They first appear in a Louisa Co. 1763 indenture, when Henry buys some land on Owen Creek - it says Henry was "of Hanover Co."[ [1042]] Henry died late in 1767, leaving six children under 18. He left everything to his wife Elizabeth. His estate included cows, sow and shoats, a mare, parcel of old books, moneyscales, shoemakers tools, spinning wheel and woman’s saddle. The family kept the land on Owen’s Creek until 1797, until they sold it, reserving one acrea around the cemetary where Henry is likely buried.[ [761]]

Henry is likely the son of Michael Lawrence, b. 1676 in Nansemond, VA, a small settlement on the James River. His grandfather was Robert Lawrence, immigrant from England to Virginia, born in 1611. A plaque in Chelsea Old Church, on te Thames embankment where Lawrence St. ends at Cheyne Walk indicates that Robert was the second son of Sir John Lawrence (1585-1638), a London merchant who left the bulk of his estate and his baronetcy to his oldest son John (1608-1658). The family was Puritan, which may have explained Robert's emigration. Nansemond was a Puritan community in Virginia. (Keith McCormick keithmccormick -@- juno)

Parentage is not proven, but likely given proximity. The Elizabeth who is the daughter of Richard and Ann is not known to be married to anyone else. Another possibility is John Standley, Sr. who was taxed on 892 acres in 1767 in Louisa Co. [761]