• Not the same as John Lawrence, Mayor of New York
• Not the same as John Lawrence, of Charlestown
• Not the son of Henry Lawrence & Mary Lawrence

  ---

The Great Migration states of John Lawrence: “In the mid-nineteenth century, Horatio G. Somerby concocted an English origin for John Lawrence, claiming that he derived from Wisset, Suffolk. In 1933 George Andrews Moriarty demolished this pedigree. In particular, he demonstrated that there was no connection between John Lawrence of Charlestown, son of Henry Lawrence, and John Lawrence of Watertown [TAG 10:78-83]."

Parents unknown. Married 1) Elizabeth; 13 children 2) Susannah Batchelder; 2 children.

Anderson's Great Migration Study Project: John Lawrence (d 1667) married (1) by 1635, Elizabeth ____. She died at Groton on 29 Aug 1663. They had 13 children: John, Nathaniel, Joseph, Joseph again, Jonathan, Mary , Peleg, Enoch, Samuel, Isaac, Jonathan, Elizabeth, & Zachariah. [No George]

Disputed Parentage:

"In the mid-nineteenth century, Horatio G. Somerby concocted an English origin for John Lawrence, claiming that he derived from Wisset, Suffolk. In 1933 George Andrews Moriarty demolished this pedigree. In particular, he demonstrated that there was no connection between John Lawrence of Charlestown, son of Henry Lawrence, and John Lawrence of Watertown [TAG 10:78-83]." [1]

Biography

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Lawrence-293

Profile last modified 4 Sep 2020 | Created 25 Sep 2010 | Last significant change: 5 Sep 2020

• John Lawrence
• Born about 1610 in England [uncertain]
• Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
• [sibling%28s%29 unknown]
• Husband of Elizabeth (Unknown) Lawrence — married about 1635 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony
• Husband of Susannah (Bachelor) Lawrence — married 2 Nov 1664 in Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Colony
• Father of John Lawrence II, Nathaniel Lawrence, Joseph Lawrence, Jonathan Lawrence, Joseph Lawrence, Mary Lawrence, Peleg Lawrence, Enoch Lawrence, Samuel Lawrence, Elizabeth Lawrence, Jonathan Lawrence, Isaac Lawrence, Zechariah Lawrence, Abigail Lawrence and Susanna (Lawrence) Knowles
• Died 11 Jul 1667 in Groton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony

John Lawrence migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1620-1640).

Biography

John was born about 1610 in England. [1] The DAR, suggests he may have been of Scottish descent. [2]

He is said to be a carpenter, but had large land holdings and was probably a planter or husbandman as well. [3]

Timeline

• 1636: He was living in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts by 1636, and was one of its first proprietors. [3]
• 1636: July 25: Granted 30 acres at Watertown. [1]
• 1636/7: February 28: Granted 3 acres of plow lands. [1]
• 1636/7: Made a Freeman. [1] [3]
• 1637: June 26: Granted 3 acres of the remote meadows. [1]
• 1637: Admitted to the Watertown Church. [1]
• 1642: May 10: Granted a farm of 93 acres. [1]
• 1650: Bought fifteen acres of the town common land called King's Common. [4]
• 1654: John Lawrence, Clerk, paid Hugh Mason 2 17s 6d money for town or parish use. [4]
• 1658: October 25: Constable at Watertown. [1]
• 1662: Sold his land and mansion in Watertown. [4] Moved to Groton about this time. [3]
• 1662: An original proprieter of Groton, he owned a 20 acre right. [4]
• 1662: October 23: John and Elizabeth his wife, sold some of his Watertown lots. [3] [1]
• 1662: October 27: He and Elizabeth sold his Watertown homestead to John Briscoe, and sold other land in Watertown. [3] [1]
• 1662: December 24: John Lawrence, among others, chosen Selectman at Groton. [1] [3]
• 1666: December 11: Selectman. [1]

