Individual Details

Miscellaneous

The Bellheim, Germany area of today is a beautiful and productive farming community with progressive modern features, and it makes one wonder why Johannes Lorentz ever left such a place. As other places that have been involved in devastating historical events, Bellheim of today is not representative of its earlier days.

These historical events show that Johannes Lorentz's homeland was involved in almost constant conflict:
1618-1648: The Thirty Years War-a conflict between Catholics and Protestants where Germany became the main battleground. A large area of the country was laid waste and about one-third of the German population was lost.
1640-1648: The Great Elector Frederick William established absolute rule in Germany.
1648: The Peace of Westphalia resulted in Germany ceding territories to France and Switzerland.
1678-1681: Louis XIV of France conquered parts of Alsace and Lorraine.
1683: The German and Polish armies defeated the Turks in Vienna.
1688-1697: Louis XIV of France fought an unsuccessful war in the German Palatinate, causing great destruction to property; although the French lost this war, the German courts and German nobility adopted the French language and culture.

Comments on day-to-day life made by the priests and pastors in the old church records of the area give a vivid account of the tribulations faced by Johannes and his earlier family.

These church records give an idea of what the Lorentz family endured in their home country:
"1635 after March: Shortly after this time, we were ruined and destroyed throughout the land by the Swedish and Emperor's armies so that we could not come back again until the year (16)37.

1665: Pastor at Westhofen noted: "In the month of October, the parish was scattered by the Mainz-Lothringian invasion..."From October 1665 to 1669, this churchbook, along with my other
best books, were taken to Worms for security...."

Pastor at Kroffelbach: "On Friday 21 December 1688, a large French force came here to Croffelbach, plundered everything here and at Oberquembach, Oberwetz, Niederwetz, Reichskirchen (Reiskirchen) and othervillages in the Wetterau, demanded a contribution, and left again for Cassel bey Maintz (castle near Mainz) and there crossed over the Rhine. I took flight and, through God's help, escaped their hands."
One year later, the Pastor at Gensheim echoed his colleague:
"Because of the soldiers remaining so long in our land with the French occupying the City of Mainz for two years, the German people have a right to complain about the troop movements back and forth in these parts: The Saxon and Bavarian armies are encamped in Niederfeld 24,000 horse and foot soldiers, the Hessians are on the other side of Mainz, and the Emperor's and the Lothringian troops are on the other side of the Rhine below the city.

The Pastor at Sprantal: "In 1693 with the French invasion of Wirtemberg every churchbook, as well as baptism and marriage record, met with misfortune..."

In addition to the disruptions of war, German residents were taxed unfairly by ever-changing ruling Princes.

Perhaps, the final challenge of the Winter of 1708-1709 was the real reason Johannes Lorentz sought another home in America.
Again the German church books tell the story of devastation due to extreme cold weather:

The pastor at Berstat wrote: "ln the year 1709 there has been a horrible, terrible cold, the like of which is not remembered by the oldest (parishioners) who are upwards of 80 years old. As one reads in the newspapers, it spreads not only through the entire country, but also through France, Italy, Spain, England, Holland, Saxony and Denmark, where many people and cattle have frozen to death.
The mills in almost all villages around here also are frozen in, so that people must suffer from hunger. Most of the fruit trees are frozen too, as well as most of the grain...."

The pastor at Runkel noted: "[1710] Right after the New Year, such a cold wave came that the oldest people here could not remember a worse one. Almost all mills have been brought to a standstill, and the lack of bread was great everywhere. Many cattle and humans, yes - even birds and the wild animals in the woods froze. The Lahn [River] froze over three times, one after the other...."
At Diedenbergen another entry: "[27 October 1708] Before Simon Juda [day], an unusually heavy snow fell which broke many branches off the trees, especially in the forests because the leaves were still on the trees, and the snow weighed heavily on them.
Then on the day after New Year's, 2 January 1709 and for three days we had continuous rain and later snow. Because of the great
cold, the Main froze over in four days, the Rhine in 8 days, and they remained frozen for five weeks. During this time there was a great lack of food and flour, since most mills were frozen in. The fodder for cattle was used for two purposes [the humans had to eat it too], and many a piece of land was ruined. One could read the newspapers of many complaints and much damage in all European countries."

