Notes:

Elizabeth is the daughter of Mary E. (b. Birmingham, England & d. Broadway, Dorset, England) & William Joyner (?)

Birth:
Verify: Alt Name Elizabeth Joyner , Alt Loc: Birmingham, England

Mrs. married Richard GIBBONS, .2 Patentee in 1651 in Gravesend, Long Island, New Amsterdam. Richard (son of Richard GIBBONS, Sr.) was born in c 1620 in Northfolk, England; died on 1 Jul 1684 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Joannah Gibbons married c 1674 Middletown, Thomas B Applegate, Sr. born1632 Holland, Resided Middletown, died 1 Feb. 1698.

T. Applegate purchased land from father-in-law Richard Gibbons.

Children of Joannah Gibbons & Thomas Applegate were: Thomas, John, Daniel, Joseph, Elizabeth, Benjamin & Richard Applegate.

Thomas Applegate, b. say 1628, adult by 20 Dec 1650, when Thomas Applegate Junior purchased land in Gravesend from Randall Huett.
Married 1 Feb 1698 to Johanna Gibbons, dau. of Richard Gibbons of Middletown, freeholder, deeded to
Thomas Applegate Senior of the Falls, inhabitant, 100 A in a certain place called the Nutt Swampt (Ref: E Jersey Deeds All 142.
Will 1 Feb 1698, Thomas Applegate of Milton in East Jersey, bequeath to my son Benjamine 50 A of land & to my son Richard & his heirs 50 A. of land which aforementioned 100 A. I had of my father-in-law Richard Gibbons;
he also bequeath to my loving wife Johanna. On the basis of this Will, Stilwell concluded that Johanna was a second wife & only Benj. & Richard were here children, a possible but not a necessary conclusion.
Ref: The Great Migration Begins. - - -

Died:
Alt Loc: Nutswamp, Middletown, NJ.

Joannah married Thomas APPLEGATE in 1678 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Thomas was born est by 1653 in Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., New Jersey; died on 1 Feb 1698 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mordecai Gibbons married Rebecca Grover, b 1678, Middletown, Monmouth Co., NJ

. 1684 Aug. 24. GIBBINS, Richard, of Middletown. Letters of administration on the estate of, granted to Elizabeth GIBBINS, widow, & Mordicah GIBBINS, planter, both of Middletown.

. 1684 Aug 24. Bond of Mordicah GIBBINS as administrator. William WHITELOCKE of Middletown, planter, fellow bondsman.
Ref: Monmouth Wills.

. 1699, Dec. 26. Thomas Applegate, of Middletown, bought of John Reid, of Freehold, a lot, in Middletown, adjoining Mordecai Gibbons' corner.

. 1701 Mordecai Gibbons was fined for "contempt & misbehavior" in Sessions Court, Middletown. - - -

Mordecai married Rebecca GROVER in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. Rebecca (daughter of Joseph GROVER, Sr. and Hannah LAWRENCE, .i) was born in 1682 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey; died before 30 Dec 1720 in New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. Town Book of Monmouth, William Lawrence, Clerk:
William Lawrence was married to Ruth Gibbins, The 24 day of June 1686.
Children of William & Ruth Lawrence:
. William Lawrence, son of Wm & Ruth Lawrence was born the 5th day of November 1688;
. Elizabeth Lawrence, born 3rd day of December, 1690;
. Robert Lawrence, the 2nd son of Wm. & Ruth, born 25th day of Sep 1692;
. Richard Lawrence, ye third son of Wm. & Ruth, born 11 day of July, Anno 1694;
. John Lawrence, the 4th son, born the 22th day of August, Anno 1696;
. Mary Lawrence, the 2nd daughter, borne the 28 day of December 1698.

. Death records: Members removed by death or otherwise by death: 7 October, 1836. Ruth Lawrence.
Ref: Record of the Baptist Church, Middletown, NJ.

. 1686 - Gibbons, Ruth, married William Lawrence, Jr., son of William Lawrence, Sr., & grandson of Sir Henry Lawrence, president of Cromwell's Council.

. Richard Hartshore, son of Richard Hartshorne.1, was born 22nd of instant, mo., 1678-9; died, Feb. 29, 1747-8, aged 68 years, 11 months & 22 days; married, first, Catharine, daughter of John Bowne. He married, second, Helena Willet, of Flushing, L.I., 1713, who was born Dec. 22, 16S0, & died May 1, 1715.

He married, third, Elizabeth, daughter of William & Ruth (Gibbons) Lawrence, born Dec. 3, 1690, & died August 1750, elsewhere Apr. in 1751. Sec Lawrence Family. Her remains lie adjacent to those of her husband, William Hartshorne, in the Hartshorne Burying ground, Middletown, N. J. In 1888, her Monument had fallen, face upwards, & was cracked badly, while her husband's remained still erect.

. 1736 Oct 7, Members removed by death or otherwise: by death Ruth Lawrence.
Ref: Record of the Baptist Church, Middletown, N.J.

. 1745 Nov 11 - Wm. Hartshore's WILL: Wife, Elizabeth, who received all she brought with her, the use of "my shas,"? a silver cup, etc.

Historic events of the time:
In the beginning of the year 1665, there was a comet visible to the people on this continent: It had appeared in the November before, & continued four months: It rose constantly about one o'clock in the morning, in the south-east. It was seen likewise in England, & in most other parts of the world, at the same time.
Ref: Smith's History of NJ, 1747. - - -

Birth:
Alt: Gibbens, Gibbins, born 1660.

Ruth married Major William L LAWRENCE, .2 Jr. on 24 Jun 1686 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. William (son of Capt William C. LAWRENCE, .1 and Elizabeth GILDERSLEEVE) was born in 1655 in Smithtown, Suffolk Co., Long Island, New York; died on 20 Feb 1741 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey; was buried in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:

Family/Spouse: John LAWRENCE, .iv. John (son of Major William L LAWRENCE, .2 Jr. and Ruth GIBBONS) was born on 22 Aug 1696 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey; died on 4 Apr 1719 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. Town Book of Monmouth, William Lawrence, Clerk:
. William Lawrence, son of Wm. & Ruth Lawrence was born the 5th day of November 1688.

. Two Lawrence siblings married two Hartshorne siblings:
Elizabeth Lawrence married William Hartshorne Sr., &
William Lawrence married Mercy Hartshorne.

. 1751 May 23 - Deed of William Lawrence to John Stout for 36 acres of land in Shrewsbury, NJ, Ref: Stockton Family papers, Princeton University Library, Box 1, Folder 11.

. Affidavit1: Summary: Richard Hartshorn, of ye County of Monmouth, aged 75 years (1761) affirms about 1 June, Richard Saltar & Obadiah Bowne agreed to put papers & instruments belong to the Estate of John Bowne, deceased, into the hands of Gersom Mott, to the intention to have free recourse to them as they pleased. Sometime afterwards at his son's house in Middletown, he heard Saltar say to Bowne the method he took with the Estate of the deceased to divided it amongst themselves, Richard Hartshorne, Perth Amboy, Jul 16, 1716.

