Robert Lawrence, Sr.

Biography

Robert Lawrence was baptized on 5 June 1611 in England.1 He married Elizabeth Adkinson before 1638 in England. Robert died after 19 October 1682 in Virginia.2Robert entered Oxford University on November 4, 1631, and possibly studied law at the Inner Temple in the following year. Upon becoming of legal age and receiving his inheritance, he married and departed for the Virginia Colony with his wife, Elizabeth.3,4

Robert Lawrence received two patents on August 25, 1642, in Isle of Wight Co.: 200 acres upon Lawnes Creek, adjoining the lands of Mr. Harding and the widow Bennett's lands for importation of himself, Eliza his wife, John Backwell, and Edward Ison; and 100 acres on Lawnes Creek adjoining his own land and the land of Mr. Tooke for the importation of James Long and Margerie Aldrige.5 The patent for 200 acres was renewed on September 12, 1644.5 This land subsequently was conveyed to Daniel Washburne on July 8, 1652, witnessed by James Pyland and Robert Sabin.4

Robert's eldest son, Robert Jr., was born about 1639. He was not used as a headright when Robert obtained land in Isle of Wight in 1642 for importing himself and his wife, therefore he was probably born after Robert's arrival in Virginia.

On September 28, 1643, Robert received a patent for 150 acres near the mouth of Lawnes Creek adjoining John Stocker, Georg Hardie, and Thomas Gyer for the importation of Thomas Merrick, Wm. Penny, and John Pond.5

On August 20, 1644, Robert Lawrence and Ellis Brown patented 400 acres in Lower Norfolk County upon the east branch of Elizabeth River adjoining John Sidney and Richard Woster, 300 of the acres due by assignment of a patent dated May 22, 1637, from Thomas Sawyer, and the remaining 100 acres for paying the costs of importing two servants.5

Robert joined other Puritans migrating to Nansemond Co., Virginia prior to 1659. Robert was a justice of Nansemond County, Virginia in 1659-1660.6 On March 14, 1659/60, he petitioned the Virginia House of Burgesses to have a "writ of ease granted him from his future officiating as a Commissioner in the County of Nanzemund."7 He probably became a quaker about this time and was not in sympathy with the policies and actions of the Church of England and the Government towards the Quakers and Puritans residing in the County.3

Early Quakers differed widely from the sedate, punctual, peace loving and well ordered society that we know in America today. Initially they assumed disorderly characteristics. They denied all respect to magistrates and under a zealous impulse they burst into churches, disturbed public worship and exhorted ministers and congregations with fervid railings and reproaches. They sought no offices, courted no parties, flattered no one in power, cared nothing for earthly vanities, refused to take measures for national defense and denounced war.4,8

Testimonial given by Thomas Jordan at a Quaker meeting the 1st month, 1661, stated that he was "taken at a meeting at Robert Lawrence's and bound over to the court of Nansemond" for refusing to take certain oaths prohibited by their faith.4

On April 17, 1667, Lt. Col. John George patented 360 acres on Castle Creek adjoining Francis Place and Robert Lawrence.5

On "this sict day tenth month in ye year 1679" (6 December 1679) a Robert Laurenc witnessed the wetting of Thomas Jordan and Elizabeth Burgh.9 This may be this Robert or may be his son Robert.

On "this Seventh day of ye 8th month in ye year 1680" (7 October 1680) Robt Laurence and Eliz Laurenc witnessed the wedding of Henry Hollowell and Elizabeth Cotching.9

Robert Lawrence probably was living as late as 19 October 1682 when Robert Lawrence, the elder, witnessed the Quaker wedding of John Scott and Elizabeth Belson.2,8 The exact date of death perished in the destruction of the records of Nanesmond County. Additionally, a Robert Lawrence witnessed the marriage of Robart Jones and Martha Rice on "the tenth day of ye fift month in the year 1683."8 This could be the elder Robert or could be his son Robert.