And at Selters, even more: "From the 6th to the 26th of January [1709] there was such a raging cold, the likes of which has not occurred in 118 years according to the calculations of the mathematicians at Leipzig. A great many trees have frozen, the autumn sowing has suffered great damage, and this year there
will be no wine at all."

From these accounts there is no doubt that any promise of a better life would be seized by Johannes Lorentz, even if it meant starting over in a land far across the ocean and ruled by a strange country.

Miscellaneous

Our direct line of the Lawrence family began with Johannes Lorentz of the Palatinate (Pfalz) region of present day Germany. He was probably the grandson or great-grandson of Hans and Ottilia Lorentz, who, as castlemen or common people, were part of a group of 30 couples that purchased "the little castle" in Bellheim, Germany, in 1605, from Johann Fredrich Meurer, the Pfalz Count or Earl.

There is evidence that our Lorentz family came from the area of Rochelle, France, and were French Huguenots. The national borders of France and Germany fluctuated greatly during the 1500-1700 period, and the Lorentz family were probably citizens of both countries at one time or another, although they may have lived in a relatively small area for many years. It is probable that the Lorentz family came only a short distance from France into Germany during the Siege of Rochell in 1572-1573, reestablishing their home near Bellheim, Germany. Johannes Lorentz was probably in the German area of Bellheim for most of his life since he spoke German and married a German woman.
The Huguenot Society of America accepts descendants of the Johannes Lorentz (Laurents) family as members, suggesting that at least earlier family members were more closely associated with France.

Birth

Johannes Lorentz, noted he was born in 1661 in his family Bible purchased in 1743.
Although some documentation suggest Johannes was born in Rochelle, France, his likely grandparents or great-grandparents were living in the Bellheim area of Germany as early as 1605.

Miscellaneous

Johannes Lorentz appears to have been a member of the Catholic Church in Bellheim, Germany, since his first six children were baptized in that church and his marriage is recorded in that church.

His seventh child was baptized in the Reformed Church in Bellheim.

Johannes joined the New York Reformed Church when he arrived in New York City. As noted in Lawrence and Related Families:
Johs Laurens and wife Anne Margrite with Anne Elisabeth, their daughter, joined the New York Reformed Church on August 28, 1711.

Marriage

In Russell Lawrence's Lawrence and Related Families, the marriage record for Johannes and Margaretha Lorentz is taken from the Bellheim, Germany, Catholic Church Book records, which state:
"Joes Lorentz, from Bellheim, married Anna Margaretha Heilliger, daughter of Jois Heilliger from Oberlustat (now Lustat) on February 13, 1691."
Lustat is about 3 or 4 miles north of Bellheim.

Miscellaneous

From Lawrence and Related Families:
A mass migration of German residents to New York was initiated by Queen Anne of England, who wished to attract settlers to her new colony of New York (taken from the Dutch.) Queen Anne described New York in such favorable terms in her immigration literature that the book became known as The Golden Book of Anne.

