Person Page

     Lessie Maie Lawrence was born on 27 June 1883 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5,6 She married John Wise Smith [Sr.] on 12 June 1907 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.⁷ Lessie died suddenly at her home on 4 January 1955 in 113 Buffalo St., Old Hickory, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at age 71.^1,8 She was interred on 7 January 1955 in Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.^1,8
     

     Lessie Maie Lawrence was listed as a daughter at age 16, born in Tennessee, in the household of Henry Smith Lawrence in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 13 June 1900.⁵

     Lessie Maie Smith was listed as a daughter at age 23, born in Tennessee, in the household of Henry Smith Lawrence in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 27 April 1910.⁶

     Lessie Maie Smith was listed as wife at age 36, born in Tennessee, in the household of John Wise Smith [Sr.] in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 9 February 1920.⁴

     Lessie Maie Smith was listed as wife at age 45, born in Tennessee, in the household of John Wise Smith [Sr.] in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 26 April 1930.³

     Lessie's obituary:

     Margaret Florence Lawrence was born on 9 August 1885 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.^1,2 Margaret died of heart failure caused by diptheria on 30 October 1901 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at age 16.¹ She was interred in Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.³
     

     Margaret was also known as Maggie.

     Maggie was partly paralyzed. According to family tradition provided by Thelma Louise Lawrence, Umma had started to town with baby Maggie. A doctor came along and offered her a ride in a buggy. He stopped along the way to make a house call. While Umma and Maggie were waiting in the buggy, the horse bolted. Umma clutched Maggie to her chest where she had a silver dollar tied around her neck. The silver dollar pressed against Maggie's temple paralyzing her.

     The following "Tribute of Respect to the Memory of Maggie Lawrence" was adopted by the East End M. E. Church.


     Margaret Florence Lawrence was listed as a daughter at age 14, born in Tennessee, in the household of Henry Smith Lawrence in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 13 June 1900.²

     Margaret Murphy Lawrence was born in 1703.¹ Conflicting evidence states that Margaret Murphy Lawrence was born circa 1722 in Isle of Wight Co., Virginia.^2,3 She married first John Daughtrey, son of James Daughtrey [Sr.], before 1742 in Isle of Wight Co., Virginia.^4,5,3 She married second Thomas Langford after 1749.⁵

     Marmaduke Lawrence was baptized on 17 August 1619.²

     Martha Lawrence was baptized on 1 March 1583.¹ She married William Jackson [Esq.] in 1601.^2,3,1

     Martha Lawrence was born circa 1684 in Nansemond Co., Virginia.¹ She married Thomas Daughtrey [Sr.], son of James Daughtrey Jr. and Elizabeth ?, in Virginia.^2,3 Martha Lawrence died before 1726 in probably Northampton Co., North Carolina.⁴

     Mary Lawrence was born in 1681.¹ She married John Thomas.² Mary died circa 1736 in Virginia.¹
     

     On November 22, 1704, John Thomas, of Nansemond County, Virginia, deeded to Col. Thomas Pollock of Chowan Precinct in North Caroina, 208 1/3 acres west of Chowan River, part of 625 acres patented by John Lawrence, deceased, on September 25, 1663, "by right of Mary my now wife daughter of ye aforesd. Jon. Lawrence", witnessed by Francis Parrott, Nathan Chevin, and David Henderson. On October 16, 1713, Mary Thomas, widow, of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County, sold John Lawrence, Sr., for 5,100 pounds of tobacco, 100 acres in the Lower Parish Isle of Wight County from a patent of 530 to John Lawrence, deceased, on June 5, 1678, "upon maine Blackwater" and bequeathed to her by her said father in his will dated January 2, 1696/7, witnessed by William Wilkinson and Giles Driver, Jr.³

     On September 20, 1736, John Thomas of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County, sold John Lawrence, Jr. of the Lower Parish of Isle of Wight County, for 2,100 pounds of tobacco 100 acres from 530 acres east of Blackwater bequeathed to daughter Mary Thomas by John Lawrence, Sr³.

     Mary Lawrence married Andrew Booth.¹

     Mary Louise Lawrence was born on 28 October 1910 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.^1,2,3 She married Herbert Comer Attison on 19 September 1931 in Birmingham, Jefferson Co., Alabama.⁴ Mary died on 11 March 2005 at age 94. Last residence listed in the Social Security Death Index was Pinson, Jefferson Co., Alabama.^5,3 She was interred on 14 March 2005 in Forest Hill Cemetery in Birmingham, Jefferson Co., Alabama.⁵
     

     Mary was also known as Louise.

