Histories

John Lawrence was born 4 January 1760 in Richmond County, Virginia, son of Thomas Lawrence and Lucy Womack. At age 14 he joined a company of Virginia Militia in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, under Joseph Martin. In January 1777 he enlisted in the Continental Line at Chapman, Virginia, for a term of 3 years and served in the 14th Regiment of Virginia Foot Soldiers. He was taken prisoner in 1780 and sent to England where he was released in 1783. John returned to Pittsylvania County where he married Beheathland Smith 3 September 1788. About 1798 he moved to Wilkes County, North Carolina; then to Jasper County, Georgia in 1811. In 1818 he relocated to Gwinnett County, Georgia, where he died 29 January 1841. John Lawrence was one of the organizers of the Friendship Primitive Baptist Church where he is buried.