Parents: Effingham Lawrence (1779–1850) and Anne Townsend (1782–1845) Spouse: Hannah Russell Mickle (1837–1885), daughter of Andrew Haswell Mickle, Mayor of New York City (1833–1834) Children: Effingham Edward Lawrence (1854–1911), Julia Townsend Lawrence (1860–1933), August Lawrence (1862–1892), George Lawrence (c. 1865–after 1880), and Mary Kemble Lawrence (1871–1932) Kinship: Third great-granduncle of the post–World War II Smith generation

Early Life and Family Background Edward Arthur Lawrence was born into the prominent Lawrence family of Bayside and Flushing, Long Island. His father, Effingham Lawrence, was a well-known landowner and businessman, and his mother, Anne Townsend, came from the respected Quaker Townsend family, further strengthening the long-standing alliances between the Lawrences and Townsends. Assemblyman  (1746–1811) was his grandfather; State Senator  (d. 1790) was his great-grandfather.

Marriage and Social Position On December 6, 1855, Edward married Hannah Russell Mickle, daughter of former New York City Mayor Andrew Haswell Mickle; the wedding was reported in the New York Times on December 8, 1855. The marriage united two influential New York families and was noted in society columns for the elegance of the occasion.

Metropolitan Hotel—Brilliant Wedding.

“Last evening, Mr. Edward Arthur Lawrence, son of Hon. Cornelius W. Lawrence, led to the altar the daughter of Ex-Mayor Mickle. The happy event was celebrated at the Metropolitan Hotel, where the bride’s father has rooms for the Winter, by one of the largest, as it was the most fashionable and distinguished parties of the season. The circle of the immediate relatives and acquaintances of the united families numbered over three hundred guests, and the whole list of accepted invitations embraced a party of over eight hundred ladies and gentlemen. Broadway was fairly blockaded by carriages to a late hour. The occasion was honored by the presence of Senator Crittenden, of Kentucky, Ex-Senator Dickinson, of New-York, Hon. Mr. Denver, M. C., of California, General Escanden, of Mexico, Mr. Stanhope, Prevost of Lima, Judge Roosevelt, Commodore Nicholson, Hon. Preston King, Hon. Robert J. Walker, Hon. Charles H. Morgan, Mr. Thomas F. Meagher, Capt. Charles H. Marshall, Ex-Mayor Kingsland, Gen. Talmadge, and a very large number of distinguished City families. The whole of the splendid and admirably conducted establishment of the Messrs. Leland was thrown open on the occasion, and everything passed off with genuine spirit and hearty enthusiasm. Long live the happy pair! May their way of wedded life be as unclouded as its commencement was joyous.”

It will be noted that the New York Times Daily News ( Dec. 8, 1855) continued the Times journalistic tradition of inaccuracy. Edward Arthur Lawrence was not the son of Cornelius W. Lawrence, but the son of Effingham Lawrence.

Public Service As a Democrat, he was Supervisor of the Town of Flushing for twelve years, a member of the New York State Assembly (Queens Co., 1st D.) in 1858 and 1859, and a member of the New York State Senate (1st D.) in 1860 and 1861.

Death Edward Arthur Lawrence died in 1883 at the age of fifty-two. His widow, Hannah, survived him by two years.

Lawrence, Edward Effingham (1830–1890)

Parents: William Effingham Lawrence (1781–1841) and Mary Ann George Smither (1797–1880). Spouse: None recorded. Children: None recorded. Kinship: Second cousin five times removed of the post–World War II Smith generation.

Early Life and Tasmanian Connection Edward Effingham Lawrence was born in Tasmania in 1830, a son of William Effingham Lawrence—an English settler in Van Diemen’s Land and member of the Legislative Council—belonging to the London-origin Lawrence branch that removed to Tasmania in the 1820s. (For the fuller context of this branch, see the separate “Tasmania” entry.)

Education and Military Service He returned to England for schooling and in 1856 obtained a Cornetcy in the 7th (Princess Royal’s) Dragoon Guards. He is associated in family materials with British involvement around the Austro–Sardinian conflict of 1860–61 (specific regimental actions for his troop have not yet been located).

Residence and Occupation After leaving military service he spent a period in Antwerp, and by the 1860s–70s had become a stockbroker in London. In 1880 he occupied chambers on the third floor at No. 3 Craven Street, Strand, where he had resided nearly fourteen years. (Craven Street is the same street where Benjamin Franklin’s London house—No. 36—still stands.)

Legal Matters • Old Bailey (24 May 1880) — Theft from his rooms. Lawrence testified in the Central Criminal Court against Frederick Foghill (with Henry Hudson), charged with stealing two portmanteaus, a wooden box, and household linen and clothing (total value c. £43) from Lawrence’s rooms and attic at 3 Craven Street. The published session paper explicitly names Edward Effingham Lawrence as the victim; the defendants were convicted.

On May 21, 1886 Lawrence was a defendant, accused of conspiring to obtain money under false pretenses from the plaintiffs. Judgement was for the defendant.

Death and Inquest On 20 October 1890 he died by suicide at the Army and Navy Stores, London, by gunshot. At the inquest, his brother stated that Edward had long been an invalid, took morphia to sleep, and had said he “could not bear his sufferings any longer,” though he had given no prior indication of suicidal intent. No further cause was discovered; the coroner’s jury returned temporary insanity. His estate was stated to be over £6,000.