BovSton Public T.ilirarv BOXED BOOK To the Reader: Please replace the book in its box when you have finished using it. The box is providcfl for its protection. This book is not intended for circulation. ^: J'CMlUXJSM Given By ^ ^oWri V\\ dVJTGTO^ vlli. o HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF SOME MEMBERS OF THE LAWRENCE FAMILY. mTH AN APPEN'VIX. BY ROBERT M. LAWRENCE, M.D. ^^'3 3 : Ip^^ BOSTON : RAND AVERY COMPANY, PRINTERS. ^r./ "A good name is better than precious ointment." EccLES. vii. I. '' / leave my character behind me." R. B. Sheridan. to Otg Wife, KATHARINE LAWRENCE (CLEAVELAND) LAWRENCE, ARE AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED. ; PREFACE. Several years ago the writer obtained possession of a package of old deeds and other original documents relating to descendants of John Lawrence of Wisset, Eng., who were among the early settlers in Middlesex County, Mass. The interest awakened by an exami- nation of these papers led to a study of the family history, and especially that of the first five generations in America ; and in this little volume are given the results of these researches. Absolute accuracy in a work of this kind is hardly to be attained. The incompleteness of many town and church records, the frequent changes of residence of individuals, and the confusion arising from a repetition of certain Christian names, — these are am.ong the hinderances well-known to the student of family history. The writer will, therefore, be glad to be informed of any errors or omissions which may be discovered. It is fitting that due acknowledgment should be made to the Hon. Samuel A. Green, M.D., from whose many valuable publications concerning Groton material has been freely drawn ; to Francis M. Boutwell, Esq., for assistance in locating some of the old homesteads to George D. Brigham, Esq., town clerk of Groton ; to Samuel A. Eddy, Esq., of Canaan, Conn. ; and to Mrs. 6 PREFACE. Martha Gray of Roxbury District, Boston. For information on various points, the writer is indebted to many different members of the family. The excellent genealogy prepared by the Rev. John Lawrence has been of much assistance. R. M. L. Lexington, Mass., June 23, 1888. ILLUSTRATIONS. The Lawrence Homestead, Groton, Mass. (showing THE older part OF THE house) . Frontispiece. Ensign Nathaniel Lawrence's Commission . 0pp. page 13 Old Lawrence House in Littleton " " 29 Old Lawrence Homestead in Lexington .... " " 65 Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Adams " " 75 Dr. Abel Lawrence " " 77 The Lawrence Homestead in Groton (photographed BY Mrs. James Lawrence) " "108 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE LAWRENCE FAMILY. JOHN LAWRENCE, A native of WIsset, Suffolk County, Eng., the ancestor of many New-England families of the name, was baptized Oct. 8, 1609, and emigrated to this country about the year 1630. It is probable that he was one of the large party under Gov. Winthrop, which sailed from England in that year.^ His father, whose name was Henry, also came to this country, and settled in Charlestown about 1635 ;^ and in the same year, or earlier, John Lawrence became a resident of Watertown, He was probably married at about this time, but the precise date and place cannot be given. His wife's name was Elizabeth ; and they had thirteen children, of whom the greater number were born in Watertown. At about the age of twenty-eight, he was admitted a freeman. In the oldest volume of the " Massachusetts Records is the following : Made free the 17th: 2nd month A.D. 1637 John Lawrence" and others. His trade was that of a carpenter. Prob- ably his first purchase of land in Watertown was a lot on the east side of Fresh Pond. He also bought thirty-five acres of Isaac Cummins, which the latter had received in the earliest general land-grants in 1636, called the "Great Dividends." He owned, moreover, fifteen acres of land at " Pequusset Common," ' Butler's History of Groton, p. 273. ^ Frothingham's History of Charlestown, p. 84. 8 HISTORICAL SKETCHES afterwards called " King's Common," in the northerly part of the township. On Feb. 28, 1636-7, he received a grant of three acres of plough-land on the west side of Beaver Brook, within the present borders of Waltham. From the Watertown lists of possessions in 1642, it appears that he then owned more than one hundred and fifty acres. His homestead was " bounded on the east by the highway ; north by Timothy Hawkins and Hammond ; west by the meadow of Biscoe John John ; south by land of John Flemming, deceased ; wid. Dix, and her Sonne; wid. Bartlett, and said Biscoe."