New York State’s fifth Attorney General Nathaniel Lawrence was born on July 11, 1761, in Queens County. He had a strong career of as a revolutionary soldier and in public service, before dying young.
Leaving Princeton College behind, he answered the call to arms, serving as a lieutenant in the American Revolutionary War. His bravery came at a cost however. Captured during the fall of Fort Lafayette (a fortified island in The Narrows of New York Harbor), Lawrence spent two grueling years confined on a British prison ship.
That wasn’t nearly the end of his journey. In 1788, he served as a delegate to the New York State Convention, playing a role in ratifying the U.S. Constitution. Fast forward to 1792, and he stepped into the shoes of Morgan Lewis as New York’s Attorney General — a position he held until 1795.
Lawrence’s commitment didn’t stop there; he served as Secretary to the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York from 1790 to 1794 and was elected to the New York State Assembly four times (serving in 1791, 1792, 1795 and 1796).
In February, 1796 he was appointed Assistant Attorney General for the First District, which comprised Suffolk, Queens, Kings, Richmond and Westchester Counties.
The toll of his imprisonment impacted his health however, and he passed away on Long Island less than a year later on July 15, 1797, at just 36 years old.
This essay is one of a series by the Historical Society of the New York Courts on the history of New York’s Attorneys General. You can read them all here.
The Historical Society of the New York Courts brings together judges and lawyers to preserve, protect, and promote the legal history of New York — how it works to promote democracy, ensure justice, and promote the rule of law. Learn more about the Society and support their efforts by becoming a member or donating here.
Illustration: Nathaniel Lawrence from a ca. 1790 portrait miniature by an unknown artist (Frick Photoarchive).
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