"Accepting the glowing terms of the Golden Book at face value, 33,000 Germans left their homes and made the three month trip down the Rhine to Rotterdam in 1708 and 1709. ln the summer of 1709, thirteen thousand eager immigrants headed across the channel to England.
Among this group were Johannes Laurens, his wife Margaretha, and children, Anna Lys, Anna Margarit, Magdalena and three other children who were passengers of Captain Bouwel's ship that sailed to England from Rotterdam on May 23,1709 (Rotterdam Lists)."
There were two other Lorentz families that migrated to England from Germany during this 1709 time period, John age 39 and Peter. It is possible that they were brothers of Johannes.
The Johannes Lorentz family was among the group of migrants that the English government sent to America to settle in New York, although some of the German migrants were sent to Ireland instead.
"Thirty three hundred passengers crowded onto the ten ships in England from December 25 to December 29, 1709, but the ships hung around England all through the long winter until April 10, 1710, when a convoy was available. They were crowded together on the small vessels, ran short of food, suffered from vermin and poor sanitation and were forced to subsist on spoiled and unhealthy food.
Many became ill and the entire fleet was ravaged by ship-fever (now known as typhus). It was reported that 446 passengers died on the trip over and another 250 died during the first summer after they landed.
It appears that Johannes and Anna Margaretha lost their two twin girls [it is not clear which children are the twins in his list of the children] on the way over since they were on the London Lists but never appeared on the Hunter Lists in New York. The oldest
daughter does not appear on any of the lists with the family although there is some reason to believe that she was married and came under another name. Also, the seventh son, Johann Jacob does not appear anywhere and probably died before the family left the Palatinate."
The first ship from England arrived in New York, New York on 6-13-1710 and the last ship arrived there on 8-22-1710.
The German immigrants did not find New York to be the glorious land promised in The Golden Book of Anne. The presence of 2500 disease-ridden German immigrants was protested by the New York City Council and demanded that they be housed in tents on Nutten (Governor's) Island, where typhus continued to decimate the immigrants. The Governor's records of the expenses for subsistence payment for the 847 German families held between 1710 and 1712 is known as the Hunter Subsistence Lists.
To accommodate the German immigrants, Governor Hunter arranged for the purchase of 6000 acres on the east side of the Hudson River; and, in October 1710 some of the German immigrants were sent to this area to build huts and clear the land for what would become the East Camp. Others went to an area on the West side of the Hudson River that became the West Camp. Johannes Lorentz' family were among a group of immigrants who remained in New York City and first appeared on the Hunter Lists for New York City on 8-4-1710.
The Johannes Lorentz family is listed as "with 5 persons over ten years of age and one person (Alexander) under 10 years:
Johann Lohrentz aged 43, Anna Margareta Lohrentz aged 39,
Anna EIiz Lohrentz aged 15, Magdalena Lohrentz aged 13, Anna Barbara Lohrentz aged 11 and Alexander Lohrentz aged 1-2.
The family was listed again in the 1711 New York City List. (Palatines in N.Y. City)."

The German immigrants became dissatisfied with their treatment and rebelled against the Governor. Their rebellion was put down and they were again treated as "the Queen's hired servants." The fate of the German immigrants was impacted by the changes in English politics, and, by 1712, Governor Hunter lost his compensation for his subsidies of the immigrants. At this time the immigrants were basically abandoned to seek their own fate, although the Governor continued to try to enforce regulations that required the Germans to obtain permits if they wanted to move out of the New York City area.
The Simmendinger Register of 1716 and 1717 shows Johannes Lorentz and Anna Margretha with six children were auf dem Rarendantz (up the Raritan River in New Jersey,) where they were finally able to realize the promises that drew them to America in 1710.

From Ancestry.com:
U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s
Name: Johannes Lorentz
Arrival year: 1710
Arrival Place: New York, New York
Primary Immigrant: Lorentz, Johannes
Family Members: Wife Anna Margaretta 39; Child Magdalena 13; Child Anna Barbara 11; Child Alexander 1; Child Anna Elisabetha 15
Source Publication Code: 1137.50
Annotation: Date and place of arrival, date and place of naturalization, date and place of church confirmation, date and place of mention on the New World. Compiled from city and church records, tombstone inscriptions, and books of wills.
Source Bibliography: CHAMBERS, THEODORE FREYLINGHUYSEN. The Early Germans of New Jersey, Their History, Churches and Genealogies. Dover, NJ: Theodore Frelinghuysen Chambers, 1895. Reprinted for Clearfield Co. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1999, 2000.

Miscellaneous

Peapack is derived from the American Indian word for water (pea) and packy or pachy their name for location. Peapack was a favorite American Indian camping ground and watering place before the European settlers arrived.

Miscellaneous

The Lorentz family had to travel 33 miles to Perth Amboy to pick up their mail. Today the trip would be by freeway.