^ From a comparison of ancient plans with modern maps, it appears that this estate v/as situated in the present town of Belmont, on the west side of Common Street, one-fifth of a mile from its junction with Belmont Street, and a little north of the residence of Mr. John C. Palfrey. At a County Court, whose session was begun at Cambridge, April i, 1662, John Lawrence was a member of the grand jury ; and the records show that he was *' absent in [the] October Court." ^ On Oct. 23 of that year, he sold several pieces of real estate ; and on the same day'^Jn^'. Lawrance of Water-Towne, Sen''. & Carpenf." conveyed to John Biscoe his homestead above mentioned, consisting of a dvv^elling-house, barns, and other buildings, and thirteen acres of land, including gardens, orchards, pastures, meadows, and plough-land, "being the now mansion-place of mee the said Jn^. Lawrance." ^ In the late autumn of 1662, as nearly as can be ascer- tained, he removed his residence to Groton, where his name appears on the records in the following Decem- ' Bond's History of Watertown. * Middlesex County Court records. ^ Middlesex Registry of Deeds, fol. 2, p. 166. OF THE LAWRENCE FAMILY. g ber. His homestead in this town was situated south- west of Gibbet Hill, a short distance east of the First Parish Meeting-house, and near where Love Lane joins the present road to Lowell. This farm has been for many years the property and residence of Joseph F. Hall. As one of the early settlers of Groton, John Law- rence was an original land-proprietor, and owner of a twenty-acre right. He was twice chosen selectman, served also one year as a surveyor of highways, and was a useful and honored citizen. In the year 1664 he became involved in a dispute with the town in regard to the ownership of some land, and the matter was finally decided as follows : — "At a town metting vpon The 21 of the 7 mo*'^ 1665. It was this day granted and by voate declared y* John lawranc sen*, shall quiatly posese and Inioye a parselle of land now in controuersey and allredey within his ffenc and a Joyning to his house lotte contining too acors mor or lesse bounded west and south by the hye way and north and east by his own land & granted to him as a grantiuety." In the Middlesex County Court records appears the following quaint petition ^ which probably refers to his son Peleof : — Groton- 22 - 7- 1665. To the Honied.the County Co^'t at Cambridge, Octob. 3. 65. The humble request of Jn5 Lawrence of Groton, That I having a son being now neere upon age & being called upon ' It appears that this petition had been previously sent to the General Court, " and the latter had acted in the matter as follows : In ansr to the petition of John Lawrence, the Court judgeth it meete to order the petitioner to apply himself to the County Court of Boston, who are hereby empowered to act therein as they shall see cause." {Records of Mass., vol. iv.) lO HISTORICAL SKETCHES to attend service in training, I wld crave libertye to request that hee may be considered and if your WorsPP^ see cause freed from training : his Infirmitye is a losse of more than two joynts on his left Thumb which is his hand he is most active with & [he] is much disnabled fro doing any activity by it : I am not unwilling in my spheare to bee beneficial to ye publig service, yet I psume this may be a disoblig[em]ent upon this acc*^ : The case of ye Lad o' chiefe officer is able to informe you of further & y'^fore not any farther to trouble yo^ Hone's depending upon y equabl determination I leave my selfe with you & Rest Yo''s Humbly engaged Jno' Lawrence. What is Aboue Expressed by Jno. Larance is the treuth witnes my hand James Parker. His wife Elizabeth died at Groton Aug. 29, 1663 ; and he married Nov. 2, 1664, at Charlestown, Susanna, daughter of William Batchelder, by whom he had two daughters. His death occurred at Groton, July II, 1667; and his widow died July 8, 1668, at Charlestown. JOHN LAWRENCE, Junior (1636-1672), the oldest child of John of Wisset, Eng., was born in Watertown, and appears to have lived in Groton for a short time, but soon became a resident of Charlestown. In the Groton records his name appears " but once, as follows : [Novem.] 30 (63) John Mosse of Ipswitch is accepted by the Towne to pay the alotment of John Lawranc Juni''." As late as Oct. 10, 1665, the father's name has the affix "sen.," and the inference is, therefore, that the son did not leave OF THE LAWRENCE FAMILY. II Groton till after that date. The latter was twice married. The " Inventory of the Estatte of Jn^ Larance," " taken in 1672, contains these items : house and land with wharffe £^0.