Early Life Mary Lawrence was born into the second generation of the Lawrence family in New England. Her father, John Lawrence, served multiple terms as alderman and was Mayor of New York. The Lawrence family belonged to the rising merchant and civic elite whose influence extended across New York and New England during the late seventeenth century.

Marriage and Children Mary married William Whittingham, likely connected to the family associated with Rev. Samuel Whiting of Lynn, Massachusetts. They had four children. William died in 1672 at a young age, and Mary did not remarry.

Connection to the Saltonstall Family Mary’s youngest child, Mary Whittingham (1679–1730), married Gurdon Saltonstall (1666–1724) in 1698. Saltonstall, a New London minister who entered public life, became Governor of Connecticut in 1708 and served until his death in 1724. Through this marriage, Mary Lawrence became the ancestress of the influential Saltonstall family of Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Children of Mary Whittingham and Gov. Gurdon Saltonstall Gurdon Saltonstall (1709–1765), judge; married Mary Winthrop William Saltonstall (1710–1736), Yale graduate Anne Saltonstall (1712–1794), married first Rev. William Hart, second Rev. Jonathan Parsons Mary Saltonstall (1714–1718) Elizabeth Saltonstall (1715–1790), married Rev. William Russell Nathaniel Saltonstall (1718–1791), judge; married Katherine Winthrop Katherine Saltonstall (1720–1751), married Rev. Joseph Fish Margaret Saltonstall (1723–1786), unmarried; known for piety and charitable works

Legacy and Descendants Through her daughter’s marriage to Gurdon Saltonstall, Mary Lawrence’s descendants included judges, ministers, public officials, and civic leaders. The Saltonstalls remained a distinguished New England family for generations, active in Massachusetts politics, higher education, and public life.