. Affidavit.2: Hugh Hartshone of Co. Monmouth, aged 31 (1685) on the first week of June last, Richard Salter & Obadiah Bowne was in his house. He heard Saltar say to Bowne they should take the best bonds & apply them to ye debts of the deceased & the next best bond pay to ye widow. Salter said if you don't like this, then we take the next half. Bowne said, "Doe & so will I." Last June a Mr. Johnston asked Bowne for his bond for payment. He & Salter agreed to meet creditors at ye deponents house to settle up accounts. Signed, Hugh Hartshorne, Perth Amboy, Jul. 16, 1716.

. Affidavit.3: William Lawrence, Jr., aged 27, being sworn, deposeth that he heard John Cannor & Albert Williamson demand their bond (which they had given to John Bowne, deceased) & then too, when he had ordered payment for ye full satisfaction of ye bond.
To which they were answered by the Executor, that they could not have it, the bond not being there & further saith, that when Mr. Bowne was aks'd why he did not bring ye bond, his reply was he thought them safe enough where they were. All which was at ye house of Hugh Hartshorne, about the beginning of June last, & further saith not.
Signed, William Lawrence, Jr. Perth Amboy, July 26th, 1716.
Sworn before us Ja Smith, Surrogate, Thos. Farmer A true copy by, Barclay Dept. Sec'y.

. 1701 Mentioned in the WILL of his grandfather, Capt. William Lawrence.1
. 1710. He was one of three Assessors & Collectors of a tax of £160, for the purpose of building a "County Gaol at Mid'town."
. 1715 Apr 12, Will & Codicill of Widow Sarah Repe of Shrewsbury. Exectors: Wm. Lawrence & Richard Hartshore.
. 1723. William Lawrence, Junr., was Collector of Monmouth County.

. Unrecorded WILL of WILLIAM LAWRENCE, Junior of Middletowne, Monmouth Co., being sick & weak of body. Dated Jan. 13, 1728. Leaves my dear & loving wife Mercy, my negro girl Nanne & £100 also to my wife Mercy the use of all my Estate both real & personal during her widowhood;
To my daughter Mary £50;
To my dau. Margret £50;
To my dau. Catharine £50;
To my dau. Elisabeth £50.
Remainder of my personal Estate to be equally divided between my 6 children after the expiration of their mother's widowhood. That my land lying on the north side the Mill Brook, otherwise called Hop River, be divided by a line running due west from that corner of VanMatre's land that is nearest to my dwelling house & all the land lying to the northward of that line.
To my son William his heirs & also my salt meadow & half my land at Amboy;
To my son Richard his heirs all my land on the south side of the above mentioned line on the north side of the brook; & also all my land on the south side the said Brook & also 10 acres of land & meadow at the great bogg; & also half my land at Amboy & also my fulling mill with the land & utensils thereunto belonging.

To my loving wife Mercy & her brothers William & Hugh Hartshorn to be my executors.
Signed: William Lawrence, Jnr.
Wit: Edward Wright, Richard Gibbins [his mark], Hannah Lawrence, Wm. Lawrence.
Oath of Executors: His wife & her brothers William & Hugh Hartshorn; before Lawrence Smyth, Surr., July 25, 1729.

. 1727-8 Mar 18, Inventory of William Lawrence of Middletown, miller.
Inventory of person estate: £28.3.1, Including, a silver ring break in 3 peaces, washed over with gold or brass as valued by the goldsmith, 10 pence.
Inventory made by Richard Stout, Andrew Caten & Hugh Hartshorne.
Ref: NJ Monmouth Wills.

. WILL PROVED by oath of William Lawrence & Edward Wright; before Lawrence Smyth, Surrogate, Mon. Co., July 25, 1729.
Ref: Lib. B., follo 256. M. Kearny Manuscripts of Unrecorded Wills & Inventories Monmouth County, New Jersey, page 118: NY Wills, Lib. B, p.256 & NJ Wills Vol 1, pp 284-288.

X-Ref: See more related research at his half 1st cousin, Elisha Lawrence. Jr.

. Convover Family Papers, 1700-1897, Collection 16, Several prominent people in this collection are Wm. L Lawrence, Jr. (1688 Nov 5-1729, was the son of Wm. L Lawrence, Sr & the grandson of Wm. L. Lawrence I who came to America in 1661. Lawrence served as a Collector in Monmouth County. He married Mercy Hartshorne & had 6 children.

. DeLayette Schanck Papers, 1812-1878) Collection 27, Misc. correspondence from a unspecified Lawrence. Boxes 5 & 13. b - - -

Died:
Will proved 25 Jul 1729.

William married Mercy HARTSHORNE, .1 in 1713 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. Mercy (daughter of Richard HARTSHORNE, Sr. and Margaret CARR) was born on 12 May 1693 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey; died in Jan 1728 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Town Book of Monmouth, William Lawrence, Clerk:
. Elizabeth Lawrence, The daughter of William and Ruth Lawrence was born 3rd day of December, 1690.

Two Lawrence siblings married two Hartshorne siblings:
Elizabeth Lawrence married William Hartshorne Sr. and
William Lawrence married Mercy Hartshorne.

. WILLIAM HARTSHORNE, son of Richard Hartshorne,1, was born 22nd of 1st mo., 1678-9; died, Feb. 29, 1747-8, aged 68 years, 11 months & 22 days;
married, first Catharine, daughter of John Bowne. He married, second, Helena Willet,* of Flushing, L. I., May 1, 1713, who was born Dec. 22, 1680, and died May 1, 1715.
He married.3, Elizabeth, daughter of William and Ruth (Gibbons) Lawrence, born Dec. 3, 1690, & died August 1750, elsewhere Apr. 18, 1751.
Her remains lie adjacent to those of her husband, William Hartshorne, in the Hartshorne Burying ground, Middletown, N. J. In 1888, her Monument had fallen, face upwards, and was cracked badly, while her husband's remained still erect.

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

. 1741, Feb. 20. WILL of William Lawrence of Middletown, Monmouth Co. Being in the eighty-fourth year of my age. Daughter, Elizabeth Hartsthorne, half of Propriety Right and land near Medcunk, & large Concordance.

. William Hartshorne died Feb. 29, 1747, aged 69 years.
Here lies interred the body of Elizabeth, wife of William Hartshorne, who departed this life the 18th day of November, AD 1650. Aged 60y 4m 15d. The Monument has fallen with inscription upwards and is cracked.
Ref: Historical Miscellany, Vol 2, John Stillwell.

. 1888, Elizabeth's Monument had fallen, face upwards, & was cracked badly, while her husband's remained still erect. - - -

Birth:


Died:
Aged 60y 4m 15 days.

Buried:
Middletown, NJ

Elizabeth married William HARTSHORNE, Sr. on 18 Jul 1717 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. William (son of Richard HARTSHORNE, Sr. and Margaret CARR) was born on 22 Jan 1678 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey; died on 28 Feb 1747 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey; was buried in Hartshorne Burying Ground. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Town Book of Monmouth, William Lawrence, Clerk:
. Robert Lawrence, the 2nd son of Wm. & Ruth, born 25th day of Sep 1692.

