Robert Lawrence obtained a patent of 100 acres on Lawne's Creek 25 Aug 1642, and another of 200 acres on the same date adjacent to widow Alice Bennett and Mr. Hardy for the transportation of himself, wife Elizabeth, Edward Ison, and three other persons.

In 1652 Humphrey Edley patented land on the northwest branch of the Nansemond River next to Robert Lawrence.

He was a Justice for the County of Nansemond 1659-60 and petitioned the House of Burgesses to be relieved of this position.

(17 Century Isle of Wight County, Va., Boddie, page 491.)

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He was a Puritan and later became a Quaker.

(17 Century Isle of Wight County, Va., Boddie, page 489.)

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It is reported he graduated Oxford University, England 04 Nov 1631.

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Robert entered Oxford University on November 4, 1631, and possibly studied law at the Inner Temple in the following year. Upon becoming of legal age and receiving his inheritance, he married and departed for the Virginia Colony with his wife, Elizabeth.(4)
Robert's son, Robert Jr., was born about 1639. He was not used as a
headright when Robert obtained land in Isle of Wight in 1642 for
importing himself and his wife, therefore he was probably born after
Robert's arrival in Virginia.1638 migrated from Chelsea, Middlesex, England

On October 19, 1682, Robert Lawrence, the elder, witnessed the wedding
of John Scott and Elizabeth Belson.