Family

He married first, Elizabeth ___.[1] This marriage would have taken place by 1635 when son John was born. Elizabeth died at Groton on August 29, 1663. [5][1] There is uncertainty regarding the identities of several of their children. Bond identified twelve children from their marriage,[3] and The Great Migration lists thirteen children. [1]

John and Elizabeth had the following children:

1. John born 14: 1m: 1635 (March 14, 1635) at Watertown; [2] [5] [3] probably died prior to his father, but after November 30, 1663 when he is referenced as John Lawrence Jr. in Groton records. [1]
2. Nathaniel born 15: 8m: 1639 (October 15, 1639); [2][5] died at Lexington, Massachusetts on April 14, 1724 [6], in his 85th year; [7]; married first at Sudbury, Sarah Morse daughter of John and Hannah (Philips) Morse [3]; married second Sarah ___ by 1695; married third, after December 10, 1717, Sarah (Smith) Philips.[1]
3. Joseph born in March 1642: buried on May 30, 1642. [5] [1] [3]
4. Joseph born 30: 3m: 1643 (May 30, 1643). [2] [5] [1] [3]
5. Jonathan born ___; buried on 6: 2m: 1643 (April 6, 1643). [2] [5] [1]
6. Mary born 16: 5m: 1645 (July 16, 1645). [2] [5] [1] [3]
7. Peleg born 10: 11m: 1647 ( January 10, 1647/8); [2] [5] died on February 14, 1692; [8] married Elizabeth Morse at Medfield on December 22, 1668 [1], sister of Nathaniel's wife. [3]
8. Enoch born 5: 1m: 1648 (March 5, 1648); [2] [5] married on March 6, 1676/7 at Watertown, the widow Ruth Shattuck, daughter of John Jr. and Ruth Whitney. [1] [3]
9. Samuel [2] [3] born about 1650; married at Charlestown widow Rebecca Luen, on September 14, 1682. [1]
10. Isaac [2] [3] born about 1652; married on April 19, 1682 at Cambridge, Abigail Bellows, daughter of John Bellows. [1]
11. Elizabeth born about 1655/6. [3] [1]
12. Jonathan [3] born about 1654; married Rebecca Rutter at Cambridge on November 5, 1677. [1]
13. Zechariah born 9: 1m: 1658 (March 9, 1658. [2] [5] [3]

He married second Susanna Batcheldor of Boston, at Charlestown on November 2, 1664. She was the daughter of William Batcheldor and she died on July 8, 1688. [1][3]

John and Susanna had the following children:

1. Abigail [2] born at Groton on January 9, 1665. [9] [3] [1]
2. Susanna, [2] Born at Groton on July 3, 1667. [9] [3] [1]

Death and Will

The original hand written version reports his death as "Jno [where the "o" is elevated] Laurance, senr. died July 11, 1667". [10] He was buried in the Old Burying Ground, in Groton .

The more recent typed version of the Groton Vital Records claims ”Jona(than) Laurance Sr. died at Groton on July 11, 1667. [9]

This ancient common practice of abbreviation of John to Jno may be the cause of the frequent error of creating John O. Lawrence profiles for people born in the 1600s. The vital records book cited above [9] made a different type of error, by changing ”Jno” to ”Jona(than)”.

His will dated April 24, proved October 1, 1667, and his estate was valued at L 278 4d on March 8, 1667/8. His will mentions:

• his wife Executrix
• sons Nathaniel and Joseph Executors
• sons Enoch, Samuel, Isaac, Jonathan and Zechariah
• daughters Elizabeth and Mary [1] [11]

His widow Susanna's will dated at Charlestown in July and proved December. 16, 1688, mentions:

• daughters Abigail and Susanna
• father and mother Batcheldor
• sisters Rachel Atwood and Abigail Asting [1]

Research Notes

Watertown Births Children: LAWRENCE (Larrance, Laurance, Laurence, Lawranc, Lawrance, Lorance)

