Timeline: The Lawrence Family

Timeline of the Lawrence Family

 1593                Death of Thomas Lawrence, goldsmith, in England

1607                The Virginia Company sent 144 men and boys to establish a colony on the Chesapeake Bay; Jamestown

1639                Death of Sir John Lawrence in England

1642                Robert Lawrence, Sr. obtained 100 acres Lawne’s Creek, Isle of Wight, VA

1653                Virginia settlers began moving into northwestern Carolina on Albemarle Sound

1663                John Lawrence, son of Robert, had 625 acres of land on Chowanoke R., NC

1672                Birth of Robert Lawrence, son of John, Nansemond, VA

1682                William Penn founded Pennsylvania

1682                Quaker records include Robert Lawrence and family in Nansemond, VA

1693                The college of William & Mary was founded, VA

1699 – 1704    Williamsburg was established & designated the capitol of VA Colony 

1709                Daniel Fahrenheit invents the alcohol thermometer 

1711 – 1712    Tuscarora uprising in North Carolina frontier

1718                Birth of John Montagu, fourth Earl of Sandwich and purported inventor of the sandwich, was born

c 1726             Birth of Humphrey Lawrence, son of Robert

1730                Population of Colonial South, 292,000: 50% white; 27% blacks; 23% Native Americans

1732                Birth of George Washington, VA, later 1^st President of the USA

1744                Death of Robert Lawrence, age 72, Bertie, NC

1754 – 1763    French & Indian War

1768                Humphrey Lawrence bought 77 acres of land on Black Walnut Swamp, NC

1772                Death of Humphrey Lawrence, age 46, Bertie, NC

1775                Population of Colonial South, 972,500: 56% whites; 38% slaves; 6% Native Americans

1775 – 1783    Revolutionary War

1783                Ralf and Montgolfier built first manned hot air balloon

1789                George Washington became the first United States President

This chart shows the link between the Lawrence family & my paternal grandfather.

Related Posts:

• Ashley Family Timeline
• Alford Family Timeline 
• Brown family Timeline

The Estate of Reuben Lawrence, 1843 NC

Finding an estate of a family member is always interesting. I like to see the list of items they used in their lives. This estate is especially interesting because it tells us which family member purchased each item and how much they paid.

If you are interested look at all the estate papers on Ancestry. There are many pages.

Reuben Lawrence 

Reuben Lawrence, son of Humphrey Lawrence , b c 1748 NC

My 6th Great Uncle

The Estate of Reuben Lawrence

Bertie County, North Carolina

Estate settled 1843

Note:

Mrs. Frances Lawrence was the widow of Reuben Lawrence.

Frederick & Alphus (?) were his sons.

James R. Ryent was his son-in-law & husband of Frances.

doz. Windsor Chairs                            Mrs. Frances Lawrence              $1.00

set dining tables                                   ditto                                        1.00

desk                                                     ditto                                         .25

Lot Books                                            ditto                                        1.00

Brass clock                                           ditto                                        1.00

2 tables                                                ditto                                         .25

safe + contents                                     ditto                                         .25

small bed                                             ditto                                         .25

3 chests                                                ditto                                        .50

Lot water + pitchers                            ditto                                          .05

Set crockery + spoons                          ditto                                          .50

Lot old chairs                                      ditto                                          .25

Bed + furniture                                   ditto                                        1.00

Bed + two pillows                                ditto                                        1.00

Table + Trunk                                     ditto                                          .50

Wash bowl                                          ditto                                          .05

Saddle + Bridle                                   Nathaniel F. F. Lawrence           .05

Grain fan                                             Alphus Lawrence                     5.00

Set Black Smith Tools                         James R. Ryent                         5.00

Ox cart                                              Mrs. Frances Lawrence              1.00

Double Gig                                          ditto                                        1.00

Single Gig                                            ditto                                        1.00

Work ox                                              ditto                                        1.00

Lot ploughs (plow)                              ditto                                        1.00

Spade                                                   ditto                                         .25

