Person:John Lawrence (162)

Will Abstract

Lawrence, John. Will probated Oct., 1801.

Names wife, Levinah, and three sons, John, William and Thomas, and daus. Patience, Macey, Mary, Elizabeth and Zelphia.

[Source: "A Brief of Wills and Marriages in Montgomery and Fincastle Counties, Virginia, 1733-1831”, compiled by Anne Lowry Worrell, pg. 51]

Additional info not listed in source above:

Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Sabens son of __ony Sabens the plantation I now live on adjoining James Simpkins land. I likewise give to him the said Thomas Sabens the two thirds of all my personal estate after the decease of my loving wife to him and his heirs and assigns forever.

About Elder John Lawrence

Research has not yet conclusively revealed the exact date or place of Elder John Lawrence's birth. DAR records indicate that he was born about 1739 in Connecticut which conflicts with the history of the Meadow Creek Church (Montgomery County, VA) which gives his age as 80 at his death in 1801 (yielding a birth date of around 1721).¹

Elder John Lawrence was a minister in several Baptist churches throughout his life. The first record of his preaching was in private homes and school houses. In 1770 he formally organized a church at the house of Zaccheus Newcomb.⁷ On 13 Nov 1782 Elder John established another Baptist church in Fishkill, NY "composed of eight males and ten females."²

According to the Revolutionary War Pension Application of his son William, after the Revolutionary War Elder John moved with his family to Montgomery County, VA.⁸ On 27 Sep 1785 Elder John was licensed to perform marriages in Montgomery County¹ so we know his arrival in Virginia was sometime prior to this date. He acquired several hundred acres of land along Meadow Creek. This land is near Radford, VA with Interstate 81 crossing part of what was once Elder John's property.⁹

Elder John ministered at the Meadow Creek church. It is not clear if this church was already in existence prior to his arrival or if Elder John and others who moved to the area established it. "History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia" by Robert Baylor Semple says this about the congregation.

"Meadow Creek was formed partly out of the members who moved hither from the state of New York and partly of natives. Reverend John Lawrence became their pastor. He had been a minister for many years in the state of New York; was an eminent servant of Christ and a pious and sensible man. His labors were not very much blessed after he moved to Virginia. Some disturbance happening in the church and Mr. Lawrence being obviously in dotage, was rather indiscreet in espousing one of the parties so as to give some discontent to the body of the church, in consequence of which, added to his incapacity through dotage and infirmities, the church dismissed him from his pastoral charge. Soon after he was taken ill and God dismissed him to the church triumphant. He was 80 years old when he died." ⁶

Elder John's will was written and signed on 20 Feb 1801. His wife Levinah along with several of his children and sons-in-law are named in the will. He passed away sometime prior to the October session of the Montgomery County court when his will was probated.

Will of Elder John Lawrence, pg 1

Will of Elder John Lawrence, pg 2

1. ↑ McColman, Ora Belle. Descendants of Elder John Lawrence of Southwest Virginia and New England. (Roanoke, Virginia: McColman, Ora Belle, 1999)
   1, 1999.
2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Benedict, David. General History of the Baptist Denomination in America and Other Parts of the World. (New York, New York: Lewis Colby and Company, 1848)
   549, 1848.
3. ↑ Binns Genealogy 1790 / 1800 Virginia Tax List Censuses.

   http://www.binnsgenealogy.com/VirginiaTaxListCensuses/Montgomery/1792PersonalB/06.jpg

4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 McColman, Ora Belle. Descendants of Elder John Lawrence of Southwest Virginia and New England. (Roanoke, Virginia: McColman, Ora Belle, 1999)
   Foreward & Contents, 1999.
5. ↑ ^5.0 5.1 McColman, Ora Belle. Descendants of Elder John Lawrence of Southwest Virginia and New England. (Roanoke, Virginia: McColman, Ora Belle, 1999)
   5, 1999.
6.   Semple, Robert Baylor, and George William Beale. A history of the rise and progress of the Baptists in Virginia. (Richmond [Virginia]: Pitt and Dickinson, 1894)
   355, 1894.
7.   Smith, James Hadden. History of Duchess County, New York: With ... Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 1. (Syracuse: D. Mason & Company, 1882)
   317, 1882.
8.   Kf4zmt/William Lawrence Revolutionary War Pension Application
   1834.
9.   McColman, Ora Belle. Descendants of Elder John Lawrence of Southwest Virginia and New England
   3, 1999.
10.   Find A Grave.

    Elder John Lawrence
    Birth unknown
    Death 1801
    Montgomery County, Virginia, USA
    
    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176038482

11. ↑ Elder John Lawrence's birth date is estimated to be 1721. This estimate is derived from the year of his death (1801) with additional information provided by Robert B. Semple that he was 80 years old at the time of his death. (A History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia)