Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Lawrence
Provided by Bert Speed


Edited by Thomas Hammack, Jr.

Declaration - Pickens Dist., SC
8 Jan, 1844

Rachel Lawrence formerly Rachel Weems, resident. Stated that she was a widow of Benjamin Lawrence who was a pvt. and officer in the War of the Revolution. ... He was in battle of Kittle (sic) Creek, siege of Augusta, Midway and others...

Bounty - Land - Warrant Application Files, M-804 Roll 531 (microfilm).

11 July, 1780 Colo. John Jones led 35 men from Georgia into South Carolina, through the woods to avoid Tories. "Among this party was a South Carolinian by the name of Benjamin Lawrence, who was a superior woodsman and well acquainted with the country. He rendered a valuable service as guide on this rereat."

Pages 114-5, Colonial and Revolutionary History of Upper South Carolina, Dr. J. B. O. Landrum, 1897, repr. 1962.

Statement of David Venes (?) , citizen of Anderson Dist. Benjamin Lawrence was a soldier of Revolutionary War and served in the same militia company under Capt. William Harris, Capt. Baskins, Capt. McCall, and Capt. Robert Anderson, afterwards Col. In battle of Kettle Creek. Lawrence was one of the best soldiers the deponent ever knew and believed he served most of the war.

National Archives Microfilm - Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty - Land - Warrant Application Files M-804 Roll 531.

Benjamin was a Pvt. & Lt. in the Rev. War. His daughter Sarah md. Wm. Speed, my ancestor. The Speed family called him "General." I have no documentation that he reached this rank.

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Copyright 2002 by Thomas Hammack, Jr.