Woodford Lawrence (1800 - 1879)

Born 8 Jan 1800 in Fauquier County, Virginia, United States

Husband of Mary (Mewmaw) Lawrence — married 17 Dec 1826 in Shenandoah County, Virginia

Died 28 Dec 1879 at age 79 in Payson Township, Adams County, Illinois, United States

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Biography

This profile is part of the Lawrence Name Study.

Woodford Lawrence was born on 8 Jan 1800 in Fauquier County, Virginia, United States, son of Rodham Tullos Lawrence (1762–1845) and Elizabeth Laurence (1770–1820). ^[1]

Woodford married Mary Mewmaw (born on 25 Jan 1802 in Virginia). Their children were:

• Mary Louisa Lawrence (1827–1902)
• Susan Lawrence (1829–1912)
• Alpha Lawrence (1830–1898)
• Bluford Lawrence (1832–1920)
• Alford Lawrence (1833–1895)
• Chichester S. Lawrence (~1837–~1909)
• Woodford Marion Lawrence (1838–1903)

Woodford died on 28 Dec 1879 in Payson Township, Adams County, Illinois, United States, aged 79. He was buried in Payson Old Cemetery, Payson, Adams County, Illinois. ^[1]

Additional Information

Woodford was born in 1800. He passed away in 1879.

WOODFORD LAWRENCE, formerly occupying an important place in the farming community of Payson Township, departed this life in 1879. He was a native of Fauquier County, Va, having been born in 1800, and was a lad of twelve years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Warren County, Ky. In the Blue Grass State he grew to mature years and was given an excellent education which fitted him to teach school.

In 1828 returning to his native State, Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage with Miss Mary Mewmaw, who accompanied him to Indiana where they resided for one year and then coming to Adams County they located one mile east of where the flourishing village of Payson now stands. When first locating in this vicinity the land was unimproved and it was a very difficult matter to clear away the heavy timber that covered it. In the year 1832 he cut grass from where is now the site of the village and taught the first school in Payson Township which was conducted a log schoolhouse rudely constructed with puncheon floor and all the primitive furnishings so well known to the majority of our readers.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence was born a family of eight children:

• Louisa the wife of George W. Holeman of Richfield Township this county
• Susan, Mrs. James Ellington of Trenton, Mo
• Alpha the wife of James Mack also of that place
• Bluford
• Alfred
• Rodham who resides in Medicine Lodge, Kan
• Chitester S
• Woodford M. the latter of whom resides in Carrollton, Mo

The father of our subject, Rodham Lawrence was a native of Virginia and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, being present at the surrender of Cornwallis in 1783. His five sons were all born in a log shanty on the claim where Chitester S. is at present residing. The last named son was born in the year 1837 and was given an excellent education completing his studies at Abingdon College. At the age of twenty six years he began teaching school which profession he followed for seven years giving great satisfaction wherever employed.

The lady to whom Chitester S. Lawrence was married in 1864 was Miss Hester J. daughter of William D. Baker. To them was granted a family of six children of whom the following four still survive: Alice, Siba, Dora, and Ora. In 1892 Siba and Dora were appointed delegates to the Christian Endeavor Convention held in New York City. They are both refined and intelligent young people and take an active part in church work being with their parents members of the Christian Church In politics this son is a stanch Democrat and has held important offices in his township having been School Trustee for fifteen years. He has been industrious prudent and thrifty and has acquired considerable property. The first representative of the Lawrence family was William Lawrence who came from England to America and made his home in Virginia in 1699. ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70026744/woodford-lawrence: accessed 11 August 2023), memorial page for Woodford Lawrence (8 Jan 1800–28 Dec 1879), Find A Grave: Memorial #70026744, citing Payson Old Cemetery, Payson, Adams County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Anna Martin (contributor 47360809).
2. ↑ Excerpted from: Portrait and biographical record of Adams County, Illinois, 1892

See also:

• FamilySearch Person: LHX2-RV9 details for Woodford Lawrence.