Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Laurence, John
LAURENCE, JOHN (d. 1732), writer on gardening, a native of Stamford Barnard, Northamptonshire, entered at Clare Hall, Cambridge, 20 May 1685, and graduated B.A. in 1668. He became fellow of Clare Hall, prebendary of Sarum, and chaplain to the Bishop of Salisbury. He was rector of Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire, and afterwards became rector of Bishop's Wearmouth, where he died 18 May 1732. A copperplate of Laurence, by Vertue, is prefixed to his 'Clergyman's Recreation.' He left one son, John, rector of St. Mary, Aldermanbury, and three daughters. His brother Edward is separately noticed.
Laurence's chief works apart from sermons were: 1. 'The Clergyman's Recreation, shewing the Pleasure and Profit of the Art of Gardening,' 1714; 4th edit. 1716. 2. 'New System of Agriculture, being a Complete Body of Husbandry and Gardening,' 1726; the ordering of fish ponds, brick-making, and other employments of rural economy are treated at length. 3. 'On Enclosing Commons,' 1732. 'Paradice Regain'd, or the Art of Gardening, a Poem,' 1728, a poor piece of versifying, is doubtfully attributed to Laurence.
[Works; information kindly supplied by L. Ewbank, esq.; Nichols's Lit. Anecd. viii. 298, ix. 585; Gent. Mag. 1732, p. 775.]