. 1720. He owned land at Crosswicks, in Freehold.
. 1722. Robert Lawrence was indicted " for a fraud.'' Court Records, Freehold, NJ
. 1724. Appointed Constable, of Freehold. Court Records, Freehold, NJ.
. 1725. Received a license to practice as an attorney. Court Records, Freehold, NJ.
. 1725-6. Executor of his brother, Richard Lawrence's will.
. 1733, Mch. 26. Robert Lawrence, attorney-at-law, of Upper Freehold, mortgaged, to the Loan Commissioners, for £26 -13-4, land, at Upper Freehold. Richd Saltar was a witness.
. 1731. Apr. 1. Assessed for 376 acres, in Upper Freehold.
. 1758. Robert Lawrence, Esquire, he was assessed for 796 acres, in Upper Freehold.
. 1743. Represented Monmouth County, in the Thirteenth Assembly.
. 1744. Fourteenth Assembly.
. 1745. Fifteenth Assembly.
. 1746. Sixteenth Assembly.
. 1749. Seventeenth Assembly.
. 1751. Eighteenth Assembly.
. 1754. Nineteenth Assembly.
. 1746-7, & from 1754 to 1758, he was Speaker of the House.

Legal Work:
Robert Lawrence, Monmouth, Surrogate Court, Crosswicks, Upper Freehold, New Jersey:
. 1732 Dec 23, WILL of Ellison /Elosone, Richd. of Freehold.
. 1732-3, WILL of Daniel McKay, of Freehold, Miller.
. 1733 May 14, WILL of Richd. Clark, Freehold, Yeoman.
. 1733 June 13, WILL of Wm. Winter, Middletown, Yeoman.

. 1738 9th month 2day, Friends Meeting held in Chesterfield.
Moses Robins on behalf of himself 7 Friends thereabout made application of this meeting to build a meeting house near Robert Lawrence, which is referred to the judgement of the Quarterly meeting. John King to made a report to the next mostly Meeting.

. 1740 Jul 5 - Chesterfield Monthly Quaker Meeting, Burlington, NJ
To all Christian people to whom whose present shall come, GREETING, WHEREAS Robert Lawrence, of Upper Freehold, Monmouth Co, Eastern division of New Jersey, by a certain Deed of Bargain & Sale was made tho said Robt. Lawrence on one part & Jos. Holly, Abraham Tilton, Joseph Robins, John Wortherill, Rich. Clayton & Thomas Clayton*, yeoman of the other part being equal with those present. hath given, granted, bargain & sold one certain acre Lot of Land part of the plantation of the said Robert Lawrence with the buildings & apparetrences thereto belonging unto the said Jos. Holly, [*etc, as above] & their heirs & assignees forever by the said RL by the said Deed , is only in Trust to grant & convey the said Lott of Land & premisses to the people called Quakers belonging unto the monthly meeting of the said people held at Chesterfield or the Survivors of them, the road; putt boom for a Meeting House & Burying ground to be & remain a free & undivided right in common & by those persons acknowledge & decay the Dee of Bargain & sale, by, for & on the behalf of the said People & Successors. That they do not pretend or claim to have any right or interest in the said premise or any part thereof by the said conveyance or otherwise to their own use or benefit, but only for the sole use & benefit of the Persons.
As witnesses our hands & seals the third Day of fifth month called July, 1740.
Signed, Joseph Robins, Abraham Tilton, Joseph XMARK Robins, John Wortherill, Rich. Clayton & Thomas Clayton.

. 1748 Mar 2, Chesterfield Monthly Meeting - The Meeting be informed there seem to be a Declaration of the Meeting next Robert Lawrence: This Meeting concluded it proper to Visit the said Meeting one every month on the 5th day succeeding each monthly meant so long as they thin it necessary.

. 1751 Jan 21 - The Laws of the Province of New Jersey; from the time of the surrender of the Government, in the year 1702 to the present year 1750. The boy of the book will contain all the Acts & Laws now in force in the said Province, with proper marginal notes, tables of titles, 120 sheets in Folio £ 1 5 shillings, NJ money. Subscriptions will be taken in & delivered to the subscribers, by the following persons:
Robert Lawrence, Esq., at Upper Freehold.
N.B. The subscriptions being not yet returned to the Editor from several parts of the Province of NJ, he had thought it convenient to delay the putting of the work to the press, until 1 April next, when it will certainly go forward with out further day.
Ref: New York Gazette & Weekly Post-Boy.

. PENNA. GAZETTE JULY 28, 1757. To be sold by Robert Lawrence, Upper Freehold Monmouth Co., NJ. Three Plantations of good land, with a dwelling house, barn & orchard on each of them & are very well accommodate with rich meadows, lying near the houses. Any person inclined to purchase all, or any part of the said lands, to be taken off said Plantations in such manner as may best suit, they may come & view the premises before the 17 August next. If not sold before, the said Robt. Lawrence will then sell by public venue, at his dwelling house, at ten of the clock in the morning, on Wednesday, 17 day August next, when the conditions of the vendue may be seen... lies within half a mile of Allen's Town. July 5, 1757 Robert Lawrence.

. 1758 Mar 16 - Penna Gazette: Philadelphia, Mar 10, 1758 (Similar to the above:) ...in Upper Freehold near Allentown, Monmouth... apply to Robt. Lawrence, for a reasonable price. Robt. Lawrence.

. 1759 July 9 - New York Mercury: To be sold by way of public venue, the Plantation whereon Robert Lawrence, Esq. now lives, Upper-Freehold, Monmouth, containing 540 Acres of up land & meadow, well watered & timber'd, 4 orchards, 2 tenements, barns & some out houses. ...up land is good for grass or grain, the meadows rich, long cleared & under the best sort of grass, as Timothy &red clover, etc. & very seldom overflows... is so rich, that the ditch banks make the bEst sort of dung, when carted on the tillable land. Said venue will be at the house on the premises the 28 day of July next.

. 1764 March 9 -"Allens Town
Sir: I am sorry that I am obliged to acquaint you that I am at present quite incapable to discharge my bond on account of several Loses which I have of late met with therefore I have fell on a method which I hope will give satisfaction for at least part of yr money which is I have a letter of license which several of my creditors has sign'd. In order to give me some longer time for ye Payment of my said debts & upon ye signing of said letter of license I am to deliver up all my Estate to be divided amongst my subscribing creditors therefore if you will come up soon you will not be debarr'd from yr Robt. Lawrence, Jr.
P:S: I would Have Come to you But Have no Horse. Pray Come Soon For ye Venue Will be in a few Days.
For Mr. James Mott in Middletown."
Ref: Cherry Hall Papers.

. Obituary Notice of the Death of Robert Lawrence, Esq.; from a newspaper of 1781. Received from Mr. James Lawrence:
1781 Oct 31, Thursday, at Upper-Freehold, depart his life in the 90th year of his age, ROBERT LAWRENCE, Esquire, & the next day his remains, attended by a numerous concourse of his friends & acquaintance, were decently interred in the Friends Burying-Ground there.
He was bred to the profession of the law, which he practiced in his younger life; was a member of the General Assembly of the state & Speaker of the House upwards of 20 years; & highly & universally respected for his integrity, ability & steady attachment to the interests of his country.
The present revolution found him beyond the age of business & activity; but the hoary patriot, even in the last ebbing of life, would rejoice in the successes of this countrymen, & pray that he might see their liberty & independence established before he was called to his long home.
Ref: New jersey Gazette, Trenton. - - -

Died:
Pathmaster from Center of Poplar Plains to Center Herons Bridge.

Buried:
New Survey, Lot 11, Con 1: Alex. C Lawrence & Peter Lawrence.

