The purpose of this web page is to make research findings about Lawrence Marr, Sr. and his family more widely available. This information was compiled over many years by multiple researchers.
There were many Marr families in the early days of what would become the United States of America. This page concerns Lawrence Marr, Sr. who is first found in New Jersey records in 1733. He and his family relocated to Pennsylvania in about 1760 and Lawrence Sr. has died before the 1790 US census.
We encourage any direct male descendants of Lawrence Marr, Sr. or of the Erskines who held the title Earl of Mar to do a YDNA test at FamilyTreeDNA. Those results will help to sort out the true ancestry of Lawrence Marr, Sr. See below under the Marr Claim Associations also. https://www.familytreedna.com/
A sketch containing what is known from reliable sources about Lawrence Marr, Sr.
A short paper documenting the best information at present (Jan 2026) about the Irish origin of Lawrence Marr Sr’s paternal line.
Timeline showing the known locations for Lawrence Marr Sr.
Link to the only online tree known to be based on actual records.
A brief history of the Marr Associations formed to claim a supposed inheritance from titled ancestors in Scotland (the Earl of Mar). Includes fact checking of the lineage claims to the Earl of Mar for the descendants of John Marr of Kittery, Maine; and for the descendants of Lawrence Marr, Sr. of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Note also there are two known direct male line descendants of Lawrence Marr who’ve done Y-DNA testing. Neither matches any of the few known descendants of the Erskines who held the Earl of Mar title and who’ve done Y-DNA testing.
Conclusions based on a review of what is known about the controversial Marr family Bible record published by Mrs. William Breckenridge Ardery in Kentucky Court and Other Records, 1932.
Information was compiled from various sources by Robert Moody and Shari Sievers in 2024. The information was used to make valid assumptions about the ages and birth years of the sons of Lawrence Marr Sr. It was also used to determine a death time frame for his son Alem. There are two sections in the document: the first for Northampton County records and the second for Northumberland County records. There is a blank page between the two sections.
Information from various sources recorded by Robert Moody and Shari Sievers in 2024. Includes links to various documents.
Comprehensive compilation of reliable information about Lawrence Marr Jr. including numerous source links.
Lawrence Marr Jr – Reprieve Jan 1782
The court session minutes concerning the reprieve from hanging given Lawrence Jr and associated bond.
Lawrence Marr Sr’s sons’ military records
Extensive information about their military service and record sources.
John Marr – additional military records: John Marr enlisted in the Third Pennsylvania Regiment in about 1776 and served in that unit until the latter part of December 1780, at which time he procured a furlough from William Alexander, then Major of the Regiment, to visit his brother [Lawrence Jr.] who for some mis-conduct had got into Sussex Goal [jail] in New Jersey and previous to his return to join his Regiment, which was then near Norris Town; that part of the Army had revolted in consequence of which a great proportion obtained their discharge. John, however, not being present, did not receive a discharge, but never joined the army again.
This is the earliest record found of Lawrence Marr Sr in the United States. As there are no other known Lawrence Marrs in that time frame and area, this is presumed to be Lawrence Marr Sr of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Record of a transaction in Amwell, New Jersey, that included Lawrence Marr Sr.
Record showing the conclusion of an obligation owed by Herman Dawles (dec) and thence his widow, Catherine, to Lawrence Marr Sr. The document identifies Lawrence as a blacksmith. There is documentation of Lawrence owning a blacksmith shop in Amwell circa 1743 in the book A History of East Amwell, published by the East Amwell Bicentennial Committee in 1979.
Record showing events related to Lawrence Marr being jailed at Trenton in May 1756. Transcription follows images of the original court records.
Various references to Lawrence Marr Sr in Hunterdon County court minutes. The references are outlined in red.
Transcription:
Transcription of Minutes of the Hunterdon County Common Pleas Court related to Lawrence Marr