Miscellaneous

On 3-1-1721, "Johanis Lowrance of the County of Sumerset" leased land from John Johnson and George Willocks of Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
This record is from the New Jersey Historical Society
Mss. Folder 4 M 9-16.

Miscellaneous

Hans Louwrens and wife Anna Mary were witnesses for the baptism of their granddaughter, Susanna, daughter of Barnardus and Lisabeth Kotter on 2-7-1725, at the First Reformed Church in Raritan-Sommerville, New Jersey (from church records.)

Hans Lourence and wife, Margarietha, witnessed the baptism of their granddaughter, Lisabeth, daughter of Jacob and Barbara [Pescheerer [Bescherer,] on 5-30-1725, at the First Reformed Church at Raritan-Sommerville, New Jersey (from church records.)

Miscellaneous

The Somerset County, New Jersey land holdings of Johannes Lorentz and his sons are mentioned in The Journals of Andrew Johnston, 1743-1763.
Some entries are:
On April 20, 1744, Johnston went to Peapack and to John Lawrence's division line to start a survey, he mentions Lawrence's Brook and then "We went up to old Lawrence's and lodged this night."
On April 21, 1744, he continued his survey and mentions John Lawrence, Jr.'s house, Lawrence's mill, and Alexander Lawrence's house, as well as Lawrence's Brook.

Russell Lawrence states, "by platting various field notes to scale and then overlaying a quadrangle map I have been able to determine the location of Lawrence's mill, John, Junior's house, Alexander's house and Lawrence's Brook."
"Middle Brook is still the same as it was at that time but Lawrence's Brook is now called the Peapack River and what was then called the Peapack River is now called the North Branch of the Raritan River. The overlay works out perfectly. The mill and John Junior's house were both on the west side of the Peapack River with the mill almost directly across the river from what is now St. Brigids Church and the land was on the east side of Middle Brook across from what is now the United States Olympic Equestrian Training Center with its beautiful parklike grounds and magnificent buildings. John Junior's house was about 400 feet south of the mill and Alexander's house was about 3700 feet northwest of the mill and west of the neighboring village of Gladstone. It sat about halfway up the side of
a small mountain and some 160 feet above the River. The top of the mountain is another 130 feet above Alexander's home site at elevation 530. This area is now the location of the Peapack Ski Area and has many beautiful and expensive estates.

From Russell Lawrence's description it is not clear if the homes and mills are still standing. There is a photo of what is described as Johannes Lorentz's home on his Find A Grave memorial. The authenticity of the photograph is not known, and it seems likely that Russell Lawrence would have mentioned that the home was still standing after his thorough examination of the Lawrence properties in Somerset County.

Death

His will was made 7-12-1745 and was proved 12-3-1745.

Miscellaneous

His Find A Grave Memorial is #84305603.

The burial place for Johannes Lorentz is unknown, although he died in Peapack, Somerset, New Jersey, probably c 7-12-1745, the date of his will.
The memorial has a considerable family history posted and a photograph of his home in Peapack.

His memorial is linked to his wife (burial place also unknown) and his children Alexander (burial place unknown) and John.

Miscellaneous

In Lawrence and Related Families, an abstract of Johannes Lorentz's will is given:
"Johannes will is dated July 12,1745 and was proved 3 December 1745. Lowrance, Johanous, sumerset county, N.J., miller; will of. Mentions wife, Margref sons, Alexander, Daniel and John; daughters, Elizabeth Keeler, Lenah Moore, Barbra Beshearer. Mentions indentured boy, Fredrick Shoemaker; dwelling house and orchard, right and title to a mill, according to a bargain with Mr. Andrew Johnston; house that son, Daniel, lives in, with the cleared land belonging thereto.
Signed, "Johannes Lowrance", witnesses: Michal Burger, Margret Burger, Jonathan Pitney. "We, Hendrick Smith and Jacob Eoff, are chosen indeferant by Johannes Lowrance for to be executors of my hol Estait."

