SEVENTH GENERATION

120. Aaron Schuyler LAWRENCE ^{(171) (122)(27) (172)} was born on Aug 21 1786 in Morris Co., NJ. ⁽¹⁷³⁾ He had an estate probated in 1870. ⁽¹²²⁾
Probate records only consist of a inventory of Aaron S. Lawrence's personal estate. Most interesting are "Notes" held by the deceased:

G. W. Hortons [Hortous, Hortour] 32.23 + interest, 7.33
Sarah C. Lawrence 119.30 + interest, 30.61
Wm W. Kinney or Wm Mc Kinney 57.00 + interest 1.33
Henry Lawrence 2 Notes 100.00, 600.00 no interest
A. S. Lawrence Jr. 3 Notes 75.00 + interest 18.75; 2 Notes, 400.00 +
interest 72.00


Notice published in Sussex Register, April 7, 1870

NOTICE
Estate of Aaron S. Lawrence, Deceased.
Pursuant to the order of the Surrogate of the County of Sussex, made on the twenty-fourty[h] day of March, A. D., one thousand eight hundred and seventy. Notice is hereby given to all persons having claims against the Estate of AARON S. LAWRENCE, late of the county of Sussex, to present the same, under oath or affirmation, to the subscriber, on or before the twenty fourth day of December next, being nine months from the date of said order; and any creditor neglecting to bring in and exhibit his or her claim (under oath or affirmation) within the time so limited, will be forever barred of his or her action therefor against the said Administrator.
HENRY LAWRENCE, Administrator.
Dated the 24th day of March, 1870.
He died on Mar 13 1870.⁽¹²²⁾ Listing in the Sussez Register on April 7,1870 indicated he died on the 13th of March 1870 and he was 83 years, 6 months, and 22 days. He owned Sale of property after death to be divided 9 ways on Sep 16 1870 in Newton, Sussex Co., NJ. ⁽¹⁷⁴⁾ In the matter of the application of Henry Lawrence ___ Partition of the Real Estate of Aaron S. Lawrence, dec'd. Order for division Sept. 16, 1870. [Minute Book H; pg. 699,700; Surrogate's Office, Newton.]
Application having been made to this court by Henry Lawrence setting forth that he holds Real Estate situated in the County of Sussex, that is to say, all that farm and tract of land situated in the township of Byram of which Aaron S. Lawrence died seized, bounded by lands of William Pinkney, John Rutherford Andrew S. Lee and others, and containing three hundred acres, more or less; as tenant in common with Frances D. Lawrence, Abraham Lawrence, Aaron S. Lawrence, William Lawrence, Jane wife of Amos T. Foster, Hannah wife of George W. Horton, Aaron L. McKinney, , George McKinney, Elias D. McKinney, Eveline wife of Theodore Ca___ , Arabella wife of Silas Allen, Hannah McKinney Anna McKinney, Charles D. Rose, Schyler L. Rose, Jane wife of Hamilton Pulis, Anna Rose & your partitioner being entitled by law to the equal undivided one ninth part thereof.
Frances D. Lawrence, Abraham Lawrence, Aaron S. Lawrence, William Lawrence, Jane wife of Amos T. Foster and Hannah wife of George W. Horton being each entitled to the equal undivided one ninth part thereof, and the said Aaron L McKinney, George McKinney, Elias D. McKinney, Eveline wife of Theodore Ca___, Arbella wife Silas Allen, Hannah McKinney, and Anna McKinney being together entitled to the equal undivided one ninth part, thereof. And the said Charles D. Rose, Schyler L. Rose, Jane Pulis wife of Hamilton Pulis and Anna Rose being together entitled to the equal undivided one ninth thereof. And that the said Elias D. McKinney, Anna McKinney, Charles D. Rose, Schyler L. Rose, and Anna Rose are minors under the age of twenty one years. And it appearing that notice has been given of this application as required by law. And that the facts in the said application set forth are true. It is ordered that a division of the lands in the said application mentioned be made between the said owners in the shares and proportions therein mentioned and that John Iliff, Alfred Valentine and Amos S, Reed three disinterested Commissioners be appointed to ascertain the metes and bounds of each owners share; their report to be made in writing under their hands to the next or some subsequent term of this court after such division shall be made.
The Commissioners reported to the court that is was impossible to divide the land into nine equal portions "without great prejudice to the interest" of owners and the court order the commissioner to sell the land of Aaron S. Lawrence at public auction to the highest bidder. [Minute Book H; pg. 702,703.
Oct. 12, 1870.]
He was buried in Methodist Cemetary, Sparta NJ. Maybe this should be for his son Aaron S. Lawrence. He was born in New Jersey. ⁽¹⁷⁵⁾ He was buried in Sparta, Sussex Co., NJ. ⁽¹²²⁾ Old cemetary behind the newer First Presbyterian Church in Sparta NJ.
Aaron S. Lawrence
BORN
AUGUST 21ST 1786
DIED
MARCH 13TH 1870

