Thomas Lawrence (mayor) Thomas Lawrence (mayor) Thomas Lawrence (1689–1754) was a merchant who was elected to six one-year terms as mayor of Philadelphia between 1729 and his death in 1754. Born in New York City, he moved to Philadelphia in 1720, 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,
John Willett Adye John Willett Adye John Willett Adye (1745–1815), in later life John Willett Willett, was an English plantation owner and politician. He was the second son of Stephen Adye of St Kitts and his wife Clara Payne, born 1 January 1745. He was adopted while still young by Ralph Willett, a first cousin of his mother. After education at Lincoln's Inn, he took to the gentlemanly life of a collector, following the example of his adoptive father Willett. Willett died in 1795. Adye was his principal heir, to plantations in St Kitts, and under a condition of the will took Willett