• John [Laurance], s. John and Elizabeth, 14: 1m: 1635. (p. 4)
• Nathanell [Lorance], s. John and Elizabeth, 15: 8m: 1639. (p. 7)
• Joseph, s. John and Elisab, ––: 1m: 1642. MCR (p. 10)
• Joseph, s. John and Elisabeth, 30: 3m: 1643. MCR (p. 11)
• Mary [Laurence], d. John and Elizabeth, 16: 5m: 1645. (p. 12)
• Peleg [Laurence], John and Elizabath, 10: 11m: 1647. (p. 13)
• Enosh [Laurance], s. John and Elizabeth, 5: 1m: 1648. (p. 14)
• Zechariah, s. John and Elizabath, 9: 1m: 1658. (p. 21)

Watertown Deaths

• Lawrence, Joseph, s. John and Elisab, bur. 30: 3m: 1642. MCR (p. 10)
• Lawrence, Jonathan, s. John and Elisabeth, bur. 6: 2m: 1643. MCR (p. 11) [5]

Groton Deaths

• LAURENCE, Elizabeth, w. John, Aug. 29, 1663. CTR (p. 239)
• LAURANCE, Jonathan, sr., July 11, 1667. CTR (p. 239) Note: This refers to John, Sr., see Death and Wills above.
• Lawrence, Enosh, Sept. 25 [bet. 1725 and 1729], a. abt. 74 y. (p. 240)

Groton Births Children: Lawrence/Laurance

• Abigail, d. John, sr., Jan. 9, 1665. CTR (p. 135)
• Susanna, d. John and Susannah, July 3, 1667. CTR (p. 135) [9]

Lexington Deaths

• Lawrence, Dea. April 14, 1724. (p. 183) [6]

New England Marriages

• LAWRENCE, John ( - 1667) & 1/wf Elizabeth COOKE ( - 1663, Groton) ; b. 1635; Watertown/Groton (p. 454)
• LAWRENCE, John (1609-1667) & 2/wf Susannah BATCHELDER ( - 1668); 2 Nov. 1664; Groton (p. 454)[12]

Sources

• ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 Anderson, Robert Charles. Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, volume IV, I–L. (Boston: NEHGS, 2005): pages 246-254. AmericanAncestors.org link.
• ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 The American Monthly Magazine, Volume 28, Published by the DAR, R.R. Bowker Company, Washington, DC, 1905
• ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 Genealogies of the Families and Descendants of the Early Settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts, Including Waltham and Weston: To which is Appended the Early History of the Town, by Henry Bond & Horatio Gates Jones, NEHGR, Boston, MA, 1860
• ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Lawrence, John, The Genealogy of the Family of John Lawrence, of Wisset, In Suffolk, England, And of Watertown And Groton, Massachusetts. Boston: Pub. for the author, by S. K. Whipple and Company, 1857, p. 14-15
• ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 Watertown Records Comprising the First and Second Books of Town Proceedings, Land Grants and Possessions, The First Book and Supplement of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Historical Society, Press of Fred Barker, Watertown, 1894
• ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lexington Massachusetts, Record of Births, Marriages and Deaths to January 1, 1898 , Wright & Potter Printers, Boston , 1898
• ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #33076056
• ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #74967972
• ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Vital Records of Groton Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, The Essex Institute, Salem, MA, 1926
• ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FC9N-ZWR : 3 November 2017), Jno. Laurance, 11 Jul 1667; citing Death, Grotton, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States, , town clerk offices, Massachusetts; FHL microfilm 892,249. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9QY-H3T3?i=61&cc=...
• ↑ Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (From records supplied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives.)
• ↑ New England Marriages Prior to 1700, By Clarence Almon Torrey, Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Com, 1985
• Lawrence, John (1847), A Genealogical Memoir of the Family of John Lawrence, of Watertown, 1636. (This first book makes no claims for the parentage of the immigrant. It does suggest that the immigrant probably sailed on the Planter in 1635, a claim disputed by another John Lawrence.)
• Lawrence, John (1857): The Genealogy of the Family of John Lawrence, of Wisset, In Suffolk, England, And of Watertown And Groton, Massachusetts. Boston: Pub. for the author, by S. K. Whipple and Company, 1857. At Hathitrust. (A rewrite of the 1847 book, now including the Somerby claims).
• See also: Find A Grave: Memorial #91691920
• Pope, Charles Henry: "Pioneers of Massachusetts"; page 279 (Lawrence)

  ---

Family

John Lawrence married (1) by 1635, Elizabeth ____. She died at Groton on 29 Aug 1663.
They had 13 children: John, Nathaniel, Joseph, Joseph again, Jonathan, Mary , Peleg, Enoch, Samuel, Isaac, Jonathan, Elizabeth, & Zachariah - not George.

