He took command at Fort Lawrence where he married John Hamilton (British army officer) to his daughter (1752). Through his marriage to Acadian Elizabeth Winniet (sister of Joseph Winniett, both of whom were grandchildren of Pierre Maisonnat dit Baptiste), John was related to many Acadians and thus found carrying out his duties to deport the Acadians at Annapolis disagreeable. In a letter to John Winslow he states, "I heartily join with You in wishing that we were both of us got over this most disagreeable and troublesome part of the Service."