2 Grub hors (horse)                             ditto                                           .25

Lot working hors (horse)                     ditto                                           .50

Gray mare                                            ditto                                        10.00

Black horse                                          N. F. F. Lawrence                    10.00

7 Sheep                                                Mrs. Frances Lawrence               1.75

cow + calf                                            ditto                                          1.00

Yoke young Oxen                                A. Lawrence                               6.50

Spotted Hefr (heifer)                           R. T. F.                                      2.00

Black spotted hefr (heifer)                   James Ryent                               2.00

Red crumpled horn hefr (heifer)          ditto                                          2.05

Hifer (heifer)                                       ditto                                          2.55

Lot Hollow ware                                 Mrs. Frances Lawrence               1.00

Table + 3 Trays                                   ditto                                            .50

Sow + 5 Shoats                                   ditto                                          2.50

Sow + 2 Shoats                                    ditto                                          2.00

7 hogs                                                  ditto                                          7.00

10 hogs                                                A. Lawrence                               4.75

Gig + Plough (plow)                            Mrs. Frances Lawrence                 1.00

                                   

Source: North Carolina Wills and Probate records, 1665 – 1998; Estate Inventory of Reuben Lawrence; digital image, Ancestry (ancestry.com: accessed January 2019). 

SURPRISE, Quakers in the Family

During the years I have researched my various family leaves & branches I have uncovered relatives with various religious beliefs. Considering the wide range of people and places that is not surprising but I was surprised to find Quakers in the family. Why was this a SURPRISE to me? I suppose I have thought of Quakers as a relatively small group of people, primarily in rural Pennsylvania and Maryland. I did not know there were Quakers in the early southern colonies.

The Religious Society of Friends, also referred to as the Quaker Movement, was founded in England in the 17th century by George Fox. He and other early Quakers, or Friends, were persecuted for their beliefs, which included the idea that the presence of God exists in every person. Quakers rejected elaborate religious ceremonies, didn’t have official clergy and believed in spiritual equality for men and women. Quaker missionaries first arrived in America in the mid-1650s. Quakers, who practice pacifism, played a key role in both the abolition and women’s rights movements. Many, but not all, Quakers consider themselves Christians.[1]

In 1657 Josiah Coale and Thomas Thurston arrived in Virginia and were successful in reaching out to the people and sharing their Quaker beliefs which spread steadily. The Colony had no tolerance for the Quakers. They had previously enacted anti tolerance laws against Roman Catholics and did the same in an attempt to prevent Quakers from thriving because they were considered a menace to the stability of social life in the colony. A fine of 5,000 pounds of tobacco was imposed for ‘entertaining Quakers to teach or preach’.[2]

I found that my Lawrence family in Nansemond, Virginia appeared in Quaker Records as early as 1683. Brothers Robert Lawrence and John Lawrence, sons of Robert and Elizabeth Lawrence, and their wives, Mary and Joane, were members of the Society of Friends. Those records continue until 1707.[3]Further research may find more Quaker records for the family.

SURPRISINGLY, I discovered my Brown family in North Carolina also belonged to the Quaker society. Edward Brown [c1730 – c1797], my 5^thgreat grandfather, was a Quaker.[4]There is evidence of the Edward Brown family in Jones County as related to the Quaker meetings. Oldest sons, John and Aaron, were old enough to join on their own. John Brown was a member in 1788 and Aaron in 1789. Edward, Moses, Daniel and Hardy were brought along by their father in 1789 to become members.[5]This later caused a division in the Brown family. The Quakers were opposed to slavery. They moved north to Ohio. The Browns who were not Quakers lived in Mississippi and owned slaves. Eventually, when the Civil War began, the Browns fought against each other.

Despite attempts by government bodies to halt the spread of the religion branches of our family embraced the Quaker beliefs. 

We never know where our genealogy research will lead us but we can be sure it will be filled with SURPRISES.

Amy Johnson Crow challenges us to remember our ancestors and their families through this task: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. I completed ’52 Ancestors’ in 2014 & here I go again. This post is in response to that challenge. The topic for this week is ‘SURPRISE.

