Christopher Lawne

Who is Christopher Lawne?

Christopher Lawne was an English merchant and Puritan of note, born in Blandford, Dorset, who emigrated to Virginia Colony on the Marygold in May 1618 and died the following year.

Lawne's Creek, on the south bank of the James in present-day Isle of Wight County, is named for Christopher Lawne, who settled a plantation there with 15-20 Puritan colonists. Lawne sat as a burgess in Governor Yeardley's First General Assembly of the Virginia House of Burgesses, Governor and Council of Virginia in July 1619, Soon thereafter, Lawne fell ill and died that November. His will was witnessed by Nathaniel West, and surgeon Pharao Flynton.

Like many English Dissenters, Lawne initially left England for Holland, drawn by the atmosphere greater religious tolerance. He was an Elder among the Ancient Brethren of Francis Johnson's church.