Thomas Lawrence (mayor)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Lawrence was a merchant and a mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
Born in New York City
, he came around 1720 to Philadelphia, where, for the rest of his life, Lawrence was engaged in the mercantile business. In 1730, after being associated with James Logan
, Lawrence formed a partnership with Edward Shippen
; Shippen & Lawrence became one of Philadelphia's leading firms.
Apart from his life in private business, Lawrence held several positions of trust in the city, including serving as mayor for six one-year terms, as city councilman and alderman, and as judge of the county court. During 1730 he worked with Dr. John Kearsley and Andrew Hamilton
on a committee for the preparation and planning to build the Philadelphia state house, the later Independence Hall
. At the provincial level, Lawrence began his service on the Provincial Council
in 1728. On his death in 1754, a notice in Benjamin Franklin
's Pennsylvania Gazette
emphasized his record of public service and his humanity in all aspects of his life.
Lawrence was a founder and trustee of The Academy and College of Philadelphia
.
He died in office, in Philadelphia, and is buried at Christ Church Burial Ground
.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, he came around 1720 to Philadelphia, where, for the rest of his life, Lawrence was engaged in the mercantile business. In 1730, after being associated with James Logan
James Logan (statesman)
James Logan , a statesman and scholar, was born in Lurgan, County Armagh, Ireland of Scottish descent and Quaker parentage. In 1689, the Logan family moved to Bristol, England where, in 1693, James replaced his father as schoolmaster...
, Lawrence formed a partnership with Edward Shippen
Edward Shippen (II)
Edward Shippen was a wealthy merchant and government official in colonial Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Merchant:...
; Shippen & Lawrence became one of Philadelphia's leading firms.
Apart from his life in private business, Lawrence held several positions of trust in the city, including serving as mayor for six one-year terms, as city councilman and alderman, and as judge of the county court. During 1730 he worked with Dr. John Kearsley and Andrew Hamilton
Andrew Hamilton (lawyer)
Andrew Hamilton was a Scottish lawyer in Colonial America, best known for his legal victory on behalf of printer and newspaper publisher John Peter Zenger. This 1735 decision helped to establish that truth is a defense to an accusation of libel...
on a committee for the preparation and planning to build the Philadelphia state house, the later Independence Hall
Independence Hall
Independence Hall is the centerpiece of Independence National Historical Park located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, on Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets...
. At the provincial level, Lawrence began his service on the Provincial Council
Pennsylvania Provincial Council
The Pennsylvania Provincial Council helped govern the Province of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1776.-References:*----...
in 1728. On his death in 1754, a notice in Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
's Pennsylvania Gazette
Pennsylvania Gazette
The Pennsylvania Gazette was one of the United States' most prominent newspapers from 1728, before the time period of the American Revolution, until 1815...
emphasized his record of public service and his humanity in all aspects of his life.
Lawrence was a founder and trustee of The Academy and College of Philadelphia
The Academy and College of Philadelphia
The Academy and College of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, is considered by many to have been the first American academy. It was founded in 1749 by Benjamin Franklin....
.
He died in office, in Philadelphia, and is buried at Christ Church Burial Ground
Christ Church Burial Ground
Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is an important early-American cemetery. It is the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin and his wife, Deborah. Four other signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried here, Dr. Benjamin Rush, Francis Hopkinson, Joseph Hewes...
.
External links
- Brief biography and portrait at the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of PennsylvaniaThe University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...