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[1]Quakers. Digital image, History Channel (history.com: accessed January 2019) 268 – 272; digital image, archive.org: accessed January 2019.

[2]The Quakers in the American Colonies (London:Macmillan, 1911) 

[3]White, Miles Jr. Early Quaker Records in Virginia (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1977).

[4]Moses Brown Cass County Pioneer. (n.d.). Vigilant, Cassopolis, Michigan. Retrieved February 15, 2017.

[5]North Carolina Quaker Meeting; ancestry.com; Edward Brown and sons.

The Deeds of Bertie Co., NC, 1757 - 1772

I stuck gold when I found this book on Amazon. I have Ashley & Lawrence ancestors in Bertie County, NC. This book has several with those surnames. However, as with all discoveries, it has raised more questions. 

 The Deeds of Bertie County, North Carolina, 1757-1772.

S. E. Bradley

Keysville, VA: S.E. Bradley. 1992

Thomas Ryan planter of Bertie Precinct to Jacob Parrott. 1 May 1736. 22L NC. 200 acres (messuage), joining Ducking Run, Mr. Duckenfield, John Hardy, Thomas Ashley, Averit Hick. Signed also by Martha Ryan. Wit: Edward Rasor, William Ashley, John Padget. Aug Ct 1736. (Deed Book K, page 179A). Page 38. [Which Thomas Ashley, Senior or Junior? Is William related?]

David Ryan of Bertie Co. to William Sparkman planter of same, 26 July 1758. 20L proclamation. 430 acres, joining Cypress Swamp, William West, Jacob Turner. Wit: Charles Hardee, Needham Ryan, Humphrey Lawrence. Jul Ct 1758. (Deed Book I, page 91). Page 6. Source: Bradley, S. E. (1992). The deeds of Bertie County, North Carolina, 1757-1772. Keysville, VA: S.E. Bradley.

Thomas Ashley Sr. blacksmith of Bertie Co., to Patience Demsey planter of same. 23 Apr 1759. 10L proclamation. 50 acres on south side of Solomon Creek, joining Florence Branch, Waters Branch. Wit: Ruben Fields, John Ashley. (Deed book I, page 136). Page 13. [Previous to this record, Thomas Ashley Sr. was seen as late as 1753. Now we know he lived at least 6 years longer. His death date still unknown.]

David Ryan of Bertie Co. to Thomas Lawrence planter of same. 21 Apr 1760. 30L proclamation. 150 acres, joining Martin Griffin, Bare Swamp, George Lawrence, Thomas. Wit: Robert West, Peter Winant, Jno. Webb. Oct Ct 1760. (Deed Book I, page 453) Page 25.

William Byrd planter of Bertie Co., son of Edward Byrd dec’d to Thomas Hawkins planter of same. 5L proclamation. 2220 acres (messuage), joining Cypress Swamp, the line of a patent obtained by John Plowman 10 Aug 1720, including ½ the island. Wit: Thom. Ashley, Moses Field, Aaron Powell. Jan Ct 1761. (Deed Book K, page 19). Page 27. [Which Thomas Ashley, Senior or Junior?]

David Ryan planter of Bertie Co. to Thomas Lawrence planter of same. 1 May 1763. 70L proclamation. 200 acres which was part of a 640 acre patent to John Hancock 6 Dec 1720, joining Bird, Holboock, Col. Pollock, Thomas Lawrence. Wit: Peter Winant, Humpy Lawrence, William Lewis. Feb Ct 1763. (Deed Book K, page 248). Page 43.

Thomas Larence [sic] of Bertie Co. to Jacob Larence [sic] planter of same. 19 Feb 1763. 5L. 110 acres, joining sd Thomas Larence. Wit: Robert West, Humpy Lawrence. Feb Ct 1763. (Deed Book K, page 242). Page 42. Source: David Ryan planter of Bertie Co. to Thomas Lawrence planter of same. 1 May 1763. 70L proclamation. 200 acres which was part of a 640 acre patent to John Hancock 6 Dec 1720, joining Bird, Holboock, Col. Pollock, Thomas Lawrence. Wit: Peter Winant, Humpy Lawrence, William Lewis. Feb Ct 1763. (Deed Book K, page 248). Page 43.

