Historical and genealogical miscellany : early settlers of New Jersey and their descendants, Vol. III, Part 43

Author: Stillwell, John Edwin, 1853-1930, comp
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, N.Y.
Number of Pages: 1116

USA > New Jersey > Historical and genealogical miscellany : early settlers of New Jersey and their descendants, Vol. III > Part 43

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

but further research is needed to carry his history backward. His fellow townsman, Willi. i Lawrence, was an early settler in Flushing, whence he removed to Middleburgh. He came at the age of twelve years, with his brother, John, aged seventeen years, and sister, Maria, aged nine years, to this country in 1635. They became distinguished men and their history, family and individual, has been fully dealt with by all Long Island historians.

When the settlement of the Monmouth Tract was agitated, William Lawrence was prompt to join the enterprise and was one of the first five who settled upon the land where sabse- quently Middletown was located. It is a mistake to think that this site was occupied at once by a large body of settlers, moving with their families and trade implements; to the contrary they came singly, or by ones and twos, often the head of the family alone till such time as a clearing could be made. Such a pioneer was William Lawrence. Within a year or two a town organization was perfected and the projectors commenced to allot themselves lands according to their rights.

In the original division of lands, in 1667, he drew lot No. 31. In the year following, he was appointed, with two others, to "agitate" concerning the erection of a mill. In the quarrel that arose between the Governor and the town, he was one of those selected to make reply to the "governor's men," in the town's behalf, and a right manly and able protest they made.

In 1669, he was elected by the townspeople, a Deputy, to assist the Constable and Overseer in their local court.

In 1671, he was chosen Town Constable, and later on in this year was elected a "burgess." with Edward Tartte, to represent the town in the General Assembly, at Elizabethtown, but making a satisfactory excuse, another was substituted.

In the following year, 1672, the same honor was conferred upon him.

In 1675, he was again chosen Town Constable, but doubtless tiring in the public service and deeming that he had discharged his duty to the town in previous terms. he declined to serve. The outcome of his refusal is recorded in the Court Records. Deeds A. B. C., p. co.

"It is ordered that Upon William Lawrence, of ye towne of Middletowne, his refusall of being Invested into ye Office and place of a Constable & to beeing. . .. . . [?] according to Law, after a legall choiss at a towne meeting of ye inhabitants of middletowne, that for such his refusall hee is ordered by this Cott to pay ye sume of five pounds as a fine to bee levied by ye Court Marshall & to bee disposed of according to ye discretion of ye Court."

Probably the fine was collected and thereafter he was let alone, for there is no further evidence of his being in the service of the town that I can find.

1677, August. He defined the attitude of the Monmouth settlers to the General Govern- ment in plain and emphatic English.

He acquired a large estate, by patent rights and purchases, which he was continuously adding to or disposing of. These transactions, with developing his lands, must have consumed much of his time. Judged from the meagre evidence now obtainable, he was a man of ability, integrity and wealth. He stood high in the estimation of his townsmen and was trusted, by them in matters of moment. He reared a large family of children and grandchildren under his roof, and started them all in life with an education and means, and his name, as well as theirs, to his credit be it said, was pure and untarnished.

He died at a ripe age, leaving a will recorded at Trenton, written Dec. 3, 1701, and probated May 22, 1704.

William Lawrence, as already stated, acquired a large estate, and became one of the largest land holders of his day. Ile obtained about 3000 acres of land in Monmouth County by Pro- prietary giants, and he added to these by numerous purchases. A portion of his holdings only are alluded to:

395

LAWRENCE OF MONMOUTH COUNTY

KNow all men by these p'sents that Wee three Indians, viz. Anackan, Waymutton & Tashetakan, for and In Consideration of Seuerall goods in Valew according to the English Estimation the sum of Sixteene pound Sterling to vs delivered at & before Ye Ensealing hereof by William Laurence Senor of Midleton Yeoman the receipt hereof Wee do hereby Acknowledge, and thereof and of Euery part & preell there of, do clearely acquit Lxonerate and discharge the said William Laurence his Heires Executors * * Ilave Giuen granted * *

