He was born about 1820/21, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: date: 4 (40 in 1861), 5 (39 in 1860), 9 (40 at death in 1863), 11 (42 at death).+ place: 4, 5, 9]
On 31 December 1844, he married Sarah Ann Esher. She was born in 1824/25, in Pennsylvania, to John Esher and Susan [unknown family name]. They were married in Barron Hill, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, by Reverend F R Anspach. They apparently had five children, four of whom were living in 1863:
[sources: 13, 18]
In 1850, he was living in Penn District, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Sarah A, his children John and Elizabeth, and with John White and James Collins. He was a millerman. [source: 17]
In 1860, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Sarah, and five children (presumably theirs). He was a butcher, and owned $200 in personal property. [source: 5]
When he enlisted, he was a butcher. [sources: 4, 18]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 9 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. [sources: 4, 18]
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 23 September 1861. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Smith. He was a private in company G. [sources: 1, 4, 18 (mustered in 2 Dec), 20, 21]
He was discharged at camp near Falmouth, Virginia, on 6 February 1863 on surgeon's certificate of disability, by order of Major General Sykes. He had chronic rheumatism and general debility, contracted from overexertion in marching from Sharpsburg, Maryland, to camp near Falmouth, Virginia. He had been unfit for duty thirty days in the previous two months. He was a private, in company G. [sources: 1, 2 (5 Feb), 3 (6 Feb), 4 (6 Feb), 18 (5 Feb, 6 Feb), 20, 21]
He died of debility on 15 March 1863. He was a butcher. He was buried from his residence, 4 Edmond Street (Ridge and Poplar). He was buried on 18 March 1863, at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 9, 11 ('disease contracted on the Potomac'), 18, 19]
On 8 May 1863, his widow, Sarah A Lawrence, applied successfully for a pension. Her Post Office address was 4 Edmond Street (above Ridge Avenue), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her application was accpted on 25 August 1865, retroactive to 15 March 1863. She initially received a pension of $8 per month. [sources: 8, 10, 18]
On 11 April 1864, Sarah Lawrence married Thaddeus H Brady. He was a painter, was 24 years old, and had been born in Philadelphia. They were married by Reverend Andrew Manship, in a Methodist ceremony. She later denied ever having been married, and claimed that he was a boarder in her house. [source: 18]
Sarah Lawrence and Thaddeus Brady lived together for only a few years. By all reports, she was always known as Sarah Lawrence, and never took his name. Lawrence and Sarah's daughter Lizzie later said that he was "such a worthless character that her mother could not live with him". Sarah's mother Susan Esher claimed "that she never liked Brady". A neighbor claimed they separated because "they did not agree well together". [source: 18]
In 1870, his widow, Sarah Lawrence, was living in the 15th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was living with George and Conrad Lawrence (presumably her sons). She owned $200 in personal property. [source: 6]
On 11 December 1874, she applied for an increase in pension, because of her minor children. Her application was accepted on 25 January 1875, retroactive to 25 July 1866. [source: 18]
On 26 November 1875, a "friend of justice" sent a letter to the Pension Agent, reporting that Sarah had remarried. [source: 18]
On 10 December 1875, her pension was suspended. [source: 18]
On 22 January 1876, the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, granted a divorce to Thaddeus H Brady and Sarah Ann Brady. [source: 18]
In February 1876, special agent William H Webster investigated the accusation. He apparently interviewed only Sarah Lawrence and her mother. Sarah was living at 1231 North 27th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They claimed that their original statements were true (though one was technically defective). He recommended that her pension be resumed. On 19 February 1876, the pension suspension was removed. [source: 18]
On 4 January 1877, the commissioner requested that special agent M E Jenks investigate Sarah Lawrence's possible remarriage. He did a more thorough job, and found reasonable evidence that she had in fact been married to Thaddeus Brady. He recommended that her pension be suspended. [source: 18]
On 3 February 1877, the Pension Office decided to submit the case to the US Attorney for prosecution. [source: 18]
In February 1887, his widow was charged with having drawn pension money illegally. She was held for trial, and bail was set at $500. I have not found any newspaper references to the trial. [sources: 14, 15, 16]
In 1880, his widow, Sarah Lawrence, was living at 925 North [?] 27th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was living with her son John and his family. [source: 7]
On 9 March 1887, Sarah Ann Lawrence died, of heart disease with dropsy. She died at, or was buried from, 1639 Thompson Street (her mother's residence), 29th ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On 11 March 1887, she was buried, at Mount Vernon Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 12, 13]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (Lawrence C L)
2 consolidated morning report, 7 February 1863
3 company G, register of men discharged, #23 (C L Lawrence)
4 company G, descriptive roll, entry 47 (Christian L Lawrence)
5 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, microfilm series M653, film 1171, page 745 = 243 handwritten (Chris' Lawrence)
6 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 15th ward, microfilm series M593, film 1399, page 625 = 165 handwritten (Sarah Lawrence)
7 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 538, microfilm series T9, film 1188, page 368 B = 26 handwritten (Sarah Lawrence)
8 pension index, by name (Christian L Lawrence)
