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,
Vincent Thomas (mayor) not to seek re-election, Thomas called for an increase in African-American representation in the city government. Vincent Thomas died at the Harbor's Edge retirement community in Norfolk on November 7, 2015, at the age of 93. Vincent Thomas (mayor) Vincent Johns Thomas (September 20, 1922 – November 7, 2015) was an American businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Norfolk, Virginia, from 1976 to 1984. He also served as the chairman of the Virginia State Board of Education from 1975 to 1978. Thomas, who was born in Norfolk to Minnie Allison Thomas and Vincent Graves Thomas on September