Family/Spouse: Mrs. Elizabeth LAWRENCE, (Robt.i.). Mrs. was born in 1699; died on 28 Mar 1771 in Upper Freehold, Monmouth Co., New Jersey; was buried in Quakers Burying Ground, Upper Freehold, NJ. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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:

Town Book of Monmouth, William Lawrence, Clerk:
. John Lawrence, the 4th son, born the 22th day of August, Anno 1696.

FIRST WILL (First wife Rachel Gibbons):
. WILL of John Lawrence of Freehold, Monmouth Co., yeoman, being in good & perfect health. Gives:
to my daughter Elisabeth the sum of £5 to be paid by my executors within one year after my decease;
to my Son John the sum of £5 to be paid by my Executors within one year after my decease;
to my 5 daughters, namely: Constant, Rachel, Hannah, Mary, & Dorcas, the sum of £75, viz. £15 apiece to each of them to be paid by my executors within one year after my decease;
to my son Gibbons Lawrence his heirs 200 acres of land to be taken out of my land as followeth, viz. 50 acres there of lying & joining to the south side of the 120 Acres which i have granted to the said Gibbons by deed of sale, & which was formerly Malcolm Maquary's the said 50 acres to run in length the whole length of the said 120 & in breadth so far southward as for a parallel line with the southern most line of said 120 to include 50 acres & the other 150 acres lying on the north side of the said 120 & if my son Gibbons depart this life not having disposed of the land nor leaving issue of his body. Then the 50 acres be possessed by my son Benjamin & his heirs, & the said 150 acres be possessed & enjoyed by my son John & his heirs; all the remaining part of my real Estate together with my grist mill, saw mill & bolting mills & all utensils to them be wholly possessed by my loving wife Rachel for & during her widowhood, & until my son Benjamin shall attain the age of 21 y., at which age of 21 years my said son Benjamin (if my wife be then living & unmarried) shall be possessed of the one half thereof, & my wife if unmarried then the other half, & when she shall remarry.
Then she shall have one fourth part & my son Benjamin 3/4 parts during her life & after her decease if my son Benjamin shall attain to the age of 20 one years or leave issue then all the said real Estate mills & utensils unto him my son Benjamin Lawrence his heirs if my said son Benjamin shall depart this life before the age of 21 or leave issue of his body, then to my son John Lawrence & his heirs the mills the land overflowed in the mill pond & 2 chains across the low ground from bank to bank below the mill & 50 acres of upland adjoining to the mill & millpond.
Then to my son Gibbons Lawrence & his heirs all the remaining part of the said real Estate. All that I have given to my loving wife Rachel, I give her in lieu of her dower
. To my loving wife Rachel one full & equal fourth part of my personal Estate after just debts are paid out & the use of the remaining three fourth parts for & during her widowhood, & at the time of her decease or remarriage which shall first happen, my will is the said 3/4 parts be divided in 6 equal parts & I give 5 of the 6 equal parts to my 5 daughters, namely Constant, Rachel, Hannah, Mary, & Dorcas & the remaining 6th part to my grand daughter Rachel Okeson [Oakson], to be employed to the befit advantage for my said granddaughter by William Clark & Thomas King, two of my Executors until my said granddaughter does attain to the age of 18 years.

Nominates my loving Executors: Wife Rachel together with my 2 sons-in-law William Clark, Thomas King & the Survivors of them to be Executors.
Signed, John Lawrence.
Witnesses: Zebulon Clayton. Wm Lawrence, John Van Mater [his mark], William Lawrence. Junr. Oath of Executors, Rachell Lawrence, William Clerk & Thomas King; before John Barclay, Proved: Surrogate, on ye day & year above written. Feb. 23, 1719.
Letters of Administration were granted March 18, 1719. J. Barclay, Dept. Sctr.
Ref: New Jersey Calendar of Wills, Lib. A, p. 153.

. 1719-20 Jan. 15. Inventory of the personal Estate (£773.10.9, incl. debts due by Nicholas Hellons, Francis King, Francis Davenport, John Gisberson, Thomas King, Nathaniel Stevenson, 3 bonds of £150 each, a large Bible & other books £3.10, a negro man, woman & child £90, money in the hands of William Lawrence, James Dudin, Robert Lawrence & Nicholas Lake £5.19.1); made by James Ashton, Anthony Woodward, Francis Davenport & John Stevenson.

Proved by dep. of William Lawrence, William Lawrence, Junr, & John Van Matre; before John Barclay, Surrogate, Feb. 23, 1719.
Ref: NJ Calendar of Wills, Lib. A, P 153.

. 1724 May 2. Inventory of the personal Estate £775.8.4, incl. plate £30, a Bible, other books & 40 gamoas £7, 3 negroes £150, 2 white servants £21.3.4); made by Richard Saltar & Zebulon Cleayton. Endorsed: to be left at Ja: Valletes in Allens town. 1724 May 2.
Inventory of the personal Estate £775.8.4, incl. plate £30, a Bible, other books & 40 gamoas £7, 3 negroes £150, 2 white servants £21.3.4); made by Richard Saltar & Zebulon Cleayton. Endorsed: to be left at Ja: Valletes in Allenstown.

. Second WILL (Second Wife Anne Ednsall):
John Lawrence of Middletown, Monmouth Co., Yeoman, Will:
"Being very Sick & Weak of Body." Dated Nov. 9, 1727. Proved by oath of Richard Eckman & Edward Wright, two of the wits., that at the same time, Richard Gibbons, the other wit.,
was present; before Lawrence Smyth, Surrogate, Mon. Co., Jan. 24, 1727.
Gives: to my Executors full Power to Sell All that parcel of Land which I purchased of Andrew Johnson & Mary Aumack as also the Meadow Land I purchased of them & 10 Acres of Land I purchased of John Johnstone, Esqr. as soon as Conveniently they Can, In order to pay my Debts.
"to my Loving wife Anne The use of the Remaining part of my Estate, after Just Debts & funeral Charges deducted, for & during the Term of her Widowhood, & at the Expiration thereof that the same personal Estate be dually divided, amongst my Children, Namely
William Ruth & Jane"
Witnessess: John Lawrence, Richard Gibbons [his Xmark]. Richard Eckman Edward Wright.
Oath of William Lawrence, the Surviving Executor;
Proved before Lawrence Smyth, Surrogate, Monmouth Co., Jan. 24, 1727.
Ref: NJ Calendar of Wills Lib 2, P. 494.

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

Died:
Will proved 24 Jan 1728. (Note some faulty sources give the proved dated BEFORE John died.)

John married Anna EDSALL on 10 Apr 1725 in Hackensack, Bergen Co., New Jersey. Anna was born in c 1700; died after Nov 1727 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Rachel GIBBONS. Rachel (daughter of Richard GIBBONS, .2 Patentee and Mrs. Elizabeth (Richard) GIBBONS) was born in 1670 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey; died in 1720 in Freehold Twp., Monmouth Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Town Book of Monmouth, William Lawrence, Clerk:
- Mary Lawrence, the 2nd daughter of William and Ruth Lawrence,
borne the 28 day of December 1698. - - -

Died:
/not mentioned in her father's will.