* And by these pisents haue Giuen Wee the s" Anackan, Waymutton & Tashetakan do * * * fully and Also-

lutely Giue Grant * and Sell vnto Ye said Wm Laurence, his Heires * * * that Whole Neck or tract of Land Called by Ye Indian Name Neiughohylosick lying Webin the prince of New Jersey Which Said tract is butted and bounded on Ye north E. Side We a Riuer Called the Hop Riuer, Which Riuer runs N. E. and is on Ye S. W. Side of the land Which Benjamin Burden lately purchased of the Indians butted * * * on Ve N. W. Side With a Riuer Called the Second Hop Riuer * * It is on the S. East Side of the Land Which Jonathan Holmes lately purchased of the Indians. On the W. Side butted and bounded Wth a Small Run Which Runs South, And from the head of that Run to another Run Which runs S. F. into the River Called the third Hop Riuer, Which third Hop riuer butteth and boundeth the S. E. Side, and runs N. E. Which Said Neiugho- hylosick is now in the possession of the three aboue sd Indians Sachems, but hereafter to Continue and be in the tenure & possession of William Laurence his Heires * * * together With all * * * Waters, Woods, Inder woods * * * and that they haue full power to Conuey and Sell the Same Vnto William Laurence * * *

IN WINESS Whereof the parties aboue Said haue Sett to their hands & Seales on the XXIXth Yeare of o' Sou' King CHARLES Ye Second * * 1677-In January the 12th day.

Scaled Signed & delivered

In the pr Sence of

JOHN SMITH

BENJAMIN BORDON

ANACKAN His marke WAYMUTTON his marle TASIIETAKAN his marke.

East Jersey Deeds, Secretary of State's Office, Lib. I, p. 104, A side.

16S5, Jan. 5. The Proprietors granted to William Lawrence of Middletown, for a rent of one half penny annually, 420 acres bounded by North and South Hope rivers. On Dec. 26, 1694, he sold one hundred acres of this tract to his son Benjamin.

1688, Aug. 10. Robert Barclay, of Ury, in Scotland, by his attorney, John Reid, of Hor- tensie, Monmouth County, conveyed to William Lawrence, Sr., of Middletown, a tract of land lying on the South side of Hope river, and adjacent to the plantation of William Lawrence. On Dec. 26, 1694, he sold one hundred acres of this tract to his son William, who made a final payment on it, MIch. 26, 1696.

1701, July 15. William Lawrence, Sr., conveyed one hundred acres of his land at Hopp river, on the dividing line of Middletown and Frechold, to his son Benjamin. .

1685, Aug. 14. David Moody of Perth Amboy, merchant, sold the one fifth, of one fourth. of one twenty fourth part of East Jersey to William Lawrence, of Middletown, being a one seventy fourth part, for 5 shillings, and on the succeeding day the deed was ratified by "William Lawrence, Gent.," paying one hundred pounds.

1700, Dec. 22. The Proprietors conveyed to William Lawrence forty-two acres of land on Wakake Creek, which he conveyed to his son Elisha, July 15, 1701.

BY THE GOVERNOR

To all persons to whom these p'sents shall Come or whom they do or may Concerne

greeting

KNOW SEE That I have Licenced Authorized & impowered and by these psents doe Licence Authorize and impower Richard Ilartshorne John Ilance Judah Allen Eliakim Wardall Tobias Hanson Ephraim Allen John Woolley William Woolley Remembrance Lepincott William Laurence John Williams and Edmond Leffetrate (Ltfetra] all of Neversinck in the County of Monmouth to purchase the native or Indian Right to such a Quantity of Land as they shall see nicete and lyeing and being att a place called by the Indians Manis- quan, provided they Exceed not the quantity of Two Thousand ffive hundred Acres and that the said purchase Deed bee to and in the name of the Lords Proprietors of the province in order that patients may bee made thereof to the said Respective psons of such pis and preel thereof as may Answer an Agreem' this Day made

396

HISTORICAL MISCELLANY

between them and the said Lord proprietors. Given under the Seale of the said province this Ninth day of July Anno Dm 1685 Annoge * ¥ East Jersey Decds, Lib. A. p. 187-8.

1692, Jan. 19. A patent for 269 acres of land was granted to William Lawrence on both sides of the Manasquan River. Dec. 26, 1604. he conveyed for affection, and £17, a part of this property lying on the South side of the river, to his son William, and the same day he conveyed, for affection, and Cio, to his son John, land lying on the North side of the river.

William Lawrence was born, by deduction, prior to 1038. He married at least twice.

If other evidence was wanting the phrascology of the will would establish the fact that his present wife was one of recent date, for he returns to her "all and every part of the house. hold goods and furniture" that she brought with her, not the language he would use to a wife he had married fifty years before.

