William Laurance - Sarah Caruthers

• Spelling of Name

  William spelled it Laurnace when he signed his name. In Pharis Laurance Bible, on births it is spelled LAURANCE on deaths it is spelled LAURENCE until the last two entries then LAWRENCE.  So apparently it evolved between 1820's and 1880's.

• Laurance Cemetery - from Tom Simpson

  As a point of reference - the old Laurance cemetery is down the hill from Pisgah Church about 1/2 mile going towards Smith Fork Creek - but to the right of the road, across the level field and at the foot of the hill. There is columbine and violets planted around the site.

  (March 2000) Now only 2 or 3 graves can be identified - but when I was a boy I can remember at least a dozen. My Grandfather told me that his Grandmother - Susan Laurnace Simpson was buried there as well as Pharis Laurnace. I suspect that this is the burial place of William Laurnace as well, since it is located on property that was once owned by him.

  Photo of William Laurance farm, later owned by son Pharis
  Submitted by Tom Simpson 2006

  

• Gedcom - DeKalb Co., TN (2) - Cole, Davis, Duncan, Kelly, Laurance, Pafford

• 1814 -living Hannah's Branch

  He apparently owned land next to Jacob Overall and purchased land from Jacob Overall. William's daughter Susannah was married to Jacob Overall. Shenandoah Co, VA court records from November 1820 show the division of Jacob Overall's father's estate -- it is signed by a Lewis Lawrnece.

• 1816 - July 20, Smith Co., TN
  

  John Spencer sold to William Lawrence, both of Smith Cty, for $20.00 for 20 acres land on water of Indian Creek, including a spring by name of driping Springs.  witness, Pharis Lawrence & Abner Self.

• 1816 -Oct 28, Smith Co. TN
  

  David Looney to William Lawrence, both of Smith Co., land in Smith Cty for $600., part of a tract of land David Looney now lives. Est. 100 acres.
  Witness J. Taylor
  J. Hibbits   Reg. 24 Oct. 1818

• 1817 -Sept 24, Smith Co., TN
  Record Group First Surveyors District Early Land Entries. Entry Book , page 106) by Norm McGee

  locator Jacob Overall entry 19102 24 Sep 1817 15A on Hannahs Creek of Smith Fork begin on NE corner Elizabeth Davis 15A survey.

• 1820 Smith Co, TN Census - page 70
  

  1 male - - - born before l775 1 female - - born before l775 1 male - - - born 1794-l804 1 female - - born l804-l8l0

  From Tom Simpson in Oct l998
  

  Also on same page 70 is a Nancy Laurnace, Edward Laurnace, and a Charity Laurnace (widow of Charles who died in Smith Co, TN in 1813).  DeKalb Co was formed from Smith Co and others in 1837.

• 1824 Smith Co., TN
  

  Deed from William Laurnace to son Pharis (Smith Co, TN) This indenture made this tenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four between William Laurnace of the County of Smith and state of Tennessee on the one part and Faris Laurnace of the same place on the other part.  Witnesseth that the said William Laurance for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars to him in hand paid by the said Faris Laurnace before the signing and sealing of these presents the receipt where of is hereby acknowledge hath given, granted, bargained, sold, aligned, convey and confirmed unto said Faris Laurance his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract or parcil of land situated lying and being in the County County of Smith and the State of Tennessee and a on a branch of Smith Fork called Hannahs Creek..  Containing by estimation fifty six acres be the same more or less as follows (to wit) beginning on a beech and white oak in Sampson Williams line running east one hundred and two poles to a beech and small sugar tree thence south fourteen degrees west seventy four poles to two pappaws thence south fifth Four degrees west thirty two poles to a small sycamore bush then south thirty three degrees west twenty two poles to a sugar tree thence west forth Four poles to a white ash and sugar tree thence north one hundred and two poles to the beginning being part of a tract granted to Jacob Overall.  To have and to holde the aforesaid land with all and singular the right pro??ts emalamints here deta???ets and a??erst???ances of in and to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining to the only proper use and behalf of him the said Faris Laurance his heirs assigns forever.. And the said William Laurnace for himself his heirs executors and administrators do covenant agree to and with the said Faris Laurance his heirs and assigns that the before wited land and bargain and promise he will warrant and forever defend against the lawful claims of all manner of persons whatever in witness whereof the said William Laurnace hath hereunder set his hand and affixed his seal the day and year ?????? above.  Written singed sealed and delivered in presents of _____
  