     Mary Louise Lawrence was listed as a daughter at age 11 (age incorrect), born in Tennessee, in the household of Carl Greenville Lawrence [Sr.] in 11th Civil District, Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 2 January 1920.²

     Mary Louise Lawrence was listed as a daughter at age 19, born in Tennessee, in the household of Carl Greenville Lawrence [Sr.] in Birmingham, Jefferson Co., Alabama, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 21 April 1930.¹

     Louise's obituary:

     Michael Lawrence was born in Alabama.

     Michael Lawrence was born circa 1676 in Nansemond Co., Virginia.^1,2 Michael married first Elizabeth ? circa 1723.² Michael married second Susanna Larcomb circa 1730.³ Michael died after 1754.⁴
     

     On "the 15 day of this instant mo being the first mo of the year 1702" (15 April 1702) the marriage of Thomas Page and Isabell Lawrence was witnessed by brothers Michall Lawrence and Thomas Lawrence (brothers of Isabell), Elizabeth Lawrence (probably Isabell's mother), Joane Lawrence (wife of Robert Lawrence, and Mary Lawrence (wife of John Lawrence). Isabell was the daughter of Henry Lawrence, brother to the aforementioned Robert and John, and Elizabeth Edey.⁵

     In Chowan Co., North Carolina, on 1 April 1754, Michael Lawrance and wife Susannah sold to Lemuel Reddick for £20:10 Virginia, one half of lands on Loosing Swamp in Chowan Co. and Perquimans Co. commonly called Mount Folly which moity of land containing about 200 acres said Michael and Susannah holds as the said Susannah being one of the daughters and coheir of Suanna Larcomb late of Nansemond Co., deceased there never being any division between the said Susannah and her sister Elizabeth the late wife of Hugh Horton deceased nor since with her legal represenatives.⁴

     Michael and his wife gave land to son John on 4 July 1754 as follows:

     "To all people to whome this Writing shall come that I Michel Lawrence of the upper parrish of Nansemond County Send greeting know yee that I the sd Michel Lawernce for the good Will and Natural Love which I Bair to my son John Lawrence of the same County & Parrish aforsd hath given & granted & by these presens dot Gie grant & Confirm unto my Sd Son John all that plantation pease or parcell of land Whereon I live & all the apertunences thereunto belonging with all my stocks aof cattell horses Hogs Housell Stuff & all the Rest of my estate which I am now percestd of To Have & To Hold the sd Land () goods & chattels to the sd John Lawrence his hairs Exrs ads or asigns forever to him & there proper use & behoof forever freely & quietly without any Matter of Challing Claim Whatsoever In considerration that the said John Lawrance for himself his Hairs Exrs Ads or Asings Will maintain his above father & mother & keep them with Good Serfishant meet drink, washing & Login well clothed & keep them form all manner of wont whatsoever in sickness and health dureing Both there Natural lives and for the true performance of this Righting I do put My sd son Inful I percestion of all the above premisses to him () forever. In Wittness I hearunto Set My hand & seal this fourth day of July 1754.
Mikill Lawrence Sind Seald & deliverd In the presents of T Jethro Durden P Poul Lawrance Joshua Gardner (recorded July 8, 1754, Nansemond Co.).²

     Paul Edward Lawrence was born on 17 March 1937 in Springfield, Clark Co., Ohio.¹ He married first Naomi Marie Wood, daughter of John Henry Wood and Ruth Mary Macke, in a religious ceremony on 22 August 1959 in the First Church of God, Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio.² Paul Edward Lawrence was divorced from Naomi on 2 November 1984 in Reston, Fairfax Co., Virginia.³ He married second Christine Kay Karsten, daughter of Louis Mathias Karsten and Doris Lucille King, in a civil cermony on 30 July 1988 in the Alexandria Court House, Alexandria, Virginia.⁴
     

     Paul graduated from Kiser High School in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio, in May 1955.