This second wife is known to have been Elizabeth, daughter of John Scudder of Newtown, 1 .. T., whom he married in the latter part of 1693. She was then the widow of Jan Alburtis .* There appears in the Newtown Township Records, a record made in 1693, in the shape of antc- nuptial gift from William Lawrence to his prospective wife, wherein he deeds her a "house and land, at Middletown, New Jersey, in consideration of my love and affection for her as I intend marriage with her."

1693, Nov. 13. She assigned her power, as executrix, as given her by late husband, John Alburtis, of ye same town, to her son, John Alburtis. She affixed her mark.

It might be added that Elizabeth Alburtis gave her share of her husband's estate, upon her second marriage, to her son Samuel. Her son, William Alburtis, moved to Maidenhead, N. J .. and her son John, to Mansfield, Burlington County, N. J., and it is from this John that ail, who bear the name now, descend.

It is not unlikely that Elizabeth, widow of William Lawrence, was living as late as 1712, as in the Baptist Church at that date, an Elizabeth Lawrence, Jr., is mentioned by which we can infer that there was still a senior Elizabeth, and if so, it probably would be the wife of William Lawrence, the First.

KNOW ALL MIN BY THESE PRESENTS That I William Lauarence Sinour of Middelltowin in the county of Monmouth in East Jersey in America being of A. Sound mind and of A disposeing memmory Do make and of- dane this to Be my Last will and Teastement As followeth My will is That My bodey be decently Buryed by my Executor here After named My will is that All my debts be paid I giue and bequeath unto My Louing wife Elizabeth Laurance Deuering her naturall Life fortey Acers of Land with my Dwelling House Barne orchard being comphrended within the said fortey Acers begining at my sonn James Lauarance Line at the hopp riuer and so Along up the said hopp or Mill riuer till A Straight Line from the said riuer will take in the Aforesaid orchard And Housing and then runing A line from thence To my sonn James Lauarence as will take in the number of the Afore said fortey Acers of Land I giue to My Louing wife all and every part of the Houseould goods or furniture that I had with her when I Maryed her I giue to My louing wife two cowes I giue And deuise unto my sonn James Lauarence and his heires After the death of My wife Elizebeth Lauarence

*Peter Caesar Alburtis, a Venetian, married, in 1642, in New Amsterdam, Judith Jans Meynie, of Amsterdam, Holland. and had among others, a son, Jan, boin at the Wallabout, L. I., in 1643. He married, about 1666, Elizabeth, daughter of John Scudder, of Newtown, L. I., and dying, in April, 1691, in his 48th year, left his widow and the following children:

William Alburtis

John Alburtis Samuel Alburtis

Elizabeth Alburtis; married John Stewart. Mehitable Alburtis; married James Lawrence.

John Soudder, born in London, England, 1619, was the son of Thomas, who, with his family, came to Salem, in 1635: thence to Brookhaven, L. I., 1663.

John Scudder, about 1642, married Mary, daughter of William and Dorothy King. of England, who came to Massachusetts in 1630. In ros1, he, (John Scudder), came from Salem to Southold, L. I. He was one of the original purchasers. 1005. of Brookhaven; lived at Huntington, L. 1. 1057, and came thence to Messpath, (Newtown.), prior to 1550, where he was prominent and influential. Among other children he had Elizabeth Scudder, born about roze. why manied first, Jan Albuitis; secone William Lawrence.

John Scudder and his brother Thomas Scudder, were the progenitor, of the missionary family of that name, and of the Revolutionary War sredders, of Sionmouin County, N. J.