Records existing in other locations prove that he left four sons, but it is impossible to prove the names of any daughters.3

Robert Lawrence

• June 5 1611
• Chelsea, London, Middlesex County, England Baptism: Sep 16 1612
• London, Greater London, United Kingdom Christening: Jan 8 1614
• Iver, Buckinghamshire, England
• Title: Immigrant
• Religion: Quaker
• Marriage: Marriage to: Unknown Lawrence (born Elizabeth) Between 1615 and 1658 Virginia, USA Education: Robert entered Oxford University on November 4, 1631, and possibly studied law at the Inner Temple in the following year. Upon becoming of legal age and receiving his inheritance, he married and departed for the Virginia Colony with his wife, Elizabeth. Nov 4 1631
• Oxford University, Oxford England
• Immigration: "Upon becoming of legal age and receiving his inheritance, he married and departed for the Virginia Colony with his wife, Elizabeth.(4) Robert's son, Robert Jr., was born about 1639. He was not used as a headright when Robert obtained land in Isle of Wight in 1642 for importing himself and his wife, therefore he was probably born after Robert's arrival in Virginia.1638 migrated from Chelsea, Middlesex, England" "Robert joined other Puritans migrating to Nansemond County , Virginia prior to 1659. Robert was a justice of Nansemond County, Virginia in 1659-1660 for on March 14, 1659/60, he petitioned the Virginia House of Burgesses to have a "writ of ease granted him from his future officiating as a Commissioner in the County of Nanzemund."[CI:191:?3:CI] He probably became a quaker about this time and was not in sympathy with the policies and actions of the Church of England and the Government towards the Quakers and Puritans residing in the County.[CI:197:?3:CI]" 1638
• Virginia Colony, British Colonial America Location: Isle of Wight Civil: Isle of Wight, Isle of Wight, Virginia, USA Reference #: 5436 Military Service: Virginia Occupation: lawyer and plantation owner Marriage: Marriage to: Elizabeth Lawrence (born Adkinson) 1638
• Virginia, United States Arrival: 1642
• Virginia, USA Occupation: Justice for Nansemond County, Virginia From 1656
• Nansemond County, VA Occupation: Justice of the Peace Circa 1659
• Nansemond County, Virginia Colony, British Colonial America Residence: Nansemond County, Virginia Between 1659 and 1660 Religion: Joined the Quaker religion because he was not in sympathy with the policies and actions of the Church of England and the Government towards the Quakers and Puritans residing in the County. Circa 1660
• Nansemond County, Virginia Colony Death: Oct 19 1682
• Mordecai, Mt.Ware Parish, Gloucester, VA Burial: July 12 1683
• Nansemond-Suffolk Cemetery, Suffolk City, Suffork, Colony of Virginia

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Robert Lawrence owned 410 acres in Nansemond County in the Rent Rolls of 1704. On 24 March 1729/30, Robert Lawrence, Yeoman, and wife, Elizabeth Lawrence of the Lower Parish of Isle of Wight County sold Edward Cobb, Jr., Yeoman, for 2,000 pounds of tobacco in cask, 90 acres from a patent to the said Robert Lawrence on 16 June 1727, south of Blackwater and southwest of Cypress Swamp, witnessed by William Cobb, Henry Cobb, and James Holland; James Holland of Nansemond County was appointed Attorney to handle the transaction. On 10 November 1730, Robert Lawrence of Bertie Precinct in North Carolina, Yeoman, sold William Fowler of the Lower Parish of Isle of Wight County, Yeoman, for £20 current Virginia money 250 acres on Beaver Dam Swamp in the Lower Parish from a patent dated 28 May 1673, witnessed by Hardy Council, Sr., Hardy Council, Jr., and Joseph Holland. This last tract appears to have been part of a patent divided by Robert Lawrence, Sr., between his sons John Lawrence and Robert Lawrence, Jr., at the time of his death in Nansemond County. Robert Lawrence, son of John Lawrence, Sr., inherited lands in Nansemond County, Isle of Wight County, and Bertie County. Although he was living on the Bertie County property in 1730, it is obvious from various surviving records that he moved back to Nansemond County and died testate at some time prior to 1747, but his will parish with the rest of the early Nansemond County records during the Revolutionary War. The Bertie County records prove that this Robert left eight children.2

References

1. Boddie, John Bennett. Historical Southern Families, Volume 1 "Lawrence of Isle of Wight County, Virginia." pg 181-191 < Ancestry.com$ >; (document attached)