| Notes |
- . 1871 Nason's East & West Ridings of the County of York
Markham Twp., Lawrence, Mrs. Grace, Con 1, 37 Yonge St., freeholder, Thornhill.
. 1878 Vaughan Twp. Map., Mrs. Grace Lawrence, Lot 42, Con 1, Thornhill.
. 1881 Census Markham Co.
Grace Lawrence,
Frances M., Alice M. Charles E,
& Phegill, Margaret E. age 6, born Ontario (relationship not stated).
. 1881 Newmarket & York Twp., York Co., Ontario
Lanstaff, a post office in twp. of Markham Twp., Yonge St., between Richmond Hill & Thornhill
Mrs. Grace Lawrence,
Charles Lawrence, teacher.
. Markham Twp. Deeds Abstract, Lot 37, Con 1 ES Yonge St, York Co., Alexander C Lawrence, SUE
. 1805 Oct 31, John Daniel to Andrew Willson;
. 1806 Jan 6, B&S, Andrew Willson et all;
. 1809 Jan 7, B&Sale, Andrew Wilson to John Langstaff, £75;
. 1869 Nov, B&S, xx to Grace Lawrence, $520;
. 1885 Aug 31, B&S, Grace Lawrence to William Richards, $600 part.
. Biography, First area school has rich history, summary
The driveway to the Grace Lawrence house is flanked by 2 ancient concrete obelisks 28 inches square. The dwelling was built fore 1868 on 1 acre of land at the north west corner of Lot 37, Concession 1, Markham, now 8779 Yonge Street.
The lane was beautifully treed with several huge soft Maples, fruit trees, flowers. The grounds were secluded by surrounding lilac hedges.
The stable sat on North side beside the drive. Slightly to the east was a roof gambrel roof, banked stable. The house was 2 story frame, 20 feet by 28 feet wide. Two rooms on the main floor, 3 bedrooms upstairs. The floor is wide pine board throughout, low ceilings, making for ease of heating although the drafts through the floors are intense. There was no foundation, the dwelling merely rested on the ground with the result that the winter blasts would balloon the linoleum rug dramatically January nights. The conveniences until the 1950's, were indirect, located in back yard. This then was the private school operated by Grace Lawrence & the home she raised her family of four.
The land was beautifully treed with several huge soft Maples, some ancient fruit trees & a large front lawn when in 1934. The grounds were secluded by surrounding lilac hedges. Yonge Street had very light traffic & at the front walk was flanked by several stately old Mock Orange bushes. There were Orange Lily & Periwinkle gardens thriving in the dappled shade & a feeling of serenity cast its spell over this relic of the past.
Grace was born in Ireland & her father lived in Oro Twp, Simcoe Co., Ontario. Charles E Lawrence owned a 200 acre farm half a mile north of the present Hillcrest Mall (2011), as well as 2 mills and a carding factory, & other property near Stouffville. Grace was his second wife. At the time of their marriage his youngest daughter was three years old. Grace & Charles had 5 children. George, her third child died on Christmas day 1860. C E Lawrence died Dec 1868 when their son John was three years old. Charles left Grace the use of his house, but she preferred to purchase a house of her own where she opened a private school.
Ref: Richmond Hill Month newsletter, October 1992, H.J. Suter. & the History of Langstaff School, 1938.
. 1833-34 York County Directory: Lawrence, Mrs Grace at Langstaff, a post office in the township of Markham on Yonge st. between Richmond Hill & Thornhill, has a toll gate. - - -
|
1829 - 1889 (60 years)