In a message dated 7/16/06 4:42:35 PM, dorisperkins@cox.net writes: > I am not sure what the initial "B" stands for in John's name, however he > may be the one and the same as I feel certain that he probably died prior to > 1870 in either Franklin or Yell county AR.  I found John B. on the 1860 census > in Yell Co. > John B. 46  IL > Marinda  36 TN > Samuel  15  AR > Lou Cinda  13 AR > William 10  TX > James   5   AR > Hannah  0   AR > > Lucinda, William, James and Hannah were found on the 1870 Milam Co., TX > census in the household of Anderson S. & Melvina Neal.   (Anderson S. Neal's > family were located 2 dwellings from the Lawrence household on the 1860 census) > > Any light that you can shed on this family I would be most appreciative. > Hi! A John Lawrence appeared on the 1837 tax list for Washington County, Arkansas. James Lawrence died there young in 1837. John Lawrence was appointed guardian of James Lawrence's children. Papers were filed in the estate in 1840 transferring guardianship away from John Lawrence. John and James Lawrence were the sons of George Lawrence, born ca 1772 in Guilford Co., NC and died in 1852 in Washington Co., AR. This Lawrence family, along with several other Lawrence brothers, were living in southwestern Illinois from ca 1807-1818, when they moved through NW Arkans as on their way to what was then called Miller Co., Arkansas Territory. This took in quite a large area, including a portion of SW Arkansas, NE Texas and SE Oklahoma. George Lawrence moved his family to Washington Co., AR around 1827. Other members of the family settled in SE Arkansas and Texas. Two of James Lawrence's sons, Samuel and Adam, were living in Franklin Co., AR in 1850. By 1860, Adam Lawrence was living in Grayson Co., TX. George Lawrence's son Samuel Lawrence (b. 1810 in IL) settled in Burleson Co., TX. George's brother Joseph had a son named Adam. This Adam Lawrence settled in Williamson Co., TX. His father joined him in Williamson County, with two of his Adam's brothers, who were born in Illinois. Here are some Washington County land records for John Lawrences of the period in Washington County. Arkansas Land Patent: Lawrence, John; Vol. AR0850.155, Land Ofc. Fayetteville, 20-AUG-1838, Doc. #162, Cash Entry; Part #1: NW, Sec. 3, Twp. 15N, R 31 W ., 144.73 acres. 1840: Washington County, Arkansas/Deed Book E-185: I, George Lawrence, have this day bargained and sold and do hereby transfer and convey to John Lawrence and his heirs for the consideration of $50.00 to me in hand paid a tract of Land in the State of Arkansas County of Washington and in the Fayetteville district being The SW/4 of the NE fraction quarter of Section No. 3 in Twp 15 N of Range 31 W, containing 40 acres. To have and to hold the same to the said John Laurence his heirs and assigns froever. I do covenant to the said John Lawrence that I am lawfully seized of said land have a good right to convey the same and that the same is unincumbered. I do further covenant and bind myself, my heirs and representatives to warrant and forever defend the title to said land and every part there of the said John Lawrence his heirs and assigns against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever. Given under my hand and seal this 1st of Feb. AD 1840. George Laurence (Seal) Attest: Henry Tollett, Roland C. Tollett 1848: Washington County, Arkansas/Deed Book F:364/7 December 1748: This Deed made and entered into this Seventh day of December in the year of our Lord 1848 by and between John Lawrence and Marinda Lawrence, his wife, of the first part and G. R. M. Wilson of the County and State aforesaid of the second part witnesseth that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of four hundred dollars to him in hand paid the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged have bargained and sold ...that tract or parcel of land situate in the County and State aforesaid it being the East half of the southwest quarter the east half of the North west quarter and the west half of the South east quarter of Section No. Twenty Three in Township No. seventeen North of Range No. Thirty Two west of the fifth principal meridian containing in all 240 acres To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land to the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever and the said party of the first part for his heirs executors and legal representatives do hereby covenant to and warrant and forever defend the title of all the above described land from the claim of any person or persons except the last mentioned eighty acres (vsz, the West half of the South East quarter. In testimony whereof the said party of the first have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. Signed, Sealed and delivered in presence of Wm. D. Sullivan and Wm. W. Brownlee. Signed: John Lawrence (X) and Marinda Lawrence (X) (seals). If you feel that there might be a connection between our families, I would be happy to hare furthr information. Thanks! Rebecca Hitzman rwhitzman@aol.com