John Lawrence married (2) in Charlestown MA, 2 Noiv 1664, Susanna Bachelor, daughter of WILLIAM BACHELOR {1635, Charlestown}. She died at Charlestown on 8 Jul 1668 (as "Susana Lawrence, widow, Will[iam] Batchelder daughter").

They had two children: Abigail & Susanna.

Source: Anderson's Great Migration Study Project

Disambiguation

There were at least 3 individuals by the name of John Lawrence during the period of time that our ancestor lived in New England. Many of the genealogical discussion in the past have combined these three unique men into one John.

John #1 - There is our John Lawrence (abt. 1610 - 1667) who we have no documentation for his parents or where and when he came from or what his middle name might have been. This John Lawrence came to Watertown, Mass about 1630 to 1635 and lived there until he moved to Groton, Mass in 1662 where he died in 1667

John #2 - There is also the John Lawrence (abt. 1620 - 1672) who was the son of Henry and Christina Lawrence of Charlestown, Mass. He married a Susanna and lived and died in Charlestown. He is sometimes confused with the first son of our John Lawrence

John #3 - There is also the John Lawrence (1618 - 1699) - of St Albins, the son of Thomas and Joanne Antrobus Lawrence, who came over here on the ship Planter in 1635.

See: "Note from direct descendant" at bottom of About Section:

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

John Lawrence at FINDAGRAVE

• 'Genealogical guide to the early settlers of America. Vol. 3
• http://archive.org/details/cu31924095655589
• http://archive.org/stream/cu31924095655589#page/n35/mode/1up
• Pg. 316
• ' JOHN LAWRENCE, Watertown, freeman 1637, by wife Eliz. 'had John, born 1636, Nathaniel 1639, Joseph 1642, died at 2 months; Joseph again, 1643, Jonathan, perhaps his twin brother, died soon; Mary 1645, Peleg 1647, Enoch 1649, Samuel, Isaac, Eliz. 1655, Jonathan, again, and Zechariah 1659, all at W. except Eliz., born
• http://archive.org/stream/cu31924095655589#page/n36/mode/1up
• Pg. 317
• at Boston, who may, however, have been another John's. 'He removed about 1662 to Groton, and his wife died there 1663, and he married 1664, Susanna, daughter of William Batchelor of Charlestown', had Abigail, born 1666, prob died young, and Susanna 1667. 'He died 1667, and his widow removed to Charlestown, there died 1668'.
• _______________
• 'The genealogy of the family of John Lawrence, of Wisset, in Suffolk, England, and of Watertown and Groton, Massachusetts (1857)
• http://archive.org/details/genealogyoffamil00lawr
• http://archive.org/stream/genealogyoffamil00lawr#page/13/mode/1up
• 'John Lawrence son of Henry & Mary m. Elizabeth
• http://archive.org/stream/genealogyoffamil00lawr#page/14/mode/1up
• '2d m. Susanna dau. of Wm. Batchelder
• http://archive.org/stream/genealogyoffamil00lawr#page/15/mode/1up
• 'widow Susanna died July 8, 1668
• _________________________
• 'A genealogical memoir of the family of John Lawrence, of Watertown, 1636; with brief notices of others of the name in England and America (1847)
• http://archive.org/details/genealogicalmemo00lawr
• http://archive.org/stream/genealogicalmemo00lawr#page/17/mode/1up
• Pg. 17
• 'John Lawrence
• http://archive.org/stream/genealogicalmemo00lawr#page/18/mode/1up
• Pg. 18
• 'm. Elizabeth 2nd Susanna Batchelder
• _____________________
• 'Historical genealogy of the Lawrence family : from their first landing in this country, 1635 to the present date, July 4th, 1858 (1858)
• http://www26.us.archive.org/details/historicalgeneal00lawr
• http://www26.us.archive.org/stream/historicalgeneal00lawr#page/181/...
• Pg. 181
• 'John Lawrence m. Elizabeth 2nd Susanna Batchelder
• ___________________________
• 'Batchelder, Batcheller genealogy. Descendants of Rev. Stephen Bachiler of England...who settled the town of New Hampton, N. H., and Joseph, Henry, Joshua and John Batcheller, of Essex Co., Mass (1898)
• http://archive.org/details/batchelderbatche00byupier
• http://archive.org/stream/batchelderbatche00byupier#page/39/mode/1up
• Pg. 39
• William Bachelder m. Jane Cowper 2d Rachel
• http://archive.org/stream/batchelderbatche00byupier#page/40/mode/1up
• Pg. 40
• 'Susanna Bachelder 2nd wife of John Laurence
• __________________
• 'John (Joseph) Lawrence1
• 'M, b. 8 October 1609, d. 11 July 1667
• Father Henry Lawrence b. 10 Apr 1586, d. b 2 Jun 1660
• Mother Mary West b. 1579, d. bt 3 May 1647 - 1648
• ' John (Joseph) Lawrence was christened on 8 October 1609 at Wisset, Suffolk, England. He was born on 8 October 1609 at England. He married Elizabeth Cooke in 1635 at Watertown, Middlesex, MA. John (Joseph) Lawrence died on 11 July 1667 at Groton, Middlesex, MA, at age 57.
• 'Family Elizabeth Cooke b. 1611, d. 29 Aug 1663
• Children
  • George Lawrence+ b. 1637, d. 21 Mar 1708/9
  • Nathaniel Lawrence b. 15 Oct 1639, d. 14 Apr 1724
  • Peleg Lawrence+ b. 10 Jan 1647, d. 14 Feb 1692
  • Enoch Lawrence+ b. 5 Mar 1648, d. 28 Sep 1744
• Citations
• 1.[S6274] Unknown author, Families Directly Descended from all the Royal Families in Europe, by Elizabeth M. Rixford, p. 93.
• From: http://our-royal-titled-noble-and-commoner-ancestors.com/p677.htm#i...
• ___________________________

John Lawrence, a native of Winsect, Suffolk County, England, was baptized October 8, 1609, came to Massachusetts about 1630 with his wife Elizabeth (by Townley). They had thirteen children, the first being born 1636.

per american historical society inc ny

john was born in Wisset, Suffolk Eng, came to america, married Elizabeth and settled in watertown MA before 1635. John is the first American ancestor of this line.

John Lawrence born Oct 8, 1609, Wisset, Suffolk, England, married (1) bf 1635, Elizabeth (?), died Aug 29, 1663, Groton, MA, married (2) Nov 2, 1664, in Charlestown, MA, Susanna (Batchelder) Bachiler, (daughter of William (Batchelder) Bachiler and Jane (?)) died Jul 8, 1668, Charlestown, MA. John died Jul 11, 1667, Groton MA. The Lawrences trace their ancestry back to Sir Robert who served with Richard "the Loin Hearted" at the Seige of Acre in 1191. John came to Watertown, MA in 1635 on the ship "Planter". A major part of this genealogy (thru Isaac Lawrence's family) is from "Ancestry & Posterity of Isaac Lawrence" genealogylibrary.com. Elizabeth: Either Elizabeth Waters (1610-1663) or Elizabeth (?) who married a Cooke before this marriage, or Elizabeth Waters married the Cooke first.

Supposedly descended from Robert Lawrence, b. 1150, who was knighted at the siege of Acre in the Third Crusade (1189).

• --------------------

First Generation in America

Listed on "Family Tree Maker - Descendants of John Lawrence"

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/o/o/Stephen-W-Moore-AZ...