Re: Presbyterian Church/ Cemetery, Sparta, Sussex Co., NJ
Found out one section of the church was the original schoolhouse/church built in the early 1800's; the main church was built sometime later and burned down in the middle 1800's and rebuilt in ca. 1860. Furthermore, they may have old records. I will have to go there during business hours to check just what is available

Additions to inscriptions I previously sent to you from Presbyterian Cemetery, Sparta, Sussex Co., NJ

Beginning of the row:

Aaron S. Lawrence

Margaret
wife of Aaron S. Lawrence

next; in the same row, are all the following- in the order shown:

Margaret Wife of Abraham Rose
Died Sept 12, 1854
Aged 31 Years 3 Months & 12 Days

Margaret Daughter of Francis D. & Dorcas Lawrance
Died Oct. 3, 1849
Aged 15 Years 11 Months & 11 Days

Henry A. Son of Francis D. & Dorcas Lawrance
Died Sept 27, 1849
Aged 6 years 1 months & 12 days

D O R C A S Wife of Francis D. Lawrance
Died Sept 1, 1851
Aged 42 years 1 Month & 7 Days


There is a space on the end, next to Dorcas, for one more interment, which is empty. Was probably reserved for Francis, who is likey buried elsewhere with second wife, Sarah.
He appeared on the census.⁽¹²²⁾ 1830 Byram twp., Sussex Co., NJ census

LAURANES, AARON S. 101110100000 120100100000 BYRAM

male 0-4 Aaron S. Lawrence jr.
male 10-14
male 15-19
male 20-29 possibly Francis D. Lawrence
male 40-49 Aaron S. Lawrence, sr.
female 0-4
2 females 5-9
female 15-19
female 40-49 Margaret Lawrence, wife


1850 Byram Twp., Sussex Co., NJ census
Aaron S. Lawrence 63
Margaret Lawrence 60
Aaron S. Lawrence 21
William Lawrence 17
_______ Lawrence 24 female

1860 Byram Twp. Sussex Co., NJ Census
Schuyler Lawrence, 62(sic -should be 72/73,) Gentleman, value real
estate 5800, value personal estate 1000
Aaron S. Lawrence, 32, Farmer, value personal estate 600
Penelope Lawrence, 28
Alice Lawrence, 4
Elizabeth Lawrence, 1
William Lawrence, 26, Farmer, personal estate 300
Ann P_ud__ , 20, Domestic


Listed in 1830 Census in Byram twp., Sussex Co., NJ with 8 children living at home. this included 4 boys and 4 girls.

In the 1850 Census they were also in Byram Twp., Sussex Co., NJ and they had 3 children living with them. They were William Lawrence, 17, Aaron S. Lawrence, 21, and a female age 24.

In the 1860 Census they were also in Byram Twp., Sussex Co., NJ and they had 5 family members living with him. He was listed as a Gentleman with real estate valued at 5800 and personal estate of 1000. Also listed in the house hold were:
Aaron S. Lawrence, 32, Farmer, value personal estate 600
Penelope Lawrence, 28
Alice Lawrence, 4
Elizabeth Lawrence, 1
William Lawrence, 26, Farmer, Personal estate 300 He was married to Margaret STEVENS. There may have been another son by the name of Abraham Lawrence who was on the 1870 Andover, Sussex Co., NJ census.