     From May 1956 to April 1959, Paul served in the United States Marine Corps. He had joined the Marine Corps Reserves while in high school. About one year after graduation (May 1956), Paul enlisted for active duty with the Marine Corps. He received his basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, and infantry training at Camp Pendleton, California. After infantry training, he returned to San Diego for training as a radio telegraph operator. Upon completion of that training he was transfer to Camp LeJeune, North Carolina to the 2nd Anglico Co. (Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company). From Camp LeJeune, he went on two cruises. The first was to Norway where his unit participated in NATO maneuvers call Operation Blue Ice in 1957. The second cruise was as an attachment to the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea in 1958. During that cruise he was part of the forces sent into Lebanon by President Eisenhower as a police action. He spent about three months stationed in the hills just north of the city of Beirut. He was honorably discharged from active duty with the United States Marine Corps on 1 April 1959 in Camp LeJuene, North Carolina. At the time of discharge, Paul held the rank of Sergeant.

     Paul was an apprentice electrician at Delco Products in 1959 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio. After about one year of his apprenticeship he was laid off due to cutbacks.

     From 1960 to 1962, he was employed as an electrical substation operator at the Dayton Power & Light Co. in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio. While a substation operator, he was among about 200 individuals who took an applitude test for computer programming. He was among 40 chosen to receive programming training. From that group of 40 individuals he was among 10 chosen to form a new programming group for the Dayton Power & Light Co. as they converted from an old fashion IBM card tab system to "second generation" computers. From 1962 to 1968, Paul was a computer programmer at the Dayton Power & Light Co. in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio.

     From 1966 to 1973, Paul was a part-time student at in Wright State University in Fairborn, Ohio, studying for a degree in management.

     Paul was employed as a system analyst at a small consulting firm from 1968 to 1969, in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio.

     From 1969 to 1973, Paul was a system analyst/manager at the NCR Corporation in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio. He initially was a system analyst in support of business applications. In 1972 Paul became manager of a business application support group.. He was employed as the software center manager at NCR's Support Center in Atlanta, Fulton Co., Georgia, from 1973 to 1975.

     From 1975 to 1978, he was employed as a management analyst at the National Conference of State Criminal Justice Planning Administrators (NCSCJPA) in Washington, DC.

     Paul was employed at the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) as a system analyst from 1978 to 1980 in Washington, DC.

     From 1980 to March 1999, Paul was employed as Director of Administration and Information Systems at the National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA), formally the NCSCJPA, in Washington, DC.

     Paul retired from the NCJA in Washington, DC, on 26 March 1999 at age 62.

     He was the best man at Cathy Ann Ashpole and David Allan Lawrence's wedding on 12 July 2003 in Trinity Methodist Church, San Antonio, Texas.⁵

     Paul and Christine have no children.

     Paul Haywood Lawrence was born on 23 September 1921 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.^1,2 He married Ruth Jeannette King on 14 December 1946 in Birmingham, Jefferson Co., Alabama.³ Paul died on 22 November 1997 at age 76. Last residence listed in the Social Security Death Index was Trussville, Jefferson Co., Alabama.^4,2 He was buried on 24 November 1997 in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Trussville, Jefferson Co., Alabama.⁴
     

     Paul Haywood Lawrence was listed as a son at age 8, born in Tennessee, in the household of Carl Greenville Lawrence [Sr.] in Birmingham, Jefferson Co., Alabama, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 21 April 1930.¹

     Paul enlisted in the U. S. Army on 22 July 1942 in FT. McClellan, Alabama. Enlistment was for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law.⁵

     Obituary of Paul H. Lawrence:

     Pleasant Lawrence married John Benton.¹

     Priscilla Lawrence was born circa 1660 in Nansemond Co., Virginia.¹ Conflicting evidence states that Priscilla Lawrence was born circa 1664.² She married Matthew Whitfield [II].³ Priscilla died before 1703.⁴
     

     On February 9, 1708, Mathew and Priscilla Whitfield of Nansemond County, sold their interest in a patent made to the late Mr. John Lawrence for 530 acres to John Lawrence of Newport Parish in Isle of Wight County for 5,000 pound of tobacco. John bequeathed part of it to his daughter, Elizabeth, who bequeathed her share to her sister, Priscilla Whitfield.⁵

     Priscilla and Matthew moved to Bertie County, North Carolina³.

     
     

     Richard Lawrence owned 200 acres in the same community as Henry Lawrence in 1704. On June 3, 1710, Richard Lawrence, Daniel Leigh, and Will Newland witnessed the will of George Slade in Chowan Precinct, North Carolina. There is no further record of his name.