Notes:

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

. 1787 Apr. 12. James Lawrence makes affidavit that Hannah Lawrence the daughter of William Lawrence married Obadiah Herbert, & that to the best of his knowledge & belief the said Hannah was the first & only wife of the said Obadiah Herbert.
Ref: Liber D., East Jersey Deeds at Perth Amboy.

. HANNAH LAWRENCE, daughter of William Lawrence, 3. l Her birth is not recorded in the Town Book, but she is the object of a legacy in her father's Will, 1741. She married, in 1729, Obadiah, son of Francis Herbert, whose Will was written June 19, 1759, & recorded at Perth Amboy, N. J.

. 1741, Feb. 20. WILL of Lawrence, William, Middletown, Monmouth Co.; Being in the eighty-fourth year of my age. Daughter, Hannah Herbert; land a gran & next great Bible.

. "Whereas William Lawrence late of Monmouth Co. by his last will & testament bearing date the 20th of Feb. 1741, did give & bequeath to his daughter Elizabeth Hartshorn the equal half part of all his proprietary rights to lands in the Prov. of East Jersey, & the other equal half to his daughter Hannah Herbert which share of property being 1/16 of a 48th part of the undivided eastern division of New Jersey. The said William Lawrence was vested by a release from Obe. Browne &c bearing date 1708, recorded in the Secretary's office at Perth Amboy in Liber 1, Folio 198 & 199."

. "Wm. Lawrence his book: 1701 Bought of John Bowne, June the 10th, 1701, Price."
Ref: Whitock-Spader Bible. *From the Whitlock-Spader Bible, as per Dr. J. E. Stillwell, which differs from that published in the New York Biographical & Genealogical Record, Vol. XXI, p. 42.

. Grand dau. Hannan JAMES WHITLOCK, son of Thomas Whitlock, 10, was born in 1737. He served in the Continental Army during the War of the Revolution. He fought in the Battle of Navesink, 1777, as Second Lieutenant, & was taken prisoner & confined in the prison ship. He was again a prisoner, in 1779, as a letter to him is extant, addressed Captain James Whitlock, Prisoner on Long Island. He had risen to the rank of Major at the close to war.
James Whitlock married, by license dated, Dec. 11, 1769, Hannah Herbert. The Lord sent Manna & the Devil sent Hannah," was a local reference to her.

1. Obadiah Herbert, born Sept. 9, 1731; died Oct. 12, 1777; married Elizabeth, daughter of Col. Thomas Warne, Apr. 16, 1765. She was born Dec. 14, 1739; died Feb. 2, 1822.
2. John Herbert, born Jan. 17, 1732-3.
3. William Herbert, born Sept. 27, 1734.
4. Francis Herbert, born May 21, 1736.
5. Richard Herbert, born Nov. 2, 1738; married, May 19, 1767, Mary Seabrook.
6. Felix Herbert, born 6 p.m., Oct. 18, 1740.
7. Esek Herbert, born 9 p.m., Oct. 18, 1740; died Mch. 22, 1742-3.
8. Hannah Herbert, born Oct. 12, 1742.
9. Ruth Herbert, born Mch. 13, 1746; died Apr. 17, 1795.
10. Jacob Herbert, born 1747, Middletown, NJ. - died 11 Sep 1777 in the Battle of Brandywine, NJ. - - -

Died:

Hannah married Obadiah HERBERT, Sr. in 1729 in Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. Obadiah was born in 1677 in Middlesex County, New Jersey; died on 29 Jun 1759 in Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1741, Feb. 20. Lawrence, William, of Middletown, Monmouth Co.; Will Being in the 84th year of my age. Son, Thomas, largest old Bible, surveyors instruments and £5.

THOMAS LAWRENCE, son of William Lawrence.3. was the youngest or next to the youngest of his father's children. His name does not appear on the Town Book, but is given in his father's will, 1741. It is erroneously said that he died, unmarried, in 1726, without issue, by Holgate, and
that his grandnephew, James Lawrence, of Philadelphia, was his heir, but he was living as late as 1741.

1733, Mch. 26. Thomas Lawrence was a witness to a mortgage of lands, formerly bounded by Job Throckmorton's land, in Upper Freehold.
1733. Thomas Lawrence, was a witness to a mortgage made by Samuel Herbert, yeoman, of lands, in Middletown, bounded by Lewis Morris' and William Lawrence's, Esq., lands.

1786, Sep. 15. James Lawrence swears before Judge Elisha Lawrence, that Thomas Lawrence, late of Middletown, died intestate and that William Lawrence, of Philadelphia, is the grandnephew and heir-at-law. - - -

Birth:


Died:
/alive at time of his father's death.

Notes:

Margaret is the daughter of Mercy Hartshorne and William Lawrence.

Notes:

. 1798, Aug 27, WILL of Richard Lawrence, Shrewsbury, NJ., being nearly 78 years of age,
. give to beloved wife Alice, entire use of his Estate, real & personal during widowhood, but in case of her remarriage £100 in lieu of dower.
. to only son Richard, undivided half of 2 lots of land in Amboy rec'd. by me from the WILL of my father. Also a small lot westerly, in Rhode Island.
. At the expiration of my wife widowhood, to my
children, Richard, Sarah [paper torn] , Mary & Elizabeth, as follows:
. to son Richard 2 fifths, & other 3 fifths equally among my daughters & their several heirs.
Executors: son Richard & sons-in law, Wm. Hartshorne, John Barrow, Joseph Byrd.
Wit: Benjamin Jackson, Nathan Allen, Ann Allen.
Signed & sealed, 27 day of eighth month, 1798, Richard Lawrence.
. 1815 Apr 13, Nathan Allen, Freehold, sworn he saw tester sign Will.
. WILL Proved 15 Apr 1815, when Wm. Hartshorne, Signed, as Executor.
Ref: NJ Wills & Probate Records, Monmouth Vol A 1804-16, File 9143M, p698 {digital p381.

. 1754 Mar 22, WILL of David Allen, Manasquan, town of Shrewsbury, Monmouth, yeoman, Wife Catharine, children, Mercy, wife of Thos Jeffery, & Samuel. Brother Joseph Allen to be maintained. Executors: son & son-in law, Wit: Joseph Lawrence, Proved 1760.4.18.
. 1757 Mar 4, WILL of John Holdsworth of Shrewsbury, NJ, weaver, bro. Wm Holdsowrth heir of his estate; with legacy to Richard Lawrence, who is made sole Executor. Wit.: Ben & Jos & Esther Borden. Proved 1757, Mar 24.

. 1763 Sep. Cyrenius & Chrineyonce Vanmater, Richard Lawrence were witnesses to the WILL of Daniel Polhemus of Middletown, NJ.

. 1765, Sep 6 - To be sold at public vendue, the 6 September next, belonging to the estate of John Lippincott, late of the town of Shrewsbury, deceased, a new, neat two-story dwelling house, with about 8 acres of good land adjoining, a barn, out houses, well, & other improvements thereon; situate a mile from the center of said town, at the meeting of two very public roads, & a few rods from a grist & saw mill. Also 20 acres of woodland near the above. All persons indebted to the said estate, are desired to pay the same, & those who' have any demands against it to bring them in, in order, that they may be settled. Executors: Jos. Potter, Richard Lawrence.
XRef: See below, 1808.1.4 Is this same man or perhaps John Lippincott, Jr.? - PJA 2014.