  Thomas Laurnace - Juror William Laurance - Seal
  Lewis Laurnace - Juror (his mark)
  

• 1828 -Pharis Laurance Land Grant of 1828

  State of Tennessee; To all to whom these presents shall come..Greeting: Know ye, that, for and in consideration of the sum of twelve and one half cents per acre, paid into the office of the entry-taker of Smith Co., and entered on this 21st day of April 1824 pursuant to the provisions of an Act of the General Assembly of said state, passed on the twenty second day of November, one thousand eight hundred and twenty three by No. 418 here in granted by the said State of Tennessee unto Pharis Lawrence a certain tract or parcel of land containing fifty acres by survey, bearing date the 8th day of July 1825 lying in said Co., on the waters of Smith Fork and bounded as follows to wit: Beginning at a beech and white oak the north west corner of his granted land and running north with Sampson Williams line fifty four poles to two elms on James Tubbs south boundary line of his 90 acre section thence east with his line one hundred and forty six poles to an ash and dogwood thence south fifty four poles to a hickory and dogwood on William Lawrence's line thence east with his west with his line to the beginning.  With the hereditaments and appurtenances.  To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances, to the said Pharis Lawrence and his heirs forever.  In withess whereof, Samuel Houston, Governor of the State of Tennessee, hath hereunto set his hand, and caused the Great Seal of the State to be affixed, at Nashville, on the 10th day of may in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight and of the independence of the United States, the fifty second.
  By the Governor: (signed by) David Graham - Secretary and Sam Houston - Governor

• 1830 -Smith Co, TN Census #151, page 34
  National Archives Microfilm M19, Roll 181

  Wm. Lawrence
  2 free white males 10-15 --- (1815-1820)
  1 free white males 60-70 --- (1760-1770)
  
  1 free white female 5-10  ---(1820-1825)
  1 free white female 60-70 ---(1760-1770)
  

• 1838 -Sept 25; Smith Co, TN Will Records 1838-54
  Smith Co,TN: Will Records 1838-54: 10-11, Co., Clerk's Office at Carthage, TN

  Will of William Lawrence
  Dated Sept 25, 1838
  Proved Jan 7, 1840

  (Note: the copy I have was received from Leonard McCown who received it from Ruth Hunt and was copied from the WPA books because the microfilm of the original will was too dim to read)

  I William Lawrence of DeKalb and state of Tennessee now of perfect mind and memory but knowing that all men once must die and wishing that desputes may not hereafter arise respecting the distribution of my property do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills and testaments.

  In the following manner, I will that all my just debts be paid. Second I bequeath to my youngest son, Lewis Lawrence all the land and plantation whereon I now live, and my Negar Girl and all the rest of my property shall be sold by my executors and all the money that I have in hand and all that is due to me shall be collected by my executor and they shall divide it equal unto seven parts and my son Pharis one part, my son Thomas one part, my son Lewis one part, my daughter Nancy one part, my daughter Matilda one part, my daughter Mary one part and my executors shall divide the other part between the four children equal that my daughter Susana had by Jacob Overall.

  I do hereby constitutde and appoint Pharis, Susana and Thomas Lawrence and Lewis sole executors of this my last will and testament. Signed, sealed and published this the Twenty-Fifth day of September 1838.

  Witnesses:
  Joseph Davis (x) his mark William Lawrence
  Saml Vanover (x) his mark
  

  State of Tennessee DeKalb Co., Tennessee Term l840 on motion the last will and testament of William Lawrence, Dec'd. was presented in open court of probate and was duly proved in open court by the oath of Joseph Davis and Samuel Vanover subscribing witnesses thereunto who being first sworn deposed and said that they were acquainted with William Lawrence the testator and that they signed the within will his presents by his request and Pharis Lawrence, Thomas Lawrence and Lewis Lawrence executors named in said will came forward and qualified as executors in open court and entered into bond together with Giles Driver and Abner Self their securities approved by the Court in the penal sum of two thousand four hundred dollars, conditioned in court and on motion ordered that said bond be filed and that the will be recorded together with the probate thereon. Witness my hand and office. 7th January 1840. T.M. Wade, Co., Court Clerk.