1. JOHN1 LAWRENCE was born October 08, 1609 in Wissett, Suffolk, England, and died July 11, 1667 in Groton, MA. He married (1) SUSANNA BATCHELOR, daughter of WILLIAM BATCHELOR and JANE X. She died July 08, 1668. He married (2) ELIZABETH WATERS 1635 in Watertown, MA. She died August 29, 1663 in Groton, MA.

Children of JOHN LAWRENCE and SUSANNA BATCHELOR are:

 	i. 	  	ABIGAIL2 LAWRENCE, b. January 11, 1665/66, Groton, MA.

 	ii. 	  	SUSANNA LAWRENCE, b. July 03, 1667, Groton, MA.

Children of JOHN LAWRENCE and ELIZABETH WATERS are: 2. iii. JOHN2 LAWRENCE, b. March 14, 1635/36, Watertown, MA; d. June 17, 1672. 3. iv. NATHANIEL LAWRENCE, b. October 15, 1639, Watertown, MA; d. April 24, 1724, Lexington, MA.

 	v. 	  	JOSEPH LAWRENCE, b. March 1641/42, Watertown, MA; d. May 30, 1642, Watertown, MA.

 	vi. 	  	JONATHAN LAWRENCE, b. Watertown, MA; d. April 06, 1643. 4. 	vii. 	  	JOSEPH LAWRENCE, b. May 30, 1643, Watertown, MA; d. November 14, 1685. 5. 	viii. 	  	MARY LAWRENCE, b. July 16, 1645, Watertown, MA; d. February 10, 1685/86. 6. 	ix. 	  	PELEG LAWRENCE, b. January 10, 1646/47, Watertown, MA; d. February 14, 1691/92, Groton, MA. 7. 	x. 	  	ENOCH LAWRENCE, b. March 05, 1648/49, Watertown, MA; d. September 28, 1744, Groton, MA.

 	xi. 	  	SAMUEL LAWRENCE, b. 1650, Watertown, MA; d. 1695; m. REBECCA LUEN, September 11, 1682.

	More About SAMUEL LAWRENCE: Residence: Connecticut

xii. ISAAC LAWRENCE, b. Watertown, MA; d. April 19, 1731, Norwich, New London, CT; m. ABIGAIL BELLOWS, April 19, 1682; b. May 06, 1661; d. September 13, 1726, Norwich, New London, CT.

	More About ISAAC LAWRENCE: Residence: Norwich, CT

8. xiii. ELIZABETH LAWRENCE, b. May 09, 1655, Boston, MA; d. February 02, 1741/42.

 	xiv. 	  	JONATHAN LAWRENCE, b. 1656, Watertown, MA; d. September 19, 1729, Groton, MA; m. REBECCA RUTTER, November 05, 1677; d. February 16, 1723/24, Groton, MA.

	More About JONATHAN LAWRENCE: Burial: Old Burial Ground, Groton, MA Military service: Lieutenant

More About REBECCA RUTTER: Burial: Old Burial Ground, Groton, MA
xv. ZECHARIAH LAWRENCE, b. March 09, 1657/58, Watertown, MA.

• --------------------

http://www.lawrencefamhis.com/ashton-o/p1459.htm#i36460

• --------------------

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jmljr&id=...

John came to America in the ship "Arabella" 1630; settled on Lord Saltonstall's plantation - Watertown, MA. Was admitted a Freeman 17 Apr 1637 at 28 years; was proprietor and Selectman of Watertown; member of Grand Jury of Cambridge 1 Apr 1662; Oct. 1662 sold land in Watertown and moved to new settlement of Groton - was an original landowner and proprietor there; a carpenter; Selectman; Surveyor of highways.

According to the list of possessions in Watertown in 1642, he then owned 7 lots, amounting to 154 + acres.

He came over sometime between 1630 and 1635. He married first Elizabeth..... and they had eleven children. His first son was born in Watertown March 14, 1635. On July 25th 1636, A Grant of the Great Dividents lotted out by the Freemen. John Lawrence receives Thirty Acres at the Fourth Divifion, Lott 18.

