Person:William Lawrence (63)

On 10 March 1681 Elizabeth Lawrence, widow of William, was made guardian of her seven children -- Mary, Thomas, Joseph, Richard, Samuel, Sarah and James. "Whereas William Lawrence late of Flushing deceased, hath left a considerable estate and seven young children that is to say Mary, Thomas, Joseph, Richard, Samuel, Sarah and James whose proportion and share of their said Father's estate according to Law amounts to each of them Two hundred Eighty Eight Pounds sixteen shillings one penny half penny the whole being Two thousand twenty one pounds twelve shillings four pence half penny which is and remains in the hands and possession of Elizabeth the widow and administratrix of the said William and mother to the said Children who desiring in Countil to be admitted their guardian, These are to certify that said Elizabeth Lawrence is by advice of the Countil Admitted and allowed off to be guardian for the said seven children, and to have possession and enjoy their said portions giving sufficient security to satisfy and pay the same to them and each of them when they shall attain the age of twenty one years or be married. Given under my hand and seal in New York this 10th day of March in the 33d year of his Maj.es Reign."

On 30 March 1681 the record shows (entered at the desire of Mr. Richard Smith) "These presents Wittnes that whereas there is a purpose of joining in Marriage with Capt. Philip Carteret of New Jersey itt is joyntly and Fully agreed between him and the aforesaid and me Elizabeth Lawrence late wife of -- Capt. William Lawrence of Flushing deceased -- that I the aforesaid Elizabeth doe reserve liberty to give and dispose of all my right of land and meadow or housing within the Neck called Tews Neck unto any of my sons whom I shall see good and that no engagement whatever shall impead this agreement. Elizabeth Lawrence. Witness: Richard Smith; Sarah U Smith (mark); Abigail Nicolls."

"The Family of Richard Smith of Smithtown, Long Island" Frederick Kinsman Smith Smithtown Historical Society, Smithtown, NY, 1967

"Elizabeth Smith (Richard), b. probably in 1643, died in July 1712, m. (lic. 4 Mch 1664) Captain William Lawrence, of Flushing, L.I., as second wife. They had seven children. He died in 1680, and she m. (2-lic. 26 Mch 1681) Governor Philip Carteret of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, b. 1639, son of Helier Carteret, Attorney General of the Isle of Jersey, and his wife Rachel...Captain Philip Carteret was appointed Governor of the Province and came from England in 1665. He served in that office until the change in proprietorship of the Province led to his retirement, only four weeks previous to his death, which occurred in December, 1682."

"Captain William Lawrence, the first husband of Elizabeth Smith, was one of the patentees of Flushing, in 1645. He was the owner of Tew's Neck and lived there. He was bap. at Great St. Alban's, Hertfordshire, England, 27 Jly 1622, son of Thomas and Joan (Antrobus) Lawrence. His father died 20 Mch 1624/5, and his mother m. (2) John Tuttell, who came to this country with his wife and most of the children, including William Lawrence, then in his thirteenth year, in the spring of 1635, in the Planter...William Lawrence married twice and had by his first wife three children, Elizabeth, William, and John."