Julia Ann E. Lawrence and John Deacon

Julia Ann E. Lawrence married John Deacon on April 5, 1832 in Hudson, Summit County Ohio. Much of the available information for Julia comes from the biography of her husband, John Deacon, found in the history of Summit County. John Deacon became one of the leading citizens in Hudson. His biography is one of a select few included in the Summit County History. “ John Deacon, retired farmer: One among the oldest living pioneers of this township is the above, who was born in Lancaster, Penn., Nov 28, 1802 and came out with his father, Marmaduke, in 1805 and for three-quarters of a century has remained constantly on the farm his father located on. April 5, 1832 was wedded to Julia Ann E. Lawrence who was born May 23, 1813.” The biography gives a detailed picture of Julia’s genealogy naming her parents as Martin C. and Submit Griffin Lawrence. Speaking of Martin “He was born in Dutchess Co., N.Y. March 20, 1793. He was the son of Chauncey and Sallie H. ( Clark ) Lawrence.” “Mrs. Deacon came West to Ohio with her parents in 1818 who located in this township. To Mr. and Mrs. Deacon have been born eleven children, ten living: Horace, John W., David, Emily, Cyrus B., Edmund W., Lucinda E., Lewis, Fredrick B., Louisa M., Caroline M., deceased. Mrs. Deacon has been a member of the church since 15 years of age. On account of the feeble health of Mr. Deacon the care and management of the farm has fallen upon his wife, who conducts it successfully.” On Ancestry.com we find the following post. “I now live in the house that John Deacon (1802-1884) built in Hudson, Ohio in 1847.” Ancestor.com also has some excellent Family Trees for the Deacon family. We have the death records for John and Julia that are found in the Summit County records. For John it records his death on August 22, 1884. The record notes that he was 81 years, 8 months and 22 days old at his death. It notes that he died in Hudson and was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. For Julia A. a death date of December 4, 1889 at the age of 77 years, 6 months and 11 days. It notes that she died in Alliance and that she was born in Milford, Connecticut. ________________ There is a bit of confusion surround Julia Ann. There are several different spellings for her name. There is also some confusion as to her place of birth. John Deacon in his will writes her name Julia Ann E. Deacon. John’s biography uses the same spelling. Her death record lists her as Julia A. The 1850 census uses the Julia Ann spelling. On their marriage license and in the other census records her name is written Juliann, which could be how the recording clerk heard the name. There are also variations in the place of her birth. John’s biography lists it as Cincinnati, Ohio. The biography states that she came west “to” Ohio, which would seem to indicate she was born somewhere other than Ohio. The 1850, 1870 and 1880 census records list it as Ohio. The 1860 census lists her place of birth as Connecticut as does her death record. The 1880 census lists her place of birth as Ohio, her fathers as New York and her mother’s as Connecticut. We have previously posted our history for her parents, which places her birth in Connecticut. __________ John Deacon published his will March 14, 1867. “I John Deacon of Hudson, Summit Co., Ohio do make and publish this my last will and testament.” He writes “To my wife Julia Ann E. Deacon.” He leaves to his wife all of his household goods and personal property as well as his real estate with the caveat “as long as she remain unmarried”. On her death he stipulates the following “To my son Cyrus Deacon $100.00”. He leaves Edmund the same amount. He then writes, “The residue of said real and personal estate left after the …..2 above named legacies of $100.00 is to be equally divided between, Horace L., John, Caroline Campbell, Emily Slaughterbaugh, Lucy Deacon, Lewis Deacon, Fredrick Deacon, Ida Deacon”. He notes that he had already given his son David $1,100.00. In October of 1878 he amends his will. Of the division he writes, to Horace L., Caroline Campbell, Emily E Slaughterbaugh, Lucy Eaton formerly Deacon, Lewis D., Fredrick D., and Ida Musson formerly Deacon”. He adds, “The reason of this change is that my son John Deacon has already been largely helped by me, but has made a poor use there of, and also does not treat me well”. John and Julia Deacon are buried in the O’Brian Cemetery in Hudson their graves marked by a large handsome headstone. ___________ Julia Ann E. Lawrence Deacon / Submit Griffin / Edward / James / Samuel Griffin.