121. Margaret STEVENS⁽²⁷⁾ was born on Sep 13 1789 in US ?.⁽¹⁷⁶⁾ She died on Jan 2 1857.⁽¹²²⁾ Listed in Sussex Register on 1/10/1857 that she died on 1/2/1857 at the age of 67. She was buried in Sparta, Sussex Co., NJ.⁽¹²²⁾ Old cemetary behind the newer First Presbyterian Church in Sparta NJ.
Next to Aaron S. Lawrence
MARGARET WIFE OF AARON S. LAWRENCE
Died Jan 2nd 18__(probably 1857 but head stone is damaged)

With some luck and no ants, may be able to determine the yrs, mos, and d's. Tombstone is broken off from the base about 3/4 of the way down. Some of the inscription is on the part still attacked to the base; the major portion of Margaret's t.s. is flat on the ground in front of the base. A rubbing may reveal more of the inscription.
Spelling of her maiden name may have been STEPHENS from her son William's death certificate. Children were:

i. Francis Drake LAWRENCE^{(122) (27)(177)} was born on Jan 29 1810 in New Jersey. He appeared on the census between 1850 and 1895. ⁽¹²²⁾ Francis D. Lawrence was listed with his wife and family last on the 1870 Byram census. By 1880 census wife, Sarah was head of the household, and living in Mt. Olive, Morris Co., NJ. They may have moved Morris Co. before Francis died.

* Census day for 1830 - 1900 was June 1

1850 Byran Twp., Sussex Co., NJ census

Francis D. Lawrence age 40 Farmer
Dorcas Lawrence age 40
Jane Lawrence age 15
J. Dayton Lawrence age 13
Isabella Lawrence age 10

There may have been other children for this couple. Census records prior to 1850 only list the head of household by name.


1860 Byram Twp., Sussex Co., NJ census

Francis D. Lawrence age 49 farmer
Sarah Lawrence age age 27
John D. Lawrence age 23 clerk
Isabella Lawrence age 20 teacher
*Flora Lawrence age 2



1870 Byram Twp. Sussex Co., NJ census
Francis D. Lawrence age 60, farmer
Sarah C. Lawrence age 36, keeping house
*Flora A. Lawrence age 12, at home
Francis D. Lawrence age 9, at home [Twin]
Sarah C. Lawrence age 9, at home [Twin]


1880 Mt Olive Twp., Morris Co. NJ census

Sarah C. Lawrence age 45 Head of household Keeping house
Francis D. Lawrence age 19 son, Breakman [Railroad ?]
Sarah C. Lawrence age 19 daughter, at home
James McCort age 30 son-in-law, works farm, born in NY
*Flora A. McCort age 22 daughter, at home

1895 Byram Twp., Sussex, NJ STATE census

James McCort age 30-60
*Flora A. McCort age 30-60
Fredrick ? McCort age 5-20
Charles ? McCort age 5-20
James F. McCort age 5-20
Eveline ? McCort age 5-20
? McCort [Flora Belle] 5 & under
*Julia M. McCort 5 & under
Sara C. Lawrance over 60

He died on Jul 13 1877. He was Info about his Death. ⁽¹²²⁾ Frances D. Lawrence

Confirms dates, but does not give the name of Frances' parents. Fact tha this wife and two children are buried in the Sparta Cemetery with Aaron and Margaret is good circumstantial evidence of his relationship to them. Additionally, from the death notice in the newspaper which lists that his
children died in Stanhope, indicates to me he wanted to bury his wife and children with his family. There were closer cemeteries What I found on my Frances Lawrence line:

Some people leave more records then others, and as it turns out, John D. Lawrence is one of those who did. He has played a essential role in bringing together the children of Frances D. Lawrence by his first wife Dorcus and second wife Sara C. King, and some insight into their lives.

I am a descendant of Frances and Sara Lawrence, who were the parents of my great grandmother, Flora A. Lawrence, wife of James McCort.

John Dayton Lawrence was born in Byram Township on April 01, 1838. He was the third of the five children born to Frances D. and Dorcus Lawrence.