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LAWRENCE OF MONMOUTH COUNTY

All the Aforesaid fortey Acers of Land with the Housing And orchard. I giue and devise unto my sonn James I.suarence and his heires tenn Acers of fand lying on the South Side of the hopp rider and Joyning to his fulling Will and to be taking up or laid out as my soon James shall so cause he Laying of it out square to say equali sides I give and deuise unto My grand daughter Deberowh grower And her heires Thirty Acers of land And loginig at the hopp or Mill riuer and Joynig to the fortey Acers of land I have given my sonn James Lanarence and from thence runing Along or up the said Hopp or Mill riuer twenty five Rodd and from thence runing as Maney rodd in length as will contane the number of thirty Acers of land being Twenty Que Rodd broad at I giue and deuise unto My sonn william both endes I giue to my grand daughter Deberew h grouer one cow Laurence & his heires Two Thirds of All they Remander of My land Joynig to My sonn william land and my sonn Beniamins land I giue and deuise unto My sonn Beniamin Laurence and his heires one third part of the remander of my land AAdioynig to my sonn williams land and my sonn Beniamins land to say And my meaning and Intentions is that After my sonn william haith Two Thirds my sonn beniamin and his heires shall haue all the remaner and my will is that My executors here after named lay out the two Thirds of the Afore- said land as convenent as they can to my sonn william with as littell damage to my sonn Beniamin as can convenently be I giue deuise unto my sonn Elisha Lauarence and his heires all that My tract of land estemed Att one hundred Acers excepting .Alwayes the tenn Acers giueing to my sonn James Laurence Joynig to his fulling Mill which aforesaid tract of land lyes on the south sid of the hopp riuer neare or Adioying to liuies Morris land I giue and deuise unto my sonn william Lauarence and his heires and I giue and deuise unto my Sonn Elisha Lauarence and his heires And unto iny sonn John ! gide and deuise to him and his beires I giue and deuise unto my sonn Beniamin and his heires And I giue deuise unto my sonn James Lauarence and his heires I giue and deuise unto my sonn Joseph Lauarence and his heires And I giue and Deuise unto My Grandson James Grouer and his heires All Aly land on Barnygatt beach equaly to be deuided betwixt them seaen and My will and Meaning is not to giue it them in Joynt Tenency but if Ancy of them dyes there heires shall Inheritt there Right I giue and deuise unto my sonn John Lauarence and his hentes all that my tract of Land estemed at five hundred Acers more or less lying and being at A place caled and kuowne By the name of Kettell poynt or Kettell creeke lying on the Mane side neare barnigatt bay 1 give and deuise unto my sonn Joseph Lauarence and his heires All that tract of land by estemeation Three Hundred Acers More or less And lying and being at A place commonly knowne by the name of Mateteconke nere Barnigatt Beache I giue and Deuise unto My six sounes and there heires Aboue named All Thoses seuerall Tracts of land taken upon the Account of the Second Deuision of My properity To be Deuieded betwixt them According as each of them hauc causeed it to be laid out And my Meaning is that My six sonns shall not hould The said parcels of land in Joyntencey I giue and Deuise unto My sonn Elisha Laurence his heires All My Right of My properity and lands Rents that shall be Dew or of Right belongs To My share or part of A properity excepting Allwayes what lands is Allredey taken up and giuen Away by this will aforesaid or aney other Instrument 1 give unto My sonn Beniamin Lauarence twenty three pounds of the money he oweth ine I give unto my sonn John Laurence or release unto him the debt or Money he oweth me I giue or release the debt or Money unto my sonn Elisha Lauarence he oweth me I give to my six sonns afore named all My houscould goods or furniture equally To be deuided betwixt them excepting allwayes The Houseould goods or furniture giuen to my louig wife afore Mentioned I giue to my soun Joseph Lauarence The use of my negro boy named Shallo for the terme and time Thirtene yeares and upon condition he serves My son Joseph well and truly the aforesaid thirtenn yeares then My will is he be free I giue to my gransonn william Lauarence the sonn of William Lau- arence one horse I giue to my grandson william Lauarence the sonn of Elisba Lauarence one horse I giue to my granson To say my sonn John eldest sonn one horse I giue to my sonn Joseph eldest sonn one horse I give to my grand daughter Elizebeth daughter of my sonn James Lauarence tenn shillings I giue to My grandaughters Marey grouer Hanah grouer Elizebeth grouer Suzana grouer Rebecka grouer to each of them one two yeare ould Hefer All the Remander of My estate Reale And Personall I give to my sonn Elisha Lanarence and My sonn Joseph Laurence and there heires And 1 Make and ordane My sonn William Lauarence and My sonn Elisha Lauarence My Executors To see this My last will and Teastement performed Dated the Third day of December in the yeare one thousand seven hundred and one. his Marke

WILLIAM X LACARENCE [Seal]

Singe Sealed and published in the presence of being in two sheets of paper RICHARD HARTSHORNE JOHN CLEVENGER

MARGREET HARTSHORNE JOHN STOUT

Endorsed "Wm Lawrence Invyy 1704 Month."

New Jersey A True and Perfect Inventory of all the Goods Charteis and Credits of William Lawrence

Monmouth &c. f Late of Middletown Deceased.

HISTORICAL MISCELLANY

Within Doors

Imprimus Three Feather Bedds and Bedding Four Ports and Two Brass Kettles Pewter Cubbard Chest Table and house lumber Plow Shears Axes, Hows, and other old Iron Bridle and Saddle