He was addmitted as a Freeman on February 2, 1637 in Watertown. His trade was that of a carpenter. In the year about 1642 his homestead in Watertown was "bounded on the east by the highway; north by Timothy Hawkins and John Hammond; west by the meadow of John Biscoe; south by the land of John Flemming, deceased; wid. dix, and her sonne; wid. Barlett, and said Biscoe." This would be about 1/5th mile north of Belmont Street on the West side of Common Street. The Belmont Methodist Church is currently located here.

A list of possessions in Watertown in 1642 indicated that he then owned 7 lots amounting to 154.5 acres.

In 1662 he sold off his holdings in Watertown and moved to Groton, Mass. 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 was later owned by Joseph F. Hall. Currently the Gibbet Hill Grill is located in this general location.

His first wife died August 29, 1663. He married 2nd Susannah Batchelder on November 4, 1664, and they had an additional 2 children.

In 1665 his son Nathaniel and family moved into the family homestead in Groton.

John died July 11, 1667, probably at his home near Gibbet Hill.

Most certainly he was buried in the Old Burying Ground located at the corner of Hollis and School Streets in Groton, Mass. This was the only burying ground in Groton for it's first 192 years until in 1847 when the Groton Cemetery was opened. As early graves were marked by simple wood markings there is no existing marker for John Lawrence in this Cemetery. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Note from direct descendant:

"I wish to inform you that much of what is written about John Lawrence 1610 - 1667 of England, Watertown and Groton Mass with regard to his English past is fiction.

John Lawrence of Watertown and Groton Mass but not of Wissett England. To all of you that are descendant from John Lawrence of Watertown, Mass., as I am, please note that it has been pointed out to me that this John Lawrence was not related to the Lawrences in Wissett England.

He also is not the same John Lawrence that came over here on the Planter in 1635. This family settled in New York City.

His father was not Henry Lawrence who settled in Charlestown, Mass. The John Lawrence son of Henry of Charlestown, Mass., married Susanna and died in the spring of 1672 in Charlestown.

Please refer to an article in the American Genealogist by the late George Anderson Moriarty who is also a descendent of John Lawrence of Watertown that was written in 1933 TAG 19:66 that does a detailed explanation of this.

The full text of this explanation by Mr Moriarty is 6 pages long so I only quote the following from the end of this article. "To sum up. There is no evidence that the Lawrences were at Ashton Hall Prior to the middle of the fourteenth century; there is no evidence that the Suffolk family of the name derive from the Lancashire family; and finally there is no evidence that John Lawrence, son of Henry of Wissett, is identical with John Lawrence, the early settler of Watertown and Groton. The name is derived from that of a well-known mediaeval saint, and at a period when surnames were assumed many persons, not necessarily related, but connected with one or another of the numerous religious establishments dedicated to that Saint, assumed the name. The writer of this monograph is actuated by no desire to cast reflections upon the distinguished Boston family of the name but, as he descends from two of the children of Deacon Nathaniel Lawrence of Groton, his investigations were undertaken solely with reference to his own ancestry, and this paper is the result of his belief that the true facts about pedigrees should be made known in the interest of sound genealogical studies."

George Anderson Moriarty is the author of many books on the "Great Migration" which may be seen at http://www.greatmigration.org