A full transcript of the will of Johannes Lorentz was found on the USGenWeb Archives for Somerset County, New Jersey and contributed by Twylla Teer, edteer@bellsouth.net
JOHANNES LOWRANCE WILL OF 1745.
"IN THE NAME of God Amen the twelf (sic) Day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-five I Johanous Lowrance of Pepack in the Province of East Jersey ___- Miler [miller] being sick and weak in Body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God therefore calling unto mind the Mortality of my Body and knowing that it is apointed(sic) for all men once to Dye (sic) Do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is for to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my spirit into the hands of god (sic) that gave it and for my Body I recommend it to the earth to Be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the direction of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty pour (sic) of god (sic) and as touching such worly (sic) Estait (sic) wherewith it haith (sic) please god (sic) to bless me in this life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and forme (sic). "IMPRIMIS [In the first place] it is my will and I dow (sic) order that in the first plase (sic) all my just debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied "I GIVE AND bequeath unto Marget my dearly beloved wife my dwelling house that is for to say the Stofe Roof and East fire Room to gether with gardain (sic) and East orchard to gether with my part of the Barn and my fences and winter cattle gard (sic) and three Cows -and all moofabel (sic) household goods. All my Rite (sic) and titel (sic) and att (sic) deceas (sic) the house and orchard shall be Alexanders my oldest sons and for the Barn it shall be my sons Daniel at her deceas (sic) __ [Severalwords are illegible at this point in the will] ___ if that shall keep the persons in pease (sic) and proprieters (sic) Dew (sic) not disturb them. It is likewsie my will and I do order that there shall be twenty pounds raised out of my Estait (sic) and put out to interest for her maintenance. I give my well beloved son Alexander the sum of tenn (sic) pounds of good lawful curant (sic)money procks [Of unknown origin, but obviously a term used in such documents as wills] for to be raised out of my Estait. It is likewsie my will that Alexander shall have the indenture of my boy Fredrick Shomaker after my deceas (sic) and my wifes together with the Stabel feald (sic) along the Road as far as the orchard and is along the Post and Rail fence. " I LIKEWISE give and bequeath unto my son Daniel Lowrance the sum of ten pounds procks of money for to be raised out of my Estait (sic) it is likewise my will that Daniel shall have the house that he now Lives in and all the Cleard (sic) Land that he hath in posion (possession). " I LIKEWISE give and bequeath unto my well beloved son John Lowrance the sum of tenn (sic) pounds of good lawful currant money prock for to be raised out of my Estait (sic) together with the mill and all my Right and titel (sic) theirunto (sic) belonging and according to my bargain with Mr. Andrew Johston if the mill be prised (appraised?) that John shall have the forth (fourth) part clear and then com (come) in equal shear(sic) with the other Brothers. it is likewise my will that John shall have all the improvements of the mill - that is from the mill up betwixt the Road and the millbrook as far as the Lain (sic) taking in the medow (sic) feald(sic) it is likewise my will and I Dew (sic) [or here] ordor (sic) that my Great Brass cetel (kettle) stilyear [Steelyard - balance scales used for weighing purposes] and Brons [bronze] gear cokel seff [cockle sieve] shall be divided between my three sons Equaly (sic) if any chewses (sic) a thing valuabeler [maybe of less value but context seems to indicate of greater value] then (sic) the others he will pay the ods [difference Odds] to the other. Vs. o. "I LIKEWISE give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Kealer my well beloved daughter the sum of tenn (sic) pounds curant Lawfull (sic) money prock for to be Raised out of my Estait (sic). "I LIKEWISE give and bequeath unto Lenah Moore my well beloved daughter the sum of tenn (sic) pounds Curant Lawfull (sic) money prock for to be Raised out of my Estait (sic). "I LIKEWISE give and bequeath unto Barbra Beshearer my well beloved daughter the sum of tenn (sic) pounds of Curant Lawfull money prock for to be Raised out of my Estait (sic). "IT IS LIKEWISE my will and I Dew ordor (sic) it as my Last will and testament that my Bible and Cobart (cupboard] and stoff [stove] shall be divided betwean (sic) my three sons Equall (sic) and all my other housegoods shall be divided Equaly (sic) between sons and daughters the bits (sic) boitds and money and noat (sic) shall be Equaly (sic) divided between the three sons after Everyone haith (sic) their part as nons [perhaps a legal term used in wills in those days] and I do hereby disallow and revoak (sic) and Disannul and every other former[testaments?] wills Legacies and Executors [appointed] by mein any ways before this time ------------ ------ --------- -------- -------- ------- [six words are illegible] and confirming this and no other to be my Last will and testament ------ ------- ----- [two or three words are illegible here] wheirof(sic) I have hearunto (sic) set my hand and seal the Day and year abovewritten." s: Johanef Lorans s/Michael Burger [Almost unreadable] Wehendrick (sic) s/Margaret "Maj" Burger (sic) her mark Smith and Jacob Eof s/Jonathan Pitney are Chosen Indeferant by Johanous Lowrance for to be Executors of My hol Estait (sic)

