Lawrence family
Above : Extract from Hutchins Dorset
At present, most information held on this family can be found in Law Suits C16th & 17th where the Lawrence family feature prominently.
The earliest surviving edition of the Dorset Quarter Sessions Court Book ends in 1638.
In 1628, Charles Lawrence "gentleman" of Steepleton was bound over to give evidence at the Assizes against Alice Balston of neighbouring Martinstown whose virtue was in question. In 1626, he was bound over to "keep the peace" towards Mary the wife of George Lawrence (either his mother or sister in law ?) - the occasion or outcome is not known.
From private notes in Dorset History Centre : (Source : )
Richard Lawrence senior died at Steepleton on 15 Jan 39 Eliz (1596/7)*, seized of one messuage with a curtilage (& various lands in Stoborough), held of George Trenchard - by service of rendering a quarter of a pound of wax annually at Michaelmas, value 4 marks.
Richard Lawrence, son & heir died at Steepleton on 3rd Oct 1 Chas 1 (1625)** seized of the same lands.
George Lawrence, son & heir
Richard Lawrence son of George admitted Magdalene College on 18th October 1636 but took no degree. He wrote one or two small pieces on divinity;
Capt Richard Lawrence, last of the family, was an active man for the Parliament. His lease having expired, he renewed it from Parliament and refused an advantageous offer made to him by the Marquis of Winchester. He was then reduced to great necessities but the Restoration (1660) followed and he was not able, or suffered not to renew and died a foot soldier in London
From the Steepleton Parish Registers :
1559 - 9 Dec : Richard Lawrence married Margaret (??)
1565 - 22 May : William Lawrence son of Richard Lawrence baptised
1567 - 19 May : John Lawrence s/o Richard Lawrence buried
1568 - 29 June : Anne Lawrence buried
1584 30 Apr : Persevall Mogges married Mary Lawrence
1586 - 8 Feb : Richard Lawrence son of George Lawrence baptised
1586 - 7 Aug : Richard Lawrence son of Jeb Lawrence baptised
1587 - 3 Sept : Richard Lawrence son of Ann Lawrence baptised
1588 - 22 Sept : Rychard Laurence s/o Charles Laurence baptised
1592 - 16 May : Richard Lawrence son of Richard Lawrence baptised
1593 - 4 Apr : William Lawrence Gent married Lucy Hiller
1593 - 17 July : Elizabeth Lawrence buried
1593 - 29 Aug : Francis Lawrence buried
1594 - 14 July : William Lawrence son of Ann Lawrence baptised
1594 - 1 Sept : Richard Lawrence son of Lace (?) Lawrence baptised
1595 - 20 Oct : Angell Lawrence dau of Richard Lawrence baptised
1597 - 17 Jan : Richard Lawrence buried *
1597 - 2 Apr : Morgan Lawrence son of Richard Lawrence baptised
1603 - 20 Sept : Richard Norris married Francis Lawrence
1611 - 16 Dec : Henry Colliford married Frances Lawrence
1613 - 20 Sept : Robert Norris married Frances Lawrence
1617- 3 June : Chrisofer Pitt married Lucy Lawrence
1618 - 18 Dec : Mary Lawrence buried
1621 - 18 Jan : Nicholas Moylan married Honnor Lawrence
1624 - 18 Jan : Nicholas Northover married Honor Lawrence
1625 - 13 Oct : Richard Lawrence buried **
1626 - 31 Oct : Thomas Meech married Rebecca (Deborah ?) Lawrence
1628 - 3 Jan : Mary Lawrence buried
163? - 10 June : Peter Templeman married Hannah Lawrence
1633 - 3 Mar : Hannah Lawrence dau of John Lawrence baptised
1662 - May : Mary Lawrence dau of Nicholas & Amy Lawrence baptised
1663 - 5 July : Richard Lawrence son of Richard Lawrence baptised
There is also an excellent Lawrence Family website that can be reached via this link :
http://www.lawrence-ons.org/lineage.html
Below : An extract from the Winterbourne Steepleton page