Robert Lawrence received two patents on August 25, 1642, in Isle of
Wight Co.: 200 acres upon Lawnes Creek, adjoining the lands of Mr.
Harding and the widow Bennett's lands for importation of himself,
Eliza his wife, John Backwell, and Edward Ison; and 100 acres on
Lawnes Creek adjoining his own land and the land of Mr. Tooke for the
importation of James Long and Margerie Aldrige.[CI:192:?3:CI] The
patent for 200 acres was renewed on September 12, 1644. This land
subsequently was conveyed to Daniel Washburne on July 8, 1652,
witnessed by James Pyland and Robert Sabin.[CI:196:?3:CI]
On September 28, 1643, Robert received a patent for 150 acres near
the mouth of Lawnes Creek adjoining John Stocker, Georg Hardie, and
Thomas Gyer for the importation of Thomas Merrick, Wm. Penny, and John
Pond.[CI:193:?3:CI]
On August 20, 1644, Robert Lawrence and Ellis Brown patented 400
acres in Lower Norfolk County upon the east branch of Elizabeth River
adjoining John Sidney and Richard Woster, 300 of the acres due by
assignment of a patent dated May 22, 1637, from Thomas Sawyer, and the
remaining 100 acres for paying the costs of importing two
servants.[CI:195:?3:CI]
Robert joined other Puritans migrating to Nansemond Co., Virginia
prior to 1659. Robert was a justice of Nansemond County, Virginia in
1659-1660 for on March 14, 1659/60, he petitioned the Virginia House
of Burgesses to have a "writ of ease granted him from his future
officiating as a Commissioner in the County of Nanzemund."[CI:191:?3:CI] He probably became a quaker about this time and was not in sympathy with the policies and actions of the Church of England and the Government towards the Quakers and Puritans residing in the County.[CI:197:?3:CI]
Early Quakers differed widely from the sedate, punctual, peace loving
and well ordered society that we know in America today. Initially
they assumed disorderly characteristics. They denied all respect to
magistrates and under a zealous impulse they burst into churches,
disturbed public worship and exhorted ministers and congregations with
fervid railings and reproaches. They sought no offices, courted no
parties, flattered no one in power, cared nothing for earthly
vanities, refused to take measures for national defense and denounced
war.[CI:226:?3:CI]
Testimonial given by Thomas Jordan at a Quaker meeting the 1st month,
1661, stated that he was "taken at a meeting at Robert Lawrence's and
bound over to the court of Nansemond" for refusing to take certain
oaths prohibited by their faith.[CI:198:?3:CI]
On April 17, 1667, Lt. Col. John George patented 360 acres on Castle
Creek adjoining Francis Place and Robert Lawrence.[CI:199:?3:CI]
Robert Lawrence probably was living as late as 1682 when Robert
Lawrence, the elder, witnessed the Quaker wedding of John Scott and
Elizabeth Belson.[CI:200:?3:CI] The exact date of death perished in
the destruction of the records of Nanesmond County.
Records existing in other locations prove that he left four sons, but
it is impossible to prove the names of any daughters.[CI:107:?3:CI]
Robert Lawrence, son of Sir John Lawrence, Merchant of London, appears to be the first of this Lawrence family in Virginia. He obtained a patent of 100 acres of land on Lawne's Creek,Isle of Wight,and another one of 200 acres "adjacent to the widow Bennett and Mr. Hardy , August25,1642". He was a justice of the peace for the county of Nansemond in 1959-60. his wife was named Elizabeth.(17th century page491) . See Nicholson's Herald & Genealogist; vol.1V, for a more detailed and complete study of this family. Dates in Historical Southern Families Vol.1 page 181 by John Bennett Boddie 1958
William,John,Robert,and Giles Lawrence make their appearance on the ancient records of Colonial Virginia at about the same time and in the same locality. Every indication points to them being brothers. Source is Brøderbund WFT Vol. 5, Ed. 1, Tree #2828, Date of Import: Apr.. 23, 1997,Frank H Phelps
1680 Columbia Dr.,Englewood,Fla.34223-2518 941-475-5364 The Lawrence Family exerpt from probably Library of Congress,Pages 613-614
Robert Lawrence belonged to the Quakers, or else was a Quaker sympathizer, because in a deposition by Thomas Jordan,the famous Quaker minister,made in July 1661,he declared he had been persecuted." by six weeks imprisonment for being taken at a meeting in my own and released by a King's proclamations. Secondly ,taken at a meeting at the house of Robert Lawrence and bound over to the court at Nansemond County. And ,He adds,taken by distress by Sheriff Thomas Godwin.
. My estimated birth date for Robert is 1617. He married Elizabeth in
England prior to immigrating. I have no surname for Elizabeth. What is
the source for the surname ADKINSON? His son Robert was born circa
1639, who married Jane (or Joane) Gay, a widow, based on a deposition he
made in March 1707/08 where he stated he was born in 1639 (source
Boddie:17th Century Isle of Wight). Robert (Sr.) received a headright
in 1642 for importing himself and wife Elizabeth. His son Robert was
not mentioned for the headright therefore it appears that he was born
after they arrive. Therefore it is estimate that Robert and Elizabeth
immigrated circa 1638 probably shortly after his father Sir John died.
Robert the Elder (believed to be Robert (Sr.) witnessed the Quaker
wedding of John Scott and Elizabeth Belson in 1682 therefore his death
date is after that.


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There was another William Lawrence in Queens County at this time whose family migrated to Monmouth County,New Jersey. The Lawrence's who came on the ship Planter were the St. Albans Lawrence's. There was also a Henry Lawrence in MA who was an original immigrant not connected to the St. Albans Lawrence's. Also a George Lawrence in MA. A John Lawrence from Wisset, England. A Robert Lawrence in VA of Ashton Hall, England. Numerous "Laurens" whose name
transposed to Lawrence over the years and a Johannes Lorentz from Germany whose descendants changed there names to Lowrance and Lawrence. There are quite a few more who could be original immigrants and not connected to any of the above.
"Dennis A. Lawrence"

• Married: BEF 1639 in Virginia

1. **John Lawrence , Sr.-I b: 1638
2. *Robert Lawrence b: 1639 in Isle Of Wight County, Virginia
3. *George Lawrence b: 1640 in Isle Of Wight County, Virginia
4. *Henry Lawrence b: 1642 in Isle Of Wight County, Virginia
5. Ann Lawrence b: 1650 in Isle Of Wight County, Virginia

1. Title: 17 Century Isle of Wight, Boddie, page 491