Shrewsbury Monthly Meeting:
* 1762 Jan 4 - This Meeting being informed that Richard Lawrence requests to be joined with friends & desired a discourse respecting Friend's principles.
. 1766 Feb 8 - on considering Benjamin Wolcotts request, its thought proper his Wife, who is not in membership, should be consulted in the case, therefore, 3 members & Richard Lawrence, to meet with her to discover how far willing that his request be granted.
1766 Mar 3, RL reports the wife of Ben. Wolcott says she is both will & desirous his request be granted their children, children admitted in our Society.
. 1766 Dec 1 - To the Monthly Meeting of Friends, Chesterfield in Burlington Co., Esteemed Friends, Our Friend Wm. Cook applied for a Certificate for himself, wife & children who has removed to with the verge of your monthly Meeting. We have inquired in their lives & conversation thine they were in good degree, orderly & also frequenters of our Meetings. Signed on behalf if us, Rich Lawrence, Clerk, Lydia Wardell, Clk.
Deborah Lawrence acknowledgment for marrying her first cousin being fully considered, it is there mind to this Meeting this acknowledgment should be returned to her again, it not being satisfactory.
. 1769 Feb 22, NY, To be sold at public venue, On Mon. March 13, next on the Premises. The house & Lot of ground, with Ferry, Dock, Scow, on Bergen Point, As also 3 lots of ground near Mr Smith's Ferry. W Freeland, Richard Lawrence
. Also to be sold by the said Richard Lawrence, at private Sale 2 other lots on Bergen Point. There is a ferry now erected there, right opposite to that on Berge Pint & is the best Road to NY. Richard Lawrence.
. 1766 11 month 4 - John Lippincott, Chester, md. to Hannah Tilton of Middletown at Shrewsbury. Witness: Richd. Lawrence.

. 1767.3m 2d. - RL is excused from there service of Clerk & Joseph Jackson is appointed in his stead.
Note: Notwithstanding at the end of the various, long report, he signed, Richard Lawrence, Clk. & Lydia Wardell, Clk. ! - PJA 2015.
. 1767 5 Month 1 Day, RL reports he has also endeavors to serve friends & also of his Right of an Appear by sending it to him by the hands of his Brother.
. 1767 8th month 3rd Day, held in Shrewsbury. Richard Lawrence reports he head the following Paper of Acknowledgment as directed by last meeting.

* 1768 Jul 7, Richard Lawrence Report, he read the following paper of acknowledgment as directed by last meeting.
To the Monthly Meeting of Friends, I do acknowledge that for want of watchfulness & due care, I was drawn into that Evil of fighting with my neighbor & at times have taken too much strong liquor & have married contrary to the Rules of our Society. All which faults I am sorry for & do give my? rights to pass it by & hope for the grant? to be more careful in my conduct therefrom you will witness Friends.

[& at the last item of the Meeting was read by:]
Richard Lawrence Reports he read Rachel Whites appearance of Acknowledgment as directed, it being:
To the Monthly Meeting of Friends in Shrewswbury, Loving Friends I committed evil in committing fornication for which I am very sorry & I willing take the shame to myself, for which offenses I hope my Friends will pass by & continue me in love & hope for the to conduct more worthy. Rachel White.

. 1769 Mar 17 - Shewsbury M. Meeting to Philadelphia Friends: RL read Danist Kar? appointed apprentice to Sam. Clark. He is a new Friend, child & reputed Orderless? we recommend him to your care.

. 1769 Sep 4 - RL reports1, he with 2 Friends effected a Reconciliation bet. Ricd. Whorthley & Wm. Parker.

. 1769 Oct 2 - RL, Shrewsbury, read testimony against David Curtis, who disgracing Divine instruction which would disprove him from all immoralities, hath been guilty of laying gross scurrilous unjustified charges against his father. Friends endeavored to convince him of such a conduct & in Brotherly manner neglects attending Meetings & paying Debts. Disown him until he sees the Evil of his ways.
RL reports2: By disregarding Devine light & Grave, Evil became me I used offensive words & fought my Neighbours. I am sorry, Richard Hartley.
RL read3: Rebecck Wooley who hath birth right among us, hath been guilt of fornication & has neglected to make satisfaction. Therefore we Disown her until she seeks a reconciliation.

. 1769 Feb 22, NY, To be sold at public venue, On Mon. March 13, next on the Premises. The house & Lot of ground, with Ferry, Dock, Scow, on Bergen Point, As also 3 lots of ground near Mr Smith's Ferry. W Freeland, Richard Lawrence. [p433/ film p180]

. Also to be sold by the said Richard Lawrence, at private Sale 2 other lots on Bergen Point. There is a ferry now erected there, right opposite to that on Berge Pint & is the best Road to NY. Richard Lawrence.

. 1771. 1 month 17, - Peter Park, Jun, Md. Sarah White, both of Shrewsbury, at Friends House, in Shrewsbury. Witnesses: Sarah & Joseph White, Jean Scott, Peter Corlies, John White, Joseph Wardell, Richard Lawrence, John Hartshorne, Benjn. Walcott, Joseph, Sarah, Josiah, Constant & John Parker, Elihu Williams, John Tucker, Thomas Borden, Sarah & John & Robt. White, Patience Lippincott, Nathan Tilton, John Borden, James Tucker.
. 1771 4th month, 11 - Samuel Middleton of Nottingham, md. to Ann Tilton, of Middletown, at Shrewsbury. Wit: Richard Lawrence.

. 1772 4mo. 6 - Richard Lawrence is desired to read the testimony against John Lippencott at the clerk? at a forthright Day meeting & report next Meeting. [p279/153].
. 1772 11 mo. 2. -Thos. Borden has not adjusted the difference between him & his kinsman, Jermaiah Borden, as advised. It further appears he has sued a Friends at the Law & he not appearing to answer the other change against him, therefore RL & John Tucker are desired to treat with him for the above offenses & report to next Meeting. p290.

. 1773 5 mo. 3 - RL produced the follow in testifaction, signed by order, Thos. Tilton, & informed her of her right of an appeal & Report to next Meeting:
Whereas Elisabeth Vandly be or Webbley, who had a birth right amongst us, lived with a man, has several children & it is doubtful whether she be married to him, has been affectionately treated with by us, for her said disreputable, if not crumbly way of living, but obstinately refused to clean up doubts or making any satisfaction seeming insensible of refusal disregarding Unity & the reputation of her Christian profession, therefore, for the honor of Truth & in Support of our Discipline & that the Church may be kept clear as may be from the corruptions and pollutions of the world, we hereby disown her from being a Member on in Union with us until she sensible of her misconduct & seeks reconciliation which we hope she may, signed in & on behalf of our Monthly Meeting by, John Hartshorne, Clerk.
. 1773 5 mo. 20 - Benjamin Corlies md. to Deborah Parker, both of Shrews., at Friends' Meeting House, in Shrews. Witnesses: * Patience Lippincott, Richd Lawrence.
. 1773 10th mo. 4 day. Shrewsbury - This meting appoints RL, John Tucker & John Hartshorne to endeavor to keep the succeeding Quarterly Meeting as quite & dearly as may be.

