, beginning on Monday 5 Apr, at Walls's mills until are are sold. No credit will be give. 9 o'clock each day. Also deeds made to the purchasers agreeable to act of Assembly, by Samuel Forman, Joseph Lawrence, Kenneth Hankinson, Jocob Wikoff, Commissioners.
Ref: New Jersey Gazette, 1779 Feb 24,1779.
. 1780 Feb 21. 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. nine' o'clock - Dr. John Lawrence & Elisha Lawrence some lot of cedar swamp; John Perine, a well improved farm containing 300 acres lying in Upper Freehold, Conditions of sale is ready money. S Forman, Joseph Lawrence, K H, JW, Commissioners.
Ref: New Jersey Gazette, 1780 Mar 14.
. 1780 Feb 21, March 10th, 1785 & Dec 21. 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, a 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 Vanmarter, 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 & 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.
. 1783, In St. John. New Brunswick. He was a member of the Supreme bench & of the Council of NB.
. CLAIMS & LOSSES OF AMERICAN LOYALISTS; Case 465 of Elisha Lawrence, late of New Jersey: claimant sworn saith: (Condensed version):
He is a native of America. Settled in Co. Monmouth Co., At the beginning of Troubles on his own lands. Joined the British in 1776 on Staten Island. Took no part with the Americans. Was advertised in April 1775 as inimical to ye Americans. The Sheriff of Monmouth Co. formed an Association in support of the Brit. Govt., who came with him to join the Brit. to the number of 57 persons. Served as Lieutenant-Col. of the New Jersey Volunteers. Had a Commission from Sir Wm. Howe.
Went on Board with Greyhound after Sir Win. Howe desired went into ye Country & brought the 57 men above meant. Served the whole war as Lieut. Commandeer. He expects his real Property will be secured for the present, waives a Claim on this acct., hoping he shall not be prejudiced if in future it turns out that his real property is lost. He left personal property which was seized about a week after he joined the British:
Viz. 12 horses, 20 Joes, 5 half Joes, 4 oxen, 4 cows, 2 wagons, a carriage, farming utensils, furniture He has heard from his father that all the above personal property was confiscated.
Sundry tracts of land in Monmouth Co., NJ, consisting of Cedar swamps, Upland Meadows & cultivated fields, house, saw mill & other buildings, amounting to £2000 Pennsylvanian currency or sterling £1200.
Debts due him as Sheriff amount to £500. Claims father now in possession of the real estate. He has half pay as colonel. Now resides at Parrs Borough in NB.
Major Thomas Leonard can speak to his personal property.
Ref: Great Britain, Public Record Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Volume 17, folio 99. - - - [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
- Muster
British Headquarters Papers, (Carleton Papers or American Manuscripts, Microfilm M369, Ref: MG23 B1, Archives of Canada:
Lieutenant Colonel Elisha Lawrence, 1st NJ Volunteers, Skinner's Brigade Return of Troops, British, Foreign & Provincial Troops.
. 1779 - Return of Troops, NY, Page10436.64, Item Number 31650.
. 1782.6.30, For men employed on boat at Paulus Hook, Period 1782.5.27 - 6.30, Signs, pg 4964.1, Film M356, #31651.
. 1782.8.24.8.24 Pay List Period 1782.6.25 - 8.24, Seconded from NJV, Film M357, #31662.
. 1782.10.24, Pay List Period 1782.8.25 to 10.24. Seconded from NJV, Film M358, #31661.
. 1782.10.24, Pay List Period 1782.8.25 to .10.24. Seconded Officer, pg 5975.1, M358, #31660.
. 1782.12.24, Pay List Period 1782.10.25 - 12.24, Seconded from NJV. pg 6506.Film M359, 1, #31664.
. 1782.12.26, Return of Troops, Seconded officer from Gen Skinner's Brigade, Pg6552.1, Film M359, #31659.
. 1783.1.28, Petition, Previously commanded 1NJV, Film M367, #31652.
. 1783.2.23, Pay List Period 1782.12 25 - 1783.2.23, Seconded from NJV, Film M360, #31663.
. 1783.4.24, Pay List Period 1783.4. 24 - 4.24, Seconded from NJV, p 7522. film M361, #31654. & p8828.1 Film M364, #31655.
. 1783.8.24, Pay List 1783.6.25 -8.24, Seconded from NJV, p8829.1, Film 364, #31656.
. 1783.4.28, Nomination by seconded officers as their agent to find lands in Nova Scotia. pg 7575-6, Film M361, #31665-6
1783.7.14. 1st NJ Volunteers. Petition, Certifies the signatories of Petition, pg 8433,.2, Film M363, #31667.
.Elisa Lawrence taketh oath, that he has known Daniel VanMeter, late of Monmouth Co., NJ in North America, many years previous to the last Rebellion in America. VanMater has always shown the strongest attachment to His Majesty's person & Govt. In Dec 1776, this deponent was ordered into Monmouth Co. Mr VanMater was very active i rendering every assistance to the troops in disarming & taking Rebel prisoners, that he with some others took one Tunis Vanderveer, a Rebel Militia Capt. & some privates, brought them unto this deponent, as sheriff of Monmouth Co., sold to Mr Van Mater part of the farm he possessed at the commencement of the Rebellion as appear by the title & is well acquitted with the land thinks it was worth at time at £8.per acre, NY currency.
This deponent is all well acquainted with Thomas Leonard & John Longstreet, Esq. Thinks them to be good judges of land & particularly acquainted with Mr Van Mater's land from their character this that the greatest credibility may be given to their testimony & further swath VanMater was esteemed an honest man as far as this deponeth knowers.The Value of VanMater's movable estate, this deponeth cannot present to say. He kind he had many Negro slaves & a considerable stock on his farm of all kinds & in particular it was general received opinion that VanMater's horses were some of the best in the country.
Signed, Col. Elihu Lawrence, London, March ye 2nd, 1785.
Ref: Monmounth Inquirer, Freehold, NJ, published 1898 Sep 8. [5]
|
1740 - 1811 (70 years)