John lost his oldest sister, Margaret and youngest brother, Henry, when he was 11; Margaret & Henry died a week apart. John's mother passed away when he was just 13. His father remarried when John was 18 in 1856. What his reaction was to having a stepmother only five years his senior is unknown, but he is shown living in his father's household on the 1860 Byram Twp., Sussex Co., NJ census; his occupation is listed as clerk. Also the same census shows his sisters, Jane and Isabella are also living in their father's household along with their stepmother and half sister, Flora, age two. Perhaps the older children doted on their little sister, Flora, who was soon follow with the twins, Frances and Sara.

John is likely the same John D. Lawrence who severed in the Army during the Civil War; he enlisted on September 3, 1862 as a Corporal and on September 19, 1862 he was mustered into "K" Co. NJ 27th Infantry. He was promoted to Sergeant on November 16, 1862. John was Mustered out on July 2, 1863 at Newark, NJ. [Ran out of time at the NJ archives to look for confirmation]

John evidently was a good businessman and managed to accumulate a tidy sum of money; by 1903 he had a net worth of $12,000. The 1877 Probate records of Frances D. Lawrence show payments to Lawrence & King. Later records, show John was engaged in the Mercantile business with a partner, __King in 1903.

[John's partner may prove to be a relative of Sara King Lawrence, John's stepmother]

John was married in about 1868 to Euphemia H. Lloyd and they had one son, Charles Lloyd Lawrence born in 1869. John's wife, Euphemia died in 1872. If this wasn't a heavy enough blow, their son and only child, died in 1879. There is no indication he ever re-married.

In 1877, John's stepmother, Sara C. Lawrence, the widow of Frances D. Lawrence, renounced her right to administer the estate of her husband in favor of her stepson, John Dayton Lawrence. John seems to have been up to the job, as he turned out an enormous amount of paperwork in the process of settling the estate of his father. There were no indications of conflict between the children of Frances D. Lawrence by two different wives -- an potentially explosive situation. But then, Frances left little to fight over.

One item in the probate records refers to a payment made to "Flora A. Lawrence, daughter of France D. Lawrence." She was paid $20.75 for a cow, which was inadvertently inventoried & sold during the estate auction; the cow belonged to her. Grandma Flora was just about 20, and single. She wouldn't marry grandpa, James Mc Cort for another 2 1/2 years. That "Cow" would have been a valuable part of her dowry.

[Unfortunately, the one item missing from Frances' probate record is the Letters of Administration, which usually lists all the heirs.. the only reference is to the widow, Sara Lawrence and the above note on daughter, Flora.]

One of the people who signed the Administrative Bond with John D. Lawrence, was John S. Wills. John S. Wills was the son of the John Wills in whose household James McCort was raised. John S. Wills and his wife were the witnesses at the wedding of Flora Lawrence & James McCort.

How much of the sadness that had visited John Dayton Lawrence during his lifetime may have later effected his mental state is not know, but in 1903 at the age of 65 he was declared to be a lunatic, incapable of caring for himself or his property.

The petition was brought by his sister, Jane Chidester, of Jersey City, NJ. Testimony by his sister, Jane, the trained nurse Jane hired to care for her brother and his doctor, J. Miller lead to the investigation by three independent commissioners [one of which was an M. D.] appointed by the
court. Subsequently, twelve jurors, after hearing the testimony of the commissioners, determined John was not capable of caring for himself or his property and a guardian was appointed. The guardian appointed was John S. Menagh, the son-in-law of Jane Chidester.

John's heirs were named during the incompetencey hearing: Jane Chidester and Belle L. Franks both of Jersey City, NJ, sisters of whole blood; Frances A.(sic) Lawrence, of Hoboken, NJ, Flora McCort, wife of James McCort of Stanhope, NJ and Sara Sanders, wife of Edward Sanders of
Branchville, NJ, brother and sisters of half blood. John's net value was about $ 12,000, which was producing an income of abt. $300. [This ties together all the living children of Frances D. Lawrence--]

John Dayton Lawrence's will made on Sept. 11, 1902 --before he was declared incompetent-- was probated after his death in 1910. He left his gold watch to his "brother" Frances D. Lawrence and a set of encyclopedia's to his landlady, Miss Annie M. Case; the rest of his estate went to his sister,
Bella Franks. He states his other sister is well provided for and therefore is left nothing. The "other sister" was Jane Chidester. Evidently, Jane married well. John named his sister, Bella L. Franks as the Executrix of his estate.