The following was written across the left side of the document concerning the will's being proved: Johanous Lowrance's will of Somerset[County ?] Proved 3d Decem'r 1745.
This was on the Certification Statement page. "BE IT REMEMBERED that on the third day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-five [that] Jonathan Pitney one of the within witnefses personally came before me Thomas Bartow duly authorized to prove wills and qualify Executors and he being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists Depofes [testifies under oath] that he was present and saw Johannes Lowrance the Testator within named sign & (the next two lines are illegible, but similar to the following in brackets)[testify that this was his last will and testament his oath being to that effect] and saw the will and Johanous Lowrance testator and heard him -- -- and Depofes faine [willingly testify][this] to be his last will and testament, that in so doing those wit'ns saw test'r was of sound mind and memory to the best of his knowledge and erfending [ability?] and that at his faine hine [willingness] Michal Burger and wife Margaret Burger his other witnefses were present and each signed as a witnefs together with this Deponent in this Testatory Prefonce." s/Tho;sBartow Thomas Bartow "Be IT ALSO REMEMBERED that at the faine hine [signor of document] Hendrick Smith and Jacob Eof the Executors within named personally came before me and were sworn to the due Execution and performance of the within will and testament according to law." s/Tho;s Bartow Thomas Bartow

Note: Mentions daughter Elizabeth Kealer (her last name should be Kotter unless she had a second marriage.)

Miscellaneous

In Lawrence and Related Families, Russell Lawrence gives the names of Johannes and Anna Margaretha's children as they appear in the Catholic Church Books at Bellheim, Germany (located at 6729 Bellheim, about 4 miles SW of Germershime; and have records beginning in 1684.)
By 1707, the Lorentz family baptisms were listed in the Bellheim, Germany, Reformed Church Book records.

Russell Lawrence notes that the names and dates are somewhat different from those recorded in Johannes Lorentz's family Bible (Sauer's American Bible, printed in 1743) where Johannes recorded this statement:
"I, Johannis Laurenz, bought this Bible for 27 shillings in 1744. I was born in 1661, married Anna Margaretta in 1691."
Then lists the names of his children.
Names and dates from church records are used when available.

Miscellaneous

Russell E. Lawrence suggests further research on the Johannes Lorentz family in Germany may be guided by the following information:

1. At the same time that our Johannes and Anna Margaretha Lorentz came to America, one Peter Henrich Newkirch also came. The church books at Ulm show that he married Anna Margaretha, daughter of Johan Jacob Lorentz. The family book at Ulm notes Johan Jacob Lorentz, the son of Johann Lorentz of Allendorf, was born March 1647.
You may recall that our Johannes had a son named Johann Jacob and his baptism in 1707 was witnessed by Johann Jacob.
Possibly the Johann Lorentz of Allendorf is our Johannes Lorentz's father.
There are several towns by the name of "Ulm" in Germany but this particular Ulm is 12 km west of Wetzlar which is about 70 km north of Frankfurt and 170 km (105 miles) north of Bellheim.
This particular Allendorf is about 22 km east of Wetzlar, or 104 miles north of Bellheim.