John Ashley planter of Bertie Co. to James Demsey planter of same. 8 Jun 1764. 5L proclamation. 50 acres, joining Patience Demsey (Which she purchased from John Ashley), Salmon Creek. Wit: John Nicholls, David Gaskins, George Capehart. Aug Ct 1764. (Deed Book K, page 419). Page 56.

John Ashley planter of Bertie Co. to Thomas Webb planter of same. 9 Feb 1765. 25L. 200 acres which was part of a patent to …? 19 Oct 1763 & sold by mortgage to Thomas Ashley the father of sd John Ashley, joining Gutt Branch, Thomas Ashley. Wit: William …?, Edward Rasor, Jno. Nicholls. Mar Ct 1765. (Deed Book K, page 443). Page 58. [Was this Thomas Ashley Senior or Junior who was the father of John Ashley?]

Wm. Virgin of Bertie Co. to Humhrey Lawrence. 23 Sep 1766. 26 shillings 8 pence proclamation. (no acres) (messuage), joining Main Branch. Also signed Ann Virgin. Wit: Robert Odeon, John Smith. (Deed Book L-2, page 32). Page 64.

Isaac Cook to Christopher Clark mariner of Bertie Co. 22 Sep 1766. 100L proclamation. 100 acres, joining John Cooks former corner, John Rutherford. Wit: Miles Shehan, Joshua Lawrence. Proved 8 Sep 1766. (Deed Book L-2, page 145). Page 75.

James Ryan of Bertie Co. to John Nicholls of same. 20 June 1768. 37L proclamation. 150 acres (messuage) which was part of a patent to John Hardy, joining Richard Lakey, John Ashley, James Ryan, George Ryan, William Fleetwood. Wit: Henry Fleetwood, George Ryan, Isham Webb. Jun Ct 1768. (Deed Book L-2, page 135). Page 74.

John Cook planter of Bertie Co. to Humphrey Lawrence. 12L. 77 acres on Blackwalnut Swamp. Wit: William Ashburn. Dec Ct 1768. (Deed Book L-2, page 162). Page 77.

Robert West of Bertie Co. to Thomas Leath of same. 23 Mar 1768. 13L. 50 acres (messuage) between Joseph Demsey & Thomas Ashley. Wit: Charles Worth Jaicocks, Saml Power. Mar Ct 1768. (Deed Book L-2, page 121). Page 73. [Which Thomas Ashley, Senior or Junior?]

John Lawrence Jr. & his wife Prudence of Bertie Co. to Abial Perry of same. 17 Apr 1769. 50 acres (Messuage) which had been willed to sd Prudence by Thos. Ashley dec’d joining John Ashley, George Ryan. Wit: John Brogdon, Barbre Brogdon, Abraham Perry. (Deed Book L-2, page 177). Page 79. [Was this Thomas Ashley Senior or Junior? Was Prudence his daughter?]

Abail Perry planter of Bertie Co. to Thomas Perry of same. 1 May 1769. 30L proclamation. 50 acres, joining Spring Branch, Ryan Stevens, Wm. Ashley. Wit: James Perry, John Capehart, Bewin Perry. Jun Ct 1769. (Deed Book L-2, page 178). Page 79. [Was William Ashley related?]

Thomas Perry planter of Bertie Co. to Caleb Hooten planter of same. 25 Sep 1771. 40L proclamation. 50 acres, joining Spring Bramch, Myars, John Davison where William Shaw now lives, William Ashley. Wit: George Oxley, John Capehart. Sep Ct 1771. (Deed Book L-2, page 280). Page 93. [Was William Ashley related?]

John Redditt of Bertie Co. to John Lawrence Jr. of same. 14 May 1771. 10L. 170 acres (messuage) joining Bare Swamp Marsh called Redditts Old Field, Walstons former line, Cullen Pollocks former line. Wit: Joshia Redditt, Charles Evans. Sep Ct 1771. (Deed Book L-2, page 271). Page 92.

