Micah Lawrence (1739 - 1794)

Born 15 Mar 1739 in Lexington, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay

Ancestors

Husband of Eunice (Willard) Lawrence — married 16 Sep 1766 in Winchester Twp., Cheshire, N.h.

Descendants

Died 14 Jan 1794 at age 54 in Keene, Cheshire, New Hampshire, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Dennis Lawrence [send private message]

Biography

'From The Family of John Lawrence, Third Volumn, Page 60 to 61. 'Rev. Micah Lawrence, son of Jonathan, of Lexington, entered Harvard College, 1755, when in his seventeenth year; graduated in his twenty-first, 1759; was a short time engaged in teaching at Worchester, 1760; and at the age of twenty-five, was ordained and settled as pastor of the church of Christ in Winchester, N.H., Nov. 14, 1764. The Rev. Joseph Ashley had preceded him, as the first minister in the town. He was a graduate of Yale College, 1730; ordained and settled in 1736. The church, having been dispersed by an irruption made upon the settlement, was gathered anew, and reorganized at the settlement of Mr. Lawrence. The council convened for the purpose consisted of Rev. J. Ashley (moderator), and delegate from Sunderland; Rev. William Lawrence (who preached the sermon), and delegate from Lincoln; Rev Jonas Clark, with Deacon James Browne, and Jonathan Lawrence, delegates from Lexington; Rev. John Hubbard (scribe), and delegate from Northfield; and the Rev. C. Sumner, from Keene, N.H. The articles of agreement were signed by Micah Lawrence, Josiah Willard, and Phillip Goss. Rev. Mr. Lawrence labored here for thirteen years with a good measure of success. His style of writing was characterized by method, clearness, closeness and strength. In doctrine scriptural and sound, in order and discipline careful and unyielding, his constant reference was to the law and the testimony. Highly conservative in spirit, and loyal beyond most of that day, his political sentiments became the occasion of disaffection among a portion of the people; yet it was not until after a second or third council had acted upon the matter that a dismission was obtained, ---the only ground of dissatisfaction being a suspicion that he was "unfriendly to the war." After 1777, he preached in other places and died in Keene, N.H., 1794, aged fifty five years. Mrs. Eunice Lawrence died in Keene, N.H., 20th October, 1788 in her forty-fourth year.

Sources

• Birth - Massachusetts, Town Vital Collections, 1620-1988

Lexington Records of Birth Page 40 Marriage - New Hampshire, Marriage and Divorce Records, 1659-1947 Page 518 Death - New Hampshire, Death and Burial Records Index, 1654-1949 FHL Film Number: 1001092

Research Notes

"HISTORY OF WINCHESTER, CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE TAKEN FROM TWO SOURCES: 1. History of Cheshire and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1886, 1073 pgs. 2. Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 by Hamilton Child, Syracuse, N.Y.: H. Child, 1885, 882 pgs. "THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WINCHESTER--The first meeting-house was built on what is still known as "Meeting-house Hill," in the village. It was forty feet long, thirty-two feet wide, and eighteen feet posts. The first preaching in the town of which there is record, is that of Rev. Edward Billing (afterwards spelled Billings) in 1735, to whom the proprietors voted 16 pounds for teaching eight Sabbaths. A Miss Billings, of great age, now living in Springfield, Mass, is said to be a great-granddaughter of this first preacher in town. On November 24, a church of twelve members was organized, and Rev. Joseph Ashley was ordained as its pastor. Mr. Ashley continued pastor ten years or a little more until the Indian eruption in 1746 and 1747 when the settlement was burned including the meeting-house and the inhabitants were dispersed. The second meeting house was built in 1760, on the site of the former one, and was 44x34 feet with twenty foot posts. The second pastor, Rev. Micah Lawrence, was ordained over the church November 14, 1764. The society was now gathered anew, consisting of 27 members, 8 of them former members and 19 new ones. The town gave Mr. Lawrence a settlement of land and fifty pounds sterling, and salary the first year of 45 pounds, to be gradually increased to the maximum of 60 pounds. A great falling off from the former settlement and salary. Mr. Lawrence's pastorate continued twelve years, during which time 91 members were added. He was dismissed February 19, 1777 because of his sympathy with the Crown, rather than with the colonies in their struggle for independence."

Time Line for Micah Lawrence the 3rd son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Swain Lawrence 1739, 15 Mar - Lexington, Mass - Micah Lawrence born - Micah, s. of Jonathan & Elizabeth, b. Mar. 15, 1738-39 1739, 1 Apr - Lexington, Mass - Micah, s. of Jonathan & Elizabeth, bp. Apr. 1 1755 to 1759 - Cambridge, Mass - Attended Harvard College "Graduates of Harvard University 1758 - 1759 Bachelors of Arts (A.B) From 1642 to 1869, inclusive, Bachelors of Arts were entitled to receive the degree of Master of Arts (A.M.) in course, three years after graduation. 1759" 1760 - Worcester, Mass - School master "History of Worcester, Mass Page 299 lists Micah Lawrence as starting as school master in 1760." 1764, 4 Nov - Wincester, New Hampshire - Ordained and settled as Pastor of Church of Christ in Winchester, NH 1766, 16 Sep - Wincester, New Hampshire - Married Eunice Willard the daughter of "New Hampshire, Marriage Records Index, 1637-1947 Name: Eunice Willard Marriage Date: 16 Sep 1766 Event Type: Marriage Marriage Place: Winchester, New Hampshire Gender: Female Father's Name: Josiah Willard Mother's Name: Hannah Hubbard Spouse Name: Micah Lawrance Spouse Gender: Male FHL Film Number: 1001279"

1776 - Winchester, New Hampshire - Micah Lawrence is on a list of Residents of New Hampshire on 1776 in Winchester 1785 - Cheshire County, New Hampshire - Micah Lawrence listed as Registers of Probate 1791 to 1793 - Keene, Cheshire, New Hampshire, USA - Office of Town Clerk