There were at least 3 individuals by the name of John Lawrence during the period of time that our ancestor lived in New England. Many of the genealogical discussion in the past have combined these three unique men into one John. John #1 - There is our John Lawrence (abt. 1610 - 1667) who we have no documentation for his parents or where and when he came from. This John Lawrence came to Watertown, Mass about 1630 to 1635 and lived there until he moved to Groton, Mass in 1662 where he died in 1667 John #2 - There is also the John Lawrence (abt. 1620 - 1672) who was the son of Henry and Christina Lawrence of Charlestown, Mass. He married a Susanna and lived and died in Charlestown. He is sometimes confused with the first son of our John Lawrence John #3 - There is also the John Lawrence (1618 - 1699) - of St Albins, the son of Thomas and Joanne Antrobus Lawrence, who came over here on the ship Planter in 1635 as follows: "The Planter, under Master Nicholas Trerice/Travice, the Planter sailed from London April 2 or 11, 1635, arriving at Boston June 7, 1635. Hotten has Trarice, Nico for the master. Lawrence, John 17 (From St Albans to Newtown, Long Island, NH Ref: NEGR 45/85 36 pg 69) Lawrence, William 12 (From St Albans to Newtown, Long Island, NH Ref: NEGR 45/85 36 pg 69) Lawrence, Mary 9." This John Lawrence was quite well placed and moved to New York where he was elected to Mayor of NYC. Please note that for extensive information on this John Lawrence see "Historical Genealogy of the Lawrence Family" by Thomas Lawrence published by Edward O. Jenkins, No 26 Frankfort St, New York 1858,

Reported relationship with Elizabeth Cooke Elizabeth Cooke the daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth Charde Cooke (Christined September 11, 1611 in Bridport, Dorset, England) has from some sources been connected as the first spouse of my 8th GGfather John Lawrence of Watertown and Groton, Mass 1610 to 1667. (Not of Wissett England) I'm questioning if this is actually so. Her mother remarried Thomas Ford after the death of her father. I've found passage info for the family as follows: The Mary & John left Plymouth, England March 20, 1630 with her unknown Master, arriving in Nantasket Point, now Dorchester, Mass., at the entrance of Boston Harbor on May 30, 1630, two weeks before the Winthrop Fleet arrived. A list- certain or highly probable passengers: Cook, Arron Dorchester, Dorset - (Son of Arron Cook and Elizabeth Chard) Ford, Thomas 42 Dorchester, Dorset - (Second husband of Elizabeth Chard) Ford, Elizabeth Chard, second wife 41 Ford, Mary, daughter 17 Ford, Joan, daughter 12 Ford, Abigail, daughter 10 Ford, Hepzibah 4 Elizabeth who would have been 19 at this time is not included in this listing. The Parish Records for Bridport Dorset England does have a record for an Elizabeth Cooke who was buried in 1615 and a Aaron Cook who was also buried in 1615. Aaron Cook was born son of Aaron Cook in 1613. Therefore it is my opinion that the last name for John's first spouse of Elizabeth remains unknown.

Genealogical Work Most of what we know about the family of John Lawrence can be traced back to the genealogy work done for Abbott and Amos Lawrence by Horatio Somerby in the mid 1800's. "Mr. Somerby was a Newburyport lawyer, who, about 1840, went to England to reside and support himself by supplying pedigrees to the newly rich of his native Commonwealth."

Mr. Somerby's work included a pedigree for our the family of John Lawrence from "Sir Robert Lawrence of Aston Hall in Lancashire who was reportedly knighted by Richard of Anjou for his good services at Acre and given arms, viz "Silver a cross raguly gules" " In this pedigree John Lawrence, the Watertown house carpenter, appears as seventeenth in descent for the "Crusader." This Pedigree may be found in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register Vol. X. No. 4. dated October, 1856.

This genealogical work was published and republished four times with corrections and updates by Rev. John Lawrence, born May 21, 1814 in St Johnsbury, VT., the son of Hubbard and Mary Goss Lawrence. On a personal note, Hubbard Lawrence, the father of Rev. John Lawrence, is my 3rd great grandfather. These publications included the pedigree developed by Mr. Somerby plus family records since John Lawrence arrived in New England.

It would appear the this work to link our line to England was not well research of fabricated to please those paying for the work.

Please note that this work is very good with regards to decedents of John Lawrence.

So I know this will upset many of you as if did when I first realized the truth. I had traveled to England and visited many of the little towns that our line was reported to have lived. The photos of the churches in these little towns hung on my walls for many years.

Please give me credit for any portion of the above you use.

Thanks

Dennis Lawrence 1945 - (John, Nathaniel, John, Jonathan, Micah, Hubbard, Hubbard, Hubbard, Edward, Edward

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Deacon ?