John Lawrence (mayor of Philadelphia)
John Lawrence | |
|---|---|
| 39th Mayor of Philadelphia | |
| In office October 1, 1765 – October 6, 1767 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Lawrence II |
| Succeeded by | Isaac Jones |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 20, 1724 |
| Died | January 1799 (aged 74-75) Longbridge Farm, South Brunswick, New Jersey, United States |
| Relations | Thomas Lawrence II (brother) Thomas Lawrence (father) |
| Children | 1 |
John Lawrence, Esq. (May 20, 1724 – January 1799) was the 39th Mayor of Philadelphia and the third in his family to hold that title.
Early life and family
Lawrence was born on May 20, 1724.[1] He was the second son of Thomas Lawrence I,[2] who was Mayor of Philadelphia from 1727 to 1729, 1734, 1749, and 1753. His elder brother, Thomas Lawrence II, also served as mayor in both 1758 and 1764.[1] Although he was born and worked in Philadelphia, he travelled to England during his formative years for his education.[2]
He married Elizabeth Francis (1733–1800), the daughter of Tench Francis Sr. Late in their lives, they lived on 6th and Chestnut.[3] Their only child, Betsey Lawrence, married to James Allen, Esq.[4] (later to Judge John Lawrence of New York City).[2]
From 1756 to 1765, he owned the Rockland tract of land in Fairmount Park as part of his estate; following his death, it would be sold before becoming the Rockland Mansion.[5] His prior estate there was visited by General Washington and Martha Washington on May 30, 1760.[6]
Career
Lawrence was appointed Clerk of Quarter Sessions in 1747,[1] and became an associate justice[7] of the Supreme Court on September 14. 1767,[8] serving until the American Revolution.[9]
He was a common councilman for Philadelphia starting in 1762, became an alderman two years later,[1] and was elected mayor on October 1, 1765,[10] and was unanimously re-elected for another term in 1766,[11] serving until October 6, 1767. Due to his family's influence on the position in the 18th century, he was considered a "very notable mayor" of his time.[12]
Lawrence travelled back to England after the Revolutionary War, although returned back to Pennsylvania in his final years,[13] dying in January 1799[1] at Longbridge Farm in South Brunswick, New Jersey.[13]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Young, John Russell (1895). Memorial History of the City of Philadelphia: From Its First Settlement to the Year 1895. New-York History Company. p. 291.
- 1 2 3 Lawrence, Martha Morris (1895). Boundary Line and Other Bits of Biography and History Originally Written for the "Sussex Independent". Sussex Independent. p. 49.
- ↑ "[Diary entry: 30 May 1787]". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
- ↑ Scharf, John Thomas; Westcott, Thompson (1884). History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884. L.H. Everts. p. 888.
- ↑ Keyser, Charles Shearer (1876). Fairmount Park and the International Exhibition at Philadelphia. Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfinger. p. 90.
- ↑ Thompson, R.W. (1907). Primitive Monitor and Church Advocate. Greenfield, Ind. p. 523. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ↑ Westcott, Thompson (1894). The Historic Mansions and Buildings of Philadelphia: With Some Notice of Their Owners and Occupants. W. H. Barr. p. 173.
- ↑ Von A. Cabeen, Francis (1901). "The Society of the Sons of Saint Tammany of Philadelphia". The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. 25 (4): 448. ISSN 0031-4587.
- ↑ The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 1895. p. 179.
- ↑ Martin, John Hill (1883). Martin's Bench and Bar of Philadelphia: Together with Other Lists of Persons Appointed to Administer the Laws in the City and County of Philadelphia, and the Province and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. R. Welsh & Company. p. 95.
- ↑ Council, Philadelphia (Pa ) Councils Common (1847). Minutes of the Common Council of the City of Philadelphia: 1704-1776. Crissey & Markley. p. 715.
- ↑ Fairmount Park Art Association (1904). Annual Report of the Board of Trustees, and List of Members. Lippincott. p. 53.
- 1 2 Sergejeff, Nadine; Tvaryanas, Damon; Hunter, Richard (March 2002). "Longbridge Farm" (PDF). sbpl.info. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