• 1840 -Jan; DeKalb Co, TN Court Minutes 1837-49

  "Last will and testament of WILLIAM LAWRENCE. PHARIS and LEWIS LAWRENCE executors. Bond with GILES DRIVER and ABNER SELF Proven by oaths of JOSEPH DAVIS and SAMUEL VENNIES (my note - probably should be Vanover - see above)

Much research is still going on with the Caruthers family. Hopefully will have more to report later on. Meanwhile, keep an eye on the gedcom.

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1. Pharis 'Phares' Laurance

   --b. June 26, 1793 North Carolina
   --d. May 31, 1852 DeKalb Co., TN
   --m. Katherine ?
   --abt 1818 Smith Co., TN
   ----b. March 13 1793 North Carolina
   ----d. May 3, 1873 DeKalb Co., TN
   

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2. Nancy (Laurance) Self

   --b. 1796 North Carolina
   --d. bef 1850 Smith or DeKalb Co,. TN
   --m. Abner SELF
   --abt 1814 probably Smith Co., TN
   ----b. 1792/93 Stokes Co., NC
   ----d. 1870/80 probably DeKalb Co., TN
   ------s/o Bradley Self and Unknown
   --------gs/o Job Self and Unknown
   

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3. Thomas Laurance

   --b. December 29, 1797 North Carolina
   --d. August 14, 1880 DeKalb Co., TN
   ----buried Pisgah Cemetery, DeKalb Co., TN
   --m. Susannah PAFFORD
   --abt 1825 probably Smith Co, TN
   ----b. August 16, 1801 Stokes Co., NC
   ----d. September 16, 1880 DeKalb Co., TN
   ------buried Pisgah Cemetery, DeKalb Co., TN
   ------d/o Thomas Pafford and Nancy ?
   --------gd/o James Pafford and Nancy MATTHEWS
   

   My Direct Line - Thomas and Susannah are my 3rd Great Grandparents.

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4. Matilda (Laurance) Driver

   --b. 1798 North Carolina
   --d. 1850/52 District 9, DeKalb Co., TN
   --m. Giles DRIVER, Sr.
   --abt 1817 probably Smith Co., TN
   ----b. 1775 Johnston or Nash Co., NC
   ----d. April 11, 1872 DeKalb Co., TN
   ------he m/2 Mary JOHNSON July 15, 1855 DeKalb Co., TN
   ------s/o Charles Driver and Unknown
   

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5. Lewis Laurance

   --b. 1799 North Carolina
   --d. December 12, 1863 - 1870 District 12,DeKalb Co., TN
   --m. Elizabeth DAVIS
   --about 1823 probably Smith Co., TN
   ----b. 1802/03 probably Rutherford Co., NC
   ----d. 1870-1880 District 12, DeKalb Co., TN
   ------d/o John Davis and Abigail DUNCAN
   --------gd/o Elijah Duncan, Sr. and Cate Cloe 'Catherine' Cole
   ----------gt gd/o Richard Duncan and Unknown
   ----------gt gd/o James Cole and Mary WILLS
   

   Descendants of this family are DOUBLE COUSINS to me as I'm also a Davis Descendant

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6. Susannah (Laurance) Overall

   --b. 1800/07 North Carolina
   --d. before 1838 probably Smith Co., TN
   --m. Jacob OVERALL, Jr.
   ----b. abt 1810 Smith Co., TN
   ------s/o Jacob Overall, Sr. and Nancy LAURANCE
   --------gs/o John Froman Overall and Elizabeth Ann WATERS
   ----------gt gs/o John Overall, Jr. and Maria Christina FROMAN
   ------------2nd gt gs/o John Overall, Sr. and Mary ELLIOTT
   --------------3rd gt gs/o William Overall, Jr. and Mary JONES
   ----------------4th gt gs/o William Overall, Sr. and Jane BALDRIDGE
   

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7. Mary (Laurance) Hunt

   --b. 1808 North Carolina
   --d. August 24, 1870 Massac Co., Illinois
   --m. Thomas HUNT
   --abt 1828 probably Smith Co., TN
   ----b. 1807 Chatham Co., NC
   ----d. November 2, 1873 Massac Co., Illinois
   ------s/o Archibald Hunt and Mary GILMORE
   

1. My Davis Site -Descendants of John Davis Sr. and Abigail Duncan
2. DeKalb Co., TN Cemeteries - Transcription of Pisgah Cemetery
3. DEKALB CO., TN FAMILIES (3) -ALLEN-PAGE-LAWSON
   --Gedcom on World Connect