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Genealogical Research on Jordan Lawrence (1800–1867)

Summary of Findings

Jordan Lawrence, born about 1800 in New Jersey, can be traced through several genealogical records and indexes. While no single definitive record has yet been found giving his full details, multiple sources provide clues about his life:

Family Connections: A WikiTree family tree for the Lawrence family indicates a Jordan Lawrence (born c.1800) as a member, noting that he died in 1867. This suggests the death year 1867 is likely accurate, although the location of death is not specified in that tree.

Census Records: Early U.S. censuses (1830 and 1840) list only heads of households, so Jordan Lawrence (as a head in his 30s/40s) may appear in New Jersey census indexes for those years. By the 1850s and 1860s, census records include names of all household members. FamilySearch genealogies show that a son, Jordan Lawrence Jr. (born circa 1821, presumably in NJ), was living in Philadelphia, PA by the early 1850s. This is supported by Philadelphia birth records: in January 1851, a Wilheina (Wilhelmina) Lawrence was born in Philadelphia (Ward 21) to father Jordan Lawrence and mother Margaret (Weir). This indicates that Jordan Sr.’s family relocated or had ties to Philadelphia. It’s likely that Jordan Lawrence Sr. may be found in or near his son’s household in the 1850 or 1860 census (either in New Jersey or Pennsylvania). Researchers should search the 1850 and 1860 federal census entries for New Jersey (his birth state) and Philadelphia (where his son resided) for any listing of Jordan Lawrence around age Fifty to 60.

Vital Records: Civil registration in New Jersey was not fully implemented in 1800, so no state birth certificate exists for Jordan’s birth. However, church baptism records could be available via compiled indexes. FamilySearch and Ancestry both offer a “New Jersey Births and Christenings, 1660–1931” index that can be searched for any Jordan or Laurence entries around 1800. Jordan’s marriage (likely circa 1820s) is also not in the early NJ civil records (since the NJ marriage index on Ancestry covers 1683–1802), but it might appear in compiled databases like “U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560–1900” or in regional church archives (note: “Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669–2013” on Ancestry could hold relevant church marriages or baptisms).

Death and Burial: For Jordan’s death in 1867, a useful resource is the New Jersey Deaths and Burials Index (1798–1971). This index (available on Ancestry and referenced on YourRoots) may have an entry for Jordan Lawrence’s death or burial if it was recorded in New Jersey. If he died outside NJ, one should check local death records or cemetery listings in that area. No Find-a-Grave memorial was immediately found under his name in our search (a Findagrave entry exists for an earlier Jordan Lawrence (1740–1788) of Long Island [5] (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/213890666/), but that is a different person). It may be that Jordan Lawrence (1800–1867) does not yet have a memorial on Find-a-Grave, or is listed under a variant name. The Findagrave Index for New Jersey (1664–2012) can be searched for any Jordan or Lawrence entries around 1867. Additionally, check if he might have been buried with family in Philadelphia or elsewhere; for example, his son’s family events in Philadelphia suggest Jordan Sr. could have died or been buried there. If a specific location of death is discovered (one lead from a compiled genealogy suggests a possibility of Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, as an 1867 deathplace, which might be worth verifying in Iowa records), local cemetery records or probate files from that county should be examined.

Probate and Land Records: Regardless of location, probate records (wills or estate administrations) from 1867 could provide information on Jordan’s death and heirs. In New Jersey, probate files are held at the county Surrogate’s Office; without a known county, one might search indexes or inquire in counties where the Lawrence family was present. If he died in Iowa or another state, that county’s probate court records (often accessible via FamilySearch catalog or state archives) would be relevant. Land records might also be revealing if Jordan owned property. The U.S. General Land Office (GLO) Records database is searchable for federal land patents – an 1860s land patent in the midwest under his name would indicate relocation (for instance, a land grant in Iowa if he moved there). No such record was immediately identified in our search, but this remains a possible avenue if other evidence shows he migrated west.

Military Records: Jordan Lawrence was about 61 at the start of the Civil War, so he likely did not serve as a soldier. We found no indication of War of 1812 service (he would have been very young). However, if he had any military involvement, it could appear in sources like the U.S. 1850 Census Mortality schedule (if he died of something notable in 1867 this is too late for those schedules), or pension records if he was a dependent. Given his age, this seems unlikely, and no military records have surfaced for him in sources like the Civil War pension index or other military databases. A namesake in a later generation did serve (for example, a Lawrence Jordan born 1888 served in WWI), but that is a different person.

Cemetery & Obituaries: It is advisable to search local histories and cemetery inscriptions. The “U.S. Obituary Collection, 1800s–Current” could be queried for any mention of Jordan Lawrence around 1867, though formal obituaries were not very common in rural areas in that era. If Jordan died in 1867 in a populated area, a death notice might appear in contemporary newspapers. For example, if he was in New Jersey, papers like the Trenton Evening Times (which has archives indexed) or other regional papers can be checked around late 1867 for any mention of his death. If he died in Iowa, the local Cedar County or Iowa City newspapers from Nov/Dec 1867 might have a notice. Findagrave or local cemetery transcriptions (perhaps through FindaGrave’s index or a county historical society) may eventually yield a burial record once his place of death is confirmed.

In summary, the research so far points to Jordan Lawrence (1800–1867) as the patriarch of a Lawrence family that moved from New Jersey to Philadelphia by mid-19th century. His son Jordan Lawrence Jr. (b. ~1821) settled in Philadelphia, where records of that family (births of children Wilhelmina in 1851, Winfield Scott in 1853, etc.) are documented. Jordan Sr.’s own records are sparse, but his 1867 death is noted in secondary sources. Further verification should focus on the census listings around 1850–1860, searching the New Jersey Deaths/Burials index for 1867, and locating any probate or burial information for 1867 in the area where he spent his final years. These steps will help establish a more complete picture of Jordan Lawrence’s life and family.

Sources and Further Research

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