MY LIBRARY

At the top of this blog, click on My Library for many more books that I have found useful for genealogical & historical research.

Related Posts:

• Evidences of Thomas Ashley in Bertie Co., NC
• Lawrence

Maps: VA Ancestors, LVA Library, Land Records, An Extinct County & Maps

Maps helped me understand confusing family information and land records but I’ll start from the beginning and explain what happened.

I have recently focused my research on my father’s father’s family. It is a large family that has been in the United States before we became the United States. I decided to begin by sorting the families by location. The oldest branches have their roots in Virginia. I made a note of the surnames from Virginia and the years I think they were there.

Virginia Ancestors & their approximate years in Virginia:

John, James & Julius Alford, c 1645 - 1750

Charles Brumfield, c 1750 - 1800

Richard Dillon, c 1740 - 1750

John & Robert Lawrence, c 1620 – 1720

Then I took out ‘NGS Research in the States Series, Virginia’ by Eric G. Grundset. It was published back in 2007 but decided to read it through to find places to begin researching these ancestors. I read through the brief history of Virginia and moved on to the ‘Archives, Libraries, and Societies’ section. The first suggestion for research is LVA.

Library of Virginia

800 E Broad St., Richmond

http://www.lva.virginia.gov

This library looks amazing with information both in the library and on line. I read the guide, visited the website and was unsure where to dive in and begin detailed researching. Then I saw ‘Best Sources for Virginia Research by Time Period’. I scrolled down to the 1607 – 1680 time period to discover what was available. Under ‘Land Office’ I saw ‘Searchable Online Database’ and decided to begin there.

Searchable Online Database

‘Basic Search: Land Office Grants’ box appeared. I decided to ‘Browse an Alphabetical List’, putting in my surnames, one at a time. I put the surname Alford in the search box with no first name and found a list of Alfords. 

Land Office Grants

It did not take long to find my 7^th great grandfather, John Alford. He had 410 acres on the south side of the York River in New Kent County, dated 20 April 1682. This is within the lifetime of my ancestor and in the area he was known to be living.

Alford in Land Grants

I got excited and plugged more surnames in the search box. I could find no likely matches for Brumfield or Dillon. Then I tried Lawrence. I found Robert Lawrence Jr. who had 53 acres in Nanesmond County (an extinct county) in 1701. I happily decided he must be my 9th great grandfather,

Robert Lawrence,

I checked a second land record for Robert Lawrence Jr. He had 625 acres on the westward side of the Chowanoke River, granted 25 October 1663. No county was given. I was eager to connect this Robert Lawrence to my ancestor. I went to my Family Tree Maker program to double check what I already know about Robert.

Robert Lawrence, 1663 Land Grant

According to Whitley, Caroline B. North Carolina Headrights; A List of Names, 1663 - 1744. second Printing. Raleigh, North Carolina: Office of archives and History North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, 2008, Mr. Robert Lawrence, Jr. had 625 acres on the west side of the Chowanoke River, granted 25 September 1663.

How could Robert be in both Nasemond Co., VA and in Bertie Co., NC? I knew he was born in Virginia and died in North Carolina but how could he be in both places at once? Did I have the right person? Were these different Robert Lawrences? I was confused and looked at all the information again.

I used Google maps to look at Nanesmond County and Bertie County and quickly saw that these two counties shared a border and the Chowantee River flows through both. I believe it is the same piece of land that was recorded twice. I did an Internet search and found that the border between the states wasn’t firmly established until almost a hundred years after this land was recorded.

Nanesmond County, Virginia 

Thanks to the maps, I am confident that there was just one Robert Lawrence and one piece of land and I believe that Robert was my ancestor. I plan to spend more time with the Library of Virginia. I believe I have just begun to uncover the resources that will help my research.

Related Posts:

• Evidence of Humphrey Lawrence in Bertie Co, NC
• Surname: Lawrence