Information about Lawrence Marr, Sr.
and his immediate family
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/
Lawrence Marr Sr - biographical
sketch
A sketch containing what is known from reliable sources about
Lawrence Marr, Sr.
Lawrence Marr Sr's Irish ancestry as proven
by Y-DNA research
A short paper documenting the best information at present (Jan 2026) about the Irish origin of Lawrence Marr Sr's paternal line.
Lawrence Marr Sr - Location
information
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.
· For Erskine surname project with
Y-DNA results, see: https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/erskine-askey-surname-project/about/background
o
YDNA
Subgrouping of the FTDNA Erskine Surname Project participants. Participant #565
is a proven direct male descendent of Lawrence Marr, Sr. and does not match any
other person in the Erskine project, including several who show descendancy
from the Earl of Mar Erskines. Erskine
Surname Project-Subgroups
· For the two known male line
descendants of Lawrence Marr, see Group 1 in the “Y-DNA Results Overview” in
the Moody Surname Project: https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/moody/dna-results
Observations on the Marr Bible
record
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.
Marr
- Northampton & Northumberland Counties - early tax and assessment entries
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.
Lawrence Marr Sr's
children - compiled notes
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.
· Rev War - RG-4
Depreciation Cert - Genl Registers
· Rev War - RG-4
Depreciation Cert
· Rev War - RG-2
Pension Accounts
Deed - Montour
NJ - Book H p 117 - Lawrence Marr witness
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.
William Dawles to Jacob Race
- 28 Jun 1743
Record of a transaction in Amwell, New Jersey, that included
Lawrence Marr Sr.
Indenture-Lawrence
Marr and Catherine Dawles - 1748
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.
Lawrence Marr jailed at Trenton - May 1756
Record showing events related to Lawrence Marr being jailed at Trenton in May 1756. Transcription follows images of the original court records.
Hunterdon
County - Excerpts of Common Pleas Court Minutes - 1756-1761
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
