Thomas Lawrence was born in New York 4 September, 1689, the grandson of Thomas Laurenszen, whose arrival in New York in 1662 and marriage in the year following are found in the records of the Old Dutch Church, where is also the record of Thomas' baptism on 8 September, 1689. He appears to have settled in Philadelphia about the year 1720, shortly after his marriage. He here entered into mercantile life, James Logan mentioning him as associated with him in shipping, and in 1730 he became partner of Edward Shippen, the elder brother of Dr. William Shippen, and who was later known as Edward Shippen of Lancaster, whither he removed about 1752, the firm being Shippen & Lawrence. He was elected a Common Councilman 3 October, 1722, an Alderman 6 October, 1724, and Mayor of the City in 1728, 1734, 1749, and 1753, during which last incumbency he died. Governor Gordon called him to a seat in the Provincial Council in April 1727, but he did not qualify until 10 May 1728. In September, 1745 he was deputed one of the Commissioners from Pennsylvania to treat with the Six Nations at Albany. When Franklin declined the Lieutenant Colonelcy of the Philadelphia Association, he recommended, his autobiography tells us, "Mr. Lawrence, a fine person, and a man of influence, who was accordingly appointed."[1] He was for some time Judge of the County Court; and in 1721 and '22 a Warden of Christ Church. He was a frequent attendant on the meetings of the Trustees, rarely missing one in their first two years, notwithstanding his business engagements and his manifold public duties, in those securing a handsome property for his children and in these a constantly widening reputation and influence. The last meeting of the Trustees he attended was on 17 November, 1753. He died 21 April, 1754, and was buried in the Family Vault in Christ Church Burying Ground, not far from the spot where the remains of Franklin were laid thirty-five years later. We can read the latter's authorship in the obituary notice on him which appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette on 25 April, 1754.
Last Sunday, after a tedious fit of Sickness, died here, very much
- ↑ Bigelow, i. 214.