Evidently, John S. Menagh did a excellent job of handling John's finances as his estate had a value of $15,000 when John died in 1910. There is no indication John Lawrence was ever committed to an asylum or died in one. John's death certificate was signed by his sister, Jane Chidester, of Port
Morris. [Morris County NJ]

John Dayton Lawrence was laid to rest in the Succasunna Presbyterian Cemetery in Roxbury, next to his wife, Euphemia and his son, Charles.

Copied the probate records & will of Frances Lawrence [Prob. father of Aaron S. Lawrence]
Estate probated on Mar 31 1810 in Randolph, Morris Co., NJ

Names wife, Hannah, sons Elias D. , Aaron S., Henry S., Calvin, Luther, and daughters, Betsey and Eunice.

Executors: sons Henry S. Lawrence and Aaron S. Lawrence and Daniel Lawrence [brother? The way this is written, I don't think Daniel was a son.]


ii. Elizabeth LAWRENCE⁽²⁷⁾ was born on Jan 13 1812. She died on Oct 23 1859. She was buried in Andover, Sussex Co., NJ.⁽¹²²⁾ She is buried in Andover Cemetary. She was also known as Eliza.⁽¹²²⁾
60 iii. Henry LAWRENCE.
iv. Mary Ann LAWRENCE⁽²⁷⁾ was born on Dec 18 1816. She died in Sep 1820.
v. Aoram H. LAWRENCE^{(122) (27)} was born on Jan 13 1819. He resided at in 1848 in Newton, Sussex Co., NJ. He appeared on the census in 1870 in Andover, Sussex Co., NJ. ⁽¹²²⁾ I had to look up a census record, so check 1870 Andover census for Abram
Lawrence.
Abm Lawrence is listed as head of the household age 50 Farm Laborer
personal estate 100.
Phebe Lawrence age 44 Keeping house
Carrie Lawrence age 13 at home
Ella Lawrence age 12 at home
Frank Lawrence age 10 at home
He died in Nov 30, 1893. He was also known as Abraham?. ^(122)(178) May be Abraham based on marriage record to Phoebe Sutton.
vi. Jane LAWRENCE⁽²⁷⁾ was born on Jan 9 1821. She died on Jul 4 1903 in Gladstone NJ. ⁽¹⁷⁹⁾ Death certificate lists the cause of Death as "Heart Disease" for 4 months. She was buried in Gladstone NJ. She was a Housekeeper. ⁽¹⁸⁰⁾
vii. Margaret LAWRENCE⁽²⁷⁾ was born on Jun 1 1823. She died on Sep 12 1854. She was buried in Presbyterian Cemetary, Sparta NJ.⁽¹²²⁾
viii. Hannah LAWRENCE⁽²⁷⁾ was born on Apr 16 1827. She died on Dec 30 1923. She was buried in Winebago, IL.
ix. Aaron Schuyler LAWRENCE⁽²⁷⁾ was buried on Jan 31 1814 in Methodist Cemetary, Sparta NJ. ⁽¹⁸¹⁾ He was born on Dec 12 1828. He died on Jan 28 1914 in Paterson, New Jersey.⁽¹⁸²⁾ Cause of death listed on his death certificate is "Cardiac exhaustion following ?????" He was buried in Sparta, Sussex Co., NJ.⁽¹²²⁾ Buried at the Sparta Cemetary behind the old M.E. Church built in 1865.

Aaron S. Lawrence
Dec. 12, 1828
Jan. 28, 1914
Penelope Decker His Wife
Oct 23, 1832
Mar. 5, 1911

In front of Aaron & Penelope Lawrence
Alice E. Lawrence wife of Frank Lantz
1856 - 1924

next to Alice
Frank Lantz
1858 - 1918

x. William LAWRENCE⁽²⁷⁾ was born on Dec 24 1832. He died on Sep 19 1900 in Sparta, Sussex Co., NJ. ⁽¹⁸³⁾ He was buried in Methodist Cemetary, Sparta NJ. ⁽¹²²⁾ Buried next to his brother Aaron S. Lawrence. His stone reads:
William Lawrence
Died Sept. 19, 1900
aged 67 yrs, 9 mos, 19 d's

He was never married.