9 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 15 March 1863 (Christian L Lawrence)
10 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company G (Christian L Lawrence)
11 death notice, Public Ledger 17 March 1863 page 2 (Christian L Lawrence)
12 death certificate, Philadelphia death certificates, 9 March 1887 (Sarah Ann Lawrence)
13 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 March 1887, page 5 (Sarah Ann Lawrence)
14 'Police news'. Philadelphia Inquirer 14 February 1877, page 2 (Sarah Brady)
15 'Deeds of evil people'. North American 14 February 1877, page 4 (Sarah Brady)
16 'Police news'. Philadelphia Inquirer 16 February 1877, page 3 (Mary Ann [sic] Brady)
17 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Penn District, microfilm series M432, film 820, page 126 verso = 254 handwritten (Christopher [sic] Lawrence)
18 widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, RG 15, WC54569 (Sarah Ann Esher Lawrence widow of Christian L Lawrence)
19 Find a grave, memorial 38270301, created by anonymous, added 12 June 2009, accessed 5 September 2011 (Christian L Lawrence)
20 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Christian L Lawrence)
21 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Christian L Lawrance)
| line | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Dwellings visited | 650 | |||||
| Families visited | 784 | |||||
| Name | Christopher [sic] Lawrence | Sarah A " | John " | John White | James Collins | Elizabeth Lawrence |
| Age | 29 | 25 | 6 | 19 | 25 | 1 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M | M | F |
| Color | ||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Millerman | Laborer | do | |||
| Real estate owned | ||||||
| Birthplace | Pa | " | " | Ireland | " | Pa |
| Married within year | ||||||
| Attended school within year | ||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| Dwelling number | 1542 | ||||||
| Family number | 1931 | ||||||
| Name | Chris' Lawrence | Sarah " | Jno " | Eliz [?] " | Geo " | Conrad " | Susan " |
| Age | 39 | 35 [?] | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 1/12 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F | M | M | F |
| Color | |||||||
| Occupation | Butcher | Brick Layer | |||||
| Value of real estate owned | |||||||
| Value of personal estate | 200 | ||||||
| Place of birth | Penn | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | |||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 30 | 31 | 32 |
| Dwelling-house number | 1195 [?] | ||
| Family number | 1347 | ||
| Name | Lawrence Sarah | - George W | - Conrad S |
| Age | 44 | 17 | 14 |
| Sex | F | M | M |
| Color | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Keeping House | In Brick Yard | In Brick Yard |
| Real estate value | |||
| Personal estate value | 200 | ||
| Birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| Father foreign born | 1 | ||
| Mother foreign born | 1 | ||
| Birth month if born within year | |||
| Marriage month if married within year | |||
| Attended school past year | |||
| Can't read | 1 | ||
| Can't write | 1 | 1 | |
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | |||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| street name | North [?] 27th St | ||||||
| house number | 925 | ||||||
| dwelling visit # | 189 | ||||||
| family visit # | 228 | ||||||
| name | Lawrence, John | - Lydia | - Maria | - Sarah | - Eliz | - Mary | - Sarah |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| age | 35 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 54 |
| month born if born in year | |||||||
| relationship | Daugh | Daugh | Daugh | Daugh | Daugh | Mother | |
| single | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| married | |||||||
| widowed/divorced | 1 | 1 | |||||
| married during year | |||||||
| occupation | Driver | At School | At School | Keep House | |||
| months unemployed | |||||||
| currently ill? | |||||||
| blind | |||||||
| deaf/dumb | |||||||
| idiotic | |||||||
| insane | |||||||
| disabled | |||||||
| school this year | 1 | 1 | |||||
| can't read | |||||||
| can't write | |||||||
| birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| father's birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| mother's birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
LAWRENCE.--On the 15th inst., of disease contracted on the Potomac, CHRISTIAN L. LAWRENCE, in the 42d year of his age, a member of Co. G, 91st Regiment P.V.
He has found his last battle.The relatives and friends of the family, also members of his late regiment in the city, and Home Guards, are respectfully invited to attend his funeral, from his late residence, No 4 Edmond street, on Wednesday afternoon, at 2 o'clock. To proceed to Odd Fellows' Cemetery.
LAWRENCE.--On the 9th inst., SARAH ANN LAWRENCE, daughter of Susan and the late John Esher, aged 62 [?] years.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, this afternoon, at 2 o'clock, from her mother's residence, No. 1639 [?] Thompson street. To proceed to Mount Vernon Cemetery.
Mrs. Sarah Brady was before United States Commissioner Smith yesterday on the charge of illegally drawing pension money. She was arrested at her home, No. 1220 Taney street. It was alleged that since her late husband, Christian L. Lawrence, was killed in the war, she had married Thaddeus H. Brady. She was held for a further hearing to-day.
Mrs. Sarah Brady was arraigned before United States Commissioner Smith yesterday charged with having illegally drawn pension money. The detectives found her at her residence, 1229 Taney street, and it is alleged that since her late husband, Christian Lawrence, was killed in the war she joined Thaddeus H. Brady in wedlock. Held for a continued hearing.
Before United States Commissioner Smith yesterday, Mary Ann Brady had a final hearing on the charge of illegally drawing pension money. The testimony showed that her first husband was killed during the war, and she subsequently married a man named Lawrence [sic]. The marriage certificate was offered in evidence. The defendant was held in $500 bail for trial.