John Joseph LAWRENCE

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Notes for JOHN LAWRENCE:
John came to America in the ship Arbella 1630; settled on Lord Saltonstall's plantation - Watertown, MA. Was admitted a Freeman 17 Apr 1637 at 28 years; was proprietor and Selectman of Watertown; member of Grand Jury of Cambridge 1 Apr 1662; Oct. 1662 sold land in Watertown and moved to new settlement of Groton - was an original landowner and proprietor there; a carpenter; Selectman; Surveyor of highways.
According to the list of possessions in Watertown in 1642, he then owned 7 lots, amounting to 154 + acres.
His sons Nathaniel and Joseph and his second wife Susana were named executors in his will. It was witnessed by Samuel Willard and William Lakin, called his loving Friends.
Reference: The Family of John Lawrence 1657 page 13-15
D.A.C. Volume 1, page 62; Volume 4, page 84; Volume 11, page 144
D.F.P.A. Volume 66, page 87
Genealogical and Family History of Central New York - William Cutter, A. M.
Volume II, page 1038-1040 - Lewis Historical Publishing Co - 1912
A Genealogical Dictionary of The First Settlers of New England
showing Three Generations of Those Who Came Before 1692 - James Savage
Vol III, page 61 - Little, Brown and Company - 1861
Henry Bond M.D. ( 1790 - 1859 ), Early Settlers of Watertown, (Boston: Little, Brown, 1855), Vol II, page 819.
Contradictions & Confirmations ? ? ?
The Lineage Book of the National Society of Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America Vol VI 1916 shows John came to New England on the ship Arbella in 1630 and settling on Lord Saltonstall's plantation, Watertown. This contradicts sources that show him coming in 1635 on the Planter. James Savage suggests that William Lawrence of Newtown, L.I. was the youth who came on the Planter, aged 12 with older brother John and Thomas aged 17. Henry Bond points out that on John being on the Planter this is evidently a mistake, as the passenger in the Planter was only 19 years old when John Lawrence of Watertown, was admitted a freeman.
Note: A Bibliography of Ship Passenger Lists 1538-1825 by Harold Lancour listsArabella (Arbella?) April 8, 1630 Departed Yarmouth, Isle of Wight arrived Salem Massachusetts, June 13 and following days. Flagship of the Winthrop Fleet . This is likely the ship since Lord Saltonstall came over on the same ship with Gov. Winthrop in 1630.
Vol XXX 1955 page 264 of the Lineage Book of the National Society of Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America states:
John Lawrence settled at Watertown, Massachusetts prior to 1635. His name appears on the earliest list of proprietors extant. He was admitted a Freeman on April 17, 1637. In 1662, he moved to Groton, Massachusetts where he was elected to the first board of Selectmen of Groton.
According to Daughters of the American Colonists Lineage Book Vol IV page 84, John Lawrence (d. 1667) of Watertown and Groton, Mass., was a landed proprietor and selectman.
Vol VI page 77 of the same series has John as a surveyor and a selectman of Groton, Mass. in 1662.
Vol XI page 144 of the same series states:
John Lawrence (1609-67) of England, Watertown, Mass., and Groton, Conn., was a Selectman, Groton, Conn., 1664-5, Member of Grand Jury at Cambridge, Mass., a Proprietor of Groton, Conn., and Surveyor of Highways. He served in a garrisoned house during trouble with the Indians. He was born in Wisset, England; died in Groton, Conn.
The Lineage Book of the National Society of Daughters of Founders & Patriots of America Vol X page 282 states:
John Lawrence (bpt. abt. 1609-1667) born in Wisset, England, settled in Watertown, Massachusetts as early as the Beginning of 1635. He was made a Freeman Mar. 9, 1636/37, moved to Groton, Massachusetts about 1662, and was one of the original proprietors of that place.
Growing in-line library, genealogy library.com, Electronic, New England Families Genealogical & Memorial: 3rd Series, Volume lll, pg 1345, John Lawrence, was baptized at Wissett county Suffolk, England Oct 8, 1609. It is probable that he came with a large party under the guidance of Governor Winthrop. He was admitted a freeman April 17, 1637, and received a grant of plough land at Watertown, on the west side of Beaver Brook, three acres, Feb 28, 1636. His home was near Fresh Pond Cambridge, then in Watertown. In the autumn of 1662 he removed to Groton, MA. His homestead in that town was southwest of Gibbet Hill, a short distance east of the first Parish meeting house. He was one of the original settlers and proprietors of Groton and owner of a twenty-acre right. He was twice elected selectman, one year surveyor of highways.
Facts about this person:
Event 1   October 08, 1609
Baptized in Wisset, Suffolk, England
Occupation
Carpenter
Residence
Groton, MA. - Original proprietor 20 ac.
Freeman   April 17, 1637
Watertown, MA
Moved
Groton from Watertown in 1662
(Research):Change notes:Last Updated by: RonHaley