. 1774 Feb 7, RL read, Dear Friends, Through disregarding the reproofs which would have taught me to walk honestly, by plunging myself into debts both money & affects into my hands, breaking my Word & promises whereby several persons sustain great loss by my imprudent, unfair processing of loaning Lands under mortgage neglecting security, unjust distribution of what I had in proportion to the demand of each person and neglected others. I am sorry & will make restitution as is in my power paying all that I can earn (exclusive the support of my family). Joseph Potter.
. 1774 Aug 4 - RL is desirous to propose a last appear for Lydia Allen & bring to next Meeting Approbations legacy [?]
- Nathan Tilton, Richard Lawrence, Thos Tilton & Benjamin Jackson are appointed to attend the Service of insuring quarterly Meeting.
. 1774 Sep 14, Burlington, August 13, 1774. Proposals for print by subscription a new editions of the Laws of the colony of NJ. Subscriptions to be taken in by Cortland skinner, Perth Amboy, Richard Lawrence, Esq., Monmouth, Elias Boudinot, Esq. Essex, John Lawrence, Esq. city of Burlington, & others.
Ref: Pennsylvania Gazette, Philadelphia.
. 1774. 12 mo., 15 - Jeremiah Hance mad. Phebe Woodmansee, both of Shrewsbury, in the Friends' House, In Shrewsbury: Wit Richd. Lawrence.

. 1777 Feb 3 - From the preparation Meeting it appears Amos White drinks to excess, is profane in consideration & neglects attending Meetings, has been treated with by the diverters - but he not being here, Richd. Lawrence, Geo. Wardell appointed to that farther with him & report next meeting. [p374/p201].

. 1778, 10 mo.15 - Nathan Jackson married to Mary Letson, both of Shrews., at Friends' Meeting House, in Shrews. Witnesses: Richd. Lawrence.

. 1778 12 Mo. 7 day. - Wm. Parker has been Fox hunt & horse running. Also that Tos. (?) Walker has been Fox hunting & horse in a coarse. Benj Walcot, Richd. Lawrence, & Robt. Hartshorne are appointed to Treat with them for the above offense & report to next Meeting. p402 [Film p215].
. 1779 8 mo. 2 - Friends appointed in following Report of Wm. Parker Case:
to enquire into several charges against Wm. Park: first, being at particular house, Races having spent some time on it, are of opinion its best not to continue amongst us longer. There other charges we have also inspected into & find he being on the road did lend his horse to run a race & himself present at at have said he thought he should to concerned any further in Horse racing nor neither in Fox hunting in future. RL, Benj jackson, Jon. Wright, Benj Wootly, Robt. Hartshorne .[p 12/p220.]

. 1784 12th month. - Shrewsbury. From a preparation meeting. that Richard Lawrence requests a Certificate for his son Richard to New York Monthly Meeting. Ed. Williams is appointed to make the necessary enquiry, & if nothing appears to prevent, to produce one tenet Meeting for approbation. p516.

. 1787 May 2 - Public notice is hereby given, That I intend to make application to the next Supreme Court, to be held in May next, at Trenton, for the relief in the loss of my title Deeds to the farm whereon I now live, a lot of Woodland at Chestnut Plains, and a lot of Land at Poplar Swamp, whereon Pero Moor, a black man now lives, all situated in Shrewsbury, Co. of Monmouth, and state of New Jersey.
Richard Lawrence, 23d of 1st Month, 1787.
Ref: N J Journal, Published 3 months from 28 Feb 1787.
. 1797 11mo. 9th - Peter Jackson Md. To Mary Cox, Both Of Shrews., At Shrewsbury. Wit: Richd. Lawrence. [Sr. or Jr. not stated.]
Ref: Historical & Genealogical Miscellany, Vol 1., John Stillwell.

. 1798, Aug 27, WILL of Richard Lawrence, Shrewsbury, NJ., being nearly 78 years of age,
. give to beloved wife Alice, entire use of his Estate, real & personal during widowhood, but in case of her remarriage £100 in lieu of dower.
. to only son Richard, undivided half of 2 lots of land in Amboy rec'd. by me from the WILL of my father. Also a small lot westerly, in Rhode Island.
. At the expiration of my wife widowhood, to my
children, Richard, Sarah [paper torn] , Mary & Elizabeth, as follows:
. to son Richard 2 fifths, & other 3 fifths equally among my daughters & their several heirs.
Executors: son Richard & sons-in law, Wm. Hartshorne, John Barrow, Joseph Byrd.
Wit: Benjamin Jackson, Nathan Allen, Ann Allen.
Signed & sealed, 27 day of eighth month, 1798, Richard Lawrence.
. 1815 Apr 13, Nathan Allen, Freehold, sworn he saw tester sign Will.
. WILL Proved 15 Apr 1815, when Wm. Hartshorne, Signed, as Executor.
Ref: NJ Wills & Probate Records, Monmouth Vol A 1804-16, File 9143M, p698 {digital p381.

. Shrewsbury & Rahway, Richard Lwarence, An Elder, a Member of the Preparative Meeting of Shrew2sbury, deceeased in 3rd Month 1814, in the 94th year of his age.

. 1808 Jan 4, Mon. Sale of Real Estate, Will be exposed to Sale, at Public Vendue on 3 Feb next, by the subscriber, R Lawrence, executor of the last will & testament of John Lippincott, deceased.
A House & Lot of Land, Situated in Shrewsbury Twp., Monmouth, NJ State, containing about 6 Acres on the main road from Shrewsbury town to Long Branch, within a half mile of the two places villages of Shrewsbury & Eaton Twp. On said Lot there are comfortable dwelling house & kitchen, small stable, Barrack & other out buildings, a good well water at the door & a small orchard. The land is bounded by the highway & a never failing brook. The whole of the land & fertility is equal to any in the county. Also a lot of woodland, 20 Acres, pretty will timbered, within 2 miles of the above described lot. The vendue to begin at 10 o'clock. RICHARD LAWRENCE, EXR.
NB. any person wishing to view the premises before the sale may call on Joseph Allen, the the premise. Also will be sold at the public apse all the moveable estate. Shrewsbury 12 month 24th 1807.
Ref: Trenton Federalist Newspaper.

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

Died:
WILL 1798 Aug 27 & WILL Proved 15 Apr 1815.

Richard married Alice BUNTING on 2 Dec 1762 in Burlington County, New Jersey. Alice (daughter of John BUNTING and Alice LORD) was born in 1726 in Woodbury, Gloucester Co., New Jersey; died after 1815 in Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Elizabeth Still STEELE on 16 Sep 1747 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Elizabeth was born in c 1725; died before 1762 in Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:

Elisabeth married Caleb LAWRENCE on 20 Jun 1747 in Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. Caleb (son of Major William L LAWRENCE, .2 Jr. and Deborah SMITH) was born in 1697 in Smithtown, Suffolk Co., Long Island, New York; died before 1734. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary Lawrence married Mr. Campbell.

Birth:
Verify DOB

Notes:

William Lawrence married, 2 mo., 3, 1740, Martha, daughter of John Head.
[Arch St. Meeting, Philadelphia, marriages.]

Notes:

, On Apr. 9, 1787, William Lawrence, a Quaker, affirmed that, Elizabeth M. Hartshorne & Hannah Herbert were daughters of William Lawrence, his grandfather of the affirmant;
& that Hugh Hartshorne was the eldest son of Elizabeth Hartshorne,
& Obediah Herbert was the eldest son of Hannah Herbert, by her husband Obediah Herbert.