2. A Johannes Peter sponsored Nicholas, the son of Johann Jacob Lorentz, at UIm in 1697.
A Johann Peter also sponsored the baptism of our Johannes's son, Johannes, on February 15,1776, in New Jersey.
Because of this and the above, together, I am inclined to believe that Johann Jacob was the older brother of our Johannes and therefore the Johann Lorentz of Allendorf is the father of our Johannes. That would make the Hans and Ottilia Lorentz that were
part of the group that bought "the little castle" in Bellheim in 1605 our Johannes's grandparents or possibly great-grandparents.

3. From the Protestant Church Records of Konken (between Kaiserslautern and Trier) about 80 km (50 miles) west of Bellheim, there was an Abraham Lorentz in the year 1609, along with his wife and one female servant. He was a "vine dresser," the same as our ancestor.
4. Old German records show a Johann Lorenz in Ebersdorf (about 44 miles east of Hamburg, near the North Sea) in 1632. He was placed "under the protection of the Emperor of Gluckstatt", given the title of "Von Langendorff'and was in charge of supplies as "Proviantmeister".
5. A Hanns Lorentz had a Coat of Arms in 1559.
6. A Gregor Lorentz, a postman of Rosenberg, had a Coat of Arms in 1567.
7. On September 3, 1599, Georg Lorentz received the Coat of Arms that his father had received on May 20, 1559, from Kaiser Ferdinand.
8. Johann Georg Lorentz, the son of the "Register of Rates to Gluckstatt" was administered the title of "von" at Wien (Vienna) on April 28, 1700. Gluckstatt, about 28 miles northwest of Hamburg, was founded in 1616 by Christian IV of Denmark.
9. There was a Johannes Lorentz, born in 1644 in (looks like maybe Edwalbach) and died November 13, 1704 in Beilsheim by Frankfurt.
He had a son Johannes Jacob, born March 25, 1668 and died there on April 16, 1740.

10. From the Protestant Church archives in Konken, about 22 km northeast of Saarbruckenand, about 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Bellheim, there is listed in 1609 an Abraham Lorentz, with wife, Martha, and one female servant. He was a vine dresser.
There was also listed: "Maria Lorenz, a widow. Schelfer Debolt's wife, Catherina, 1 son: Hans Peter".

11. There is a will of James Barre in the Somerset County Court House in Somerville, NJ, dated 9-8-1695, proved at Perth Amboy on 5-12-1696, and was witnessed by William Lawrence, Johannes Lawrence and Daniel Lawrence.
This is likely not relative but there are other indications that some branch of the family may have come over prior to our Johannes's arrival in 1710.
There seemed to be other Lawrences living nearby in New Jersey but they may have been from England.
I list this simply because of the particular names that ran in the family at that time.

Miscellaneous

The Lawrence surname is derived from the Roman name Laurentius, used to designate a man from the region of that name, which was associated with the laurel or bay trees prevalent there. The name was used in Rome in 258 A.D. by a the deacon of Sixus, who was the Bishop of Rome, and later was known as St. Lawrence. St. Lawrence was known for helping the poor, but he was martyred after being tortured and then burned to death on an iron grate.
Lawrence, the Monk, was sent to England in 916 A.D. to convert the English to Christianity.
English crusaders increased the use of the Lawrence surname by bringing the history of St. Lawrence back to England where it became popular to use Biblical or historic surnames after the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D.
The first known Lawrence ancestor was Sir Robert Lawrence, who accompanied King Richard I on a crusade to the Holy Land in 1191. He was knighted by King Richard and given Ashton Hall in Lancashire, England for his service.
As family members migrated into France and Germany the surname took on various forms including Lorentz, Laurents, and Laurants. Later migration to the United States brought more Anglicized versions such as Lawrence, Lowrance and Lorance into use after the family arrived in the United States as Lorentz.