Gawen Lawrie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gawen Lawrie
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|---|---|
| 2nd Deputy Governor of East New Jersey | |
| In office 1683–1686 |
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| Governor | Robert Barclay |
| Preceded by | Thomas Rudyard |
| Succeeded by | Lord Neill Campbell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | England |
| Died | c. 1687 Middlesex County, New Jersey |
| Spouse | Mary |
| Children | James Lawrie, Mary Lawrie, Rebecca Lawrie |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
Gawen Lawrie was an important leader in early American history. He served as the Deputy Governor of the East Jersey colony from 1683 to 1686.
Contents
Early Life and Business
Gawen Lawrie was born in England, but his family came from Scotland. For many years, he lived in London and worked as a merchant. A merchant is someone who buys and sells goods.
Helping Edward Byllynge
From 1675 to 1683, Lawrie helped a man named Edward Byllynge. Byllynge was in financial trouble. Gawen Lawrie, along with William Penn and Nicholas Lucas, became a trustee for Byllynge. A trustee manages money or property for someone else.
Dividing New Jersey
On July 1, 1676, Gawen Lawrie signed a very important document. It was called the Quintipartite Deed. This deed officially split the colony of New Jersey into two parts: West Jersey and East Jersey. This was a big moment in the history of the colony.
Becoming Deputy Governor
In 1682, Lawrie became involved with East New Jersey in a new way. He became a trustee for the children of Arent Sonmans, who was one of the colony's owners, called Proprietors.
Replacing Thomas Rudyard
At the time, Thomas Rudyard was the Deputy Governor under Governor Robert Barclay. Rudyard and the Proprietors disagreed about how to give out land. Because of this disagreement, the Proprietors chose Gawen Lawrie to replace Rudyard. Lawrie became the new Deputy Governor on July 27, 1683.
Land Dealings and Concerns
Even after Lawrie became Deputy Governor, there were still issues with land.
Grants of Land
On February 28, 1684, Thomas Rudyard received a large piece of land. It was about 1,038 acres (420 hectares) near Raritan Bay. Gawen Lawrie also received a large grant of 1,000 acres (405 hectares).
Proprietors' Instructions
These land deals worried Governor Barclay and the Proprietors in England. They sent new rules to Deputy Governor Lawrie. These rules explained how land should be given out. Section 7 of these rules specifically mentioned the land deals made by Rudyard and Lawrie.
Investigation by Proprietors
The Proprietors in England were concerned about how Lawrie's government was handling things. They wanted to know what was happening. They asked the East New Jersey Board of Proprietors to investigate. This included checking the colony's money. In March 1686, they appointed Andrew Hamilton to lead this investigation.
The Fundamental Constitutions
During Gawen Lawrie's time as Deputy Governor, the Proprietors in England wrote a new set of rules for East New Jersey. This document was called the Fundamental Constitutions for the Province of East New Jersey. It was written in 1683. The idea was for it to replace the older rules, called the Concession and Agreement of 1665.
Council's Decision
Lawrie presented the new constitution to the East New Jersey Provincial Council on April 12, 1686. The Council decided that the new rules "Did not agree with the (constitution) of these American parts." This meant they felt the new rules didn't fit the colony. However, they still sent it to the General Assembly to be read.
Assembly's Response
On April 16, Lawrie asked the Assembly what they thought of the new constitution. The Assembly said they also believed it "Did not agree with the (constitution) of this province." They also said it would not be binding unless the General Assembly passed it into a law.
Defeat of the New Rules
Since both the Council and the Assembly disagreed, the Fundamental Constitutions were not approved. The older rules, the Concession and Agreement, continued to be the constitution for East Jersey. This lasted until the colony was given back to The Crown (the King or Queen of England) in 1702.
End of Term and Later Life
In September 1686, the Proprietors decided to remove Lawrie from his position.
New Deputy Governor
On October 5, Lord Neill Campbell arrived. He presented his official papers from Governor Barclay to the East New Jersey Provincial Council. The Council confirmed Campbell as the new Deputy Governor. Lawrie was then made a member of the Council.
Protest and Death
Lord Campbell had to return to Britain for urgent business. On December 10, 1686, he chose Councillor Andrew Hamilton to be the next Deputy Governor. Lawrie was the only Council member who protested and voted against Hamilton. On May 5, 1687, Governor Barclay and the Proprietors officially took away all of Lawrie's remaining powers. Gawen Lawrie passed away later that year, around 1687.
