Benjamin Lawrence (abt. 1656 - 1685)

Born about 10 Aug 1656 in Somerset, Maryland [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Talbot) Galloway — married about 1676 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland [uncertain]

Descendants

Died Jul 1685 at about age 28 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland

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Benjamin was a Friend (Quaker)

Biography

Benjamin is most likely the son of the Benjamin Lawrence that claimed credit for the transportation of his son to the Maryland colony in a patent record dated 1670. The elder Benjamin claims land rights for bringing himself, his wife, Ann and two sons: Benjamin Jr. and Nehemiah out of Accomack, Virginia.^[1] Previous researchers have given his birth as 10 AUG 1656 in Somerset County, Maryland. This researcher has found no record of birth his birth in Maryland.

Benjamin was living in the area near West River and the Cliffs of Anne Arundel county by July 1678 when the Quakers held a meeting at his home. The minutes also state that Benjamin Lawrence has removed from Patuxent and crried records and books that belonged to that meeting in 1682. The next record in the Quaker minutes is the marriage of his son, Benjamin to Rachel Mariartee in 1701.^[2]

There is no record of the marriage of Benjamin to his wife, Elizabeth. Some researchers have given her name as Elizabeth Talbott without stating sources.

Benjamin was deceased sometime between 6 JAN 1685 when he signed his will and 3 JUL 1685 when the will was presented to the court.

Abstract of Will

I Benjamin Lawrence of West River in Anne Arundel County being sick . . .

• I give to my wife Elizabeth Lawrence & my daughter Elizabeth Lawrence a parcel of land in Calvert County being part of a parcel formerly taken up by Samuel & Nathaniell Asscomb & myself of 500 acres.
• I also give to my wife and the child she now goes with be it male or female a tract of land in Somerset County formerly mortgaged & deliver to me by my brother-in-law Edward Gibbs.
• I give to my son Benjamin Lawrence a parcel of land called Benjamin’s Fortune in Anne Arundell County near West River 115 acres. My wife shall have it until my son reaches 21 years.
• I give to the Quakers 3 pounds sterling.
• I give to my sister-in-law Jane Simmonds one cow & calf.
• I give to my brother Thomas Lawrence & sister Lucy Smith each 10 shillings sterling.
• I appoint by wife Elizabeth whole & sole executrix.
• I ordain & appoint my loving friends William Richardson, Richard Johns, Edward Talbott and Samuel Galloway to be my overseers of this my last will & testament^[3]

Research Notes / Profile History

• See his mother's profile for discussion as to why Benjamin Lawrence was disconnected as his father.

Sources

1. ↑ Maryland Land Patents Liber 15/444; Liber 16/319 & Liber 18/39
2. ↑ Peden, Henry C. Quaker Records of Southern Maryland: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Abstracts from the Minutes, 1658-1800. Westminster, Md.: Willow Bend, 2000.
3. ↑ Maryland Colonial Wills Liber 4/142