     Robert Lawrence was born between 1760 and 1770.^1,2 He married Mary Daughtrey. Robert died circa 1834 in Sumner Co., Tennessee.
     

     In the January 1801 Term of the Sumner County Court Minutes Robert Atkinson entered into bond in the sum of two hundred dollars with Robert Lawrence Security on a motion ordered that administration of the estate of Charleten Atkinsen decd. be granted to said Robert Atkinson.³

     Robert Lawrence was the administrator in the inventory of the estate of Starky Daughtry on 31 January 1818.⁴ Starky Daughtry is probably the brother of Elizabeth Daughtry wife of Charles Lawrence mentioned in the will of their father, Jesse Daughtry, in Northampton County, North Carolina in 1796.

     Robert made a will on 13 September 1828. He names his wife Mary, stepson Henry H. Daughtry, Benjamin Gaines and Nancy Gaines children of Patsy Gaines wife of Thomas B. Gaines.⁵ The sale of his estate did not occur until 1834, which indicates that he possibly did not die until 1834 and, therefore, could be the Robert, executor of the will of Charles Lawrence, that purchases land from Richard Vincent for the widow and heirs of Charles Lawrence in 1833. Some of the purchasers at the sale of his estate were Mary Lawrence, Nancy Lawrence, Hardy Lawrence, and Joel H. Daughtry.

     Robert Lawrence was listed as the head of a family on the 1830 Census in Sumner Co., Tennessee. Enumerated were:
          1 whte male 60-70 (Robert)
          1 white female 50-60 (Mary).²

     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.²
     

     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.^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

     For information on the Ashton Hall Lawrences ancestors of Robert and the ancestry of Robert through his mother's line which connects to noble and royal families, click here.

     Robert Lawrence was born circa 1672 in Nansemond Co., Virginia.¹ He married Elizabeth Marshall circa 1692.^2,1 Robert died before 1747.²
     

     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

     Robert Lawrence married Priscilla ?.¹ Robert died before 12 September 1793 in Southampton Co., Virginia.^1,2
     

     There is a conflict about which Robert is the son of Robert Lawrence IV and Anne Council. Johnston in his manuscript names this Robert who married Priscilla and whose will is recorded in Southampton Co., Virginia as the son of Robert IV and Ann. Boddie in Historical Southern Families, Vol. I, names Robert who married Sarah Eley as does the Enfield-Bryant Genealogy. The correct one is probably Robert who married Sarah Eley. I've included both until this can be sorted out.

     On 20 November 1752, Robert Lawrence of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County, sold to Hardy Lawrence of Isle of Wight County for £11 in cash 100 acres on the east side of Main Blackwater formerly divised by John Lawrence to his daughter who was the mother of Samuel Whitfield who sold it to Robert Lawrence, "now Deceast", on 15 February 1728, a former patent to John Lawrence on 5 June 1678, witnessed by Charles Darden, Joshua Councill, and William Lawrence.

     On 21 October 1751, Robert Lawrence and Thomas Pinner of District No. 4, of Nansemond County processioned the land from Patterson's Neck, up Indian Creek, to the County Line, and along the line to Everett's Creek. On 7 March 1752/3, his owned land was processioned by himself and Pinner in the presence of John Lawrence, Samuel Lawrence, and others. On 13 September 1755, Robert Lawrence and John Woodrop were named Processioners in the Upper Parish, and they reported their work in the following March. On 8 March 1760, his land was processioned in the presence of Robert Carr and John Everett, Joseph Curl was a neighbor.

     On 25 October 1763, the line between Robert Lawrence and Aaron Almand was processioned. On 10 March 1768, Robert's line with John Lawrence was processioned. On 23 December 1771, Robert and Moses Eley were appointed Processioners in the 4th District. On 18 July 1772, they were still Processioners, and in the same year Robert Lawrence's land was processioned by Etheldred Warren and William Harte in the presence of John Everett and Robert Carr. In February 1776, the line between Robert Lawrence, John Lawrence, and Aaron Almand was processioned by James Lawrence and Joseph Britt, and Robert Lawrence witnessed the processioning of his own and Robert Carr's land by John Hart, Sr., and John Everitt.

     On 27 March 1752, Robert Lawrence and Joseph Driver witnessed the will of John Frizzell of Isle of Wight County. On 4 May 1758, Robert, George Whitfield, Joseph Copeland, and James Channell appraised the estate of John Penny.