WM. HARTSHORNE MARRIED on 9 APR 1741, REBECCA PATTISON B 1721.

His children are:
1. Hartshorne b: ABT 1741
2. William Hartshorne , Sr. b: APR 1742
3. Pattison Hartshorne b: JAN 1744/45 in Burlington, New Jersey
4. Richard Hartshorne b: 14 AUG 1750
5. Elizabeth Hartshorne b: 1754
6. John Hartshorne b: 1756
7. Sarah Hartshorne b: AUG 1758
8. Rachel Hartshorne b: DEC 1762
9. Robert Hartshorne b: ABT 1763

. 1711 March the 6th- Hugh Hartshorne gave in his Earmark to be Recorded, viz the form of a Swallow Tayl upon the Near Ear & a Slit Right Down the further being the Earmark of his Father Richard Hartshorne. Entered per me Willm. Lawrence Junior, Town Clerk. - - -

Died:
Alt DOD: Apr 1777

Family/Spouse: Catherine LEWIS. Catherine was born est 1719; died on 1705 May 18 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Robert is the son of Catherine Tilton & Hugh Hartshorne, both of Middletown, NJ.

Robert Hartshorne was born 02 2mo 1721.
He married Sarah Salter on 21 Dec 1743; lic. He died in 1801. - - -

Birth:


Died:

Robert married Sarah SALTAR in Dec 1843. Sarah (daughter of Richard SALTAR, Jr. and Hannah LAWRENCE, .ii) was born in c 1725 in Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Alt DOB 1723.

Died:
Died young.

Notes:

John is the son of Elizabeth Lawrence & Wm. Hartshorne.

. Shrewsbury Quakers, John Hartshorne & Richard Lawrence, freed their 21 years males slaves. See Shrewsbury Scrapbook 5, 7. {verify 1775)
Ref: Slavery & freedom in the rural North, by Graham Russell Hodghes.

John lived at Black Point at the mouth of the Shrewsbury River, where he kept a tavern & ran the first Summer Resort on the Atlantic Seaboard. It was a favorite retreat for Philadelphia's "Fashionable".
Ref: This Old Monmouth of Ours - Honor.

. 1748 - Hartshorne, John, son of William Hartshorne, inherited land on Claypit Creek, conveyee of land at Passage Point, 1753.

. 1810 Jun 21, WILL of John Hartshorne, of Shrewsbury, Monmouth co., NJ
all estate, including plantation house & lot at Black Point to be sold.
Son Lawrence $750. Son John $750, Niece, Elizabeth Robinson $300.
Residue divided between 3 children: Lawrence, Hannah & John.
Executors: Sons John, Cousin Wm. Hartshorne, son of Robert.
Witnesses: Abraham Wooley, Archibald Heviland, Thomas Riddle.

. 1813 Aug 3 - Inventory $1,081,14. made by Thos. Borden, Job Throckmort.
Note: Inventory of the estate is about $700 less than bequests. - PJA
Proved Sept 8, 1813. - - -

Birth:
Resided Shrewsbury, NJ

Died:
Alt DOB 15 Feb 18183, WILL 21.6.80 & WILL Proved 8 Sep 1813.

John married Lucy SALTAR on 2 Jul 1752 in Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. Lucy (daughter of Richard SALTAR, Jr. and Hannah LAWRENCE, .ii) was born in 1728 in Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Daughter:
Shrewsbury Monthly Meeting
. 1792 Jan 10, Tyler Williams of Shrewsbury &
Elizabeth Hartshorne, daughter of Esek Hartshorne of Middletown
at an appointed Meeting at the House of Esek Hartshorne. - - -

Esek married Elizabeth SALTAR on 22 Nov 1764 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Elizabeth (daughter of Richard SALTAR, Jr. and Hannah LAWRENCE, .ii) was born on 19 Oct 1739 in Monmouth County, New Jersey; died on 19 Feb 1825. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Rachel's first husband was Thomas Robinson. Rachel Hartshorne 2nd marriage in c 1779 NJ, Jesse Salter born c 1732 in Monmouth. …

Three Salter's married three Hartshorne of whom both had Lawrence mothers. - - -

Died:
verify this Rachel Hartshorne.

Rachel married Thomas ROBINSON on 4 Nov 1751 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Thomas was born in c 1725 in Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rachel married Lt. Col. Joseph SALTAR on 10 Sep 1779 in New Jersey. Joseph (daughter of Richard SALTAR, Jr. and Hannah LAWRENCE, .ii) was born on 18 Dec 1732 in Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., New Jersey; died on 17 Aug 1820 in Freehold Twp., Monmouth Co., New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
[Two Cathrine Hartshrone, dau. of Eliz. Lawrence & Wm. Hartshorne].

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:

Deborah is the daughter of Alice & Richard Lawrence:

Marriage 1 Christopher Hinnigan, b: Abt 1720.

Children
1. Elizabeth Hinnigan, b: 19 Oct 1746
2. Alice Hinnigan, b: 16 Jul 1748
3. John Hinnigan, b: 14 Aug 1750. - - -

Birth:
Alt Date: Will of Father: Deborah is under 12 = 1713.

Notes:

. 1759, May 28 - Robert Lawrence of Upper Freehold, and John Williams of Lower Freehold, executors of Benjamin Gibbons, of Middletown, for £32, conveyed to Edward Taylor, land, in Middletown, formerly owned by Richard Gibbons, who sold the same to his brother, the aforesaid Benjamin Gibbons, who conveyed part thereof, during his lifetime, to John Stevenson.

Verify this Robt. Lawrence: Chesterfield Monthly Meeting
. 1748 Sep 1 - This Meetings orders William Murfin to pay William Lawrence, Jan 2, £5 12 Shillings & 10 pence, out of the money belong to the Poor, it being his due for work done at the meeting house, by Robert Lawrences.

. 1764 Jul 26 - tied behind, about 15 Years of Age: Had on a light coloured Coat and Jacket, of figured twilled Drugget, Buff coloured Stocking Breeches, white Shirt, Felt Hat, a black Ribbon about his Neck, neither Shoes nor Stockings, as advertised last Week in the Pennsylvania Journal, by his Master, Mr. William Hussey, in Front-street, Philadelphia; though since that, when the said Boy stole the Horse he had good Shoes and Stockings and Silver Buckles, said to be stolen. He left a black Mare, that he had taken from a Boy, when he took the Horse; she was yesterday delivered to her Owner. Whoever secures both Thief and Horse, so as the Thief may be brought to Justice, shall receive 40 Shillings Reward, and if only the Horse be taken, and sent home, Twenty Shillings and Charges, to be paid by July 17, 1764.

. ROBERT LAWRENCE. N. B. Said Boy and Horse went over the Ferry from Burlington to- Bristol last Friday morning. - - -

Birth:
Alt DOB 1725.

Notes:

Recorded for further research:

. 1784 - NJ Supreme Court Case # 34201, Purthenia Lawrence, Deponent, State of NJ. VS Arthur Barcalow, Murder, Monmouth Co. - - -

Birth:
XRef: Will of Richd Lawrence, 1726, wife pregnant.

Notes:

Died:
Battle of Monmouth Courthouse.