     Robert made a will on 29 December 1791 in Southampton Co., Virginia. Robert's will:

(1) wife Priscilla, use of half the land, orchard, one room in dwelling, one room of kitchen, half of the other houses formerly in Nansemond County but now in Southampton County, 3 slaves; gift of slave, 2 feather beds and furnishings, square table, safe, 2 work horses, chest, one-fourth of cattle and sheep, one-third of hogs and corn; (2) son and executor Josiah, 3 slaves, household furniture and stock in his possession, one-sixth of £100; (3) Jesse, ditto; (4) son and executor Jacob, land in Southampton County adjoining Nicholas Maget, half the former Nansemond land, 7 slaves (including those for mother's use), rest of stock, and 8 cattle; (5) daughter Sarah Williams, negroes, etc., in the possession of Isaac Williams and one-sixth on £100; (6) daughter Mary Foreman, negroes, etc., in the possession of John Foreman, and one-sixth of £100; (7) son-in-law Benjamin Ellis, 2 negroes, etc., in his possession and one-sixth of £100 to his wife; (8) daughter Priscilla Allen, 3 slaves, 8 cattle, etc., in the possession of Richard Allen, and one-sixth of £100. Witnessed: Samuel Maget, John Bishop, Nathaniel Land, and Lawrence Williams.¹

     His will was probated on 12 September 1793.

     Robert Lawrence was born circa 1794 in North Carolina.^1,2 He married Lydia Tatum on 30 July 1834 in Wilson Co., Tennessee.^3,4 Robert probably died before 1870. I have been unable to locate either Robert or his wife Lydia on the 1870 U. S. Census..
     

     When, in 1849, Robert Lawrence, the Kirkpatricks, and the Johnsons sold their portion of the land purchased as an inheritance from Charles Lawrence to his children, to Lemuel Lawrence the transaction was attested to in Wilson County Court. In the 1850 U. S. Census, Robert Lawrence, with wife Lydia and family, Joseph Johnson with wife Mary Ann and family, and Emaline Kirkpatrick and children appear in Wilson Co. This Robert Lawrence in all likelyhood is the brother of Lemuel. Additionally, the bondsman for the marriage of Robert and Lydia in 1834 was Anderson Kirkpatrick, husband of Emmaliza (Emaline) Moss, daughter of Amah Lawrence and John Moss.

     On 17 September 1834, William Wilkerson and his wife Margaret, Alfred Kirkpatrick, Littleberry Wright and his wife Elizabeth, Jesse Crocker and his wife Jane, the heirs of Alexander Kirkpatrick deceased deeded to Robert Lawrence 53 acres on the south side of the Cumberland River.⁵ On 5 March 1836 Alford Bay deeded to Robert Lawrence, one sixth part of a tract of land that belonged to David Kirkpatrick deceased.⁵ On 8 December 1836, John D. Kirkpatrick of Sumner County Tennessee deeded to Robert Lawrence a tract of land on Barton's Creek, it being the one sixth part of a tract of land that David Kirkpatrick died seized and possessed.⁵

     It is possible that Robert was previously married before he married Lydia. On the 1840 U. S. Census for Wilson County he is shown with 2 white males 15-20 (born 1820-25) and 1 white female 10-15 (born 1825-30) which are unidentified and if his children would have been born prior to his marriage to Lydia.

     Robert Lawrence was listed as the head of a family on the 1840 Census in Wilson Co., Tennessee. Enumerated were:
          2 white males under 5 (James F. and Leander)
          1 white male 5-10 (William)
          2 white males 15-20 (unknowns)
          1 white male 40-50 (Robert)
          1 white female 10-15 (unknown)
          1 white female 40-50 (Lydia?, age range looks wrong).⁶

     In the Census of 1850, enumerated 9 September 1850, Robert Lawrence was listed as a head of household in Wilson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 56, occupation as a farmer with property value of $1300, born in North Carolina.. Also enumerated in the household: Lydia Lawrence.¹

     In the Census of 1860, enumerated 5 July 1860, Robert Lawrence was listed as a head of household in Wilson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 66, occupation as a farmer with real estate value of $3750 and personal property value of $10,015, born in North Carolina.. Also enumerated in the household: Lydia Lawrence.²